4 reasons Disney is the best cruise line for traveling with kids, according to parents
Parents who take their kids on cruises want experiences that are safe, fun, and stress-free.
Insider asked parents for their favorite cruise lines, and Disney Cruise Line came out on top.
The parents we spoke to loved Disney cruises because of easy mealtimes and kid-focused activities.
When traveling with children, parents need accommodations that will keep their kids entertained, safe, and happy.
Many cruise lines offer amenities to accomplish these goals, but when Insider asked parents which cruise line is the most successful, families overwhelmingly showed enthusiasm for one company in particular.
"Disney is hands down the best cruise line to use with kids," said Rebecca Green, who runs the family travel blog Fab 5 Family Travel.
Disney Cruise Lines has five ships: Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish. Each is a different size and provides different amenities, including adult-friendly features.
Here are the reasons parents told Insider they love taking these cruises when traveling with kids.
Mealtime is made easy
"The meal service is out of this world," Green, a mom of three and teacher, told Insider. "[Staff] will make sure the kids' meals are delivered quickly so you don't have hangry kids melting down. They will cut the food for kids and bring anything extra if your child doesn't like the meal they choose."
She continued, "They play games, share jokes and magic tricks to help entertain [the children] so the adults can enjoy their meal."
Alex Smith, a parent of three kids aged between 1 and 10, and a blogger who offers tips for navigating Disney World and Disney cruises with small children, also highlighted mealtime on Disney cruises.
The dining staff "[go] out of their way to connect with [kids] and find food they like, even when it's not on the menu," Smith said.
The cruises prioritize safety
Smith noted Disney's emphasis on safety and professionalism when it comes to kids' activities.
Further, there is "very little adult partying or adult content that would be unsuitable for kids, even in the adult areas," Smith said. Specifically, he pointed to the cruise line's lack of casinos and R-rated comedians, and, in his experience, the limited incidences of smoking onboard.
Andrew Helling, the editor of Travellers Worldwide who frequently takes cruises with his wife and children, added that he believes the relatively small capacity of the Disney ships he's traveled on – between 2,000 and 2,500 passengers – increases the safety of his children.
"Not only does it help the cruise feel more intimate, but there's just less people on the ship, meaning it's easier to get a spot at the pool, the wait to go down the waterslide is shorter, and there's less of a rush at the port," Helling said.
Children are kept entertained and safe at the kids' club
"Another reason I love Disney cruises is because they have their own Disney-themed kids' club," Helling said. "This area also happens to be one of the most secure areas I've ever seen. There's no way your child is getting in or out of the club without you checking them out."
Not only is the kids' club secure, but it's genuinely enjoyable for the children, parents said.
"One of the biggest complaints I hear from my readers is that they actually have trouble getting their kids out of the kids' club because they are having so much fun," Helling said.
Your kids will love seeing their favorite Disney characters
Of course, it wouldn't be a Disney cruise without princesses, Mickey Mouse, and other iconic figures from Disney's franchises.
"The Disney characters the kids love make appearances in the hallways, at the pool, at the live shows, and in the kids' club," Helling said.
Disney Cruise Line's website lays out a wide variety of experiences in which children can engage with Disney characters.
Read the original article on Insider