going on cruise with toddler

Celebrity Blog

• Choosing a Cruise
• Planning / Booking A Cruise
• Preparing For Your Cruise
• Special Occasions
• What To Expect On A Cruise
• Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific
• Central America
• East Coast & Bermuda
• Mexican Riviera
• South America & Antarctica
• Destinations

The Complete Guide to Taking a Cruise With a Toddler

Last updated: January 2nd, 2024

• Find a Cruise

Anyone who has traveled with a toddler before knows the experience can be overwhelming. After all, toddlers fidget on flights, don’t adapt well to new bedtime routines, and sometimes refuse to eat different foods than those they get at home.

For these reasons, maybe you’re hesitant to book a cruise with a toddler. The truth is, taking a toddler on a cruise is easier and more fun than you might expect. In fact, after sailing with your young one for the first time, we won’t be surprised if you start making a family cruise a yearly tradition.

Still, there are many factors to consider before booking your next cruise vacation for your family. From the best kind of stateroom to the excursions you’ll want to sign up for, here is everything you need to know about taking a toddler on a cruise.

How old should a child be to go on a cruise?

Infants must be at least 6 months old in order to be able to travel on most cruises with Celebrity. For transatlantic cruises, transpacific cruises, and some cruises to South America , as well as cruises with three or more consecutive days at sea, children must be at least 12 months old.

For those traveling with toddlers over 6 months old, there are various programs onboard tailored to entertain them, including Toddler Time, for kids under 3, and Camp at Sea, for kids ages 3 -12.

What are some of the best cruises for toddlers?

If you’re cruising with your toddler for the first time, these are some of the best cruises to book.

Cruises with departure ports close to your home city

Taking a flight before boarding a cruise with a toddler can be taxing on both kids and parents. By picking a departure port close to home, you’ll be able to cut down on travel time before your cruise even begins, ensuring a smooth trip once you do take off on your actual vacation.

If you don’t live near one of our departure ports, consider breaking up your travel time by spending a day or two in the city you’ll sail from. This will also give you the chance to stock up on some travel essentials like diapers, their favorite snacks, and sunscreen.

Shorter cruises

If you’re taking your first cruise with a toddler, you might want to book a shorter itinerary (3-4 days) to see how your little one adapts to the sea. If your toddler has traveled well on a cruise before, go ahead and book a longer itinerary (7-10 days), but we recommend choosing one with multiple port stops and few consecutive days at sea in order to avoid seasickness and allow more opportunities for activities on land.

Cruises with family-friendly destinations

While we offer fun and exciting shore excursions in all of our port cities, some are more family-oriented than others. For example, little ones might not find a European city tour as interesting as a day swimming with dolphins in the Bahamas. Browse our website for family friendly excursions  before deciding on which cruise you’ll ultimately embark on.

Are cruises fun with toddlers?

Of course they are! Cruises are fun for kids of all ages, and there are plenty of activities to keep your toddlers entertained.

Kids under the age of 3 can enjoy Toddler Time at the ship’s playroom, where they’ll be able to play with educational toys and interact with other kids around their age. Parental supervision is required during Toddler Time, but children don’t have to be potty trained in order to participate in Toddler Time activities. Certain toys and books will also be available to check out and bring back to your stateroom.

Camp at Sea

Potty-trained kids over 3 can participate in our Camp at Sea program. Open every day from 9:00am to 10:00pm, Camp at Sea’s entertainment center offers activities for kids with all kinds of interests, including STEM-oriented excursions, Xbox tournaments, culinary experiences, and art programs.

For parents who want to enjoy a couple of hours off or perhaps a romantic dinner, the Camp at Sea program also offers afternoon and slumber parties at different hours of the day. During these parties, kids will eat a meal and enjoy activities while being supervised by our youth staff, so you can rest easy that they are being taken care of while you get to enjoy some alone time. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

What should I pack for my toddler on a cruise?

Preparation is key when traveling with a toddler on a cruise. For those about to cruise with a toddler, we recommend packing the following essentials in your suitcase:

• Passport or proof of citizenship
• Baby monitor
• Umbrella or foldable stroller
• Inflatable tub, which will come in handy since most staterooms only have a shower.
• Medicine/First Aid kit with kids acetaminophen, band-aids, aloe gel, and antibiotic cream
• Two outfits per day, in case there are any spills or accidents
• One formal look
• At least 3 swimsuits
• Sandals or water shoes
• White noise machine
• Baby body wash and lotion
• Childproofing supplies, such as outlet plugs

What’s the best stateroom for families cruising with a toddler?

The type of stateroom you choose when taking a toddler on a cruise depends on your personal preference and budget. While all of our staterooms are family friendly, there are some advantages if you decide to book a higher category of stateroom on your cruise while traveling with children.

Veranda Stateroom

Parents traveling with toddlers may want to book a veranda stateroom because it gives adults a little more in-room flexibility. Since kids generally go to bed earlier, a veranda stateroom allows parents to sit outside on their private veranda and still keep an eye on their kids sleeping inside. Just because they have an early bedtime doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the view—and maybe even a glass of wine.

Oceanview Stateroom

For parents of rowdier toddlers who might prefer to book a room without a balcony, our ocean view staterooms offer you peace of mind and large windows to take in the view outside.

Royal Suite

If you prefer to cruise in a more spacious and exclusive stateroom, a suite is your best bet. Not only do our suites offer private rooms, living areas, and outside verandas, they also include concierge service—which might come in handy if you’re having a particularly difficult day with the kids—access to VIP areas of the ship, and plenty of space for active toddlers who like to move around.

What will my toddler do on a cruise?

There are plenty of fun activities for your toddler to do while on a cruise!

To start, all of our ships include a large outdoor pool, in which kids of all ages who are potty trained are welcome to swim, play, and splash around while onboard.

At the Lawn Club, a half-acre area laden with real grass, kids are free to run around, play croquet, or enjoy a picnic, all while taking in the magnificent view of the open sea all around.

Kids under the age of 3 can enjoy Toddler Time at the ship’s playroom, where they’ll be able to play with fun and educational toys and kids in their age group.

Older toddlers who are potty trained can also enroll at Celebrity Cruises’ Camp at Sea program, which is open every day from 9:00am to 10:00pm. At Camp at Sea, kids will be entertained with daily activities like science excursions, video game tournaments, art activities, and even culinary challenges.

In port, choose from a number of family-friendly shore excursions that you and your toddler will enjoy. The possibilities are endless.

What will my toddler eat on a cruise?

What to feed a toddler on a cruise ship can be worrisome for parents of picky eaters. Luckily, our cruises make it easy. At our main dining room, toddlers will be able to order from our kids menu, which includes favorites like spaghetti bolognese, grilled cheese sandwiches, mini margarita pizzas, and cheeseburgers with fries.

If your toddler is too tired to make it through a sit-down meal, we also offer an in-room dining kids menu that includes chicken skewers with yogurt sauce, hot dogs with fries, and a variety of desserts.

The buffet is an excellent option for parents cruising with toddlers. There’s a huge selection of food and the setting is more casual and relaxed. Plus, the buffet has an ice cream and dessert station that’s sure to appeal to any toddler.

Should I bring a stroller?

Cruise ships can require a lot of walking to get from one area to the next. Make it easier on your little one, and on your back, by bringing a stroller onboard with you.

We suggest leaving the big bulky stroller at home and bringing a lightweight umbrella stroller that folds up compactly, so you can store it under your bed or in the closet of your stateroom.

If you don’t want to bring a stroller onboard, you can also opt for a baby wrap or baby carrier that can comfortably hold your toddler.

Strollers and carriers will come in handy while in port, too, particularly if you’re planning on doing some shopping or walking to and from the cruise ship and town.

What type of shore excursions can I bring my toddler on?

When planning your day in port with a toddler, a family-friendly shore excursion makes for a fun, hassle-free day.

We offer plenty of kid-friendly shore excursions that can be enjoyed by all members of your party. If traveling with a toddler, make sure to choose a shore excursion that doesn’t have an age restriction.

Also keep in mind that an excursion that requires a lot of sitting, like those which include long bus rides in port, won’t necessarily be the best or easiest activity for your toddler Instead, look for excursions that involve short and easy hikes, or an activity they’ll get a kick out of, such as panning for gold during Alaska cruises or a water park excursion in the Caribbean .

Book Your Family Cruise

Ready to enjoy an unforgettable family vacation with your toddler? Browse our cruise itineraries online or contact one of our friendly vacation specialists at 1-800-852-8086.

Related Itineraries

Key West & Bahamas

• 4 nights ON CELEBRITY REFLECTION
• DEPARTING FROM FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
• Starting from $357 USD

Key West & Mexico

• 5 nights ON CELEBRITY APEX
• Starting from $796 USD

Bahamas & Perfect Day

• 3 nights ON CELEBRITY REFLECTION
• Starting from $1308 USD

Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao

• 8 nights ON CELEBRITY BEYOND
• Starting from $1516 USD

Key West & Perfect Day

• Starting from $2774 USD
• Starting from $2797 USD

Related Articles

Accessible Travel Guide

11 Cruise Picture Ideas

How to Choose the Best Stateroom on a Cruise

The Complete Guide to Dining Options on Celebrity Cruises

How to Prevent Seasickness on a Cruise

Cruises for Seniors With Disabilities: Everything You Need to Know

How to Plan the Perfect Honeymoon Cruise

How to Make Your Cruise Even More Fun

11 Ways to Enhance Your Cruise With the Celebrity Cruises App

When’s the Best Time to Go on a Cruise?

Long Weekend Cruises: Where to Go, What to Do

How to Plan an Amazing Family Reunion Cruise

Free Vacation Planning Services

CALL US 888-751-7804

Sign Up for Special Offers

• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Email Address *
• Country * Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Greenland Grenada Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati North Korea South Korea Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Sudan, South Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

STAY IN THE KNOW

Thank you for subscribing.

See you on board soon.

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

41 Must-Have Tips for Cruising With Babies, Toddlers, or Small Kids (From Someone That’s Done It)

When it comes to a family vacation with babies, toddlers, or small kids, there’s not much that’s better than taking a cruise.

Cruising offers a chance for the entire family to sail together, with something they will enjoy doing no matter their ages. So whether you’re traveling with a one-year-old, a ten-year-old, or something in between, everyone will have a chance to make the most of their vacation.

Of course, if you’re a parent then you know that even the simplest of tasks takes planning when you have kids. A cruise is no different. While it’s an easy vacation with the kiddos, there is still plenty for you to know and lots you can do to make the cruise go even smoother.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the most useful tips for cruising with babies, toddlers or small kids from our own experience in having sailed several times with our own son.

From how to keep them entertained on the ship to making sure they stay healthy, these tips run the gamut of what to think about before you take a cruise.

Know How The Kids Clubs Work

The large cruise lines cater to families, and perhaps the biggest draw for both children and adults in the dedicated kids area. Here, parents can drop off their kids for free while the kids get to play games and hang out with others their age. Parents get some time to enjoy the cruise while knowing that the kids are being supervised and also having a lot of fun. 

Kids clubs run from ages 2-17 and groups are broken down by age so that kids will always be able to find someone to play with. You simply drop kids off when you want (hours will be listed in the daily planner) and then pick them up when you’re ready. Parents of small kids will be given a shipboard phone in case you need to be contacted.

Older kids (usually 12+) can check themselves in and out without a parent so they can come and go as they please. 

Most Kids Clubs Are Only For Kids 2-3 Years or Older

One drawback of the kids areas? These spots are only for children that are a little older. For example, kids must be two years old before they can join in Carnival’s kids activities on their own; Royal Caribbean requires kids be at least three years old. There are still things for them to do in the area under those ages, but you must supervise them or pay an extra fee for them to be watched.

In other words, if you’re the parent of a small child and plan to bring them, you’re still going to have lots of time watching them.

You May Be Able to Leave Your Kids While You Go to Port

We’re not sure of every cruise line’s policy, but we know at least Carnival — one of the most popular cruise lines for families — allows you to drop your kids in the play area and head off the ship when in port.

That means the kids can stay and play while parents go explore ashore. If you are on an excursion from the cruise line, then the ship can contact you if you’re needed. If you’re exploring on your own, you’ll want to leave instructions on how reach you.

Personally, we find it a little weird to leave the kids on the ship, but it is something you can do if you like.

Yes, You Can Pack Food and Snacks

Given all the strict rules around bringing drinks on board a cruise, it might seem like you wouldn’t be able to bring food either. In fact, bringing pre-packaged, sealed food is perfectly fine . Feel free to bring baby food (including those pouches that kids love), as well as your kid’s favorite snacks to keep them happy on the trip.

Just make sure that you don’t bring any homemade food . It’s not allowed on ships due to health concerns and issues with customs in other countries.

Don’t Be Afraid to Overpack for a Baby

In general, we recommend packing less than what you need . No one needs four different swimsuits or six pairs of shoes on a cruise. However, being a parent, we are more than willing to overpack when it comes to our kid.

The reason being, with so many people on the ship, it’s nice to do your best to keep the kid happy (especially young ones that can throw tantrums) during the cruise. The last thing you want is a baby who is grumpy and crying — and bothering other passengers — because you forgot something at home. It’s also not easy to run out and grab things like diapers or formula.

Pack Plenty of Over-the-Counter Medicine

Kids — especially small kids — seem like they constantly get sick. The only thing worse than a sick kid is not being able to provide them any relief. There is a doctor on board every cruise ship, but it’s still a good idea to pack over-the-counter items like Benadryl and Tylenol for them to take should they come down with a bug.

Only a Few Ships Allow Kids in Diapers to Swim

Is your little one still in diapers? If so, then you should pick your ship carefully. Most ships don’t allow kids that aren’t toilet-trained into any pools due to health regulations. There are a few ships that we know that have special areas for smaller kids still in swim diapers. It’s usually a section of a larger play area, but better than no water time at all.

Even better is to find a ship that offers a splashpad-type park, like what’s shown above. These spots often allow kids of all ages.

Bottom line: If you still have a kid in diapers, then don’t expect to spend a ton of time playing in the pools on the ship. You can, of course, find a beach in a port to get their time in the water.

Get the Balcony Cabin if You Have a Kid That Naps

At home, those mid-afternoon naps are amazing. You can get so much done around the house while the kids get his/her rest. On a ship? They are kind of boring. When the kid takes a nap, you are stuck in the cabin keeping an eye on them… instead of hanging out poolside or playing in the casino.

That’s why we suggest a balcony cabin for parents with napping kids. This way, there is a space you can go out, talk in a normal voice, and get some fresh air. It’s much nicer watching the waves go by on the balcony than sitting in a dark cabin.

Prepare For Dirty Diapers

Have a ‘Diaper Genie’ at home? They are great for keeping dirty diapers from stinking up the house. But what about in a small cabin? What do you do with those soiled diapers?

If you have a balcony room, you can set the dirty diapers in the room trash can and set it outside to keep the air in your cabin clear. If you don’t have a balcony, we suggest bringing some Ziploc bags to seal up those dirty diapers, along with some air freshener. The room steward will empty the trash when they clean, but that can be several hours.

Cribs Are Available for Cruise Cabins (Free)

Does your kiddo still sleep in a crib? No need to bring the Pack-and-Play, cruise lines have cribs that they can put in your room. They won’t be overly fancy, but it is a dedicated spot for your little one to sleep while on vacation. Best of all, there is no charge for this service.

Just call the cruise line before you sail or let the room steward know when you get on the ship.

Arcades Are Great For Entertaining Bigger Kids

Modern cruise ships all have an arcade tucked away that’s perfect for the kids to have some fun on their own — or with mom and dad. The arcades can be pricey, but it’s worth it to let the kids go play get some alone time during your cruise… or to see the smiles on your kid’s face.

Instead of quarters, the arcades use your room’s keycard to access your onboard account. For that reason, you’ll want to make sure that your kids understand a budget before you let them loose on their own. It’s extremely easy to run up a high bill.

HDMI Inputs Don’t Work on the TV

Do your kids love to play video games or watch DVDs? There is some bad news — the inputs on cruise ship television sets are typically disabled. That means you can’t switch over the watch a DVD player hooked up to an HDMI port.

Instead, your best bet is to bring a console that includes its own monitor. If you want to watch movies, try bringing a laptop. The good news is that Nintendo Switch is popular with the younger kids and features its own screen.

You Can Stream Shows and Movies for Kids… Usually (Downloading Is Safer)

We all know that a movie or a show is a lifesaver for a parent. When you just need some peace and quiet, nothing does it quite like putting on a favorite show. In general, we suggest downloading programs ahead of time so they are for sure available. But in most cases you can stream on a cruise ship.

