family cruise games

Best Cruise Ship Games to Pack for Adults and Kids in 2024

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: December 3, 2019  - Last updated: January 16, 2023

Can you take your own games on a cruise ship? You can, and you should! Here are 40+ cruise ship games to pack for adults and kids.

If you’re planning a cruise with a lot of sea days , you’re probably wondering what to do for fun during all of that downtime. Cruise ship games like Bingo, trivia contests, and game shows are offered by most cruise lines, but they’re often only scheduled a few times per week.

Although cruise lines offer lots of activities, taking your own games on a cruise ship can be a great idea. I always do! Cruise ships usually have a small library of games for passengers to borrow, but there’s no guarantee which games will be available.

This guide reviews over 40 of the best games to take on a cruise ship for all ages. Some are travel games and some are full-size. Cruise lines don’t have luggage restrictions like airlines do, so if you’re driving to the port, you can take full-size games without worrying that they’re too heavy. Plus, you can take an extra bag (or three!) without any fees.

If you’re flying to the cruise port, you’ll definitely encounter luggage restrictions. I’ve included plenty of smaller travel games for you. I’ve also included the dimensions of each game along with its weight.

Any of these games would also make a great gift for someone going on a cruise !

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. For more info, please read my  Disclosure Policy .

Dice games to take on a cruise

Left Center Right

Suitable for age 5+, 3 or more players. 3″ x 5.5″ x 1″, 3.2 ounces

What it’s all about

Left Center Right is a fast-paced dice game where players roll to determine which way to pass their chips—to the left, center, or right.

How to play

Each player starts with three chips.

One player starts by rolling three specially-marked dice, with either L, C, R, or a dot on each side.

When a player rolls L, they pass a chip to the left. R means they pass a chip to the right, and C means they put a chip in the center pot. If a player rolls a dot, they keep a chip.

Once the first player completes the actions indicated on the dice, play continues to the left.

If a player has fewer than three chips when it’s their turn to roll, they only roll the number of dice equal to the number of remaining chips.

If a player runs out of chips, they’re not completely out of the game—the players next to them might pass chips to them as the game progresses. However, they can’t roll any dice unless they have at least one chip.

The game continues until only one player has any chips. They are the winner, and take everything in the center pot.

Why you’ll love this game on a cruise

We play Left Center Right at all of our holiday get-togethers, and it’s great for all ages. There’s no strategy—it’s all luck, so even younger kids can join in the fun with a little help. You can play with the included chips, or switch it up and play with coins or dollar bills.

There’s no reading or math involved, so younger kids who know their letters and left from right (or are trying to learn left and right!) can easily play along with the family.

Pass the Pigs

Suitable for age 7+, 2-4 players. 1.8″ x 4″ x 8.5 , 4.8 ounces

Pass the Pigs may look like it’s just for kids, but it’s actually a dice game —the pigs are the dice!

One player is chosen to be the “swineherd” and is in charge of recording scores on the scorepad.

One player starts by tossing both pigs into the air over the table.

The pigs are weighted, and each has a different value depending on how they land (each pig has a dot on one side), and points are won or lost based on the way the pigs land.

At the end of your turn, the swineherd records your score and you pass the pigs to the next player.

A turn lasts until the player either wipes out their current score, loses their entire game score, or decides to stop their turn. If a player chooses to stop, they add that turn’s score to their total score and pass the pigs to the next player. The winner is the first player to reach 100 points.

In addition to being super cute, Pass the Pigs is seriously addictive. Each game lasts only about 15 minutes, and you’ll have so much fun calling out the different positions the pigs land in—like a “double trotter” or “pig out”.

Advanced players can use strategy to decide whether to roll again or pass the pigs to the next player, or you can simply play it as a game of chance.

Suitable for age 7+, 2-4 players. 10.5″ x 1.5″ x 1.5″, 9 ounces

TENZI is an incredibly fast and unique dice game that you can play even with very limited time.

The rules for this game are super simple. Each TENZI player gets 10 dice. Everyone then rolls all of their own dice as quickly as possible.

Players can then choose to re-roll any or all of their dice.

The first player to have all their dice showing the same number (and yell “TENZI!”) is the winner.

Each game of TENZI only takes about a minute, so it’s great to have on hand when boredom strikes and you don’t want a long, involved game. There are also tons of variations to the game to mix things up a bit.

Yahtzee to Go

Suitable for age 8+, 2 or more players. 5.4″ x 5.2″ x 3.1″, 7.2 ounces

If you’re familiar with Yahtzee, Yahtzee to Go is just a travel-sized version with the same rules. The game is similar to traditional dice games like Poker Dice, Generala, and Kniffel.

Yahtzee is played with scorecards that contain specific combinations, much like poker, that players are aiming to roll with the dice.

To choose the first player, each player rolls all five dice from the dice cup. Whoever has the highest total goes first.

Players roll the five dice up to three times per turn, choosing which dice to reroll after the first roll.

A score must be entered in the appropriate box on the scorecard after the final roll of each turn, or a zero is entered in a box of the player’s choice.

Once all the scorecard boxes are filled in, the final tally is added up, and the winner is the player with the most points.

Yahtzee is easy to learn—the rolls you’re aiming for are right on the scorecard, so there’s no confusion (or arguing over rules!). It’s simple enough to play with elementary-age kids, but adults and teens can enjoy the strategic aspects of the game.

Don’t You Forget It

Suitable for age 8+, 2-6 players. 4.5″ x 1.8″ x 7.8″, 0.8 ounces

Don’t You Forget It is an exciting dice rolling game where players have the opportunity to match dice to double, triple, or even quadruple their scores. But watch out! Rolling the wrong combination of words can cause a player to lose their turn.

Players take turns rolling the nine dice, each of which has the numbers 1-5 and one side marked “FOR”, “GET”, or “IT”. Try to get as many dice as possible to match before rolling FOR-GET-IT.

On each turn, certain dice must be set aside on each roll. Word dice must always be set aside. If a player rolls two or more number dice of a kind, they will set aside that number only.

During a turn, a player can choose to keep rolling the remaining dice to try to match the number that was set aside. Or, they can choose to stop at any time and record their score.

At the end of a turn, the face value of the number dice is added up to determine the score. Four of a kind will double the score, five of a kind will triple it, and six will quadruple the score.

Play continues until a player reaches 500 points. The other players then have one last turn to try to beat that total before the player is determined to be the winner.

Anyone who enjoys Yahtzee and other dice games will love Don’t You Forget It . The twist is the FOR-GET-IT that will suddenly end your turn! There’s a bit of math involved in this game, so it’s a good one for kids (or adults!) who need to practice their mental multiplication.

Suitable for age 8+, 2 or more players. 7.6″ x 3.6″ x 3.5″, 9.6 ounces

Farkle is a classic dice game where players try their luck to earn as many points as possible in a turn without rolling a Farkle: failing to roll any scoring dice.

Players’ names are written on the scorecard, which describes point values for various combinations of dice.

Each player takes turns rolling the dice. Players roll all six dice at the beginning of a turn.

Any dice that score on the scorecard can be set aside (a 1 or a 5, three of a kind, or a straight of six dice). Any of the dice (except for at least one scoring die) can be re-rolled.

You can pass and bank your points, or risk the points earned so far in the turn and roll the remaining dice.

Your turn continues until either you either decide to stop and tally your score, or you fail to roll any scoring dice on a throw—this is the dreaded Farkle. If you get a Farkle, you can re-roll any dice you haven’t set aside, but all your other points are lost.

The first player to score 10,000 points wins, as long as no other players with a remaining turn can exceed that score.

Farkle is a fun game for just two people to play, but it’s even more exciting to play with a larger group. Do you keep rolling and try to hit that higher score, or do you fear the dreaded Farkle?

Suitable for age 8+, One or more players. 2″ x 4.3″ x 4.3″, 7.2 ounces

Boggle challenges players to find as many words as possible from a grid of letters before time runs out.

One player shakes the grid to mix up the letter cubes. Then they lift the lid and flip the timer.

All players have 90 seconds to write down as many 3+ letter words as they can find on the grid before time is up.

Words must be created by using adjoining letters in the order in which they appear on the grid horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Words can be spelled backward.

Any word that can be found in a standard dictionary may be used, except for proper nouns.

At the end of the round, each word is scored based on its total number of letters. Longer words earn a higher score.

If two or more players find the same word, that word doesn’t count! The player with the highest score wins.

Boggle is a fast-paced dice game, but with letters instead of numbers. It’s perfect for people who love words and anagrams. Scrabble and Words With Friends players will enjoy this one! You can also play it solo and keep trying to beat your own best score.

Suitable for age 8+, 2-5 players. 5.2″ x 3.8″ x 1.2″, 3.84 ounces

Qwixx is a fast-paced game played with six colorful dice and matching numbered rows that need to be crossed off to score points.

The first player rolls all six dice, and all players can (but don’t have to) cross out that number from any one of the colored rows on their scoresheet.

The first player then adds the sum of one white die and any one of the colored dice. Only that player can cross out that number on the corresponding color row on their score sheet.

Rows on the scoresheet can be locked by any player who has at least five numbers in that row and has a sum that matches the number on the right. That color die is removed from the game.

If the first player hasn’t crossed out at least one number, they mark an “X” in the penalty box. The next player then rolls.

The game ends when one player crosses off the fourth penalty box on their scoresheet OR two of the dice are removed from the game.

Each player subtracts five points per penalty from their total score. The player with the highest score wins.

At first glance, the rules of Qwixx sound complicated, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly. Or should I say Qwickly? (Sorry.) Qwixx is great for anyone who loves dice games but is looking for something a little different than the old favorites.

Card games to take on a cruise

Mahjong Cards

Suitable for age 6+, 1 or 4 players. 2.9″ x 2.5″ x 2″, 4.8 ounces.

Mahjong cards is played just like traditional mahjong with tiles. The deck has 156 cards: three suites of 36 circles, characters, and bamboo, plus 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and seasons, and 12 jokers. (Remove the jokers for traditional Chinese rules.)

Cards are shuffled, and the players arrange them in the center of the table, 17 cards long and two cards high. After rolling the dice, the dealer deals cards in order to each player.

The goal of the game is to get a mahjong: that’s getting all of your tiles into four sets and one pair of two identical tiles. Sets can be made up of a “pung,” three identical tiles, or a “chow,” three consecutive numbers in the same suit. Play stops after sixteen rounds, or after a pre-determined number of points are scored, or until all the players agree that they are done.

The classic game of Mahjong, which has roots dating back to 500 BC, is still a favorite pastime today. If you’re packing light, you might not want to take a full set of tiles and racks on your cruise. Plus, a small deck of Mahjong cards will fit on most tables, so you can play just about anywhere around the ship.

Haven’t played before? The game comes with a set of western rules, covering everything from set up to seating to how to play—no previous knowledge is required. You can play with three friends, or even play solitaire.

Suitable for age 7+, 2-6 players. 3.6″ x 0.8″ x 5.8″, 4.5 ounces.

Phase 10 is a rummy-style game where players race to be the first to complete ten phases.

One player is chosen to be the dealer. They shuffle the deck and deal ten cards, face down, to each player.

The remaining cards become the draw pile. The top card of the draw pile is flipped over to make the discard pile.

During the first hand, players try to complete Phase 1. A phase is a combination of cards, usually composed of sets, runs, cards of the same color, or a combination.

In addition to traditional cards, the deck also contains “Wild” and “Skip” cards. A Wild card can be used in place of a number card, or can be substituted for any color to complete any phase. A Skip card makes your opponent lose a turn.

As the game continues, each player tries to complete the ten phases. You can only advance to the next phase after a phase is complete.

The first person to complete all ten phases wins the game.

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If you enjoy rummy-type card games, Phase 10 is just that, but with a challenging twist. Each phase you need to complete is specific for each hand dealt. Aiming for a different objective for each phase keeps the game interesting.

Suitable for age 7+, 2-10 players. 6.2″ x 1.3″ x 5.2″, 6.4 ounces.

Uno is a number and color matching card game where players try to play all of their own cards and earn points from the other players’ remaining cards.

The dealer shuffles and deals seven Uno cards to each player. The rest of the cards are placed face-down as the draw pile. The top card on the draw pile is flipped over to make the discard pile.

Players take turns trying to match one of their cards with the card that’s on top of the discard pile. You can match by either color or number.

The deck also includes wild cards and action cards like “skip”, “reverse” and “draw two”. The command on an action card is completed by the next player.

If a player doesn’t have a match or they choose not to play any of their cards, they must draw a card from the draw pile. That card can be played or kept, and the game moves to the next player.

The first player to get rid of all of their cards wins the round. Don’t forget to shout UNO! when you’re down to one card!

The winner of a round receives all the other players’ cards and points are added up. The game ends when the first person scores 500 points. 

Like a lot of people, UNO was the first card game I learned to play. And I still enjoy it! The official rules say age 7 or up, but younger kids who are learning their numbers can definitely have fun playing it with older kids and adults. Uno’s a great choice to play when you want to involve the whole family.

Suitable for age 7+, 2-6 players. 3.8″ x 8″ x 0.8″, 8 ounces.

Skip-Bo is a sequencing card game where players try to create stacks of sequentially numbered cards (from low to high) until they have no cards left.

The dealer shuffles and deals cards face down to the players (30 cards each for 2-4 players, and 20 cards each for five or more players).

These cards create a player’s stock pile. Each player turns over the top card from their own stock pile. The top card of the stock pile is always turned face-up.

The rest of the cards are placed face-down to form the draw pile.

The first player begins their turn by taking cards from the draw pile until they have five cards in their hand.

During their turn, a player can choose to play cards from their hand, from the top card of their stock pile, or from one of the top cards of their own discard piles.

Up to four build piles can be created in the middle of the table at the same time. To create a build pile, a player has to start it with a ”1” card.

Players can only play the next highest card on top of any of their build piles. The goal is to get rid of cards by building piles from 1-12 in sequential order. Skip-Bo cards are wild.

When any of the build piles reaches twelve, the pile is set aside.

If a player plays all five cards in their hand, they can continue their turn by taking five new cards from the draw pile.

When a player has played all of the cards they want to play, they discard one of the cards from their hand into one of their four discard piles. Any card can be placed face-up and in any order into these piles.

Play moves to the next player, who draws from the draw pile if they are holding fewer than five cards.

When the draw pile runs out of cards, all of the completed building piles are reshuffled to replenish the draw pile.

The first player to empty all cards from their stock pile is the winner!

Skip-Bo is a fun sequencing card game for young and old alike. The wild cards can really help you win, so use them wisely. If your family likes Uno but is looking for something just a little more challenging, this is the next game you should try!

Exploding Kittens

Suitable for age 7+, 2-5 players. 11.2″ x 16.2″ x 3.8″, 6.4 ounces.

Don’t let the name fool you—no kittens are actually harmed during the game! Exploding Kittens is a highly-strategic, Russian roulette-style game.

Players draw cards until someone draws an exploding kitten, at which point the player explodes. (Not really, we’re pretending, just like the kittens.) A dead player is out of the game, unless they have a defuse card. That card can defuse the kitten using laser pointers, belly rubs, and catnip sandwiches.

All the other cards in the deck are used to move or avoid the exploding kittens.

Sounds crazy? Exploding Kittens is the highest-funded game in the history of Kickstarter! It’s actually the most-backed crowd-funded project ever. Plus, it has over 10,000 stellar Amazon reviews.

Exploding Kittens is a fun and quirky card game for people who are looking for something a little different. The rules are easy to learn, and the whole family will love to play. Plus, the offbeat illustrations on the cards are seriously funny.

There are lots of expansion packs available, so you might want to pick up a compatible hard travel case for up to 400 cards .

Sequence (Travel Edition)

Suitable for age 8+, 2-4 players. 9.5″ x 5.8″ x 2″, 9.6 ounces.

Sequence is a strategic card game where players try to line up a sequence of colored pegs on the playing board.

Players take turns choosing a card from their hand and discarding it face-up. They can then place a peg in the corresponding slot in the board and draw another card.

Jacks make the game exciting—two-eyed Jacks are wild, and one-eyed Jacks can be used to remove a competitor’s peg from the board. But playing a one-eyed Jack will end your turn, so use them wisely!

The winner is the first to get the required number of sequences on the board.

