Table Of Content
Virgin is fun for a few reasons, in part because they are doing things differently than many other competitor cruise lines. Virgin Voyages has an unconventional approach to cruising and is known for having great food and dining, amazing entertainment and crazy pool parties. When it comes to fun activities on a cruise ship, it’s hard to beat what Wonder of the Seas has to offer. Additionally, the Wonder of the Seas has great entertainment, featuring live music, an ice skating show and the aqua show in the AquaTheatre. Plus, Sun Princess will be the first-ever Princess ship to feature the Wake View Terrace at the aft. Here, there will be a South Beach-style resort deck, full bar, infinity pool, and unique entertainment.
Other Kid-Friendly Perks on MSC Cruises
I took my first Carnival cruise on its newest ship. Here are my honest thoughts - Cruise Blog
I took my first Carnival cruise on its newest ship. Here are my honest thoughts.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The casual food options on Carnival Mardi Gras are some of the best at sea. Launched in 2021, MSC Virtuosa is the newest ship in MSC's Meraviglia Class and stands out from her sister ships in a few ways, as she is technically part of the Meraviglia-Plus Subclass. Prior to 2022, the ship was the only one in its class to feature a 4D cinema; however, it was removed during its most recent dry dock in order to expand the non-smoking area of the casino. Cruisers who are looking for a large, not mega, ship experience will enjoy Carnival Breeze, a Dream Class ship that debuted in 2012. There's also a mini-golf course, suspended pedal bike, cooking classes, poolside movies, a ropes course, and Waterworks waterpark.
Carnival Sunshine
You can access them on all Disney vessels, most Norwegian, Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships, and select ships in the MSC fleet. Notable options include Royal Caribbean's Perfect Storm, a trio of waterslides that includes two racing slides and either a funnel-style bowl slide or a boomerang slide (depending on the ship). A fun cruise refers to cruises designed with a focus on entertainment, activities, and experiences that offer passengers a lively and enjoyable time aboard. Virgin Voyages has revolutionized cruising in many ways by building on adult-by-design, boutique luxury ships; in fact, you have to be 18 years or older to sail onboard. Because you won't find children running around the cruise ship, this can be an excellent option for adults looking to have kid-free fun. If you’re a millennial looking for a cruise that features no buffets or children, this is one of the most fun cruises you can take right now.
Why Royal Caribbean Ships Are Great for Kids
You'll also find big pool decks with water and light shows and poolside cabanas that are a great way to bond by the pool. This cruise line is also hot on its kid-friendly shore excursions, such as kayaking, bike rides, trips to beaches, boat tours and to the summit of volcanoes or snow-covered mountains. Adults-only solariums are perfect for parents and grandparents, and there are a plethora of dining and evening entertainment options. Then there are exclusive pools, restaurants, and lounges that are only for guests staying in Haven rooms. It’s not for everyone, but those wanting the swankiest stay on the ship should check it out.
Discovery-inspired programming, which includes fun and educational activities, has rolled out fleetwide. Norwegian's Splash Academy features separate activities for kids ages 3 to 5, 6 to 9 and 10 to 12. Children can do arts and crafts, sing karaoke and play video games. The kids' club on NCL Epic has a jungle gym, plenty of room to roam and a cool interactive light-up dance floor.
Compare: 10 Best Cruise Ships in The Bahamas and Caribbean - Cruise Critic
Compare: 10 Best Cruise Ships in The Bahamas and Caribbean.
Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Watch for exclusive offers and promotions to make your cruise ship experience more enjoyable. From spa discounts to drink packages, these deals can add a tinge of luxury to your vacation. The perfect cruise ship should have enough onboard entertainment and activities to keep you busy from sunrise to sunset (and beyond!).
Celebrity Cruises
You get to enjoy time on the cruise ship as well as visit some beautiful destinations. Choosing the most fun cruise depends most on what you like to do and enjoy. Overall, the MSC Seascape has the perfect mix of relaxing areas, good dining options and amazing attractions. If you’re looking to have a fun and enjoyable vacation, the MSC Seascape is a great choice.
