Top 4 family-friendly cruise lines for this summer

Family-friendly cruise lines make going away with the kids in tow oh-so-much more convenient, whether that’s thanks to the host of awesome activities onboard (VR racing? Meeting Wallace and Gromit? Ice cream parlours? You name it!) or the super ship kids clubs.

Sailawaze teamed up with travel agent Iglu Cruise to pick out four of the very best cruise lines for families this year and beyond.

Whether you’re after cruise lines with family suites or the best Caribbean cruise lines for families, our guide to cruising with the family has all the answers.

Which cruise line is the most family-friendly?

P&O Cruises
Royal Caribbean
MSC Cruises
Marella Cruises

P&O Cruises

Are P&O cruises child friendly? Yes! There are five family-friendly P&O Cruises ships: Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Ventura and Azura.

P&O Cruises family activities

Kids can meet with cheese-loving hero Wallace and his trusty pooch Gromit as well as Shaun the Sheep thanks to the line’s Aardman partnership. Go (cheese and) crackers at the Welcome On Board party, arts and crafts activities, special character appearances, dance sessions for kids, and premieres of Aardman’s latest films. Just don’t wear the Wrong Trousers.

There’s more relaxing screen time to be had in P&O Cruises’ onboard cinemas for all ages. Enjoy the latest superhero movies and timeless classics on the big screen as a family. On Arvia and Azura, you can even watch open-air screenings.

For more showbiz glamour swing by Headliners Theatre. The two-deck auditorium hosts family-friendly shows with early evening performances, plus a variety of entertainment throughout the day during summer and Christmas cruises.

To blow (or should that be bubble?) off steam all P&O Cruises family-friendly ships feature pools for kids of all ages to have a splashing good time. Arvia offers Splash Valley while Iona has a Splash Zone with shaded areas, ocean views and open skies.

P&O Cruises kids clubs

P&O Cruises kids’ clubs cater for children ranging from six months right up to 17 years so your offspring will be well and truly entertained no matter what their age. This care gives parents free rein to let loose too. There’s even a night nursery for six months to four years.

• Nursery (6 months-2 years) offers age-appropriate toys, games and themed Turtle Tot activities.
• Splashers (ages 2-4) enjoy soft play, toys, books and activities [above, left].
• Surfers (ages 5-8) have access to computer games, movies, soft play, puppet shows and more.
• Scubas (ages 9-12) can play air hockey, computer games, pool or just relax with new friends, with a variety of activities available.
• H2O/Scene (ages 13-17) features a pool table, computer consoles, a retro arcade and plenty of beanbags and sofas for a chilled-out vibe.

P&O Cruises family accommodation

There are rooms on P&O Cruises family-friendly ships to suit families of many sizes as well as varying budgets thanks to price reductions.

Iona and Arvia provide a variety of family accommodations, including two special family suites at the front of the ship. Azura, Britannia and Ventura also offer family cabins with extra beds and have cabins that can accommodate a travel cot for infants aged over six months and under two years.

Heads up: in twin cabins, these extra beds are pull-down beds that your cabin steward will stow away during the day while in selected cabins on Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura, sofa beds are available instead.

Royal Caribbean

Every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet caters for families so you can pick your destination of choice without worrying about what to do with the kids. There’s even the line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, to kick back and relax on all together if you head to the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean family activities

Each family-friendly Royal Caribbean cruise ship offers endless ways for the whole gang to enjoy their sea days. Plunge down the tallest slide at sea, battle loved ones in glow-in-the-dark laser tag battles, work on your water wings at sun-soaked pool parties, get gnarly on the surf simulator, perfect your swing at Mini Golf with sea views, or get high on the zipline ten stories above deck.

Other activities, depending on which ship you sail on, include rock climbing, escape rooms and dance parties. If you’re after some quiet time, stick a fab film on in your stateroom or check out the library – there are classic and popular family titles in a variety of languages to browse.

What’s more, every night, the whole family can enjoy top-notch entertainment, including original productions, Broadway favourites, high dives and aerial stunts at the AquaTheater, plus spectacular ice skating shows.

Royal Caribbean kids clubs

The Royal Caribbean Adventure Ocean youth programs ensure your children’s time onboard will be fun and educational. Aquanauts (ages 3-5) will enjoy conducting experiments and becoming Certified Jr. Adventure Scientists; Explorers (ages 6-8) can participate in exciting activities, including themed parties; and Voyagers (ages 9-12) will take part in a variety of activities that make learning “cool” again. Teens have their own great spaces to chillax in and have the freedom to come and go as they please.

The merriment doesn’t stop with sunset though – kids and teens can enjoy activities late into the evening with extended hours in the Adventure Ocean and teen-only spaces (with an hourly rate applied after 10pm). After a special family dinner on Royal Caribbean ships, children can spend the night partying with new friends at the Late Night Party Zone!

Babies are cared for, too. The Royal Babies & Tots program (ages 6-36 months) offers nursery drop-off sessions with age-appropriate activities and toys, all hosted by trained youth staff.

Royal Caribbean family accommodation

Royal Caribbean serves up spacious, family-friendly cabins. Choose from rooms with woah-look-at-that ocean views or suites with wrap-around balconies. Snug Interior rooms provide the most budget-friendly option, with Spacious Interiors and connecting rooms for larger families also perfect for groups.

