Royal Caribbean
Large family-friendly ships packed with entertainment, water parks and waterslides.
Cruise styles
Family Cruises
Big, activity-packed ships with kids' clubs, family cabins and something for every age, from toddlers to grandparents.
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Family Cruises with Travelisto
A family cruise solves the hardest part of a group holiday: keeping everyone happy in one place. The large ships from Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, NCL Norwegian, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises carry supervised kids' clubs split by age, teen zones, pools, waterslides and evening shows, while parents and grandparents get quieter decks, spas and restaurants of their own. You unpack once and wake up somewhere new, without dragging suitcases between hotels.
Families with younger children often start with a short break of 3 to 5 nights to see how everyone takes to life at sea, then move up to 7 nights for the main summer holiday. Longer 10 to 14 night itineraries work well for multi-generational groups. Connecting cabins, family suites and interior cabins for four help keep costs sensible, and the main restaurant and buffet are included in the fare.
School holidays drive demand. Summer sailings in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe run from roughly May to September, with the Canary Islands popular at October half term and Easter. Over Christmas and February half term, the Caribbean and Florida offer warm weather and short sailings to private islands. Book early for the summer holidays, as family cabins are limited on every ship.
Many families choose a no-fly cruise from Southampton, which keeps luggage and travel simple. Others fly to Barcelona, Palma or Miami to join a ship. A Travel Designer can compare kids' club ages, cabin layouts and onboard costs across lines so you know what to expect before you book. We can also add flights, hotels and transfers so the whole family holiday is organised in one place.
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Lines we recommend
The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.
Royal Caribbean
MSC Cruises
European-flavoured family cruising at scale, with Mediterranean and Caribbean coverage year-round.
NCL Norwegian
Freestyle American cruising with no fixed dining times — flexible and family-friendly.
P&O Cruises
Britain's biggest cruise line, departing from Southampton — classic and family ships in the fleet.
Princess Cruises
Mid-premium cruising with destination-strong itineraries — Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Big-ship fun-led American cruising with broad family appeal and Caribbean strength.
Which line suits you?
| Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | Families with active children and teens who want water parks and big-ship thrills. |
| MSC Cruises | Value-conscious families, with a European feel and kids’ clubs by age group. |
| NCL Norwegian | Families who want flexible dining times and a relaxed pace. |
| P&O Cruises | British families who want to sail from Southampton with a familiar style. |
| Princess Cruises | Multi-generational groups who want a calmer ship with youth clubs. |
| Carnival Cruise Lines | Families who want a lively, fun-first American atmosphere. |
What families get on board
- Kids’ and teens’ clubs
- Supervised clubs split by age, with activities, games and events through the day.
- Pools and water play
- Family pools, splash areas and, on the biggest ships, waterslides and water parks.
- Entertainment
- Shows, movies, deck parties and family activities, from treasure hunts to talent shows.
- Family cabins
- Connecting cabins, family suites and cabins that sleep three or four.
- Dining
- Main restaurants and buffets included in the fare, with children’s menus and flexible times on many lines.
Planning a family cruise
Choose the ship first. On a family cruise the ship is a big part of the holiday, so look at the clubs, pools and activities as closely as the itinerary.
Book early for school holidays, when family cabins and connecting cabins are in high demand. Sailing from Southampton avoids flights and baggage limits, while fly-cruises to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean give you more time in the sun.
Check the age rules for kids’ clubs, as minimum ages and arrangements for toddlers vary by line. Our Travel Designers can help you compare ships and cabin options for your family.
Who a family cruise suits
A family cruise suits parents who want children entertained while they get some time to themselves, and multi-generational groups who want to holiday together without everyone doing the same thing all day.
It also suits families who want to see several places without packing and unpacking, with meals and entertainment included in the fare.
FAQ
Family Cruises: your questions answered
Which cruise line is best for families with young children?
Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises are popular for younger children, with large ships, water play areas and kids' clubs that typically start from about age 3. P&O Cruises suits British families who want a no-fly holiday from Southampton. NCL Norwegian has no fixed dining times, which helps with tired toddlers. The right choice depends on ages, budget and where you want to sail.
How long should a first family cruise be?
For a first cruise with young children, a short break of 3 to 5 nights is a good test of how everyone copes with ship life. If you already know your family enjoys it, 7 nights is the most popular length, giving a mix of port days and sea days without feeling rushed. Multi-generational groups often prefer 10 to 14 nights.
What is included for children on a cruise?
The fare normally covers meals in the main restaurant and buffet, supervised kids' clubs during set hours, pools, waterslides and most entertainment. Extras usually include soft drink packages, speciality restaurants, arcades, some activities and shore excursions. Late-night group babysitting may carry a small charge on some lines. We will set out what is included before you book.
Can we cruise in the school holidays without flying?
Yes. Several lines run summer, half-term and Easter sailings from Southampton to Northern Europe, the Norwegian fjords, Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. A 7-night round trip is a common choice for the summer break. These sailings sell early because they suit so many families, so it pays to plan well ahead.
Too many options? We'll narrow it down
Tell a Travel Designer where you want to go, when, and what kind of ship suits you. Three honest recommendations, same business day.