The best cruise holidays for families

If you’re seeking a family-friendly cruise that offers the real adventure of travel, taking you places perfect for exploration by sea, where culture and local food is a raison d’etre, here’s our selection of places to set sail.

The best family cruise holidays 2025

The Norwegian Fjords

With soaring cliffs and thundering waterfalls seemingly within touching distance, plus plenty of ports of call, the world’s largest concentration of fjords is a place that comes into its own when explored by sea. And with transparent costs, cruises can help families avoid busting the budget in this notoriously pricey part of Scandinavia.

Sailing from UK shores, ships like Disney Magic offer family-friendly entertainment that draws on the destination having inspired the animated movie Frozen, while several chef-led culinary cruises frequent the fjords, including upmarket Cunard’s new trips with Michel Roux (best suited to over 12s).

Geared to grown-ups and kids alike: P&O’s ex-UK sailings on board its flagship Britannia, or the newer LNG-powered Iona. The 3,647-berth Britannia is large enough to accommodate plentiful entertainment but isn’t quite on a mega ship-scale that can overwhelm some families. 5,200-berth Iona, the newer ship in the fleet, comes with a few more restaurants, bars and cafes (30+ as opposed to 20+) and more frequent sailings including during the school summer holidays. Both are at the more affordable end of the cruise budget scale, and offer ‘freedom dining’ in several restaurants, allowing families the liberty of arriving when and sitting where they like, rather than having to book in advance. Food venues are across the board, from gastro pubs and bistros to ice cream parlours, fine dining and contemporary Indian and Italian fare.

Both ships have age-specific kids' clubs, family pools, nurseries, teen decks, sports arenas and P&O’s Cookery Club, with classes and demos led by the likes of Norwegian chef Kjartan Skjelde and Marco Pierre White. Iona offers more live entertainment including aerial and circus performances in the Grand Atrium and SkyDome.

These cruises sail from Southampton, and are suitable for a wide range of families, with childcare from six months. Britannia and Iona have cabins sleeping up to four, with complementary cots and interconnecting rooms available (children under 16 must stay with an adult). Choose a sea view or balcony cabin to ensure those fjord vistas.

Routes take in the region’s stellar sites including the vast cliff-backed Stavanger, the pretty fishing port of Ålesund, buzzy Haugesund, jumping off point for Langfoss waterfall, plus the village of Olden for hikes to Briksdal Glacier and kayaking the icy waters of Nordfjord. Shore excursions are not included in the headline price, and cost around £70pp.

Book it:

A seven-night fjords cruise (G512) aboard Iona costs from £799pp including full-board dining in eight venues, kid’s club/nursery and most programmed entertainment on board. Book at pocruises.com

Galapagos

‘Darwin’s islands’, the UNESCO-protected Galapagos may be the ultimate cruise destination, a place to encounter species that gave rise to the theory of evolution, from blue-footed booby birds to the Galapagos giant tortoise, endemic marine iguanas and the little Galapagos penguin. Out of the 13 major islands and some 60 smaller islets, skerries and rocky outcrops flung through a remote patch of the Pacific set some 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador, only four are inhabited by humans. Nature reigns here, and cruise ships must tread lightly.

A pioneer of adventures at sea, Norwegian-founded Hurtigruten has well over 100 years of cruise experience, born as a coastal ferry service between Bergen and Kirkenes. It’s since expanded into Arctic waters and far beyond with expedition offshoot, HX – and was one of the first companies to explore the Galapagos, setting sail around the islands in 1969. Its fleet of fully or part-hybrid ships hosts citizen science projects, allowing passengers to contribute to research and conservation efforts, with on-board Science and Education Centres offering regional insight from experts.

Its Galapagos expeditions are supremely family-friendly, with the chance to walk with giant tortoises, snorkel with marine life, kayak with sea lions and explore the archipelago’s uniquely pristine nature aboard small expedition vessels. They take place on board MS Santa Cruz II, with space for just 90 passengers in cabins sleeping up to three (some adjoining). The ship has one restaurant focusing on regionally inspired cuisine – the likes of ceviche, tortillas and the peanuty cariucho roast chicken. And local cuisine can be further explored with time in the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, a superb place to try South American favourites like pan de yuca (cassava flour cheese bread), Andean potato, corn and quinoa soups, topped with avocado and zesty lime and a rainbow of tropical fruit juices including the berry and cinnamon colada morada.

This trip is all about the natural world, less about on-board entertainment, so best suits nature-loving families with kids who are good long haul travellers, age 6+. Cabins sleep up to three and can be interconnected to accommodate family groups.

Book it:

The nine-night In Darwin’s Footsteps cruise takes in the islands of San Cristóbal, Sante Fe, Santa Cruz and Española, with two nights in Quito. From £5,124pp, all-inclusive (not international flights). Book at travelhx.com

Alaska & British Columbia

Combine the lush, rainforest-fringed coast of British Columbia with the rugged glacier-glinting fjords of Alaska and you have one of the world’s most spectacular cruise destinations. This is one for families who love nature and wild landscapes, with the chance to spot bears prowling along shorelines and see seals, whales and dolphins swimming in your wake.