Travel Sequence is a mini-sized version of the game, so it’s great for packing light. It has much of the fun of the original game, with a couple of key changes. Travel Sequence is for 2-4 players, but the regular game can be played by up to 12 players .

The travel version’s gameplay is also much faster. It’s played with one deck of cards (not two), and you only need four pegs of the same color in a row instead of five to make a sequence.

Mille Bornes

Suitable for age 7+, 2, 3, 4 or 6 players. 10″ x 8″ x 8″, 8 ounces.

Mille Bornes, pronounced “meel born” is French for  a thousand milestones,  a reference to the cement distance markers on French roads. It’s a classic auto-racing card game , invented in France in the 1950s.

The players are in an auto race that’s 1000 miles (or kilometers) long, hence the name. For two- or three-player games the goal is 700 miles.

Mille Bornes is played with a special deck of 110 cards. Included are hazard, remedy, safety, and distance cards. Hazards are corrected with a corresponding remedy card. Hazards can also be prevented by using a safety card. The target can be reached by playing the distance cards.

The game begins with the dealer dealing six cards to each player. Play begins to the dealer’s left. Each player draws one card at the beginning of their turn and either plays or discards one card to end their turn.

After drawing a card, a player can play one of four types of cards in their hand:

• Distance Cards:  These cards get you closer to the finish line. You must have a roll card in your pile to place a distance card, unless you have the “right of way” safety card in your pile.
• Hazard Cards:  These cards disrupt an opponent’s movement. Hazards include out of gas, flat tire, stop, and accident.
• Speed Limit Cards:  These cards can be placed onto your opponent’s speed pile to restrict the distance cards that player can use.
• Safety Cards:  There are four safety cards that grant immunity to a hazard. They can be played during a turn or used as a Coup Fourré, which ends your opponent’s turn.

The game continues until the first player reaches 1,000 miles exactly or the final card is played after the draw pile is empty.

Mille Bornes is a great family game that can be played by elementary-aged kids through adults. Be aware that you can play with two, three, four, or six players, but five players won’t work. An average game takes about 25 minutes.

The race is exciting—you can trip up your opponents with accidents, flat tires, slowdowns, and other hazards. But just like in real life, a little bit of safety can prevent catastrophe!

Cover Your Assets

Suitable for age 7+, 2-8 players. 2.2″ x 1.6″ x 0.4″, 9.6 ounces.

Cover Your Assets is a classic strategy card game where you try to make a fortune by collecting matching pairs of asset cards in a stack. But, the set of assets on the top of your stack can be stolen by the other players!

The dealer shuffles and deals four cards face-down to each player (in a two-player game each player gets five cards).

The rest of the cards are placed face-down to form the draw pile, and the top card is flipped over to make the discard pile.

The player to the left of the dealer starts, and play continues clockwise.

During a turn, players can do one of the four things: play a pair of cards, match the top card from the discard pile, steal cards from another player, or discard a card.

Two cards of the same type can be played as a pair. Only one pair can be played during a turn. One silver or gold wild card can be used per pair.

Each pair of cards played is placed in a player’s asset pile, on top of any previous pairs.

If a card matches the top of the discard pile, that pair is added to a player’s assets.

When stealing the top pair of assets from an opponent, A player must already have at least one pair of assets, plus a card that matches the cards they are trying to steal. If the opponent doesn’t have at least two pairs in the pile, their assets can’t be stolen.

Each time a set is stolen its value increases, so other players will be more likely to try to steal it. As the game’s name warns you, the best way to protect a high-value set is to cover those assets with a new set of assets. 

At the end of each player’s turn, they draw cards to return their hand to its original number of cards.

The round ends when the draw pile is empty and the players have played or discarded the cards in their hands. Assets are totaled for the round, and another round begins as long as no player has reached a million dollars total in all rounds.

The first player to reach a million dollars in assets is the winner.

Cover Your Assets is fast-paced and competitive. You can make a fortune, or lose it, in just a few turns. You’ll never really be sure who’s going to win until the last card is played.

If you enjoy the ruthless competition of a good game of Monopoly, this is a much faster game that may just satisfy your need to amass a fortune and take all you can from your family and friends!

Loaded Questions on the Go

Suitable for age 8+, 4-6 players. 3.6″ x 0.8″ x 5.5″, 3.2 ounces.

Loaded Questions poses various questions, challenging rotating players to guess which other player is responsible for each answer.

The question cards are placed face-down in the middle of the table, and each player writes their name at the top of their score sheet. Players take turns picking a card and reading their favorite question aloud. The other players write down their answers on their sheets.

The Reader then collects the sheets, shuffles them, and reads them aloud. The player who read the question then tries to guess which answer belongs to which player.

For each correct guess, that player can fill in one bubble on their score sheet. The first player to fill eight bubbles (for a four-player game) or ten bubbles (when playing with five or six) is the winner.

Loaded Questions on the Go has a mix of serious and silly questions. There are definitely some conversation starters here!

If you already have the original game, you’ll be happy to know that this version has different questions than the original.

Loaded Questions is perfect for cruising with a multi-generation family. It’s a great way to get everyone involved. Plus, you might just learn something new about your family members that you never expected!

Five Crowns Mini Round

Suitable for ages 8+, 2-4 players. 2.1″ x 2.1″ x 1.1″, 0.32 ounces.

Another rummy-style game, Five Crowns Mini Round is a shorter, faster version of the original game.

Five Crowns has a unique double deck with 5 suits: spades, clubs, hearts, diamonds, and stars. This makes it easier to arrange your entire hand into books and runs. Plus, a rotating wild card keeps the game interesting.

Play begins with three cards and threes are wild. The next round has four cards and fours are wild, continuing until the sevens are wild. The first player to go out wins: whoever is able to arrange all their cards into books or runs with only one card remaining.

This miniature version of Five Crowns still has the fun features of the original game. Play lasts just five rounds (the full game has 11), so each game takes 15 minutes or less. It fits in a 2” tin, perfect if you’re packing light for your cruise.

Monopoly Deal

Suitable for age 8+, 2-5 players. 0.8″ x 3.6″ x 5.6″, 0.32 ounces.

Monopoly Deal is a simplified, quick-playing version of the classic property building Monopoly game.

On each turn, players pick up cards and play action cards to steal other players’ cards, charge them rent, or demand money for their birthday.

The dealer gives each player a quick start reference card, shuffles the rest of the cards and deals five to each player.

The remaining cards go face-down in the center of the table for the draw pile.

The first player takes two cards from the draw pile and plays up to three cards in front of them. They can put money or bank cards into their own bank, place property cards into their collection, and/or play an action card into the center.

At the end of each turn, players discard any extra cards in their hand to the bottom of the draw pile to bring them to the maximum of seven cards.

Play moves to the next player. If a player has run out of cards at the start of a turn, they draw five before beginning their turn.

The first player to collect three full property sets of different colors wins the game.

If you love the competitiveness of Monopoly, but don’t want to start a three-hour (or longer!) game, you’ll love Monopoly Deal . Game play lasts just 15-30 minutes!

Plus, the game is super-small. You won’t need to worry about a game board with lots of little pieces, plus piles of cards and paper money filling up a large table—that’s not very practical on a crowded cruise ship.

This game is just as competitive as the original Monopoly, but faster and easier to play on the go.

Suitable for age 8+, 2-6 players. 0.8″ x 3.6″ x 5.6″, 3.2 ounces.

Rook is similar to bridge, with tricks and trumps. But Rook is played with a special 57-card deck containing four suits: red, green, black, and yellow. Cards are numbered from 1 to 14. The Rook card is a high-value card that you can use as an extra trump.

The game comes with both beginner and advanced rules, but basically you and your partner (the game is usually played in pairs, but there are variations for two or three player games) try to score as many points as possible with the cards in your hand.

During each hand, players bid for trump. The team that wins the bid must make at least the amount of points they bid in the hand.

The card that’s led must be followed by a card of the same color. A player may play a trump color if they have none of the right color. The highest card played wins the trick—unless the trick is trumped, and then the highest trump wins. The Rook card can be played at any time, and always wins the trick.

The first team to reach 300 points (or another amount that you choose) is the winner.

If you like whist games like Bridge, you’ll enjoy Rook —the play of each trick is similar. But there’s a twist. The amount of tricks isn’t important, but certain cards (fives, tens, fourteens, and the Rook card) in tricks are worth points, which is how the game is scored.

Rook is a fun game to bring along if you’re traveling with couples, or an even number of card-loving friends!

Suitable for age 8+, 2-5 players. 4.2″ x 5.8″ x 1.5″, 8.5 ounces.

In Sushi GO! the goal is to pick the best combination of sushi dishes. Players can score points for making the most maki rolls or for collecting a full set of sashimi. You can even triple a score by dipping your sushi in wasabi!

The dealer deals a certain number of cards to each player, depending on how many people are playing. The rest of the cards go in a pile face-down in the middle of the table.

At the beginning of each round, all players choose one card from their own hand to keep, and place it face down. Everyone then reveals their chosen cards.

Then the remaining hands are passed to the left for the next turn, where another card is chosen. Play continues until each player is handed a single card, which is kept with the other chosen cards.

When scoring, each type of food item is worth a different amount of points. Some are worth more if a player has collected multiples. The score from each of the three rounds is added together at the end of the game.

After the third round is scored, it’s time for dessert, and the scoring of the pudding cards. The player with the most pudding receives six points, and whoever has the fewest pudding cards loses six points. The player with the most total points wins.

Sushi Go! is a fast-playing card game. Each game only takes about fifteen minutes! The concept and the cards are really cute, but it also helps teach younger players strategic thinking and probability.

If you have a larger group, the larger Sushi Go Party! version of the game can be played by up to eight players.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Suitable for age 8+, 3-8 players. 3.5″ x 2.5″ x 1″, 3.2 ounces.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is another quirky game that first blew up on Kickstarter. But this game is as unique (much like its name). The game is played with a single deck of 64 cute illustrated cards including a cute taco, cat, goat, piece of cheese and slice of pizza (the smiling narwhal is my fave).

The dealer distributes the cards evenly among the players. The player to the dealer’s left puts a card into the community pile face-up, and says “taco”. The next player to the left then puts their card face-up on top of the pile, then says “cat”.

This continues in order until a player puts down a card that matches the word they call out. Then all players slap a hand on top of the pile as quickly as possible. The last player to slap their hand has to take all of the cards in the pile.

The action cards (gorilla, narwhal, and groundhog) each require players to make a specific funny gesture before slapping the deck.

The winner is the first player to slap the deck after getting rid of all their cards.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is fun for all ages. It’s a super-competitive party game for families or even a group of adults. Its rules are simple, so it’s easy to learn. But it’s harder than it looks to win!

As simple as it is, the game requires concentration to take the right action at the right time. Your mind will play tricks on you, and you WILL make silly mistakes, so be prepared to laugh a lot!

Suitable for age 9+, 2-3 players. 4.8″ x 3.5″ x 1.5″, 7 ounces.

Cribbage is played with a deck of cards as well as a pegboard and pegs. It’s a two-phase game, with the opportunity to score points during both parts. Cribbage begins with card play, and then players score the points in their hand.

You collect points by combining cards together to make runs, or by scoring combinations.

The object of the game is to advance your pegs around the two tracks, completing the circuits before your opponent. With each point you score, you advance one space. A player needs 121 points to finish and win the game.

For those who aren’t math whizzes, the math in a game of cribbage is simple, but your tactics and strategy are key to winning. Every game is a little different—sometimes you’re focusing on scoring points, but suddenly you’ll be working harder to stop your opponent from scoring.

Texas Hold’Em

Suitable for age 10+, 2-10 players. 11.5″ x 7.4″ x 4.8″, 3.75 pounds.

Texas Hold’Em is a variation of poker, but is very different from the traditional game, with different strategies and methods of winning.

The most obvious difference is the number of cards that are dealt to each player at the beginning of the game. In Texas Hold’Em, each player gets two cards instead of the traditional four. You can then choose whether to use one or both of those cards in combination with the community cards.

After the cards are dealt, you check to see if you have a playable hand. Then each player can either call the blind, raise it, or fold if their cards aren’t playable.

After the first round of betting, three community cards are dealt face up. Another round of betting, then the turn card is dealt.  After the next round of betting, the final community card is dealt face up. Three out of the five community cards can be used by all players to make their poker hand. Then the final round of betting happens, and the player with the best five-card hand wins the pot.

Ships’ casinos sometimes have Texas Hold’Em tournaments, but if you want to play wherever and whenever you want, this portable set is for you. Plus, you can play with friends, and not have to worry about the casino taking their cut!

On a few of my recent cruises, the casino canceled Texas Hold’Em because not enough players had signed up. So if you know you want to play, it’s a good idea to pack your own set.

Suitable for age 10+, 2-8 players. 2.8″ x 6.3″ x 9″, 1.25 pounds.

Codenames is a word game, but with spies! There are two rival spymasters, and only they know the secret identities of 25 agents. Teammates only know the agents’ codenames. Each team competes to be the first to make contact with all of their agents.

Spymasters give their teammates one-word clues, trying to get them to guess words on the table. Players try to guess words of their own team’s color while not guessing the opposing team’s words.

There are other cards in the mix as well: a double agent card, seven innocent bystander cards, and the dreaded assassin card. Avoid the assassin!

Codenames can be played with just two players, essentially two people playing together against the game itself. ( Codenames Duet , a variation on the original, is much more fun for two). A group of four players also works—the non-spymasters will guess words without help from a teammate.

But, Codenames is best played with a group of six or more. So if you’re cruising with a group of family or friends, this is a lively and exciting game of spies vs. spies!

Apples to Apples

Suitable for age 12+, 4-8 players. 6.8″ x 2.8″ x 4.1″, 1 pound.

Apples to Apples is a party game where players try to make the most appropriate, humorous, or even bizarre match between an adjective and several nouns.

Apples to Apples has two types of cards: things and descriptions. Players are dealt seven red things cards, and everyone takes turns being the judge and reading the next green description card. Everyone else tries to pick the thing that best matches the description from the cards in their hand.

If the judge likes your choice the best, you keep the description card. The first player to collect the total amount of description cards specified in the instructions for the size of the group wins.

Apples to Apples is a family-friendly card game that will have everyone laughing. If you like Cards Against Humanity but you want a less-risqué game to play with younger players (or your parents!), then this is the game for you.

Is the judge a bit kooky, or are they literal-minded? The better you know each player, the more likely you are to guess how they’ll pick their favorite combinations. But watch out! Some people will surprise you!

Unstable Unicorns

Suitable for age 14+, 2-8 players. 5.8″ x 4″ x 2″, 12.2 ounces.

Unstable Unicorns is a strategy game where players try to complete a stable of seven unicorns while trying to destroy their opponents’ unicorns. Magic, Instant, Upgrade, and Downgrade cards make sure that the game is exciting and unpredictable.

After setting up a nursery and draw pile, each player gets one baby unicorn card for their stable. The dealer deals five cards to each player. The player wearing the most colorful clothes goes first. Each turn is made up of four phases:

• Beginning of your turn : If any card has an effect that happens “at the beginning of your turn”, use that effect now.
• Draw Phase : Draw one card from the draw pile.
• Action Phase : Play one card from your hand or draw one more card.
• End of your turn : Discard any cards you’re holding over the seven-card limit.

The first player to complete their unicorn army is the winner.

Unstable Unicorns won the 2019 People’s Choice Award for Toy of the Year , and is one of the top 100 most-backed Kickstarter projects of all time.

The game takes only 30-45 minutes to play, and is competitive fun for teens and adults. Slightly younger kids can play as well, if they can handle having their stables destroyed!

Make it even more travel-friendly with a colorful rainbow travel case to continue the unicorn theme.

Cards Against Humanity

Suitable for 17+, 4-20+ players. 7″ x 3.5″ x 4.5″, 2.25 pounds.

Much like Apples to Apples, Cards Against Humanity challenges players to make the best match, but with questions and answers.

As the makers of the game say, Cards Against Humanity is “a party game for horrible people”. That pretty much sums it up, but it’s lots of fun to play.

The rules of Cards Against Humanity are super-simple. The game comes with 100 black question cards and 500 white answer cards.

At the beginning of the game, each player draws ten white cards. One player is chosen as the Card Czar (this job rotates each round) and reads a question out loud from a black card. Everyone else chooses the funniest answer from one of their white cards.

