Key Aspects:
- Royal Caribbean has the best suites for families.
- Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruises have the largest suites for families.
- Other cruise lines with family-specific suite offerings include Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line.
Not all cruise lines cater to families, but for those who do, they’ve realized something: When on vacation, families don’t want to cram everyone together into one balcony cabin or a few adjoining cabins. Families dream of something bigger, better, more playful and fun. They want a suite that’s entirely designed around their needs and that will deliver a truly amazing cruise, with memories that will last a lifetime.
If you’re with me, nodding along and thinking that that’s what you want for your family’s next cruise, too, you’re in the right place. These are the best suites for families, found across many different ships from a handful of different cruise lines.
Some are jaw-dropping incredible, featuring everything from in-suite slides to gaming rooms and beyond. Others just offer the basic family-friendly necessities, because sometimes that’s all you need. Whatever the case, you’re sure to find the best suite for your crew of little cruisers.
In This Article:
- Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Suite
- Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Townhouse
- Royal Caribbean’s Surfside Family Suites
- Carnival Cruise Line’s Family Harbor Suites
- Disney Cruises’ Concierge Suites
- Disney Cruises’ Tower Suites
- Norwegian Cruise Line’s Family Suites
- Norwegian Cruise Line’s Haven Family Villas
- What About Other Cruise Lines?
Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Suite
When Royal Caribbean introduced the Ultimate Family Suite in 2018, debuting on Symphony of the Seas, well … let’s just say that family cruising fanatics were wow-ed in a big way. This suite delivers on its promise: It is truly the ultimate.
The suite features two stories of fun and all the suite perks you can handle. There’s an in-suite slide, an air hockey table, in-suite cinema with gaming (and more old-school games like Connect-Four, even if it is a super-sized version of the game). There’s a balcony with a jacuzzi, and a master bedroom for the parents. It sleeps up to eight people total.
| Suite Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Square Footage | 1,346–2,476 square feet |
| Available on Which Ships | Harmony of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas |
| How Many Rooms | Two bedrooms |
| Standout Features | In-suite slide, cinema and gaming room, an air hockey table |
Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Family Townhouse
As Royal Caribbean is apt to do, though, the cruise line upped the ante with Icon of the Seas’ suites, introducing the Ultimate Family Townhouse. The townhouse takes the Ultimate Family Suite to the next level, literally. Instead of two stories, it features three.
There are still fan-favorite features like the in-suite slide and hot tub on the terrace, as well as the cinema. It also sleeps up to eight guests and has three full bathrooms, a dining room, and a kitchenette.
Additionally, this suite, which is only on Icon-class ships thus far, gives cruisers immediate access to the family-focused Surfside Neighborhood, which was likewise first introduced on Icon of the Seas.
| Suite Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Square Footage | 1,772 square feet |
| Available on Which Ships | Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas |
| How Many Rooms | Two bedrooms |
| Standout Features | In-suite slide, wraparound terrace with a hot tub, musical piano staircase, cinema and gaming room |
Royal Caribbean’s Surfside Family Suites
Yet another new offering for families that was originally introduced on Icon of the Seas, Surfside Family Suites are also located within that previously mentioned Surfside Neighborhood.
These suites aren’t as flashy as the Ultimate suites, but they are still pretty cool. Designed with families with smaller kiddos in mind, each suite features one and a half bedrooms (for added privacy), split bathrooms and bunkbeds for the kids that include built-in televisions.
Suites can sleep up to four comfortably, and feature balconies that overlook the neighborhood.
| Suite Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Square Footage | 269 square feet |
| Available on Which Ships | Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas |
| How Many Rooms | 1.5 bedrooms |
| Standout Features | Bunkbeds with built-in televisions, immediate access to the Surfside Neighborhood |
Carnival Cruise Line’s Family Harbor Suites
Carnival Cruise Line similarly developed its own category of suites that keep families’ needs at the forefront. However, I’ll admit that, from experience, these suites aren’t nearly as creatively bold as what you’ll find on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.
Still, they offer the main elements that many families are looking for. Some of us don’t need in-suite slides, we just need space to spread out and get out of one another’s hair.
All of the Carnival Cruise Line Family Harbor suites are nautically themed and have space for about five guests without getting crowded.
Just note, though, that these suites don’t include an entirely separate bedroom for the parents. You’ll still share the same, albeit larger, sleeping space, with a king bed, pull-down bunks, and/or a sofa bed. You do get a split-bathroom setup, though, with one full bathroom and a half bathroom, making for easier bath times and no more kids knocking on the door asking when you’ll get out.
Even better, you get a lot of great perks when you book one of these suites. Family Harbor suite guests enjoy access to the Family Harbor Lounge, which serves free breakfast and snacks, as well as provides activities like movies and games; free dining for kids at specialty restaurants; and one free evening of babysitting services.
| Suite Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Square Footage | 275 square feet |
| Available on Which Ships | Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Jubilee, Mardi Gras, Carnival Panorama and Carnival Vista |
| How Many Rooms | 1 shared sleeping area, 2 bathrooms |
| Standout Features | All the free perks that you get, including access to the Family Harbor Lounge, free dining for kids, and one night of free babysitting services |
Disney Cruises’ Concierge Suites
Disney Cruises doesn’t necessarily call out its suites as family-friendly, but the cruise line doesn’t have to. When the entire brand is based around delivering amazing magic to kids and kids at heart, it’s just assumed that the suites will do their part as well.
Disney has multiple suites that I think you should consider for your next cruise, and we’re going to start with those that fit within the Concierge category.
