A family cruise is a wonderful way to get away and enjoy some quality time together. Giving you the opportunity to explore different destinations, all from the comfort of an extraordinary cruise ship, a family cruise is the ultimate way to travel. There are an array of family cruises on offer in 2024, that are ideal for your summer holiday. Read on to find out more!
Top Family Cruise Holidays 2024
| Ship | Destinations | Departure Port |
|---|---|---|
| Adventure of the Seas | Caribbean | Fort Lauderdale |
| P&O Britannia | Canary Islands, Mediterranean | Southampton |
| Disney Dream | Spain, British Isles | Southampton |
| MSC Seaside | Caribbean, Mediterranean | Bridgetown, Southampton and more |
| Norwegian Joy | North America, Caribbean | Miami, New York and more |
Best Cruise Lines for Families 2024
When booking your family summer 2024 getaway, you’ll want to ensure that you book with a cruise line that offers something for the whole family. From extraordinary amenities to a variety of food and drink options, you’ll want a cruise that is the complete package for your family 2024 holiday.
Here are our top 5 recommendations for the best family cruise lines.
Disney Cruise Line
This might be an obvious one, but there’s no denying the magic that Disney Cruise Line brings to a holiday. And onboard a Disney Cruise Line ship, you’ll have all you need for a truly unforgettable summer getaway in 2024. With 6 ships in their fleet, including Disney Dream, Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder and Disney Treasure (setting sail in 2024), there’s so much to see and do for kids and adults alike.
Top family-friendly attractions on Disney Cruise Line include:
- Animator’s Palate (fleetwide)
- Disney’s Oceaneer Club (fleetwide)
- The Neverland and Wonderland Cinemas (Disney Wish and Disney Treasure)
- AquaDuck (Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy)
- Buena Vista Theater (Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Treasure)
Read our blog - Top 10 Disney Cruise Line Highlights to find out more!
Royal Caribbean
Since 1968, Royal Caribbean has been offering incredible cruises to international destinations. With 28 different cruise ships, including Anthem of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean offers an abundance of family-friendly activities onboard.
Top family-friendly attractions on Royal Caribbean include:
- Flowrider (fleetwide)
- Perfect Storm waterslides (Freedom, Oasis and Voyager Class ships)
- AquaTheater (Oasis Class ships)
- RipCord by iFLY (Freedom, Oasis and Voyager Class ships)
- The North Star (Quantum and Quantum Ultra Class ships)
Read our blog - Top 10 Royal Caribbean Cruise Highlights to find out more!
Norwegian Cruise Line
Another major cruise line that’s offering family summer cruises in 2024 is Norwegian Cruise Line. With an impressive 19 ships in their fleet, including Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, you’ll be able to find the perfect family cruise for you. Visiting destinations including the British Isles, Europe and Greece, the whole family will have a blast onboard.
Top family-friendly attractions on Norwegian Cruise Line include:
- Splash Academy (fleetwide)
- Video arcade (fleetwide)
- Outdoor pools (fleetwide)
- Headliner’s Comedy Club (Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape)
- Planet Kids (fleetwide)
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises boasts 23 different ships in their fleet including MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside and MSC World Europa. A modern and innovative cruise line, it has a mixture of activities that appeal to families, whether you’re travelling with little ones or teens. MSC Cruises’ family summer 2024 cruises sail to an array of destinations including the Caribbean, North America and the Mediterranean.
Top family-friendly attractions on MSC Cruises include:
- LEGO play areas (MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, and MSC Seaview)
- Main buffet restaurant (fleetwide)
- 4D cinema (MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, and MSC Magnifica)
- MSC Formula Racer (MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia and MSC Preziosa)
- Theatre
P&O Cruises
One of the most budget-friendly cruise lines, offering cruises around destinations such as the Mediterranean and the Caribbean is P&O Cruises. With 7 ships in their fleet, including P&O Iona, P&O Ventura and P&O Britannia, it’s a family friendly cruise line that offers an affordable cruising experience in some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.
Top family-friendly attractions on P&O Cruises include:
- Splasher’s kids club (fleetwide - excluding adults-only ships)
- 6th street diner (P&O Arvia)
- Meet and Greet with Wallace & Gromit (fleetwide - excluding adults-only ships)
- Cinema (P&O Iona)
- H20 teen club (fleetwide - excluding adults-only ships)
Best Cruise Destinations for Families 2024
Greece Family Cruises 2024
Greece is a great option for families as not only does it have delicious food (with lots of choices for those picky eaters!) but beautiful architecture and picturesque beaches. Whether your cruise calls at Santorini, Corfu, Kefalonia, or another location in Greece, you'll have a fantastic family cruise experience in 2024.
While there, you can take in sights like the famous Acropolis in Athens, visit zoos like the well-liked Attica Zoological Park nearby, go on family bike excursions, and engage in other enjoyable activities.
Mediterranean Family Cruises 2024
The Mediterranean is a well-liked travel destination because of its pleasant summers, beautiful scenery, and mouthwatering cuisine. It is also popular among families due to the diversity of sights and activities throughout the countries of Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
For instance, during your family 2024 summer Mediterranean cruise, there are waterparks and amusement parks (like Katmandu Park in Majorca) that provide the ideal family day out.
Canary Islands & Azores Family Cruises 2024
The Canary Islands are yet another fantastic option for your family's summer 2024 cruise. The Canary Islands provide a wide variety of attractions, from lively beaches to family-friendly eateries to theme parks (like the well-known Siam Park in Tenerife).
And with so many affordable cruises to choose from, it's no wonder that sailing in the Canary Islands is such a popular choice for families of all ages.
North America Family Cruises 2024
North America is home to so many incredible destinations, from the vibrant city of New York to the breathtaking region of New England. However for families, there are areas of North America that will be particularly appealing; including Orlando. Home to several iconic theme parks, many cruises sail into Fort Lauderdale and Miami. From there, you can head up to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios or any of the other theme parks in the area.
Caribbean Family Cruises 2024
The awe-inspiring Caribbean which is made up of several islands including Barbados, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic is a great alternative for your family summer cruise in 2024.
Families travelling on a cruise will find the Caribbean to have a lot to offer including beaches with crystal-clear waters and golden sand that are sure to be a favourite with the kids, as well as water activities like kayaking, jet skiing, and snorkelling that’s bound to be a hit with the older kids.
Top Departure Ports for Families in 2024
When opting for a cruise for your 2024 family getaway, you’ll want to leave from a departure port that causes little hassle. Travelling with the family in tow can be hectic at times, so you want to ensure that the first day of your cruise starts off seamlessly. There are two options to choose from for your family summer cruise in 2024: a no-fly cruise and a fly cruise.
Best no-fly family cruises 2024 departure cruise ports:
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Port of Southampton
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Port of Dover
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Port of Tilbury
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Liverpool Cruise Terminal
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Newcastle Cruise Terminal
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Port of Leith (Edinburgh)
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale)
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Port of Miami
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Port of Civitavecchia (Rome)
- Summer family cruises 2024 from Valletta Cruise Port (Malta)
Best fly family cruise 2024 departure cruise ports:
Book Your 2024 Family Summer Cruise
Regardless of your chosen cruise destination, you’re guaranteed a fantastic family getaway in 2020. Whether you travel with Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean or another family-friendly cruise line, you’ll find a ship and an itinerary that suits you. Discover Planet Cruises’ wide range of family cruises in summer in 2024 and find a 2024 family holiday that’s perfect for you and your family.
You can also discover our summer family cruises 2025 deals, alongside a blog post we’ve written - Cruising for the Whole Family.
