Modern cruise ships are packed with attractions, from towering water slides and roller coasters to elaborate family suites. But the flashiest features aren’t always the ones families appreciate most. Some cruise ship amenities make vacations easier and more affordable, while others come with unexpected fees, restrictions, or long waits. As Cruise Critic explains, even something as simple as a supervised kids’ club can make a big difference for families traveling together. Here are six amenities families actually use and six that might sound better in the brochure than they are in practice.
Supervised Kids’ Clubs – Families Actually Use
A few hours without having to entertain the children can be one of the biggest perks of a family cruise. Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean and Carnival’s Camp Ocean offer supervised games, crafts, and age-appropriate activities, giving children a chance to make friends while parents enjoy some downtime. Carnival’s program serves ages 2 to 11, while Royal Caribbean has different programs and eligibility rules depending on age. Regular sessions are generally included, although late-night care may cost extra. Register early, since popular sessions can fill up.
Casual Buffets and Grab-and-Go Food – Families Actually Use
When one child wants pizza, another wants chicken nuggets, and everyone is hungry at different times, flexible dining becomes surprisingly valuable. Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer buffet and similar complimentary venues let families eat without paying for specialty restaurants or organizing every meal around reservations. Many ships also have included pizza counters, snack stations, and casual cafes. The catch is that not every venue stays open all day. Checking the daily dining schedule can prevent a hungry family from wandering around looking for food.
Smaller Splash Areas for Young Children – Families Actually Use
Giant water slides might look impressive in advertisements, but younger children often get more enjoyment from fountains, shallow splash zones, and smaller water features. Royal Caribbean’s Splashaway Bay and Carnival’s WaterWorks offer family-friendly water attractions on selected ships, with access generally included in the fare. Parents can return throughout the cruise without buying another ticket. However, age, height, and toilet-training rules matter. Carnival doesn’t permit children who aren’t toilet trained in its water facilities, even if they’re wearing swim diapers.
Family Cabins With Extra Bathrooms – Families Actually Use
Anyone who has shared a small bathroom with several children knows how quickly mornings can become chaotic. Family-friendly cabins with separate sleeping areas, extra storage, or split bathrooms can make a real difference. Disney offers staterooms with split bathrooms, while several cruise lines have connecting cabins that provide more privacy and an additional bathroom. Cruise Critic has highlighted connecting rooms as a practical alternative to expensive suites. Before booking, compare both options carefully, since two standard cabins can sometimes cost less while offering more usable space.
Included Shows, Movies, and Entertainment – Families Actually Use
After a day of swimming and exploring the ship, families don’t necessarily want another expensive activity. Complimentary entertainment can fill the evening nicely, whether it’s a stage production, movie screening, trivia game, or deck party. Disney includes its theatrical productions, first-run movies, and regular character greetings in the cruise fare, while Royal Caribbean offers a variety of included shows and activities. Some popular performances require advance reservations, and seating can be limited. Checking the schedule early helps families avoid missing something everyone wanted to see.
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Mini Golf, Sports Courts, and Outdoor Games – Families Actually Use
A basketball court or miniature golf course might not sell a cruise the way a roller coaster does, but these simpler attractions can keep families entertained throughout the trip. Carnival offers activities such as mini golf, table tennis, and sports courts on numerous ships, often at no additional charge. They’re especially useful when grandparents, parents, and children want to spend time together without planning a major activity. Facilities vary by ship, and outdoor games depend on the weather, but they’re worth checking before choosing a sailing.
Video-Game Arcades – Sound Better in the Brochure
Cruise ship arcades can look like a dream come true for children, with flashing lights, racing games, and prize machines. Unfortunately, those games usually aren’t included in the cruise fare. On Royal Caribbean, passengers can charge games to their SeaPass cards, and the default spending limit is $50 per person per day. That means an enthusiastic child could run up a substantial bill over a weeklong cruise. Parents can request a lower daily limit and purchase discounted arcade credits before sailing. Free activities elsewhere on the ship may offer better value.
Giant Water Slides With Height Restrictions – Sound Better in the Brochure
Few attractions look more exciting in cruise advertisements than enormous water slides twisting high above the deck. Royal Caribbean’s Category 6 water park, for example, features several impressive slides on Icon-class ships. But individual attractions have height and weight requirements, meaning younger children may not be allowed to ride. Even families with older children might find themselves splitting up because everyone qualifies for different slides. Before booking a particular ship for its water park, check the restrictions and consider whether the whole family can actually enjoy it.
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Roller Coasters and Headline Thrill Rides – Sound Better in the Brochure
Carnival’s BOLT roller coaster is the kind of attraction that makes people stop scrolling through cruise photos. Riding a motorcycle-style vehicle above the ocean certainly sounds memorable, but the experience comes with an additional charge and height and weight restrictions. Other specialty attractions, including certain trampoline facilities, also cost extra. For families choosing between cruise ships, it’s worth remembering that a headline ride may last only a few minutes. A ship with more complimentary activities could provide better value over an entire week.
Surf Simulators – Sound Better in the Brochure
Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider lets passengers try surfing without ever leaving the ship, and regular sessions are included in the cruise fare. However, the attraction is more demanding than it looks. Riders must be at least 52 inches tall for bodyboarding and 58 inches for stand-up surfing, which rules out many younger children. Falls are part of the experience, and the cruise line warns that injuries are possible. Private sessions also cost extra. Families with adventurous teenagers may love it, but others might barely use it.
Premium Character Dining – Sounds Better in the Brochure
For children who adore Disney characters, a special meal with their favorites can sound like the highlight of a cruise. However, Disney already includes regular character greetings, themed dining, and stage entertainment in its cruise fares. Premium experiences such as Royal Court Royal Tea and Olaf’s Royal Picnic require separate reservations and additional payment. These events can be memorable, but they aren’t essential for meeting characters. Families trying to control vacation spending should check the complimentary character schedule before deciding whether a special dining experience is worth the extra cost.
Elaborate Family Suites – Sound Better in the Brochure
Some cruise ship suites look more like luxury apartments, complete with multiple bedrooms, enormous balconies, game areas, and even indoor slides. Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Suite is a particularly extravagant example. These accommodations can be wonderful for families with generous budgets, but they’re difficult to justify if everyone spends most of the day exploring the ship. Cruise Critic notes that connecting cabins can offer separate sleeping spaces, additional storage, and two bathrooms for considerably less on some sailings. Before paying for luxury features, consider how much time the family will actually spend inside.
