A cruise can be the perfect family holiday: kids’ clubs by age group, pools and waterslides, shows every night, a new destination most days and only one unpack. But family cruise lines vary a lot, from mega-ships with surf simulators to calmer British ships sailing from Southampton.
Here are nine of the best for families.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- Nine family-friendly lines
- Family cruise tips
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Mainstream ocean | 31 Ships in the fleet | Teens and thrill-seekers | Main dining, Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs, Theatre & shows |
| MSC Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 25 Ships in the fleet | Value and the Med | Service charges, Main dining, Kids’ clubs |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Mainstream ocean | 20 Ships in the fleet | Flexible families | Main dining, Splash Academy, Theatre & shows |
| P&O Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 7 Ships in the fleet | British families | Main dining, Sterling onboard, Reef kids’ clubs |
| Marella Cruises | Mainstream ocean | 5 Ships in the fleet | All-inclusive families | Flights & transfers, All drinks, All dining |
| Carnival Cruise Lines | Mainstream ocean | 29 Fun Ships | Caribbean fun | Main dining, Lido buffet, Kids’ clubs |
| Princess Cruises | Premium ocean | 17 Ships in the fleet | Calmer family cruising | Main dining, OceanMedallion, Camp Discovery |
| Celebrity Cruises | Premium ocean | 16 Ships in the fleet | Foodie families | Main dining, eXhale bedding, Pools & hot tubs |
| Holland America Line | Premium ocean | 11 Ships in the fleet | Multi-generation trips | Main dining, Music Walk venues, Pools & hot tubs |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
Nine family-friendly lines
1. Royal Caribbean
- Mainstream ocean
- 31 Ships in the fleet
FlowRider surf simulators, the tallest waterslides at sea, Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs and the private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay, plus seasonal sailings from Southampton.
Best for: Teens and thrill-seekers
2. MSC Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 25 Ships in the fleet
A 25-ship fleet with family programmes, kids’ clubs, big entertainment and year-round sailings from the UK and the Mediterranean.
Best for: Value and the Med
3. Norwegian Cruise Line
- Mainstream ocean
- 20 Ships in the fleet
Freestyle Cruising with no fixed dining times or dress code, water parks, race tracks and laser tag, and the Splash Academy kids’ club.
Best for: Flexible families
4. P&O Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 7 Ships in the fleet
Britain’s biggest line, sailing year-round from Southampton with family-friendly ships, sterling on board and no flights needed.
Best for: British families
5. Marella Cruises
- Mainstream ocean
- 5 Ships in the fleet
Flights, transfers, food, drinks and tips all included, with kids’ clubs and entertainment, which makes budgeting easy.
Best for: All-inclusive families
6. Carnival Cruise Lines
- Mainstream ocean
- 29 Fun Ships
- 5,000 Max sailors / ship
Big “Fun Ships” with waterslides, mini-golf and kids’ clubs, strong in the Caribbean and Bahamas.
Best for: Caribbean fun
7. Princess Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 17 Ships in the fleet
Mid-premium ships with Camp Discovery for children and the OceanMedallion wearable to make life on board easy.
Best for: Calmer family cruising
8. Celebrity Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 16 Ships in the fleet
Modern premium ships with Camp at Sea for children and excellent restaurants for parents.
Best for: Foodie families
9. Holland America Line
- Premium ocean
- 11 Ships in the fleet
Mid-size, refined ships with Club HAL for children, great for multi-generation trips, especially to Alaska.
Best for: Multi-generation trips
Family cruise tips
Kids’ clubs: check the age groups and minimum ages for your ship. Cabins: connecting cabins or family suites give everyone space. Budget: mainstream fares often exclude drinks and gratuities, while Marella includes them. No-fly: P&O, MSC and Royal Caribbean sail from Southampton, which avoids airports with children. Timing: school holidays sell out early.
How we chose these cruise lines
We compared the family-friendly lines we sell by kids’ facilities, UK departures and what’s included. We sell more than 60 cruise lines, from big family ships to tiny expedition vessels, so these recommendations are based on what each line actually offers: ship size, what’s included in the fare, who it suits and who it doesn’t. Fares, inclusions and ships change, so always check the details for your sailing, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cruise line for families?
Royal Caribbean for activities, P&O Cruises for no-fly British holidays and Marella for all-inclusive.
Which family cruises sail from the UK?
P&O Cruises, MSC and seasonal Royal Caribbean sailings depart from Southampton.
Are kids’ clubs free on cruises?
Usually yes for daytime sessions; on some lines late-night sessions cost extra.
Which cruise line is all-inclusive for families?
Marella Cruises includes flights, transfers, food, drinks and gratuities.
Find your cruise
Browse every cruise line we sell, or ask a Travel Designer to compare ships, cabins and itineraries for you.
Keep planning
Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
