All Aboard: Find the Perfect Cruise for Your Crew
Vote for the Top Cruise for Families
Vote for the top cruise for families until polls close on March 25 at noon ET. We’ll share the winners publicly on April 3 at noon EST. For any questions, see our Motherhood Loves Community Awards terms and conditions.
Motherhood Loves Community Awards nominees have been carefully chosen by our team. We may earn a commission if you buy something through links on our site.
Dreaming of a quick escape or the ultimate summer family adventure? Easy to plan, packed with activities for everyone, and a fantastic value to boot – what's not to love about a cruise? Imagine exploring majestic Alaska, sinking your toes in white Caribbean sand, diving into European culture, or savoring sun-kissed Mexico. Soak it all in while creating precious family memories that will last a lifetime. We’ve gathered a list of top cruises for families based on various factors, including their service reputation, overall value, and variety of destinations. Which of these cruise ships is tops when it comes to making time on the water fun for the whole family?
Vote for the Top Cruise for Families
American Cruise Lines | American Serenade
For a modern twist on classic Americana, board the American Serenade to discover life on the Mississippi. Ideal for older kids and multi-generational families, this riverboat cruise offers several excursions along the river—from St. Paul to New Orleans—as well as onboard naturalists and historians to bring the past to life. Enjoy the Sky Walk, an observation deck with outdoor games, and dining options that’ll satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Carnival | Panorama
If your kids like trampolines, then they’ll love the Panorama, which features the only Sky Zone trampoline park at sea. The recently refurbished ship, which cruises from Long Beach to Mexico, has more than jumping: you can fly over the ocean on the SkyRide, find sugary treats in the candy shop, or dine with Dr. Seuss. Family rooms offer access to an exclusive lounge complete with board games and movies.
Carnival | Mardi Gras
Six themed zones onboard the gigantic Mardi Gras are filled with entertainment for every age, from a Build-A-Bear Workshop and adorable Dr. Seuss–themed breakfast to the thrilling BOLT sea coaster and live Family Feud games. The ship’s classic Caribbean excursions let your family swim with dolphins or relax on the beach. And it’s affordable, giving you extra money for a spa day while your kids hang out at Camp Ocean.
Celebrity | Edge
The Edge has recently flipped its cruising script with the family-friendly Camp at Sea, a program with hundreds of activities like video game tournaments, scavenger hunts, movie nights, and disco parties, appealing to everyone from toddlers to teens. Along with classic cruise entertainment like shows and live music, the ship also offers a variety of family-oriented excursions in Alaska, Australia, and Hawaii.
Costa by Carnival | Firenze
A partnership between two sister cruise lines, the Firenze combines the Italian elegance and cuisine of Costa with the family fun of Carnival. You’ll find everything you’d expect on a Carnival cruise—kids’ clubs, water rides, your children’s favorite Dr. Seuss characters—alongside an amazing array of Italian eateries and cafés that are truly delizioso. Great days at Catalina Island and Baja Mexico cap off this unique fusion of fun.
Cunard | Queen Mary 2
The only transatlantic ocean liner of its kind, the luxurious Queen Mary 2 is growing in popularity with families, with supervised kids’ clubs, one-of-a-kind excursions, and a planetarium that doubles as a movie theater. Family-friendly dining (including bars with mocktails) and swimming pools let you take your children just about anywhere on the ship. For an evening to yourself, drop off your littles at the free night nursery.
Disney Cruise Line | Wish
Disneyland meets the sea aboard the Wish, where your family will find all their favorite characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. No Disney experience is complete without rides and entertainment, and the ship has plenty: the wet-and-wild AquaMouse ride, Marvel Super Hero Academy, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. The magic continues on a private island in the Bahamas with character shows and music.
Disney Cruise Line | Wonder
The Wonder is a classic Disney cruise ship with character dining, Broadway-style musicals, parties, fireworks—and all the top-notch Disney service you’d expect. Based out of San Diego, this cruise voyages to Australia, Vancouver, Hawaii, and Mexico, giving you plenty of destination choices. While your kids enjoy a Toy Story scavenger hunt, you can unwind at the spa or in the adult lounge areas with a drink and a sweet beignet.
Holland America | Rotterdam
Offering family rooms, kid-friendly spaces throughout, and a supervised kids’ club, the Rotterdam is one of Holland America’s most family-oriented cruise ships. It’s an easy and fun way to explore destinations like northern Europe and Panama with your family. The ship goes on classic Caribbean cruises too, so you can enjoy the tropical breeze while your children join a kids-only party or watch movies on the giant swimming pool screen.
Margaritaville at Sea | Islander
Get your tickets to paradise and set sail to Key West or Cozumel on the Islander. Though you may think of Margaritaville at Sea as a party cruise line, the Islander has become popular with families for its kids’ programs, pickleball courts, arcade, and unique cornhole-meets-mini-golf course. And you’ll find lots of kid-approved dining options, from cheeseburgers and pizza in the restaurants to boba milk tea in the family lounges.
MSC | Seaside
From sunny Caribbean getaways to exciting Grand Voyages to Europe’s coastal cities, the Seaside has an escape for every type of traveler. When your family isn’t beachcombing or exploring Lisbon and Naples, you can make a splash in the ship’s Forest Aquaventure Park, aim for strikes at the bowling alley, and build your kids’ imaginations in the LEGO play area. And MSC frequently offers “Kids Sail Free” deals!
Norwegian | Bliss
Mini golf, laser tag, kids’ clubs, a go-kart track—the Bliss was designed specifically for family adventures at sea. You’ll have lots of destinations to choose from, such as Pacific Coast favorites like Mexico and Alaska or great trips to Central America and the Caribbean. Besides the laid-back dining and entertainment Norwegian is known for, your family can enjoy edutainment excursions to villages in Juneau or ancient sites in Old Mazatlán.
Norwegian | Encore
All aboard Norwegian’s biggest cruise ship! The Encore has a spectacular blend of kid-friendly and adult fun, with virtual-reality game rooms, a go-kart track, and laser tag. Kids’ clubs give you a free afternoon at the popular Spice H20 pool bar or an evening at the comedy club. Children and parents alike will love exploring Mayan ruins on a Caribbean cruise or touring Alcatraz on a Pacific Coast cruise.
Princess | Sun
A rising star in multi-generational travel, the Sun features activities for every age and connected suites for large families cruising to the Caribbean or Europe. Take in a huge variety of entertainment, from game shows and magic performances to Voice-style competitions and dazzling musicals. When you board, you can get each of your children an OceanMedallion, a wearable device that lets you track and text them anywhere on the ship.
Royal Caribbean | Harmony of the Seas
If your family runs on adrenaline, then you can surf, slide, and glide your way to your best vacay on the Harmony of the Seas. This massive ship has the tallest slide at sea plus waterslides, a zip line, and a surfing simulator. The Texas-based cruises sail to the balmy shores of Mexico or high adventures on the Mediterranean Sea. Acrobatic and Broadway-style shows keep the fun going after dark.
Royal Caribbean | Wonder of the Seas
Your children will beg for another trip aboard the Wonder of the Seas once they stay in a whimsical family suite with a twisty slide. You can play together at the mini-golf course, surfing simulator, and zip line before daring your crew to ride down the incredibly tall slide. Dining options for every palate (including a candy shop) and private Caribbean beaches will have you cruising again and again.
About Motherhood Loves Community Awards
Our nominees are researched and selected as the top products in their category. You can vote once per category, per day. Motherhood independently selects the products and services we cover and recommend. We do not exchange currency, goods or services to be listed.