Just be warned that you have to purchase an Internet package, which can be pricey — up to $30 per day on some cruise lines.

As well, internet at sea isn’t perfect. Sometimes streamed shows can be pixelated instead of perfect HD quality due to the connection. Downloading before you get on the ship means you don’t even need an internet connection.

Umbrella Strollers Are the Best Idea for Cruising

If your child isn’t quite big enough to walk all day, then you’re likely bringing a stroller. But leave that big bulky jogging stroller at home. Space is tight in a cabin, so smaller umbrella strollers — which also fold up to fit in a closet — are ideal. When it comes time to use, these small strollers are also easily maneuverable down the ship’s narrow halls and can easily turn to navigate a crowd.

Place Mats Are a Must for Little Eaters

Cruise ships have high chairs for your little one to sit in, but we also suggest bringing a silicone place mat for them to use while they eat. These mats stick to almost any surface and are easily washable. This way, not only do you keep the table or high chair from getting dirty, but you also keep food from sitting on a potentially unclean surface. It’s just a better solution all around for when it’s time to eat.

Don’t Forget to Pack a Nighlight

Chances are you still get up at least once or twice to soothe your kid while they sleep. Or even if your kid sleeps all the way through the night, you might get up to use the restroom. In an unfamiliar cabin with lots of heavy furniture, that can be a disaster for your shins and feet.

Be sure to pack a small nightlight to provide a little extra light to see by if you have to get up in the middle of the night. This is especially important for dark interior cabins.

Mealtimes Are Easiest in the Buffet

Most people envision eating in the main dining room, cracking into a lobster or slicing a steak. Truth is that parents with small kids — the sort that won’t sit still to eat for more than five minutes at a time — might prefer to dine in the buffet during the evenings.

At night, the less formal buffet is also less crowded, meaning you won’t be as stressed if someone doesn’t want to sit down and eat their dinner or throws a fit because they are tired.

Plan on the Heat and Humidity Zapping Kid Energy

It’s not often mentioned, but the heat and humidity of the Caribbean can zap the energy of even the most energetic kids. If you have an especially small kid or toddler, expect them to be able to stay up only half as long before they need to nap and recharge.

If you are planning a long excursion without many points to take a break, then you might want to reconsider your plan. If you have a kid with a lot of energy, then you will be happy to know they should sleep very well after a long day in the heat.

Keep Excursions Simple

Some excursions have a ton of elements — taxi rides to adventure parks to beach breaks to boat rides. The smaller your kids, the smarter it is to keep things simple.

Just heading out to the beach is more than enough for babies and toddlers. Don’t stress yourself out trying to handle a kid on a wild excursion; you’ll just make your trip less enjoyable for both you and your kids.

There Are Only Showers…No Tubs

If your kid is used to taking baths, then they (and you) need to be prepared for the showers in the cabin . The showers come with a detachable spray handle, and are pretty small. It’s easiest just to have them stand while you give them a quick bath. If they like playing with a water hose, then showers with the spray handle are a lot of fun for them.

Pack a Passport… or Birth Certificate

What sort of documents do you need to travel with a child? A passport is always the best idea as it offers the most flexibility. Should something happen and you need to fly back home, a passport is vital.

However, on most cruises (those that begin and end at the same port), kids can travel with an official birth certificate. Frankly, this is much easier and less expensive than getting a passport and works in most cases. Older kids and adults (those 16 years or older) also need to have a photo ID.

Plan Your Day Around Naps

In addition to realizing that the heat can take a toll on kids, you should also be sure to plan your day around naps. There’s nothing worse than being out and about when your kid decides it’s time to crash. It puts everything on hold.

Be sure to plan on being somewhere that the kiddo can nap — whether it’s hanging out on the beach under an umbrella with a lounger or making it back to the cabin in time for naptime.

Babies Must Be Six Months Old to Cruise

If you have a newborn, don’t plan your cruise just yet. In most cases a child needs to be at least six months old before they are allowed to board the ship. There are some trips where a child must be at least one year old before they can sail. This includes sailings over long distances with more than two consecutive days at sea.

The cruise lines don’t want to have a small child on the ship and be too far from any possible medical help should an issue arise.

Have Enough Diaper and Formula? Bring More

The thing about cruising is that if you run out of something, you can’t just easily run to the store for more. So when you are packing consumables like diapers, wipes, and the like, go ahead and pack even more than you normally would.

Worst case scenario is that you don’t use them on the ship. Best case is that you have an issue and end up being covered until you can get back to home.

If You Need More of Something, Pharmacies in Port Are Lifesavers

Say you do run out of diapers…or wipes…or formula, or anything else that a kid might need. Don’t worry, while you might not be able to get some right away, most ports of call have a small pharmacy or store within them that sell these types of items.

It’s best to simply pack everything you need, but if you do get in a bind, it’s nice to know there is a place where you can pick up the basics.

Sleeping Can Be Difficult With a Baby/Toddler in the Room

Are you used to sleeping in your room while your child sleeps in another? If so, be prepared for some rougher nights. It’s one thing to hear your kid cry through a baby monitor set at low volume. It’s another thing altogether to have the baby making noise in their crib that’s just a few feet from your bed. In the middle of the night, it’s especially loud.

Be ready and expect that you might not get the greatest night’s sleep while your little one is sharing the cabin.

Sunscreen is a Must, but Shirts and Hats Are Better

Yes, you likely already know that sunscreen is a must. At the lower latitudes the sun is stronger and can burn sensitive skin quickly. But let’s face it, putting on sunscreen every hour is a greasy affair — and not much fun when you’re trying to do it to a wiggly two-year-old.

Instead, look for a swim shirt that covers up most of a kid’s torso, leaving just face and arms to sunscreen. A wide-brimmed hat is also a smart idea. Not only is it easier than having to lotion everywhere, it’s also more foolproof and quicker.

Make Sure You Get a Kid’s Life Jacket in Your Cabin

In your cabin closet, you’ll find life jackets for use in case of emergency. Be sure to check that there is also a kid’s life jacket if you are traveling with child. If not, just ask your cabin steward, and they can get you one. Chances are slim that you’ll use it, but you should have it just in case.

Order Bottled Water to the Room if Your Kid Uses Formula

Yes, you can arrange to bring water onto the ship if you have a kid that needs it to mix formula. Or you can also fill up some water bottles at the buffet and bring it back to the cabin to mix.

Instead, it’s easier just to order some bottled water delivered to your room. Carnival, for instance, has it for about $10 for a 12-pack and it keeps you from having to lug on heavy water bottles when you board the ship. 

You can also get water out of the bathroom sink, but to us that just seems wrong for some reason.

Have the Length of Your Cruise Correspond With Your Kid’s Age

Have a one-year-old going on his or her first cruise? Don’t try to do a week-long trip. The younger your kid, the better it is to do shorter cruises. As your kid gets older, however, then the length of the trip can increase.

With small kids, you’re never sure how they might react to something new — even if it’s supposed to be fun. As well, older kids are also better able to take advantage of all the things to do on the cruise and are less likely to be bored.

Most importantly of all, parents don’t have to be stuck in a tiny cabin with a young child for hours on end, and if your kid were to get sick or have a bad time, it’s a lot nicer knowing it’s only a few days until you are back home instead of it being a week or more.

Magnetic Hooks Are Ideal for Drying Swimsuits

Kids love to swim, and there is only so much space in the cabin to hang wet clothes. Instead, bring a few magnetic hooks with you . You can stick these hooks on the metal ceiling, and use them to hang up wet swimsuits.

There is also a retractable drying line that runs across the shower, but we find it usually gets in the way to hang clothes here. As well, the swimsuits don’t dry as well in the damp bathroom.

Expect Your Toddler to Find the Dirty Spots in the Cabin

Every person should expect a clean cabin when taking a cruise, but just like any hotel, there are still spots that don’t get much cleaning attention. Behind and under beds, and tucked away corners may still be dirty.

If you have a baby or a toddler, expect them to find these spots when they are crawling around the room. It’s a bit gross, but it’s a fact of life. That’s what wet wipes are for!

Life Jackets & Lifeguards Are There, But Keep an Eye on Kids

Have a kid that’s not a great swimmer? One nice thing is that cruise lines have life jackets for kids to use and there are lifeguards on duty. 

Head to the pool and you’ll see the guards keeping an eye on things. And nearby you’ll find racks of different sized life jackets. They are free to use; just find one that fits and put it on. Even if your kid thinks he is a good swimmer, a life jacket — and keeping watch — isn’t a bad idea. Cruise pools usually don’t have a shallow end and if the ship is moving, the water can surge back and forth making it more difficult for smaller kids to swim.

Get Snacks for Kids in Port of Call… Don’t Bring Food From the Ship

Any parent knows that the most important word to a kid is “snack.” That’s why it’s tempting to grab a couple of items from the buffet or to bring some snacks from home onto the ship. But, just know that you can’t bring food with you into ports of call. Due to customs, authorities are fairly serious about not bringing things from the ship onto land. 

Instead, if you need something for your kids to eat, you’ll want to make a stop at a store or restaurant to get something while visiting. 

Going Off-the-Beaten Path Means Fewer Facilities for Kids

If you are cruising with kids, then you’ll want to stay in the more touristy spots near the ship and popular attractions. As a rule of thumb, the more off-the-path your destination is, the less likely it is to cater to families. So, for instance, it’s less likely to have changing tables or places to entertain kids. Stick with the more touristy spots and you’ll likely have all the comforts you would expect of back home.

Understand the Muster Situation with Kids

Before your cruise, you’ll have the muster drill, where you learn about the procedures in case of emergency. This includes finding your muster station — the assigned spot to meet. But what if you and your kid are separated (such as at the kids club) when a call to muster takes place?

When you cruise, small children are given a wristband with their assigned muster station. They will wear this at all times. If you are not with your child, then the staff will ensure that kids are escorted to the correct muster area based on this wristband to be reunited.

Bring an Outlet Adapter for Gadgets

These days even kids have lots of devices that need to plug in. For babies and toddlers, this can include sound machines and nightlights, as well as chargers for tablets and more. But many older ships have one or maybe two outlets. 

The lack of outlet space is frustrating. No worry, just pack a cheap outlet adapter . They can be found for about $5-7 and plug in to give you multiple outlets where there was only one.

Newer ships are better about having more outlet space.

Prepare for Seasickness… Just in Case

Seasickness isn’t a huge deal on a cruise, but it does happen for some people. If you’re traveling with your little one on a ship for the first time, then you should be prepared for the possibility. Be sure to pack some seasickness remedies and don’t hesitate to use them if your kid complains of feeling queasy.

The good news is that cruise ships are pretty stable. It’s most likely you won’t even notice you’re on the water.

Don’t Feel Guilty About Having Your Own Vacation

When you cruise with a child — especially a baby or a toddler — it can feel like anything but a vacation. Children are a lot of work, and you deserve to take some time to yourself. Don’t feel guilty about dropping the kids off and enjoying some pool time, the casino, dinner, or the evening show with your spouse. Remember, it’s your vacation too.

Make Sure Kids Understand the Danger of the Ship’s Railing

Every year there are stories of people falling overboard due to climbing on the ship’s railing and losing their balance. NEVER let your kids climb on the railing , and make it clear right from the start how dangerous it is to even think about sitting on the rail. Unfortunately, it’s literally a matter of life and death in some cases.

Pack a Couple of New Toys for the Trip

One pro-tip: Try packing a couple of new toys with you to surprise your kid in the middle of the trip. We’ve found that this is a great way to keep smaller kids entertained if they get bored while at sea and can’t run around like they would at home. It’s also smart as a technique to use when they start to get fussy at an inopportune time. When you feel a tantrum coming up, pull out the new toy and watch their mood change instantly.

Think of it as a cheap insurance policy to keep them entertained and happy.

For more on cruising with babies and toddlers, read our complete guide here .

Have more tips on cruising with your baby, toddler, or small child? Let us know in the comments below.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, answered: how much cash should you take on a cruise, 44 must-have alaskan cruise tips, tricks, and secrets, cruise anxiety these facts may calm your biggest fears, how to get from the fort lauderdale airport (fll) to the miami cruise port, complete guide to using your phone on a cruise (carnival, royal caribbean & more), gratuity calculator & tipping amounts for major cruise lines in 2024, 12 comments.

Did you feel that there was enough room to move around with the crib in the room? I know they typically put it beside the couch and it looks like it would leave little to no room to maneuver around.

There’s not a ton, no. Cribs are kinda bulky in general and then put it in a relatively small cabin and you don’t get a lot of options.

thanks a lot for wonderful suggestions, Just want to know will my one year old boy be able to eat from any buffet items, is there any food items suitable for them.

Sure. There are plenty of food options, including lots of fruit and cut veggies at the salad bar. You can also bring on foods like pouches if you want.

thanks a ton

Definitely a few tips and tricks we never would have thought of! Taking our kids on their first cruise soon, they’re so excited!

You’ll have a blast!

Are 2 yr old require to sleep in a crib? I would rather him sleep on his own bed.

No, they don’t have to sleep in a crib. One is just provided if needed.

Taking our 1yo on a cruise in 1 month. Great article and advice. Thank you.

Hope you have a great time!

One of the most helpful packing lists I’ve read! Thank you!

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Cruising with a Baby: What to Know From Someone Who’s Done It

Worth it complete norwegian cruise line (ncl) drink package guide, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

ULTIMATE toddler cruise packing list

By: Author Wandermust Daddy

Going on a cruise with a toddler and wondering what the ultimate toddler cruise packing list looks like? In this guide we will tell you all of the toddler cruise packing list essentials from clothing, shoes to other toddler travel essentials. 

Important Note : This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Table of Contents

Things to know when packing for a cruise with a toddler

Cruising with toddlers. toddler cruise packing list

Before we get into our toddler cruise packing list checklist I thought it would be worth mentioning some things you should consider. 

Firstly when you are considering how much toddler paraphernalia you are packing, I would say take more than you think you are going to need. 

If you toddler is not potty trained for instance or still drinks some formula you will need to pack more than you will need for your cruise. While there is a shop on board the ship you aren’t guaranteed that they will have toddler supplies, or that if they do that they will have the right brand and size. 

Also if you are buying supplies on board the cruise ship you will also be paying a premium for this. 

However if you are doing a fly cruise then you may be worried about taking up too much room in your case. Therefore we recommend using the day before embarkation to stock up on supplies locally. 

The other thing to consider, especially in relation to clothing is whether or not you are sailing on a cruise ship with a laundry. If you have a cruise ship with a laundry you won’t need to pack as many spare clothes. 

However if your ship doesn’t have a laundry I would advise packing ample spare changes of clothes so you don’t have to pay for costly dry cleaning and ship done laundry while on board.

If I can I try to book on a  ship with a laundry room whenever I am a cruising with a baby . That way I only need to take enough clothes for half the week and I will do laundry mid trip. 

Also remember when you pack for a cruise be sure to leave spare clothes and any of your toddler essentials i.e. diapers, swimwear and medications etc that you will need that day. 

On embarkation day you leave your main baggage in the cruise terminal which will be delivered to your stateroom later in the day. If you are lucky it will arrive quickly. If you are unlucky it might not arrive until after you have had dinner. So be sure to have anything you will need in the next 24 hours in your carry on embarkation day luggage. 

What to Pack for a toddler on a cruise (clothing wise)

While below we have made the assumption that you are going on a 7 day cruise, you will need to add and subtract the amounts of each thing if you are a longer or shorter cruise. 

Note : remember if your cruise ship does not have a guest laundry room you may want to pack more spare clothes. 

7 outfits (i.e. tops and bottoms) + spare

If you are traveling on a 7 day cruise with a toddler then I recommend packing 7 outfits plus a couple of spares to ensure they last your entire trip.

If your ship has a laundry and you are happy to do laundry on your vacation you could halve this amount. 

Note : For more information on what to pack for toddlers on an Alaskan cruise check out this post. 

A Formal Outfit

Most cruises regardless of length will have a formal night. And longer length cruises may have 2 formal nights. 

If you plan on attending the formal night, which I admit is one of my favourite nights on  a cruise ship, then be sure to take a more formal outfit for them as well as yourself. 

And if you do get some cute photographs be sure to check out our favorite cruise ship instagram captions . 

Cruises, even hot weather cruises can get chilly when you are out on the deck and in the dining rooms where the air conditioning is fierce. 

I recommend having some casual top layers and a formal cardigan or jumper for the dining room. 

Staterooms can be chilly so you will want a medium weight pair of PJs for your toddler.

If your toddler isn’t fully potty trained and sometimes has nighttime accidents then I would recommend taking a spare pair of PJs with you.