Traditionally favourites with an older demographic, Alaska and BC now attract a range of cruise operators catering to families, including Disney and Hurtigruten Expeditions with on-board entertainment and guide-led infotainment-packed excursions. Many trips use Vancouver as a hub, which gives the opportunity to perhaps extend your trip, to explore British Columbia and its wild backcountry, and even take a trip up into the Rockies.

Norwegian Cruise Line has several ships sailing the route, including the largest in its fleet, the 3,998-berth Norwegian Encore that comes with swimming pools, waterslides, dedicated children’s play areas, laser tag, gaming rooms and one of the longest go-kart racing tracks at sea. There are 15 restaurants, taking in everything from Italian and steak to teppanyaki, fine dining and an American diner, about half of which are included in the headline cost. The Pacific coast is a seafood lover’s dream destination, with extra-cost excursions on crab fishing boats and shoreline salmon bakes.

The seven-day trip, starting and ending in Seattle, calls into Juneau and its icefields, with the chance to explore Glacier Bay National Park, kayak into protected fjords, pan for gold or go whale watching. Next, the frontier town of Skagway, complete with clapboard buildings from the Gold Rush era, is gateway to White Pass Railway into the Klondike Gold Fields, while at Ketchikan you can visit a rainforest sanctuary and learn about the First Nations Tlingit people and see brightly painted totem poles.

Book it:

To fully enjoy this cruise, travel with children 6+, although infants as young as six months are allowed. From £888pp, all-inclusive (not flights; most excursions extra), with discounted rates for children aged 3-8, and for the third to eighth passenger in a party, on most sailings. Book at ncl.com

Mekong River cruise

River cruises access some of the world’s best cultural destinations, from ancient sites along the Nile or the waterways of the Netherlands to tours through Europe’s great culinary regions around the Danube, Rhine and Bordeaux. Many make onboard food offerings their calling card, with chef’s tables and wine tastings part of the package and, being much smaller than ocean liners, river cruise ships offer a calmer, more intimate atmosphere.

Families should choose trips with plenty of port calls as river ships often lack a swimming pool or the big on-board entertainment of their ocean-going cousins, and many come with cabins made for two. Not so for multi gen-friendly operator, A-Rosa, offering trips in Germany, France and Portugal on ships with cabins sleeping up to five, a pool, a kids’ buffet and dedicated activities and clubs during school holidays, plus free berths for under 15s.

Similarly, Ama Waterways offers some family-friendly river cruises, some on craft that have a Green Certification Award for safety and environmental standards, and Ama is a rare river-cruising outfit in that it’s a member of French culinary organisations Tables et Auberges and La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

Less specifically geared to families, but offering real adventure: Asia’s mighty Mekong River, where floating markets, jungle biking and temple tours abound. Great in autumn and winter when humidity and tropical rains are at their lowest, Ama’s sun-soaked trip offers a big cultural bang for your buck, taking the sights of Vietnam and Cambodia including Ho Chi Minh City, UNESCO-designated Angkor Archaeological Park, tuk tuk tours and the chance to visit a local school, food market and get a blessing in a Buddhist temple.

The rather elegant, 124-berth, three-deck AmaDara travels the Mekong with French Colonial style wood furnishings, a sundeck pool and spa. The main restaurant has both a Western and local menu offering the chance to try everything from Vietnamese iced coffees and pho to coconutty Cambodian curries and noodle stir-fries. The Chef’s Table venue, included once per trip, offers a tasting menu blending local and European flavours.

Book it:

The seven-night Riches of the Mekong fly-cruise costs from £3,102pp all-inclusive with return flights from the UK, and is best for families who want to introduce their children (age 4+) to Asia, with a bit of handholding. However, it’s worth noting that cabins sleep just two, and under 18s must overnight with an adult. Book at amawaterways.co.uk. Pandaw offers similar Mekong cruises, with twin cabins (children aged four and under can share with parents); under 16s travel free or discounted on select dates.

Nile River cruise

The world’s longest river carves its way through North and East Africa, and in southern Egypt past some of our greatest man-made wonders. Here, flanking the shores of the Upper Nile you’ll find the archaeological sites including the Valley of the Kings and the pyramids of Luxor and Aswan – if you’ve got a family that’s mad for pharaohs and Tintin-style adventures, this is the place for you.

Bear in mind that most Nile cruises often involve dawn starts for packed days of sightseeing with sunshine and panhandling, and as such they’re not suited to tots. And double check what ‘families welcome’ really means, as Nile cruises have traditionally been aimed at older couples and retirees.

That said, choice has been blossoming in the last decade, with cruises of all budgets on everything from large, motorised liners carrying hundreds of passengers to boutique steamers and craft with just a few cabins, so most families can find a ship to fit. Travel on a traditional dahabiya sailing ship for a more peaceful, rustic experience that’s akin to camping in the case of the smaller felucca, which replaces cabins with covered sleeping areas. These can be the most affordable way for families to explore but if you don’t want to commit to an entire holiday on these traditional craft, they’re often used for day trips by larger cruise ships.

