The best 5 family cruises for kids

Best for: the variety of fun-filled activities for kids.
Family accommodation: well-designed family staterooms provide abundant space and privacy.

Part of the Royal Caribbean brand, Celebrity Cruises is a solid all-inclusive option for families looking for fun and entertainment. Think age-specific kids clubs, activities for both kids and families, and child-minding services available as an extra.

Kids activities range from treasure hunts to ice cream sundae making sessions and karaoke, and there’s even a Fun Factory where kids can play games, watch movies, enjoy arts and crafts arts, and story time.

Meanwhile, Club X is the ultimate hangout for teens, with social activities, gaming consoles, sports, and late-night dances. When the whole family’s together, you can burn energy versing each other in basketball or ping-pong, and can even challenge the pool officers to a game of pool volleyball.

Highlight: Movies Under The Stars® on deck and partnership with Discovery™.
Accommodation: family suites include two interconnecting staterooms and sleep up to eight on select ships.

Princess Cruises expansive programs, facilities, and accommodation options make them a top choice for families looking for an all-inclusive experience.

With ‘Treehouse’, ‘Lodge’, and ‘Beach House’ kids clubs for ages 3 to 17, alongside large pool decks and poolside cabanas, everyone can spend their high seas adventure exactly how they please. The huge outdoor theatre ‘Movies Under the Stars’ is always a hit, playing poolside features on the top deck after sunset.  

Princess also partners with Discovery, which means kid and teen-friendly spaces on several of its ships feature vibrant and playful decor. What’s more, anyone can partake in fleetwide fun and educational activities born from the partnership. 

Best for: fun for the whole family in a casual atmosphere.
Family accommodation: staterooms built for families of us to six, interconnecting staterooms, and suites.

Norwegian Cruise Lines knows a thing or two about putting kids’ energy to good use. From treasure hunts and circus school to dodgeball and scavenger hunts, the age-specific kids clubs have been creatively imagined for maximum enjoyment.

But the fun doesn’t end there. Most boats boast an excellent aqua park with scream-worthy slides, a bunch of interactive pool games, basketball and tennis courts. There's also everything from game shows to pizza-making classes made for participation from the whole family.

Parents hoping for a little time away from the kids can arrange for a babysitter before clinking glasses at one of the ship’s bars or being pampered in style at the luxurious day spa.

Best for: educational kids club activities and shows.
Family accommodation: very generous family cabins available with multiple configurations, plus suites and staterooms for bigger families.

From glow-in-the-dark laser tag battles, to the FlowRider® surf simulator, a round of mini golf and next-level shows, being onboard a Royal Caribbean ship makes the journey as bold as the destinations you’ll visit.

The standout kids’ program ‘Adventure ‘Ocean’ goes above and beyond to not only keep kids of all ages entertained, but also teach them something new. Programs feature science labs where experiments take place, theatres where youngsters rehearse before putting on mini-production, plus a variety of classes and games from finger-painting to pool parties.

Royal Caribbean excels at looking after parents too, with group babysitting, in-cabin sitters and childcare drop-off facilities for toddlers. When dining as a family, parents can even organise to have their kids picked up after they've finished eating so they can enjoy the rest of their meal kid-free.

Highlight: Experience all the magic of Disney, at sea.
Family accommodation: Disney family rooms offer room-dividing curtains, bunk beds with twinkle-light constellations and plenty of storage.

Disney’s fleet of ships are an outstanding option for those travelling with youngsters. You can expect great facilities and never-ending entertainment including kids pools and theatres, themed events and parties all in the name of quality family time, with a touch of Disney of course.

Every vessel has a kids club for kids between 3 to 12, with additional themed play areas like the Marvel Super Hero Academy, Fairytale Hall, and even a mini sound studio. There’s also a nursery for the youngest cruisers ages 6 months to 3 years, at an additional cost.

Tweens and teens aren’t overlooked, with ‘Edge’, a tweens club for ages 11 to 14, and the teen club ‘Vibe’ for cruisers between 14 to 17.