UV Protection Swimwear

You may find some cruise ships have pools and splash pads (depending on the ship). And if you are traveling to the Caribbean many of the ports will have beaches that you will want to take advantage of with your toddler. 

While you can take any swimwear for your little one, I recommend taking swimwear with UV protection where possible. We usually use Splashabout swimwear for this reason. 

Alongside the swimwear we recommend taking some swim aids and water toys. Swim aids are a great way to make your toddler safe on a cruise with proper supervision and the toys will add to their enjoyment at the pool or beach. 

Click here to shop UV Protection Swimwear

Sun Hat and Sunglasses 

If you are travelling to a warm weather destination then be sure to take a sun hat and sun glasses with you for your toddler. 

And if your toddler is like mine you may want a spare set for when you inevitable lose one. 

Other Toddler Cruise Packing List Essentials 

Taking a toddler on a cruise – tips for cruising with a toddler

If your toddler is not potty trained then be sure to take plenty of diapers with you. We recommend packing enough for the length of the cruise and enough for a day either side. 

If you are flying to meet your cruise and are worried about packing constraints then you can buy them at your embarkation port. Either way just make sure that you have them when you embark on your cruise.

I also recommend taking anything that you use to combat nappy rash such as Sudacrem or Metanium. 

Swim Diapers 

Even if you are on a ship that doesn’t have a splash pool for an unpotty trained toddler to use be sure to pack swim diapers for use on shore excursions where you will be on the beach or using a pool in port. 

Wet Wipes and  Bags 

This is pretty self explanatory – no parent wherever they are doesn’t want to be caught without wet wipes. 

Formula Milk If required 

If you are traveling with a toddler who is still formula fed I would advise taking a supply of milk with you. There is nothing worse than changing formula and baby getting an upset tummy. I always bring a supply with me wherever we travel.

Normally sun screen can be bought on ship but it is expensive. You will likely want a high factor and kids version so be sure to bring this with you. 

Also if you plan on doing any snorkelling with your toddler or sea activities, be sure to pack reef safe sun screen. 

Click here to buy sunscreen

Blanket or Toy

If your toddler has a blanket or toy that they can’t sleep without be sure to pack this and take with you. 

However just be sure you don’t lose it. 

Stoller on cruise ship

There is not much space in any cruise cabin whatever the cabin and cruise line. For this reason packing light is always a priority.

Now I have seen people online say to leave a stroller at home when you cruise with a toddler in favour of a carrier however I really don’t advocate this.

Strollers are useful when in port and also for going around the ship. We would also use in the evenings on the ship as toddler could nap in the stroller while we could have a late dinner or drink and meant we weren’t confined in our cabin. 

However I would recommend choosing your stroller wisely as you will need a compact one to make sure it doesn’t take up too much space in your stateroom. 

For more information on the best stroller for cruise ship travel check out this post. 

And if you are visiting during Summer then you should check out the best carriers for hot weather . 

If you use pacifiers at home be sure to take these with you. 

I usually take around three bottle and teats etc with me as this allows for fresh bottles on shore excursions without worrying about cleaning. 

Sterilising Equipment

One of the biggest questions we had when cruising abut a baby was about how we were going to sterilise her bottles. We opted to use a sterilising bag and steriliser tablets on our cruise like this. 

If your child has migrated to a sippy cup be sure to have one with you. 

Children’s Shampoo and Wash

While cruise cabins will provide you with an all in one shampoo and body wash I wouldn’t recommend using on your toddler. I find the toiletries on a cruise ship to be a little abrasive therefore I always take some for my little one especially. 

My favorite brand is Child’s Farm but I recommend using whatever you use at home to prevent any reaction. 

Inflatable Baby Bath

My number one tip for if you are traveling to a warm weather destination and your baby can’t use a pool is to take an inflatable baby bath with you. It is a great substitute paddling pool. 

Even If you don’t plan on using the bath as a paddling pool I would recommend taking the inflatable baby bath with you anyway as most staterooms don’t have baths only showers. 

Both of my kids as toddlers hated taking showers so having an inflatable baby bath takes the stress out of washing them on a cruise ship. 

First Aid Kit

We take one with us wherever we go! 

Although there is a doctor on board cruise ships, there are not many medications available to purchase in the shop especially for toddlers. 

Therefore we recommend taking medications that you use with your toddler when they feel unwell as well as things to combat things such as teething. 

Toys  

Especially if you have some sea days in your itinerary I would recommend having a few (not lots) of toys with you and maybe a play mat if you have space in your case.

Some of my toddlers favorite toys for travel include top and tails jigsaws, some magnetic toys and water wow coloring pads which don’t cause a mess on cruise ships and are a great travel toy. 

For more information on the best toddler toys for travel click here. 

Car Seat 

Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips for Family Cruises

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: June 21, 2021  - Last updated: June 23, 2023

What’s the perfect vacation for families of all ages? A cruise, of course! With activities for all age groups and top-notch childcare and teen-friendly activities, cruising with your kids can be a blast for everyone.

But a little bit of planning will make that family vacation even better, so here are my 19 essential tips for cruising with kids .

1. Choose the right cruise

Not all cruises are the same—even a cruise line that you’re familiar with can feel very different on shorter or longer sailings, on newer ships vs. older ones, and at different times of the year. When you’re planning your family cruise, there are a few things to consider to make sure the whole family has a good time.

Pick a cruise line that’s a good fit for you AND your kids

Most mass-market and premium cruise lines offer kids’ programs and activities, but some really cater to the smaller members of the family.

Some of the best cruise lines to consider include Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line , and Disney Cruise Line . Each is a perennial favorite for kid-friendly activities and top-notch child care.

But they’re not the only family-friendly cruise lines! Norwegian Cruise Line ‘s casual atmosphere is great for those who enjoy a laid-back vibe (and no formal nights!) Princess , while a bit more traditional, offers a partnership with the Discovery Channel both on board and with many of their shore excursions, perfect for curious and adventurous kids.

Ultra-luxury cruise lines and river cruises, while attractive to adults, don’t usually have much (if anything) to offer young children. Steer clear of these kinds of cruises unless you want to hear the never-ending refrain, “I’m bored!”

Go during a kid-friendly time of year

Do your kids love making new friends everywhere they go? Make sure to plan your cruise for a time when lots of other families are on vacation. Cruises during summer break, winter holidays, and other school vacations typically will have lots more kids on board than at other times of year.

Thinking about taking your kids out of school for a cruise? Just remember that there probably won’t be lots of other kids for them to hang out with.

Consider a newer ship

Although many of the most budget-friendly cruises are on older ships, a newer cruise ship might have more activities and features for kids of all ages.

Young kids will have so much fun splashing in a water park, while older children might enjoy activities like rock wall climbing, zip lines, or ice skating. A new ship might also feature expanded youth programs and teen centers.

Don’t choose a very short or very long cruise

Short three- or four-day cruises are often called “booze cruises” for good reason—especially in tropical destinations. They’re often full of younger adults intent on getting the most out of their drink packages! Consider choosing a slightly longer cruise if you’d prefer the atmosphere to be less rowdy and more family-friendly.

On the flip side, cruises longer than seven days tend to attract older people and fewer families with children. With higher costs and limited vacation time, many families aren’t able to take children on longer voyages. Stick to week-long cruises or shorter if you want to make sure your kids will have plenty of playmates.

If you have your heart set on a longer cruise with the kids, consider doing two back-to-back cruises. You’ll get the benefits of getting to know the ship and the ports even better, and if your stateroom is available for both sailings you won’t even need to pack up in between! Plus, each individual voyage will be more likely to have more kids on board.

2. Pick the right stateroom for your family

Depending on the age of your kids, the size of your family, and your budget, give some serious consideration to what kind of stateroom (or rooms) you pick for your family cruise.

Classic interior staterooms are small, but can often sleep three or four. For a family with one or two littles, an inside cabin can be just right—and you can save money to put toward your adventures in port. Or for more cruises!

But if your kids are older, cramming into a tiny cabin can feel claustrophobic, especially when you’re all trying to get ready at the same time on a busy morning. Consider upgrading to a larger room (NCL actually has family inside staterooms!), or choose two adjoining rooms with a door in between.

Read more: Is an Interior Cabin Right for Your Cruise?

If your budget is larger, a deluxe balcony or mini-suite will give you plenty of room to spread out, but you’ll still have to share a small bathroom. Some (but not all) mini-suites also have a privacy curtain to separate the parents’ sleeping area from the living area with the kids’ pull-out bed.

Some cruise lines offer two-bedroom family cabins with two bathrooms, or you could upgrade to a full suite with lots of living and sleeping space for everyone.

Tip : If you don’t have time to research the best cruise line, time of year, and type of cabin that works best for your family, a good cruise travel agent can help you find the best choice for your needs.

3. Let your kids help choose your cruise destination and shore excursions

Especially with older kids, it’s a good idea to let them have some input in choosing your cruise (within reason, of course—you’re paying for it after all!)

Take a look at the different ports you’d visit on cruises that fit your family’s schedule and budget. See what there is to do for a few different options, then get input from the kids on what activities they’d like to do or things they’d like to experience.

Having the kids be an integral part of the vacation planning process gives them a sense of agency. When they feel like they were part of the decision-making, kids are often less likely to complain when things don’t work out exactly to their expectations.

Foodie kids might enjoy visiting the cultural home of their favorite dishes—imagine taking a Mediterranean cruise to sample authentic pizza in Naples, Italy or enjoying empanadas on the street in Cartagena, Colombia .

Or maybe your child is a little fish you can never get out of the water (even for lunch). A Caribbean cruise with lots of beach stops might be right up their alley. Do you have a kid who can’t stand hot weather but loves hiking? An Alaska or California coastal cruise might be the perfect vacation for your family.

Tip: Keep up with what your kids are learning in social studies classes. For example, if your child just learned about the Mayan civilization in school, a cruise that includes Costa Maya, Cozumel, or Belize can bring you close enough to see Mayan ruins in person.

But beware of letting your child have too much leeway in picking your cruise. As a teen, my daughter chose our Panama Canal cruise. We went way over budget (I’m a pushover), but we had an amazing time fulfilling her childhood dream of meeting baby sloths .

4. Consider making it an extended-family cruise

Cruises have so much to offer vacationers of any age, so why not ask your parents, in-laws, or your siblings and their families if they’d be interested in coming along?

You can all take turns sharing the childcare duties during the times when the kids club isn’t open. With larger family groups, consider swapping designated babysitter duties each evening to allow every adult plenty of grownup time (and all the kids can have sleepovers with their cousins).

Even with smaller families, grandparents can join in on the fun without feeling like unpaid babysitters. A cruise is a great way to encourage lots of multigenerational bonding while all the adults still have plenty of adult time to relax and enjoy lots of kid-free enjoyment.

Tip: If you’re the point person for a group that books a larger block of staterooms, cruise lines will often give you a discount (or even a free cabin!) for your cruise.

5. Have a pre-cruise family meeting to get everyone on the same page

As a parent, raise your hand if you’ve ever planned something really exciting only to realize that your partner or your kids just didn’t really understand the expectations? (You can’t see me but I’m hanging my head in shame and raising my hand right now).

Especially for new cruisers , planning a cruise vacation with your kids can be nerve-wracking—you just don’t know what to expect.

But having some baseline expectations for your kids (and with your partner regarding the kids) on a cruise, and sharing those expectations with them before you travel is key.

Basic family rules don’t go out the window on vacation

In our family, we’ve always had a few rules. Most of them are pretty basic—no snacks just before dinner, no swearing unless you drop something heavy on your toe, clean up your own messes, don’t hit your sister—the usual.

But lots of things that we know as a family are rules to live by can get ignored on vacation, and especially on a cruise where older elementary kids and tweens might have their first taste of “freedom”.

While you’re still in the planning stage of your family cruise, have a conversation about family rules with your spouse, partner, or other adult family members who are joining you on the cruise (and have authority with your kids).

Every family is different, and kids of various ages will have different rules. But once all the adults are in agreement, have a meeting with all the kids before your vacation so everyone’s on the same page.

Tip: Budget lots of time for questions for larger families or family groups. Kids will often run various scenarios through their heads that you might not have anticipated. This is a good thing! Encourage questions so you can provide answers, even if you’re unsure right away.

With older kids, think about some questions that might come up, and spell out the answers before your cruise. Here are some examples to think about:

• Is there a certain meal that you always want to enjoy as a family? If family dinner time is important, spell that out with your kids. Be prepared if your older children want to try a formal dinner with another family—this can encourage independence.
• Where is your child allowed to go on the ship without permission? You might be fine with your kids playing basketball without supervision, but you don’t want them swimming without you.
• What happens when a new cruise friend invites your kid back to their cabin to hang out? What are your family rules around that?
• Will your child be able to sign themself out of the kids club? (You’ll need to provide blanket permission for this)

Obviously, depending on the age of your kids, your cruising experience, and your own family’s rules and expectations, your cruise family meeting might look a bit different.

Regardless of your situation, take a minute to let your kids know about some basic rules that apply to everyone on every cruise.

Teach your kids about cruise etiquette and safety before you go on the cruise

• Let others get off the elevator before you enter
• Dry off after swimming before sitting in a restaurant, entering an elevator, or entering any indoor areas
• Put a coverup or tee over your bathing suit, and wear shoes before entering the hallways or dining areas
• Use indoor voices in hallways and indoor places
• Cruise ship buffets are lots of fun, but there are important buffet rules everyone needs to follow

6. Research the theme parties or formal nights your cruise might offer

Whatever type of cruise you’re on, odds are there’s going to be some kind of theme party or dress-up night where both you and your kids can join in on the fun.

Part of the excitement of cruising is dressing up! Even if you’re not into donning formalwear or crazy costumes, chances are your kids will want to dress up if their friends do.

Find out if your cruise line has a formal night (or two!)

If you’re cruising on a more traditional line (think Princess, Holland America Line, or Cunard), you’re going to have at least one formal night. But don’t panic—you can always book an alternative dining venue or skip the public areas in the evening if you really dislike dressing up.

But for those of us who love seeing our kids scrubbed up and donning a miniature suit or tiny gown, find out if your cruise line has a formal night. Some longer cruises might even have two—or more!

Formal night is also the ideal time for a family portrait. Cruise line photos are notoriously expensive, but you only have to buy the pics that you like.

Tip: Save tons of money by only purchasing the formal pics that you and your family love, and you might just score an amazing family photo with all the kids for about $25.

Read more: What to Wear on Formal Night on a Cruise

Does your cruise have theme nights? Find out before you sail!

Even if you choose to cruise on a less-traditional cruise line, your cruise might have theme nights that you may want to pack for.

Some cruises have parties where everyone dresses in all white (like on Norwegian), or most passengers dress in a pirate theme, like on some Disney cruises.

Ask your travel agent or the cruise line what theme nights you can expect so you can pack appropriately for the cruise.

7. Notify the cruise line early of any food allergies, sensitivities, and special diets your kids have

If your kid has a food allergy, dining out is never an easy feat. But on a cruise, the kitchen and dining staff are actually more likely to pay close attention to your kids’ needs than many land-based restaurants will.

Let the cruise line know ahead of time—at least 30 days before you sail—that your child has special dietary restrictions.

Then on embarkation day, take a few moments to visit the main dining room before mealtime and ask to speak with the maître d’. Let him know about your child’s needs, and he’ll walk you through options that your child will be able to safely eat.

He’ll also make sure that your server knows about the dietary restrictions (but it’s a good idea to also remind your server before ordering).

On some cruise lines, you’ll be able to pre-plan your child’s special menus for the next day with the restaurant staff—just ask if this is a service they’re able to help you with.

8. Join a roll call to find other families with similar-aged kids before your cruise

Wouldn’t it be nice for your kids to make some new friends on the cruise? Maybe you’d also like to get to know some families with kids close in age to your own?

You don’t need to wait until you’re on the ship to connect with other cruisers on the same sailing! Just join a roll call to say hello to other passengers who’ll be cruising with you.

Check out some of the most popular cruise roll calls:

• Cruise Critic roll calls
• ShipMate roll calls (download free IOS/Android app)
• Royal Caribbean Blog roll calls

9. Pack an embarkation day bag with all the essentials

When you arrive at the ship for the first day of your cruise, you’ll leave your larger suitcases with the porter before you check in for your voyage. Your ship’s crew will deliver your bags to your stateroom later that afternoon, and this process often takes several hours.