Players answer the question by passing their chosen white card, face down, to the Card Czar.

The Card Czar shuffles all of the answer cards and reads the question with each answer to the group. The Card Czar then picks the funniest result, and whoever submitted it gets one “Awesome Point”.

The rules don’t say how to win the game. Just have fun until you don’t feel like playing anymore, or make up your own rules on how to win!

Cards Against Humanity can be played with small or large groups, and it’s easy to learn. There’s no game board or complicated scoring system to worry about.

However, his game can be pretty vulgar. There are swears. There are “inappropriate” topics. Lots of them. Don’t expect to be able to play this game with kids or anyone who is easily offended. I recommend that if you play this on a cruise, find a spot away from where any children are gathered.

If you already have the game and some expansion packs, bring them along in a compatible travel case.

These Cards Will Get You Drunk

Suitable for adults, 2-8 players. 3.6″ x 2.6″ x 1.2″, 3.2 ounces.

Unsurprisingly, These Cards Will Get You Drunk is a drinking game. It doesn’t have any points or scoring (which is good after a few drinks).

Essentially, players take turns reading the instructions on a card, and following the directions.

Some examples of card instructions are, “Tell a joke. If no one else chuckles or laughs, you drink.” Or, “Everyone wearing a shirt with buttons drinks”.

You can play with whatever drink you choose—alcoholic or not. Keep playing until you run out of cards, or whenever you want to stop.

This game’s easy rules   and fun challenges will have everyone laughing hysterically. It’s great for a cruise with an open bar or when you have an unlimited drink package .

Make some new friends and use the game as an icebreaker! It’s best played with a bunch of people.

Domino and Tile Games

Qwirkle Travel Size

Suitable for age 6+, 2-4 players. 5.5″ x 6″ x 2″, 5.3 ounces.

Qwirkle is a tile game that’s similar to Scrabble and Rummikub, but with shapes and colors instead of letters or numbers.

The travel size version of Qwirkle is played with 108 wooden tiles. The top side of each tile has one of six shapes in one of six colors.

The game is easy to learn: players build lines by matching tiles by color or by shape. A played tile must share the same color or shape as the adjacent tile, and must be placed in the same vertical or horizontal line.

Players each draw six tiles from the bag, and the rest of the tiles remain in the bag.

During each player’s turn, they can do one of two things:

• Add one or more tiles to the grid and take that many tiles from the bag (to again be holding six tiles)
• Trade some or all of their tiles with tiles from the bag.

Players score one point for each tile in a line when creating or adding to that line. If a tile is part of two lines, it will score two points.

When a player completes a line of six tiles, it’s a Qwirkle! Six bonus points are scored.

The first player to use all of their tiles gets a six-point bonus and the game ends. The player with the highest score is the winner.

Even young kids can play Qwirkle , as long as they can recognize shapes and colors (or they’re learning!) It’s still lots of fun for older kids and adults.

The travel version of Qwirkle comes in a zippered bag that’s used to hold tiles during the game. It’s easy to set up and pack up again after each game.

Rummikub on the Go

Suitable for age 8+, 2-4 players. 14″ x 1.8″ x 5.2″, 1.61 pounds.

Rummikub is a rummy-style game played with 106 numbered tiles. The goal of the game is to place all of your tiles on the table as part of a set.

Players begin by scrambling all of the tiles on the table, face-down.

Each player draws fourteen tiles from the table and places them on their rack. On everyone’s first turn, the goal is to make a set of one or more groups or runs that add up to 30 or more points.

Groups are formed when three or four tiles of the same number are played together. Runs are formed when three or more numbers of the same color are put together. Playing a group or a run makes a set.

If a player can’t make at least 30 points on the first turn, they can take a tile from the pool. That tile can’t be played until the next turn, but then they’ll have another chance to get in the game.

In subsequent turns, players try to add tiles to a run or a group.

The first player to get rid of all the tiles on their rack shouts, “Rummikub!” All the other players add up the value of the tiles on their racks, and their scores are written as negative numbers. The winner’s score is the total number of the other players’ tile values.

If you like the original Rummikub game, Rummikub on the Go includes the same full-size racks and tiles, but in a canvas travel bag instead of a bulky box.

Rummikub is a fast-moving game that’s easy to learn. With a combination of luck and strategy needed to win, you never know who will achieve victory until the very end.

Tile Lock Scrabble

Suitable for age 8+, 2-4 players. 10.8″ x 2″ x 11″, 15.5 ounces.

Scrabble is the classic crossword-style game, played with a game board, 100 letter tiles, and a rack for each player that hides their tiles from the other contestants.

The object of the game is to fit high-scoring words onto the grid, connecting with or adding to the other words on the board.

All words played must appear in a dictionary that the players agree on beforehand (make sure you download a Scrabble word checker app that works offline to avoid any arguments!) Words that are never allowed include words that are always capitalized, abbreviations, prefixes and suffixes, and words that contain a hyphen or apostrophe.

Players draw seven letters from the included pouch and arrange them on their rack. The first player’s word can be made horizontally or vertically on the board, just as long as it passes through the center square.

Turns continue, with each player using the tiles from their rack to fit words on the board. Each new word must connect to at least one letter in a word that was already played.

Words are scored based on the value of each letter, plus any bonus points earned from placing a letter on a premium square in the grid.

After each turn, players draw new tiles from the bag, (as long as the bag still contains tiles) to again have seven tiles on their rack.

The game ends when a player uses their last letter, or when no more possible words can be made. The player with the highest score wins.

Scrabble can be played by elementary-age kids through adults, and it’s great for reinforcing spelling and building vocabulary (I like to add to the rules when playing with kids: each player has to define words aloud as they play them).

Tile Lock Scrabble comes with a 10.5” square board, slightly smaller tiles than the original game, and four tile racks.

The tiles don’t actually lock into the board, but each tile sits inside raised nubs that surround each square. If the board gets bumped, the tiles will stay in place.

If you’re a Scrabble nut like me and tiles that aren’t arranged neatly drive you crazy, you’ll love this feature!

Mexican Train

Suitable for age 8+, 2-8 players. 5.5″ x 6.5″ x 2″, 1.75 pounds.

The object of Mexican Train is to be the first player to get rid of all your dominoes. When the first player goes out, the tiles left in the other players’ hands count against them. So be strategic and play your high-numbered tiles.

The game starts by placing the double-12 tile in the center of the hub to make the “engine”. The rest of the dominoes are shuffled face-down on the table to make the “boneyard”.

Players then take the appropriate number of dominoes from the boneyard (as few as eight, but up to twelve depending on how many players) and stand them up so the others can’t see their values.

The first player begins to build a single row of dominoes (a “train”), starting from the center domino and moving toward themself. The end of the domino placed near the engine must match the engine’s number.

When any player can’t start a train on their first turn, they can draw from the boneyard. If they choose the right domino, they can play it immediately. If they don’t pick the domino they need, they place a marker where a domino would have gone. Any player can play a domino on a marker in a future turn.

The round continues until a player has one last domino, which is announced by shouting, “Uno!”. The round finishes when one player has no more tiles to play or no more tiles can be played at all.

To determine the scores, any player with an empty hand scores zero points. The other players add up the total number of dots on the dominoes remaining in their hand. Whoever has the lowest number of points wins the round.

After all rounds are completed, the player with the fewest total points is the game winner.

At just under two pounds, this travel Mexican Train set is not the lightest game on the list. But if you’re not flying (or you’re otherwise a light packer), it’s a fun game to take along on your cruise.

Mexican Train is great for families as well as adults. The cute train markers and colorful dominoes make it more appealing than traditional dominoes for younger players.

This game can become addictive, so you’ll want to play multiple times during your cruise!

Lexicon-Go!

Suitable for age 8+, 2-4 players. 1″ x 1″ x 3.1″, 14.2 ounces.

Lexicon-Go! is a super-fast word game where players race to get rid of their tiles by creating words, swapping letters, and attacking opponents’ words.

To start the game, players shuffle the letter tiles face-down on the table to make the draw pile. Each player draws ten tiles and places them face down in front of them. One player shouts “Lex-Go!” and all players then flip over their tiles. The race is on to get rid of all your letter tiles.

Players can get rid of tiles in several ways:

• Make a word: Place letter tiles on the table face-up in rows.
• Build on another player’s word: Add a letter or letters to another player’s word, changing the word. New letters can be added to the beginning, middle, or end of a word.
• Replace a letter: You can replace a letter from another player’s word, but you must then take the replaced letter tile.
• Swap a tile: You can replace one of your letter tiles for one in the draw pile, but you need to shout “Swap!”. You can only make another swap after another player has swapped out a tile.

When a player has used all of their letter tiles, they shout, “Lexicon!”. If all of their words are valid, they win the round. If any of their words are invalid, they don’t win the round, and play continues.

Players repeat playing rounds until the first player takes five rounds to win the game.

If you love Scrabble but want to try something new (or you don’t have room to pack even a travel-sized game board), Lexicon-Go! is the cruise game for you.

For those familiar with the card game Lexicon, this is a speed version with tiles. The biggest differences are that this game isn’t turn-based, and the letters don’t have specific values. But, you could play the original game with the tiles as well. Just be sure to bring your instructions along.

This game won’t take up much room in your luggage—the cute L-shaped travel bag is small and light for a tile game, weighing in at less than a pound.

Carcassonne Travel Edition

Suitable for age 8+, 2-5 players. 7.9″ x 1.6″ x 7.9″, 14.2 ounces.

Carcassonne is a medieval-themed civilization game that’s played by building a game board with square land tiles that depict various types of terrain and landmarks.

To begin, the start tile is placed in the center of the table, and the scoring track is placed near the edge of the table. All of the other tiles are shuffled and placed face-down in a stack.

Each player takes eight ”follower” pieces of the same color and places one of them on the number zero on the scoreboard.

One player goes first, and turns pass clockwise around the table.

During a turn, players complete the following steps in order:

• Draw one land tile and place it adjacent to an existing tile.
• Place one follower on that tile, if desired.
• Score any completed roads, cities, or cloisters (farms continue to grow, so they are scored at the end of the game).
• Return followers from completed elements in step 3 to the player.

When placing land tiles, players must do so according to some basic rules:

• The new tile must be placed with at least one side joined to the side of an existing tile.
• The side of the new tile that’s joining to an existing tile must match in terrain type (road, field, or city)
• If it’s impossible for a tile to be placed, the player returns the tile and draws another.

When placing followers, players must follow these rules:

• Only place one follower per turn.
• A follower can only be placed on the tile that player just placed.
• The follower must be clearly placed on all or a portion of a road, city, cloister, or field.
• Followers can’t be placed on a terrain feature that’s already claimed by another follower.

When a player has deployed all his followers, he continues to play tiles each turn.

A player is never allowed to retake one of his followers from a tile, although they are returned when roads, cities, or cloisters are finished.

Play continues until all land tiles have been placed. Scoring then is done for all of the farms, as well as for any incomplete terrain types.

The player with the highest score is the winner.

If you like map-based games like Risk or Civilization, you’ll enjoy this one. Game play is only about 30-45 minutes, so you won’t be sucked into a complicated hours-long game on your vacation.

This travel version of Carcassonne plays just like the original, but the components are slightly smaller to make it more travel-friendly.

The cloth carrying sack stores all of the tiles and followers, and has the scoring track printed right on it. The land tiles create the game board, so there’s no extra board to bring along.

If you’re interested in learning to play Carcassonne, I highly recommend this two-part YouTube video that demonstrates how to play for beginners.

Bananagrams Party Edition

Suitable for age 10+, 2-8 players. 22.5″ x 8.5″ x 8.5″, 14.1 ounces.

Bananagrams is a crossword-style word game where players race to make words in their own grids and use up all of their letters.

Players shuffle all the letter tiles face-down on the table to create the ”bunch”. Each player draws the appropriate number of tiles from the bunch, depending on the number of people playing.

After each player draws, the party tiles are added to the bunch. Party tiles have a symbol on them that corresponds to an action.

To start the game, one player yells, “Split!”. All players then turn over their tiles and arrange them to form words in their grid.

A player can discard an unusable letter, but they must then take three tiles in exchange.

If you draw a party tile from the bunch, you have to use it immediately. Some tiles require a single action, but others continue until the end of the hand. When the action has been completed, the party tile is taken out of play.

When someone uses the last of their letters, they shout, “Peel!” and everyone takes another tile from the bunch. If there aren’t enough tiles in the bunch for each player to take one, the player instead shouts, “Bananas!”.

After bananas is called, the other players have the chance to inspect that player’s grid. If it contains any invalid words, like a misspelling or a proper noun, the players shout, “Rotten banana!”. The rotten banana is out of the game and their tiles are added to the bunch.

Play continues until someone else calls “Bananas!” If all of their words are acceptable, they become the ”Top Banana” and win the game.

Bananagrams Party Edition is an exciting alternative to traditional crossword games. With its 14 party tiles including The Re-Gifter, The Thief, Switcheroo, and Pouch Head, you never know what’s going to happen!

Bad spellers beware, though. One misspelled word and you’re out of the game. This is a fun game for word fanatics, from late-elementary age to adult.

Its cute banana-shaped travel pouch makes Bananagrams easy to throw in your luggage, and it weighs less than a pound.

Other types of games to take on a cruise

Connect 4 Grab & Go

Suitable for age 6+, 2 players. 1.9″ x 6.3″ x 9.2″, 7.2 ounces.

Connect 4 is a classic match-four strategy game that’s played on a vertical grid. Players drop colored checkers Into the grid to try to be the first to match four in a row of their color.

Players begin by assembling the board, which has a round base with slots that the grid fits in, so the grid stands upright. Place the grid between the two players.

One player then takes all of the black checkers, and the other takes the red checkers.

Players alternate turns, dropping checkers through any of the seven slots at the top of the grid.

The first player to make a line of four checkers in their color, horizontally, diagonally, or vertically is the winner.

If you like no-frills strategy games like tic-tac-toe, Connect Four is a slightly longer-playing version. It’s an easy game to teach younger kids, and they can develop strategy with practice.

This travel version plays just like the full size, but it’s more compact to easily fit in a bag.

Packing and storing the game is convenient, as all of the checkers can be stored in the grid, and the checker trays fold for portability.

Suitable for age 6+, 1 or more players. 5″ x 11.3″ x 7.6″, 2.15 pounds.

Jenga is a block-stacking game where players try not to be the one who makes the tower topple over.

Players begin by building the Jenga tower. Three blocks are placed side-by-side on the table. Three more blocks are placed on top, with the ends of the blocks facing the opposing direction.

Continue stacking until you’ve used up all of the blocks and you have a rectangular tower.

Players take turns trying to remove a block from the tower without touching any other block. This can be done by carefully pushing or tapping a block from one side, and pulling it out from the stack.

Once a block is removed, it’s placed on top of the tower, using the same pattern used to build the tower. The game continues until the tower falls, or a block falls from the tower that wasn’t removed.

If you’re playing with three or more people, there’s no clear winner, but the loser is the last person to touch the tower before it falls.

Jenga is such a simple game—it’s just wooden blocks! But being really good at it requires a very steady hand, patience and concentration, and a bit of strategy.

Jenga can be played as a solitaire game (just keep trying to build higher towers), one-on-one, or with a group.

Be prepared to have lots of cheering onlookers if you’re building a teetering tower on the Lido deck!

This is the full-sized Jenga game, although Mini Jenga does exist. The mini version is much harder to play because the blocks are smaller and lighter.

Battleship (Travel Size)

Suitable for age 7+, 2 players. 1.9″ x 6.3″ x 9.2″, 6.2 ounces.

Battleship is a two-player naval-themed game where each player tries to guess the location of their opponent’s warships to sink them.

Both players get an upright game board with both horizontal and vertical grids to record shots fired and to hide their own ships.

Along with the game boards, each player takes an assortment of red and white marker pegs and one each of the five ship types (Carrier, Battleship, Cruiser, Submarine, and Destroyer).

Players sit facing one another at a table and position the game boards so players can’t see one another’s grids.

The two players should be positioned so they face each other across a game table. Their target grids back up to one another vertically so that neither player can see his opponent’s ocean grid and ship locations.

Each player starts by positioning their own ships by slotting them into the holes on the lower grid. Ships must be placed horizontally or vertically on the grid. Once the game begins, the ships’ positions can’t be changed.

