Best kid-friendly cruises: The 6 best cruise ships for kids
Kids can make or break your family cruise. If they're bored and hate the food options, they will loudly and repeatedly express their displeasure. Pick the wrong cruise ship, and parents will feel as trapped as if they were stranded on a deserted island ... with biting crabs underfoot.
The best cruises for kids take advantage of ships with endless fun for the under-18 crowd, plentiful dining that appeals to both young palates and bottomless teen tummies, accommodations and ship services that keep families in mind, and opportunities to meet and hang out with peers. No matter your family size or price range, you can find some incredible vacations at sea that will have kids exclaiming, "Best cruise ever!" by the end of the week.
Find the top ship for your next trip with our list of the six best cruise ships for kids (and their parents).
Disney Destiny
No one is surprised that Disney is such a kid-friendly cruise line — but what might be surprising is how much there is for adults to do and enjoy, too. That's especially true on the new Disney Destiny, which debuted in November 2025.
Disney Destiny has four kids clubs divided by age, and the main Oceaneer Club for 3- to 10-year-olds has an exciting grand entrance. Kids get to enter the club by slide — and once inside, they can explore the club's spaces themed to "Star Wars," fairy tales, Marvel and Disney Imagineers.
Along with the kids club on Disney Destiny, junior cruisers will find two movie theaters showing first-run Disney movies, Broadway-caliber shows telling the tales of "Disney Hercules" and "Frozen: A Musical Spectacular," and dining experiences themed around the movie "The Lion King" and the Worlds of Marvel.
In addition to fun bars themed around Disney rides (think: Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean) and adults-only fine dining restaurants, grown-ups will appreciate the little touches on Disney Destiny that make family cruising easier — split bathrooms in most cabins, a drop-off nursery, a splash area for toddlers and restaurant staff members who will offer high chairs and cut up your kid's food.
Disney Destiny sails four- and five-night Caribbean and Bahamas sailings from Fort Lauderdale, along with a handful of seven-night Caribbean cruises. Most include a stop at Lookout Cay or Castaway Cay, Disney's private beach destinations, with separate adults-only and family beaches, supervised child care, splash pads and strollers to borrow.
Related: Ways to save money on a Disney cruise
Two nearly identical sister ships, Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, sail short Bahamas cruises and weeklong Caribbean cruises, respectively, from Port Canaveral (near Orlando).
Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas
Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas, which debuted in August 2025, is the largest ship afloat and definitely one of the top cruise ships for kids (along with nearly identical sister Icon of the Seas). Young cruisers will never be bored on a ship with a six-slide water park, a surf simulator, a rock-climbing wall, a sports court and Surfside — a half deck of watery play spaces and restaurants devoted to little kids and their families.
Kids (and parents) who like a good show can gasp as ice skaters land jumps on a rocking ship and acrobatic divers flip and splash in the AquaTheater up high on the ship under a glass dome. Don't miss pizza and parades on the Royal Promenade, Icon's indoor shopping strip, or Royal Caribbean's take on "Back to the Future" in the main theater.
The kid-friendly cruise ship features innovative family cabins and suites, some with separate kids rooms, to better accommodate guests of all ages. The Ultimate Family Townhouse is a massive three-floor living space with a screening room, a karaoke machine, an in-suite slide and a backyard that leads out to the Surfside family neighborhood.
Related: Best Royal Caribbean ships for kids
Star of the Seas sails weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral.
Norwegian Aqua
Norwegian Aqua has a more grown-up vibe than many of the family-focused ships on our list, but its onboard attractions make it a huge hit with teens. Its top decks lure older kids with a hybrid waterslide-roller coaster, a drop slide, indoor and outdoor game spaces, miniature golf and a sports court with a high-tech LED floor. Little kids have their very own water play area with pint-size waterslides.
At night, teens can feed their growing bodies with international street food, hibachi, endless soft serve, and burgers and comfort food available 24 hours a day at The Local. Afterward, they'll agree to be seen in public with their parents at a show as cool as "Revolution: A Celebration of Prince" — even if they don't know the iconic musician. It's an easy concession, as they know they can always escape to the teen club, Entourage, to hang out with the cool kids late at night.
