Fun Cruises, Matched to You
Party ship, show ship, family ship or quiet ship — find the fun that fits.
Find My Fun CruiseFun Cruises Start With Knowing Your Kind of Fun
Fun cruises are not one thing. For some people fun is a pool deck party and a late night in the club; for others it is a Broadway-style show, a comedy set and a nightcap; for families it is waterslides and a ship full of other kids. The happiest cruisers are the ones who chose a ship that matches them.
Happy Cruises is a guide to finding that match. We describe how the major lines approach fun, what cruise entertainment really looks like on board, how happy hours work at sea and on harbor cruises, and how to read your own personality into a choice. We do not invent rankings: when we point to winners, we point to real awards on our sister site Cruising Awards. And we do not list prices — when you are ready, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise quote the sailings for you.
Explore Happy Cruises
Most fun cruise lines
How Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Virgin Voyages and others build their atmosphere.
Compare the lines →
Fun cruises for adults
Adults-only ships, late nights, and grown-up spaces on family lines.
Adults’ fun →
Cruise entertainment
Production shows, comedy, live music and the shows only ships can stage.
See what’s on →
What Makes a Cruise Feel Fun
The crowd
Ships attract their own crowd. A party ship, a family ship and a quiet ship can share a port and feel nothing alike.
The daytime program
Waterslides, trivia, pool games, dance classes or nothing at all — check the ship, not just the line.
The evenings
Production shows, comedy clubs, piano bars, deck parties and late-night venues set the mood after dinner.
The itinerary
Beach days and island bars feel very different from long sea days or city ports.
The length
Short getaways tend to be livelier; longer voyages settle into a calmer rhythm.
Two ships from the same line can feel quite different, because newer ships carry the bigger attractions. When you compare fun cruises, compare ships.
Fun Cruises at a Glance
| If your fun is... | Look at | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Pool parties and a lively crowd | Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Margaritaville at Sea; short Caribbean and Bahamas sailings | Spring breaks and holidays are busiest |
| Shows and nightlife, no kids | Virgin Voyages (adults-only, 18+) | Themed parties and a later-night rhythm |
| Family fun | Ships with waterparks and big kids’ clubs | See Cruising Kids for kids’ programs |
| A theme with your people | Music and theme charters | See Cruising Groups and Special Interest Cruises |
| Quiet fun | Smaller ships and longer voyages | Fun can mean a good book and a balcony |
Not sure yet? Our personality guide asks five questions to point you in the right direction.
Happy Cruising, With Less Stress
Most unhappy cruises come down to a mismatch or a surprise. The mismatch — a quiet couple on a party ship, a party group on a sleepy one — is solved by choosing well. The surprise is usually the bill: drinks, specialty dining and excursions add up, and Cruise Saving explains how to keep that in check. Never sailed before? First Time Cruise covers every step from booking to the final morning. Travelling alone and want company? Sailing Single covers solo-friendly ships and meetups.
New offers on fun sailings go out in the Mister Cruise cruise newsletter. Browse lines and services on the Official Cruise Directory and the wider Official Travel Directory.
Fun Cruises: Quick Answers
What are the most fun cruises?
The ones that match how you like to have fun. Party lovers, families, couples who want a show and a cocktail, and travelers who want quiet beaches all find different ships fun. Start with your style, then the line.
Which cruise line calls itself the fun one?
Carnival has long been nicknamed the “Fun Ships” and markets with the slogan “Choose Fun.” Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Virgin Voyages and others build their own versions of fun, from ice shows to adults-only parties.
Are fun cruises only for young people?
No. Comedy clubs, piano bars, trivia, dance classes and big production shows draw every age. Pick a ship whose evening style suits you.
Can you help us pick a fun cruise?
Yes. Tell our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise who is going and what makes a holiday fun for you, and they will suggest ships and sailings that fit.
More Cruise Sites From Our Network
Happy Cruises is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Tell us what makes a holiday fun for you; our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match you with the ship, not just the line. Meet Mister Cruise →
Find Your Fun Cruise
Tell us who is going and how you like to spend an evening; our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest the right ships.
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