The best cruise ships for kids and their families
Looking for the best ships for cruising with children? Discover family-friendly ships with kids’ clubs, water parks, dining options and fun entertainment.
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About the author
Kate Holroyd is a writer and avid cruiser. Having been on dozens of cruises with her husband and two children, she knows a thing or two about getting the best experience at sea for parents and little ones.
Top family-friendly cruise ships and their best features
Family cruising has never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why. Happy kids mean happy parents – and today’s cruise lines know it. Many modern ships feel like floating resorts, carefully designed with families and multi-generational groups in mind. With splash zones, themed clubs, family cabins and flexible dining, cruising has become one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways for families to have adventures together.
Even first-time family cruisers are often surprised at how smoothly longer sailings can go when little ones are busy, entertained and loving every moment. The best family-friendly ships offer experiences for every age group, from toddlers to teens.
In this guide, we reveal the cruise ships with the best kid-friendly facilities – covering everything from onboard entertainment and dining to facilities and kids’ clubs – so you can plan your next family cruise from the UK or beyond.
Disney Wish: The ultimate floating playground
Arguably the best cruise ship for kids (and grown-up kids, too), Disney Wish is packed with magical family facilities. Kids’ clubs like the Oceaneer Club and Lab offer immersive Marvel, Star Wars and Frozen areas, staffed by exceptionally trained counsellors. Character experiences, deck parties and surprise shows mean the little ones are constantly entertained.
One standout feature is the kids-only slide entrance directly from the main deck into the club – turning drop-offs into an adventure (and avoiding those clingy goodbye moments). Disney also offers nursery care for children aged six months to three years, plus a chargeable babysitting service for added flexibility.
Rotational dining means families enjoy a variety of restaurants while being looked after by the same friendly waitstaff every night – who quickly learn your family’s favourites and help recommend kid-friendly menu options.
Carnival Celebration: Splash zones and family fun
Carnival Celebration is packed to the rails with family-friendly features beyond its popular Camp Ocean kids’ programme and pirate-themed activities. Facilities include:
- WaterWorks: A splash park with towering water slides and soaking splash zones.
- Family Harbor: A dedicated family accommodation zone with private lounge access.
- Video arcade: Classic games for kids and adults alike.
- Mini golf: Great for some friendly family competition.
- Seuss at Sea: Dr Seuss-themed parades, breakfasts and story time events.
- SportSquare: Outdoor games like basketball, mini-football and rope challenges.
Carnival’s casual dining options are a big hit too, from Guy’s Burger Joint to 24-hour pizza and soft-serve ice cream bars – excellent for satisfying post-pool appetites.
Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas: Adventure for every age
Wonder of the Seas is considered excellent for kids, providing a wide range of activities and facilities tailored to all age groups, blending classic cruise fun with thrilling, one-of-a-kind experiences:
- Adventure Ocean kids’ club: It provides age-specific programming for babies to teens.
- Splashaway Bay Water Park: Multi-story slides and a zip line across the ship keep adrenaline levels high.
- A boardwalk area: It’s complete with a carousel, rock climbing wall and arcade games.
MSC Seaside: Family adventures and outdoor fun
MSC Seaside has earned a reputation as a top choice for European families. The kids’ programme divides young cruisers into five dedicated age groups, meaning activities are better tailored and friendships are easier to spark.
The ship also boasts:
- A huge water park with multiple slides.
- Epic outdoor sports facilities, including zip lines and adventure trails.
- Family-focused events like talent shows, quizzes and family discos.
MSC frequently offers ‘kids sail free’ deals, making Seaside a strong choice for value-seeking families.
Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas: Family fun from the UK
As a family who sailed Anthem of the Seas, we were blown away by how much there was to do together and how many facilities were truly family-first.
- SeaPlex: Bumper cars, roller skating, circus school and even trapeze lessons.
- North Star: A glass observation capsule offering 360° ocean views.
- Adventure Ocean kids' club and teen lounges: This keeps the mini-VIPs engaged for hours.
From racing each other on the climbing wall to ramming dodgems with our daughter, Anthem turned us into big kids, too. We also found precious time for adults-only relaxation thanks to excellent kids’ club programming. Sailings from Southampton make Anthem a convenient no-fly option for UK families.
Norwegian Getaway & Norwegian Epic: Big ship adventure for kids
Beyond their vibrant youth clubs, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Epic deliver high-energy fun for active kids:
- Splash Academy: This offers age-specific programming and themed events.
- Entourage teen lounges: These feature video games, movies and late-night socials.
- Epic’s Aqua Park: This has three huge water slides and splash zones.
