What Are the Best Family Vacations for 2027? Your Season-by-Season Guide (New Ships, Resorts, Dates and Tips)
Second Star Wishes is a boutique travel agency that plans family vacations everywhere from the Caribbean and Alaska to Europe, Japan, and the theme parks. This guide covers the best family trips for 2027 season by season, what's brand new next year, real dates, and when to book so you get the rooms and ships you want.
By Andrea Napiontek, Founder and CEO | Last Updated: November 2026 | New ships, resorts, and openings checked against Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Disney, Universal, Beaches, AmaWaterways, and National Park Service announcements; eclipse details checked against Sky & Telescope, November 2, 2026
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In This Guide
2027 Family Vacation Quick Facts
What's the best family vacation for 2027? It depends on your kids' ages and your season. Our top picks: a Caribbean all-inclusive for winter or spring break, an Alaska cruise or a new ship for summer, and Europe or a holiday cruise for fall and the holidays.
What's brand new in 2027? Royal Caribbean's Hero of the Seas (August 1), Disney's Lakeshore Lodge at Walt Disney World (July 1), Carnival Festivale (May 19), the Disney Believe (December 18), and a total solar eclipse over Spain (August 2).
When should we book? Now for summer and holiday trips. The newest ships, family suites, and connecting rooms go first, and many 2027 special offers are already open.
Jump to: What's new | Summer | When to book
What Are the Best Family Vacations for 2027?
The best family vacations for 2027 are a Caribbean all-inclusive, an Alaska cruise, one of the brand-new cruise ships, a first trip to Europe, and a theme park trip timed with next year's special offers. Which one is best for YOUR family depends on your kids' ages, your school calendar, and what your crew loves.
"Where should we go next year?" We hear this one a lot right now. And here's what surprises most families: 2027 is a big year. New ships, a new Disney resort, a once-in-a-lifetime eclipse, and fresh special offers all land in the same 12 months. So we put everything in one spot, season by season.
Our top family picks for 2027 at a glance
Winter (January and February): a Caribbean all-inclusive on Barbados, Curaçao, Antigua, or Turks and Caicos
Spring break (March and April): Beaches Turks and Caicos, a short Bahamas cruise, or Disney World during its 2027 package offer
Summer (June to August): an Alaska cruise, Royal Caribbean's new Hero of the Seas, or Europe with older kids
Fall (September to November): a national park road trip, a Thanksgiving cruise, or Universal's holiday season
Holidays (December): the Disney Believe's first sailings, a Christmas market river cruise, or Christmas at Walt Disney World
Bottom line: there's a great 2027 trip for every family. The trick is matching the trip to your kids, then booking early enough to get it.
What's New for Family Travel in 2027?
The biggest family travel news for 2027 is new cruise ships, a new Walt Disney World resort, and a total solar eclipse in Europe. Here's what's opening, with dates as of November 2026.
Carnival Festivale (May 19, 2027): Carnival's newest ship sails from Port Canaveral, Florida, with its biggest WaterWorks water park yet, about 1,000 connecting staterooms, and a nursery. Every sailing visits Celebration Key, Carnival's private beach destination on Grand Bahama.
Disney's Lakeshore Lodge (July 1, 2027): a new resort on Bay Lake at Walt Disney World, with a water taxi to Magic Kingdom, a lagoon with a waterslide, a lazy river, a splash area, and villas that sleep up to 12.
Royal Caribbean's Hero of the Seas (August 1, 2027): the fourth Icon Class ship, sailing 7-night Western Caribbean cruises from Miami. Think 9 pools, the first funnel raft slide at sea, and a 3-story family treehouse suite.
Total solar eclipse (August 2, 2027): the path of totality crosses southern Spain, Gibraltar, northern Morocco, and Egypt. Spain gets up to about 4 and a half minutes of darkness, and Luxor, Egypt, gets over 6 minutes.
Perfect Day Mexico (late 2027): Royal Caribbean's new private destination in Costa Maya, Mexico, with what it calls the world's longest lazy river. It's set for a soft opening in late 2027 and a full opening in 2028. No exact date yet.
Fast and Furious: Hollywood Drift (2027): a new roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Florida. Universal hasn't shared an exact date.
Disney Believe (December 18, 2027): Disney Cruise Line's newest ship sails its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale. Read our Disney Believe guide for every detail.
Good to know: Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, opened July 1, 2026, so 2027 is its first full year. It's made for little ones, with lands for Shrek, Minions, Trolls, SpongeBob, Gabby's Dollhouse, and more. It's a great fit for families with kids around ages 3 to 9.
Where Should Families Go in Winter 2027?
Winter is the best time for a Caribbean beach trip. January and February bring the most reliable weather of the year, and it's peak season for good reason.
Caribbean all-inclusives
An all-inclusive is the easiest beach trip for families: meals, snacks, drinks, pools, and kids' clubs are all in one price. Our favorite islands for families are Barbados, Curaçao, Antigua, Grenada, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos. For a no-passport-needed option, look at Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, or St. Croix (U.S. territories, so U.S. citizens flying from the U.S. just need ID).