Boutique operator, Uniworld has ‘generations’ specific sailings designed for families aboard its upscale 82-passenger Tosca, with activities for children aged four up, including teens. Travelling on a 12-day round-trip from Cairo, you’ll hit the highlights sailing from Luxor, taking in the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak.

There are plenty of active pursuits, beyond sightseeing – dune boarding, bird watching, swimming in the Nile, biking along the riverbanks – along with a felucca sunset cruise and the chance to meet local children for a football match. The ship has a sundeck pool and two restaurants that draw on local ingredients – expect plenty of fresh fruit along with the likes of falafel, hummus, dukka, stuffed hawawshi pitta, lamb kofta, meringue with dates, leafy molokhia stews and kushari, Egypt’s flavourful national dish of garlicky pasta, rice and pulses.

Book it:

Suitable for children four and up, but best for active families with children who’ve been introduced to ancient Egypt at school and don’t mind early starts. From £6,699pp, all-inclusive, with flights from UK and four nights at an upscale Cairo hotel. Book at uniworld.com

The Greek islands

If you’re looking for an active holiday where you can explore places only accessible by sea, then book a small boat sailing trip to the Greek islands. Sunsail offers family trips where mastering sailing is front and centre, while Responsible Travel has a range of skippered cruises in Greece and also in island-strewn Croatia that are suitable for families.

Exploring Greece’s small bays, rocky skerries and secluded sandy coves offers families a Swallows and Amazons-type adventure but with added sunshine, warm waters and exceptionally fresh local food. A sun-soaked idyll: sailing the Aegean on a small boat experience with Explore! aboard a traditional caique – a wooden Greek-made craft, formerly a 1960s cargo ferry. With just two double cabins and six twins, the ship is perfect for extended families or sociable travellers open to small group holidays. The cruise explores the waters around Evia – an island larger than Mallorca or Corfu, but one that remains largely the preserve of weekending Athenians.

Days are spent sailing between bays or hiking olive tree-lined valleys, then diving into the Aegean for snorkelling and cooling swims or flopping under the shady deck area. Highlights include swimming at Port Buffalo’s lagoon beach, exploring the exclusive Petali archipelago, former home of the Greek royal family, and climbing to the Venetian mountaintop castle of Castello Rosso in Gourna. There’s also the chance to visit the family-run Montofoli vineyards to try wines made with Aegean grape varieties, including Decanter award-winning dessert wine, Ktima Montofoli.

Nightly dinners at local tavernas in beach towns including Marathon, Marmari and the port of Karystos bring the chance to sample local specialities like tiropitari (fried feta pies), slow oven-baked vouloto lamb and local trachanas pasta (made with flour, milk or yogurt) with shrimp. Ship breakfasts include the likes of Greek yogurt, honey and fresh seasonal fruits, with lunches of traditional Greek dishes drawn from local produce and seasonal salads.

Book it:

Best for children 7+. From £1,149pp (£1,079 per child under 16) including accommodation with breakfast and lunch (six nights on the boat and one night in a hotel), activities and excursions and an Explore tour leader throughout. Flights (to Athens) are extra. Book at explore.co.uk

The Caribbean

A wonderful wintertime option, the Caribbean offers picture-perfect beaches, glorious weather and visits to any number of islands where you can sample seafood specialities, tropical fruits fresh from the tree, and possibly the strongest rum cocktails on the planet.

Caribbean trips are typically fly-cruise, such as P&O’s 14-night jaunt that departs and returns from Barbados, stopping at the islands of Martinique, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Tortola, St Maarten, Antigua (overnight), Grenada and St Lucia. Excursions give you plenty of opportunity to soak up the sun, whether on a palm-fringed beach, a stroll around the port town or even an open-top bus tour of the entire island. Foodies can try Caribbean cookery classes or visit a wide variety of rum distilleries to sample the national spirit.

There’s plenty on board for foodies, too, with restaurants from big-name chefs and global cuisines, as well as plenty of home-style favourites and kid-friendly options. On the enormous, 5,200-guest Arvia ship there’s even an on-board distillery where you can create your own high-quality rum.

If you’re looking to get your kicks away from the multiple bars, the Skywalk is a high-rope experience, 54m above the ocean, where the fearless can walk the plank and scramble across a series of ropewalks. For something a little more sedate, there’s also mini golf, several swimming pools and an entertainment theatre that puts on musicals and comedy.

It’s busy on board, so this probably isn’t one for couples as it’s hard to find much seclusion. But friends and families can have a blast with all the activities. With little time to really get to know the islands, but plenty of entertainment and all creature comforts on board, this is best suited to fun-lovers rather than explorers or seasoned travellers. Both parents and kids will appreciate the kids’ clubs, quizzes, bingo, mini cinema, silent disco and interactive ‘Mission Control’ adventure where groups can work together as marine explorers to solve a mystery. There are also adult-only areas, including pools, the nightclub and some stylish bars.

Book it:

P&O Cruises is offering a 14-night fly-cruise on Arvia (K602A) from £1629 per person for an inside cabin. Departing January 17, 2026. The price includes return flights from selected UK airports, children’s clubs, full board meals and entertainment. Book at pocruises.com.