6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for 2026

Traveling with kids can feel less like a vacation and more like an adventure — one filled with nonstop activity and the challenge of keeping everyone happy. To help you find the perfect cruise for your family, we've rounded up six top cruise lines designed to make your family getaway as smooth and fun as possible.

Choosing the right cruise line for your family can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. With decades of experience working with trusted cruise partners, AAA Travel knows exactly what makes cruises for families truly exceptional. 

Explore these kid-approved cruise lines and don’t miss our tips for cruising with kids, ensuring unforgettable experiences for the whole family.

Top Destinations:

AAA member benefit: Up to $200 per stateroom onboard spending credit when booked online. (Up to $100 for interior, $150 for oceanview and $200 for balcony/suite)

What makes it great: Cheaper fares make family cruising budget-friendly. Plus, your kids will love the 24/7 pizza on most ships.

Carnival Cruise Line is on our list of kid-friendly cruises for their youth programs, offered for kids ages 2 to 17. The cruise line is also one of the best for teens. 

“Suess at Sea” features a character parade, interactive story time and breakfasts with Dr. Suess’ characters. The “Night Owls” program for kids under 12 lets them stay up as late as 1 a.m. with others their age. “Hasbro, The Game Show” invites families to play giant versions of Connect 4, Yahtzee and other games on stage to win prizes.

Ships feature onboard pools, water parks and mini golf. Some ships also include a ropes course and Skyride — a two-lane suspended course that lets you pedal a “bike” high above the ship.

Top Destinations:

AAA member benefit: Onboard credit per stateroom ($25 for outside, $50 for balcony, $75 for Concierge Class and above) valid for all departures three nights or longer except Galapagos products

What makes it great: Select ships partner with the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science to offer STEM programming for kids and teens, allowing them to learn while they play.

From family-friendly excursions to the Camp at Sea kids program, there’s plenty of family fun on a Celebrity Cruise.

Camp at Sea provides programming for kids ages 3-17 and the program changes daily, so kids will never experience a repeat program. Older kids can hang in Xbox-themed teen areas and get a spa treatment at the teens-only spa, while kids of all ages can participate in trivia contests and Junior Olympics competitions.

Celebrity knows that the excitement of a cruise ship can be overwhelming for some kids, so they also offer sensory- and autism-friendly programs and services on their ships. 

Top Destinations:

AAA member benefit: Booking available through AAA

What makes it great: Experience the magic of Disney without the theme park lines — meet your favorite characters, see fireworks shows and enjoy phenomenal dining experiences.

Highly regarded as offering some of the best cruises for kids and families, everyone in the family is sure to find fun aboard a Disney cruise. You can dance with Disney characters at family parties, take part in family game shows and watch fireworks on themed nights. Those looking to make their cruise more festive can sail on one of their "Halloween on the High Seas" or "Verry Merrytime" cruises with activities and decorations fitting the holidays.

See Disney shows live on stage or watch movies in 3D. Clubs for kids feature characters from Disney, the Marvel Universe and Star Wars. Meet-and-greets give kids the opportunity to get autographs from their favorite Disney characters.

The cruise line offers fun pools, water slides and “water coasters” onboard and there are plenty of kid-friendly options on the dinner menu.

Top Destinations:

AAA member benefit: Reduced deposit (as low as $50 per person) and a complimentary Princess Medallion clip (first two guests in the stateroom) during quarterly cruise sales

What makes it great: Age-specific kids clubs keep kids ages 3-17 busy with age-appropriate activities and you can track kids’ whereabouts on the ship with the MedallionClass app.

No matter their age, children will find plenty to do on Princess Cruises. The cruise line has programs for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and even 18- to 20-year-olds. Experience unique Discovery™ and Animal Planet™ shore excursions. Activities include meet-and-greet gatherings such as “Puppies on the Piazza” on Alaska cruises or “Parrots in the Piazza” on Caribbean cruises.

Discovery at Sea™ theme days feature activities inspired by Shark Week and Animal Planet. Kids can take part in Animal Planet Endangered Species and Glacier Bay Jr. Ranger programs. They can also make Animal Planet puppets, masks and paintings inspired by regional wildlife.

Princess offers stargazing on the top deck with an expert guide to show you all the stars and planets. Group babysitting is available for children ages 3 to 12, so parents can spend a day in port or savor a relaxing dinner for two. The cruise offers kids-only dinners on select nights and teens have their special dinner in a reserved dining room section on formal nights.

Top Destinations:

AAA member benefit: When booking a balcony or suite stateroom category, receive one complimentary 8x10 onboard print or digital photograph per stateroom on any seven-night or longer sailing.

What makes it great: Kids 12 and under sail for free during select sail dates and many ships offer family-friendly staterooms and floor plans.

Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program will keep kids and teens busy. Teens can hang out at Fuel, a club just for them with a soda fountain, computers and a dance floor. The Living Room offers a lounge area with movies, games and a live DJ.

While the kids are having a blast with new friends, Mom and Dad can relax in the Solarium, a tranquil, adults-only covered retreat with whirlpools.

The whole family will enjoy Broadway shows, including “Grease” and “Mamma Mia.” It also has aqua shows, ice skating shows, parades and parties on the Royal Promenade. Other activities include:

After a day of fun adventures, relax with family-friendly dining. Expedited service for kids allows them to be picked up by staff so parents can enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Top Destinations: 

What makes it great: Adventures by Disney cruises travel to over 40 destinations with adventure guides to help you explore new places and immerse yourself in the culture, all with the magic you expect from Disney.

It may be surprising to hear that a European river cruise can be a family vacation, but Adventures by Disney makes it possible. Partnering with AmaWaterways, they offer exclusive family-friendly river cruises designed for fun and adventure.

Cruise itineraries offer a variety of experiences for parents, children and teens. This cruise line is among the best for adults, offering active excursions, wine tastings and tours of castles and museums. Meanwhile, Disney movie nights keep junior adventurers entertained.

Onboard entertainment includes a piano lounge, baking classes for kids, karaoke nights and more. Adventure guides share stories about the culture and traditions of each destination. Adventures by Disney on Amawaterways is an excellent choice for a family-friendly river cruise.

AAA members enjoy exclusive perks, including stateroom discounts and onboard credits. With Trip Canvas, you can easily find the best deals on kid-friendly cruises and book the perfect family getaway.

Make the most of your AAA membership. Start exploring all the things to do on a cruise and plan your next adventure with Trip Canvas today.