The Family Cruise Companion

Given the dozens of great cruise ships catering to families today that offer great cruises for kids, you can easily get overwhelmed with deciding which one will be the best fit for your family. And, if your family is traveling with a toddler, you may be particularly concerned about making the right choice. After all, a family vacation should be a vacation for each member of the family. The ship you select will have a huge impact on how much fun your family will have and how much work could be involved for you. You want to know that you and your kids, including your toddler, will be able to relax and have fun. Read on to learn what are the best family cruise ships for toddlers offered by the best cruise lines. Discover which ones are the best fit for your family.

Related Content: How To Confidently Cruise With A Baby 

What Makes The Best Family Cruise Ships for Toddlers?

So, what criteria determine which cruise ships are the best family cruise ships for toddlers? First, this list focuses on ships that sail Caribbean itineraries. Caribbean itineraries are the easiest cruises to sail when you are just starting out cruising with young kids. Also, almost all cruise lines have age restrictions on non-Caribbean sailings. They require that passengers be at least 12 months old. While many toddlers obviously fall within that range, some don’t. Plus, for North American passengers, sailing a Caribbean itinerary means you can skip that really long flight to your embarkation port.  

Second, the best family cruise ships for toddlers should have a wide range of on-ship activities. You should know whether the ship has activities appropriate for toddlers. More specifically, can toddlers access the ship’s kids’ club? And, are there drop-off child care options? Also, are there character experiences? And, will you find a range of other activities that will appeal to all of the age groups in your family?

Third, how do the water activities stack up? All of the best family cruise ships should have pools, water slides, and/or splash park areas that are appropriate for young kids, including babies and toddlers.

Finally, what about toddlers that aren’t yet fully potty-trained? Will they be allowed in the youth centers? Will staff change diapers? Are there water activities available for them?

After reviewing all of the major family-friendly cruise lines, 13 ships met a sufficient number of these criteria to be included on this list.

The 5 Best of the Best Family Cruise Ships for Toddlers

Considering all of the identified factors, five cruise ships immediately pop to the top of the list. Read on to find out which ones those are and why. 

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