Related: Best cruise lines for families
Norwegian Aqua's best cruises for kids are all about fun in the sun. The ship sails seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami and five- to eight-night Bermuda cruises from New York.
Carnival Celebration
Passengers and crew members on Carnival Cruise Line ships come ready to meet new friends or share a laugh, a story and a drink with their shipmates. Social kids will fit right in and love the line's huge Carnival Celebration. They can make friends at the Family Harbor Lounge, Camp Ocean and Dr. Seuss Bookville; older kids will enjoy the teen and tween clubs conveniently located near Guy Fieri's burger stand and the video arcade.
If you're looking for the best cruises for kids, Carnival Celebration and its nearly identical fleet mates, Mardi Gras and Carnival Jubilee, are the only cruise ships boasting a top-deck roller coaster called Bolt. A ride here is Instagram gold and the ultimate bragging rights for kids on vacation. The coaster dominates the Ultimate Playground area of the ship, where young cruisers can challenge their new friends to miniature golf, waterslide races, basketball and ropes course domination.
Kids who love a good food court can meet up with friends or family at several no-fee, casual eateries, including Shaq's Big Chicken restaurant and a trio of Street Eats venues featuring dumplings, meat on a stick and loaded french fries. Late-night pizza and ice cream will keep the whole family fueled up for the interactive "Family Feud Live" show.
Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line ships and itineraries
Carnival Celebration's kid-friendly cruises include weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami. Its sister Mardi Gras sails similar Caribbean itineraries plus shorter Bahamas sailings from Port Canaveral. Carnival Jubilee is based out of Galveston, Texas, and offers six- and seven-night Western Caribbean cruises and eight-night Bahamas cruises to the line's two private beach destinations.
MSC World America
MSC Cruises introduced one of its largest ships to the U.S. in April 2025. The floating megaresort has more family-friendly offerings than any other ship in the fleet, making MSC World America one of the best cruise ships for kids.
The ship stands out from its sisters because of its massive top-deck family-friendly fun zone. It targets families like no other MSC ship with attractions like a giant water park with four waterslides, a two-level ropes course with "sky rails" (like zip lines), a 10-deck-high dry slide, a first-of-its-kind overwater swing ride called Cliffhanger and a playground modeled after the lighthouse at MSC Cruises' private island in the Bahamas.
Indoors, the Doremiland kids area has seven rooms for children of all ages to enjoy activities and crew-led programs. The MSC Sportplex has an indoor, multiuse space for family-friendly activities, such as bumper cars and rollerblading.
Around the ship, kids and their families can enjoy the ship's multiple dining venues serving Italian, Greek, Mexican and Asian fare. But young cruisers will likely be most excited about Sweet Temptations, a dessert venue dishing out over-the-top milkshakes, make-your-own ice cream bars, crepes, doughnuts and candy.
Related: MSC Cruises vs. Royal Caribbean: Which big-ship line is right for you?
MSC World America sails weeklong Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean voyages from Miami. All itineraries will stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises' chill private island in the Bahamas.
AmaWaterways' AmaLea
The typical river cruise draws a lot of retirees — except when Adventures by Disney partners with AmaWaterways. The two travel companies have created a river cruise vacation that is fun for grown-ups and kids.
AmaLea makes our list of the best cruise ships for kids because it's one of the ships AmaWaterways custom-built for family cruises. Certain twin balcony cabins sleep three, suites sleep four and connecting cabins provide additional options for families who need more space. Unlike many river ships, AmaLea has a pool, as well as a surprise kid hit: giant outdoor chess.
While other AmaWaterways family-friendly ships sail the Rhone and Rhine rivers, AmaLea travels the Danube through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Adventures by Disney makes the most of your time with shore excursions planned to entertain kids and adults, with options for supervised kid activities while parents head out on more grown-up tours. Your family might explore caves in Hungary, play hide-and-seek in a palace's labyrinth maze in Austria and hang around in a treetop playground in Germany.
Related: Best river cruises in Europe
On board, kids menus are available, and the occasional pajama party whisks kids away for pizza and a movie while adults linger over dinner. Adventure Guides give everyone a helping hand to make traveling as a family as easy as possible.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.