Advertisement I've been on Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean's newer cruise ships . The three mass-market cruise lines specialize in large, family-friendly, activity-filled ships. See how their newer vessels' amenities, restaurants, and cabins compare.
If you're considering a family cruise , you'll likely end up on a Carnival, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean ship. The three mass-market cruise lines are especially popular in the US. And for good reason — their relatively affordable fares, flashy amenities, and large ships are irresistible for wide-eyed children and their budget-seeking parents.
Related Video Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail As expected, they're all great options for cruising families. If you're one of many travelers who want to hop on the vacation-at-sea trend but don't know where to start, here's how their newer ships compare. Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Cruise Line operates 27 ships.
AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images Carnival has 27 ships that sail between 2,124 and 5,362 guests. Book the newer ones for amenities like roller coasters and miniature waterparks. Most of Carnival's 2025 cruises will sail to the Caribbeans.
The least expensive four-day option — a roundtrip Port Canaveral, Florida, voyage to the Bahamas, and Carnival Corp's private resort , Princess Cays — starts at $290 per person. Advertisement I spent four nights on Carnival Firenze. Brittany Chang/Business Insider In April, the cruise line launched its lat.