8 Best European Cruises for Families

With family-friendly sandy beaches, culture-rich cities, and an abundance of thrilling outdoor adventures, European cruises with kids offer a wonderful memory-making vacation.

Whether you’re a family of three or a multigenerational group with grandparents in tow, the best European cruises for families range from outdoorsy trips to the Norwegian fjords to beach-hopping around the Canary Islands.

Whichever European destination you choose for your family getaway, Celebrity Cruises offers fabulous dining, entertainment, and activities such as children’s clubs and family movie nights on its fleet of award-winning ships.

Best of Greece Cruise

Whether it’s to satisfy curious minds exploring ancient ruins or building sand castles on endless beaches, a trip to Greece is among the best European cruises for families. From wandering the fifth-century B.C. Acropolis in Athens to stand-up paddle boarding on the sparkling Aegean, there’s ample for families to see and do in Greece.

Athens, one of the oldest cities in Europe, is practically an open-air museum with the gleaming columns of the Parthenon rising on a hill above the city. At the fascinating Acropolis Museum, families can pick up a captivating trail designed for children and parents.

On the sun-soaked island of Santorini, a volcanic caldera in the Aegean Sea, join an excursion to Perivolos Beach, a black-sand shore on the southern end of the island. Perivolos has excellent facilities for families, including watersports, sun loungers, and parasols.

In Mykonos, there are more dazzling beaches, including the family-friendly sands of Platis Gialos, with azure water, watersports, and beachside tavernas. You could book an excursion on a traditional boat that will take you to several of Mykonos’ best beaches.

If your sailing includes a visit to Volos, explore the ruins of the Castle of Volos before the Archaeological Museum of Volos. When hunger kicks in, take a seat at a waterfront tsipourádika, Volos’ traditional fish tavernas that are perfect for a leisurely family lunch.

Thessaloniki, also on the mainland, is another highlight of a Greece cruise. There is a fabulous waterfront, with attractions including the Umbrellas of Zongolopoulos public art, the Museum of Byzantine Civilization, and Pedion Areos, a leafy park with a children’s playground, turtles, and a cafe.

British Isles Cruise

With medieval castles, historic cities, and idyllic countryside, families will adore a British Isles cruise to ports such as Dover, Liverpool, Glasgow, Cork, and Belfast.

Watch the glorious White Cliffs of Dover come into view as you sail to England’s southeast coast. This historic port has plenty for families to explore, including an exhilarating coastal walk to the famous chalky cliffs and the picturebook South Foreland Lighthouse.

Dover Castle is one of the most magnificent castles in England with the 11th-century fortress home to secret wartime tunnels, a subterranean hospital, and a siege-themed play area.

In Cork, southwest Ireland, enjoy waterfront ice cream in the quaint port of Cobh, with the Gothic Revival spire of St. Colman’s Cathedral jutting above rows of colorful houses.

Book an excursion to the fairytale Blarney Castle and immerse yourself in medieval Ireland, with dungeons, garden trails, and the famous Blarney Stone. According to legend, whoever kisses the Blarney Stone is bestowed with the gift of eloquence, or ‘the gift of the gab’.

Near Holyhead, on the Welsh island of Anglesey, there are more spectacular coastal walks and hidden coves, such as Traeth Porth Wen Beach. While Belfast has the extraordinary Titanic Museum, revealing the history of the ill-fated ocean liner, Liverpool has the Beatles Story, a museum that shines a lens on one of the most famous pop bands in history.

Take the family on a boat trip in search of the elusive Loch Ness monster, or “Nessie,” in Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Stirling Castle near Glasgow is another highlight of a British Isles cruise. This former royal residence was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, with palace vaults and royal gardens.

Norwegian Fjords Cruise

European cruises with kids don’t get much better than the Norwegian fjords, with mountain hikes, kayaking, and exploring scenic towns and cities, such as Flåm, Geiranger, and Bergen on itineraries.

In photogenic Flåm, at the innermost point of the Aurlandsfjord, whisk your brood through the green valley on the Flåm Railway. Regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful and steepest rail journeys, the train chugs through 20 tunnels to reach Myrdal, 9,332 feet above sea level.

