Best Family Cruises Summer 2024 - Late Availability
Updated: August 2024
Summer cruises have always been a popular choice for families looking for an adventure in the sun. With fantastic value for money and stress-free convenience compared to land-based family holiday options, it’s no wonder more and more people are looking for their spot aboard a cruise ship over the summer school holidays.
However, with so much choice and variety, it can be daunting knowing what ship, destination, departure port, sailing date, cabin type and exact deal to pick - there’s just so much choice!
To help point you in the right direction, we’ve laid out all of the available options so you can pick the best summer family cruise for you. Not only have we included some handy top tips, but we’ve split our offers by cruise ship and destination so you can compare and find the best option for you and your family quickly and easily before booking.
Keep reading to find out more!
Contents:
- Top Tips For Family Cruises in Summer 2024
- Best Family Cruises Summer 2024 Destinations
- Depart From Southampton for Your Family Summer Cruise in 2024
- Best Family Cruises Summer 2024 Cruise Ships
Top Tips For Family Cruises in Summer 2024
Not sure of where to start? We've created a handy list of some quick tips to make sure you don't miss out on these incredible family cruises in summer 2024. So whether you're looking for a P&O Cruises getaway in 2024, a Royal Caribbean 2024 adventure or an all inclusive cruise in 2024, we've got you covered.
- If you’re wanting a balcony cabin but all balcony staterooms and suites with a capacity of more than 2 guests to host all your group are already sold out, as well as all interconnecting cabins, have a look at booking a smaller balcony cabin and also the inside stateroom across the corridor.
- Just because you can only go away at peak summer holiday season doesn’t mean you need to pay peak prices. Many cruise lines have great family offers such as low deposits for families from only £1, long-term payment plans leading up to your departure date, kids go free/reduced kids fares and complementary junior drinks packages. You can possibly get even more discounted if you’re a military veteran or blue-light cardholder - make sure to ask when enquiring! There’s a lot of variety across the various cruise lines we offer, so give us a call or check out our main cruise deals page for the latest and greatest value offers. Sign up to our email newsletter and follow us on social media too as we often offer even better discounts on top than direct to the cruise line themselves!
- Sail from a local UK departure port. Flying, paperwork and luggage limits all add up to stress before you jet off on your family summer holiday but if you cruise direct from Southampton or another regional departure port such as Liverpool, Newcastle, Tilbury or Edinburgh you don’t need to worry about any of this! Just drive up to the port, board and then have fun and relax as your ship takes you to the first sunny summer destination - the best way for a family to see various sights and cities without worrying about multiple hotels and transfers!
- Book as soon as you can! Family summer cruises book up fast- some even by the start of the year. So make sure you book in plenty of time to ensure you lock in the best deal for your budget and preferences!
Best Family Cruises Summer 2024 Destinations
Mediterranean
A popular tourist destination, the Mediterranean is well-known for its warm summers, picturesque landscapes, and delectable cuisine. Comprising 22 countries, including Italy, Cyprus and Portugal, it’s a favourite amongst families due to the variety of attractions and activities available throughout the region. For example, there’s waterparks and theme parks (such as PortAventura World in Spain) that offer the ultimate family day out during your Mediterranean cruise.
Canaries
Another wonderful choice for your family cruise in summer 2024 is the Canary Islands. From Gran Canaria to Tenerife and Lanzarote, the Canary Islands offer a wonderful combination of attractions, from vibrant beaches to family-friendly restaurants to theme parks (such as the popular Siam Park in Tenerife). Kids and adults alike will love cruising in the Canary Islands, and with lots of budget-friendly cruises available, it’s no surprise that it’s such a popular option!
Northern Europe
Last but not least is Northern Europe. An underrated cruise destination, it might not initially be the first region that comes to mind when cruising with your family. However, there are lots of exciting Northern Europe cruises available that are perfect for your family summer getaway in 2024. Cruises to Northern Europe are also a great option for families looking for a hassle free option, as many of them sail from UK ports such as Southampton and Liverpool.
Destinations such as Amsterdam, Bruges and Copenhagen all have plenty of family-friendly attractions, including canal boat tours, museums (kids will particularly love the Choco Story chocolate museum in Bruges!)
Depart From Southampton for Your Family Summer Cruise in 2024
An alternative to flying to a destination to embark on a cruise is to sail from the UK. A great option when you’ve got the kids in tow, sailing from the UK gets your family getaway off to a relaxed start without having to even step foot in an airport.