To make sure the kids (and you!) have the most fun on embarkation day , make sure you pack all the things they’ll need for those first few hours. The onboard shops will be closed while you’re in port, so have all the essentials in your carry on including:

• diapers and wipes
• a hat or sunglasses

Read more and get a free packing list: What to Pack in Your Cruise Carry On Bag

10. DIY a family first aid kit

No one wants to get injured or sick on a cruise , but it’s best to be prepared in case it happens. Although you could always visit the ship’s medical center (all large cruise ships have one), it can be expensive.

Most ships also have shops that sell some over-the-counter medications—but often only the adult versions.

When you’re in port, you might be able to find a pharmacy to pick up the medicine you need, but foreign ports might not have the brands or formulations you’re looking for.

For minor issues, it makes sense to pack a basic first aid kit for the entire family, and include common items you might need for the kids, including:

• thermometer
• pain relievers
• cold medicine
• seasickness remedies
• antihistamine

Read more and get a free checklist: How to Make a Cruise First Aid Kit

11. Purchase travel insurance for everyone, including the kids

I get it, travel insurance probably isn’t the first thing on your mind when you’re planning a cruise. But it’s so important to buy a good travel insurance policy for each member of your family, even the little ones. The good news? It’s very affordable.

You can buy travel insurance from your travel agent or save money by purchasing your own (I always use Travelex).

If the unexpected happens (think injury, illness, stolen luggage, or a canceled flight or cruise), travel insurance gives you peace of mind that you’re covered. Plus, a good insurance policy will cover emergency medical evacuation to get you or your kids the care they need in case of a serious illness or injury.

Read more: Do You Really Need Cruise Travel Insurance?

12. Plan to get to the port city early

When planning to cruise with kids, you might think that you’ll have plenty of time to fly into the port city the day the ship sails. However, flights can be delayed and even canceled. If you don’t make it to the ship on time, the cruise will leave without you.

Even if your journey to the embarkation port goes smoothly, it can make for a super-long day for the kids as well as the adults. Getting up hours before usual and facing a long day of travel before you even get on the ship can make even the most well-behaved kids turn into cranky little monsters.

I always advise cruisers to get to the port city at least the day before your cruise if you’re flying or have a long drive, but especially if you’re cruising with kids.

If you arrive the day before, you’ll have time to explore the port city, have a restful night’s sleep, and enjoy a stress-free embarkation day.

Read more: How to Have the Best Embarkation Day on a Cruise

13. Visit the kids’ club on embarkation day

Most cruise line kids’ clubs offer free daily programs for kids ages 3-17, with age-appropriate activities for each age group. Some cruise lines also have programs for babies and toddlers, but often charge an hourly fee (or require that a parent or guardian supervises their little one in the club).

Whether or not you’re planning to use the children’s program on board the ship, it’s always a good idea for parents to tour the club with the kids during open house on embarkation day.

If you decide that you’d like to use the kids’ club services, it’s best to sign the kids up on this first day and find out what the activity schedule looks like for your cruise.

Your kids can also meet new friends in the kids’ club on embarkation day—friendships often form right away and will encourage your child to want to return knowing they already have friends waiting.

For teens that might not like the idea of hanging out in a supervised teen club, encourage them to at least check it out on that first day. Seasoned cruise kids know that this is the best time and place to meet other teens, even if they don’t want to use the club.

You may also like: What Should You Wear on Embarkation Day on a Cruise?

14. Set up a spending account for each child

Cruises are generally a cashless environment, and you’ll make all purchases with a cruise card (or RFID wearable) that also serves as your room key.

If your kid is old enough to carry their own cruise card around to get into the cabin, that means they’re old enough to use it to make purchases on the ship.

Now if your eleven-year-old walks into the fancy jewelry shop on the ship and tries to buy a diamond tennis bracelet, odds are they’re going to be met with a polite giggle and an invitation to come back with a grownup.

But playing fifty rounds of skee-ball at the arcade? Buying premium gelato (when there’s plenty of free ice cream in the buffet)? Or heading to the pool bar to get bottles of water for the gang?

You guessed it, they’ll be able to charge all these things on their cruise card, just like they’re running around with their own personal credit card. The problem? You’re stuck with the bill.

Having a conversation with your kids about how much money they’re allowed to spend on their own (if any) each day is a great idea. You can also check your stateroom TV or cruise app at any time to see what’s been charged to each family member’s account.

But on a cruise ship, it can even be confusing for adults which perks are included and which are complimentary! The most mature and best-intentioned kids can accidentally run up a large tab if they don’t have a spending limit.

On the first day of your cruise, head to the guest services desk and ask to set up a spending limit for each of your kids. Depending on the cruise line, you can set a hard limit for the duration of the cruise, by the day, or revoke all charging privileges. However, some cruise lines will let your child go a bit over that limit.

If you’re worried about the kids overcharging, bring cash and ask Guest Services to set a hard limit of that amount for the duration of the cruise.

You may also like: Do You Need to Bring Cash on a Cruise?

15. Post a day-by-day agenda that everyone can access

If (like me) you’re the designated vacation planner in your family, you probably spent a lot of time planning your cruise vacation, including fun shore excursions and activities that you know everyone’s going to love.

Seasoned cruisers might even book specialty dining reservations before the cruise and hop right on that daily planner each day to pick awesome activities that you know are must-dos for the family.

But if your family’s anything like mine, no one’s interested in all the fun things you’ve carefully planned until you’re on the ship. Then, once you’re relaxing by the pool with a book (and only then), they decide to ask you constantly:

“Hey Mom, what are we doing tomorrow? What are we doing Wednesday? Can I have lunch with Taylor’s family the day after tomorrow? (Wait, what day is it even right now?)

Unless you have a photographic memory, it’s a great idea to post a daily activities schedule in your stateroom, listing what you’re doing each day.

Many cruisers use a three-ring binder with tabs for each day, but I prefer to use an entire wall. This makes your cruise schedule super-visual so everyone’s on the same page—including the other (non-planning) adults.

Cruise cabin walls are made of metal, so buy some inexpensive heavy-duty magnetic hooks that you can take along on every trip (I also use them to hang and organize small items like hats, bags, and umbrellas). I also pack a few markers and highlighters to decorate our cruise calendar.

Cruise pro tip: Invite your kids to help you set up your visual cruise planner wall. Ask smaller kiddos to draw pictures illustrating what they think they’ll see in each port! Older kids can help with lettering and sticking each day’s plan on the wall.

Make a column on the wall for each day of your cruise. I start each day’s column with a half-sheet of paper (repurpose some of the paper you’ll get for daily announcements and sales) that says something like:

PORT DAY: NASSAU

Then for each major activity planned for the day, I do a half-sheet of paper with the activity and the time, along with the tickets or instructions we’ll need. For example:

BEACH DAY AT ATLANTIS!

WAKE-UP TIME: 7:00 AM

FAMILY BREAKFAST IN MDR: 8:00 AM

MEET BUS AT PORT: 9:00 AM

BACK TO SHIP: 4:00 PM

Of course, tailor your schedule chart to your own family’s needs and where your kids are on their reading journey.

16. Aim to keep younger kids on a similar schedule to what they’re used to

Any parent of a toddler or preschooler knows that having regular sleep is the key to happiness. And that’s not just their sleep schedule, it’s ours too!

But any vacation—especially one with lots of travel, schedule upsets, and time zone changes—can throw even the most seasoned traveler off their “A” game.

Little kids are used to waking up, eating regular meals and snacks, and having naptime on a pretty regular schedule. But on vacation, it’s so important to keep kids on a similar schedule to what they do at home—for their sanity as well as your own.

Keeping to a regular wake time and bedtime can avoid meltdowns during the day. Plan your activities around dropping the little ones off at the kids’ club.

If you get up at 6:30 AM each day at home and have a morning feeding or breakfast right after, do that on a cruise. Don’t drop hungry and cranky kids off at the kids’ club at 8 AM expecting the staff to deal with them.

17. Pack some downtime activities

You might be tempted to make a proclamation like “this cruise is going to be a screen-time-free vacation”, or “you don’t need to pack any toys—we’ll have too much to do on the cruise.”

But cruises are just like any other type of vacation—you need to balance active time with downtime to make sure everyone feels relaxed.

Let your kids be in charge of their own relaxing activities. What they like doing to relax at home is generally a good start. Do they like reading before bed? Pack some books or download ebooks for their tablet. Do they love roleplaying stories with some stuffies? Pack a couple of favorite stuffed animals to make them feel more at home on your cruise.

Do your kids love video games? They may not have enough bandwidth to keep up with their MMORPG on a cruise, but consider letting them take a portable system on the cruise. They might not be able to play their fave game, but having the chance to do some solo gaming will stop lots of arguments, even if they can’t connect with their online friends.

18. Commandeer your own mini-fridge and pack it full of kid-friendly essentials

Every cruise cabin I’ve ever been in has had a (very) small refrigerator, which is always an amazing amenity to have when traveling with kids. However, when you get to your stateroom they’re often half-full with tiny bottles of wine and cans of beer.

Kids’ and teens’ rooms, (if they have their own) shouldn’t be stocked with alcohol (there might be soda or water), but check it out for yourself—don’t assume that your steward removed everything before you boarded.

At some point during the afternoon of embarkation day, your steward should knock on your door to introduce themself. When they ask if there’s anything else you need, it’s the perfect time to ask them to clear out the minibar! (This is a totally normal request and not an imposition at all.)

Tip: In case you’re thinking of saving some alcohol, soda, or water from the mini-fridge to drink later, just know there’s a huge upcharge, and it’s not included in your drink package unless you’re on an all-inclusive cruise or you received a complimentary minibar because of your loyalty status.

Once your refrigerator is empty of overpriced drinks, feel free to stock it to your liking.

Here are some things you might want to stock your fridge with on a cruise with kids:

• Milk or juice from breakfast
• Leftover baby food
• Pumped breastmilk
• Nutmilk that you asked for at breakfast/MDR
• Refrigerated packaged snacks you brought on board (yogurt/applesauce/string cheese, etc)

Tip: If you prefer to cover open glasses of juice or milk in the fridge, you’ll get plastic wrap with room service continental breakfast, which is often free. Or buy inexpensive environmentally-friendly reusable silicone wraps from Amazon— check the price here .

19. Know that your kids have options at mealtime

Most kids are picky (to a certain extent) with what they like to eat. Unless you’re a gourmet chef (or employ one), odds are your kids are used to a specific rotation of meals.

Some kids are adventurous and love trying new things. But many only like what they’re used to and will put up a fuss with any new dish, or even one that’s called by a different name!

Most cruise lines will cater to even the pickiest eaters. Outside of the buffets where food is pre-made, you can totally ask for special off-menu orders, within reason of course.

On a cruise, it’s totally fine to ask for a pared-down version of any item, even if it’s not specified on the menu. But if your kids are adventurous eaters, encourage them to try something new—you can always change it up if they don’t like it, at no extra charge.

Tip: If one member of your party has “kid duty” for the evening, ask your server to make sure the kids’ meals arrive with the adults’ starters. The kids will get to bed on time and the other grownups can enjoy a leisurely meal.

Read more: What New Cruisers Don’t Know About Cruise Food & Drinks

Have you taken your kids (or grandkids) on a family cruise? What are your favorite tips for cruising with kids? Let me know in the comments below!

Liked this post? Pin it for later!

• Recent Posts

• Azamara Room Service – Everything You Need to Know - March 19, 2024
• Carnival Corporation Unveils New Solar Park at Amber Cove - March 8, 2024
• Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas Cruise Compass – 7 Days Bahamas + Perfect Day 2024 - March 7, 2024

Related posts:

10 Tips for Cruising with a Toddler or Baby

Sharing is caring!

We somewhat naively booked our first cruise shortly after our son was born. It was well before we knew much about traveling with a ba by or toddler .  And while we were completely new to cruising ourselves, we had an amazing first cruise as a family. We’re here to share with you our best tips for cruising with a toddler or baby, including a few lessons learned.

Although our first cruise experience was on Royal Caribbean, we have since done a Disney cruise with toddlers more than once. Keep reading for our top tips for cruising with young children.

Disclaimer: Toddling Traveler participates in the Amazon affiliate program, which means we may earn a commission for qualifying items purchased through our links, at no extra charge to you.

Check if the Cruise Ship Has a Splash Pad Before Booking

I put this tip first on the list since it’s a pretty big consideration when you’re cruising with a toddler or baby. Did you know that all cruise ships require kids to be fully potty trained before going into the regular pools?    I had no idea until a few weeks before departing on our first cruise that our son couldn’t go in the pool.

These rules are based on strict CDC requirements, as most cruise ships have saltwater pools that lack the typical chlorine and other chemicals. That said, the best family cruise ships typically have some type of baby pool or splash zone. Most Royal Caribbean ships have these, and we LOVE the themed Splash Zones on Disney Cruise ships. The Disney Dream has a Finding Nemo Splash Zone and the Disney Wish has a Toy Story Splash Zone.

We love this reusable swim diaper or these disposable swim diapers for kids who aren’t potty trained.

Pack Snacks for Your Cruise with a Baby or Toddler

If you’re used to traveling with a baby or toddler, bringing snacks is probably already second nature. Since our son was still exploring solid foods, we wanted to make sure we had some healthy snacks with us as a backup. We brought a supply of puffs and fruit/veggie pouches to make sure we had healthy and easy snacks on the go.  

Keep in mind, many cruise ships have policies against bringing outside food and drinks. They do make exceptions, however, for young children as well as any sealed snacks. Just be sure to include these in your carry-on as they can be confiscated if they’re in your checked bags.

Bring an Umbrella Stroller and/or Baby Carrier

Even if you’re cruising on a smaller ship, they require a lot of walking and it can be a lot to carry around a baby or young toddler everywhere. We brought an umbrella stroller almost everywhere on our first cruise, and it was a lifesaver for our 13-month-old who wasn’t quite walking.  In addition to giving us a break from lugging around our big guy, the recline feature of this lightweight stroller was perfect for naps on the go. (Especially during excursions!) We also brought our go-to travel stroller on the last two Disney cruises for our 2-year-old, but tended to only use it embarking and disembarking.

We’ve also brought this baby carrie r  for a cruise as well.  It’s perfect for early morning walks or getting around if you don’t want to deal with a stroller.

Take Advantage of the On-site Nursery Services and Kids Programs

Most family-friendly cruise ships offer a nursery for children under 3 and a kids club for children ages 3 and older. Typically, there is a fee for babies and young toddlers under 3 to use the nursery given the extra care needed with that age group.

We took our son to the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery for 2 days for an hour or so each while we were there.  I felt a little guilty dropping him off during a family vacation, but it gave him time to roam around in a clean space with lots of toys and kids his age. We also had some time to relax without worrying what our wild child was getting into.

Royal Caribbean Babies & Tots

Royal Caribbean offers a drop off nursery for babies and toddlers 6-36 months. The nurseries include great toys for kids under 3, many of which we have and love at home.

• The drop off nursery program requires an additional charge. At the time of our cruise, it was $6-8 per hour depending on the time of day.
• Nursery times can be reserved on Day 1 during boarding and any time the nursery is open.  Hours vary by ship and whether it’s a port or sea day.
• Royal Caribbean daycare hours, availability and pricing differ by ship. Our nursery was open for drop off from 9-12pm and 6:30-midnight during sea days.
• Open play sessions are available every day for family and friends to play with their baby or toddler and have access to all of the toys in a clean space at no charge.
• Most RCL cruise ships offer this service, be sure to check your specific ship beforehand. Currently nursery drop off isn’t available on Explorer, Adventure or Jewel of the Seas.

It’s a Small World Nursery on Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line offers a drop off nursery for cruises 6 months up to (and including) 3 years old. They include age-appropriate toys, Disney movies, crafts and other activities.

• You can book nursery time in 30 minute increments, either in the Navigator app in advance or in person. (We recommend during this on the first day during open houses since times do fill up.)
• The current rate for the DCL nursery is $4.50 per half hour.
• The nursery is open to everyone during open house on the first day, and toddler time is also available (often in the shared kids club spaces.)

Kids Clubs for Toddlers Ages 3-5

Most cruise lines offer kids clubs for ages 3+ that are included in the rate. Most require kids to be potty trained for drop off, and they include:

• Aquanauts on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line includes fun experiments and play spaces for kids ages 3-5.
• Oceaneers Club on Disney Cruise Line for kids ages 3-12 with interactive, Disney themed spaces. We especially love the Disney Wish kids clubs .
• Carnival Cruises offer Camp Ocean , with the Penguin club designed specifically for ages 2-5. (This is a drop off program and kids do not need to be potty trained.)
• Norweigan Cruise Line also has the Splash Academy drop off kids club for ages 3-12.

Note: Some cruise ships require you to book nursery services in advance. Whether you’re going on a cruise with a toddler or baby, I recommend looking into the childcare options beforehand.