The return trip from Flåm station takes two hours, passing Flåm’s pretty charcoal-black church and stopping at Kjosfossen waterfall, a mighty, 738-foot foaming cascade. For an extra adrenaline-fueled adventure, harness up for the Flåm Zipline—the longest zipline in Scandinavia—that sees participants speed through the air in the Flåm Valley.

Sail between the snow-capped peaks of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord to reach Geiranger. Here, you could whizz through the inky water on a thrilling rigid inflatable boat ride or kayak on a guided excursion to soak in views of waterfalls tumbling down mountainsides.

In Bergen, Norway’s second city, join a walking tour to the waterfront neighborhood of Bryggen, with its rows of yellow, orange, red, and white timber houses. Visit the fascinating Hanseatic Museum to learn about the Hanseatic merchants from North Germany who established Bergen as a major trading port in the late Middle Ages.

Afterward, take the Fløibanen, Bergen’s funicular railway, to the summit of Mt. Fløyen for far-reaching views, with time for playing in the Troll Forest or following a pine-scented nature walk.

Canary Islands & Portugal Cruise

A cruise to the Canary Islands and Portugal offers families an unforgettable vacation, with sailings combining the Spanish archipelago and Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean, with a call to Lisbon, on Portugal’s mainland.

Book an excursion to Teide National Park to witness Tenerife’s vertiginous Mt. Teide, which rises 12,188 feet, making it the tallest peak on Spanish soil and the world’s third-highest volcano. When you arrive, join Mt. Teide Cable Car to traverse almost 8,000 feet up the volcano for dramatic moonscapes and views of Tenerife’s peaks and coastline.

Lanzarote has its own show-stopping volcanic national park. The earth-red Timanfaya was created by a series of volcanic eruptions that took place between 1720 and 1736, and again in 1824. Intrepid families can join an excursion to Timanfaya’s otherworldly terrain to see volcanic cones in vast lava fields and the copper-hued Montañas del Fuego, or Mountains of Fire.

In Gran Canaria, head to the Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve on the southern tip of the island to spend a day among undulating dunes that evoke scenes of the Sahara Desert. There are almost 1,000 acres of golden dunes flanking a shimmering sandy beach, with a brackish lagoon and palm grove.

In the luscious Portuguese island of Madeira, visit the fragrant Botanical Gardens in Funchal and tread the Cabo Girão Skywalk, where sheer cliffs plunge into the sapphire-blue ocean beneath a glass walkway.

Learn about the rich history of the Portuguese capital at Lisbon’s St. George’s Castle and ride the city’s iconic yellow tram. On a tour of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the foothills of the Serra de Sintra, marvel at colorful palaces and quaint winding roads.

Scandinavia Cruise

A Scandinavian sojourn—typically taking in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland—is one of the best European cruises for families who enjoy art, culture, history, and plenty of green spaces.

The world-famous Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen is loved by family members of all ages for its amusements, roller coasters, serene gardens, and twinkling lights. You could stroll around the picturesque Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s 17th-century waterfront, with colorful timber houses, restaurants, cafés, and a food market.

The Danish capital is full of innovative architectural attractions, including Copenhill, a former waste-recycling plant that’s now home to a ski slope and the world’s highest climbing wall. In lesser-known Skagen on the northern tip of Denmark, explore miles of windswept beaches that skirt around the Jutland Peninsula.

Enchanting Stockholm is a 14-island city—though the wider Stockholm Archipelago is made up of 30,000 islands scattered into the Baltic Sea. The beating heart of the city is Stadsholmen, home to Gamla Stan, the city’s historic district of winding cobbled streets and coral-hued houses.

A visit to the Finnish capital, Helsinki, offers families the chance to explore the thick forests, lakes, and the reindeer park within Nuuksio National Park, just outside of the city. You could take the ferry to visit the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress or join a scenic kayak tour, taking in the many coves, beaches, and historic sights of Helsinki from the Gulf of Finland.