“Concierge” is like Disney’s VIP category. Those in Concierge suites and cabins enjoy extra amenities and, as you could probably assume, concierge service. There’s also a concierge lounge.
The Concierge Royal Suite features two bedrooms and 2.5 baths, as well as a living and dining room. It can sleep five to seven people. Depending on the exact ship you’re on, you may or may not have a hot tub on your verandah.
Need another full bathroom? Get the very similar six-person, two-bedroom, three-full-bathroom Concierge One-Story Royal Suite (specifically only available on Disney Wish and Treasure, where the room are themed around Disney classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin and The Jungle Book).
A similar Two-Story Royal Suite, on the same ships, offers similar themes, but a spiral staircase separates the living and sleeping spaces.
If these Royal Suites offers too much space for you and your fam, you can opt for a Concierge one-bedroom suite, which also comes with a verandah and a single set-apart bedroom, as well as up to two bathrooms. There’s also a Concierge two-bedroom suite on Disney Wonder and Magic, that are overall just smaller at 945 square feet.
| Suite Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Square Footage | 608–1,781 square feet |
| Available on Which Ships | Disney Magic, Wonder, Fantasy, Dream, Wish, Treasure, Adventure |
| How Many Rooms | 1–2 bedrooms |
| Standout Features | Disney-classic themes that will appeal to the kids, with luxury touches that appeal to the adults |
Disney Cruises’ Tower Suites
Disney Cruises’ Tower Suites, though, are considered to be even better than the Concierge suites. They’re literally situated within a fake ship funnel. You have to take an elevator to get to the suites. They’re all two stories and they all fit eight people.
They’re also massive. Literally, this suite was bigger than my house.
The one thing that I found missing? There’s no balcony or veranda, but you still get great views regardless.
In addition to the two main bedrooms, a children’s bedroom, and a library that can be used as a bedroom as well, these suites come with 4.5 bathrooms.
Again, classic Disney themes abound, such as Fantasia and Moana. On Destiny, the theme is Marvel, specifically Iron Man.
| Suite Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Square Footage | 1,966–2,030 square feet |
| Available on Which Ships | Disney Dream, Wish, Treasure, Destiny |
| How Many Rooms | 3 bedrooms |
| Standout Features | Situated inside a fake funnel, with classic Disney themes and a huge amount of space |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Family Suites
Sleeping up to six, Norwegian Cruise Line offers some family suites that provide a little more space than your average cabin.
The line’s basic family suites do not feature a separate bedroom, but have a wide-open floor plan, with living and dining areas and dividers that allow for a degree of separation. Plus, bathrooms feature tubs for the little ones.
Then, there are one and two-bedroom family suites that actually do have completely separate bedrooms set apart from the living areas, for even greater privacy.
Both options feature balconies and suite amenities like butler service.
There’s nothing particularly kid-friendly in the design, beyond the layout that allows for more separation and the occasional bathtub, but sometimes that’s all you really need, especially if you’d rather the kids be out exploring the ship and enjoying all the fun you paid for, versus holed up in their suite bedroom playing games.
| Suite Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Square Footage | 553–880 square feet |
| Available on Which Ships | Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, Norwegian Viva, and Pride of America |
| How Many Rooms | 1-2 bedrooms |
| Standout Features | Large, modern floorplans; separate bedrooms; bathtubs |
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Haven Family Villas
Then, on Norwegian Cruise Line, there’s the Haven Family Villa, which comes in options with two or three bedrooms. The villas encompass multiple bedrooms, up to three bathrooms, dining areas, large balconies and living areas, and provide an upscale environment that you’ll be sad to leave.
Plus, because you’re staying in The Haven, the VIP area of the ship, you’ll enjoy extra-special amenities, such as 24-hour butler service, access to a private pool, your own Haven lounge and restaurant, and more.
That said, even though these villas seem to pack a lot, note that they can be on the smaller side, depending on which you book, with an almost shockingly small square footage.
| Suite Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| Square Footage | 468–658 square feet |
| Available on Which Ships | Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Aura, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Luna, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva |
| How Many Rooms | 1-2 bedrooms |
| Standout Features | Extensive and exclusive Haven amenities and can accommodate a lot of cruisers in a small space |
What About Other Cruise Lines?
Of course, there are other cruise lines out there that cater to families, but some don’t offer specifically family-focused and designed suites.
MSC Cruises’ Family Offerings
For example, I’ve found MSC Cruises to be a great cruise line for traveling with kids, but the brand doesn’t have any family-specific suites beyond just interconnecting cabins and your typical, basic suites.
That said, MSC Cruises does offer some booking options that are listed as Superfamily Plus, Superfamily + Ocean view or Balcony, Superfamily, Family balcony and Family Ocean view. What does this all mean?
Basically, it means that you’re booking two or more connecting cabins that can accommodate up to 10 individuals, all under one booking number. These aren’t special cabins by any means. They’re just connected.
This option is available on MSC Virtuosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaview, MSC Seaside, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina and MSC Opera.
Celebrity Cruises’ Family Offerings
While maybe not the best cruise line for kids overall, previously, Celebrity Cruises did offer what it called a family veranda stateroom. Then the cruise line changed the name of these staterooms to the Ultra Deluxe Veranda Stateroom.
Available on Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Reflection, these are the largest staterooms with a veranda and are still billed as suitable for traveling families, thanks to their size.
These suites measure in at 630–680 square feet and come with two bedrooms, a big balcony and one bathroom.
