10 Reasons to Choose Royal Caribbean For Family Cruises
Kids clubs up to age 17, non-stop entertainment and large family suites are just some of the reasons to choose Royal Caribbean for family cruises – here are my top 10.
Ahoy there, did you know the cruise industry is booming? Every week I hear about ground breaking technology and amazing activities on yet another new cruise ship! Who needs formal dining and bridge when you can have sushi bars and dance classes? Waterparks are now the the norm on Royal Caribbean family cruises and they have even replaced bar men with robots in their bionic bars!
The average age has changed dramatically over the past ten years and cruise ships have adapted so well to their new younger clientele, particularly Royal Caribbean cruises. I was fortunate to be able to bring my kids on Independence of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas, so when Royal Caribbean asked me to tell you ten reasons why you should choose Royal Caribbean for family cruises, it was an easy decision to make!
1. You will NEVER hear the words ‘I’m bored’!
Royal Caribbean know that with family cruises, active kids are happy kids! For anyone who hasn’t cruised before it is difficult to comprehend how much there is to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The fact that some of the newest ships are taller than the Eiffel Tower and have seven different neighbourhoods on board, might make it a little easier to visualise.
A program is placed in your cabin each day which lists all the different activities available. There are games, shows and different activities daily, designed especially for each age group, as well as a host of different kids clubs for all ages (more on that later). You can expect to find multi-sports courts and waterparks on most of their new cruise ships, catering for kids of all ages. Kids will think it is like Christmas morning, all day, every day!
2. Royal Caribbean’s family cruises are a great way to re-connect with your teenager!
Watch your teenager’s mood swings sail away on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Although there are teen clubs (more on that below), games consoles and the all important WiFi on board, don’t be surprised if you see them ditch ‘Fortnite’ for the FlowRider® – Royal Caribbean’s surf simulator.
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They can put their muscles to the test on the Rock Climbing Wall, slide down the Ultimate AbyssSM, the tallest slide at sea, don a virtual reality mask on the bungee trampoline SkyPadSM, or zipline across an open atrium, nine decks above the boardwalk. I braved the zipline on Harmony of the Seas and it was terrifying, but I have no doubt teenagers will love it! I also tried the SKYPadSM on Independence of the Seas and was blown away – it is the only one of it’s kind at sea.
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Royal Caribbean have some mind blowing waterslides too, the Perfect Storm racer slides on Harmony of the Seas are perfect for teens and ‘The Blaster’ is coming to Navigator of the Seas soon, it will feature 800 feet of twists, turns, drops and the longest stretch of slide ever suspended over water.
3. They have so many exciting dining options and you don’t have to dress up for dinner!
Royal Caribbean cruise ships have restaurants to suit all tastes and ages. As well as their popular buffet and main dining rooms, there are a host of speciality dining options . Enjoy mouth-watering steaks in Chops Grille, tasty burgers in Johnny Rockets or delicious pasta and pizza at Jamie’s Italian. We loved the Teppanyaki restaurant on Independence of the Seas. The kids enjoyed the interactive experience and now every time we go on holidays they always look to see if there is a Teppanyaki restaurant there.
Why not take advantage of the late night kids club, (7$ per hour) and enjoy some fine dining on your own one night? You don’t need to select a specific dining time, just opt for ‘My Time Dining’ and dine whenever you like. You can reserve a table in advance for your preferred time, or simply show up and wait for an available table. Of course if you want to opt for traditional dining and select the same table and dining time each day, you can do that too. You can dress up or go casual, it is completely up to you. Royal Caribbean make it very simple – dine your own way!
4. There are family shows every night on Royal Caribbean’s family cruises.
While you may love to see your kids off enjoying themselves during the day, it is nice to do some family activities too. Royal Caribbean Broadway style shows are superb. We saw Grease and it was fantastic. The kids loved it, in fact I had to download the soundtrack when we got home! Shows vary depending on which ship you choose but Hairspray, Mamma Mia and the Queen tribute, We Will Rock You, are currently showing on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship near you…..
The Aqua shows on Oasis Class Ships are in an open air theatre, with a backdrop of the ocean across the horizon. The setting is remarkable. There are two 30-foot diving platforms on each side of a the deepest pool at sea, with professional acrobats walking tightropes, divers and synchronised swimmers. I recall thinking that the Royal Caribbean slogan ‘ Where Extraordinary Happens’ was so apt when we watched this show, it really was extraordinary.