Request Items You Need in Advance

When packing for a cruise with babies or toddlers, it’s important to avoid overpacking given the limited amount of space in your room. Fortunately, there are a few items you can request from cruise ships in advance of your trip. Here are a few things to consider pre-requesting when cruising with a baby:

• Pack-n-Play or similar travel crib for your room.
• Mini fridge for the room (if it doesn’t come with one.) This is ideal if your child is drinking milk regularly or if you are pumping/ breastfeeding. On most ships, you can also request small cartons of milk from the buffet to keep in your room.
• Diapers, wipes and/or baby food in advance, if needed. Many ships do not readily keep these items on hand, but you can request them prior to cruising with a baby. We opted to bring everything on board with us since we were driving to the port.
• Be aware that most cruise lines do not have bathtubs or even sinks large enough to bathe a baby. We love this inflatable duck tub when traveling with a baby. Disney Cruise Line is also one of the few cruise lines with bathtubs in each family Oceanview or Verandah room.

Disney Cruise Line also included a diaper genie in the room when we booked a child under 3.

Related Post: Packing Tips for the Beach with a Baby

Upgrade to a Balcony or Suite

After having a balcony on our first cruise with a baby, I don’t know if I can go without it in the future. (In fact, we booked a balcony room for a subsequent cruise as well.) With babies and toddlers typically having earlier bedtimes, the balcony is the perfect place to relax at the end of the night without being stuck indoors. It’s also great for early mornings if you have younger kids that wake up earlier than the rest of the family. Plus, you can’t beat the sunsets and port side views from a cruise balcony.

The rooms with a balcony are also larger, so they fit the pack-n-play without it taking up half the room. If a balcony is out of your price range, consider an outside room. They are typically larger than an interior room and have the needed space to fit a portable crib.

Eat in the Formal Dining Rooms for Dinner

To some people, the idea of eating with a baby in a formal setting is anything but enjoyable.  We loved our experience on Royal Caribbean since the food is great and the staff makes the process so much easier than wrangling a baby in the buffet line. After the first night, our initial requests were replicated without us even having to ask. The highchair was ready and our son’s fruit was on the table the minute we sat down. We were also able to request special items off the menu for our son with no issues.  

Disney Cruise Line takes dining one step further with themed rotational dining experiences. Several ships offer the interactive Animators Palette. Other ships include princess themed dining experiences like Arendelle on the Disney Wish or Rapunzel’s Royal Table on the Disney Fantasy. DCL is great at accommodating special requests for picky eaters or allergies as well. Since it’s Disney, they also tend to be more casual dinners than other cruise lines offer, but still with amazing menus.

Not up for formal dining with a baby or just need a break one night? Most cruise ships offer babysitting at the nursery during dinnertime hours.

Bring Small Toys for Your Cruise

Dinners can be long on cruises, and you’re also bound to have downtime in your room when cruising with young kids. We recommend bringing some small fidget toys or activities to keep the kiddos busy. This doesn’t just apply to cruising, but we always have a small bag of toys with us that are suitable for either in the room, on-the-go or dinner time.  Our favorite travel toys are these water coloring book s and these stacking cups .

Related Post: 10 Travel Toys for Babies & Toddlers for Under $10

Research Options for Cruise Excursions

We were happy to find that there were several options for excursions when we went on a cruise with our 13 month old. While we could not go snorkeling with our family, we were able to find a few excursions in Bermuda that accommodate babies. In addition to going to Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda, we also did a glass bottom boat cruise that left directly from the port. Our son loved looking at the fish beneath the boat, and the water in Bermuda is very calm.

Subsequent cruises we went on had stops in the Bahamas. At the time of our sailings, we were limited on Nassau excursion options for kids under 5, so we opted to stay on the ship for our first cruise to Nassau. The second time, we walked to the Pirate Museum in Bahamas . It was a quick excursion and the kids had fun. Until Nassau port construction is complete, however, I don’t think I’d get off the ship again. If you’re looking for another Nassau excursion to walk to from port, Margaritaville Resort in Nassau is a popular option for families. You can purchase a day pass through Resort Pass , and it has a large pool with lazy river and a splash pad for kids.

For excursions with toddlers, I do recommend going through the cruise lines if you’re required to drive to your destination. We made this mistake on our first cruise and ended up with a long taxi ride from Horseshoe Bay without a car seat.

Consider Logistics Before and After Your Cruise

For our first cruise, we decided on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas with a cruise stop in Bermuda . We chose this cruise primarily for the Bermuda destination and also because we could drive from our hometown of Pittsburgh to the Baltimore Port. It was so great not having to tack on a flying with a baby in addition to our first time cruising with a baby!

For our second and third cruises with toddlers, we cruised with Disney out of Miami and then Port Canaveral. Since Ubers were the easiest option to get to and from the Port of Miami, I brought a car seat for my 2 year old. When cruising out of Port Canaveral, we opted to rent a car for the day since there’s a free shuttle from Port Canaveral to Avis car rental. That time, we brought both the lightweight car seat and a Mifold travel booster for our 5 year old. ( This inflatable booster seat is a another popular option for travel.) Both times, we left the car seat out on our verandah in the car seat bag .

Enjoy the Ease of Traveling Without Leaving Your Room

This by far is my favorite thing about cruising with kids or without.  Let’s face it, our days of touring five cities in five days are over for the foreseeable future. Even if you only have one stop on your cruise, the best part about cruising is that you stay in the same room the entire time. That means you only have to unpack once and have the baby adjust a new bedroom once. With the ship typically traveling overnight, you can also go to sleep in one city and wake up in a new one. All from the comfort of the cruise ship!

Have you been on a cruise with young kids? I’d love to hear in the comments if you have any additional tips for cruising with a toddler or baby!

Liked this post? Click on an image below to Pin for later.

9 thoughts on “10 Tips for Cruising with a Toddler or Baby”

• Pingback: Intro to Traveling with a Baby: 5 Things to Keep in Mind – Toddling Traveler
• Pingback: 24 Hours in Bermuda for Little Kids – Toddling Traveler
• Pingback: Intro to Traveling with a Baby: 5 Things to Keep in Mind - Toddling Traveler

Question: did you bring your carseat for him and use it on your excursions on Bermuda?

We actually didn’t bring a car seat to Bermuda. The glass bottom boat excursion left right from Royal Dockyard and most of the beach trips through the cruise ship we’re in large buses.

• Pingback: 5 Must Have Travel Essentials For Toddler Travel - Toddling Traveler
• Pingback: 5 Must Have Travel Essentials For Toddler Travel -

This was perfect! We are traveling on royal and this was very helpful!

I’m so glad to hear that!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Cruising with Toddlers: Ultimate Mom Tips for a Smooth Sailing Trip

Posted on Last updated: March 13, 2024

Home » Cruise » Cruising with Toddlers: Ultimate Mom Tips for a Smooth Sailing Trip

Sharing is caring!

Are you planning your first cruise with a toddler and don’t know where to start? We’ve done it, and it’s so much fun! Keep scrolling to check out my ultimate guide to cruising with toddlers, so you’ll feel like a pro!

This ultimate guide to cruising with toddlers was written by family travel expert marcie cheung . it contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

Are you thinking about cruising with toddlers? Most of the cruises we went on were with my toddlers, so if you want to go on a cruise, we have a lot of opinions about it!

Keep scrolling to hear about our first cruise with toddlers, shore excursions, cruise ship dining, sea days, and more!

Our Royal Caribbean Cruise with a Toddler

We were invited to a family wedding in Tuscany last summer and we decided to do some cruise travel before the wedding.

This was our first time taking our toddler to Europe , so we really thought about where we’d like to go and how cumbersome it might be.

The kicker is that the destination wedding was black-tie and involved several events where we’d need nice clean clothes, so we had to bring more than usual.

Cruising with a toddler seemed the easiest way to experience Europe with our luggage.

Why Did We Pick This Cruise Ship?

When we started researching, we were overwhelmed with the number of cruise ships we could pick from.

Most cruise ships offered kids’ clubs, kids’ menu items in the main dining room, complimentary pack-n-plays, and even baby food!

After much contemplation, we opted for a Greek Isles cruise on  Royal Caribbean . I had never been on a cruise before (I assumed they were just for old people) and I had always said that I’d rather spend more time at the destination rather than getting there.

I was completely mistaken!

Our First Cruise Ship Experience with Kids

Our cruise was the perfect fit for our 20-month-old! For one thing, the service on board was absolutely outstanding!

Maybe it’s because our past experiences have made our standards so low that we feel like we have to apologize when we bring our son out and about, but I almost cried several times because we were treated so nicely!

They actually begged us to bring our son to the main dining room each night, where he had about 15 servers calling him nicknames and bringing him bread and special treats!

Young Child Activities

They also had a fantastic onboard babies and toddlers program. It was open in the mornings for parents to come to play with their kids for free. They had movies running in the background and several large toys.

It was nice to meet other toddler parents and get our toddlers used to the space.

In the afternoons, it became a drop-off zone for just $6/hour. In the evenings, it was just $8/hour, and they ordered our son dinner.

He loved it so much that he didn’t want to leave when we picked him up! They gave us a pager in case there were any problems. They also gave us a bag of toys that we were able to borrow for the duration of the cruise.

Toddler-Friendly Shore Excursions

The excursions were also the right fit for our family. First of all, toddlers are free (but we could have left him in the kids club.) The buses were air-conditioned, which was a nice contrast to the August heat in  Greece .

For our cruise, we explore Santorini , Mykonos, Olympus, and Athens .

We brought a backpack with snacks, lots of water, extra clothes, sunscreen, teething medications, and a camera. We also brought sun hats for everyone and our Boba carrier.

The one downside to the excursions (besides the cost) is that most come with a tour guide, and you have to wear little earpieces that are very tempting for toddlers to yank out of your ear over and over again.

We found it less stressful to remove the earpiece and just walk around the sites, reading about them in our guidebooks. This gave our toddler more of an opportunity to walk around and explore.

While we could have done the excursions for cheaper on our own, the ease of just showing up and not worrying about missing the boat (literally) was worth the extra cost with a toddler.

Now that we have a family cruise under our belts, we might opt for just one or two excursions in the future and do something more laid-back the rest of the days.

Our Chats with Other Parents Cruising with a Toddler

We chatted with other parents of small children on board, and one of them mentioned that kids have to be at least six years old to be in one of those flip-down beds.

The parents ended up having to book adjoining cabins so their toddlers could be in regular beds. That was really good to know! It was a tight squeeze with the crib in our cabin, and it would have been impossible to cram 2 in there.

Another parent said her daughter preferred to play in the kids’ club rather than do excursions, so they put her in the kids’ club, and they’d go off the boat to explore the port.

We saw a lot of parents and toddlers doing laps on the deck to get some wiggles out.

We also saw parents struggling with their strollers on the cobblestones at the ports. Having been to Europe before, we knew it would be tricky and chose not to bring our stroller. We don’t regret that decision.

What Cruising with Toddlers Mistakes Did We Make?

We brought along a bunch of swim diapers without realizing there was a minimum age to use the pool. Oops!

We also used our car seat on the airplane (which was great), but it meant that we had to store the clunky car seat in our small stateroom for the whole trip. In hindsight, we should have found a place to store it either at the airport or near the cruise ship terminal.

We ate most of our meals in the main dining rooms, but we should have used room service when our toddler was tired or cranky. It would have alleviated a ton of stress.

Would We Do It Again?

All in all, Royal Caribbean was a fantastic choice for our family! When the cruise ended, we were really sad to say goodbye to everyone (and to say goodbye to really good service!) We will definitely be cruising as a family again!

Is it Worth Taking a 2-Year-Old on a Cruise?

Whether it is worth taking a 2-year-old on a cruise depends on your personal preferences and your toddler’s personality and needs.

Cruising with toddlers can be a fun and enjoyable experience, but it can also present some challenges.

If your toddler is generally adaptable and enjoys new experiences, they may be more likely to enjoy cruising. However, if your toddler is easily overwhelmed by new environments and routines, a cruise may not be the best option.

Consider your own preferences and how they align with cruising with a toddler. Do you enjoy spending time with your toddler and engaging in family-friendly activities? Or do you prefer more adult-oriented activities and time to relax?

Overall, whether it is worth taking a 2-year-old on a cruise depends on your individual circumstances.

If you enjoy spending time with your toddler and the cruise ship offers amenities and activities that are appropriate for their age, cruising with toddlers can be a fun and memorable experience.

How can I keep my toddler entertained on the ship?

Keeping a toddler entertained on a cruise ship can be challenging, but there are many activities and strategies you can use to keep them engaged and happy. Here are some ideas:

Take advantage of the ship’s amenities

Most cruise ships have pools, water parks, and other fun amenities that toddlers will love. Spend time playing with your toddler in the pool or taking them down the waterslide.

Attend family-friendly shows

Many cruise ships offer family-friendly shows and performances that are appropriate for toddlers. Check the ship’s entertainment schedule and attend shows your toddler might enjoy.

Visit the kids’ club

Many cruise ships have kids’ clubs that are specifically designed for toddlers. These clubs offer age-appropriate activities and toys that will keep your toddler entertained.

Participate in onboard activities

Many cruise ships offer onboard kid-friendly activities that are suitable for toddlers, such as arts and crafts, storytime, and sing-alongs. Check the ship’s daily schedule and participate in activities your toddler might enjoy.

Bring toys and games

Bring your toddler’s favorite toys and games from home to keep them entertained while on the ship. Consider bringing small, portable, age-appropriate toys that your toddler can play with in your stateroom or on the go.

Explore the ship

Take your toddler on a tour of the ship and explore different areas, such as the library, arcade, or outdoor decks. This can be a fun and interactive way to keep your toddler entertained and engaged.

Take shore excursions

Many shore excursions, such as beach trips or animal encounters, are suitable for toddlers. Check with the cruise line to see which excursions are appropriate for toddlers.

Remember to be flexible and take breaks as needed to ensure your toddler doesn’t get overtired or overwhelmed. You can keep your toddler entertained and happy on the cruise ship with a little planning and creativity.

10 Tips for Cruising with a Toddler

Here are some tips to help you have a successful cruise with a toddler:

Choose the right cruise line

Not all cruise lines are equally equipped to accommodate toddlers. Look for a cruise line that offers amenities such as nurseries, kids’ clubs, and child-friendly activities. Disney Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises are great options.

Read more: Best Cruises for Toddlers

Stick to your routine.

Try to maintain your toddler’s routine as much as possible, including nap times and mealtimes.

Use the nursery or kids’ club

Many cruise lines offer nurseries or kids’ clubs where you can drop off your toddler for supervised playtime. This can give you time to relax or participate in other ship activities.

Plan age-appropriate activities

Look for activities that are appropriate for your toddler’s age, such as splash pads or toddler play areas.

Be prepared for motion sickness

Toddlers are more prone to motion sickness than adults. To help alleviate symptoms, bring along remedies such as ginger chews or over-the-counter medications.

Pack wisely

Be sure to pack all the necessary items your toddler will need, including clothing, sunscreen, diapers, snacks, and toys. Packing a first-aid kit with medications and basic medical supplies is also a good idea.

Practice good hygiene

Toddlers can be prone to illness, so be sure to practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, and encourage your toddler to do the same.

Be mindful of safety

Be mindful of your toddler’s safety on the ship. Keep a close eye on your child at all times, and make sure they wear appropriate safety gear when participating in activities.

Be flexible

Traveling with a toddler can be unpredictable. Be prepared to adjust your plans if necessary and go with the flow.

Enjoy the experience

Cruising with a toddler can be a fun and rewarding experience. Take plenty of photos and enjoy making memories as a family.

What are the Best Cruise Ships for Toddlers 

There are several cruise ships that are well-suited for toddlers and offer a range of amenities and activities for young children. Here are a few that I recommend for families.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney is known for its family-friendly cruises and offers a range of activities and amenities for toddlers. The Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy , Disney Magic, and Disney Wonder all have nurseries for infants and toddlers, as well as kids’ clubs for children ages 3-12.

We went on the Disney Fantasy when our kids were a little older, and it was really fun to be on a ship packed with families!

Royal Caribbean International

If you’re looking for fun for everyone, consider Royal Caribbean International. They offer a variety of family-friendly activities and amenities, including water parks, rock climbing walls, and mini-golf courses.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, including the Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas, have dedicated kids’ areas and activities for toddlers.

We had a fun time in the Royal Caribbean and would embark on another adventure with them anytime!

