Weekend Getaways For Families: Cruise Ideas You’ll Love
Family fun awaits aboard Royal Caribbean weekend cruises
By Emily Iris Degn | Published on September 2, 2025
If you’re looking for fun weekend getaways for families, you’re in luck. Royal Caribbean family-friendly weekend cruises to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean offer all things chill and thrill for the whole gang! Imagine trekking through ruins and marveling at ancient artwork with your curious kids and teens, or adventuring through wildlife-filled jungles and beaches with your little ones. These cruise vacations aren’t just great for all ages — they’re easy weekend getaways that even new cruisers can plan well.
Royal Caribbean’s trips are the best cruises for families, bringing to life vacations that everyone will love, from parents to teenagers to toddlers. Think splash pads on board and shoreside kid-friendly beaches for the littles, rock climbing on board and Instagram-worthy destinations for the older kids, and relaxation around every corner for you.
Not sure where to start when it comes to securing your own Royal Caribbean family weekend getaways? Here are some ideas for planning your next family cruise, from which cheap weekend cruises are best to what you can expect in port.
Here’s Why Cruises Are Great For Family Trips
Planning a family vacation can be tough. Teens and toddlers want completely different things, and that’s not even factoring in the vacation dreams of parents.
Coming from a big family of seven, I know just how challenging meeting everyone’s needs and trip goals can be when it comes to family travel — some kids wanted to sleep in, others wanted to get going early. The older half wanted to check out the museums and restaurants, while the younger half wanted to go to the gift shops and beaches. Meanwhile, my parents were valiantly trying to create good memories for everyone, regardless of the differences between us.
As a childless travel writer, this sounds like a logistical nightmare. Yet so many planning a family weekend getaway face this predicament of finding not only experiences everyone will love, but destinations that will have them.
Fortunately, all is not lost. Royal Caribbean family-friendly weekend cruises offer a weekend trip for everyone in your household. Here are five reasons why cruises make for fun weekend getaways for families:
Tons Of Activities All In One Place
Cruise vacations are inclusive experiences. In other words, you don’t have to search everywhere for fun activities that everyone will enjoy. On a ship, it’s all in one spot. There’s no need to go hunting for toddler, kid, tween and teen-friendly things to do. And, there's plenty for parents and adults in your group, too.
Those in your party can rock climb, swim in the pool, ride a zipline, go down waterslides, lounge by the bar and so much more without needing to go very far from each other. And, if you’re cruising with teens, there are even dedicated spaces just for them that are close to the activities you’ll be enjoying. I love that this family vacation setup breeds togetherness, ensuring that even if you split up to try different things, you’re still in the same space and can meet back up easily. Additionally, since so many of the activities aboard Royal Caribbean ships are included in the price, it’s cost-effective.
Book Now
Safety Comes First
Parents often worry about traveling abroad, particularly with young kids. This is especially new for those heading out with children for the first time. Cruises aren’t just easy weekend getaways. They’re a great way to see the world safely. The routes have been extensively researched by teams of experts, ensuring that you don’t have to bear the sole responsibility of figuring out which destinations are tourist-friendly — if a spot isn’t safe, Royal Caribbean doesn’t go there. If it used to be safe, but the situation changes, the brand promptly cuts service to ports in the area. You don’t have to stress over this part of international travel, which is a major perk for even those without kids like me.
And it’s not just the destinations that offer a safe excursion. On board Royal Caribbean cruises, guests have their own private space. It’s not always easy to find safe accommodations on land. Believe me, as someone who’s stayed in some pretty iffy corners of the world, weeding out unsafe hotels and hostels is a whole project in itself. But as a cruiser, you have a safe place to sleep every night, regardless of location.
That’s a big deal, especially if you have children, as I imagine it’s impossible to sleep well if you’re even remotely concerned about the security of your kids.
Get Up Close To Culture
When considering the best cruises for families, finding culturally rich destinations is a big part of the planning process. Many parents want to use travel as a way to help their kids learn more about the world, get exposed to different ways of life, build empathy and branch out while engaging in some family fun. Narrowing down the best places for this when there are so many out there can be overwhelming.
That’s a big challenge even for me, and I’ve been a travel writer for a decade. I can’t tell you how many restless nights I’ve had trying to trim down an endless list of destinations being considered for my next story.
Here’s where cruises come in. Brands like Royal Caribbean make a point of docking in specifically culturally rich ports. So, you know that you’re not missing out on the best things due to your own blind spots. And, you don’t have to do endless research yourself. The brand has already done that for you.