The players take turns firing shots by calling out coordinates (a letter and number that corresponds with rows and columns on the grid), trying to hit their opponent’s ships.

After a shot is fired, the other player checks their lower grid to see if the coordinates match a spot that is occupied by a ship. They respond “hit” if there is a ship in that location, and “miss” if there isn’t.

When a player’s ship is hit, they place a red peg in the top of that ship. If all of the holes on the top of a ship are filled with a red peg, the ship is sunk, and the player who lost a ship must announce that.

When a player fires a shot, they mark the coordinates they called out on their own upper grid with a white peg for a miss and a red peg for a hit. As the game progresses, each player will have a better idea of the location and size of the other player’s ships.

The first player to sink all of their opponent’s ships is the winner.

The Grab & Go version of Battleship plays just like the original, just with smaller components. The game units hinge closed, and all of the pieces store neatly inside.

It’s a good game to teach younger players strategy, logic, and how to identify coordinates on a grid.

More seasoned players will enjoy playing the game using the Salvo variation ‘s alternative rules where multiple shots are fired in each turn.

Suitable for age 8+, 2 or more players. 7.4″ x 0.8″ x 10.4″, 14.9 ounces.

I couldn’t possibly make a list of games to take on a cruise without including Mad Libs, the quintessential travel game!

If you’ve never played, a Mad Libs book has mini-stories with some of the key words left out. The missing words are replaced by a line, as well as an indication of which part of speech (noun, adjective, etc.) is missing.

The players fill in the words without seeing the text, and create completely hilarious (and often absurd) stories.

Players take turns being the reader, who is the only one to see the story before it’s filled in. The reader calls out the missing parts of speech.

The other players pick any word that comes to mind for the reader to write down, as long as it’s the correct part of speech. The reader then writes the chosen word on the appropriate line.

When the story is filled out, one of the players (it doesn’t have to be the reader) reads the completed story back to the group.

There are no winners or losers in Mad Libs, but I guarantee there will be plenty of laughter!

Although Mad Libs was originally a kids’ game, there are now versions for all ages and reading levels.

It’s a great tool for helping kids learn their parts of speech while having fun. Adults will enjoy how funny an innocuous story can become when random words that they chose are inserted!

Plus, Mad Libs is super-portable, part of the reason why it’s been a favorite travel game for decades.

More posts you’ll love:

• 33 Fun Things to Do on Cruise Sea Days
• Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips

Have you enjoyed any of these games while traveling? Do you have any other favorites that you like to pack for a cruise? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

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Medha Verma

Monday 16th of December 2019

Wow, you've really put some thought into this! And I like how you've described every game in detail. These games sound like a lot of fun on a cruise but also in a house party, which I have very often. So maybe I can take inspiration from here and organise it in the next house party I host! Uno is a common fav but sometimes we need to get creative and play something different. I like Boggle, I love word games, not so sure if my friends will though, haha.

Thanks, Medha! I agree, these games would also be great to play at a house party. I like to bring out a game when I have guests that don't know anyone else - it gets everyone laughing and really breaks the ice.

Sunday 15th of December 2019

What a great idea! I always had a pack of cards packed and scrabble! Scrabble was our favourite.

I love Scrabble, too! We tend to get very competitive with it :D Thanks for reading!

Friday 13th of December 2019

I have never heard about a lot of these games before. It is completely awesome, thanks for the tip, I think they are good to play not only on a cruise but in multiple occasions.

We play a lot of these games at home, too. Lots of the games I listed are great to take along on car or plane trips, or when you're camping - lack of electricity always makes me want to play a game! :D

Thursday 12th of December 2019

What a cool idea for a post! I love playing board games and can’t wait to try a few on this list :)

Thanks, Claire! Hope you enjoy the games!

Derek Hartman

Wow, such a great round-up of awesome games! Travel size games are so important for any trip. I tend to take L-C-R with me almost everywhere I go. I'm also obsessed with The Bean Game right now but this list is astounding.

I love L-C-R too! Except that my daughter ALWAYS wins (not quite sure how, since it's almost a pure chance game). I'm going to have to try the Bean Game. Glad you liked the list!

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21 Fun Games to Bring on a Cruise {2024}

Take a look at these fun games to bring on a cruise. While cruise ships do have plenty of amenities and activities, bringing along your own games can elevate your experience.

We have put together a list of the 21 best games to bring on a cruise . We selected these games because they are fun, portable and easy to learn .

This article contains  affiliate links . If you click a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information please see the  Disclosure page.

21 Best games to bring on a cruise vacation

UNO is a great choice for a game to bring on a cruise because you can play with just 2 players or can play with 10. If you meet any UNO fans on your cruise ship they can join in.

Match the number or match the color, with a few twists and wild cards along the way. Uno is very popular game, it’s easy to learn and fun for all ages.

Family friendly – Ages 7+ – 2-10 Players

SKIP-BO is a card sequencing game that combines strategy and luck.

The Skip-Bo instructions give an option to play a shorter game which you may want to start with as a full Skip-Bo game can take anywhere from 45-60 minutes . It is nice to have an option to play a shorter version.

Family friendly – Ages 7+ – 2-6 Players

Yahtzee is a classic dice game that you are probably familiar with. A portable version of Yahtzee like this is a great choice to bring on a cruise ship. The container doubles as the shaker cup and the score sheets are more compact that the traditional Yahtzee sheets.

Yahtzee is a great cruise game for couples as it only requires two players. Highest score wins.

Family friendly – Ages 8+ – 2+ Players

4. Boggle – travel size

Boggle is a fun word search game. This travel sized Boggle is a great game to take on a cruise. It takes up minimal space in your luggage and is one of the few games you can play on your own or with others.

If you are up early before your travel companion, grab your Boggle game , grab a coffee and find somewhere comfortable sit and play a little game of Boggle.

Family friendly – Ages 8+ – 1+ Players

5. Azul Mini

This is the travel version of the board game Azul. Azul is a tile placement strategy game. This portable version of Azul has indented plastic trays to keep your tiles from sliding around.

Each game lasts 30-45 minutes.

Family friendly – Ages 8+ – 2-4 Players

6. Qwirkle – travel sized

Qwirkle is a fun board game for all ages that also comes in a travel size. Travel Qwirkle is a tile game where you create rows and columns by either matching different colors or shapes.

It is a strategy game that adults will love but also a great cruise game for kids as it is about shapes and colors.

7. Rummikub

If you like Rummy, you will love Rummikub . This travel-sized tile game comes in a convenient tin.

Players take turns placing the tiles in runs and groups Rummy style. You can watch a video tutorial on how to play Rummikub here.

8. Scrabble To Go

This classic word game comes in a really smart designed travel version. Scrabble to go has a smaller folding board where the tiles click into place.

This version is really great because you can pack up mid game and resume later. The tiles will stay in place and the letter racks have a privacy shield that clicks down and locks your letter tiles into place. This makes Scrabble to go the perfect travel game to bring on a cruise.

Scrabble is also a game that almost everyone knows how to play, making it easy to have another couple join in.

9. Pass the Pigs

This compact game can be played anywhere. Pass the Pigs is a fun twist on a dice game. Instead of rolling dice, you roll 2 pigs.

You score points based on the pose of the pigs. You can then choose to pass the pigs to the next player or gamble and roll again. Roll and “oinker” or a “pig out” and you will lose points. The first player to get to 100 points wins.

Kids, teens, and adults will like this game.

Family friendly – Ages 7+ – 2-4 Players

10. I Spy Travel

I Spy Travel is a great game to bring on a cruise if you have younger kids. Kids aged 4+ can play and there is no reading required.

This is a seek-and-find card game that is travel themed. I Spy Travel is a great game to have on hand not only for cruises , but can be played at airports , on camping trips and road trips .

It’s a small investment to keep the kids entertained . And, the best part is that it can be played by one person.

Family friendly – Ages 4+ – 1+ Players

11. Monopoly Deal

A much faster and smaller version of the classic board game. Monopoly Deal is a card game that can be played in 15 minutes, a little longer if you are playing with more than 2 players.

The aim of the game Monopoly Deal is to be the first to collect 3 compete set of properties of different colors. Of course, there are cards that can slow you down.

The entire family will enjoy this game.

Family friendly – Ages 8+ – 2-5 Players

12. Cover Your Assets

Here is another fun game to try. Cover your Assets is a card game that is played with 2 to 6 players. Make pairs of assets, challenge and try to steal other players assets and defend your own. The first player to $1,000,000 in assets wins the game.

Here is a short YouTube video with gaming instructions.

13. Bananagrams Duel

If you are looking for a fun 2-person game to bring on your cruise, take a look at Bananagrams Duel . It is a great couples game and is travel sized.

Bananagrams Duel is a twist on the classic Bananagrams. The duel version is played with only 2 players. There are little banana shaped cards with different themes. Flip a card to uncover the theme, then using your letter dice try to form as many words as you can, sticking to that theme.

Family friendly – Ages 7+ – 2 Players only

14. Five Crowns

Five Crowns is a Rummy style card game where you try to get runs and “books” (sets of 3). Each round the number of cards dealt will vary as will the wild card. This Five Crowns card set comes with a bonus score sheet which is helpful.

Five Crowns can be played as a solitaire version. Here is a short video on how to play Five Crowns solitaire . Five Crowns is a great game to bring on a cruise since it has different ways to play. Play alone or with family and friends.

Family friendly – Ages 8+ – 1-7 Players

Farkle is a easy to learn dice game. Roll the dice, decide to keep your points (as seen on the scorecard), or gamble and roll for more points. However, you run the risk of getting a “farkle” and losing your points for that round.

Farkle is another game that can be played alone (score as many points as you can in 10 rounds), is a game for couples, and a game that can be played in small groups.

Family friendly – Ages 8+ – 1-8 Players

16. Clue – the card game

Clue is known as Cluedo outside of North America. The card game version is the travel variation of the classic Hasbro game.

Determine “whodunit” using the evidence cards and the case file cards. You do need 3-4 players though, so if you are cruising with family it might be of interest, but it isn’t a couples game.

Family friendly – Ages 8+ – 3-4 Players

17. Mexican Train Dominoes (Pack and Go version)

Pack and Go is the travel version of Mexican Train Dominoes .

The object of the game is to use all the dominoes in your hand to score zero. After 13 hands, the lowest score wins. If you aren’t familiar with Mexican Train Dominoes , here is a great video that explains the game in detail.

This is a great cruise game to invite fellow passengers to join in, a little friendly competition fun. This game will require more table space than a card or dice game.

Family friendly – Ages 8+ – 2-8 Players

18. Battleship – travel size

The kid approved classic board game comes in a travel size. It is a great idea to bring some small games to play on a cruise ship. This is a good game to keep the kids entertained while you are getting ready for dinner, on a rainy day, or makes a great activity before bed.

This is an easy to play, compact strategy game for two players. The only downside to the Battleship travel game is the many small pieces.

Kid approved – Ages 8+ – 2 Players only

19. Connect 4

The classic Connect 4 kids game that most people are familiar with comes in both a travel sized traditional game as well as Connect 4 card game.

The travel sized version, or grab and go as they call it, is the 4-in-a-row simple game you are familiar with just a compact size.

The Connect 4 card game is a fun twist. Players are dealt 2 mission cards to start with, those mission cards are kept hidden from other players. For example, one mission card might show 4 red circles in a row. Taking turns, players flip over tile cards building patterns as you go, matching colors. If your tile card has a red circle, you would try to lay that beside one of the tile cards already laid that has a red circle on it. Once you lay a tile card that completes the pattern of the 4 red-in-a-row (as in your mission), you have completed that mission. The first person to complete 4 missions wins.

Here is a video showing how the Connect 4 card game is played .

Family friendly – Ages 6+ – 2 Players only

Family friendly – Ages 6+ – 2-4 Players

20. Printable cruise games

Printable cruise games are great games to bring on a cruise. You would print them at home and bring them to play on a cruise ship.

It is a good idea to print a few extra incase you meet new friends who would like to play.

There are a couple great choices. Consider a printable cruise scavenger hunt . This is great family fun and very inexpensive.

Scavenger hunts are a great way to involve the whole family.

Another idea for games to play on a cruise is printable cruise themed bingo . Cute cruise vacation themed bingo cards.

21. Chess, Checkers, Backgammon (3-in-1)

This magnetic, travel sized version of 3 classics are great games to bring on a cruise. Bring along this one case and you have 3 different games to play to mix things up. The ultimate 2-person games. Chess, checkers, and backgammon . That’s hours of fun.

These games are geared more towards adults and older kids. Checkers, however could be played by younger kids, with a little help. Having this set on hand is not only great for travel but also for camping or even to play at home. A great game set for couples.

Adult favorite – Age varies (older kid/adult) – 2 Players only

Games can help you bond as a family or create memories with fellow passengers. Playing games on a cruise ship is great rainy day cruise activity , a way to meet new friends, or just spend time together as a family.

Most cruise lines have a library onboard that does have a few board games that passengers can play. However, these games often already taken or have missing pieces. It is always best to be prepared and bring your own games on a cruise ship .

You can play games on a cruise in the library, your stateroom, on an open air deck (be careful of the breeze), or find a quiet area in one of the ship’s public rooms.

Games can be a fun way to spend sea days.

Summary of the best games to bring on a cruise

Packing a few of these games to play on a cruise can enhance your onboard entertainment and create memorable moments with family and/or fellow cruisers. From classic card games like Uno to compact board games like chess to fun games like Pass the Pigs, there is a wide range of options to cater to different sized groups and preferences.

Whether you are enjoying the sun at one of the tables outside or looking for indoor entertainment during downtime, this selection of travel-sized games ensures your cruise will be full of fun and laughter.

These inexpensive travel games are a great investment and provide hours of fun.

If you are cruising with kids and your next cruise is on Carnival, check out the best ways to make a Carnival cruise extra special for kids .

While games are a great time on a cruise, you probably want to be active too, here are some sports you can play on a cruise ship .

Other popular cruise articles are:

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First cruise tips – Things to know before your first cruise

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Really Fun Cruise Ship Games

These fun cruise ship games are another way to plan ahead and make your cruise really special. Though there is always a lot to do on cruises, these games are meant to be used for connecting friends and family during the time you are together on the ship. Gather for dinner and play Find Someone Who Bingo and you might just learn something new about each other!

Embarking on the high seas with the entire family is so much fun. We’ve cruised twice as a family and made unforgettable memories. I’ll never forget the time we were on the Viking Rhine River Cruise and I cried while my daughter watched on while laughing. Yes, there are photos of that!

Cruising is one of the most unique and fun vacations you can take with your family, and kids of all ages will love it. In fact, many extended families are now booking family reunions on cruise ships! These cruise ship games work well for any kind of family or friends gathering.

5 Fun Cruise Ship Games

Scavenger hunt.

Scavenger hunts are enjoyable for family members of any age. Do you have younger kids? Try finding things that start with each letter of the alphabet. Cruising around the holidays? You’ll find plenty of items to fit a holiday theme. In fact, cruising around the holidays is really special.

Some examples could be finding Hidden Mickeys when on a Disney Cruise , counting all the places you can get an ice cream cone, or exploring the ship to see how many decorated cabin doors you can find.

Take pictures of the items you find and compare over dinner. Norwegian Cruise Lines has an entire article filled with scavenger hunt ideas .

Decorate Your Cabin Door Contest

Speaking of decorated doors, if you’re traveling with a group, this is so much fun. Hold a contest to see who can come up with the best door decorations.

Any theme will work with cruise cabin door decorations. Plan ahead to bring items with you, like this Cruise Ship Porthole , or hit the gift shop to buy items once you’re on board. Don’t forget to have a prize for the winner! See 10 Ways to Decorate Your Cruise Cabin Door for ideas!

Find Someone Who… (BINGO)

This game is popular with corporations and classrooms, but it’s just as fun on as a cruise ship game. Make a BINGO card with one trait for each square (someone who is on their first cruise, someone from a different country, and so on).

Have each person you find sign off on the square and the person who fills in every square first is the winner! It’s really easy to make the cards up at Free Bingo Cards .

Where on the Ship…?

Use your phones to play “Where on the Ship…?” Take a photo and send it to your group with clues of where you are. The first person to correctly guess is the next to take a turn. You’ll have so much fun and be gathering photos for your vacation scrapbook!