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival offers a range of family-friendly activities, including water parks, mini-golf, and kids’ clubs for children ages 2 to 17. The Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon have family-friendly staterooms and a range of activities and amenities for toddlers.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian offers a variety of activities and amenities for families, including water parks, mini-golf, and kids’ clubs for children ages 3-12. The Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Getaway, and Norwegian Breakaway all have dedicated kids’ areas and activities for toddlers.

It’s important to note that the best cruise ship for toddlers will depend on your family’s preferences and needs. When choosing a cruise ship, consider factors such as the availability of nurseries, kids’ clubs, family-friendly staterooms, and activities for young children.

What’s the Best Type of Stateroom for Your Family?

The best type of stateroom for your family will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a stateroom:

If you’re traveling with young children, you may want to consider a larger stateroom to give your family more space to move around.

Some cruise lines offer family-sized staterooms or suites that have separate sleeping areas and additional amenities.

The location of your stateroom can also be important. If you have young children, you may want to choose a stateroom that is close to the ship’s amenities and activities, such as the pool or kids’ club.

Additionally, you may want to consider a stateroom that is not near a noisy area or a popular gathering spot on the ship.

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you may want to consider a stateroom with a balcony. This can be a great way to enjoy the views and fresh air while your children nap or play in the room.

Honestly, if you can afford it, it can make SUCH a difference!

Connecting rooms

Some cruise lines offer connecting staterooms, which can be a good option for families who want more space and privacy. This allows parents to have their own room while still being close to their children.

Staterooms can vary in price, so it’s important to consider your budget when choosing a room. Keep in mind that larger rooms and suites will generally cost more than standard staterooms.

Overall, the best type of stateroom for your family will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

It’s important to research your options and choose a stateroom that will provide the space, amenities, and location that your family needs to have a comfortable and enjoyable cruise experience.

Toddler Cruise Packing List

Here are some items to consider including on a toddler cruise packing list:

Pack plenty of comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing, including shorts, T-shirts, swimsuits, sandals, and a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.

Diapers and wipes

Even if your toddler is potty trained, it’s a good idea to bring along extra diapers and wipes for emergencies.

Be sure to pack a high-SPF sunscreen to protect your toddler’s skin from the sun.

Hats and sunglasses

Pack a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your toddler’s eyes and face from the sun.

Swim diapers

If your toddler will be using the ship’s swimming pools, be sure to pack plenty of swim diapers.

Medications

Bring any necessary medications, such as pain relievers, fever reducers, and allergy medications.

Stroller or baby carrier

A stroller or baby carrier can be helpful for getting around the ship and on excursions.

Pack plenty of your toddler’s favorite snacks to keep them fueled and happy throughout the cruise.

Toys and books

Bring along a few of your toddler’s favorite toys and books to keep them entertained during downtime.

Bathing essentials

Bring along bath essentials like shampoo, soap, and towels.

It’s important to pack as lightly as possible while still bringing along everything your toddler needs. Remember that many items can be purchased onboard the ship or at ports of call if you forget something

Toddler Cruising FAQs

Are toddlers allowed in cruise ship swimming pools.

It depends on the cruise line and the specific ship. Some cruise lines allow toddlers in their cruise ship pools, while others have age restrictions. In general, most cruise lines require that children who are not toilet-trained wear swim diapers in the swimming pool.

It’s important to note that even if a cruise line allows toddlers in their pools, parents should always supervise their children closely while they are in the water. Additionally, some cruise ships may have designated children’s pools or splash areas that are more appropriate for young children.

Which cruise lines allow 2-year-olds in the kids’ clubs?

Some cruise lines allow 2-year-olds to participate in their kids’ clubs, while others require children to be at least three years old and toilet-trained.

Here are some examples of cruise lines that allow 2-year-olds in their kids’ clubs:

Disney Cruise Line – Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab accept children ages three and under as long as they are fully potty-trained.

Royal Caribbean International – Royal Caribbean’s Royal Babies and Tots Nursery accepts children as young as 6 months old, while their Adventure Ocean Youth Program accepts children ages 3-17.

Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian’s Splash Academy accepts children ages 3-12, but they offer a limited number of spaces for 2-year-olds on a first-come, first-served basis.

It’s important to note that policies and age requirements can change, so it’s always best to check with the specific cruise line before booking your trip to confirm their current policies.

Do cruise ships offer babysitting for toddlers?

Yes, many cruise ships offer babysitting services for toddlers and younger children. These services are typically provided by trained staff members who supervise and entertain the children while their parents enjoy other activities onboard.

Most cruise lines offer in-room babysitting services for an additional fee. This can be a convenient option for parents who want to enjoy some time alone in the evenings or participate in adult-only activities.

Is cruising with toddlers safe?

Cruising with toddlers can be safe if proper precautions are taken and parents closely supervise their children. Toddlers can be curious and adventurous, so it’s important to keep an eye on them at all times, especially around water or other potential hazards.

Make sure your child has the appropriate safety gear, such as a life jacket or swim diapers, and that they are wearing it properly.

Follow all safety rules and guidelines on the ship, including those related to the pool area and other potential hazards.

Toddlers are more susceptible to germs and illness, so it’s important to practice good hygiene and frequently sanitize hands and surfaces.

Where do toddlers sleep on cruise ships?

The sleeping arrangements for toddlers on cruise ships can vary depending on the cruise line and the specific ship.

Most cruise lines provide cribs or Pack ‘n Plays for toddlers to sleep in. These are typically available upon request and may be subject to availability.

Some cruise lines offer staterooms with a pull-out sofa or bunk beds, which can be a convenient option for families with multiple children.

Some cruise lines offer family staterooms or suites that are specifically designed for families with young children. These may have additional amenities such as a bathtub, extra storage space, or separate sleeping areas.

Some cruise lines offer a limited number of connecting staterooms, which can be a good option for families who want more space and privacy.

Cruise with a Toddler Wrap Up

Most cruise ships are really welcoming for families with toddlers and young kids. If you can afford a balcony cabin, do it! Otherwise, grab your umbrella stroller and get some fresh air on the deck.

Cruises can be the perfect family vacation because parents can enjoy a quiet, sit-down meal while their child hangs out in the baby club or with a babysitter. And you can leave your baby gear in the cabin while you do shore excursions.

Looking for more cruise content? Check out my Disney cruise tips , guide to Castaway Cay , and the best cruises with toddlers .

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Favorites & Watchlist Find a Cruise Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay Weekend Cruises Crown & Anchor Society Cruising Guides Gift Cards Contact Us Royal Caribbean Group
• Back to Main Menu
• Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-2-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
• Cruise Deals
• Weekend Cruises
• Last Minute Cruises
• Family Cruises​
• 2024-2025 Cruises
• All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
• Cruise Dining
• Onboard Activities
• Cruise Rooms
• The Cruise Experience
• All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-5-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
• Cruise Ports
• Shore Excursions
• Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Caribbean Cruises
• Bahamas Cruises​
• Alaska Cruises
• European Cruises​
• Mediterranean Cruises​
• Cruise Planner
• Make a Payment
• Beverage Packages​
• Shore Excursions​
• Dining Packages​
• Royal Gifts
• Check-In for My Cruise
• Update Guest Information
• Book a Flight
• Transportation
• Book a Hotel
• Required Travel Documents
• Redeem Cruise Credit
• All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-7-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
• Boarding Requirements
• Future Cruise Credit​
• Travel Documents​
• Check-in​ & Boarding Pass
• Transportation​
• Perfect Day at CocoCay​
• Post-Cruise Inquiries
• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises

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?

{{error.text}} {{error.link.label}}

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.

Perfect Summer Getaways for the Best Family Vacations

Celebrate Family on a Summer Vacation Cruise Getaway...

Family Vacatiosn Ideas for Cruises Everyone Will Love

Travel on a Family Vacation Cruise like Never Before...

How to pack for a Family Cruise

A Mom's Foolproof Packing Tips for a Family Cruise....

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!

H2O ZONE WATERPARK

ESCAPE ROOM

VIRTUAL ADVENTURE ZONE

THE PERFECT STORM

ADVENTURE OCEAN

IZUMI HIBACHI & SUSHI

Explore More

Previewing: Promo Dashboard Campaigns

My Personas

Code: ∅.

Cruising With Kids: 10 Mom-Tested Tips for Smooth Sailing

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

When you're planning for your next family vacation, consider taking your kids on a cruise. Cruising has become a favorite type of vacation for our family for a few reasons. With activities for everyone, food choices for any palette craving and a variety of destinations to explore, cruises offer families variety that's hard to find elsewhere. As a mom, I appreciate not having to plan meals or clean up messes for a week; it truly is a vacation.

How to Plan Your Cruise

If you're ready to consider a cruise, check out these tips to help you make the experience a positive one for you and your kids.

Pick the Right Cruise Line and Ship

When you're ready to book that family cruise vacation, picking the right ship will probably make the biggest difference in keeping your kids happy. While I'm a big advocate that family vacations don't need to be all about the kids, when you're cruising you need to choose a ship built with kids in mind.

There are certainly cruise lines that are tailored toward kids. I like to say that Disney Cruise Line offers cruises made for kids that also welcome adults. Whereas most other cruise lines are made for adults and create opportunities for kids to have fun, too.

We've cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and even Celebrity Cruises . All have been great for families. Norwegian Cruise Line has a Freestyle Dining program where you chose your restaurant and dining time each night instead of being locked into a specific dining time and table. Royal Caribbean partners with DreamWorks for character meet-and-greets and offers a wealth of activities and clubs targeted toward kids. Carnival often has well-priced cruises, great for families working with a limited budget. And, my daughter surprisingly had a fabulous time on our recently Celebrity cruise, a line that typically targets adults. She found the kids club directors were highly engaged with her and they also planned some inventive activities for the small number of kids, making it more personal and less chaotic as some kids club activities on the ships tailored for little ones.

Picking the right cruise line and ship should be your first step in making sure your vacation is enjoyable for you and your kids. Some ships have ropes courses, epic waterslides and even go-kart race tracks. Pick the ship with the best activities that will appeal to your kid(s).

I recommend enlisting your kids to help you pick, if that's possible. Show them pictures of the different kid clubs on the ships or let them see the pool areas and pick their favorites. Just make sure you have them choose a few favorites so they don't get disappointed if you pick one that wasn't their first choice. Read our guide for The Best Credit Cards for Booking Cruises and 6 Ways to Use Points and Miles to Book a Cruise .

Larger or older families may also want to decide if you need two staterooms or one -- two can be surprisingly cost competitive with some of the larger staterooms .

Consider the Cool Kids Club

As I mentioned, the success of a cruise can hinge on the kids club. These days, most cruise lines have a children's program so it's smart to evaluate each of them when you're planning which cruise to book. Kids clubs have a variety of activities, beyond being play spaces. The clubs themselves are often outfitted with fun play spaces appropriate for kids of a certain age. There might be building toys, video games, board games and even a craft corner. Teen clubs often look like big dens with lots of lounge seating with video games and TVs set up around the room.

Beyond the club spaces, kids club directors lead daily activities. These may be things like crafting activities, cooking lessons and even scavenger hunts. My youngest daughter, Mia, had a blast on recent Celebrity cruise when they went on a GoPro scavenger hunt around the ship as part of the tween/teen programming. When the girls were younger, Norwegian Cruise Line had a circus performance that the girls practiced for during the cruise and the acts were performed for parents on the final day in the theater. These additional activities are often printed on your daily cruise schedule or, in the case of Celebrity Cruises, personal invitations for the activity were delivered to the kids in our stateroom.

Knowing your kids' ages, look up how the cruise line breaks down the age groupings for activities. Sometimes they'll have a club for 3- to 12-year-olds, but the 3- to 8-year-olds will be grouped together and the 9- to 12-year-olds will be in another group. If you have kids who always want to be together, or who don't want to be together, it's good to know if they're going to be split up for activities. Conversely, if your tween doesn't want to hang with the toddlers, then make sure and choose a ship that has something just for them.

If you're traveling with babies or toddlers, look for cruise lines that have a nursery and/or baby-sitting options. Disney has a nursery care option for children between 6 and 36 months old, for an additional fee. Other cruise lines might not have a specific club, but offer baby-sitting services for families at an additional fee.

Research the Ship's Dining Schedule

Dining on cruise ships can be one of the main perks for adult travelers. But often, kids won't have the same focus on cuisine that you do. Additionally, consider your dining times carefully when you're traveling with kids.

If your kids love sitting with you at dinner and experiencing a three-course meal, then choose a time that works for the whole family. If instead your kids would be quite happy with grabbing a piece of pizza at the buffet and heading back to the kids club, maybe pick a later dining time that will give you the chance to relax and dine as a couple.

Finally, keep in mind that if your kids want to watch any of the theater shows, you don't want an early dining time if it means they'll fall asleep during the later showtime. Prime dining times can book up, so book your cruise as early as possible to get the dining time you want.

Look for special family-friendly services like Royal Caribbean's My Family Time Dining, where families with the early dining seating can elect for their kids' dinner to be served within 40 minutes. Then a kids club counselor picks up the child(ren) at the restaurant so they can head to the club for the evening, allowing parents the chance to relax and linger over dinner.

Know Your Entertainment Options

Next, research the shows and activities on board in advance. Some cruise line shows are tailored for adults and might not be appropriate for kids. Often you can book your showtime reservations in advance, so keep in mind the time that will work best with their schedule. You'll also probably arrive a little early to get your seats for the show, so bring along an activity bag or device to keep the kids entertained while you wait.

Some cruise lines have character partnerships and activities that might allow your kids to meet some of their favorite characters. Disney, of course, has many of the traditional Disney characters, as well as offers special Marvel and Star Wars Days at Sea sailings. Royal Caribbean has a DreamWorks partnership that offers kids the chance to meet characters from popular films like "Shrek" and "Kung Fu Panda." Carnival has special activities centered on Dr. Seuss like a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast with the Cat in the Hat.

Many of the new cruise ships have some amazing activities on board that your kids will want to do. Find out if you need to book those in advance. On my recent Norwegian Bliss cruise, we had to book the go-kart race track and laser tag right when we boarded to get time slots since they book up fast. Just like with shore excursions (which we'll talk about next), you'll want to know if there are any limitations for the activities so that you know in advance if your kids can participate.

Plan a Shore Excursion

If you can swing it, I recommend letting your kids pick a shore excursion for your trip. Of course, if you have a larger family this might be difficult — not to mention pricy. But a shore tour can make a big impact on kids. However, as moms and dads, we all know that kids are different. What appeals to one of our kids might not appeal to the other one. The goal is finding something the whole family will enjoy doing together. Also keep in mind if there are any age, height or weight restrictions for excursions. You don't want to accidentally book an excursion that one member of your family can't participate in.

There are many options for shore excursions and your first step will be to decide if you're going to book through the ship or manage the excursion on your own — either once you disembark or in advance via a third party. Keep in mind that booking with the ship means you're promised a certain level of safety and organization, as well as the guarantee that you'll make it back to the ship on time. For families with young kids, I highly recommend booking shore excursions directly with the cruise line. You'll save money managing it on your own, but you also take on some added risks.

When our girls were younger, some of our favorite activities were beach excursions. We'd grab a cab once we got off the boat and have the driver take us to the nearest beach. Cruise lines will often offer beach day excursions as well, sometimes in partnership with a hotel, granting you access to the hotel facilities. That can be very useful for families. Once our girls got into grade school, we started booking snorkeling excursions. This is probably one of their favorite activities and something we do on every cruise. Now that we have tweens and teens, we can book more adventurous excursions like ziplining, hiking trips, bike tours and surf lessons. Again, if possible, talk to your kids about what appeals to them.

Get Ready for Your Cruise

Now that you've ironed out a lot of details about the cruise itself, let's talk about getting ready for it.

Don't Pack the Entire Dresser

You need to consider what to pack. As a rule of thumb, I have my girls pack an outfit a day plus a couple of nicer outfits or dresses for dinners. We also pack swimsuits and cover-ups if we're planning for a beach day shore excursion. Also, since many ships staff professional photographers, cruises give families the opportunity to have family portraits made. Pack coordinating outfits for a photo shoot, if you'd like that.

When packing, explain the activities your kids need to pack for and let them pick their outfits. If you have young kids, you can have them pick out a few of their favorite outfits and place them on their bed. Then you can actually check over the selections and make sure they're a fit. We started this with our girls when they were in preschool and now that they're middle schoolers, they pack completely on their own. This puts the responsibility on their shoulders for packing clothes they like, and it saves you from hearing any arguments if they don't want to wear what you chose.

Finally, make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen and sun protection. When kids are playing on the upper decks and heading out on shore excursions, they're getting a lot of sun exposure. Don't ruin your vacation by not packing enough sunscreen or a hat. Also, consider packing rash guard swim tops; they help keep kids safe from burns.