Dance the Night Away
During the Cirque Dreams & Dinner on Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, cruisers get to play with their food. While each ship puts on its own unique show, all offer the opportunity to have dinner surrounded by acrobats, aerialists and hula-hoopers. The onstage activity and outrageous costumes are an acceptable excuse to ignore your table companions. The entertainers perform their circus-style antics as waiters exhibit their own agile skills, serving dinner amid the creative chaos.
Celebrity Reflection and Silhouette also offer open-air grilling at the adjacent Lawn Club Grill, along with "The Alcoves," a private cabanas-style lawn-side retreat. That’s why cruise ships often have ice cream stations located near the pool. Sometimes it’s free soft-serve, other ships might have gelato that costs a few bucks. These days most cruise lines have moved beyond the typical song and dance routines. For instance, Norwegian has productions of Footloose and Kinky Boots aboard its newer ships.
Small groups of cruisers work together to find clues, solve puzzles and decipher riddles that allow them to escape from a tiny room in which they're voluntarily confined. If you're the volunteer type, vacation is as good a time as any to give back. If you're sailing with Carnival, check out Groove for St. Jude, where passengers pay a modest sign-up fee (donated to St. Jude Children's Hospital) to have a member of the entertainment staff teach them a dance. Note that most cruise lines partner with Park West, a well-known gallery that can sell you a number of works, even if they aren't necessarily available onboard -- no bidding required.
In the good old days before talking GPS machines, mariners often carried cages full of crows or ravens for use as aids in coastal navigation. If the sailors were uncertain of their position and bearing to a nearby land mass, they would release one of the birds who would usually fly in the shortest, most direct route toward the nearest land. Royal and Regal Princess have outdoor play areas with a jungle gym for kids ages 3 to 7, and another for teens with a teens-only hot tub and space for outdoor parties. Activities might range from Caribbean-shark-themed scavenger hunts to hands-on "Mythbusters"-style challenges and learning the science of magic. Other kid-approved activities include video game tournaments, art projects and storytime. The Reef, the main kids' club, is divided into rooms for each age group with brightly adorned spaces filled with fun activities and age-appropriate toys.
For a long time people have talked about virtual reality becoming the next big thing. Norwegian has put in the Galaxy Pavilion on some ships, which is an oasis of VR technology. Here you can put on headsets and ride roller coasters, walk a plank high above the ground, and even go off-road in a 4×4. It costs extra (about $30 for 90 minutes) but it’s something that kids will love. In our experience, many cruise lines have a consistent experience regarding things to do, places to eat, and bars to drink, across the entire fleet. Norwegian does some of this, but we think there is more of a difference between newer and older ships.
It’s almost always something easy to listen to (don’t expect any heavy metal), and usually the bands play covers ranging from classic hits to new favorites. In the evenings you’ll find live music being played at locations around the ship. Balconies usually aren’t that large; it’s just enough space for a couple of chairs and a small side table.
Across the major brands, you're likely to see titles like Battle of the Sexes, the Newlywed/Not So Newlywed or Love and Marriage game, and Quest, an adult scavenger hunt that often gets weird and wacky. No matter what you choose, you'll see a snippet of the port you're visiting in a safe way. If you're sailing Princess and want a bit of romance, book the Ultimate Balcony Dining experience, where a waiter will serve you and your partner a multicourse alfresco meal on your stateroom balcony. If you're desperate to see what makes it all tick, see if your ship runs behind-the-scenes tours. These can show passengers the inner workings of areas like the galley, the bridge and backstage in the theater. Adventure activities are supervised by trained professionals, and safety guidelines are always in place.
Not only is there outdoor dining for the buffet, but most restaurants have their own dedicated spots to eat outside. If you want to get away from the crowds — and any kids on the ship — check out the Vibe Beach Club. It’s an adult-only area with hot tubs, loungers, and even cabanas that you can rent. You can pick up a day pass at the Guest Services desk and enjoy your relaxing time from practically sunup until nearly midnight. The number of passes available is capped for exclusivity, so grab one early.
There’s nothing more classic than playing shuffleboard on a cruise. It’s a reminder back to the older days of sailing, but the game is surprisingly fun. While you are trying to score points by sliding the disc on a numbered spot, you are also trying to knock your opponent’s discs off the board. Major cruise ships have spaces made just for children that are staffed by the cruise line.
