A cruise is one of the easiest family vacations to plan. Meals, entertainment and kids’ activities are built in, and you unpack once. But family cruising looks very different from line to line. These are the cruise lines we recommend most often for families, and who each one suits best.
Disney Cruise Line
Best for: families with young children who love Disney stories and characters.
Disney builds every part of the ship around families. Kids’ clubs are themed and supervised, and the line is known for character meet-and-greets, Broadway-style shows and rotational dining, where you move between themed restaurants while keeping the same servers. Parents get adults-only pools and restaurants too. Fares are usually higher than mainstream lines, but many families feel the experience is worth it. Ships include Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny. See the Disney fleet.
Royal Caribbean
Best for: active families and teens.
Royal Caribbean’s big ships are packed with things to do: water slides, surf simulators, climbing walls and, on the Icon class, the Category 6 waterpark and Surfside, a neighborhood designed for young families. The Adventure Ocean kids’ program is organized by age. See the Royal Caribbean fleet.
Carnival Cruise Line
Best for: families on a budget and first-time cruisers.
Carnival offers a relaxed atmosphere, water parks and Camp Ocean for kids, often at very good value. Its wide choice of drive-to ports, such as Galveston and New Orleans, can save a family the cost of flights. See the Carnival fleet.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Best for: families who like flexibility.
Norwegian is known for freestyle cruising, with no fixed dining times and a relaxed dress code. Several newer ships add attractions such as race tracks and water slides, and the Splash Academy kids’ program is organized by age. NCL is also strong for families who want a Hawaii inter-island cruise or Alaska. See the NCL fleet.
MSC Cruises
Best for: families who want big, modern ships with a European feel.
MSC’s newer ships have large water parks and kids’ clubs, and the line sails Caribbean itineraries from Florida as well as many Mediterranean sailings. See the MSC fleet.
Quieter options for multi-generation trips
Traveling with grandparents? Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America Line all welcome children while offering a calmer, more refined atmosphere that older travelers often enjoy.
How to choose
- Ages matter most. Toddlers, tweens and teens enjoy very different ships. Check the kids’ club age groups and any rules for the youngest children.
- Look at the cabin, not just the ship. A cabin that sleeps everyone, or two connecting cabins, makes the trip much easier.
- Consider the port. Driving to the ship can save a family hundreds on flights. Browse cruises by departure port.
- Plan around school holidays. Spring break and summer sell fastest. Our cruise calendar shows the best months by destination.
Tell us your children’s ages and your dates, and an advisor will shortlist the best ships and cabins for your family. Request a quote or read more on our family cruises page.
