Best Cruise Ships for Families in 2024

By Brooke Franco

These are the top cruise ships for families of the year - *Photo by Disney Cruise Line/Royal Caribbean/Carnival Cruise Line/Canva*

Going on a family cruise promises an unforgettable adventure. Choosing the right cruise ship can make all the difference, especially when it comes to keeping both kids and adults entertained and engaged. From thrilling water parks to immersive clubs and multiple dining venues, most cruise lines have upped their game by designing their ships to fit the needs of families. With so many options, selecting the best cruise ship for your family requires careful consideration. Whether you're seeking high-energy activities or educational experiences, the best cruise ships for families in 2024 excel in providing a perfect blend of entertainment, relaxation, and adventure for guests of all ages.

We’ve compiled the rankings of the best cruise ships for families in 2024. This list comes from the data from members who shared reviews of kids' programming and overall experience for families on cruises that sailed from January to December 2023. Each of these ships offers a unique blend of thrills, family-friendly experiences, amenities, and various stateroom categories for families of all sizes.

The following are the best cruise ships for families in 2024:

Disney Fantasy - 4.770
Disney Magic - 4.689
Disney Dream - 4.580
Freedom of the Seas - 4.442
Carnival Vista - 4.307
Serenade of the Seas - 4.295
Carnival Horizon - 4.271
Carnival Glory - 4.270
Voyager of the Seas - 4.239
Enchantment of the Seas - 4.224
Ovation of the Seas - 4.224
Navigator of the Seas - 4.219
Symphony of the Seas - 4.217
Carnival Spirit - 4.205
Carnival Magic - 4.203
Carnival Conquest - 4.198
Carnival Breeze - 4.190
Wonder of the Seas - 4.178
Carnival Sunshine - 4.145
Adventure of the Seas - 4.140
Carnival Miracle - 4.138
Harmony of the Seas - 4.112
Odyssey of the Seas - 4.110
Carnival Celebration - 4.100
Mardi Gras - 4.095
Allure of the Seas - 4.088
Mariner of the Seas - 4.082
Oasis of the Seas - 4.078
Carnival Radiance - 4.066
Carnival Liberty - 4.06

What Our Members Say

Member liveforvaca on Disney Fantasy, “There was always something to do for all ages on the ship. The Aqua Duck was a huge hit for my 3 boys along with my husband and me. It was nice that there were always characters to meet and greet along with a Disney movie playing at the pool from morning til night. I loved that there were multiple times throughout the day that you could attend the live shows, which were AMAZING! There is a big gap in my boys' ages, so it was great that there was always something for all ages to enjoy planned throughout the day and night.”

Member Roderica11 on Freedom of the Seas, “My son extremely enjoyed swimming in the pool as kids do and playing basketball…My son and I enjoyed the ice skating show and the laser tag. The music was jamming every time, especially on the main deck…My son had a great time in Adventure Ocean with the other kids."

Member nikimatt255 on Carnival Vista, “Loved all the activities and shows! The shows were probably our favorite part of the cruise, along with pool time….We brought our 3-year-old on this cruise and were NOT disappointed. From trick or treating to scavenger hunts and splash pad time, our little girl had a blast.”

Member jakeryan2013 on Disney Dream, “The family absolutely loved the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ show…The kids clubs are perfect to get a break from kids. The staff was super friendly and our 4-year-old loved the activities.”

Member mccabe1021 on Wonder of the Seas, “There was so much to do we were never bored! The pools were so fun. The kids loved the waterslides and splash pad area. The waiters were timely with circling around asking if we wanted more drinks! We played so much mini-golf, both during the day and at night- it was easy to find equipment and have a fun 9 holes. Family ping pong tournament was had or just playtime. The basketball court was a hit. Of course, the FlowRider boogie-boarding couldn't be passed up. Our kids hit up the Adventure Ocean club several times and had a blast….The AquaTheater show ‘InTENse’ was amazing, we went and saw it twice. My kids were mesmerized. The live music all over the ship was wonderful at all the venues and a good variety on the style and choice of music so it never felt old or boring….They visited the Adventure Ocean club, ages 6-12 several times.”

Member Dutch3901 on Carnival Spirit, “The comedians were great, and the music was very, very good. The Cruise Director, Erin, was one of the best we've ever had. She was wild, hilarious, and everywhere. The Love and Marriage and Deal or No Deal shows were fun. We took our 2 grandchildren to the Cat in the Hat breakfast, as well as to Build-A-Bear. They had a great time, and it was worth the money for both.”

Our Thoughts

When it comes to crafting an unforgettable vacation experience for families, cruise lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival consistently lead the pack. These industry leaders boast an array of amenities designed specifically with kids in mind, ensuring that every member of the family finds something to love onboard. From themed character experiences and state-of-the-art entertainment to dedicated play areas and supervised youth programs, these cruise ships set the stage for endless fun and excitement while sailing the high seas.

Disney Cruise Line

Photo by Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line came in at the top of the pack, with three ships top-ranked as best for families. Disney is considered the premier leader of family cruising. The cruise line’s commitment to storytelling and attention to detail is evident in every aspect of its ships' design and programming. From the moment families step onboard, they are transported into a world of enchantment, with iconic Disney characters greeting them at every turn and themed decor evoking the spirit of beloved Disney classics. Between engaging kids and teens programs, to world-class entertainment, themed dining experiences, and a variety of amenities geared towards travelers of all ages, Disney Cruise Line consistently ranks highly among our members for the overall family experience.

