New Ship for RCCL

Royal Caribbean International recently announced its newest Icon Class ship, Hero of the Seas, set to debut from Miami in August 2027 and is now available for booking! As the fourth ship in the groundbreaking Icon Class, the ship is designed to elevate the family cruise experience with even more pools, dining options, accommodations, and entertainment. The ship will feature eight distinct neighborhoods, nine pools and a record-breaking 28 dining venues.

Families can look forward to a wide range of activities, including the massive waterpark, which introduces the first funnel raft slide at sea, the Crown’s Edge skywalk and zip-line experience, FlowRider surf simulators, mini-golf, sports courts, and more. Dining also takes center stage with immersive new concepts.

Accommodations include a new three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse suite complete with a rooftop terrace, whirlpool, teen hangout spaces, and multiple bedrooms. Other family-focused options include Surfside suites and the Ultimate Family Townhouse with direct access to the family neighborhood.  

The ship will alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami.

Tauck Adds Small Ship Cruising for Families

Tauck’s small ship cruising experiences are so popular, they decided to create a family version as part of their Tauck Bridges offerings.   Currently two unique experiences are available for 2027:

Croatian Coast (June-August 2027): Explore five Croatian islands on an intimate small ship reserved exclusively for Tauck guests, where a scenic coastal voyage pairs seamlessly with enriching onshore discoveries. From daily swim stops to curated excursions, each day blends relaxed adventure with meaningful family moments along the Adriatic Sea.

Galapagos Wildlife Wonderland (June and July 2027 and December Festive 2027): Embark on a family expedition to the Galapagos Islands where rare wildlife, vibrant ecosystems, and untouched landscapes take center stage. Each day brings close-up encounters and guided adventures, from snorkeling and hiking to swimming and sightseeing cruises, designed to immerse travelers in one of the world’s most extraordinary natural habitats.

Note that families booking a Tauck Bridges family adventure need just 8 guests traveling together on the same departure for the 9th to travel for free! Gather the family and book now as these will sell out fast!

Nature Cruise Savings

Don’t miss out on UnCruise Adventures‘ Double Kids in Nature Savings on two special and week long Costa Rica and Alaska sailings One is a Thanksgiving sailing and the other for summer vacation. Children ages 3-17 save $1,000 per child while children 2 sail free on the following departures:

• Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise with 2 Days in Glacier Bay – June 14, 2026
• Kids in Nature: Costa Rica’s Pure Life Adventure Cruise – November 21, 2026

Your 7-night Alaska sailing aboard the Wilderness Discoverer or Wilderness Adventurer features two full days in Glacier Bay National Park, glacier exploration, whale watching, and exceptional birdlife viewing.

The 7-night Costa Rica voyage aboard the Safari Voyager explores the country’s Pacific Coast, with highlights including nature reserves, Golfo Dulce (one of the world’s only tropical fjords), rainforest hikes, kayaking through mangroves, snorkeling, beach time, and more.

Both sailings offer dedicated kids-only activities such as scavenger hunts, science labs, and bonfires.

This promotion ends on April 30…so book now for the best availability!

Oceania Changes

Our families with adult children now have a fresh way to enjoy cruising in an adult-only setting. Oceania Cruises has transitioned to an adults-only policy for all new bookings, while still honoring any children already booked to sail. The line aims to provide a more tranquil, refined, and sophisticated onboard experience.

Current promotions include up to 40% savings with reduced deposits plus the choice of a complimentary beverage package or double shore excursion credits on select sailings.

Oceania, an upper-premium cruise line, operates a fleet of small, elegant ships carrying around 1,250 guests, and is part of the same company that operates Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Its itineraries span the globe from the Caribbean and Alaska to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, and extended world voyages often combining major ports with smaller, boutique destinations to provide a rich cultural experience.

Home at Sea with Explora

Luxury cruise line Explora Journeys invites your family to experience a true Home at Sea, where every voyage is designed to feel effortless, relaxed, and genuinely special for all generations. Thoughtfully crafted sailings make family travel seamless, with generous savings for younger guests and comforts that allow everyone to focus on spending time together.

Adults sailing as a third or fourth guest in the same suite can enjoy savings of up to 25%, children ages 2–17 receive up to 50% off, and infants from 6 to 23 months sail free making it easier than ever to bring the whole family along.

On board, your family will enjoy spacious accommodations, including connecting suites and kid-friendly amenities that make settling in simple and comfortable. Young explorers can immerse themselves in the lively Nautilus Club for ages 6–17, where engaging activities and new friendships await. At the same time, adults can retreat to serene, adults-only lounges and relaxation spaces whenever a quiet moment is needed.

Beyond the ship, Explora’s family-friendly Destination Experiences bring each port to life through immersive, engaging adventures. From cultural discoveries to nature-filled explorations, these shared moments create lasting memories for every generation. With every detail carefully considered, Explora Journeys makes it easy for families to connect, unwind, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind together.