Towel Animal Theater

Do you have towel animals greeting you in your rooms? Let the kids put on a towel animal production. This technically isn’t a game, but the littlest travelers will get a kick out of putting on a show with the towel animals. You’ll have to ask your steward to make new animals each night or they will usually reuse the same towels.

Older kids can hold a contest to see who can create the best towel animal. Pick up this towel animal book before you go so they can practice! This will really add to the excitement of the trip while you’re preparing to go.

Many cruise ships have games set up in certain areas. The Holland America Maasdam has a wonderful library with backgammon, chess, checkers, and puzzles already set up for guests. I enjoyed taking a few minutes here and there to fit in a puzzle piece or two. It was a fun way to make new friends on the ship, as well.

Disney Cruise Line has a free My Disney Cruise Adventure booklet , so head over and print as many as you need if you’re planning a Disney Cruise. It’s available in English and Spanish.

I hope these games will help your family and friends say connected and have fun on your cruise vacation. That’s what cruising is all about! Bon voyage!

Need some help packing? Check out these Tips for Packing for a Cruise !

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GreAt ideas thanks

than you for sharing

I’ve never heard of any of these games..

damn I feel old! lol

LOL, Courtney! Some of them were new to me, too! Thanks for visiting!

I was wondering what games you would play on a cruise. Obviously, not the “license plate game”. LOL I think my favourite on your list is: “Find the person who…?” This would be the most fun, I think.

I think you’re right, Kristin. Looks like so much fun! Thanks for the visit!

These are all great ideas. Thank you for the information.

You’re welcome, Denise! Thanks for visiting!

never been on a cruise but very informative awesome ways to spend on the cruise

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Best Cruise Ship Games to Play on Holiday

Let’s face it, if any there was a time to let your hair down and act silly- it’s on a cruise ship . Cruise ships are self-contained resorts at sea where you sail from port to port with thousands of your newest friends. But don’t just wait for the cruise director staff to instruct your fun- here is a list of cruise ship games you and your party can play between ports.

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are easy to execute, and they work best with groups of people. There are two main types of scavenger hunts; Photo and Object. Object scavenger hunts require you to get items from the ship from either the staff or your fellow travelers. Some examples could be a captain’s hat, a lei, a token from the cruise ship’s casino , and a souvenir cup. Since object hunts are more difficult, you might want to make them last over a 24 hour period. Photo scavenger hunts are a little easier to execute and you can find already created ones easily on google. Here’s a great example of a Photo scavenger hunt. On Photo Scavenger hunts, the teams need to take photos from as many of a prearranged list of items.

A Cruise of Faceless Men

Just like Arya Stark from Game of Thrones can morph identities easily from one day to the next; so you too can be a doctor, a magician, a horse trader, and an Olympic ice skating coach all in one week. The goal of this game is to introduce yourself to other cruisers as different personalities all week long. The first person to mix up your pretend personality with the wrong cruiser loses.

Game of Accent Chicken

Happy Hour Cocktail Hunt

This game requires more than two people to play. At start, every player takes off to the bars where the goal is to find the cheapest alcoholic drink for sale. Keep visiting the bars until you think you've found the best deal to buy (don't forget to save your receipt for proof). The catch, the last player to return automatically loses, even if she has the cheapest drink. This adds the necessary time element to the game so make sure you find an empty bar, preferably one with drink specials.

Mr. Monopoly

You might think your balcony stateroom is lux, but you probably haven’t seen anything. Most cruise ships have some pretty amazing suites. As an example, check out the 3 Bedroom Garden Villa . I mean, you don’t have a grand piano in your stateroom? The goal of this game is to get invited to the nicest stateroom on the ship by meeting and talking with other guests. You have the whole trip to do it.

So whether it's a week of accents or the more traditional scavenger hunt, bring the competitive nature with you on your next cruise vacation. Let us know what games you've played by leaving a comment below.

Cruise Tips For Families & Single Cruisers

Things to Know Before You Cruise

Set Sail With Fun: 14 Best Games For Your Cruise!

Ahoy there! Are you planning to set sail on a cruise soon? Well, don’t forget to pack some games to keep you entertained onboard.

As an AI language model, I may not have the ability to go cruising on the high seas, but I sure can recommend some of the best games to bring on your cruise.

From classic board games like Monopoly Deal and Cluedo to travel-friendly options like Dobble and Yahtzee To Go, there are plenty of game options to choose from.

In this article, I’ll be exploring the 14 best games to bring on a cruise, as well as other game options available onboard. Plus, I’ll share some tips for choosing the right games for your trip.

So, let’s set sail with fun and get started!

• When choosing games for a cruise, consider group size, mood, and luggage space, and opt for small and versatile games like Monopoly Deal, Cluedo, Dobble, Yahtzee To Go, Rummikub, Othello, and UNO.
• Other game options on a cruise include borrowing board games, playing giant chess and draughts on deck, or trying quoits and shuffleboard.
• Dobble is a great option for all ages, with five different versions and different rules to keep things interesting.
• Printable travel games can be a great choice for kids, including activities like mazes, word searches, and coloring pages, with activity books with mazes and dot-to-dots being more age-appropriate than puzzle books.

Games to Bring

I’m so excited to bring all these games on my cruise, but it’s ironic that I probably won’t have time to play them all with all the other activities and offers available onboard.

Nonetheless, I’m determined to make the most of my downtime and bring a variety of games to suit different moods and group sizes. I’ve packed classics like Monopoly Deal and UNO, as well as strategic games like Rummikub and Othello. And for a quick game on-the-go, I’ve included Dobble and Yahtzee To Go.

But, I’m also keeping in mind that I may need some puzzle book alternatives for when I want to relax and unwind alone. That’s why I’m going to print out some printable travel games to bring along, like Sudoku and crossword puzzles.

This way, I can enjoy some quiet time while still challenging my mind and keeping my brain sharp. With all these game options, I’m confident that I’ll have a great time onboard my cruise and make new friends through the power of play.

Other Game Options

There are additional game options available on a cruise, such as borrowing board games or playing giant versions of chess or draughts on the deck. For those who prefer to relax on the deck, giant games like chess and draughts offer a fun and engaging way to pass the time. These games are typically available on most cruise ships and can be played with family and friends.

If you’re traveling with children, printable games for kids can keep them entertained during long stretches of downtime. These games can be easily printed out before the trip and include activities like mazes, word searches, and coloring pages. They are a great way to keep kids engaged and can be a lifesaver for parents looking for ways to keep their little ones occupied on a long cruise.

tips for Game Options

When planning a cruise, I always make sure to bring a few small games and printable activities for my kids to keep them entertained during downtime. I also recommend checking out the giant games available on the deck. But it’s important to remember that puzzle books may not always be the best option for children, as they may not be at the right level.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when considering game options for your cruise:

Printable games: There are plenty of printable travel games available online, from word searches to crosswords. These can be a great way to keep kids entertained while also helping them learn.

Bring small games: While it may be tempting to bring a lot of games, it’s important to remember that space can be limited. Bring one or two small games that can easily fit in your luggage.

Consider puzzle book alternatives: Instead of puzzle books, try bringing activity books that have mazes, dot-to-dots, and other games that are more age-appropriate for your children.

Check out the deck games: Many cruise ships have giant versions of popular games like chess and draughts, as well as deck games like quoits and shuffleboard. These can be a fun way to pass the time and enjoy the sun.

Additional Game Details

As a frequent cruiser, I’ve discovered that Dobble has five different variations, each with different rules, making it a versatile and engaging game option for all ages. Whether you’re playing Dobble Basic, Dobble 1, 2, 3, Dobble Kids, or Dobble Beach, each version provides a unique challenge and keeps the game fresh.

Another great game option for a cruise is Yahtzee To Go, a handy travel version of the classic game. The winner of Yahtzee is the player who can score the most points, and with this travel version, you can take the fun with you wherever you go. Additionally, the Pig Dice Game is a great option for those looking for a game that scores more points for trickier positions. When it comes to chess on cruise ships, some ships require rummaging through several boxes to find all the pieces, so it’s always a good idea to bring a smaller game option. Printable travel games are also a great choice for kids, as puzzle books may not always be at the right level for them.

Are there any restrictions on bringing board games on a cruise?

Bringing board games on a cruise is a great way to have fun with family and friends. Board game rules may vary by cruise line, so it’s important to check restrictions and exceptions before packing. tips for packing board games include bringing lightweight and compact games, and considering printable games for kids.

Can you rent board games on a cruise ship?

Yes, some cruise ships offer board game rental options. However, there are pros and cons to bringing your own games. Bringing your own games allows for more variety and saves money, but may take up valuable luggage space.

What are some other popular activities on a cruise besides playing games?

Did you know that on a typical seven-day cruise, there are usually three pool parties and five shore excursions available? In addition to playing games, these activities offer a chance to relax and explore new destinations.

Are there any games that are not recommended for children?

Some games may not be suitable for children, such as those geared towards adults. It’s important to choose age-appropriate games for kids and consider the content. However, there are plenty of options for fun and engaging games on a cruise for all ages.

How can you stay updated on the latest cruise deals and offers?

Oh, you want to know how to stay on top of the latest cruise deals and offers? Easy peasy! Just sign up for cruise deal alerts and join some cruise forums. You’ll never miss a deal again!

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WHY CRUISING IS THE BEST WAY TO

Vacation with the family.

Trying to plan the ultimate family vacation? Royal Caribbean offers thrills for everyone onboard

Pulling off the perfect family vacation isn’t always easy, especially when you’re trying to cater to different ages and preferences. Fortunately, Royal Caribbean is known for delivering great family getaways designed to wow guests across multiple generations. Every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet is packed with palate-pleasing dining options, incredible entertainment, and unforgettable activities for all ages included in your cruise fare — not to mention itineraries that take you to some of the world’s most adventure-filled shores. The best part? All the planning has been taking care of for you, so you can focus on bonding with your loved ones while doing as much or as little as you like. 

GETAWAYS THE WHOLE CREW WILL LOVE

Your next family getaway is a click away — where will you wander next?

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BOLDER FAMILY BONDING STARTS HERE

Family-friendly vacation destinations are always on the itinerary when you sail with Royal Caribbean®. From thrill-topping island hopping to exploring the Last Frontier, max memories like never before onboard the best family cruise ships in the world.

cococay getaway

Kick family bonding up a notch at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas — voted Best Private Island Experience by Travel Weekly readers. Turn up the thrills, like conquering Daredevil’s Peak®, the tallest waterslide in North America. Or unplug and chill along Oasis Lagoon®, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean.

EXPLORE OUR PRIVATE ISLAND

TROPIC TREKS

Sun-kissed shores are yours to explore. Build epic castles on the pink sand beaches of Barbados . Splash into the turquoise waters of Curaçao. Or wander through legendary forts in Puerto Rico . No one does kid-friendly cruises better than Royal Caribbean® — the cruise line voted Best Overall for 21 years running by Travel Weekly readers.

EXPLORE CARIBBEAN CRUISES

WILDEST WEEK EVER

Discover the magic of Alaska, where snowcapped mountains, towering forests and misty fjords dare you to deny their majesty. Spot bears hunting for salmon in Tongass National Forest. Listen to the thunderous roar of Hubbard Glacier . And cross once-in-a-lifetime experiences off your list together — on one unforgettable journey.

EXPLORE ALASKA CRUISES

WEST COAST WANDER

Nothing fuels bolder bonding like an epic adventure with your squad. Set out from L.A. on the family vacation you’ve been waiting for onboard the best cruises for kids. From whale-watching in Ensenada to post-card pretty shores in Puerto Vallarta and lounging on Cabo’s world-famous beaches — make memories that last a lifetime.

EXPLORE THE MEXICAN RIVIERA

SET SAIL ABOARD THE BEST SHIPS FOR FAMILIES

Cruise Planner is the place to get the most out of your adventure. Securing reservations and purchasing packages before you sail lets you score the best savings available anywhere. Add peace of mind to the mix — and you’re ready for big adventure. 

OF THE SEAS

CUE THE MEMORY MAKING

From record breaking rides — like the tallest slide at sea — to dining that offers a taste of every culture and shows that will leave you in awe, being onboard a Royal Caribbean ship makes the journey as bold as the destinations you’ll visit.

SUN-SOAKED FUN

Each ship offers endless ways for families to fill their sea days. Think epic experiences like a plunge down the tallest slide at sea, Ultimate Abyss℠, and glow-in-the-dark laser tag battles that are bound to boost your adrenaline. Sun-soaked pool parties and hang ten sessions on the FlowRider®* surf simulator. A round of Mini Golf with a side of sea views and a rushing zip line ride ten stories above deck — and that’s barely scratching the surface.

EXPLORE ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

DIAL UP YOUR DINNER

With so many delicious dining options onboard, everyone in your family will find something to satisfy their cravings in between adventures. From the endless selection of complimentary flavors at Windjammer Café and family-friendly feasting with My Family Time Dining at the Main Dining Room, to specialty restaurants that take you from the Far East to Italy to Wonderland, there’s something to please every taste onboard.

EXPLORE ONBOARD DINING

NEXT LEVEL SHOWS

Every night is an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy some of the best entertainment at sea. Dazzling original productions and fan favorites straight from Broadway, deck-defying high dives and aerial stunts at the AquaTheater, and the coolest moves you’ve ever seen on ice at the skating rink — you’ll quickly discover that on these ships, every performance is a show-stopper.

EXPLORE SHOWS & ENTERTAINMENT

room for everyone

Finding your crew’s just-right stay-place is easy, with spacious rooms designed with families in mind. Choose from rooms with endless ocean views or suites with wrap-around balconies. And if you’re craving next-level luxury, the first-ever Ultimate Family Townhouse on  Icon of the Seas℠ maxes the memories with three tiers of unbelievable amenities and direct access to the Surfside℠ neighborhood from your private patio.

EXPLORE ACCOMODATIONS

ENDLESS WAYS TO DO DATE NIGHT RIGHT

Who says a family vacation has to be all about the kids? While the young ones are off exploring onboard or having a blast at the award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program, reconnect with your partner over dinner at one of the fleet’s world class specialty restaurants, catch a Broadway spectacular in the Main Theater, or get down on the dance floor to the sounds of a DJ or a talented live band.

KID APPROVED CARE

Craving a little grownup time? Both Adventure Ocean and the Royal Babies & Tots programs provide care and educational activities for kids in different age groups. Adventure Ocean also offers a Late Night Party Zone group sitting for children ages 3-11 between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., so you can enjoy a stress-free adults-only night out on deck.

EXPLORE YOUTH & TEEN PROGRAMS

PENCIL IN A PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT

While the kids are at play, indulge in the ultimate date night with your partner in adventure. Kick things off with a dinner to remember, followed by a glass of your favorite wine at Vintages or a singalong session at Schooner Bar. Then keep the party going long into the night at a live stand-up comedy show before you take a whirl on the dancefloor at Club Twenty.

EXPLORE CRUISE NIGHTLIFE

FAMILY VACAY MODE ON

CRUISES FROM

STARTING FROM 

CAPE LIBERTY

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Don’t sweat the details — they’re all taken care of so you can focus on making lifelong family memories.

Family vacations should be stress-free, and Royal Caribbean makes it easy to fuel your wanderlust without worry. You can book unforgettable  shore excursions , onboard activities and shows online before you board, making the planning process a breeze. Once you’re on deck, you’ll enjoy award winning service by dedicated staff members that strive to meet every request, whether you’re traveling with special needs or just looking for ways to celebrate a special occasion onboard.

You can even get started customizing every aspect of your vacation from the moment you book. Browse and save big on onshore experiences, beverage and specialty dining packages, spa treatments and more when you reserve in advance online through  Cruise Planner . That way, you can go straight to enjoying your vacation as soon as you come aboard the ship.

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Many of the attractions onboard require closed-toed shoes and socks, so pack accordingly.

Even if you’re on a summer sailing to the tropics, pack a sweater if you plan to use the ice skating rink.

Luggage might not arrive in your stateroom until later. Pack a swimsuit in your carry-on so you can dive into adventure early.

BEYOND BRAGWORTHY

Fill every minute with everything you love, anytime you want. Indulge in gourmet globetrotting, applaud show-stopping entertainment, and take on fleet favorites like rock climbing and the FlowRider®* surf simulator, plus so much more!

