Cruising has change into more and more common for households. It is a good way to discover a number of locations in a single journey, and the ships themselves provide many alternative household actions that enchantment to children of all ages. With complimentary children’ golf equipment, swimming pools, reveals, and different thrilling actions, proper on board, it is no shock that households are in search of one of these trip.
Are you contemplating a household cruise trip however uncertain the place to start out? The cruise itinerary is a very powerful factor to start with, after which take a look at ships after you’ve got selected a normal itinerary. Our information is concentrated on newer ships, though many older ships provide comparable facilities.
Try our information to the most effective family-friendly cruises.
Disclosure: We have acquired complimentary/discounted journeys with these cruise strains, however not on these ships. All opinions are my very own.
Try our information to the most effective family-friendly cruises.
Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean is understood for its big, colourful ships with thrilling household actions. The Icon of the Seas, launched in early 2024, is at the moment the biggest ship at sea (alongside together with her sister ship, Star of the Seas). It is the primary ship in a brand new Icon class.
It gives Class 6, the biggest waterpark at sea, Royal Bay, the biggest pool at sea, and the Horrifying Bolt, the tallest waterslide at sea. There’s additionally Surfside, which features a carousel and Playscape.
When the youngsters are within the children’ membership, head as much as Swim & Tonic, the biggest swim-up bar at sea. The Hideaway part of the ship is the adult-only space, much like Hideaway Seaside at Excellent Day at CocoCay.
The Icon of the Seas gives seven-night Caribbean cruises departing from Miami, whereas the Star of the Seas leaves from Port Canaveral.
Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas
The Utopia of the Seas is likely one of the latest Royal Caribbean ships. It is often called the World’s Largest Weekend as a result of it at the moment operates 3- and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral—good for a weekend getaway. It is one of many largest ships at sea (however not fairly as massive because the Icon.
I had the chance to sail on Utopia of the Seas in late summer time. If attainable, I might suggest the four-day journey as a result of it is an enormous ship, and you will need to discover throughout that day at sea.
Like the opposite Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ships, Utopia of the Seas gives a zipline, FlowRider, Central Park neighborhood, and Boardwalk neighborhood. There’s additionally a children’ membership space divided by age and plenty of actions for teenagers of all ages.
The Utopia of the Seas additionally gives leisure, together with a parade, an AquaShow, and an ice present. There’s something to do each minute of the day.
In case you’ve obtained some stress-free, adult-only time, head to the glass-covered Solarium, which is 18-plus. However don’t fret, there are many pool areas for the youngsters, together with the Excellent Storm waterslides and the 10-story Final Abyss dry slide.
See our full evaluation of Utopia of the Seas right here.
Different Royal Caribbean Ships
Royal Caribbean gives over 25 ships, with many extra on the best way. Along with the Icon and Utopia of the Seas, they launched extra ships since 2021, together with the Odyssey of the Seas and the Surprise of the Seas. The Legend of the Seas will likely be launched in 2026.
One in all my favourite ships, the Odyssey of the Seas, was the final of the Quantum Extremely-class ships launched. This ship gives a SeaPlex (the place you possibly can experience bumper vehicles), RipCord® by iFLY (the place you may really feel like you might be skydiving), FlowRider, and rather more.
The Surprise of the Seas, launched in 2022, is one other Oasis Class ship, just like the Utopia of the Seas. It gives lots of the identical actions and facilities, together with the Final Abyss, Solarium, swimming pools, sports activities deck, zip line, and extra.
Disney Want
The Disney Want is likely one of the Disney Cruise Line’s latest ships and the primary of the brand new Want Class. Due to its lovely theming, this ship is ideal for Disney-loving households.
There are each Marvel and Frozen-themed primary eating rooms, Star Wars and New Orleans-themed bars, Star Wars, princess, and Marvel-themed children’ membership areas, and rather more. As with all different Disney Cruise Line ships, character greetings are supplied with many common Disney characters.
It additionally gives three-stage reveals, together with a brand new manufacturing of The Little Mermaid. As well as, it has the primary AquaMouse, a water-coaster that’s half experience, half attraction with animated shorts.
The Disney Want has the most effective theming I’ve seen at sea. Whereas it does appear to enchantment primarily to households with youthful children, my youngsters additionally love the magic of this ship.
Disney Want gives 3-4 day Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral. Due to this, it is an awesome possibility to mix with a Walt Disney World trip for a Disney land and sea trip.
Different Disney Ships
The Disney Want is the latest Disney ship that I’ve been on, however the Disney Cruise Line at the moment has six further ships: the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy, the Disney Magic, the Disney Surprise, the Disney Future, and the Disney Treasure. They sail from varied ports in the US and past, together with Fort Lauderdale, Europe, and Canada (crusing to Alaska). Whereas 4 of those ships are older, they nonetheless provide implausible theming and magic at sea.
MSC World America
Launched within the spring of 2025, the MSC World America is the primary MSC ship designed for American vacationers. This ship is at the moment crusing out of a brand-new PortMiami cruise terminal (AA), providing 7-night cruises within the Jap and Western Caribbean with stops at Ocean Cay, MSC’s non-public island.
The ship is implausible for households, with facilities and actions together with the Harbour, with waterslides, the Excessive Path ropes course, the Jawdrop multi-level dry slide, and the Cliffhanger (an overwater swing experience). There’s additionally Method One simulation racing, and a SportsPlex multi-use space used for basketball and bumper vehicles.
The MSC World America gives LEGO play areas (inside and outdoors of the youngsters’ golf equipment, a LEGO parade, and quite a few leisure choices, together with Soiled Dancing in Live performance.
Upcoming Ships in 2026
Whereas there aren’t as many family-friendly new ships launching in 2026 as there have been in 2025, there are a couple of we’re trying ahead to. These embody the Disney Journey and the
Which of those ships are you most excited to expertise with your loved ones?