Italian & French Riviera Cruise

What makes an Italy and French Riviera cruise among the best European cruises for families? You could explore ancient Rome one day and splash on a sun-soaked beach the next, with daily gelato, pasta, and pizza.

Opt for an excursion from Naples to the glamorous resorts of the Amalfi Coast and drink in one of the most beautiful coastlines in all of Europe. The Amalfi Coast has beautiful beaches, crystalline water, pizzerias, and gelaterias serving mouth-watering Italian cuisine.

Budding archaeologists will want to join a thrilling day trip to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, an ancient Roman city buried and preserved by ash in 79 A.D. Families can join the Pompeii For All route, a guided two-mile walk, to see the site’s jaw-dropping landmarks.

In Florence, take your culture-hungry clan to see the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore. The Duomo, as it is known locally, dominates Florence’s skyline and is one of the world’s most famous cathedrals.

Further north, take your family on a rugged coastal hike from Portofino, or sign up for a kayaking adventure in Portofino Bay. Alternatively, opt for a leisurely Ligurian tour of the five fishing villages—Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore—better known as the Cinque Terre. For the best views, see this UNESCO World Heritage Site by boat, stopping for a tranquil dip in the sun-warmed water.

In Nice, on France’s glamorous Côte d’Azur, few family experiences beat bathing on one of the resort’s glamorous beaches along the Promenade des Anglais. Just off the elegant promenade is Jardin Albert 1er, with ponds, an open-air theater, and winding paths lined with palm trees.

Greece, Italy & Croatia Cruise

A cruise to Greece, Italy and Croatia is one of the best for families, offering the chance to delve into some of the Mediterranean’s ancient wonders and bask on blissful beaches.

Sign up for a trip to see Rome’s fabled Colosseum through the eyes of your kids. Walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators in the People’s Square, throw coins into the Trevi Fountain, and marvel at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Your itinerary might also include the sultry island of Sicily, where you could rent a pedal boat or join a motor boat tour in the aquamarine waters below Taormina. Pack aqua shoes for a visit to the sand and pebble Isola Bella Beach, where there’s a white-sand isthmus that leads to a tiny, verdant islet.

Sailing around the “boot” of Italy to the Eastern Mediterranean, experience the gin-clear water of Paleokastritsa Bay in Corfu. Surrounded by olive, cypress, and pine trees, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, splashing, and sunbathing.

In Croatia, Dubrovnik and Split offer ancient old towns with cobbled streets, striking squares, and handsome palaces. Stroll along Split Riva, the resort’s bustling palm-lined boardwalk. In Dubrovnik, families will relish walking the Old Town walls to gaze at the city’s terracotta rooftops.

Spain & Portugal Cruise

For European cruises with kids during summer, a Spain & Portugal cruise offers a heady blend of world-famous sights, parent-pleasing museums, and vibrant beaches.

Barcelona’s almost-complete Sagrada Família is a treat for the entire family. The city’s stretch of golden shores appeals to beach lovers, while La Rambla is a vibrant strip with street entertainers, shops, and restaurants.

In Portugal, explore pocket-sized Porto on a bike ride along the snaking River Douro to take in the historic Cais da Ribeira neighborhood and the iconic Luís I Bridge. Porto also has some stunning family-friendly beaches, from Praia de Espinho to Sereia Beach. Not to be outdone, Lisbon has plenty of magnificent magnolia-colored shores, including Praia de Caxias and Praia da Mata, near the city center.

If your voyage includes a stop in La Coruña in the far northwest of Spain, a visit to the Tower of Hercules, a soaring lighthouse built by the Romans in the first century, is a must. Standing atop a grassy hill at the entrance to the city’s harbor, the Tower of Hercules is considered the oldest lighthouse in the world.

Watch wild waves crash onto the rocks as the children explore the sculpture park around the lighthouse. After, make your way to the white-sand cove hidden beneath the lighthouse. This sheltered spot is perfect for families to splash around in the clear, shallow water and on the soft sand.

From the glamorous shores of the French Riviera to the volcanic national parks of the Canary Islands, European cruises with kids offer a family vacation to remember. Browse itineraries on our website and book your next getaway today.