Cruising has grow to be more and more fashionable for households. It is an effective way to discover a number of locations in a single journey, and the ships themselves provide many alternative household actions that enchantment to youngsters of all ages. With complimentary youngsters’ golf equipment, swimming pools, exhibits, and different thrilling actions, proper on board, it is no shock that households are searching for such a trip.
Are you contemplating a household cruise trip however uncertain the place to begin? The cruise itinerary is a very powerful factor to start with, after which have a look at ships after you’ve got selected a basic itinerary. Our information is targeted on newer ships, though many older ships provide comparable facilities.
Try our information to the very best family-friendly cruises.
Disclosure: We have obtained complimentary/discounted journeys with these cruise strains, however not on these ships. All opinions are my very own.
Try our information to the very best family-friendly cruises.
Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean is understood for its enormous, colourful ships with thrilling household actions. The Icon of the Seas, launched in early 2024, is at the moment the most important ship at sea (alongside along with her sister ship, Star of the Seas). It is the primary ship in a brand new Icon class.
It affords Class 6, the most important waterpark at sea, Royal Bay, the most important pool at sea, and the Scary Bolt, the tallest waterslide at sea. There’s additionally Surfside, which features a carousel and Playscape.
When the youngsters are within the youngsters’ membership, head as much as Swim & Tonic, the most important swim-up bar at sea. The Hideaway part of the ship is the adult-only space, much like Hideaway Seashore at Good Day at CocoCay.
The Icon of the Seas affords 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 without doubt one of the latest Royal Caribbean ships. It is often known as the World’s Largest Weekend as a result of it at the moment operates 3- and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral—excellent 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 season. If attainable, I would advocate the four-day journey as a result of it is an enormous ship, and you may need to discover throughout that day at sea.
Like the opposite Royal Caribbean Oasis Class ships, Utopia of the Seas affords a zipline, FlowRider, Central Park neighborhood, and Boardwalk neighborhood. There’s additionally a youngsters’ membership space divided by age and plenty of actions for teenagers of all ages.
The Utopia of the Seas additionally affords leisure, together with a parade, an AquaShow, and an ice present. There’s something to do each minute of the day.
If you happen to’ve bought some stress-free, adult-only time, head to the glass-covered Solarium, which is 18-plus. However don’t be concerned, there are many pool areas for the youngsters, together with the Good Storm waterslides and the 10-story Final Abyss dry slide.
See our full assessment of Utopia of the Seas right here.
Different Royal Caribbean Ships
Royal Caribbean affords over 25 ships, with many extra on the way in which. Along with the Icon and Utopia of the Seas, they launched extra ships since 2021, together with the Odyssey of the Seas and the Marvel of the Seas. The Legend of the Seas might be launched in 2026.
One among my favourite ships, the Odyssey of the Seas, was the final of the Quantum Extremely-class ships launched. This ship affords a SeaPlex (the place you’ll be able to experience bumper automobiles), RipCord® by iFLY (the place you may really feel like you’re skydiving), FlowRider, and rather more.
The Marvel of the Seas, launched in 2022, is one other Oasis Class ship, just like the Utopia of the Seas. It affords 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 without doubt one of the Disney Cruise Line’s latest ships and the primary of the brand new Want Class. Due to its stunning theming, this ship is ideal for Disney-loving households.
There are each Marvel and Frozen-themed most important eating rooms, Star Wars and New Orleans-themed bars, Star Wars, princess, and Marvel-themed youngsters’ membership areas, and rather more. As with all different Disney Cruise Line ships, character greetings are supplied with many fashionable Disney characters.
It additionally affords three-stage exhibits, 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 very best theming I’ve seen at sea. Whereas it does appear to enchantment primarily to households with youthful youngsters, my youngsters additionally love the magic of this ship.
Disney Want affords 3-4 day Bahamian itineraries departing from Port Canaveral. Due to this, it is a terrific 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 Marvel, the Disney Future, and the Disney Treasure. They sail from numerous 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 unbelievable 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 personal island.
The ship is unbelievable 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 Formulation One simulation racing, and a SportsPlex multi-use space used for basketball and bumper automobiles.
The MSC World America affords LEGO play areas (inside and out of doors 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 just a few 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?