Sway Away Sickness

Personally, I have a terrible time with motion sickness when I cruise. I was always happy that my girls hadn't seemed to inherit my weak inner ear. But, recently, my youngest has started showing signs of motion sickness. On our recent cruise, I had no idea if she would suddenly have developed seasickness like she's developed car sickness. So, I packed to be ready just in case.

Even if no one in your family thinks they have motion sickness issues, I recommend packing some over-the-counter Dramamine, Bonine or MotionEaze, just in case. (Your doctor can also prescribe meclizine or the Transderm Scop patch.) There are shops on board where you can buy medicine, and even an infirmary, if you're really seasick and need a patch. However, coming prepared just in case, is a good plan.

Once On Board

Now you'll need to arm yourself with some tips for after embarkation when you're living on board the cruise ship.

Everything Has a Place

I'm all for being relaxed on vacation, but a cruise is not the time to let your kids become slobs. Those cabins can be tight for a family and will quickly become stress zones if everyone isn't helping keep their things picked up. Space is limited, so plan in advance for where things are going to go and get your kids to keep their stuff in the right place. One of the extras we always pack for a cruise is an over-the-door shoe organizer . We use magnets to hang it and everyone has a row to place things like wallets, flip-flops, sunglasses and brushes.

Suitcases can slide under the bed in the cabin so pack in a way that allows your kids to get outfits out easily. Using packing cubes or Ziploc bags can be perfect for this. Another option is to unpack and use the dresser and/or closet shelves for their clothes. Bring a laundry bag for each person so they can put their dirty clothes somewhere each day and you're not dealing with piles of laundry in the cabin.

Take Safety Measures

It's a good idea to give your kids some rules for safety when you're ready to cruise. This goes beyond the mandatory emergency muster drill you'll have to attend after boarding. A few of our rules for safety are not running on decks, not playing or hanging out around the edges of the ship and not going into anyone's cabin. The key is communication and making them aware of the dangers. We've told our girls that knowing how to behave safely and make good choices when traveling is an important part of growing up.

Give Your Kids Wings

Cruises present wonderful opportunities to give your kids some independence. (Helicopter parents may want to skip over this section.) We were spoiled early on since we cruised with family members and older cousins would hang out with our girls and take them around the ship on their own. Now that our girls are older, 11 and 14, they feel very comfortable on cruise ships and often walk on their own to go to the kids clubs or get food at the buffet.

Communication is a big key here. We make sure our girls are communicating with us about where they will be, and we all have a meet-up time and place. I recommend packing a dry erase board for your cabin, or you can even use a notebook, where you can all leave notes to each other about where you are at any given time. Cruises have given opportunities for our girls to feel independent and design their own day. Kids will have a harder time complaining about being bored or not having fun if they're the ones planning what they're doing. Disney Cruises also provide each cabin two included Wave phones to call and text with others onboard and at Castaway Cay.

If you have smaller kids, there are still opportunities to give them some freedom while cruising. Perhaps if you go to the buffet for a meal, pick a table and then let them make their own plate instead of following them around. Give them the chance to pick whatever they want to eat and then find your table again. Another opportunity might be to let them race downstairs to a certain floor while you choose to take the elevator and see who gets there first.

Bottom Line

We love to travel together and I really think cruises can be ideal vacations for other families as well. Hopefully, these 10 tips from my own experiences will help you, and your kids, enjoy your cruise. Be sure and shop around for the best overall dea l and pay with a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve that provides a bonus on travel charges and some built-in protections. Oh, and once you book an itinerary, join the cruise loyalty program so you start earning your way toward additional cruises. Bon voyage!

• Cruising with Kids

What to Know About Cruising With Kids

WE’RE READY TO WOW THE WHOLE FAMILY

Plenty of Activities for Kids

• We’ve got all-day youth activities for kids to hang out and make new friends their age. Camp Ocean for ages 2–11, Circle “C” for 12–14 and Club O2 for 15–17.
• When planning your day aboard, plan on waterslides, mini-golf and live entertainment galore.
• Off the ship, you’ll find great ways to explore the destination together, learn about the local culture and have unforgettable family photo-ops.

Comfortable Staterooms

• Some families think it’s difficult to book multiple staterooms. It’s actually really easy! You can book two or more — at the same time — right here on carnival.com.
• Or you can stay together and still be comfy. Some Carnival staterooms sleep up to five, and feature flexible bedding configurations.
• Some rooms come with a view, some with balconies, and some even have an extra half-bathroom!
• Like a great hotel, connecting rooms are available. Adults get their privacy and so do the kids.

Explore New Destinations

• Carnival is known for taking families to the Caribbean. Who doesn’t love a vacation of beaches, calypso music and maybe even swimming with dolphins?
• Alaska isn’t cold in the summer months… but it’s definitely still cool! Chill while taking in views of wildlife, mountains, glaciers and stunning natural beauty.
• That’s just the start! The Bahamas, Mexico and Hawaii are all top destination picks with plenty of family-friendly activities.

Enjoy Family Dining & Kid-Friendly Food

• Dining definitely has a place at the family table with plenty of casual and sit-down restaurants to choose from.
• Room service is always on the menu, 24 hours a day. Delivery is just a quick call away.
• Also very much available: the pizza station doesn’t close until 4 a.m — long after you’re all in bed — and our soft-serve machines never get time off for delicious behavior.

See how these families spent their vacation on a Carnival cruise.

What to Pack for Kids on a Cruise: Kid’s Cruise Packing List

Sharing is caring!

Are you going on a family cruise and wondering what to pack for your children? This kid’s cruise packing list has everything you’ll need to bring for your cruise vacation.

Whether you’re going on a Caribbean or Bahamas cruise , or any other destination, this cruise packing guide for children will help.

Here’s what to pack for kids on a cruise, so you’ll have everything you need.

In this post we go over:

• What clothes to pack for your children
• Kids cruise essentials
• Babies & toddlers cruise essentials
• Must have items for families

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Cruise Packing List For Kids

If you’re going on a cruise with kids, you’ll want to plan and pack for sea days , days in port and evenings on the cruise ship.

Most cruise lines are casual during the day and have a dress code in the evening in the main dining room and nicer restaurants. Resort casual attire is perfect for most nights.

Some cruise lines have a formal or dressy night , where passengers will dress up a little bit more. However for children, dress codes are pretty relaxed.

This cruise packing list of clothing for kids is a good planning guide, that will help you to bring everything you need for your family cruise . Please adjust the list of clothing to the length of your cruise, your itinerary and your child’s preferences.

Cruise Packing List for Kids:

• 4-5 pairs of shorts
• 2-3 bathing suits
• 3-4 polo shirts or nice tops (evening)
• 2 long sleeve shirts or sweatshirt (for cooler days or evenings)
• 2-3 casual dresses or sundresses for girls
• 2 pair of leggings or sweat pants (comfy clothes)
• 1-2 fancy dresses for formal nights for girls
• 1 suits or dress pants and 2 shirts for formal nights for boys
• Undergarments
• Belt and tie (optional)
• Hair accessories
• Baseball cap or sunhat
• Rain poncho
• Pool and brach sandals
• Dress shoes (evening)

Cruise Line Specific & Itinerary Packing Lists

• What to Pack for a Royal Caribbean Cruise
• What to Pack for a Carnival Cruise
• What to Pack for a Princess Cruise
• What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise
• What to Pack for a Bahamas Cruise
• What to Pack for a Bermuda Cruise
• What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise
• What to Pack for a Mediterranean Cruise

Kid’s Cruise Essentials

Although there are a lot of activities for kids on a cruise , it’s a good idea to bring a few small toys to keep your child busy in the cabin or even on the airplane.

You won’t have room for a lot. However, consider allowing each child to pack a small backpack with some toys, books and markers to keep them occupied.

If you’re going on a Caribbean, Bermuda or other warm weather cruise, sand toys are a great item to pack for beach days and shore excursions.

These collapsible sand toys take up less room and are easier to pack for your family cruise.

Recommended: Collapsible sand toys (check price & 4.5 Amazon reviews here)

It’s a good idea to bring mesh beach bags to carry sand toys and other items between the cruise ship and beach.

Recommended: Mesh bags for sand toys (check price & amazon reviews here)

2. Water Shoes

For the lido deck and pool, beach or shore excursions, water shoes are a necessary cruise essential for children.

Recommended: Water shoes (great for kids of all ages)

If you’re visiting the Caribbean islands, Hawaii or Bermuda, you can expect sunny and warm weather. If you have young kids, bringing a sun hat with UV protection is a great idea. A baseball cap for older children and teens is great too.

Recommended: Sun hat with UV protection (see different cols on Amazon)

4. Closed Toe Shoes

A standard pair of sneakers is perfect for a cruise. Remember that your child will need closed toe shoes to participate in some of the cruise ship activities and sports (don’t forget socks!).

5. Swim Goggles

Since the oceans and pools on the cruise ship are salt water, it’s important to pack a pair or two of swim goggles . Goggles don’t take up much room in your luggage, but will be used a lot throughout your cruise vacation.

Recommended: Swim goggles (check price, style options & size on Amazon here)

6. Children’s Medication

Remember to pack pain reliever and fever reducing medication, as well as any other children’s medication you may use in your household.

Something to note is that cruise ships will have a limited supply of over the counter medications and first aid products , so be sure to pack what you may need.

7. Band-Aids

Consider packing a mini first aid kit with band-aids and antibiotic ointment to take care of any small cuts and scratches.

Recommended: Travel first aid kit (see 3000+ 4.5* amazon reviews here)

9. Umbrella Stroller

Having a lightweight stroller both on the cruise ship and in ports will be a lifesaver (even if your child doesn’t usually use a stroller anymore).

An umbrella stroller is the easiest to pack and bring on a cruise – and is affordable.

Recommended: Umbrella stroller (compact & lightweight – see price & over 10,000 amazon reviews here)

11. Children’s Sunscreen

On your family vacation, you will be spending a lot of time under the sun. Getting some children’s sunscreen is a great way to protect your kids from getting sunburned.

If your children like spending time in the pool or ocean, getting a reef safe, water resistant sunscreen is a great idea.

Recommended: Reef friendly sunscreen

12. Children’s Insect Repellant

Picking up some children’s insect repellant is a good idea. Although there aren’t insects on the cruise, there may be mosquitos in some cruise ports (research before you go).

13. Packaged Snacks (Optional)

Although there are plenty of included food options onboard your cruise, bringing packaged snacks on a cruise can be practical.

Whether if it’s because your child is hungry after dinner or needs a small snack in a port of call, packaged snacks like granola bars can be handy.

Please note that you ports restrict the food you’re allowed to take off the cruise ship (usually fruit, vegetables and meats). Always check the rules before bringing anything off the ship.

Related: Can You Take Food Off a Cruise Ship While in Port?

14. Thermometer

Packing a lightweight thermometer in your mini first-aid kit is a good idea in case your children feels under the weather.

Recommended: Thermometer for travel

Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner

Regular price: $27 now just $17.

15. Plastic Baggies

Whether if it’s for bringing toys, snacks or miscellaneous items, ziploc style plastic baggies will be useful during your family cruise. Always pack a few resealable bags, as you never know when they’ll come in handy.

16. Small Inflatable Pool / bathtub (optional)

A genius cruise cabin hack for parents is to pack small inflatable pool or bath when cruising with babies or toddlers. These can placed at the bottom of the shower stall in your stateroom bathroom, since most do not have bathtubs.

Recommended: Small inflatable pool bathtub (check price & 2000+ reviews on Amazon)

Babies & Toddlers Cruise Essentials

If you’re cruising with babies or toddlers, here are some things to add to add to your cruise packing list (as needed):

• Diapers / pull-ups / swim diapers
• Diaper creme
• Baby food / formula (if needed)
• Sippy cups / bottles
• Blanket or favorite stuffed animal (optional)
• Car seat for travel (optional)
• Baby carrier (optional)
• Children’s books

Must Have Items to Pack for Families

1. Packing Cubes

Having packing cubes for each family member is a great idea. Using packing cubes to strategically pack your clothing will help kee the whole family organized.

Packing cubes are a must have cruise essential items that are loved by all cruisers.

Recommended: Packing cubes (best seller – check price & see over 18,000 Amazon reviews here)

2. Sunscreen

Make sure to pack enough sunscreen for the duration of your trip. Reef safe sunscreen is preferred for Caribbean and Bahamas cruises.

3. Refillable Water Bottles

Packing some reusable water bottles for your family vacation is a great idea. This way, you can bring water off of the cruise ship and you won’t have to purchase water bottles when you are onboard the ship.

Recommended: Refillable water bottles (collapsible to save space)

4. Motion Sensor Night Light

A battery powered motion sensor night light is a cruise cabin essential that is perfect for families. In the evening time, if the lights are off in your cabin, your stateroom will get very dark (especially an inside cabin).

If you or one of your family members gets up in the middle of the night, a night light will come in handy.

Recommended: Motion sensor nightlight (check price & 1400+ Amazon reviews here)

5. Magnetic Hooks

A cool thing that new cruisers don’t know about cruises, is that the cruise cabin walls are usually metal. Magnet hooks can be used to add extra storage, making the most out of a small cruise ship cabin.

Using magnetic hooks is a real space saver and they’re super useful. You can hang up your cruise lanyards, sunhats or wet bathing suits on the magnetic hooks.

Recommended: Magnet hooks (note, the higher the weight, the more hold you will get)

6. Power Bar (Non-Surge Protected)

Most cruise ship cabins will only have one or two outlets, and may not have any USB outlets (unless the cruise ship is new). Many cruisers like to pack a non-surge protected power bar .

Please note that surge protected power bars (ones like at home) are prohibited on cruise ships and they are likely to be confiscated. Only bring non-surge protected approved power strips on a cruise.

Recommended: Cruise ship power bar non-surge protected (this one has 9000+ 5* Amazon reviews)

7. Luggage Tag Holders

Cruise ship luggage holders can be used to hold your printed paper luggage tags. They’re reusable and even make a great gift for cruise lovers !

• Royal Caribbean luggage tag holders
• Carnival luggage tag holders
• Norwegian luggage tag holders
• Princess luggage tag holders
• Celebrity luggage tag holders
• Holland America luggage tag holders
• MSC luggage tag holders

Read more: 50 Best-Selling Amazon Cruise Essentials

Luggage for the Family

Level8 hardside luggage.

Level8 Hardside luggage is lightweight, has smooth spinner wheels, and a built in TSA approved combination lock. I have the “textured luggage” in a 21″ carry on size and 24″ checked bag and love them!

Recommended: Level8 Hardside luggage (save 10% with code LIFEWELLCRUISED10)

Related & Popular Posts:

• 50 Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
• 17 Cruise Cabin Essentials Every Cruiser Needs
• 27 Cruise Packing Tips All Cruisers Need to Know
• Cruise Luggage Restrictions and Baggage Rules
• 75 Genius Cruise Hacks and Tips
• 10 Cruise Experts Share Their Best Tips for Cruising with Kids
• 20 Ways to Save on Your Family Cruise
• The Ultimate Cruise Lingo Glossary – 85 Terms You Need to Know

Final Thoughts on What to Pack for Kids on a Cruise

Well there it is, the ultimate kids cruise packing list!

If it’s your first cruise , knowing what to pack for your children can be a real challenge. As a parent, the last thing anyone wants is to forget something important before going on their cruise.

In this post, we went over what clothes to pack for your children, children’s cruise essentials, toddler and baby items, and things to pack for the family.

What cruise line are you cruising with on your upcoming vacation? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com . As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.

Wonderful writing and great work

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Enable Accessibility

• 00800 0310 21 21 1-855-577-9489 1-877-288-3037 1-877-288-3037 1-877-474-2969
• | NCL Travel Blog">11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | NCL Travel Blog">11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• View All Results
• Preferences
• Latitudes Rewards
• Special Offers
• Personalised Recommendations
• Make reservations before you cruise
• 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

3 Essential Tips for Cruising with a Toddler

This January, I made the executive decision that my family and I were going to take a Caribbean cruise onboard the Norwegian Getaway! This was a major decision because we are the parents of a toddler and this was going to be our first family cruise. The Caribbean seemed like a safe and fun option, and the trip included family favourites such as beautiful Caribbean beaches, great food, and a kiddie splash pool area! Read on for my tips on how to make cruising with your toddler a breeze.