- Mini-golf, ropes courses, climbing walls, spider nets and bungee trampolines are also included.
One of the biggest family perks is Norwegian’s flexible 'Freestyle Dining' – no strict mealtimes mean you can dodge hangry meltdowns.
Our first family cruise was aboard Norwegian Epic, and it delivered incredible memories: waterslides, Blue Man Group performances and even a Cirque Dreams dinner show under the big top were magical for adults and kids alike.
Kid-friendly dining at sea: Menus, treats, and special options
One of the great joys of cruising is the food – and kids shouldn’t miss out on the fun. Today’s family-friendly cruise lines go well beyond standard kids’ menus, offering imaginative meals, flexible dining options and even special dining experiences designed just for younger guests.
Kid-friendly menus
When it comes to keeping little cruisers happy at mealtimes, cruise lines are stepping up. Families can expect much more than the usual fish fingers and burgers.
Celebrity Cruises, P&O Cruises, MSC Cruises and Royal Caribbean all offer dedicated kids’ menus alongside smaller, kid-sized portions of main dining room specials.
Buffet restaurants across most ships include family-friendly areas and ‘Kids' Corners’, with child-approved favourites like pasta, fruit platters and mini-desserts.
Many cruise lines also accommodate food allergies and dietary needs, offering gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives for young travellers.
Kid-friendly dining experiences
Several cruise lines also offer memorable, kid-focused dining experiences that add a little extra magic to mealtimes:
- MSC Cruises’ Happy Dinners: After a family meal, trained staff escort children to the kids' club while parents enjoy a leisurely, adults-only dessert and coffee.
- P&O Cruises’ Children’s Tea: A popular early evening option in the buffet restaurant featuring classic kid-friendly favourites like chicken nuggets, sausages and jelly.
- P&O Cruises’ Annabel Karmel’s Menu: A collaboration with the renowned children’s nutrition expert, offering healthier, fun meal options for younger guests.
- Norwegian Cruise Line’s Cirque Dreams Dinner Show: Available on select ships such as Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, combining a circus performance with a family-friendly dining experience.
Whether your family prefers quick casual bites or interactive dinner shows, there’s no shortage of kid-friendly dining at sea.
Onboard entertainment
Entertainment onboard family-friendly cruise ships can vary wildly, and what suits one family might not suit another. Luckily, there’s a huge variety of options to explore.
Over the years, we’ve enjoyed movies under the stars (blankets included), tackled mini golf on Celebrity’s club The Lawn, been amazed by Norwegian’s Cirque Dreams Dinner Show and laughed our way through a Harry Potter quiz hosted by the entertainment team on Anthem of the Seas.
We’ve surfed (well, attempted to) on FlowRider surf simulators, raced each other at pool tables, swum in both indoor and outdoor pools and challenged ourselves on Norwegian Getaway’s epic ropes course – even daring to "walk the plank".
We’ve floated 300ft above the ocean on Royal Caribbean’s North Star observation pod, and that’s before mentioning the comedy shows, family dance parties, kids’ talent shows and lounge singers we’ve danced along to.
Cruise ships truly are floating adventure parks for families. Here’s a closer look at some of the major categories of onboard fun:
Movies at sea
Many cruise lines offer dedicated cinema spaces or outdoor movie nights, often screening family films, Disney favourites or new releases. Look for movie nights on:
- MSC Cruises
- Princess Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean
- Carnival Cruise Line
- P&O Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
Kids’ pools and splash parks
For families with water babies, splash zones and kid-friendly pools are essential. You’ll find exciting pool areas for children on:
- Royal Caribbean (Splashaway Bay)
- Norwegian Cruise Line (Aqua Park)
- Carnival Cruise Line (WaterWorks)
- MSC Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
Adventure zones and action playgrounds
If your kids love to climb, run and race, look for ships offering dedicated adventure areas, rope courses and even zip lines. Adventure areas are featured on:
- Royal Caribbean
- Disney Cruise Line
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- MSC Cruises
Note: Specific entertainment options can vary by ship, but these cruise lines generally offer movies, splash parks and adventure zones across their fleets.
Making unforgettable family memories at sea
With so many cruise lines catering to families, choosing the perfect cruise ship for your family comes down to what suits your children best. Are they adventure-seekers, water park enthusiasts or tiny food critics in the making? From Disney’s immersive magic to Carnival’s splash zones, today’s family cruise ships are designed to make family cruising holidays effortless and exciting.
The beauty of cruising is in the shared experiences: laughing together at deck parties, discovering new destinations and watching your little ones thrive in an environment designed and built just for them. No matter which ship your family sails aboard, the memories you make will last a lifetime.
