DISNEY Cruise Line has just unveiled its newest ship – and it’s the company’s glitziest yet.
With themed dressing-up parties, glam stage shows and immersive dining experiences featuring much-loved characters, kids will love everything about Disney Believe.
But it’s not just the House of Mouse putting little ones at the forefront.
Many cruise lines are introducing activities, meals and entertainment options to keep youngsters happy – which means more downtime for Mum and Dad.
Here, Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the most child-friendly cruise ships for 2027.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
LITTLE ones can just Let It Go on board Disney Believe, which is home to a sparkling Frozen-themed dining venue.
Oaken’s Table: A Frozen Family Feast is more than just a restaurant.
Here, youngsters are surrounded by characters Oaken, Anna and Kristoff as they tuck into dinner with live singalongs and performances throughout.
The kids’ clubs here take things to new heights, and children will love checking out the first ever Encanto musical, too.
But parents are not forgotten about.
While teens are soaring on the ship’s water coaster AquaMouse, unleashing their inner Spider-Man at the Hero Zone or paddling in the Toy Story-themed splash zone, adults can knock back cocktails at Sea Notes — the Little Mermaid-inspired piano bar.
GO: The ship makes its debut in December next year. More info, including cruise packages, will be released on Monday next week. See disneycruise.com or call 0800 171 2317.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES
ROYAL CARIBBEAN is renowned for its family-friendly offering, and has enough high-energy activities to keep rugrats happy for at least two weeks on the trot.
Freedom of the Seas, in particular, ranks highly for its adrenaline-pumping fun.
While tiny tots play with cannons and drench buckets in Splashaway Bay, teens can race each other on the Perfect Storm waterslides or unlock new surf skills on the FlowRider surf simulator.
On top of some excellent kids’ clubs, there’s laser tag, rock climbing, mini golf, an arcade and even an ice rink.
Pizzas, tacos and burgers will ensure they never go hungry, although the ice cream counter is sure to be the biggest hit — and it’s free for all cruisers.
GO: A five-night Northern Europe sailing is from £579.50pp for a family of four, departing from Southampton on August 17 next year. The cruise calls at Hamburg and Zeebrugge (for Bruges). Check out seascanner.co.uk.
P&O CRUISES
BUCKLE in for a thrilling ride on board P&O Cruises’ Arvia.
This ship has a properly immersive escape room that takes you well below sea on a fictional submarine.
Families will rely on interactive consoles, motion simulators and high-tech controls to succeed in their mission and retreat from the submarine safely.
Kids can reward themselves with a sundae from the gelateria afterwards but most of the time they’ll be itching to get to the youth club.
There is also the Altitude Zone with a high-ropes course, mini-golf and splash zone.
Families can also benefit from a Children’s Tea at the buffet.
It’s at 5pm daily so parents can get little ones fed before dropping them at the night nursery.
GO: A 14-night Spain and France sailing is from £1,049pp, based on a family of four sharing and departing Southampton on July 18 next year. Ships calls at Vigo, Malaga, Alicante, Toulon, Barcelona and Cadiz. See pocruises.com.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
AURA is the newest ship to grace Norwegian Cruise Lines’s fleet and definitely one for action-seekers.
Its thrill zone, Ocean Heights, is spread across three decks and features so many spine-tingling activities you won’t know where to start.
Along with rock climbing, a high-ropes course and funfair, there are three waterslides and a main pool deck with sea-view hot tubs.
Best of all, grown-ups with their eyes on the speciality dining can bag free meals for kids under the age of 12.
GO: A seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing is from £907pp departing Miami on August 7 next year. Calls at Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island. See iglucruise.com or call 020 3733 5557.
MSC CRUISES
THE highlight for children on MSC’s World Europa is the dry slide that drops 11 decks, making it the longest slide at sea and sending riders spinning down 240ft in a matter of seconds.
With Lego on board as official sponsor, children will have their fill of building-block games at the kids’ clubs, while teens can get stuck into video games.
The waterslides integrate virtual reality and project animations while riders whizz to the bottom.
The high-tech fun does not end there, either.
The ship also has a Formula 1 simulator, 5D interactive cinema and virtual reality arcades.
GO: A seven-night Western Mediterranean sailing is from £574pp based on a family of four sharing and departing from Civitavecchia in Italy on May 1, 2027. It calls at Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa and La Spezia. See msccruises.co.uk.