Not All Amazing Family Cruises Are on Mega-Ships

I adore my kids, but traveling as a family can bring about unique hurdles. Young children might delight in hours of pool play, while older teens often seek culinary adventures. Meanwhile, parents may simply wish to unwind, and if grandparents or other older relatives join, their preferences can vary too. A cruise offers an excellent solution to accommodate diverse tastes and interests across different ages and life stages.

The finest family cruises allow you to explore differently than traditional land-based trips, with the ship playing a crucial role in the journey. These voyages offer exceptional experiences tailored to various interests, showcasing the beauty of each port visited. Here are our top recommendations for cruises around the globe that blend engaging activities with luxury services, ensuring memorable moments and connections that last a lifetime.

A luxurious expedition tugboat journey in Alaska

Ideal for: Families with older kids and young adults seeking quality time together in cozy yet spacious surroundings, with ample chances for wildlife observation.
To reserve: An 11-night Alaska Voyage from Petersburg to Ketchikan starting at $12,600 per person.

This enchanting journey is perfect for kids who can safely interact with wildlife like bears. It takes you to the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area in southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, offering glimpses of humpback whales and a tidal glacier. The 12-passenger Swell, a renovated tugboat, features six snug cabins, an on-deck hot tub, and both indoor and outdoor lounging spaces. Young explorers will appreciate the open wheelhouse policy, allowing guests to join the navigators at any time. Kayaks are available, and naturalist equipment includes a hydrophone for whale listening, a flat screen for presentations, an aquarium for intertidal creatures, a microscope with projector, and a spotting scope.

Discovering the Upper Amazon on a specially designed river cruise ship

Ideal for: Families with kids aged five and older eager to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the Amazon.
To reserve: A 10-night Upper Amazon Journey on the Delfin II, round-trip from Lima, starting at $8,865 per person (with discounted rates for children).

Embark with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic into the breathtaking wilderness of Peru’s Upper Amazon River. Relish meals featuring tropical fruits and vegetables, stay in suites adorned with hardwood floors and palm ceilings, and enjoy common areas illuminated by handcrafted lanterns. Paddle into the jungle on kayaks to spot sloths, monkeys, and rare pink dolphins alongside expert naturalists, fostering meaningful connections with the ribereño communities you visit.

Embarking on Star Clippers’ tall ships in Central America

Perfect for: Kids over eight who dream of pirate adventures.
To book: 7-night Central American sailings, round-trip from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica, starting at $4,680 (with discounted rates for children).

Star Clippers’ intimate vessels offer travelers the chance to explore Isla San Jose in Panama’s Pearl Islands and the deserted Isla Iguana, where they can marvel at frigate birds, coral reefs, and iguanas. Adventurous teens can scale the masts (with harnesses) to reach the crow’s nest, nearly 65 feet above the deck.

Gliding down the Rhine River with Adventures by Disney

Ideal for: Experiencing European locales while being entertained by Disney-trained Adventure Guides who engage the entire family.
To reserve: An 8-night Rhine river cruise from Basel to Amsterdam, starting at $6,500 per person (with discounted rates for children).

Adventures by Disney navigates Europe’s rivers on AmaWaterways’ luxurious ships, which feature family-friendly amenities such as connecting staterooms, heated pools, and complimentary bikes (including sizes for kids) along with helmets for independent exploration of port destinations. Families can also enjoy included excursions like zip lining in the Black Forest (followed by delicious Black Forest cake), canoeing through Strasbourg, and guided castle tours with exceptional Disney Adventure Guides, who engage all ages, providing invaluable peace of mind for parents.

Ultimate luxury in the Galápagos with Ecoventura

Ideal for: Experiencing the sensation of being the only visitors to one of the world’s most captivating locations.
To reserve: A 7-night Volcanic Wonders itinerary, round-trip from San Cristobal, starting at $9,750 per person.

The Relais & Châteaux brand Ecoventura luxury expedition yacht features interconnected suites, including options with triple accommodations that offer a Pullman berth bunk bed that can be lowered over a twin or king bed for various family configurations. Ecoventura provides a local naturalist for every four guests, ensuring that your group is often the only one exploring an island at a time, allowing you to get close to blue-footed boobies without needing binoculars. (On a recent trip, when I wanted mine, a staff member quickly returned our Zodiac boat to retrieve them from my stateroom.) The ship includes a hot tub, a library, and a spacious upper deck and lounge with board games and movies for families to enjoy while sailing.

