A couple giving their children piggy back rides down a sunny beach

Family Cruises 2026 & 2027

A family cruise is the rare holiday where everyone gets exactly what they want. The kids get waterparks, ropes courses and kids' clubs that actually keep them entertained. Teenagers get their own spaces, their own vibe, their own schedule. Adults get proper downtime: sunbeds, restaurants, spa. And nobody compromises, because the ship is big enough for all of it. Royal Caribbean, MSC, Carnival and P&O all offer family-specific programmes from UK ports in 2026 and 2027, with sailings to the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Canary Islands from £499pp.

A family playing at the side of a body of water

Cruise Nation compares family cruise deals across all the major lines: no booking fee, full ABTA & ATOL protection, and our Best Price Guarantee on every sailing. Whether you want a no-fly family cruise from Southampton, a Canary Islands break for half-term, or a Caribbean adventure the whole family will be talking about for years, browse our 2026 and 2027 departures below.

A family at the beach, looking at the camera with matching sunglasses

Star Buy

Amazing Holiday Deals

* Price information

Prices on display are from and per person based on 2 sharing the lowest cabin grade unless otherwise stated. Gratuities are not included in any of these offers unless otherwise stated. Baggage charge may apply. No Booking fee is payable when you book online. Cruise Nation and Cruise Line Terms & Conditions apply. E&OE.

For the latest and most up to date availability & pricing, please click on a deal or call our team on 0333 455 8500

Best Cruise Lines for Family Cruises

A Family at the beach

WHY CHOOSE A CRUISE FOR YOUR FAMILY’S NEXT HOLIDAY?

Family vacations can be stressful, especially when traveling with young children, from late-night flights to foreign food and heavy baggage. A family cruise with Cruise Nation takes the hassle out of your holiday, offering a smooth and stress-free experience for everyone, whether you’re traveling with babies, toddlers, or teens.

Today’s cruises are designed to cater to families, with major cruise lines offering features like onboard waterparks, kid’s clubs, family cabins, and daily entertainment. Teenagers are also well-catered for, with amenities like 3D movie theatres, Wi-Fi, coffee shops, and under-18 nightclubs. Parents will appreciate the ease of packing, with no baggage limits for strollers and prams, and plenty of dining options to suit every taste, including those with dietary restrictions.

A Family at the beach at sunset
Bondi Beach from above

TIPS FOR FAMILY HOLIDAYS

A large family standing by the shore at sunset

TRAVELLING WITH KIDS

If you dream of a holiday where every member of the family can relax and have fun, a family cruise might be your ticket to paradise. Parents often forget about themselves, and end up returning from vacation more exhausted than they left, after spending a week ensuring the kids have had the best holiday possible.

With a family-friendly cruises, parents can relax in the knowledge that there is something to keep all ages entertained, and with many of the big cruise liners featuring kid’s clubs and daily activities, the grown-ups can enjoy relaxing by the pool or indulge in some well-deserved pampering at onboard spas without worrying about what the young ones are up to.

TRAVELLING WITH SENIORS

If you’re looking for a holiday which the older members of the family can enjoy too, one of our family cruises that caters for seniors will give you the peace of mind you need to truly relax.

The majority of the big cruise liners have facilities specially designed for older travellers, with accessible cabins, entertainment for seniors, mobility accessible pools and enrichment courses, including cooking classes.

WHERE CAN OUR FAMILY CRUISE DEALS TAKE YOU?

Now that you know how wonderful a family friendly cruise experience can be, you might be wondering where it is they can take you to.

From the sunny skies of the Mediterranean to the family focused resorts of the Caribbean, here are some of our customer’s favourite family cruise destinations to inspire your next stress-free holiday:

Why Cruise Nation?

Voted the UK's number 1 cruise holiday company - over 720,000 can't be wrong

By booking direct with us, you can save between 30% - 70% on the cruise package price

All our smart holidays include free stays so you can get to discover your destination before hand

All holidays are fully ATOL protected. We are members of ABTA, so your booking is safe

Family Cruise FAQ's

  • Is a cruise good for families?

    Yes. Modern cruise ships are purpose-built for families, with kids' clubs for different age groups, waterparks, teen lounges, family cabins and daily entertainment programmes. Parents benefit from genuine time to relax while children are supervised and entertained. It is one of the few holiday formats where all ages genuinely get what they want at the same time.

  • Which cruise line is best for families?

    Royal Caribbean is widely considered the best cruise line for families, thanks to its Adventure Ocean programme, onboard go-karts, surf simulators, laser tag and ice-skating shows. MSC and Carnival are also excellent family choices, with strong kids' clubs and dedicated family cabins. For no-fly family cruises from the UK, P&O and MSC are the most popular options.

  • What age can children cruise from?

    Most cruise lines accept babies from 6 months old, though some have minimum age requirements of 12 months. There is no maximum age. Kids' clubs are typically split by age group: toddlers (2 to 5), children (6 to 12) and teens (13 to 17), with age-appropriate activities for each.

  • Can a family of 5 go on a cruise?

    Yes. Most major cruise lines offer family cabins that sleep 4 to 5 guests, and some ships have interconnecting cabins for larger families. Royal Caribbean, MSC and Norwegian are particularly well set up for families of 5, with flexible cabin configurations. It is worth booking early as larger cabins sell out quickly.

  • Are family cruises all-inclusive?

    Some family cruise deals are all-inclusive, covering meals, soft drinks and kids' club fees. Others operate on a half-board basis with drinks purchased separately. MSC regularly runs 'kids sail free' promotions. Cruise Nation can help you compare all-inclusive family cruise options across all the major lines.

  • What is the cheapest family cruise from the UK?

    Family cruises from UK ports start from around £499 per person, with short Canary Islands and Mediterranean sailings often representing the best value. No-fly departures from Southampton remove the cost of flights, making them one of the most budget-friendly family holiday options available. Cruise Nation's Best Price Guarantee means you won't find the same deal cheaper elsewhere.

Average Customer Rating:
4.9/5|
Feefo logo

Independent Service Rating based on 11,673 verified reviews.Read all reviews

Award

Friendly Service

Friendly service Answering questions quickly Great deals

Mrs Margaret Paterson-13 March 2026

Cruise on Fantasia

Excellent very helpful service from Zoey. very polite lady, and nothing was too much bother for her. She kept me updated with all the information.

Mrs Dorothy Brown-12 March 2026

Excellent service and so friendly and helpful

I have always found the staff at Cruise Nation absolutely amazing They are very friendly and helpful and nothing is too much trouble Booking a holiday with them is highly recommended

Mrs Julie Stripling-10 March 2026

First Class Company

Brilliant Company excellent rates and so professional, the first place I look for my Cruise

Mrs Maureen Jackson-08 March 2026