Royal Caribbean also have their own original productions and ice skating shows so it is possible to have a completely different family evening each night – and all included in the cost of your cruise.
See more here5. No matter what time of year you want to travel, Royal Caribbean have family cruises to suit you.
Royal Caribbean International is the world’s largest global cruise line. They have 26 cruise ships, cruising to over 260 destinations in 72 countries across six continents! I think it is fair to say that no matter which destination you want to cruise to, they will always have family cruises to suit you.
Show the kids the wonders of Rome or ancient Greece on Royal Caribbean Mediterranean cruises, visit Alcatraz and DisneyLand on their West Coast of America cruise, give them a taste of the Orient with their wide selection of destinations in Asia ,or enjoy family days on the Caribbean’s best beaches.
6. Royal Caribbean have their own paradise island in the Bahamas called Perfect Day at Cococay!
I can’t wait to visit Perfect Day – it looks absolutely amazing! Royal Caribbean just spent $250 million dollars transforming this paradise island in the Bahamas, with incredible facilities to suit all ages and tastes. Thrillseekers will love the massive waterpark which has the tallest waterslide in North America, and a 1,600-foot-long zip-line course. They even have a massive helium balloon that goes 450 feet up in air, to capture the ultimate selfie!
Little ones are well catered for too with their own waterpark, Splashaway Bay and for those who just want to chill out, the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool is here, or simply relax on a cabana on Chill Island, Perfect Day’s very own chill zone. When you think of family cruises, this destination should be at the top of your wish list.
7. There are Kids Clubs for anyone between 6 months and 17 years!
Royal Caribbean award-winning Adventure Ocean® Kids Club has kids clubs to suit everyone from 6 months to 17 years. There are 45 minute interactive playgroups for babies, or if you fancy chilling out at the spa, you can use the Tots Nursery. The kids clubs are split into three groups, Aquanauts (3-5 years), Explorers (6-8 years) and Voyagers (9-11 years), while the teens club has two groups, Younger teens (aged 12-14) and Older Teens (aged 15-17) – because Royal Caribbean know all too well that 17 year olds don’t want to mix with 12 year olds!
From pirate parties to science experiments, Royal Caribbean family cruises offer a host of interactive programs and activities for each age group. They also have a Late Night Party Zone between 10pm and 2am – perfect if you have a date night. All kids clubs are included in the cost of your cruise, but additional fees apply for the nursery and the late night party zone.
8. Royal Caribbean’s family cruises offer shore excursions specifically for families.
Exploring new cities and destinations is all part of cruising, but let’s face it, there are only so many city tours kids can take! Luckily Royal Caribbean have curated shore excursions specifically with families in mind. You can enjoy fun-filled family days in exciting locations all over the world.
Make visiting Rome’s monuments exciting for kids. Let them learn the art of Roman gladiator combat followed by a tour of the Colosseum. Want to see Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast? Combine this scenic drive with a pizza making class in Sorrento. There are visits to a dog-sled camp in Alaska, you can save sea turtles in Mexico or swim with sharks and sting-rays in Belize.
9. Royal Caribbean cruise ships have family suites
Royal Caribbean have a wide choice of accommodation options. Interior and Oceanview family staterooms can sleep up to six, or you can opt for two interconnecting staterooms if you want more privacy. If you have two families travelling together, or want to bring the grandparents along, opt for the Royal Family Suite which sleeps up to eight.
If you really want to push the boat out (excuse the pun), go for the Ultimate Family Suite! This two bedroom suite also sleeps up to eight, but has a floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall, a slide from the kids bedroom to the lounge, a movie room with a popcorn machine and a 3D TV. And that’s just the inside! The 212 square foot wrap-around balcony touts a bumper pool table, a climbing experience and a full-size whirlpool that will provide unmatched ocean views.
10. Royal Caribbean’s family cruises are great value
How much do you spend dining out with the family or going to a show together in your hometown? When you think that all meals, world-class shows, kids clubs and jaw dropping activities are included in the cost of your cruise, as well the the opportunity of visiting six different destinations on a seven-night holiday, Royal Caribbean family cruises are great value.
At the time of issue, Royal Caribbean is offering a seven-night Oman and Emirates cruise from €499 per person, a seven-night Mediterranean cruise from €619 per person and a fourteen-night Caribbean Transatlantic cruise from €839 per person!
Want to know more about family cruises? Check out my reviews:
My review of Independence of the Seas
My review of Harmony of the Seas
This post was sponsored by Royal Caribbean International, but all views, as always are my own.
Sarah