An exhilarating Japanese adventure on the MSC Bellissima

Perfect for: Families with children of all ages (including infants and toddlers) eager to connect with fellow passengers from around the globe, all while enjoying Cirque de Soleil–style entertainment.
To book: A 5-night journey from Tokyo to Okinawa, starting at $1,970 per person for a Yacht Club suite (with discounted rates for children).

In 2024, MSC Cruises returned to Asia after a four-year break. The Yacht Club offers an intimate, small-ship experience within the larger cruise ship, featuring an exclusive dining area, lounge, pool, and butler service. Meanwhile, the 4,500-passenger MSC Bellissima boasts all the amenities of a larger vessel, including kids clubs and massive waterslides. Off the ship, dedicated excursions and concierge disembarkation enhance the Yacht Club experience, making it ideal for multigenerational travel.

Journeying around Iceland with HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions)

Ideal for: Adventurous families with kids aged five and older.
To book: An 11-night journey titled the Land of Elves, Sagas & Volcanoes, round-trip from Reykjavík, starting at $6,128 per person (with discounted rates for children).

Traveling with an expedition team allows for itinerary adjustments based on conditions as you traverse the Arctic Circle and sail through Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord. This adaptability enables families to suggest specific expeditions, including tailored hikes for beginners or experienced adventurers, and shorter outings for those who may prefer a relaxing afternoon nap.

Artfully designed luxury in the Caribbean with Explora Journeys

Ideal for: Families with children as young as six months who are embarking on their first cruise and have an appreciation for art, design, and fine dining.
To book: A Journey to Rum-Soaked Isles and Castaway Bliss, 7 nights from Bridgetown to Miami, starting at $4,050 per person (with discounted rates for children).

Explora ships, where every room is an oceanfront suite, are specifically crafted to attract travelers who prefer a yacht or boutique hotel yet are interested in kids clubs, onboard activities, and the convenience of not needing to unpack every night. Family-oriented amenities include smaller bathrobes for kids, cribs and toys available upon request, interconnecting family suites, and a Young Explorers enrichment program featuring ocean conservation activities during school holidays.

A stress-free long weekend in the Caribbean with Celebrity

Ideal for: Families with energetic young children looking for a rejuvenating, elegant escape.
To book: 3-night Bahamas and Perfect Day, round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, starting at $845 per person for a Retreat Suite (with discounted rates for children).

The private island, Coco Cay, provides a serene environment for young families and those with special needs, ensuring access to medical facilities or special diets, ADA compliance, and medications, allowing for a stress-free experience both onshore and aboard. Celebrity ships, while smaller than the enormous mega-liners, are filled with activities, including a complimentary kids club for ages 0–17 and diverse dining options. Guests booking a Retreat suite enjoy access to a private restaurant and lounge. Options for multi-room and two-story suites with terraces, whirlpool tubs, and family configurations are also available.

Deep cultural engagement along Egypt’s Nile River with Uniworld

Ideal for: Families with aspiring Egyptologists.
To book: Splendors of Egypt and the Nile, 12 nights round-trip from Cairo, starting at $5,000 per person (with discounted rates for children).

This itinerary aboard Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ 84-passenger S.S. Sphinx features two full days and nights in vibrant Cairo (including a visit to the Great Pyramids) and a flight to Luxor to continue this unforgettable adventure. Certain sailings include Uniworld’s Generations Family Program, which offers unique, engaging activities for children, such as interacting with local Egyptian kids, along with culturally and historically enriching experiences.

Whale watching with National Geographic in Baja California

Perfect for: Families passionate about nature and science.
To book: 7-night Among the Great Whales, round-trip from Loreto, Mexico, starting at $7,000 per person (with discounted rates for children).

Accompanied by naturalists, families will journey to Bahía Magdalena to observe California gray whales and their calves. Using a ship hydrophone, they can listen to the hauntingly beautiful songs of the whales. Guests can snorkel among vibrant blue damselfish and playful sea lions, as well as embark on guided hikes on untouched islands. Children aged five and up are invited to join the hands-on, interactive National Geographic Global Explorers program, which equips kids with the skills, attitudes, and knowledge of explorers through activities like documenting wildlife sightings in field notebooks, examining ocean plankton, and capturing photographs and maps.