RIVER OR OCEAN? FAMILY FUN

Many cruise ships cater to the younger members of the family and some that are particularly good include Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and, of course, Disney. Not only will you find life-size (and larger!) mascots roaming the decks, you’ll also enjoy a wealth of kid-focused entertainment opportunities from cartoon movies by the pool to mini golf courses on the top deck and animated wall art in the specialty restaurants—and much more. Many ships offer babysitting services and connecting staterooms with large shared balconies, perfect for multigenerational gatherings. Bring the kids and Grandma and Grandpa too!

While the littlest sailors will be keen on meeting Mickey and Shrek, the teens (often a tough crowd to please) will appreciate climbing walls, basketball courts, swimming pools and go cart tracks, while their parents will love the all-inclusive theater in the main dining room, the poolside grill and the buffet area, where even the hungriest teen will never go hungry. Best of all, you don’t need to hold the reins very tightly when your teenager is on a cruise. The ship is a well-enclosed area and the bars all check for ID!