Family Cruise stock photo

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Best Cruise Ship for Families

By Readers' Choice On 1/16/25 at 12:01 PM EST

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More than ever before, cruise lines are catering to families who want a fun-filled vacation that everyone—from grandparents to toddlers—can take part in. So we've mustered a list of the top cruise ships for families planning a multigenerational trip, an island-hopping adventure for you and your kids or a getaway that keeps your children entertained while you enjoy a glass of wine. All aboard for family fun!

These 10 family cruise ships were selected by our featured panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

1. Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Photo courtesy of Margaritaville at Sea Islander Photo courtesy of Margaritaville at Sea Islander

Get your tickets to paradise with a cruise to Key West and Mexico on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. While many offerings cater to adults, such as a casino and plenty of bars, families will feel welcome with daily children's programs, a teens' club, poolside games, and kid-friendly concerts and acrobatic shows. Your license to chill also lets you live it up on the mini golf course and waterslide.

2. Norwegian Encore

Dad and daughter on cruise ship

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From the cold waters of Alaska to the balmy beaches of Costa Rica and Colombia, the Norwegian Encore lets you explore the western hemisphere in style. But you might be tempted to never leave this huge ship, where you and your older children can speed on the world's largest racetrack at sea, take a wild ride down multiple waterslides and try to break out of an immersive VR escape room.

3. Norwegian Viva

Couple on cruise deck with wine

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A three-story racetrack, interactive mini golf and some of the world's fastest slides all against the beautiful backdrop of the Greek Isles: the Norwegian Viva takes your crew on a journey full of culture and fun. Your older children will flock to the teen club, and your little ones will love the play spaces and splash pad. And everyone can make a splash in the multiple pools throughout the ship.

4. Norwegian Prima

Norwegian Prima

Photo courtesy of Robert Noreiko on Unsplash Photo courtesy of Robert Noreiko on Unsplash

Treat your family to a transatlantic adventure, from Nova Scotia to London and Paris, aboard the Norwegian Prima. When you're not sightseeing at one of the many ports of call, your family will love the water park, mini golf and kids' programs along with high-tech VR areas, perfect for virtually exploring jungles or underwater caves. You can even get a professional family portrait taken, so bring your matching outfits!

5. Carnival Mardi Gras

Carnival Mardi Gras

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A roller coaster at sea? That's just one of the unique offerings on the Carnival Mardi Gras. Your family can explore the ship's six themed zones, from live music in the French Quarter to Italian favorites that even picky eaters will love in La Piazza. A huge water park and sports area keep everyone entertained during the day, and supervised parties for kids let you get away for a date night.

6. Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

For a larger-than-life adventure, set sail on the world's largest cruise ship, the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas. The party never ends at Surfside, the ship's fully family-friendly neighborhood with thrill rides, waterslides and laid-back dining. And with its ice-skating and aqua shows as well as wildly imaginative guest rooms (some have their own slide!), you'll quickly discover why this cruise line has earned so many accolades.

7. Disney Magic

Disney Magic cruise ship

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The original Disney Cruise Line ship, the recently refurbished Disney Magic treats your kids to character dining at Rapunzel's Royal Table and a Beauty and the Beast–themed restaurant along with a splashing good time at the pool and water park. And of course, you'll find Disney's famous fun with musical shows, kids' clubs for every age and special spaces just for adults, such as upscale lounges and a spa.

8. Disney Fantasy

Cruise ship stock photo

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Add some pixie dust to your Caribbean cruise when you stay on the Disney Fantasy. You'll be immersed in the magical world of Disney with fairytale dining, wet-and-wild water park fun and Broadway-style shows featuring your children's favorite characters. Grab a drink in one of the many adult-only areas while your kids become Avengers at the Marvel Super Hero Academy or Jedis at the Star Wars: Command Post.

9. MSC Seaside

MSC Seaside

Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises

Children sail free on many MSC Seaside voyages! Come see why this ship has won awards for its itineraries designed just for families, from fun excursions and LEGO® play zones to a massive amusement area with VR games, rides and bowling. A zip line, a water park and a kids-only restaurant that gives parents a dinner to themselves add to your Caribbean or Mediterranean adventure.

10. Disney Wish

Cruise ship stock photo

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All aboard Disney's largest cruise ship, the Disney Wish! Spacious themed rooms; the Aquamouse, Disney's first attraction at sea; shows and activities from Star Wars, Marvel, Disney and Pixar—there's so much on deck to keep your whole family entertained. While your kids are living their imagineering dreams, you can live yours in a galaxy far, far away in the Hyperspace Lounge, which becomes an adult-only bar in the evenings.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Melissa Garcia

Melissa Garcia, known as the ConsumerQueen, is a full-time content creator with over 20 years of experience helping people save money and make savvy decisions. Her mission is to teach others to save where they can so they can spend on what they love. Melissa shares the best products to make life easier and also owns RoamingMyPlanet and The Oklahoma Homesteader, where she continues to inspire and educate her audience.

Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering the hotel, cruise and airline industry from every corner of the globe. His work has appeared in numerous consumer and industry publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, CNBC, NerdWallet.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, Frommers, Fodors, Business Traveler, Airways and AAA magazines. Ramsey regularly flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to all 7 continents, 50 U.S. states and 174 United Nations countries. Learn more at ramseyq.com.

Jill Schildhouse

Jill Schildhouse is an award-winning writer and editor with 23 years of experience in print and digital publishing. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure, Brides, TripSavvy, Insider, USA TODAY, Reader's Digest, Taste of Home, and Southern Living. Based in Phoenix, Jill has traveled to 38 countries and is always dreaming of her next adventure. Follow her @the_globalglutton.

Linnea Bailey

Linnea Bailey is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel and tourism. Her freelance work can be found in Southern Living, The Palm Beach Post, Florida Weekly, Modern Luxury, art&culture magazine, The Palm Beaches Blog and more. A former newspaper reporter, she now owns a communications company in West Palm Beach. Linnea is an active member of The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Travel Writers Alliance, The Family Travel Association and The Adventure Travel Trade Association. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida's journalism school. Learn more about her travels at www.linneabailey.com.

Aly Walansky

Aly Walansky writes regularly about food news and trends. She has been a food journalist for over twenty years and has covered everything from budget shopping to recipes to culinary travel content for national publications that include the Food Network, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, The Kitchn and more. She was ranked among top 10 journalists of 2023 and top 10 freelance journalists in 2024, as well as #1 food journalist of 2022, by Muck Rack. Follow her at alywalansky.substack.com.

Jill Robbins

Jill Robbins is an expert writer focusing on family and adventure travel as well as practical tips to help everyone get the most value out of their vacation experience. Jill's work has appeared in the Miami Herald, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Business Insider, Tripsavvy, Matador Network, Wealth of Geeks, Canadian Traveller, Travel Awaits, San Antonio Magazine and more. She lives in San Antonio with her husband and two sons, but she's usually somewhere else. Learn more about her travels at https://www.rippedjeansandbifocals.com or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.