Best Family Friendly Cruises For Summer

If you are looking for a vacation that will keep every family member happy, look no further than these family friendly cruises.

Carnival cruise ships are said to carry more kids than any other. Disney cruise ships offer the ultimate family friendly entertainment, but other ships provide a variety of on board entertainment for family bonding as well. Whichever ship you choose, you won't be disappointed.

Many of these ships offer a wide range of activities for families to enjoy. Have fun in their waterparks, movie theaters and video arcades. Kids may have the option to participate in a variety of activities; some of these include scavenger hunts, mini golfing, pool games and pizza parties.

With the help of Cruise Critic and original cruise ship websites, I have come up with the best family friendly cruises for the summer.

Hop on board Disney Dream for the ultimate family friendly getaway. This ship offers so much family entertainment you will never get bored. There is a shipboard water coaster, a river rapids ride, musicals to keep you entertained and firework displays at night. Be prepared to encounter your favorite Disney characters...they love to join the party! (See: The Top Family Travel Destinations in the U.S.)

Afraid of taking your kids on vacation and them getting bored? Never worry about that again, as long as you're traveling on the Norwegian Getaway. Your kids will be entertained in the ultimate Splash Academy, a supervised space with two decks. It is separated by age groups from 6 months to 17 years. Bonus: Order a Nickelodeon Bedtime Kit for your kids. It comes with a character blanket, pillowcase, toothbrush, night light and bedtime activities (cruisecritic.com).

Disney Magic is ideal for families with kids ages 4 to 11. The Oceaneer Club offers themed play areas for the kids, some of these include the Laugh Floor from Monsters Inc., and Andy's Room from Toy Story. Enjoy splashing around with the kids in Donald's Pool, experience the thrill of the Walt Disney Theater at night – watch movies and shows as a family.

The Celebrity Summit is part of the Celebrity cruise line. It's a cruise to Bermuda and offers fun shore excursions for the family. Go swimming with the dolphins or have fun on the beach. The ship offers a variety of activities for the family and they even have in-stateroom babysitting for a low price, so you can venture out on some adult activities as well.

Travel to the Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean with your family on the famous Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. The ships are full of amenities for your entire family. Trust and believe you will never get bored. They have nurseries for infants and toddlers, surf simulators for kids and teens, and aqua themed shows for the entire family to enjoy.

According to cruisecritic.com, the Carnival Sunshine has had a $155 million extreme makeover and has refurbished and expanded its kids club. Kids will never find a shortage of things to do. Swim under the stars, participate in scavenger hunts, play bingo, make your own pizza, build stuffed animals and get your faces painted.

Hop on Wind Surf and take a family fun trip to the Caribbean. Some refer to it as "the world's largest sailing yacht," and for good reason. This ship is perfect for families, they incorporate Caribbean and Mediterranean voyages (older children), zip-lining, scuba diving, hiking and snorkeling. Don't forget to get off the boat and visit the historical sites and ancient ruins.

The Liberty of the Seas ship is the home of the first Tidal Wave^SM waterslide at sea! Have fun with the kids running up and sliding down the water slide, go rock climbing, ice skating or play basketball on their full-sized basketball court! When the kids tire you out, check out their health and wellness packages. Spend some time pampering yourself in their spa, or relax and unwind by the pool. *Bonus: Don't forget to check out their mini golf course!

A seven-night Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Dream is just what your family needs to spend quality time together. Enjoy their ginormous aqua park, 18-hole mini golf course, sporting events and video arcade. Oh, and don't forget to join your family poolside for LED screen movies.

The Norwegian Epic is a Western Mediterranean cruise. It's the best way to introduce your kids to Europe and explore the cultures of Italy and Spain. This ship has three water slides, a rock-climbing wall, bowling lanes, batting cages, an ice skating rink and full sized basketball court. Also, Norwegian has an exclusive partnership with Nickelodeon, which means a variety of activities and Nickelodeon-themed shows for the kids to enjoy.

According to Crystal Cruises, "Crystal is the luxury operator best suited for the family market." It welcomes children of all ages, providing them with programs and activities so they will never get bored. Play video games on large-screen televisions, have fun in their video arcade and participate in activities such as scavenger hunts, hide and seek, story time, pajama parties, pool games, relay races, late night pool parties, twister popcorn parties and much more.