Our all-inclusive resort guide covers what's included, real prices, and Mexico vs. the Caribbean, and our Mexico and Caribbean Entry Checker shows what documents each island needs.
Theme parks in winter
Winter crowds are lighter than spring break at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, except around Presidents' Day. Disney's 2027 package offer starts January 3, with smaller savings until late February. At Disneyland, the refreshed "Remember... Dreams Come True" fireworks and the original World of Color return in February 2027.
TIP: if your kids are under school age, January (after the first week) is one of the best values of the year for both beaches and theme parks.
Where Should Families Go for Spring Break 2027?
For spring break 2027, families love a Caribbean all-inclusive, a short cruise from Florida, or Walt Disney World during its 2027 package offer. Easter is March 28, 2027, so most spring breaks fall between mid-March and early April.
Beaches Turks and Caicos
Beaches is built for families: kids' clubs for every age, water parks, and Sesame Street friends. At Beaches Turks and Caicos, the new Treasure Beach Village opened in March 2026 with kid-size slides, a zero-entry lagoon pool, and 4-bedroom villas with private pools. It's a favorite for multigenerational trips.
A short cruise from Florida
Spring break is perfect for a 3 to 5 night Bahamas cruise. Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, Carnival's Celebration Key, and Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay (with its Great Tides Waterpark that opened in September 2026) all make the beach day a highlight. Disney's private islands, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, are in our Disney Cruise Line guide.
Walt Disney World with the 2027 package offer
Disney's 2027 offer saves up to $250 per night at select Deluxe resorts (up to $150 at Moderate and $60 at Value resorts) on select 4-night packages with a 4-day ticket. Full savings run February 28 to July 28, 2027. Rooms set aside for the offer are limited, and spring break dates go first. Check our ride height guide to see what your kids can ride.
Japan with older kids
Spring is cherry blossom season, and Tokyo Disneyland opens a brand-new Wreck-It Ralph ride, Sugar Rush: Sweet Rescue, in spring 2027. Japan is a wonderful first Asia trip for families with kids 8 and up. Good to know: Japan's departure tax is now 3,000 yen per person, already included in your airfare.
What Are the Best Summer 2027 Family Vacations?
Summer 2027 is the year for a big family trip: an Alaska cruise, a brand-new ship, or Europe. School's out, days are long, and the newest openings all land this summer. For more ideas, see our summer vacations with kids guide.
An Alaska cruise
Glaciers, whales, and dog sled puppies make Alaska one of the best family trips in the world, and kids of every age love it. June through August has the warmest days and the most wildlife. Our Alaska cruise guide compares every cruise line for 2027. New for 2027: Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas offers its first cruisetours to Denali.
A brand-new ship
Royal Caribbean's Hero of the Seas debuts August 1, 2027 from Miami, and Carnival Festivale starts sailing May 19, 2027 from Port Canaveral. New ships book up fast, especially family suites and connecting staterooms.
Europe with kids
Europe is best with kids around 8 and up who can handle long walking days. A few ideas families love:
A European river cruise: AmaWaterways welcomes kids 4 and up on European sailings, and its partner Backroads runs family river trips on the Rhine and Danube made for kids and teens. You unpack once and wake up in a new town most mornings.
The August 2, 2027 eclipse in Spain: a once-in-a-lifetime science lesson. Hotels in the path of totality will fill early, and southern Spain is HOT in August, so plan for midday shade and pool time.
London, Paris, or Italy: classic first-Europe trips. If you go through London, everyone needs a UK ETA, babies too.
Good to know: Europe's new entry and exit system (EES) is already in place, but ETIAS, the travel authorization for Europe, still has no start date. When it does start, kids under 18 won't pay the fee.
A U.S. national park road trip
Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Glacier are bucket-list family trips, and kids 15 and under always get in free. Some parks have used timed-entry reservations in summer, and 2027 rules aren't out yet, so check each park's site around February 2027. Note for international visitors: since 2026, non-U.S. residents 16 and older pay an extra $100 at 11 of the busiest parks.
Walt Disney World's new resort
Disney's Lakeshore Lodge opens July 1, 2027 on Bay Lake, with a water taxi to Magic Kingdom and fireworks views. And Disney's 2027 package offer runs through July 28, 2027.
Where Should Families Go in Fall 2027?
Fall is one of the best times to travel with kids if you can work around school: smaller crowds, shoulder season rates, and fun seasonal events. Thanksgiving week 2027 is November 22 to 28.
A national park road trip in September or October: cooler days, fall colors, and fewer crowds than summer.
Halloween at the theme parks: Disney and Universal both run Halloween events, and Disney Cruise Line has Halloween on the High Seas sailings in September and October.
A Thanksgiving cruise: a 4 to 7 night Caribbean cruise is a fun way to celebrate with family, and no one has to cook. Hurricane season ends November 30, so late November is a great time to sail.
Universal Orlando's holidays: they usually start in mid-November. Read our Universal holidays guide for this year's dates and what to expect.
TIP: Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest weeks of the year at Disney and Universal and on cruise ships. If that's your only time off, book early and plan for crowds.
What Are the Best Family Trips for the 2027 Holidays?
