Are you planning a family cruise vacation and looking for the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship that caters to the needs of your children? Look no further! In this article, we will guide you through the top Royal Caribbean cruise ships that are perfect for families. From expansive kids clubs to thrilling onboard activities, these ships offer a wide range of amenities to keep children of all ages entertained throughout the entire sailing.
Oasis-Class Ships: The Ultimate Family-Friendly Experience
When it comes to family-friendly cruise ships, the Oasis-class ships by Royal Caribbean are in a league of their own. Consisting of Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas, these behemoth vessels are the largest cruise ships in the world, offering an unparalleled array of activities, amenities, and entertainment options for families.
Adventure Ocean Kids Clubs: Endless Fun for Kids of All Ages
One of the standout features of the Oasis-class ships is the Adventure Ocean kids clubs. Spanning up to 29,000 square feet, these expansive clubs are divided into different age groups, ensuring that children of all ages have a blast while onboard. The clubs feature dedicated areas for babies, toddlers, kids, tweens, and teens, with activities tailored to each age group.
The Aquanauts program is designed for children aged 3 to 5 years and offers a variety of fun activities such as finger painting, building blocks, storytelling, music activities, and dress-up. Explorers, aged 6 to 8 years, can enjoy treasure hunts, face painting, arts and crafts, sports competitions, and age-appropriate science lab experiments. Voyagers, aged 9 to 11 years, have access to movie time, science lab experiments, trivia, sports competitions, gaming time, talent shows, and discos.
Teens also have their own dedicated spaces onboard the Oasis-class ships. They can hang out at The Living Room, a bright and funky club featuring a gaming lounge, football table, movie area, and space to socialize with fellow teens. Teens can participate in gaming and sporting contests, trivia, movie nights, discos, karaoke, and themed parties. They can even learn the art of DJ-ing at the DJ Academy and attend theme nights and barbecues.
Onboard Activities and Attractions for the Whole Family
Apart from the fantastic kids clubs, Oasis-class ships offer a plethora of onboard activities and attractions that are sure to delight the whole family. Each ship is divided into seven neighborhood zones, each with its own unique features and attractions. From multiple swimming pools and a 3D movie theater to a rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, surf simulator, carousel, and zipline, there is no shortage of excitement onboard.
One of the highlights for families is the Splashaway Bay water park, which is perfect for endless hours of fun in the sun. Additionally, the ships boast thrilling water slides known as the Perfect Storm, as well as the 10-story dry slide called The Ultimate Abyss. Symphony of the Seas even features a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience, adding a new level of excitement for families.
Relaxation and Downtime for Kids and Teens
While the Oasis-class ships offer an abundance of activities for children and teens, there are also plenty of options for downtime and relaxation. Royal Caribbean’s libraries onboard have a family section filled with books suitable for kids, providing a quiet space for reading and relaxation. Teens can also enjoy pampering treatments at the spa through the YSPA program, which offers massages, facials, hair treatments, and Fitness Frenzy classes for 16-17-year-olds.
Delectable Dining Options for the Whole Family
When it comes to dining, the Oasis-class ships offer a wide range of options that will please even the pickiest eaters in your family. From classic favorites like burgers and hot dogs at Boardwalk Dog House and Johnny Rockets to Sorrento’s Pizzeria, where you can grab a slice or order a whole pie, there is something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds.
Cafe Promenade is perfect for grabbing a quick bite on the go, with a selection of doughnuts, pastries, and sandwiches. Windjammer Marketplace offers a variety of options, including pasta dishes, fries, salads, burgers, and meat and fish options. The casual poolside Mini Bites is a great option for grab-and-go dining, featuring sliders, grilled cheese, pizza, taquitos, and mini cupcakes. For a taste of Mexican cuisine, El Loco Fresh on Oasis and Symphony of the Seas offers burritos, quesadillas, nachos, corn on the cob, and tacos.
For those looking for a more upscale dining experience, Jamie’s Italian on Harmony and Symphony of the Seas offers freshly made pasta dishes, while Giovanni’s Table on Allure and Oasis of the Seas serves up delicious Italian cuisine. And of course, no family cruise would be complete without a visit to Sugar Beach, where you can indulge in sweet treats such as candy, cupcakes, and ice cream.
Family-Friendly Accommodation Options
The Oasis-class ships offer a wide range of family-friendly accommodation options to suit your needs. From spacious family interior and ocean view rooms to Royal Family Suites and unique one-of-a-kind suites, there is something for every family size and budget.
The Spacious Interior cabins measure 260 square feet, while the Family Oceanview and Family Balcony cabins offer 271 square feet of space, with the latter featuring an 82-square-foot balcony. These rooms can accommodate up to six passengers with two Pullman beds, a convertible sofa bed, and two twin beds or a Queen bed. Some cabins even offer bunk beds, perfect for younger kids.
For families looking for a more luxurious experience, the Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas and Family Presidential Suite on Harmony of the Seas are the ultimate indulgence. The Ultimate Family Suite spans 1,346 square feet and features in-room games, a private 3D cinema, a LEGO wall, an air hockey table, and a hot tub. The pièce de résistance is a multi-colored slide that connects the upper bedroom to the lower living room level. The Family Presidential Suite on Harmony of the Seas offers 1,142 square feet of space, with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a dining area, a sofa bed, and a balcony with a wet bar and hot tub.
If the Ultimate Family Suite or Family Presidential Suite is out of your budget, there are also other suite options available that can accommodate families with kids. The Royal Family Suites range from 575 to 589 square feet and can accommodate up to eight passengers. These suites feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, balconies, pull-down beds, a living area with a double convertible sofa, and suite-class perks such as a nightly cocktail hour and priority check-in.
Destinations and Itineraries
Oasis-class ships primarily sail in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, offering a variety of itineraries to choose from. Symphony of the Seas sails from Miami on Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, while Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas spend the summer sailing Western Mediterranean itineraries before heading to the Caribbean for the winter season. Oasis of the Seas offers a mix of Caribbean and Bahamas voyages.
When selecting an itinerary for your family, consider the destinations and ports of call that will appeal to everyone. Many Caribbean and Bahamas sailings include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island paradise. With a lagoon-style pool, Splashaway Bay, Captain Jill’s Galleon water feature, zipline, waterpark, and kid-friendly dining options, it’s a dream come true for kids and adults alike.
Mediterranean sailings offer the opportunity for kids to explore exciting cities such as Rome, Florence, and Barcelona, and to discover the rich history and culture of Europe. Whether you choose a Caribbean or Mediterranean itinerary, you can rest assured that your family will have an unforgettable vacation onboard an Oasis-class ship.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for families, the Oasis-class ships are unbeatable. With their expansive kids clubs, thrilling onboard activities, diverse dining options, and family-friendly accommodation, these ships offer a truly unforgettable experience for families cruising with children. Whether you’re looking for non-stop excitement or some much-needed relaxation, the Oasis-class ships have it all. Book your family cruise today and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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