I think of cruising as getting to experience a highlight reel of a country — you’ll hit the most famous, beautiful, historically significant and bucket list-worthy locations. This is particularly great for families, since kids don’t have to be stuck in a car or get dragged through airports as you make your way to each destination. Navigation is so time-consuming, even solo, and there’s no need for it when you’re cruising.
Great Food For All
As someone who grew up with four siblings, I can attest to the difficulties of finding somewhere to eat that everyone likes. I am the oldest, so I wanted bistros, vegetable-heavy dishes and new cuisines while my youngest brother was eating nothing but grilled cheese, dry cereal and endless bowls of applesauce. Needless to say, short of pizzerias and sandwich shops, there wasn’t really a restaurant that could have pleased everyone. But whether you have five kids like my parents did or just one, balancing the palates of adults and kids, let alone multiple kids, is frustrating for many.
Big and small families can rejoice over the diverse Royal Caribbean eateries. Try out each place and pick a favorite as a group. Or, come to the Windjammer, a buffet with something for everyone. Imagine getting to enjoy authentic chana masala and scrambled egg Bhurji with your teens as your younger kids chow down on burgers, waffles and signature creamy alfredo. And you’re all at the same table. There’s no need to split up or settle.
This is why I consider Royal Caribbean ships to be the very best cruises for families. There’s something so priceless about getting to enjoy a meal that you’re obsessed with next to those you love most.
Shore Excursions Without The Hassle
Whether you’re looking for an adventure cruise vacation or one that delves into the rich history of the world, Royal Caribbean crafts fun weekend getaways for families that include a wide range of short excursions for any kind of day trip. These activities are planned for you, adding to the list of ways that cruising takes the hassle off your plate when it comes to prepping for vacation.
Enjoy vibrant itineraries designed by experts. These cruise planners craft bespoke excursions for a family getaway based specifically on your unique group. Those with animal-obsessed tweens will delight in the wildlife-centric shore moments and hiking trails, while toddler parents will find comfort in excursions that prioritize comfort and low-effort activities catered toward the smallest of cruisers. No matter the ages, vacation preferences, personalities or comfort levels of your kids, you’ll have a family weekend getaway itinerary that suits everyone without needing to coordinate that yourself.
Where Is The Best Place To Go On Vacation With Kids?
If you’re wondering, “Are there any weekend getaways for families near me?” here’s the thing: absolutely. There are adventures to be had everywhere if you’re with your favorite people. However, there are plenty of great places to go if you’re looking for easy weekend getaways overseas. Deciding which to visit is really just about priorities.
I recommend taking a Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise if you’re looking for some international family fun. These destinations stand out for the dynamism, great weather and outstanding food. And a long weekend cruise with Royal Caribbean is a fantastic and easy way to enjoy either place. Here’s what you can expect at both:
Cruise The Caribbean
A Royal Caribbean cruise to the Caribbean means a weekend getaway with:
- ● Island hopping among diverse ports.
- ● Taking a dip in the sparkling sea.
- ● Enjoying plenty of water-based activities like surfing, water park fun and snorkeling.
- ● Hiking amidst lush jungles and beaches.
- ● Learning about the rich Caribbean culture.
- ● Taking part in local traditions such as basket weaving and Reggae music.
- ● Coming face to face with wildlife.
This cruise vacation is best for those with families who love the outdoors, watersports and wildlife.
Cruise The Mediterranean
A Royal Caribbean cruise to the Mediterranean means a weekend getaway with:
- ● Digging into ancient history.
- ● Exploring famous sites like temples and colosseums.
- ● Feasting on pizza, pasta and other favorites.
- ● Enjoying the sea and sunshine thanks to the famously gorgeous climate.
- ● Swimming in the turquoise sea.
- ● Feeding your curiosity in museums.
- ● Exploring the beautifully arid countryside.
This destination is best for those who have kids who love history, get excited about food and love rather than dread museums.
Set Sail With Your Family On A Weekend Cruise
Whether you dream of discovering ancient sites with your teens or learning about animals in the jungle with your toddlers, Royal Caribbean provides plenty of fun weekend getaways for families of all age groups, budgets and preferences.
Get Royal Deals, Sign Up Today
Related Articles
Best Caribbean Islands for Families
READ MORE
Best Activities for Grandparents and Grandchildren on a Cruise
READ MORE
The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Vacation to Perfect Day at CocoCay
READ MORE
5 Reasons Cruises Are Great For Family Vacations
READ MORE