For the 2027 holidays, our favorite family trips are the Disney Believe's first sailings, a Christmas market river cruise, and Christmas at Walt Disney World. Christmas falls on a Saturday in 2027.
The Disney Believe's first cruises: after the December 18 maiden voyage, the Believe sails 4-night cruises on December 23 (Christmas) and December 27, then a 5-night cruise on December 31 over New Year's. See our Disney Believe guide.
A Christmas market river cruise: twinkle lights, hot cocoa, and a new old-world town most mornings. Our Christmas market river cruise guide covers rivers, dates, and costs.
Christmas at Walt Disney World: parties, parades, and the Candlelight Processional. Our Disney World Christmas guide has this year's details, and we'll update it for 2027.
A warm-weather Christmas: an all-inclusive in the Caribbean or Mexico over the holidays is pure magic (and nobody has to cook). Holiday weeks yield higher rates and sell out first, so book early.
When Should You Book a 2027 Family Vacation?
Book summer and holiday 2027 trips now, ideally 9 to 12 months or more ahead. Most 2027 cruises, resorts, and Disney packages are already open.
New ships and new resorts (Hero of the Seas, Carnival Festivale, Disney Believe, Lakeshore Lodge) book up fast, especially family suites and connecting rooms.
Holiday weeks, spring break, and Thanksgiving yield the highest rates and sell out first.
Alaska cruisetours and eclipse-week hotels in Spain have limited space. Earlier is better.
Special offers show up around Black Friday and in "wave season" (January through March) for cruises. If a better offer comes out after you book, your Travel Specialist can often check whether it can be applied to your trip.
What Are the Most Common Slip Ups We See?
Picking a trip that's too much for your kids' ages. A 3-year-old and a 13-year-old want very different things. Plan around the youngest AND the oldest.
Waiting for a better price on a new ship. New ships and holiday sailings usually go up, not down.
Forgetting passports. Kids need their own, and they're only good for 5 years for kids under 16. Check expiration dates now.
Ignoring the school calendar. Spring break dates vary by district, and that changes prices and crowds.
Overpacking the schedule. Leave pool time, nap time, and downtime. That's often what the kids remember most.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2027 Family Vacations
What is the best family vacation for 2027?
For most families, a Caribbean all-inclusive or a cruise is the easiest win. For a bucket-list trip, an Alaska cruise or a first trip to Europe. The best one depends on your kids' ages and your dates.
What's new at Walt Disney World in 2027?
Disney's Lakeshore Lodge opens July 1, 2027 on Bay Lake. Disney also has a 2027 package offer for select dates January 3 to July 28, 2027.
What new cruise ships launch in 2027?
Carnival Festivale (May 19, 2027), Royal Caribbean's Hero of the Seas (August 1, 2027), and the Disney Believe (December 18, 2027).
Where is the 2027 solar eclipse?
On August 2, 2027, the path of totality crosses southern Spain, Gibraltar, northern Morocco, and Egypt. Spain gets up to about 4 and a half minutes of totality.
Do kids need a passport for the Caribbean?
For most islands, yes, if you're flying. Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Croix are U.S. territories, so U.S. citizens flying from the U.S. don't need passports there. Our free Mexico and Caribbean Entry Checker shows the rules for each island.
When is spring break 2027?
It depends on your school district, but Easter is March 28, 2027, so most spring breaks fall between mid-March and early April.
When should we book a 2027 family vacation?
Now for summer and the holidays. Spring break and new ships book up 9 to 12 months or more ahead.
How Can a Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist Plan Your 2027 Family Vacation?
We plan family vacations from start to finish, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy your crew.
Looking for a family vacation travel agent? That's us. Your Second Star Wishes Travel Specialist plans family trips for families everywhere from our home base in Daphne, Alabama, on the Gulf Coast.
We give you personalized recommendations based on your kids' ages, your dates, and your budget (and we'll tell you honestly when a trip isn't the right fit)
We compare the full cost, including tips, transfers, and excursions
We book the right rooms, ships, and cabins for your crew, from connecting rooms to family suites
We watch for new special offers and handle the details before and during your trip
We're just a text away while you're traveling
Tell us who's traveling, your kids' ages, when you can go, and what your family loves most, whether that's beaches, roller coasters, wildlife, or history.
Some of our Travel Specialists also offer a Concierge Planning Package for theme park and cruise vacations, and a Research and Design Package for custom trips like Europe or a national parks road trip. Ask your Travel Specialist what's included.
Let us turn your 2027 family vacation wishes into reality!
📧 info@secondstarwishes.com
☎️ 800-365-3130
About the Author: Andrea Napiontek, CTA
Andrea is the founding owner and CEO of Second Star Wishes, a boutique travel agency she founded in 2016 in Daphne, Alabama. She has been a Travel Specialist since 2015. She's a Certified Travel Associate (CTA), a Magellan Award recipient, and an ASTA member and mentor, with specialist training in Disney destinations, Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe. Before travel, she worked in education and counseling, which is why every plan starts with really listening. Home base is the Gulf Coast with her husband and three kids...when she's not off on a new adventure. She has been featured in Travel Weekly and Parade.
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