Beach Club Expansion

Royal Caribbean Group is set to debut Royal Beach Club Santorini in summer 2026, offering a new destination exclusively for guests sailing on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. The beach club will anchor the company’s new Ultimate Santorini Day experience, blending relaxed seaside time with curated tours of the island’s most iconic sights. Your family can explore the postcard-perfect highlights of Santorini such as the whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches of Oia, and the boutiques, cafés and galleries of Fira before or after unwinding at the new beach club. To help ease Santorini’s crowding, the cruise line plans to manage guest flow by spreading arrivals across three different starting points, reducing pressure on the island’s busiest areas.

Royal Beach Club Santorini joins a growing portfolio of new private destinations. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas opens next month, followed in 2026 by The Cormorant at 55 South in Chile, Royal Beach Club Santorini, and Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico. Looking ahead, Perfect Day Mexico is slated for 2027, with Royal Beach Club Lelepa debuting in 2028.  Bring on the beach clubs!

Family Discount on Les Bateaux Belmond

Set sail on one of Belmond’s luxurious canal boats in France and enjoy up to $11,600 in savings plus exclusive family-friendly amenities when traveling with your children or grandchildren!

This exceptional offer includes:
• Child credit of $5,800 per child, per paying adult (maximum of 2 children, up to 16 years old)
• Tailored family itinerary featuring bespoke, child-friendly shore excursions
• Gourmet family dining with thoughtfully crafted menus for both kids and adults
• Special amenities including surprises and treats for younger guests
• Baby and children’s concierge service with complimentary babysitting, allowing parents to enjoy an adults-only fine dining experience for one evening

Belmond sails several different boats that sleep 4-12 people along various canals in France. Your crew includes a captain, host and tour guide and exquisite cuisine. This luxury experience is ideal for families and multi-gen groups looking to relax and immerse on a slow-paced journey through rural France. This offer is available for families traveling with at least one child under 16 and is subject to availability. Valid on all journeys in July & August 2026.

Explorers-in-Training

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has introduced National Geographic Explorers-in-Training, a refreshed version of its youth program (formerly National Geographic Global Explorers). Offered on select family-friendly voyages to Alaska, Antarctica, Baja California, Iceland, and the Galapagos, the initiative designed for children and teens blends exploration, conservation, and storytelling with hands-on scientific learning.

Guided by Certified Field Educators and supported by naturalists, undersea specialists, and National Geographic Photography Experts, participants learn skills such as driving a Zodiac, collecting plankton, and logging wildlife sightings. Each child receives a region-specific field notebook to document discoveries during activities like scavenger hunts, storytelling challenges, and onboard experiments. At the expedition’s end, they are awarded a commemorative patch and certificate.

Family friendly itineraries include snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos, kayaking among glaciers in Alaska’s Inside Passage, spotting whales along Baja California, and exploring Antarctica via a Drake Passage fly-cruise—each crafted to inspire curiosity, environmental stewardship, and a lifelong passion for exploration.

A Festive Antarctic Family Adventure

Abercrombie & Kent is once again offering a special holiday promotion on its Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands: Holiday Voyage 2025 sailing from December 21, 2025-January 8, 2026: one child (ages 7–18) sails free in a classic, deluxe or premier stateroom when sharing with an adult.

This 17-night holiday expedition is aboard the luxurious Le Lyrial from Ponant, a mega-yacht exclusively chartered by A&K.  This charter will sail with just 199 passengers and all cabins have balconies, free laundry, internet and butler service.  The ship also features multiple observations areas, theater, pool, gym, spa and medical facilities.

The itinerary includes two days in the Falkland Islands, known for unique wildlife and British colonial history, and several days in South Georgia, home to massive king penguin colonies and the grave of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

Your family can celebrate Christmas and New Year’s onboard with festive events, while A&K’s expert Expedition Team shares insights into polar exploration and local wildlife. Families benefit from added programming led by dedicated Young Explorers Guides, with activities tailored for children and teens.

The journey begins with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires, offering time to explore the vibrant culture of Argentina’s capital before heading south.  Your airport transfers with a meet and greet and your internal air flights are also included!

Sailing into Luxury

This month Regent Seven Seas Cruises opens up their bookings for the inaugural season of their newest ship, the Seven Seas Prestige, set to debut in December 2026. Designed for unparalleled luxury, the ship accommodates just 822 guests, offering one of the industry’s highest space-per-guest ratios at 77,000 GT.

Onboard, your family can indulge in seven complimentary specialty restaurants among 11 dining venues, enjoy a world-class spa and gym, and even play pickleball at sea. Regent’s all-inclusive sailings feature unlimited shore excursions, premium beverages, Wi-Fi, valet laundry, and pre-paid gratuities, ensuring a seamless vacation at sea.

The Seven Seas Prestige introduces innovative suite categories, including two-story Skyview Suites with private rooftop terraces, the expansive Grand Loft Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, and Horizon Penthouse Suites boasting oversized balconies and panoramic ocean views.

While discounts for children 17 and under are not yet available on this new ship, Regent offers summer and holiday savings for young travelers on select sailings across Europe, Alaska, and New England. Rates for children start at just $999, including excursions, when sharing a cabin as the third or fourth guest with an adult.