Families and critics alike praise Disney Cruise Line's ships – Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish (set to debut in June 2022) – for their kid-friendly atmospheres, whimsical amenities, and well-equipped staterooms. The theme of Disney cruises is subtle enough that sentimental adults looking to reconnect with childhood fantasies will enjoy sailing just as much as the children. Each ship, in fact, has secluded adults-only pools, restaurants, and lounges (though still not as many as other cruise lines). Despite the fact that the size of Disney's ships varies, each vessel carries approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Itineraries for Disney Cruise Line depart from a variety of ports, including Miami and Galveston, Texas, for sailings in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. Cruise lengths range from two to thirteen nights, depending on the itinerary and destination. Shore excursions, known as Port Adventures, vary according to the itinerary and can range from monkey encounters in Barbados to submarine expeditions in Cozumel, Mexico. Guests can also visit Disney's private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.

Back on board, you'll find a plethora of family-friendly amenities, such as themed pools, youth clubs, and spas. You'll also be able to dine in the cruise line's Disney-themed main dining rooms and enjoy a variety of Disney-inspired entertainment, including live shows, movies, and character meet and greets.

Website: disneycruise.disney.go.com

Despite its name, Royal Caribbean International operates cruises to over 300 destinations in 71 countries across six continents. While you can sail to the Caribbean and Mexico, you can also board a ship to Alaska, navigate Europe's waterways, or ride the waves to Australia and New Zealand.

Depending on your itinerary, you can sample local cuisine, join a sightseeing tour, or explore the underwater world on a snorkeling excursion – all of which are available as shore excursions. Royal Caribbean ships depart from ports throughout the United States, including Seattle, Boston, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as from a variety of international ports.

The company's fleet of 25 ships is as diverse as its destinations. Smaller ships, such as the Rhapsody of the Seas (which can carry about 2,400 passengers), sail alongside floating mini-cities, such as the Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, which can carry over 6,700 passengers each. Furthermore, each ship has approximately one crew member for every three passengers. No matter which ship you're on, you'll find a wide range of restaurants and activities for people of all ages, including children's entertainment programs and adults-only pool areas.

Website: royalcaribbean.com

With its festive atmosphere and diverse entertainment options, Carnival Cruise Line lives up to its lively reputation. Carnival's 24 ships leave from a variety of cities in the United States, including Miami, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Seattle, and New York City. Carnival's large fleet allows cruisers to choose from destinations such as Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean, among others. The duration of the voyages ranges from two to sixteen days, and each ship carries about one crew member for every three passengers.

Carnival's cruise lengths and itineraries vary by ship, as do the shore excursions available. In Costa Rica, you could learn how cacao is processed into chocolate, ride a cable car for panoramic views of Bergen, Norway, go whale watching in Juneau, Alaska, or swim with sharks in Belize.

Back on Carnival Cruise Line's "Fun Ships", there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. Carnival's fleet caters to guests of all ages, with waterslides, sports courts, casinos, piano bars, comedy acts, and nightclubs. The cruise line's penchant for variety extends to onboard cuisine, which includes three-course meals in the main dining room, a Lido deck buffet, and specialty restaurants serving everything from Italian fare to sake and sushi.

Website: carnival.com

Norwegian Cruise Line is known for its fun, laid-back atmosphere and innovative "freestyle cruising" concept, which includes no enforced dress codes, no set dining times, and a plethora of onboard entertainment and family-friendly activities. Norwegian's 17-ship fleet travels the world. Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and South America are among the cruise line's destinations. During your voyage, you can see live shows such as "After Midnight" or the Tony Award-winning "Kinky Boots" musicals, while children can enjoy onboard water parks and kids clubs.

Norwegian Cruise Line has a wide range of dining options. The cruise line's "freestyle dining" program allows you to eat in globally inspired restaurants such as a French-style bistro and a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, in addition to a traditional cruise buffet and formal dining rooms. Notably, there are no set dining times or assigned seating in the dining rooms. The ships of the Norwegian Cruise Line are fairly large, carrying between 1,936 and 4,266 passengers. While Norwegian's ships can feel crowded, they maintain a staff-to-passenger ratio of about one staff member for every two or three passengers – even when ships are fully booked at double occupancy.

Website: ncl.com

MSC Cruises distinguishes itself from other cruise lines with refined onboard experiences and an eclectic array of facilities such as adults-only pools, Balinese spas, and 4D cinemas. The line's 19 ships cater to a wide range of passengers sailing to destinations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South America, northern Europe, and elsewhere. The duration of the voyages ranges from one to 117 nights. At full capacity, MSC's ships can carry anywhere from 2,520 (the Armonia) to 6,334 passengers (the Grandiosa and Virtuosa), with approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Travelers can select one of three package experiences – Bella, Fantastica, or Aurea – to determine what their cruise fare will cover. Meals in the main restaurants and the buffet, as well as several ship activities, are included in the voyage price. The food onboard varies by ship, but most MSC restaurants serve globally inspired cuisine. MSC entertainment includes evening concerts, live shows, parties, and contests, while shore excursions range from sailing trips around Mykonos, Greece, to exploring Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Website: msccruises.com

Costa Cruises distinguishes itself from other European cruise lines with its Mediterranean-inspired design and festive atmosphere. Costa's ships depart from a variety of ports around the world, transporting passengers to destinations in the Caribbean, Asia, Europe, South America, and beyond. Itineraries range in length from four to one hundred and eighty nights.

Costa Cruises charges an additional fee for excursions such as historic site tours in Athens, Greece, and snorkeling excursions in Aruba. Costa also offers a variety of cruising experiences. Some ships have an intimate ambiance and a relaxed atmosphere, whereas others are more crowded and offer action-packed itineraries. Costa ships have roughly one crew member for every three passengers.

Recent cruisers say that affordable cabins are easy to find on Costa's ships, which is a big draw. While at sea, you can enjoy casinos, shops, fitness facilities, multiple pools, and live shows. After you've worked up an appetite, take a seat at one of the ship's main restaurants or consider splurging on a meal at a specialty restaurant for a more memorable experience.

Website: costacruises.com