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No kidding: These 12 cruises are the perfect multigenerational family vacation option

The launch of Disney Cruise Line in 1998 was a game changer for family cruises. Now in its third decade of operation, Disney Cruise Line consistently tops the list of best cruise lines for families. And its newest ship (for now), Disney Wish , is unquestionably one of the best cruise ships for kids ever made. But Disney isn't the only major player in the family cruising space. 

A host of other cruise lines, including Carnival Cruises , Princess , Norwegian , MSC , and Royal Caribbean , have helped usher in a new era of family vacations on cruise ships with amenities like kids clubs, water parks, stage shows, theatrical dining experiences, reduced fares for young children, and even kids sail free deals . And because the best cruise ships for kids are also great for grownups , you have plenty of options when it comes to the best family cruises. 

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1. Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line

The sheer volume of onboard entertainment options for families on Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, Disney Wish , takes things to a whole new level. From action-packed dinner-and-a-show experiences like Worlds of Marvel and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure to the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge , and Incredibles-themed inflatable obstacle course , you'll never run out of things to do. 

BIG SAVINGS: Kids sail free: 7 cruise lines with kids cruise free deals this year

Sailings on the Disney Wish also include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay , which is always a highlight of any family cruise. Castaway Cay’s family beach is a great place for swimming, and you can rent bikes, kayaks, and snorkeling gear to see colorful tropical fish and perhaps even a sea turtle munching on seagrass.

2. Disney Magic

While every ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet has a claim to be among the best family cruises, the original DCL family cruise ship deserves a special mention: Disney Magic is the ship that launched Disney Cruise Line in 1998, and with DCL's constant improvements and upkeep, the ship doesn’t feel outdated at all. Pirates, princesses, superheroes, and a thrilling water slide with a three-story drop are just a few of the fun features that make this a kid-favorite ship on one of the best cruise lines for families. In 2013, Disney added the AquaDunk high-speed thrill slide and Marvel Avengers Academy kids club. In 2018, a Tangled dinner theater restaurant made its debut. 

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As one of the smaller ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Disney Magic can be a less overwhelming experience for younger kids and first-time cruisers, especially given the trend among family cruises to be bigger and louder with every new ship. (The fabulous Disney Wonder is similarly sized.) But there's more than one reason to consider a Disney Magic voyage in 2024. This year, the ship will be the first to sail to Disney Cruise Line’s newest private island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point , in the Bahamas.

3. Disney Treasure

Making its debut in December 2024, Disney Cruise Line's sixth ship will be called Disney Treasure and it will be the ship for fans of the Disney theme parks. Venues inspired by classic attractions such as the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea are among the highlights to look forward to when the ship sets sail. The sister ship of Disney Wish will also have a high-tech Worlds of Marvel dinner show and a theater-in-the-round dining experience, this time themed to Pixar’s Coco. 

CAPTAIN MICKEY: 7 best Disney cruises for families in 2024  

Disney Treasure will also feature a brand-new original Broadway-style production called "Disney The Tale of Moana" in the Walt Disney Theatre. Other shows performed on board will include "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney Seas the Adventure." Best of all, Disney Treasure will sail seven-night itineraries to both the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean. That means you can enjoy two distinct dinner shows in the Worlds of Marvel and Plaza de Coco restaurants, and all of the Broadway-style shows on stage during one family cruise. 

4. Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean

A brand-new class of ship is heading to North America in 2024, and it starts with Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas in January. Among the many firsts for Icon of the Seas is the AquaDome, the largest glass and steel structure on any cruise ship, seven pools, six record-breaking waterslides, eight separate neighborhoods, 40 ways to drink and dine, four stages, and a three-level ultimate family townhouse. The innovative AquaDome is a peaceful oasis during the day and a vibrant hotspot at night with a 55-foot-tall water curtain and AquaTheater that debuts performances with divers, skateboarders, and robots. 

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Thrill-seekers will love Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six waterslides. There's also the Crown’s Edge, which is part skywalk, part ropes course, and 100 percent thrill ride where you can dangle 154 feet above the ocean. And, of course, you'll also find the Royal Caribbean staple FlowRider surf simulator and the Lost Dunes mini golf course. Those looking to take it easy should head to Chill Island, which features four pools spread over three decks with sweeping ocean views.

Fans of Royal Caribbean will enjoy the Royal Promenade with 15 restaurants, bars, and lounges; Central Park's open-air neighborhood filled with live plants and trees; and Surfside, the first neighborhood designed specifically for young families. The ship's seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean family cruises all stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay , the line’s award-winning private island. Families will find an array of activities on Perfect Day at CocoCay, such as its beaches and freshwater pool (included) and an expansive water park and zip line (available for an extra charge).

5. Wonder of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships debuted in early 2022 and instantly ignited buzz that they might be the most kid-friendly cruise ships in the entire world. At 1,188 feet long and 18 decks tall, there's plenty of room for families to spread out and find entertainment onboard the Wonder of the Seas . Two dedicated private teen spaces onboard make vacationing with teenagers a little easier. In fact, teens aged 16 and up can even enjoy a massive teens-only hot tub that literally protrudes over the edge of the ship on Wonder of the Seas' deck 15. 

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Grade school kids and even the littlest ones have it pretty great, too. For big kids, there’s an enormous multiple-deck play area called Wonder Playscape . For the youngest passengers, there's the Adventure Ocean play area full of soft toys and games for toddlers. And a playground with climbing equipment gives them a space to work off their energy. Wonder of the Seas also has the most amazing family suites around. They come complete with two levels of space, an in-suite slide, table tennis, and plenty of room for the whole family.

6. Oasis of the Seas

When it launched in 2009, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was the largest ship in the world, accommodating more than 5,500 passengers per voyage and cementing the line's place among the best cruise lines for families. After a reimagining 10 years later, Oasis of the Seas is still a popular option for family cruises in 2024 with its Caribbean-inspired pool deck, rock climbing walls, and Perfect Storm trio of multistory waterslides. Among the many reasons that make Royal Caribbean one of the best cruise lines for families is that its Symphony of the Seas builds upon the strengths of the line’s other Oasis Class ships. 

7. Norwegian Viva

Norwegian Cruise Line

What makes Norwegian one of the best cruise lines for families? For one thing, you’ll never hear "I’m bored" from kids. And with its three-story race track, two escape rooms, The Rush and The Drop dry slides, The Wave waterslide, immersive virtual reality games, Topgolf simulator, mini golf, waterpark, splash ground, and kids’ clubs, your family’s biggest problem on the Norwegian Viva might just be deciding how to balance all the activities with quiet relaxation. 

GO ALL IN: These 6 cruise lines offer the best themed cruises

The Norwegian Viva arrived in North America in December 2023 and offers Caribbean cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico, in early 2024 before heading to Europe through November. The ship's Observation Lounge has panoramic 180-degree views to soak in the scenery or take Insta-worthy photos on Oceanwalk’s glass walkway. After playing the day away in port or on the ship, your family can enjoy dinner followed by a live performance of Beetlejuice: The Musical, based on the cult-classic Tim Burton film.

8. Carnival Panorama

Carnival Cruise Line

One of Carnival Cruise Line ’s newer ships, the Carnival Panorama 's many kid-friendly features have already made it one of the best cruises for families. The Panorama has supervised kids programs in three different age categories, a massive aqua park, the popular SkyRide aerial attraction, SkyCourse ropes course, and the first SkyZone trampoline park at sea. 

DON'T OVERPAY: How to save money on a Carnival Cruise (with or without kids)

In addition, Carnival's exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises provides "Seuss at Sea" experiences on family cruise vacations, such as Dr. Seuss Bookville, Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, and the Seuss-a-palooza Parade. Based in Los Angeles, Carnival Panorama sails week-long round-trip cruises to the Mexican Riviera in 2024.

9. Caribbean Princess

Princess Cruises

Made famous by the classic '80s TV series "The Love Boat," Princess Cruises now hosts more than two million passengers each year. Kid-friendly Caribbean Princess underwent an extensive renovation in 2017 that boosted its family offerings to include Camp Discovery Youth and Teen Center, HD Movies Under the Stars, and the Reef Family Splash Zone (the line's first splash zone at sea). 

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS: 11 best outdoor movie screens for your backyard staycation

Caribbean Princess will be 20 years old in 2024, but another extensive drydock refurbishment in 2022 has kept the ship from feeling dated. Other features that earn the Caribbean Princess a spot on my list of best family cruises include its partnership with Discovery Inc. for "Discovery at SEA" activities, which feature Animal Planet and Discovery Channel programming, the Stanley the Bear experience, and JrChef@Sea cooking classes. In summer 2024, Caribbean Princess heads to Southampton for a series of European cruises before heading back to Florida.

10. MSC Meraviglia

Unless you're a hardcore cruise family, MSC Cruises might be the largest cruise line you’ve never heard of. One of the leading cruise lines in Europe, South America, and other parts of the world, MSC is working hard to get a foothold in North America by offering great deals on family cruises. These include kids ages 18 and under sailing free on select departures , and young children ages two and under always sailing free. 

FIRST-TIMERS: 19 things to know before your first cruise with kids  

Family-friendly MSC Meraviglia launched in 2017 and it features seven different kids’ clubs for children from babies to age 17. Teens have their own space with a cinema, game room, and live stage. And Meraviglia’s Polar Aquapark has three different waterslides, including a high-speed “champagne flute,” that easily make it one of the best cruises for families. Families can play together in the vast entertainment area that includes an MSC Formula One Racing Simulator, a full-sized bowling alley with two lanes, an interactive XD cinema, a flight simulator, and a video games arcade. There’s also a Sportsplex facility for basketball, tennis, squash, volleyball, pickleball, mini golf, and five-a-side soccer.

11. MSC Seascape

MSC Cruises

The U.S. flagship of the MSC Cruises brand, MSC Seascape was designed with families in mind and offers plenty of options for onboard entertainment. The cruise line's partnership with LEGO includes a DUPLO room for children ages three to six and a second LEGO room for kids ages seven to 11 with the opportunity to earn a LEGO Master Builder certificate. Teens have three different themed areas to engage with their peers. 

BRING THE LITTLE ONES: 10 toddler-friendly vacations that are just as much fun for parents  

You have to check out Robotron on these family cruises. Robotron is a robotic arm ride that sends you 173 feet above the sea, giving you a unique 360-degree view as you're moved in different directions and flipped upside down. At night, Robotron offers a personalized DJ experience where you can curate your musical journey with colors and music preferences. 

MSC Seascape sails from Miami on the Bahamas and Caribbean family cruises, including a visit to MSC Cruises' private Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay features two miles of white sand beaches and a variety of family-friendly activities such as snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming. Some family cruises dock overnight at Ocean Cay, allowing you to watch the spectacular Lighthouse light show.

12. Celebrity Equinox

Celebrity Cruises

An upscale cruise line with prices to match, Celebrity Cruises appeals to families with older children or multigenerational groups looking for luxurious family cruises. Celebrity Equinox is not the newest ship in the line (its inaugural sailing was in 2009), but this kid-friendly cruise ship received an extensive overhaul as part of the "Celebrity Revolution" in 2019 and continues to impress with its family cruises in 2024. 

COUPLES CRUISES: 7 best cruise lines for couples (and their most romantic voyages)  

Celebrity's Camp at Sea kids' program offers a diverse and constantly changing series of activities so that it’s "never the same camp twice." And Celebrity Equinox partners with Miami’s Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science to offer STEM programming on topics such as the importance of plankton to the Earth’s oceans. Other kid-friendly activities on Celebrity’s family cruises include hot glass blowing classes and demonstrations, as well as lawn games such as croquet and bocce on the real grass of the Lawn Club.

7 great cruise lines for families (and their 12 most kid-friendly ships) originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com .

More from FamilyVacationist:

• 13 cheap family vacations that are super fun
• 50 best family vacation ideas for all ages
• 25 best family vacation spots in the U.S.

FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. FamilyVacationist covers family vacation ideas ; family vacation spots ; all-inclusive family resorts ; and must-have travel accessories for families. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations . The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

Cruise kids clubs: All your questions answered about camps at sea

Quality time together is a hallmark of a great family vacation, but sometimes kids just want to play with their peers — and adults need a break. Cruise lines understand these dual needs deeply and have designed ships accordingly, with amazing, expansive cruise kids clubs.

Kids clubs give families more choices in daytime and evening activities because they have options to hang out together or spend time apart. The clubs take the pressure off parents to find fun, age-appropriate activities for their kids all day long while suppressing their own needs for R&R and couples time. Also, kids who need video game time or social interaction with new friends can escape their siblings and "boring" adults for an hour or two ... or more.

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Curious about kids clubs on cruise ships and how they work? I've sent my own kids to clubs across multiple lines and toured dozens more, so I have the answers to all your questions about these camps at sea.

What is a kids club on a cruise ship?

Cruise kids clubs are a combination of daycare, camp and a super-cool clubhouse. Families can drop off their kids and teens for as little as an hour to as long as nearly a full day for supervised play with other cruisers their age. The spaces for kids on a cruise ship are often clustered together, though tween and teen clubs might be separate.

Kids are not required to visit the kids clubs and can spend as much or as little time in the facilities as they and their families choose. Younger kids must be signed in and out by an adult caregiver; older children and teens can sign themselves in and out.

The kids clubs are run by the ship's youth staff, who are trained and experienced in childcare. For example, Royal Caribbean requires a four-year university degree in education or a related field (or an international equivalent) and three to five years of work experience in childcare. Youth staff on all lines take more of an active role in activities with younger kids and serve more as cool facilitators with the teens.

Related: The 5 best cruise lines for families

What are the ages for kids clubs on cruise ships?

Each cruise line divides up its kids clubs differently, but you can expect that the littlest kids and oldest teens will not be together.

The main kids club typically accepts children as young as 3 (and toilet trained) and goes up to 10, 11 or 12, depending on whether the ship has a separate tween club. Tween clubs are often for kids ages 11 or 12 to 14, and teen clubs take 13- or 14-year-olds through 17-year-olds.

Your 18-year-old high schooler will not be able to visit the teen club, so keep that in mind if you're planning to take a family cruise during spring break of your child's senior year, for example.

Some lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line , will accept kids in the club as young as 2 years old. Other lines, like Disney Cruise Line , have nurseries for babies and toddlers younger than 3.

The younger kids club might also divide attendees into smaller age groups for certain activities. For example, MSC Cruises offers a Mini Club for kids ages 3 to 6 and a Junior Club for kids ages 7 to 11. Carnival divides its Camp Ocean into Penguins (2 to 5 years old), Stingrays (6 to 8 years old) and Sharks (9 to 11 years old).

Related: Best kid-friendly cruises: The 7 best cruise ships for kids

Are kids clubs on cruises free?

Yes! All kids club activities during the day and early evening for kids and teens are included in your cruise fare.

However, you might have to pay extra to drop off babies and toddlers at onboard nurseries. Also, late-night childcare for kids in the main club — usually starting at 10 or 11 p.m. — might cost extra on your ship. Both are often charged at an hourly rate for the time you use, with the occasional sibling discount.

What are the kids club spaces like?

Kids clubs for 3- to 12-year-olds are often multipurpose spaces that the ship's youth staff can set up with tables and chairs or clear out for group games. They all come equipped with video game areas, with stations set up with monitors and game consoles, and some might have other high-tech games on the walls, floors or tables, or other games like air hockey or foosball. The spaces often have colorful decor, perhaps themed to the ocean or nature.

On Royal Caribbean 's larger ships, you'll find multiroom play areas with separate spaces for art workshops, science experiments, sports and active games, and theatrical productions. Disney's kids clubs have rooms themed to different movies and characters, including a replica of the Millennium Falcon from "Star Wars," a play area done up like Andy's room from "Toy Story" and Tinkerbell's Pixie Hollow. MSC Cruises' kids clubs have dedicated areas for building with Lego bricks.

Tween and teen lounges are cool hangouts with lots of comfy seating areas for chatting with newfound friends, checking social media accounts, playing games and watching movies. Some have dance floors with DJ booths and mocktail or soda bars. A few even have outdoor patio space for sunbathing, occasionally with a hot tub, splash pool or lawn games.

Related: The 5 best cruises for teens

Nurseries and play spaces for younger cruisers have age-appropriate toys and soft flooring, perhaps even a small climbing structure or slide. Nurseries will have a quiet area with cribs and cots in the back for naptime, as well as diaper changing stations.

