The best cruise lines for families

While there are a cornucopia of cruise ships designed exclusively for over-18s in search of sophisticated dining and peaceful pools, the good news for anyone travelling en-famille is that there are plenty of vessels which are very much family affairs.

Expect expansive kids’ clubs, roller coasters, waterslides and aqua parks and more. In fact there are so many family-friendly amenities and facilities that you may find yourself having to drag your children ashore on port days!

What’s more, almost everything – accommodation, food, drink, and entertainment – is invariably included in the price making a cruise arguably the easiest, and best value, family holiday going.

Even better? We’ve done the hard work for you and teamed up with our friends at Iglu Cruise to select three cruise lines that go above and beyond to please all ages…

Royal Caribbean
In 1968, US hospitality entrepreneur Ed Stephan and three Norwegian ship owners – Sigurd Skaugen, Anders Wilhemsen, and Gotaas Larsen – came together to create a cruise line to sail in the Caribbean.

The quartet chose the name Royal Caribbean in a nod to the chosen destination, as well as the high standards of service passengers could expect to receive.

The new line’s first ship, Song of Norway, embarked on her maiden voyage from Miami on November 7, 1970. Two further ships followed in the next two years.

Fast forward to today and Royal Caribbean is one of the largest cruise lines in the world – and a great option for families who appreciate the plethora of children's clubs and onboard activities such as ice skating, waterslides, rock climbing, and zip lining.

Icon of the Seas, which debuted in January 2024, is the world's largest cruise ship and features six waterslides, and more than 15 pools and whirlpools.

Alternatively, if you’re not sure how your family will fare on a super-sized ship, look to Independence of the Seas – one of Royal Caribbean’s three Freedom-class ships and the first to introduce the FlowRider surf simulator to the cruise industry.

Factor in a 40-foot rock climbing wall, an ice skating rink, multiple pools, and an aqua park, and your little ones will be entertained from dusk to dawn.

P&O Cruises
Sailing from its home port of Southampton, five of P&O Cruises’ ships – Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Azura and Ventura – have British families in mind: there are kettles (and Twinings tea bags) in every single cabin while shore excursions can be paid for with Sterling.

Onboard, complimentary children’s clubs mean parents and grandparents can relax – and perhaps pamper themselves in the Retreat, the adult-only VIP deck area offering spa treatments in cool cabanas – safe in the knowledge that their offspring are occupied and entertained.

When it comes to dining, a new partnership with renowned children’s cookery author Annabel Karmel should ensure that even the fussiest of eaters get their five-a-day.

There are also fantastic children's facilities – from a plethora of pools to movie screens and shows – to fill the time on sea days.

Arvia, christened in 2023 by singer Olly Murs and nicknamed the ‘sunshine ship’ as it sails in the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter, is the newest ship in P&O Cruises’ fleet.

Iglu also has availability for family-friendly cruises onboard Iona. Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Iona features four pools, 18 whirlpool spas and the first gin still at sea.

Another option with Iglu is Britannia – who has received a refurb ahead of her 10th anniversary in 2025, and is a guaranteed hit for older kids with its live entertainment venues.

Alternatively if your kids are sporty types, the mid-size Ventura could be the answer with its four pools and sports court on which to let off steam.

You can view Iglu’s selection of family-friendly cruises with P&O Cruises here

Marella
Families make up the bedrock of Marella’s customers – something that’s reflected in its fleet (there are four family-friendly ships and only one ​adults-only vessel).

The sister arm to TUI River Cruises, Marella Cruises offers a complimentary onboard kids' club (M Club) and a teens-only space called Hideout, as well as mini golf, salsa lessons, family pools, bean bag boules, table tennis tournaments and, on Discovery ships, a climbing wall.

Worked up an appetite? Marella’s buffet restaurants have a huge choice of dishes – from favourites like pasta and fries and ice-cream cones for pudding – for a relaxed family get-together. The afternoon teas – tuck into freshly baked scones and cakes – are a firm favourite too, and there are also regular barbecue lunches out on deck.

Refuelled, top up on family time on a trip: Marella has a range of shore excursions for the whole family.

For little ones, there are outings to waterparks, aquariums and beaches. Or, if you’re travelling with children aged 10 and over, there’s also the option of two wheels, as most Marella ships have mountain bikes on board and, at almost every port, you can join an experienced guide and pedal your way around the best sights.