Smooth Sailing Ahead: Kid-Friendly Cruises

Cruise lines cater to kids onboard and in port

By Celeste Moure

From the November-December issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Mediterranean › Norwegian Epic

If dressing up and getting stuck at a table with strangers isn’t your idea 
of fun, then NCL’s Freestyle 
Cruising concept was designed for you; restaurant tables are unassigned and there are plenty of cabin options (family staterooms accommodate four). Onboard, families can bowl, make pizza, or hit the 
spa together (with “ice cream manicures” for kids). Meanwhile, supervised age-specific 
activities (treasure hunts, crafts, storytelling) give adults alone time. Offshore excursions, like hiking Mount Vesuvius in Naples or creating your own perfume in Nice, will appeal to older kids. Ports of Call: Rome, Florence, Naples, Barcelona.Passengers: 4,100.

Galápagos › National 
Geographic Endeavour

Lindblad specializes in active expeditions, and in the Galápagos that means snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking almost daily. The ship features outside-facing cabins and is outfitted for true exploration: Zodiacs, a glass-bottom boat, underwater cameras, and video microscopes with HD screens to view sea turtles, pods of orcas, and marine iguanas. When not learning the art of knot-tying or stargazing, kids can sketch whales in their journals, learn to photograph fur seals, or make beaded necklaces crafted from the islands’ recycled paper waste. Ports of call: North 
Seymour, Rabida, Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal. Passengers: 96.

Baja, Mexico › Safari Quest

Rope swinging off the yacht’s stern? Check. Burro trail rides along a craggy Baja Peninsula peak? Check. Children of all ages are welcome on select “Kids in Nature” sailings, 
where expedition leaders tailor 
activities to their interests. The Sea of Cortez is known as the aquarium of the world, and this eight-day sail allows families to snorkel with sea lions and paddle alongside dolphins. 
The comfy yacht is furnished with flat-screen TVs and heated bathroom floors, and the chef cooks with local fish and produce. Ports of call: La Paz, Isla Partida, Bahia Agua Verde, 
Isla Coyote, Isla San Francisco. 
Passengers: 22.

Alaska › Celebrity Century

The Century is one of the smallest vessels from this plush mid-priced cruise line where well-heeled families take advantage of connecting staterooms, naturalist-led lecture series, and table-side cooking. Onboard, expect the usual 
activities at the kids’ clubs—
karaoke, sports, movie nights. On land, kids get a real taste of 
local flavor and history with 
opportunities to meet native totem carvers and learn about the life of sled dogs at a musher’s camp. Ports of call: Icy Strait, Vancouver, Point Juneau, Ketchikan. Passengers: 1,814.

Tell us about another kid-friendly cruise in the comments section below.

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