Kids clubs all have bathrooms in them, often with kid-height facilities.

What activities can my child do in a cruise kids club?

Cruise ship kids clubs offer a mix of free play and guided group activities, so there's something for every child to enjoy.

Kids can enjoy traditional camp activities like arts and crafts, silly group games and scavenger hunts around the ship. They can also get active with sports competitions in the club or up on the ship's sports courts. When it's screen time, kids can challenge each other to video games or gather together to watch a movie on a big screen. Science experiments and puppet shows are also popular activities.

Tween and teen activities lean more toward parties, foosball tournaments, sports and group games, with lots of unstructured time for hanging out. Events might take place around the ship, not just in the tween or teen club.

The youngest cruisers can enjoy story time, song sessions and other toddler games.

Are the kids clubs open all day?

Open hours for cruise kids clubs will vary by ship and itinerary. On one sailing, you might find different opening times for sea days versus port days.

Generally, kids clubs are open from 9 or 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Some will be open until midnight or 1 a.m., and some will charge an hourly rate to watch your kids after 10 or 11 p.m. Some kids clubs might close for lunch or dinner, so be sure to check when you drop off your kids the time you need to pick them up.

On port days, cruise kids clubs often open an hour before disembarkation time, especially clubs that allow parents to drop off their kids and explore in port without them.

Tween and teen clubs might not open until the afternoon to accommodate late sleepers. On the flip side, these clubs will run programming later in the evening without additional fees.

Is there food at cruise kids clubs?

Cruise kids clubs don't generally serve food due to the number and variety of food allergies found in the hundreds of kids who could be on board a ship at any time.

Some cruise ship kids clubs might offer special group lunches or dinners in the buffet or even offer a cooking class. Clubs that offer port day care while parents are ashore will, of course, make sure kids get lunch.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Can kids clubs accommodate children with disabilities?

Cruise lines try to be as accommodating as possible of travelers with disabilities, and the youth staff is happy to work with families to welcome kids with special needs into the kids clubs. However, do not expect one-on-one care or highly trained special needs professionals.

Several lines, such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, require youth staff members to undergo autism awareness training. Carnival has partnered with KultureCity to become "sensory inclusive" certified to work with guests with autism, ADHD and Down syndrome. Its kids clubs are stocked with helpful items, such as weighted vests, sensory games and conversation cards.

Families should notify a cruise line's special needs department ahead of sailing to alert them to their child's needs. Once on board, you might be able to move your child to a different age group to be with a sibling or to accommodate developmental differences. Most youth staff cannot help with toileting but might be willing to give caregivers a pager so they can come and help when required.

Alternatively, ship staff might allow a parent or caregiver to accompany a child with special needs to certain kids club activities.

How do cruise kids clubs handle safety?

Youth staff are all carefully vetted; they're required to be first aid-certified and undergo reference and background checks.

Ships have protocols for what to do in case of an emergency if children are in the cruise kids clubs. Youth staff will either bring them to their muster stations or to a central pickup point, and at no time will leave children unattended.

Additionally, kids clubs have rules for fire safety, including a maximum occupancy. During peak family travel times, you might find that you can't drop off your child at the kids club when you wish because it has reached full occupancy, and you'll need to wait for someone to leave before your kid can enter.

Related: Are cruises safe? Here's what you need to know about cruise ship security and safety

Which cruise lines have kids clubs?

All of the big-ship cruise lines have kids clubs. Cruise lines with a greater family focus will often devote more onboard space to youth facilities, though newer, bigger ships will typically have larger kids clubs. Lines like Holland America and Celebrity Cruises are more adult-focused and still have kids clubs, but they might not have the same wow factor.

Here's an overview of the major cruise lines' kids clubs:

Carnival Cruise Line

The Carnival cruise kids club is called Camp Ocean, and its tween and teen clubs are Circle C and Club O2. Camp Ocean takes kids as young as 2 and is divided into three age groups: Penguins (2 to 5 years old), Stingrays (6 to 8 years old) and Sharks (9 to 11 years old).

Celebrity Cruises

Camp at Sea is Celebrity's cruise kids club. Younger cruisers are divided into Shipmates (3 to 5), Cadets (6 to 9) and Captains (10 to 12), and teens (13 to 17) get their own Teen Club. Some ships have a special STEM at Sea program in partnership with the Frost Science Museum.

Disney Cruise Line

The Disney cruise kids club is called the Oceaneer Club, sometimes with a second space called the Oceaneer Lab. Its tween and teen clubs are Edge and Vibe, and it offers the It's a Small World Nursery for babies and tots under 3. The Oceaneer Club is open to kids ages 3 to 10; they can choose from a number of simultaneous activities in the Disney-themed spaces.

Holland America

Holland America's aptly named Kids Club is divided into the Kids Program (ages 3 to 6), Tweens Program (ages 7 to 12) and Teens Program (ages 13 to 17). The kids club does not operate on 25-night or longer cruises, though the line will put on some activities for children sailing on these grand and world voyages.

Norwegian Cruise Line

The Norwegian Cruise Line kids club is named Splash Academy (ages 3 to 12), and its teen club is Entourage (13 to 17). The line also has a Guppies open play program for kids ages 6 months to 3 years, but an adult is required to accompany each child; it's not a drop-off service like the other kids clubs. Additionally, NCL does not offer kids programming when the ship is docked in port.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises' kids club, Doremiland, is divided into five clubs based on age: Baby Club (up to 3 years old), Mini Club (ages 3 to 6), Junior Club (7 to 11), Young Club (12 to 14) and Teen Club (15 to 17). MSC Cruises is an outlier in that it offers free drop-off childcare for kids under 3, as well as spaces for parents and their babies and toddlers to play together.

Princess Cruises

The kids club on Princess Cruises is Camp Discovery. Kids ages 3 to 7 hang out in The Treehouse, kids ages 8 to 12 play in The Lodge and teens 13 to 17 hang out in the Beach House. Many activities are inspired by the cruise line's partnership with media company Discovery.

Royal Caribbean

The Royal Caribbean cruise kids club is Adventure Ocean. On newer ships, AO Juniors (kids ages 3 to 5) are separate from AO Kids (ages 6 to 12), while on older ships, they might be divided into separate spaces for Aquanauts (3 to 5 years old), Explorers (6 to 8 years old) and Voyagers (9 to 12 years old). Teens ages 13 to 17 are together in the teen club, and all but a few ships have nurseries for kids ages 6 to 36 months.

Do small ships or luxury lines offer kids clubs?

Some luxury lines embrace children, while others ban them from their decks. In general, most luxury lines will offer some kind of programming during school holidays when more kids than usual are on board.

Luxury cruise lines such as Crystal , Explora Journeys and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection actually have small kids clubs on board with programming either all the time or when enough kids are present. Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships do not have youth facilities, but the line runs its Club Mariner Youth Program with age-appropriate activities when enough children are on board.

Lines like Silversea , Seabourn , Oceania and Azamara allow children on board but do not run special programs for them, though you might find an exception during Christmas week or another cruise with a greater-than-usual number of kids on board.

Some lines have age minimums. You must be 18 years old to cruise with Viking and 8 years old on Windstar Cruises .

Related: 12 tips for surviving a luxury cruise with kids

Bottom line

Cruise ship kids clubs provide a safe space for young travelers to meet and hang out with peers and enjoy age-appropriate activities in inviting spaces. The drop-off programming allows parents and caregivers to get some alone time to enjoy the ship's spa, upscale dining venue or adults-only spaces. Kids can join in the fun for as much of the day and evening as they want; many families will spend time on the ship together and only go their separate ways for a few hours per day.

Note that some young cruisers love the kids club and want to spend whole afternoons there, and others go once and refuse to go back. Your child's love or dislike of the kids club might even change over time or with different ships.

My best advice is to send your kid on the first evening to meet the counselors and the other children and to check out the activities when there is no expectation that they stay a certain amount of time. The more they feel that they can control when they go (and not that you are ditching them to have fun without them), the more likely they are to have a good experience.

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How to Plan an Amazing Family Reunion Cruise

By Elissa Garay

Last updated: November 7th, 2023

• Find a Cruise

Thinking of getting the gang together for a fun-filled family reunion vacation, where strengthened family bonds and memories to last a lifetime can be made? It sure is an exciting idea to entertain—but, of course, the idea of it is a lot simpler to conjure up than is actualizing all of the complicated logistics behind such a big trip. Happily, family reunion cruises, which unfold aboard a cruise ship, might be just the ticket, as easier alternatives to planning a reunion on land.

Indeed, family reunion cruises take a lot of hassle out of reunion planning, allowing you to easily round up loved ones for a seamless, fun-for-all-ages, value-packed vacation that bundles in accommodations, meals, entertainment, and activities all in one upfront fare.

Not to mention the thrill of a family adventure vacation on the high seas that involves traveling to new ports of call along the way. And with most of those details in place (and prepaid), and tasks like cooking and cleaning delegated to the hardworking crew, you’ll have more time to kick back, relax, and reconnect with the brood—without having to worry about picking up tabs or deciding on dinner plans.

Le Petit Chef

Whether you’re planning a huge reunion with the extended family or gathering up a smaller branch or two off the family tree, cruises remain a great fit. Modern cruise ships truly offer something for everyone—even if you have three, or perhaps even four, generations of relatives along for the ride, each with their own diverse interests and tastes.

Coordinating a trip with family near and far requires some advanced cruise planning and organizational savvy, but rest assured that your goal is well within reach. This guide on planning an amazing family reunion cruise outlines every step you’ll need to accomplish so that your dream trip goes off without a hitch.

Plan Well In Advance

Celebrity Cruises Suite

Getting a family reunion off the ground is no small feat, so make sure to give yourself plenty of lead time to ensure smooth sailing. Aim to begin planning your family reunion cruise at least one year in advance. You’ll need a good chunk of time to figure out the confirmed guest list and group preferences (including variables like budget, cruise itinerary , and sailing dates) and to give guests ample time to budget and plan themselves.

For groups, it’s essential to know the best way to book a cruise and make your bookings as far in advance of your sailing as possible. This is to lock in early-booking discounts and group rates and to tap into your preferred stateroom locations and dining reservations.

Read: Why Cruises Are the Best Family Vacation

Appoint Leadership

While small family groups might get away with a more collaborative effort, too many cooks in the kitchen can definitely complicate planning a large-scale family vacation, especially if there are a lot of strong personalities in your family. Streamline efforts by designating one or more appointed group leaders to help take charge by finalizing decisions, organizing details like itineraries and payment timelines, and managing group communications. Look for leaders who are especially good at doing research, communicating, and/or are savvy with negotiating as they most likely know how to plan a cruise that will go smoothly.

The leader(s) can also serve as a liaison with the cruise line, which can help with coordinating certain aspects of the logistics. You might also want to work with a travel agent, who can help manage some of the more cumbersome details of group travel planning. Which brings us to our next point . . .

Consult with a Travel Agent and/or the Cruise Line Directly

Shore Excursions Desk

You don’t have to wrangle this all on your own! Reach out to a trusted travel agent to help with some of the heavy lifting in terms of research, organization, and group logistics. A good agent can help you pinpoint the best cruise for family reunions, negotiate the most competitive rates, and score other amenities like shipboard credits. Plus, they can manage any necessary flight and pre- and post-cruise hotel bookings, too.

You can also liaise with the cruise line directly, who has staff that specializes in group cruises . The group planners are there to help take some of the pressure off of reunion organizers, so do sync up early on—they can manage group-oriented tasks like creating customized events, arranging shore excursions, and making dinner reservations. They can also serve as the point of contact for your family when it comes to responsibilities like collecting payments and resolving travel-related queries.

Read: How to Plan a Cruise for a Large Family

Keep Communication Flowing

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain

The designated group leader(s) will want to set up an easy means of communication between participating family members so that the group can easily share thoughts, plans, and new information as it comes through. Be sure to collect email addresses and set up a private Facebook group or event page.

Conduct group polls so that you can collect preliminary preferences about desired sailing dates, embarkation ports, and itineraries. (Expert tip: Limit the choices to help maximize results.) The Facebook page would also be a good place to announce what families will be attending, what activities and excursions will be available to the group, and to outline other important details like payment deadlines.

Alternatively, you might use email addresses to send out a monthly e-newsletter documenting the most up-to-date information. Whichever means you use, expect guests to reach out with questions and/or feedback; be sure that somebody steps in to help manage those responses. Keep in mind, too, that there may be some older relatives who won’t be tech-savvy, so put somebody in charge of keeping them in the loop on all the details.

Ibiza, Spain

Before you board, distribute the group’s planned itinerary, as well as a list of everybody’s stateroom assignment, so that the family can easily sync up aboard the ship.

Determine a Family-Friendly Budget

Pool on Celebrity Edge

As virtually all-inclusive vacations with accommodations, meals, port-to-port transportation, and most shipboard entertainment and activities bundled in, cruises do afford excellent value and are oftentimes more affordable alternatives to land-based vacations. (Bonus: Groups will typically qualify for special discounted rates, too.)

Chances are that most folks on the family tree come from different economic means, and cost will likely be a deciding factor for some family members’ ability to participate. Accordingly, you do want to get a clear picture of the associated costs presented to the group early on, so that sound decisions can be made.

Keep in mind that even on the same sailing, onboard accommodations come in a wide range of price points, so rates can ultimately be customized from interior staterooms to luxurious suites.

The beauty with cruising is that once guests have selected a stateroom that meets their budgets/needs (more on that below), they can count on having dealt with almost all of their major vacation expenses up front. And from there, they can control their own individual budgets for any “extras” that they may incur once the ship sets sail.

Pick an Embarkation Port

Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Remember that the further away the cruise departure port, the more expense (for airfare and perhaps pre- or post-cruise hotel stays), effort, and vacation time will be required of your family. To ensure a better rate of group participation, try picking a cruise embarkation port that’s set within driving distance—or just a quick flight away—from the majority of your family reunion guests.

Just remember, if guests do have to fly into a port, be sure that they arrive the night before the cruise. That way, they’ll avoid any stress related to potential day-of flight delays that could ultimately lead to them missing the cruise ship’s departure.

Determine a Sailing Date and Duration

Celebrity Millennium

Poll your family for an idea of what sailing dates and types of cruises would work best for the majority of the group. If you’re traveling with kids, keep in mind that you’ll likely want to plan to sail during the summer or school holidays. Just know that those periods tend to fall within the cruising high season, so anticipate more demand.

From there, you’ll need to determine how long you can get away for. Cruises can vary in length from shorter 3- to 5-night sailings to weeklong—or longer—getaways. Let family members weigh in on the best time to go on a cruise based on their vacation and work schedules.

Chances are, you are likely to see more participation on a short cruise . On the other hand, if you’re gathering a group that rarely gets to see each other, you may want to extend the trip to really maximize the occasion.

Read: Fun Family Spring Break Ideas

Settle on an Itinerary

Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska

Once you’ve honed in on a preferred embarkation port, as well as a general time frame and preferred duration for your sailing, you’ll likely have more limited itinerary inventory to sift through. In fact, the decision of a cruise destination may already be determined for you based on what’s left that fits your parameters.

If options do remain, however, consider what types of family cruise destinations might best suit the group. Are they beach lovers or culture vultures? Would they be happier island- or city-hopping? Ideally, you can find an option with a little bit of everything.

Some close-to-home locales that are sure crowd-pleasers include the Bahamas, Caribbean , Mexico, Alaska, and Bermuda.

Read: Bahamas vs. Caribbean: Which Should You Cruise to?

Blue Lagoon Island, Bahamas

Wherever you sail, do allow for lots of individual exploration in port, but be sure to plan at least a couple of fun group shore excursions so that your family can share some adventurous memories together, whether zip-lining, wine-tasting, water sports, or sightseeing is more your family vacation speed. Just be mindful of any family members with age restrictions or any physical disabilities to avoid exclusion when planning.

Finally, remember that if you are traveling internationally, everybody will need to have a valid passport secured well ahead of the cruise departure date.

Read: Find Out If You Need A Passport To Go On A Cruise

Choose a Ship With Multigenerational Features

Chances are, your family spans a wide range of ages, abilities, and personal interests, and you’ll want to choose a ship with the amenities and facilities to match. Bigger ships mean more bells and whistles, with loads of activities, entertainment, and drinking/dining establishments to ensure that there’s something to please everyone.