Squarely at the top of our list at number one for best family ships this year is Disney Fantasy. This ship stands out among the rest with offerings like The Oceaner Club and Lounge, performances of ‘Disney’s Aladin - Musical Spectacular’, Pixar Day at Sea, fireworks shows, character meet and greets, kid-friendly dining, and convertible stateroom options to suit a variety of family travel groups. Disney Magic was number two, with top-scoring family amenities like Goofy’s Pool and Nephew’s Splash Pad, the thrilling AquaDunk water slide, live shows in the Walt Disney Theatre such as ‘Tanged the Musical’, and first-run Disney movies. Number three, Disney Dream, features special pools for travelers of all ages, Marvel Day at Sea, and themed play spaces like Star Wars: Millennium Falcon, Pixie Hollow, and Andy’s Room.

Find a Cruise on Disney Dream

Royal Caribbean

Photo by Royal Caribbean International

Year-over-year, Royal Caribbean reigns supreme as a top vacation choice for families. The line’s fleet boasts an array of remarkable ships that cater to travelers of all ages, ensuring adventure, relaxation, and entertainment for everyone. From the mega-sized Oasis-class vessels with thrilling water parks and Broadway-style entertainment to the innovative Quantum Class ships offering cutting-edge amenities like skydiving simulators and bumper cars at sea, Royal Caribbean sets the bar high for family cruising.

Royal Caribbean’s ships boast a variety of accommodation offerings that can be modified to suit a variety of families and even multi-generational travel. Onboard all ships, families can take advantage of the dedicated kids' and teens' club activities, diverse dining options, and an abundance of activities ranging from zip-lining to ice skating. The Royal Caribbean vessels that have made our list of the best for families of 2024 are guaranteed to provide guests with an unparalleled vacation experience that will create cherished memories for all.

A whopping 14 Royal Caribbean ships in total made our top 30 on this list of the best ships for families. It is interesting to note the variety of ship classes and ages of the vessels that have made the rankings, ranging from the Freedom Class up to the new Oasis Class ships that debuted in the last few years. This indicates that across the board, Royal Caribbean is hitting the mark when it comes to family offerings and has not sacrificed quality or service when it comes to family programming on older ships.

Freedom of the Seas came in at number four overall, a bit of a surprise as it is an older Royal Caribbean ship. This ship debuted in 2006 and was refurbished in 2021. In its latest update, Freedom of the Seas received Royal Amplified Upgrades which included a new pool deck, Perfect Storm dual waterslides, Splashaway Bay aquapark for kids, and several new restaurants. Families traveling on this ship can take advantage of the Adventure Ocean Kids Club for guests ages 17 and younger, fun stage shows, and daily programming for the entire family.

We also see a mix of Royal Caribbean Quantum Class and Oasis Class ships in the rankings of our top 30 ships for best families - Ovation of the Seas (#11), Symphony of the Seas (#13), Wonder of the Seas (#18), Harmony of the Seas (#22), Allure of the Seas (#26), and Oasis of the Seas (#28). These family-centric ships are among the largest cruise ships in the world, so it's little surprise that these have made the list. All these vessels cater to families with. programming for guests ages 0-100+, and offer a varied mix of activities, entertainment, staterooms, dining, and more guaranteed to provide the perfect vacation experience.

Carnival Cruise Line

Photos by Carnival Cruise Line

Twelve Carnival Cruise Line ships made our list as the best for families in 2024. Similar to Royal Caribbean, Carnival stands out as an excellent choice for family travelers due to its extensive range of amenities and activities designed to appeal to guests of all ages. Carnival’s ship offerings range from thrilling water parks to entertaining live shows, fun activities, and a plethora of options for family adventures.

Parents can relax knowing that their children are well taken care of in Carnival’s dedicated kids' clubs offering supervised activities and entertainment, while teens can enjoy their own designated spaces tailored to their interests. The line also offers a range of diverse dining options to suit every palate, and spacious accommodations designed to accommodate families of all sizes. Needless to say, Carnival Cruise Line ensures that every member of your family can find something to enjoy on the ship.

Carnival Vista was the first Carnival ship to make our best overall list, coming in at number five. This ship stood out among our members, with impressive offerings like the WaterWorks aqua park (which features slides, splash zones, and water attractions for all ages), high-energy activities like suspended cycling track SkyRide, an onboard IMAX theater, multiple dining options, a total of 1,958 cabins for families to choose from, and excellent programming in its dedicated kid's clubs.

Like Royal Caribbean, there is a mix of older and newer Carnival Cruise Line vessels on our best ships for families list. No matter which ship you choose from, the older Carnival Liberty (#30) or the new Excel Clas mega-ship Mardi Gras (#25), Carnival Cruise Line’s commitment to family programming virtually guarantees a great family vacation experience.

Closing Thoughts

In 2024, families looking for the perfect cruise vacation have many options. Whether sailing on one of these top 30 cruise ships or cruising on any of the hundreds of other ships on the high seas, there is nothing like making memories with your loved ones while visiting destinations worldwide.

We tip our hats to these top 30 best cruise ships for families! Over the past year, the impressive scores have clearly given families a memorable vacation experience. We thank our Cruiseline.com and Shipmate app community members who have shared valuable feedback and ratings to help other families find their perfect cruise vacation!

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