The best cruise ships for families

These days, when creating family-friendly cruise ships, cruise lines go above and beyond. With an abundance of activities, excellent value and ease of planning, it’s easy to see why cruising has become so popular. 

Designed with families in mind, these four cruise ships offer plenty of family-friendly experiences, comfortable accommodations and children-approved dining options, making them the best cruise ships for families: 

When Norwegian Prima joined the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in 2022, she was the first in a new class of ships designed to elevate every expectation. Ideal for families with older children and teens who want high-energy activities, Norwegian Prima boasts countless opportunities for adventure and excitement. 

Norwegian Cruise Line was one of the first cruise lines to introduce the concept of Freestyle Dining. With no set dining times and the freedom to dine when and where you want, Freestyle Dining is a great reason to choose Norwegian Cruise Line when travelling with children. 

• Splash Academy - Deck 15 - Among the best kids clubs at sea, Splash Academy offers activities ranging from crafts to sports, theme nights to video games. Flexible programming allows children to explore and make interest-based choices throughout each sailing. 
• Galaxy Pavilion - Deck 17 - Galaxy Pavilion is a high-tech virtual wonderland for the whole family. Explore a new reality on the first flying theatre simulator at sea or tee it up with Norwegian Cruise Line’s exclusive TopGolf partnership. With everything from escape rooms to racing simulators, Galaxy Pavilion offers fun for fall. 
• Tee Time - Deck 18 - Forget everything you know about traditional mini golf, Norwegian Prima gives it a complete tech makeover. The result is a much more exciting, highly immersive experience that provides a perfect blend of challenge and amusement. 
• The Drop - Deck 18 - The Drop is a must-try for adventure enthusiasts. This daring free-fall slide, the first of its kind at sea, offers a breathtaking rush like no other. Feel the adrenaline surge as you plummet down the fastest and steepest waterslide at sea. 
• Prima Speedway - Decks 18, 19 and 20 - In 2017, Norwegian Cruise Line introduced the first go-kart at sea on Norwegian Joy. Norwegian Prima takes this experience to a whole new level thanks to its multi-level racetrack that invites guests to rev up and race go-karts on an expansive, competitive course.

Read next: A day aboard Norwegian Prima for every type of traveller

When it comes to onboard experiences, Arvia offers the perfect balance of the familiar and new. The latest addition to the fleet celebrates all the things you know and love about a P&O Cruises holiday while also giving you the chance to explore brand-new venues, including several Arvia fleet firsts. 

It’s all about more choice, more freedom and more unforgettable moments onboard Arvia. For families, there’s a wide range of activities and entertainment to enjoy all together, as well as lots of delicious dining options. 

• Ocean Studios - Deck 6 - Ocean Studios is Arvia’s three-screen cinema complex that offers a warm welcome, comfortable seating and a premium cinema experience. With screenings throughout the day, there’s always an option to see a blockbuster or family classic. 
• Mission Control - Deck 6 - A P&O Cruises first, Mission Control is a multi-sensory escape room experience. Prepare to board the fictional submarine Arvia II to tackle a series of live-action puzzles on an exhilarating underwater adventure. Will you be able to crack the code? 
• Headliners Theatre - Decks 6 and 7 - Home to a talented cast and crew, Headliners Theatre presents full-production shows featuring spectacular performers, toe-tapping tunes, fabulous choreography, dazzling costume design and dramatic sets boasting the latest LED technology. 
• SkyDome - Deck 16 - The SkyDome, which debuted on Iona, offers a relaxed, poolside environment by day and a must-visit entertainment venue by night. As Arvia’s ethos is to help you see the world in widescreen, the SkyDome boasts a retractable roof, allowing you to take full advantage of sunny itineraries. 
• Altitude Skywalk & Mini Golf - Deck 19 - Perfect your putt at Altitude Minigolf, a tropical island-themed minigolf adventure, cool off and splash around at Altitude Splash Valley, an aqua zone with ocean views or brave the dizzying heights of P&O Cruises’ first-ever high ropes experience, Altitude Skywalk. 

As the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, Sun Princess boasts intimate venues with more room to explore. She is an engineering marvel and the most impressive and luxurious Princess Cruises ship built to date, offering an array of exciting new entertainment and activity offerings. 

On her upper deck, you’ll find an all-new activity zone that kids will love. The Sea Breeze Rollglider, a climbing structure with obstacles and a slide, a ropes course, a splash zone and a sports court. 

• Firefly Park - Deck 6 - Firefly Park invites young cruisers aged 6 months to 7 years to explore, play and socialise. This family centre is a place to play together or drop kids off for a program of art projects, theme parties and group games. 
• Princess Arena - Decks 7 and 8 - Princess Arena is the most technologically advanced entertainment venue at sea and allows Sun Princess to create awe-inspiring entertainment each and every night. The venue, with its state-of-the-art stages, captivating lighting design and immersive surround sound, delivers show-stopping spectacles on every cruise. 
• Alfredo’s Pizzeria - Deck 9 - Voted the Best Pizza at Sea by USA TODAY, Alfredo’s Pizzeria offers an enticing menu of freshly prepared individual-sized pizzas along with beer and wines by the glass. The open kitchen allows you to watch as chefs create pizza by hand and serve it straight out of the oven.  
• The Dome - Decks 18 and 19 - Inspired by the terraces of Santorini, The Dome is one for the adults. A multi-level covered deck enclosed with a glass dome, The Dome features an indoor/outdoor pool and a unique water feature during the day and at night, becomes a stage and completely transforms into an entertainment venue. 

Known as the ‘Icon of Vacations,’ Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Not only is she bigger, but she’s been designed to be better, too, offering the best cruises for children possible and introducing what Royal Caribbean International has called ‘the ultimate family vacation.’ 

Surfside is one of the most exciting additions to the Royal Caribbean International lineup of amenities. A neighbourhood designed entirely with your family’s entertainment levels in mind, Surfside boasts everything you need for a fun-filled day onboard. 

• Surfside - Deck 7 - An entire neighbourhood designed for families, Surfside features everything you could want for a day of fun with your loved ones. Head to Splashaway Bay, play arcade games, fuel up at dining spots, climb Playscape or head to the Water’s Edge pool. 
• AquaDome - Deck 15 - Awe-inspiring by day and iconic by night, the AquaDome opens up a whole world of sensory discoveries. Brave athletes pull off superhuman stunts while dining options are designed to dazzle and pique your every culinary curiosity. 
• Adrenaline Peak - Deck 16 - Harness your courage and gear up for a vertical scramble to the summit of Adrenaline Peak - the ultimate rock climbing expedition and Royal Caribbean International’s highest vantage point yet. Choose your difficulty level and scale to the top as fast as you can. 
• Lost Dunes - Deck 16 - Adventure is par for the course at the totally reimagined Lost Dunes mini golf on Deck 16. Pair up for putts or make it a faceoff at the fairway as you manoeuvre your ball up, around and through the shipwrecks, plane crashes and fallen palms of Thrill Island. 
• Category 6 Waterpark - Deck 20 - Brace yourself for Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides. Will you be brave enough to take on Frightening Bolt, Pressure Drop, Storm Chasers, Hurricane Hunter or Storm Surge?