Family Cruises
The Ultimate Guide to Family Cruises – The Best Cruise Lines, Itineraries, Deals & Expert Tips
Family Cruises offer a fun, flexible and stress-free way to enjoy a holiday together, with something for every age group all in one place. From action-packed ships with kids’ clubs and waterparks to relaxed sailings with family entertainment and spacious cabins, cruising makes it easy to keep everyone happy. Whether you’re planning a school holiday getaway, a multi-generation trip or a first family cruise, there’s a wide choice of itineraries and cruise lines designed with families in mind. Sail from UK ports like Southampton on convenient no-fly cruises, or head further afield to destinations such as the Mediterranean, Canary Islands or Caribbean. At Hello Cruise, we bring together all the best family cruise options, helping you compare itineraries, cruise lines and prices from trusted UK travel agents in one place.
Family Cruise Deals
Looking for the best Family Cruise Deals? Hello Cruise makes it easy to compare family-friendly sailings across multiple cruise lines and travel agents, all in one search. Family cruises are especially popular during school holidays, so availability can be limited, but you’ll often find a mix of early-booking offers, reduced fares, cabin promotions and last-minute availability closer to departure. From great-value no-fly cruises from the UK to fly-cruise family holidays and all-inclusive options, we help you find the best price for your preferred dates and itinerary without searching endless websites.
Sky Princess
Cruise: Southampton – Hardangerfjord – Skjolden – Olden – Stavanger – Southampton
Iona
Cruise: Southampton – Stavanger – Olden – Cruising by Innvikfjorden – Cruising by Nordfjord – Hellesylt – Cruising by Geirangerfjord – Cruising by Sunnylvsfjorden – Cruising by Storfjorden – Haugesund – Southampton
Liberty of the Seas
Cruise: Southampton – Bilbao – Gijón – La Coruña – Solar Eclipse – Lisbon – Vigo – Southampton
MSC Virtuosa
Cruise: Southampton – Vigo – Funchal, Madeira – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Arrecife, Lanzarote – Cádiz – Southampton
Sky Princess
Cruise: Southampton – Cherbourg – Bilbao – Total Solar Eclipse 2026 – Málaga – Cartagena – Gibraltar – Lisbon – La Coruña – Southampton
Iona
Cruise: Southampton – Getxo – La Coruña – Vigo – Cherbourg – Southampton
Iona
Cruise: Southampton – Stavanger – Olden – Cruising by Innvikfjorden – Cruising by Nordfjord – Hellesylt – Cruising by Geirangerfjord – Cruising by Sunnylvsfjorden – Cruising by Storfjorden – Haugesund – Southampton
Liberty of the Seas
Cruise: Southampton – Zeebrugge – Olden – Molde – Haugesund – Southampton
MSC Virtuosa
Cruise: Southampton – Brest – Lisbon – Gibraltar – Málaga – Cádiz – Southampton
Sky Princess
Cruise: Southampton – Kristiansand – Oslo – Copenhagen – Skagen – Southampton
Popular Family Cruise Destinations
Browse Family Cruises by Cruise Lines
There are many family-friendly cruise lines to choose from, each offering a slightly different onboard experience. Some cruise lines focus on traditional family cruising with relaxed entertainment, flexible dining and activities suitable for all ages, while others are known for larger ships packed with attractions, adventure facilities and dedicated kids’ and teens’ programmes. British cruise lines such as P&O Cruises are popular with families who enjoy a familiar onboard atmosphere and convenient UK departures, while international cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises are well known for their family-focused ships and facilities. Choosing the right cruise line often comes down to the style of ship, onboard activities and the age range of children travelling.
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Types of Family Cruises
Family cruises come in many different styles, making it easy to find an option that suits your travel plans and preferences. Some families prefer sailing from UK ports, such as Southampton, for a no-fly holiday that keeps travel simple and stress-free. Others opt for fly-cruise family holidays to destinations like the Caribbean, Mediterranean or Canary Islands, combining a cruise with warmer weather and longer itineraries. There are also last-minute family cruises available on selected sailings, as well as all-inclusive family cruises that bundle more costs into the upfront price. For those watching their budget, cheap family cruises can offer excellent value when discounts or promotions are available, especially when comparing multiple cruise lines and dates.
Top Family Cruising FAQs
Are cruises good for families?
Yes, cruises are an excellent option for families. They offer accommodation, meals, entertainment and activities all in one place, making holidays easier to plan and more relaxing for parents and children alike.
Do cruise ships have family rooms?
Many cruise ships offer family-friendly cabins, including larger staterooms, family suites or interconnecting cabins. Availability can be limited, so booking early is recommended.
How much does a family cruise cost?
The cost of a family cruise depends on the cruise line, destination, cabin type and time of year. Prices can range from great-value short breaks to higher-priced peak school holiday sailings, which is why comparing deals is important. Prices start at family of 4 from approx £2000.
What are the best cruise lines for families?
Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, NCL Cruises and P&O Cruises are widely regarded as excellent choices for families, offering dedicated kids’ facilities and family-friendly entertainment. See more at Best Family Cruise Lines.
What cruises are best for families?
The best family cruises depend on your preferences, the ages of your children and how you like to travel. Some families prefer no-fly cruises from the UK, which can make travelling easier with luggage and younger children, while others enjoy fly-cruises that open up a wider choice of warm-weather destinations. Ship facilities are also important, with many family-focused ships offering kids’ clubs, teen areas and activities for different age groups. In terms of destinations, the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Caribbean, Norwegian Fjords and wider Europe are among the most popular choices for family cruising, offering a mix of cultural experiences, scenic cruising and relaxing sea days. Ultimately, the best family cruise is one that matches your travel style, destination preferences and onboard facilities.
Our Top Family Cruise Advice!
When planning a family cruise, it’s worth taking time to research ships carefully, as different cruise lines and vessels cater to different age groups in very different ways. Many of the most family-focused ships offer kids’ clubs split by age, teen hangout spaces and family-friendly entertainment, which can make a big difference to how enjoyable the holiday is for both children and adults. Booking early is especially important for family cruises, as family cabins and popular sailing dates often sell out quickly. The size of your family can also influence ship choice. For example, families of five may find that some ships offer larger cabins that accommodate everyone together, while others may require interconnecting cabins or two separate staterooms. Departure port is another key consideration. Many families prefer sailing from UK ports such as Southampton to avoid airports, luggage restrictions and additional flight costs, although flying does open up a wider range of destinations. Newer ships, such as Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class or Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Class, are particularly impressive for families, offering outstanding facilities and activities for all ages, meaning there are plenty of great options to choose from.
