Travel

The 10 best cruise ships for families

By Mark Matousek
Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas made CruiseCritic's list of the best cruise ships for families. Royal Caribbean International
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When you're taking your family on a cruise, it's important to choose a cruise ship that has something for everyone.

The website CruiseCritic examined reviews from its users to determine which cruise ships are the best for families. (A CruiseCritic representative said thousands of reviews were used in the website's 2019 "cruiser's choice" awards, but declined to give a specific number.) The list includes a variety of ships from big names like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Disney Cruise Line.

These are the 10 best cruise ships for families, according to CruiseCritic users.

10. Freedom of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of the Seas. Peter Morgan/Associated Press

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

CruiseCritic user review: "The kids were kept very busy with the arcade, pools, splash parks and FlowRider, kids lounge and teen disco. They also enjoyed the movies at the pool in the evenings." - lisapilot

9. Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

CruiseCritic user review: "The kids' clubs offer a wide array of activities with a great view of the sea." - Cruise Craz Family

8. Allure of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
An ice show on Royal Caribbean International's Allure of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

CruiseCritic user review: "The kids always found something that surprised or amazed them." - Miriamd123

7. Carnival Glory

Carnival Glory
Carnival's Cruise Line's Carnival Glory. Shutterstock/Solarisys

Cruise line: Carnival Cruise Line

CruiseCritic user review: "We traveled with two children and a total family of four … The value is really there over other cruise lines." - Rickgrimes

6. Jewel of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International's Jewel of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

CruiseCritic user review: "All staff were amazing with our young kids and very patient. We have cruised Royal many times in the past and will continue to do so!" - SherriAdi

5. Disney Dream

Disney Cruise Line Disney Dream
A children's play area on Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream. Kent Phillips/Disney Cruise Line

Cruise line: Disney Cruise Line

CruiseCritic user review: "Kids loved the 'aqua duck' water slide and pools. Disney movies are constantly being shown at the kid pool area and are fun to watch." - drlindajoy

4. Symphony of the Seas

royal caribbean symphony of the seas
Royal Caribbean International's Symphony of the Seas. SBW-Photo via Royal Caribbean

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International

CruiseCritic user review: "The onboard entertainment was very good especially the Aqua show ... thoroughly enjoyed by the whole family including our eleven grandchildren, ages ranging from 19 down to 4 years." - Helen Morrow

3. Ruby Princess

Princess Cruises Ruby Princess
Princess Cruise Line's Ruby Princess. Princess Cruises

Cruise line: Princess Cruises

CruiseCritic user review: "All in all we had a great time as a family ... Princess also did a great job helping our 2 elderly family members who needed additional assistance." - sdjaffe

2. Regal Princess

Princess Cruises Regal Princess
Princess Cruises' Regal Princess. Princess Cruises

Cruise line: Princess Cruises

CruiseCritic user review: "Ten family members cruised together for the 2nd time ... Dining was superior, as was the entertainment. The boarding and disembarkation process was very smooth and fast." - Madjacksam

1. Disney Magic

Disney Cruise Line Disney Magic
Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic. Disney Cruise Line

Cruise line: Disney Cruise Line

CruiseCritic user review: "Disney does such a great job making your little princes and princesses feel special." - San127

Have you worked on a cruise ship? Do you have a story to share? Email this reporter at mmatousek@bjinnox.com.

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Mark Matousek
I'm a senior transportation reporter at Insider covering electric vehicles, automated-driving technology, and ride-hailing. I joined Insider in October 2017 and previously worked as an intern at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with degrees in film and media studies and business economics. You can follow me on Twitter @matousekmark and email me at mmatousek@bjinnox.com.  If you have sensitive information you'd like to share and don't feel comfortable sending it to my work email or via a direct-message on Twitter, you can contact me on the encrypted messaging app Signal at 646-768-4712 or email my encrypted address at mmatousek@protonmail.com. Here's some of my work: Uber insiders are divided over Dara Khosrowshahi's leadership, with some worried the company has become 'boring' and 'confused' about its future Nikola founder Trevor Milton convinced the world he was the next Elon Musk. Insiders say a history of lies brought the billionaire down. 17 hours a day, 7 days a week: Cruise-ship workers describe the grueling conditions they face on the job We talked to 42 insiders about Tesla's factory of the future. They revealed the corners cut to hit ambitious production targets. 70-hour weeks and 'WTF' emails: 42 employees reveal the frenzy of working at Tesla under the 'cult' of Elon Musk Tesla is transforming how cars are sold. But 27 insiders say the company's methods mean slashed pay and living under the constant threat of getting laid off. Uber insiders reveal how DoorDash stole its delivery crown and left Eats in the dust Uber's trying no-meeting Mondays to give employees a break from 'tiring' back-to-back meetings, a leaked email reveals Leaked email reveals a Tesla VP expressed concern about employees coming to work with COVID-19 symptoms Leaked document reveals Nikola flip-flopped on whether it would spend any of its $17 million of customer deposits to fund the Nikola One Insiders reveal Alibaba's Jack Ma sought a partnership with Canoo to build electric delivery vans, but the deal fell flat because the startup couldn't meet his aggressive timeline Leaked email from Elon Musk reveals the Model Y is experiencing production 'challenges' while passing the Model 3 as the top priority at Tesla's US car factory Leaked email and audio reveal Carnival-owned Holland America has struggled to give refunds to some customers Leaked documents reveal the severance packages laid off Carnival UK workers will receive Inside Tesla's overhaul plan for its sales and delivery teams to solve one of its toughest customer challenges
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