One of the most popular UK departure ports in the UK is Southampton, which boasts five passenger cruise terminals and has a huge capacity for over 3000 passengers. Throughout the terminals there are lots of amenities, including cafes, ample parking and seating lounges. All of the major cruise lines sail from Southampton including P&O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises.
Best Family Cruises Summer 2024 Cruise Ships
You might be wondering, what are the best cruise lines for families and what are the best family cruise ships? Well, we've rounded up a selection of the best family cruise ships for your 2024 holiday, with all the top features of each of them!
P&O Arvia
Kicking off the list is P&O Cruises’ Arvia, one of the best family-friendly cruise ships. New to the fleet, it boasts lots of family-friendly facilities including the Altitude Skywalk, Mission Control Escape Room, the Skydome Pool and kids clubs suitable for kids aged 6 months to 12 years old.
Top family cabins/suites on P&O Arvia include:
- Deluxe Balcony
- Conservatory Mini Suite
- Family Sea View Suite
P&O Iona
Second up is P&O Iona. One of the largest cruise ships sailing from the UK, similarly to Arvia, Iona has a whole host of family-friendly attractions onboard, including the kids clubs, Ocean Studios Cinema and dining options (such as Taste 360) which are bound to be a hit with the little ones.
Top family cabins/suites on P&O Iona include:
- Large Inside Cabin
- Deluxe Balcony
- Conservatory Mini Suite
- Family Sea View Suite
P&O Ventura
Another P&O Cruises ship that’s offering sailings that are perfect for your 2024 family getaway is P&O Ventura. A large ship that can accommodate over 3,500 guests, you’ll find the Beachcomber Pool, the H20 Zone teen club and the Hands on Deck Show with Wallace & Gromit in the Skydome amongst other fun family-friendly activities onboard.
Top family cabins/suites on P&O Ventura include:
- Superior Deluxe Balcony
- Suite
- Penthouse Suite
MSC Virtuosa
One of the largest ships on this list, MSC Virtuosa caters for over 6000 guests and is popular with families due to the variety of destinations it sails to, along with the endless supply of amenities and facilities onboard. For families, there are innovative activities, from the 4D Cinema to the F1 Simulator, bowling alley and high ropes course. And when the little ones are craving a sweet treat, a trip to the ice cream bar is perfect!
Top family cabins/suites on MSC Virtuosa include:
- Deluxe Ocean View Fantastica
- Deluxe Balcony Fantastica
- Yacht Club Duplex Suite
Anthem of the Seas
When it comes to family cruising, Royal Caribbean is a great choice every time. And onboard Anthem of the Seas, you won’t be lost on things to do with your loved ones. Highlights include the Flowrider surf simulator, Bumper Cars at Seaplex, Rip Cord by iFLY and the rock climbing wall.
Top family cabins/suites on Anthem of the Seas include:
- Large Balcony Junior Suite
- Owner’s Loft Suite
- Sky Loft Suite
Britannia
Frequently sailing out of Southampton, P&O Britannia is another ship that’s a great option for families looking for a cruise in summer 2024. With the Teen Deck, family pools, the Oasis Teen Spa, Ice Cream Grab & Go and the Live Lounge being just some of the family-friendly features onboard, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Top family cabins/suites on P&O Britannia include:
- Super Deluxe Balcony
- Suite
Sky Princess
Princess Cruises are well known for being popular with families. And Sky Princess showcases why. Onboard, take advantage of family-friendly attractions including the children’s outdoor play area, Movies Under the Stars and shows in the spacious Princess Theatre.
Top family cabins/suites on Sky Princess include:
- Deluxe Oceanview
- Club Class Mini Suite
- Owner’s Suite
Book Your Future Family Summer Cruise
Whether you’re considering cruising to the Mediterranean, Caribbean or another destination, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable family getaway. With so many different cruise lines and ships to choose from, our wide range of family cruises will tick all the boxes regardless of your budget. But hurry, these cruises book up quickly - so be sure to book your family summer getaway as soon as possible!
Alternatively, if you're wanting to cruise at a later date or there's no spaces left in 2024, check out our amazing family cruises in summer 2025.
You can also checkout our other blog posts for more family cruise information:
P&O Cruises Adult Only Vs Family-Friendly Ships