8 Best Family Cruises 2024

These ports will be a hit with the youngest cruisers.

 1. Georgetown, Grand Cayman

Learn about turtles, play with stingrays, or simply sun and swim on gorgeous Seven Mile Beach.

 2. Nassau, Bahamas

Swim with dolphins, enjoy a thrilling water park adventure, or hit the beach.

 3. Port Canaveral, Florida

Not only is it adjacent to Kennedy Space Center, but Orlando’s theme parks are about an hour away. If you have at least 10 hours in port, spending a day at Disney or Universal is possible.

 4. Ocho Rios, Jamaica

The island’s jungle— complete with famous waterfalls and soaring zip lines—meets its legendary beaches, making a call here perfect for active youngsters.

5. Kona, Hawaii

A visit to Volcanoes National Park is a must for budding scientists. Watching wild dolphins play or interacting with trained ones will delight wannabe marine biologists.

6. Juneau, Alaska

Go mushing, even in mid-summer, during a dogsled adventure (on wheels) or zip line through the tree canopy (and above the wildlife). You can even get close to a glacier.

 7. Barcelona, Spain

Imaginative kids will be intrigued by the fantastical architecture of Antoni Gaudi—from the spires of La Sagrada Familia to the alien-looking chimneys atop Casa Mila. Afterward, an urban beach beckons.

 8. Copenhagen, Denmark

The city of Hans Christian Andersen (a sculpture based on his Little Mermaid sits in the harbour) is home to Tivoli Gardens, a Victorian amusement park that mixes centuries-old charm with modern thrills. Walt Disney was so inspired he created Disneyland.

 9. Rome, Italy

Because Civitavecchia port is more than an hour from the Italian capital, a cruise that begins or ends here will provide more time for history-loving middle school and high school age kids to appreciate the city’s ancient architectural wonders.

 10. Private Islands

The cruise lines’ private oases —most located in the Bahamas—offer a relaxing day at the beach, with free buffet lunches and water toys for rent.