For ultimate luxury, the Icon of the Seas offers the first-ever Ultimate Family Townhouse [above, left], featuring three tiers of incredible amenities along with direct access to the Surfside neighbourhood from a private patio. The kind of pad parents definitely wish they’d had as children.

Do kids pay full price on Royal Caribbean?

Yes, normal pricing applies to children of all ages although Royal Caribbean does occasionally run a Kids Sail Free promotion as well as offers for the third and fourth guest to go free.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises family-friendly cruises whisk parents and children away to over 200 thrilling destinations worldwide, including its exclusive private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, in the Bahamas.

MSC Cruises family activities

MSC cruise ships provide abundant entertainment options for all ages; from relaxing in pools to thrilling water slides. On some ships passengers of all ages can relish zip-lining, driving a full-size MSC Formula Racer and immersive VR experiences. Elsewhere there’s an interactive XD cinema and Video Games room while Broadway-style entertainment is available across the fleet for theatre kicks.

Keep your eyes peeled for LEGO play areas. For children aged 3-11 these spaces offer activities like team games and LEGO Vertical Play Wall challenges while for 7-11-year-olds, the LEGO Tech Experience provides the opportunity to play LEGO games on gaming technology.

Plus, once per cruise, there’s the LEGO Experience On Board [above, left]: a full day of LEGO fun for the whole family complete with special parades, shows and the chance to become a Junior LEGO Master Builder.

And that’s not all! It was recently announced that following the success of MasterChef at Sea Juniors, Break the Wall and MSC Dance Crew that two new shows are now available: “World Quest,” a geography trivia game, and “Caravaggio,” a spy-themed art game show.

Guinness World Record activities also being rolled out across more ships. The ultimate record-breaking quiz show (with prizes to boot!) is now available on: MSC World Europa, MSC Euribia, MSC Seascape, MSC Seashore, MSC Magnifica, MSC Divina, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Grandiosa.

MSC Cruises kids clubs

MSC’s specialised Kids Clubs provide an array of activities, with staff on hand from 9am until 10pm; plus each day a reserved time slot will now open all Doremiland areas for families for parents wishing to spend quality time with their kids in the onboard kids club. Additionally, once per cruise, there will be a big family party for parents and kids to enjoy together.

Dedicated baby care for infants as young as six months old (up to age two) is now on offer – previously available only for those aged one year and up – while Mini Club caters to children aged three to six on all ships and cruises, with activities like arts & crafts, baby dance, painting courses, treasure hunts and mini Olympics. Note, little ones under three can attend but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Junior Club offers dedicated activities, sports, parties and shows for kids aged 7 to 11, providing ample opportunities for fun and friendship while parents relax elsewhere.

Teen’s Club is tailored for teenage cruisers over 13, featuring entertaining activities like treasure hunts, group missions, talent shows, the Virtual World Arcade, trivia and dance contests, along with a newspaper for sharing experiences.

Want to boogie? Evening discos are available for younger cruisers and adults alike to throw some shapes, with Teen’s Club Live hosting lively events including music, live shows and group dancing.

Babysitting services are available for a fee both during the day and in the evening, with costs and availability to be confirmed onboard; it’s recommended to book early to secure a spot.

MSC Cruises family accommodation

MSC Cruises offers cabins and suites that enable the family to sleep all together or connecting rooms for those after a bit more privacy or room to spread out.

Family Cabins consist of two or more connecting cabins, each with its own bathroom, accommodating up to 10 people. Choose from various options such as Superfamily Plus, Superfamily + Ocean view or Balcony, Superfamily, Family Balcony, and Family Ocean view cabins. These options are available with the Fantastica Experience on MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, and MSC Opera.

Marella Cruises

Are Marella cruises child friendly? Yes! From kids’ clubs and child-friendly activities to buffet spreads catering to even the fussiest eaters, Marella Cruises family cruises keep everyone content, no matter what their age. What’s more, there’s special pricing for infants under two, and there’s no additional cabin supplement for children.

Marella Cruises family activities

Marella family-friendly ships are equipped to entertain both kids and adults day and night, featuring escape rooms, climbing walls, mini-golf courses plus indoor and outdoor cinemas. Children will also benefit from an onboard activity pack plus countless live shows. Oh, and it’s all-inclusive too which always helps.

Marella Cruises kids clubs

Children can participate in daily sessions at M Club, the free Marella Cruises kids’ club. Activities are designed for ages 3 to 11 and include arts and crafts, quizzes and mini-discos to name just a few activities. Parent-accompanied sessions are also available for children under three at Mini M Club and teens can relax at The Hideout.

• Mini M Club (0-3 years) runs daily from 9 am. Expect hour-long stay-and-play sensory sessions with activities including storytime and arts and crafts.
• M Crew (3-7 years) features interactive history hours and fancy dress competitions. Evening activities include film and pizza nights, mini-discos and kids’ shows.
• M Club (8-11 years) offers packed schedules for older kids who enjoy independence. Daytime activities range from pirate hunts to crazy golf challenges and silly science activities, while evenings feature movie nights, chocolate parties, and mini-discos.
• The Hideout (12-17 years) is a dedicated hangout area for teens, open daily from 9 am to 10 pm. It yields games consoles, comfy chairs, and activities such as air hockey tournaments, comedy shows and silent discos during peak season.

Marella Cruises family accommodation

Marella Cruises cabins are all equipped with fold-down beds or sofa beds to provide extra sleeping space. In addition, there are special family cabins that can accommodate up to seven people across separate living areas.