10 Cruises to Avoid with Kids

Intro

The creator's daughter, Noah, has sailed roughly 20-25 cruises across multiple lines. This list covers 10 types of cruises that — while sometimes genuinely great cruises in their own right — turned out to be poor fits for families with young kids specifically.

1. Margaritaville-Style Booze Cruises

Typically short (1-2 night) party-focused sailings: heavy drinking, late nights, loud pool decks
Great for couples/friend groups wanting a quick, high-energy getaway — not for families expecting a traditional cruise experience
Younger kids end up overstimulated in an adult-oriented party environment
Note: Margaritaville's newer ships are reportedly adding more family-focused elements
Key lesson: Families need flexibility, activities, and an "escape valve" for cranky kids — party-focused short cruises typically lack all three

2. Celebrity Cruises (for Younger Kids)

Excellent food, beautiful ships, relaxed/sophisticated vibe — great for couples, adults, and parents seeking a calm getaway
Skews toward an older, quieter guest demographic
Lacks high-energy family attractions (slides, splash pads, kids' zones, arcades, interactive play areas) compared to family-built ships
May work well for families with older kids who enjoy a more relaxed, destination/food-focused trip

3. Older Princess Cruise Ships

Highly itinerary-dependent — worked well on destination-heavy routes like Alaska, where time on the ship is secondary to excursions
Fewer high-energy kid activities compared to newer mega-ships
One Princess ship notably removed its kids' ropes course — seen as a signal of what the line prioritizes
Strong choice for relaxation, destinations, service, and cultural immersion — less ideal for kids wanting constant high-energy stimulation

4. Smaller/Older Royal Caribbean Ships

Counterintuitive, since Royal Caribbean is broadly seen as family-friendly
Experience varies significantly by ship size/age — smaller/older ships (e.g., Grandeur of the Seas) can feel more like an adult-oriented booze cruise
On the reviewed sailing: splash area was closed, few to no interactive spaces for kids
Contrast: Larger Royal Caribbean ships like Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas function more like floating theme parks and are strongly recommended instead

5. Short Weekend Cruises (General)

Attract a different crowd — birthday trips, bachelor/bachelorette parties — creating a louder, more adult-focused atmosphere throughout the ship
Can feel jarring for families with young kids trying to keep an early bedtime
Exception: Mega-ships like Utopia and Wonder of the Seas are large enough to offer separate zones — adults at bars, kids at aqua shows/mini golf/splash zones — while also being more budget- and time-friendly for first-time cruisers

6–7. Cruises Without Splash Zones, Water Slides, or Kids' Areas

Kids need physical activity — movement, climbing, water play
Booking a luxury line without these features often means parents end up "parenting" the entire cruise rather than relaxing

8. Sea-Day-Heavy Itineraries

Sounds appealing pre-kids (relaxing, romantic, slow-paced) but can become exhausting with young children
4-5 consecutive sea days (e.g., on a Hawaii itinerary) led to restlessness once the initial novelty wore off
Port days that allow getting off the ship (Alaska, Caribbean) provide a valuable mental reset that sea-day-heavy itineraries lack

9. Peak School Break Sailings (Spring Break, Summer, Christmas)

Makes logistical sense for families, but onboard experience changes significantly: crowded pools, elevators, restaurants, and bars
Buffets and activity lines become difficult to navigate, especially with kids in tow
Not a reason to avoid these dates entirely (often the only option for many families), but worth understanding the trade-off going in

10. Cruises With Very Strict/Formal Dining

Formal dress codes and multi-course dining can create real stress with young kids — slow service, meal-timing mismatches, and meltdowns mid-dinner
Recommendation: Prioritize ships with flexible, casual dining options alongside formal venues, such as:
- Royal Caribbean's Sorrento's (pizza)
- Princess's Sabatini's (casual)
- Carnival's Guy's Burgers and onboard Chinese restaurant
- Norwegian, with 16 dining venues across the fleet, was specifically praised for this flexibility
Bottom line: The "fanciest" ship isn't necessarily the best fit for families — flexibility and backup options matter more

Closing Thought

Family cruising is framed as "stress management with really cool views" — success depends less on luxury and more on flexibility, activity options, and backup plans.

10 Cruises I Will NEVER Take Family Again...sorry not sorry.