We've talked extensively about cruising for families. In our experience and opinion, cruising can be one of the best ways for families to have an easy vacation. There are so many activities on board, and you can be as active or as relaxed as you'd like during excursions. Cruises also give you a great opportunity to visit several different destinations.
When considering a cruise, your first consideration should be which cruise line to sail on. There are so many different options. If you are sailing with kids, you'll need to consider whether or not the cruise line offers the types of activities and amenities that your kids will enjoy.
Many families wonder whether a Celebrity Cruise is good for kids. Its sister cruise line, Royal Caribbean, is widely known as a family-friendly cruise line filled with waterslides and thrilling activities, but Celebrity isn't always as obvious a choice for families.
Celebrity Cruises is considered an upscale cruise line and is often thought of as more adult-focused. However, Celebrity still offers kid-friendly amenities, including a kids' club, family activities, and plenty of spaces that families can enjoy together.
So, is a Celebrity cruise good for families traveling with kids?
Disclosure: We've received complimentary cruises on some cruise lines in the past, but not on Celebrity. All opinions are my own.
Is A Celebrity Cruise Good For Families?
What Celebrity Cruises Offers For Kids
Having recently returned from a Celebrity Cruise (with adults), I considered it from a family's perspective. There were quite a few kids on our sailing, which was surprising since it was the middle of the week and not during any vacation week or holiday.
Celebrity offers one of the best buffets at sea - filled with delicious food, freshly made pizza, fruit, and impressive desserts. In addition, it also has a large main dining room and a few great specialty restaurants.
Celebrity also offers a kids' club. Called Camp at Sea, it offers age-grouped activities, games, crafts, and educational programming. These aren't as themed as those on the Disney Cruise Line, but they do have family-friendly programming. While this may vary by sailing, the kids' clubs aren't typically overcrowded since there aren't many kids on board.
What Celebrity Cruises Don't Have
The Celebrity ships are beautiful, but they don't have the exciting waterslides and other thrill activities that other cruise lines have. So, if your kids are looking for things like characters, themed shows, waterslides, and thrill activities, this may not be the best option for your family.
What Families Will Enjoy
That's not to say Celebrity isn't kid-friendly; it is. There's so much on board that families will enjoy. I think it's especially good for families with young kids and those with older teens. Here are some of the things that families with kids may like:
- Prefer higher-end dining, and like having plenty of options on the buffet
- Are looking for a more relaxed vacation at sea
- Are interested in the expansive itineraries offered by Celebrity
- Enjoy upscale, relaxing decor and pace
- Fun activities on the ship, including trivia, street curling, archery, and more.
Comparisons With Other Lines
The most popular comparison to Celebrity Cruise Line is with its sister cruise line, Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean is popular for its flashy, exciting ships, filled with thrilling amenities, while Celebrity has a more leisurely, elegant atmosphere.
Both cruise lines offer kids' clubs and family-friendly activities throughout the day. While Celebrity doesn't have its own private island, some of its itineraries include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island. You'll be able to take full advantage of all of the amenities and excursions (some for an additional cost) on the island while you are there for the day.
You may also be considering the Disney Cruise Line. This is a tough comparison because Disney really caters specifically to families. Offering character greetings, Disney-themed, Broadway-style stage shows, Disney movies, themed kids' clubs, and so much more, it's tough to beat if that's the type of experience your family is looking for.
Celebrity is a much more relaxed, understated experience. While they still offer shows, pools, and kids' clubs, they don't have the same type of theming as Disney. Depending on your kids' ages, that can either be a pro or a con.
MSC Cruise Line is another cruise line known to be family-friendly. They've recently expanded their reach in the American market with the launch of their newest ship, the MSC World America. Like Royal Caribbean, MSC offers some exciting kid-friendly activities, such as thrill rides and water parks.
Best Ages for a Celebrity Cruise With Kids (Pros and Cons)
Toddlers and Preschoolers
- Toddlers are allowed at the Camp at Sea (as long as they are potty-trained) at age 3. The Shipmates area is for ages 3-5.
- However, there aren't as many splash pads or toddler play areas as on other cruise lines
Elementary Age Kids
- There are Camp at Sea kids' clubs that appeal directly to this age range (Cadets for ages 6-9 and Captains for ages 10-12)
- However, if your kids are looking for water slides and other thrill attractions, Celebrity doesn't offer them
Tweens and Teens
- I think that Celebrity is great for this age range, especially if you are looking for a laid-back cruise
- There aren't as many thrilling experiences, but the elegant spaces and slower pace can be great
- Activities are still offered that appeal to families
In my opinion and experience, Celebrity is a great option for families seeking a quieter experience. It offers excellent service, beautiful spaces, delicious food, and a great kids' club. They also have some fantastic pool areas and great activities offered throughout the day.
Have you sailed on Celebrity with kids? What was your experience?
Leave a Reply