If you’re wondering what’s the difference between cruises vs resorts , today’s cruise ship is a floating resort—you’ll find swimming pools, fitness centers, spas, casinos, shops, libraries, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, entertainment venues, kids’ clubs, and more. Plus, there are plenty of daily activities like cooking demos, fitness classes, wine-tastings, and guest lectures.

Definitely don’t try to do everything together—let the group spread out and enjoy themselves as they like. But do plan on having at least a couple of times a day where you all come to reconnect at a set time and place, whether it’s over a meal or a shared activity. After all, the whole point of sailing together is that you get to spend time with each other.

Read: What Is Included on a Cruise?

Book Your Staterooms

Celebrity Cruises Stateroom

Stateroom options vary widely on ships, which range in price accordingly. Some staterooms are interconnecting, while others can accommodate up to four guests, which are well suited for families traveling with children. Ideally, you’ll want to book a block of accommodations well in advance so that your group’s staterooms are clustered in the same area of the ship.

Looking for the very best cruise for family reunions? Get assistance from Celebrity Cruises’ professional Group Planners today by visiting our website , and you’ll be well on your way to the family reunion cruise of your dreams!

Elissa Garay

Modern-day explorer, perpetual seeker, and diligent travel scribe Elissa Garay has traveled to and reported on 60-plus countries and 30 cruises, contributing to major national publications like Condé Nast Traveler , CNN Travel , AFAR , and Fodors  along the way. When not out globe-trotting, Elissa resides in Kingston, NY, with her husband and young daughter.

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Toronto cruises past Minnesota 4-0 in first PWHL playoff game

May 8, 2024 / 9:58 PM CDT / AP

Blayre Turnbull scored two goals to lead Toronto to a 4-0 win over Minnesota in the first-ever Professional Women's Hockey League playoff game on Wednesday night.

Natalie Spooner, with the opening goal and one assist, and Emma Maltais also scored for top-seeded Toronto in front of 8,473 fans at Coca-Cola Coliseum, the home of the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies.

Kristen Campbell posted a 26-save shutout. Nicole Hensley stopped 16 shots for fourth-seeded Minnesota.

Game 2 in the best-of-five semifinal is set for Friday in Toronto.

The hosts entered Wednesday winners of four straight to close the regular season, including a 4-1 win over Minnesota last Wednesday.

Toronto went 2-1-0-1 against Minnesota in the regular season. Minnesota earned a 3-1 victory on Jan. 10.

Spooner opened the scoring at 9:47 of the first period to the delight of the deafening home crowd. The PWHL scoring champion took a pass from Hannah Miller and fired a wrister that went top corner past Hensley's glove.

Maltais made it 2-0 at the 55-second mark of the second period. Nurse drew the attention of two defenders approaching the slot and found a streaking Maltais who backhanded it between Hensley's pads.

Turnbull got in on the action with 4:55 remaining in the middle frame. She took the puck up ice, sent it off to Spooner who dished it back and Turnbull tapped it in.

Turnbull netted her second of the contest with 37.8 seconds left in the game. She buried home a rebound from a Miller miss.

Minnesota ended with a 26-20 edge in shots.

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Dallas Mavericks

Oklahoma City Thunder

Game leaders, k. irving pg - dal, s. gilgeous-alexander pg - okc, game information.

• Brian Forte
• Kevin Cutler
• Tony Brothers

Video Highlights

Thunder make easy work of mavs to take game 1, sga drops 29 points and 9 assists as thunder cruise to game 1 win, chet holmgren is fired up after a two-handed flush, daniel gafford meets chet holmgren at the rim for a rejection, kyrie beats the 3rd-quarter buzzer with a 3, gilgeous-alexander has 29 points to help thunder roll past mavericks in game 1 of west semifinals.

• Chet Holmgren misses 6-foot two point shot
• Derrick Jones Jr. blocks Josh Giddey's two point shot
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes 1-foot two point shot
• Chet Holmgren misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Luguentz Dort makes 24-foot three point jumper (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses 23-foot three point jumper
• Jalen Williams misses 20-foot pullup jump shot
• Chet Holmgren makes 1-foot layup (Jalen Williams assists)
• Kyrie Irving blocks Luguentz Dort 's 2-foot two point shot
• Chet Holmgren makes 1-foot alley oop dunk shot (Josh Giddey assists)
• Josh Giddey makes driving layup
• Luguentz Dort misses 26-foot three point shot
• Jalen Williams misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Luguentz Dort misses driving floating jump shot
• Luguentz Dort misses 1-foot tip shot
• Jalen Williams misses 13-foot pullup jump shot
• Jaylin Williams makes 26-foot three point jumper (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses 14-foot step back jumpshot
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes 14-foot two point shot
• Jaylin Williams makes 17-foot pullup jump shot (Cason Wallace assists)
• Daniel Gafford blocks Jaylin Williams 's 2-foot dunk
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes driving layup
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses driving floating jump shot
• Aaron Wiggins makes 23-foot three point jumper (Cason Wallace assists)
• Cason Wallace misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Aaron Wiggins makes 26-foot three point jumper (Josh Giddey assists)
• Josh Giddey misses 23-foot three point jumper
• Aaron Wiggins misses driving floating jump shot
• Chet Holmgren misses dunk
• Aaron Wiggins makes 1-foot layup (Jalen Williams assists)
• Cason Wallace misses two point shot
• Chet Holmgren makes dunk
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes two point shot (Aaron Wiggins assists)
• Chet Holmgren makes 2-foot two point shot
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses 16-foot two point shot
• Isaiah Joe misses 23-foot three point jumper
• Daniel Gafford blocks Jalen Williams 's 4-foot two point shot
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
• Aaron Wiggins misses 24-foot three point jumper
• Cason Wallace makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jalen Williams assists)
• Daniel Gafford blocks Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 's 1-foot two point shot
• Chet Holmgren makes 14-foot two point shot (Jaylin Williams assists)
• Aaron Wiggins makes 9-foot two point shot (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists)
• Cason Wallace misses 23-foot three point jumper
• Jaylin Williams makes two point shot
• Jalen Williams misses 42-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses 26-foot step back jumpshot
• Josh Giddey misses 24-foot three point jumper
• Jalen Williams misses 23-foot step back jumpshot
• Jalen Williams makes 12-foot pullup jump shot (Luguentz Dort assists)
• Jalen Williams misses driving floating jump shot
• Luguentz Dort misses 23-foot three point jumper
• Chet Holmgren misses driving layup
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses 18-foot step back jumpshot
• Luguentz Dort misses 3-foot tip shot
• Isaiah Joe makes 25-foot three pointer (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists)
• Jalen Williams misses driving layup
• Luguentz Dort makes 26-foot three point jumper (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists)
• Jalen Williams makes dunk (Isaiah Joe assists)
• Chet Holmgren makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jalen Williams assists)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes 25-foot step back jumpshot
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes 27-foot step back jumpshot (Isaiah Joe assists)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses 13-foot two point shot
• Gordon Hayward misses tip shot
• Isaiah Joe misses 8-foot two point shot
• Jaylin Williams misses 26-foot three point jumper
• Derrick Jones Jr. blocks Luguentz Dort 's 22-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Isaiah Joe makes 29-foot three point jumper (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes two point shot
• Chet Holmgren misses 12-foot two point shot
• Jalen Williams misses two point shot
• Daniel Gafford blocks Chet Holmgren 's 2-foot dunk
• Chet Holmgren makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jalen Williams assists)
• Daniel Gafford blocks Chet Holmgren 's 25-foot three point jumper
• Chet Holmgren makes dunk (Aaron Wiggins assists)
• Jalen Williams makes 4-foot two point shot
• Jalen Williams makes 26-foot three point jumper (Cason Wallace assists)
• Jalen Williams makes 24-foot step back jumpshot (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists)
• Jalen Williams makes 1-foot driving dunk (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses 10-foot two point shot
• Aaron Wiggins makes 26-foot three point jumper (Chet Holmgren assists)
• Cason Wallace makes 23-foot three point jumper (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander assists)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses 16-foot step back jumpshot
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander misses driving layup
• Jaylin Williams makes 2-foot dunk (Kenrich Williams assists)
• Kenrich Williams misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Ousmane Dieng makes 9-foot pullup jump shot (Jaylin Williams assists)
• Jaylin Williams makes 14-foot jumper (Kenrich Williams assists)
• Derrick Jones Jr. misses 24-foot three point jumper
• Luka Doncic misses 26-foot step back jumpshot
• P.J. Washington makes 23-foot three point shot (Luka Doncic assists)
• Luka Doncic makes 16-foot step back jumpshot
• Kyrie Irving misses 24-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Luka Doncic makes 27-foot step back jumpshot
• Luka Doncic makes 13-foot two point shot
• Luka Doncic misses 24-foot step back jumpshot
• Luka Doncic misses 22-foot step back jumpshot
• Josh Green makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kyrie Irving assists)
• Kyrie Irving misses 15-foot pullup jump shot
• Josh Green makes 23-foot three point jumper (Luka Doncic assists)
• Daniel Gafford misses layup
• Luka Doncic misses 25-foot step back jumpshot
• Daniel Gafford makes 10-foot two point shot (Luka Doncic assists)
• Dante Exum misses 27-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Daniel Gafford makes layup (Derrick Jones Jr. assists)
• Chet Holmgren blocks Dante Exum 's 3-foot driving layup
• Tim Hardaway Jr. makes 3-foot layup (Luka Doncic assists)
• Dereck Lively II misses alley oop dunk shot
• Kyrie Irving makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
• Chet Holmgren blocks Dereck Lively II 's 5-foot hook shot
• Josh Green misses 25-foot three point shot
• Dereck Lively II makes dunk
• Luka Doncic makes 8-foot two point shot
• Luka Doncic misses driving floating jump shot
• Tim Hardaway Jr. misses 25-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Tim Hardaway Jr. misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Derrick Jones Jr. makes 27-foot three point jumper (Josh Green assists)
• Derrick Jones Jr. misses 26-foot three point jumper
• Josh Green misses 23-foot three point jumper
• Kyrie Irving makes 1-foot layup (Daniel Gafford assists)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blocks Daniel Gafford 's 3-foot layup
• Derrick Jones Jr. makes 1-foot dunk (Kyrie Irving assists)
• Josh Green makes two point shot (Dereck Lively II assists)
• Luka Doncic misses 7-foot two point shot
• Tim Hardaway Jr. misses 23-foot three point pullup jump shot
• Derrick Jones Jr. makes dunk
• Luka Doncic misses 9-foot two point shot
• Daniel Gafford makes two point shot
• Daniel Gafford makes 1-foot alley oop dunk shot (Derrick Jones Jr. assists)
• Luka Doncic misses 14-foot step back jumpshot
• P.J. Washington misses 22-foot three point jumper
• P.J. Washington misses 2-foot two point shot
• Kyrie Irving makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
• Daniel Gafford makes 1-foot dunk (Luka Doncic assists)
• Daniel Gafford misses 2-foot two point shot
• P.J. Washington makes 23-foot three point jumper (Luka Doncic assists)
• Kyrie Irving makes 25-foot three point shot (Luka Doncic assists)
• Luka Doncic misses 21-foot step back jumpshot
• Luka Doncic makes two point shot (Kyrie Irving assists)
• Chet Holmgren blocks Kyrie Irving 's 7-foot two point shot
• Josh Green makes 25-foot three point jumper (Luka Doncic assists)
• Josh Green misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Luka Doncic misses 27-foot step back jumpshot
• Josh Green misses 22-foot three point jumper
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blocks Kyrie Irving 's 10-foot pullup jump shot
• P.J. Washington makes 7-foot two point shot
• Kyrie Irving makes 26-foot three pointer
• Kyrie Irving misses 14-foot pullup jump shot
• Kyrie Irving misses driving layup
• Daniel Gafford misses tip shot
• P.J. Washington makes 9-foot driving floating jump shot (Luka Doncic assists)
• Josh Giddey blocks Daniel Gafford 's 5-foot driving layup
• Kyrie Irving makes 9-foot two point shot
• Kyrie Irving makes 25-foot three pointer
• Kyrie Irving misses two point shot
• Luka Doncic makes two point shot
• P.J. Washington misses layup
• Jalen Williams blocks Dante Exum's two point shot
• Aaron Wiggins blocks Jaden Hardy's two point shot
• Jaden Hardy misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Jaden Hardy misses 19-foot step back jumpshot
• A.J. Lawson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Josh Green assists)
• Dante Exum misses 18-foot pullup jump shot
• A.J. Lawson misses 25-foot three point jumper
• Dante Exum makes 25-foot three point jumper (Josh Green assists)

OKC leads 1-0

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Prince Harry celebrates Invictus Games in London but won't see his father, King Charles III

Prince Harry arrived in London on Tuesday to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games but won’t see his father during the visit, a spokesperson said.

King Charles III , who returned to his official duties last week after being sidelined for three months with cancer, is too busy to meet up with his youngest son, the spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said.

“The duke of course is understanding of his father’s ... commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon,” a statement said.

Harry, who has a strained relationship with his family, rushed to London in February for a very brief visit after his father was diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer.

Harry, 39, has seen his father infrequently since the prince quit royal duties in 2020 and moved to California with his wife, Meghan, citing what they said were unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media. He has since detailed his rocky relationship with his family in TV interviews, a documentary and a memoir, “Spare.”

Shortly after his last quick trip to London, Harry told “Good Morning America” that he thought his father’s illness could help bring his family closer.

Harry was in London for events commemorating the tournament he founded for wounded troops and veterans.

The Associated Press

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Prince Harry is offering an olive branch to royal family — but not getting much response

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Prince Harry is attempting to mend fences with his family — and has invited them all to the Invictus Games 10-year celebration ceremony in London, multiple sources tell Page Six.

However, no senior members of the royal family are expected at the event at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday.

His sister-in-law Kate Middleton is currently undergoing cancer treatment away from the public eye, and Harry remains estranged from his older brother, Prince William.

As Page Six previously revealed, Harry, 39, has not spoken to his brother, 41, for more than a year in the wake of his bombshell memoir, “Spare.”

A well-placed London socialite who knows the brothers confirmed that Harry had invited William — as well as other members of the royal family — to the event to honor the veterans charity he founded.

It’s still unknown whether Harry will see his father, King Charles, who is also undergoing cancer treatment. Buckingham Palace would not comment on private meetings.

As we reported, Charles is expected to invite Harry and wife Meghan Markle to Balmoral castle in Scotland this summer so he can see his grandchildren Archie, 4, and 2-year-old Lilibet.

Harry and his father last saw each other in February when Charles, 75, was diagnosed with cancer and Harry jetted over from California to see him — but was given just over 30 minutes with the king.

As the Telegraph reported , on Wednesday — the day of Harry’s event — Charles will have his weekly audience with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak before attending the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the season, medical advice pending.

He is also understood to have a packed diary next week. It’s expected Harry will not travel to the UK until after Archie’s birthday celebrations; the young prince turns 5 on Monday.

Still, we are told, Harry has invited his family to the event celebrating a decade of his charity which helps wounded servicemen and women.

As he told ABC News in February, he was “grateful” for the time spent with his father earlier that month, adding, “I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can.”

It’s still unknown whether his cousins — Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Zara Phillips, all of whom he remains close to — will attend the celebrations.

Harry will be staying in a hotel in London, as he no longer has a UK home after being asked to give up Frogmore Cottage on the Windsor estate.

He will be without Markle. Later this month, the couple, without their children, will fly to Nigeria for a tour in connection with the Invictus Games.

There had been rumours the Sussexes would take cameras with them to Africa for a new Netflix project, but Page SIx is told the trip will not be recorded.

Markle, 42, revealed in 2022 that she had discovered she was “43% Nigerian” after doing a genealogy test.

The couple were invited to the West African country by Chief of Defense Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa.

The cost of their security is set to be paid for by the government of Nigeria, according to reports.

While in Nigeria they are expected to meet with officials, veterans and athletes participating in the Invictus Games.

The Sussexes’ itinerary is said to include visits to military rehabilitation centers and sports facilities, as well as meetings with local organizations working to support veterans’ welfare. 

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