WHAT TO BRING WHEN CRUISING WITH TODDLERS

• Two outfits per cruise day and a couple of dressier ones for picture time.
• Three or four swim suits with sun proof shirts, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
• A pair of sneakers, dress shoes, crocs, and swim shoes.
• Large and small postcode-lock bags to keep everything organised and separated, and plastic bags for wet or sandy clothes.
• One or two large rubbish bags for all your dirty laundry; or you can designate a dirty laundry suitcase. If you are still travelling after your cruise or if you simply don't want to take dirty laundry home, use the onboard laundry service. Prices will be posted in your stateroom but many sailings will offer deals.
• Children's Dramamine; if your toddler is like mine- forget the sea band, he won't wear it the entire trip. Make sure to check with your doctor first.
• Ear drops, small baby shampoo, aloe gel, lotion, acetaminophen, probiotics or whatever will aid your child with digestion.
• Bring your iPad and download your toddler's favourite movies on it. Do not rely on Wi-Fi. Remember to bring your headphones.
• Toys; that includes small pool/beach toys and little toys he can play with in the room and at the dinner table.
• A comfortable and lightweight stroller. This will come in handy during port days.
• A non-spill cup - in fact I recommend this for the entire family. Keep in mind that you cannot refill directly at the water station.

WHERE TODDLERS CAN PLAY

Parents can bring their toddlers to play and grow in Splash Academy where they can engage in games, messy play, and music and movement. For more information visit Norwegian's Family Cruises page .

Other toddler activities outside of Splash Academy are the Kid's Aqua Park (which includes a slide if your child is over 40 inches tall), the toddler ropes course, and the arcade. If you plan to partake in water activities with your toddler make sure they are potty trained, as swim nappies are not allowed in the Kid's Aqua Park. Try your best to do this by the time you cruise. Make sure to check your Freestyle Daily for other great activities such as the Sail Away Party and the Nickelodeon Pajama Jam Character Breakfast.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Nickelodeon Pajama Jam Character Breakfast is no longer offered.

EVEN WHEN ON A CRUISE, STICK TO YOUR TODDLER'S TIMETABLE

I know you are on holiday, but if your child thrives on a timetable , keep it. This will help avoid tantrums and will keep everyone relaxed and rested. What really helped with our family cruise was pre-scheduling dinners. If your child is like mine and eats at a designated time, make sure you plan ahead. Early dinner times usually sell out first, so if you need to eat early, log into MyNCL and make your dinner reservations prior to sailing. If you can't keep the time, you can always call and reschedule once onboard or just head over to the grab and go cruise buffet , the Garden Cafe. This will help you work in a nice dinner around your toddler’s normal routine. I would also advise bringing a stroller. After a long day of activities our son fell asleep a few times at dinner and during our after dinner stroll on The Waterfront.

TIP: Avoid a cover charge at the speciality restaurants by ordering for your child from the complimentary kids menu (0-12 years old).

In summary, Norwegian Getaway and Caribbean Cruises are great choices for families cruising with a toddler. There is plenty for your child to do and great family friendly ports to go to. Remember that a little bit of planning will take you a long way! Bon Voyage!

brb going to disney

Tips for a disney cruise with a toddler or preschooler.

Are you planning a Disney Cruise with your toddler or preschooler in tow? Maybe you’re questioning whether cruising with a toddler is a good idea, or if you should wait until they’re older. We’ve done a few Disney cruises now with our children at all different milestones. Our first was when our daughter was 1 and our most recent was when our son was 2 and our daughter was 4. I’m happy to share my personal tips for cruising with a toddler or preschool aged child in hopes that they’ll be helpful for you!

Disney Cruise Toddler and Preschooler Tips

I’d like to start by saying that we had an amazing time on every Disney Cruise we’ve been on as a family. If you’re cruising with little ones in tow, you can’t go wrong with a Disney Cruise. They absolutely cater to families and young children and I think that makes the world of difference when it comes to cruising with young children. Plus if your kiddos are Disney fans, they’re destined to feel the magic on a Disney Cruise.

Understand what Childcare Options are Available for You

Disney Cruises offer special childcare options for children of all ages. Toddlers or Preschoolers will be able to spend time in either the Small World Nursery or the Oceaneer Club.

Disney Cruise Small World Nursery

The Small World nursery is available for children aged 6 months – 3 years old. You can reserve the nursery for an additional fee and reservations can be made in advance or same day (if there is availability). Rates are as follows:

• $4.50 per half hour for the first child
• note: reservations are a one hour minimum

Disney Cruise Oceaneer Club

The Oceaneer Club is available for children aged 3 – 12 that are fully potty trained. There is no additional cost to utilize the Oceaneer Club.

We’ve used both the Small World Nursery and the Oceaneer Club and they’re both wonderful! The counselors are so sweet and the available toys and entertainment are exactly what you’d expect from Disney; they don’t disappoint!

If your little one is too young for the Oceaneer Club, they can still spend time there with you during the Open House hours they have onboard. My son loved exploring the Oceaneer Club during the Open House when he was 2 and too young to actually be checked in during the day.

Choose your Stateroom Wisely

There are different stateroom categories to consider when booking your Disney Cruise with little ones in tow. We personally like spending the extra money for the Deluxe Family Stateroom (either Verandah or Oceanview).

Not only is your room larger, but you also have an additional murphy bed available. We personally felt better about our kids each sleeping in a bed close to the floor vs using the pull-down ceiling bunk.

If you’re a family of 5, the Deluxe Family Stateroom is a great choice as well!

On our first cruise when we only had one kiddo and she was used to her crib at home, we booked a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom (not the Family Stateroom) and she slept in the pack n play and that was perfectly fine!

Regardless of stateroom size, bed rails and Pack n Plays are available to request (or you can bring your own).

Early Dining or the Early Show?

When cruising with littles ones that struggle to stay up very late, you may want to consider whether spending time as a family at dinner is priority vs watching the shows together each night.

When you book your cruise you’ll have the choice between the Main Dining or the Second Dining options.

The Main Dining is around 6pm and the Second Dining is around 8pm. The idea is that if you eat during the Main Dining, you would watch the late show. And if you eat during the Second Dining, you would watch the early show.

On our most recent cruise we tried the Second Dining because my daughter had struggled to stay awake for the shows on our previous cruise. She LOVED watching the early show with me and then making our way to the late dining. Our server was wonderful about bringing her food quickly and then she often fell asleep at the table while laying across 2 chairs. It was nice that she got to watch the entire show and also eat before she fell asleep (vs falling asleep and missing the show).

Another option you have available if you choose the Second Seating is the Dine and Play program that the Oceaneer Club hosts. You simply tell your server that you’ll be utilizing Dine and Play. Your server will bring your child’s food more quickly and then a counselor will bring the children to the Oceaneer Club while the adults take their time with their meal.

The Pools & Potty Training

Another thing to keep in mind if you’re cruising with little ones is that they must be potty trained to enjoy the pools. They cannot swim with a swim diaper.

However they can play in the themed splash zones! My kids loved these but it was a whole new world for my daughter when she could finally swim in the pools and enjoy the slides!

Lifevests are available for those who need them while swimming (or you could bring your own from home).

Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay (pronounced Castaway Key) is Disney’s private island and it’s a ton of fun! My kids really enjoyed swimming, playing in the sand, and adventuring around the island.

Scuttle’s Cove is also available at Castaway Cay for children that are aged 3-12 and potty trained. It’s essentially the Oceaneer Club option on the island.

One tip I have for Castaway Cay is that there are a limited number of strollers and wagons available on the island. They’re first come first serve, so grab one early if that would be useful to you.

There’s also a tram that runs on the island and stops at all of the main attractions along the way. It may be worthwhile using the tram if your hands are full and there aren’t any wagons or strollers available.

Don’t Forget to Reserve the Special Extras

There is so much to do on a Disney Cruise that you’ll no-doubt have an amazing time. BUT! There are extras to reserve that you don’t want to miss! While you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet characters on board, some special character meet-and-greets are by reservation only (no additional charge but you must have a reservation).

You can make these reservations before your cruise however they do go quickly. If you miss out on booking a special character meet-and-greet ahead of time, try to reserve it right when you get on board.

Something else you may want to reserve for your children is an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or Pirates League onboard. This is an additional fee but it’s a lot of fun and very special.

I hope these tips are helpful if you’re considering a Disney Cruise with your toddler or preschooler! We loved our cruises and my kiddos still talk about all of the fun they had onboard!

If you need help booking your Disney Cruise, I recommend Love of the Magic Vacations ! They’re an amazing agency that I personally use to book our Disney Cruises. They can answer your cruise questions and get you ready to sail! You can request a free vacation quote right here .

Follow along on all of our Walt Disney World fun on  Instagram @brbgoingtodisney ! I share tips and tricks LIVE from the parks each week on Stories!   See you there!

Don’t forget to pin this post for later!

Leave a comment cancel reply, destinations, walt disney world, disney cruise line, looking for something, shop my park essentials, explore resorts.

explore dining

character dining

quick service

Parks • dining • resorts • cruise.

BRBGOINGTODISNEY.COM IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH, AUTHORIZED OR ENDORSED BY, OR IN ANY WAY OFFICIALLY CONNECTED WITH, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY.

COPYRIGHT © 2024 · BRB GOING TO DISNEY · PRIVACY POLICY

15 Random but Useful Things to Pack to Survive Cruising with Kids

A re you going on a cruise with kids? Cruising with kids is not the same as cruising as a couple. It’s definitely less relaxing and more challenging to cruise with kids. You need to pack things to keep your kids entertained during downtime. Here’s a list of random but useful things to pack when cruising with kids.

Things to Pack When Cruising with Kids

1. fun magnets.

If you have toddlers or preschoolers, bring a magnet set to keep them entertained during downtime. The cruise walls in your cabin are magnetic, so your kids can use them as a magnetic board to play with magnets. I like these animal magnets . 

Trust me, these magnets will come in handy when you’re in the cabin and want to relax. I remember when my son was little, the magnets entertained my son when we were lounging in the cabin and watching TV. It kept my son happily occupied, playing with the magnets on the cabin wall. 

Suburbs 101 participates in affiliate programs including Amazon Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

2. Walkie Talkie

If you’re traveling on a cruise with older kids, packing a walkie-talkie could prove to be a handy yet fun addition. Your kids will love the idea of staying connected with each other using walkie-talkies. Make sure to get a long-range set like this pack of four , so everyone can have their own.

3. Surprise Toys

When we go on vacation, I make sure to pack a surprise bag full of toys for my children. This way, they always have something to do when they get bored or during downtime.

I suggest not giving all the toys to them at once. Instead, you can wrap each toy and let them unwrap it when they’re ready to play with it. This way, it feels like they’re getting a gift, and it adds to the excitement of the moment.

4. Binoculars

If you’re going on an Alaska cruise, don’t forget to bring binoculars for you and the kids. Your kids will love having their own kid-sized binoculars. 

I like these kids binoculars because they have extra large eye pieces, sized for little hands and there is a breakaway neck strap. They’re perfect for looking at glaciers from your balcony or spotting bald eagles during your shore excursion. 

5. Water Shoes

Water shoes are a must when going to the beach or the pool with kids. You’ll want to protect their feet. For younger kids, I like this type of water shoes because it has velcro, so it’s easy to put on, plus it can’t slip off and float away. 

While for older kids, may want to alternate between wearing Crocs and water shoes because, from personal experience, kids don’t like wearing water shoes that are wet and soggy. I always leave the wet water shoes out for a day to dry out.

6. Beach Toys

If you plan to take a cruise to the Caribbean, Bermuda, or Mexico, you should bring your own beach toys. Otherwise, you’ll end up either buying expensive beach toys from the gift shop or using plastic water bottles or paper cups as beach toys for your kids. 

I like this beach toy set because the bucket is collapsible so it can easily fit in your luggage. Bring an inflatable beach ball to add to the fun. I also recommend carrying these toys in an extra large mesh tote bag to allow the damp toys to air out and to hold wet towels and clothes.

7. Magnetic Hooks

When I go on a cruise with my kids, I always make sure to pack magnetic hooks . They come in really handy because I can easily attach them to the walls of the cabin. This way, I can hang our wet bathing suits to dry and keep them out of the way. 

I also like to use them to hang our cruise lanyards so that they are easy to find when we need them. Using magnetic hooks is a great way to keep your cabin organized, especially when traveling with kids.

8. Nightlight

I always bring a nightlight when I cruise with kids, especially if we’re staying in an inside cabin. I like this cute nightlight because it’s motion-activated, rechargeable and has a magnetic back. 

9. Puddle Jumper

If your child can’t swim or is just starting to learn, bringing your own life vest is a good idea. Although most cruise ships provide life vests for pool use, they don’t allow you to bring them down to the beach. 

So, it is safer to bring your own life vest. Personally, I recommend these puddle jumpers , I used them with both my kids.

Make sure to pack plenty of Ziploc bags when you go on a cruise. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. 

It’s a good idea to bring sandwich-sized Ziploc bags for snacks. I like to use them to pack dry goods like Cheerios for my kids’ snacks. You should also bring gallon-sized Ziploc bags to store wet bathing suits and other damp items. 

Your child will likely want to keep shells and stones they find on the beach, so the Ziploc bags will come in handy. But before you let them collect too many, make sure to check with the cruise line about their regulations on bringing shells aboard. 

It can be prohibited, as I found out when my son wanted to bring a giant leaf on board from the beach in Dominica. Despite his tears, we weren’t allowed to bring it with us.

Packing a sunhat is a must for your Caribbean, Mexico or Bermuda cruises. I know this is not a random item, but I’m adding it to our list because you’ll regret it if you don’t pack one.

That’s because it’s really hard to find a sunhat that fits small children, especially toddlers. Port stores and even the cruise gift shop generally stock hats for adults, but it’s not that common to find one that fits a child’s head. I like this sunhat because it has UV protection and comes with a strap so that it won’t fly off.  

12. Water Bottles

Bringing refillable water bottles when cruising with kids is a good idea. Your cruise cabin does not come with water, so you’ll need to either buy bottled water or carry water in cups from the buffet. 

Having your own refillable water bottle will save you the trouble of repeatedly going to the buffet for water. Therefore, it’s recommended that you bring a water bottle for everyone in your family. Also, if your child is old enough to handle it, try to bring water bottles without straws to avoid the hassle of washing them. 

13. Thermometer

Remember to pack a thermometer when you go on a cruise. I learned this the hard way when my 3-year-old felt unwell during our cruise, and we had to visit the ship’s clinic twice because we didn’t have a thermometer with us. 

It’s a small and compact item that can come in handy, so make sure to bring one. Plus, don’t forget to pack children’s Tylenol and children’s Motrin because it’s hard to find children’s OTC medications.

14. Art Supplies

Many cruise ships no longer provide stationary and pens, so it’s best to bring your own. If you’re traveling with children who enjoy drawing, definitely bring art supplies like crayons, a sketchpad, coloring books, and stickers. 

I personally recommend including water wow books in your packing list, as they are mess-free and can provide hours of fun.

15. Magnetic Clips

Are you wondering what to do with all the artwork your child made on the cruise? Why not display it on the walls of your cabin using magnetic clips? 

These magnetic clips can hold up your kid’s art from the kids’ club, daily planners, or any other paperwork you have lying around. It’s a great way to keep things organized in your crowded cruise cabin! 

42 Banned Items you can’t take on a cruise

9 Family Cruise Mistakes to Avoid

9 Things I Wished I Knew When Planning a Large Family Cruise

9 Clever Ways to Increase Storage in a Small Cruise Ship Cabin

10 Rookie Mistakes that Waste Money on a Cruise

The post 15 Random but Useful Things to Pack to Survive Cruising with Kids appeared first on Suburbs 101 .

Protect Your Trip »

The 5 best kids sail free cruises for 2024 & beyond.

Save on your family cruise with these kids sail free deals.

The Best Kids Sail Free Cruises

Getty Images

Several cruise lines offer kids sail free promos throughout the year.

If you're angling for an affordable family cruise , you'll be happy to know that several major cruise lines let children sail for free (either regularly or during special promotions). Read on to discover which lines cater to families with kids sail free offers.

Cruise lines where kids sail free

Holland america line, norwegian cruise line, royal caribbean international, costa cruises, msc cruises.

Find your perfect cruise

Courtesy of Holland America Line

Deal: Holland America Line is offering a "Kids Cruise Free" promotion on select itineraries in 2024. The offer applies to several itineraries including Hawaii , the Caribbean and the Panama Canal; to qualify, children must be 18 or younger and cruising as third and/or fourth guests in the same cabin as adults. As with similar promotions, taxes and port fees are still required for each child's sailing.

Family-friendly perks: Amenities onboard Holland America ships include kids clubs and youth programs, as well as shore excursions oriented to families with little ones in tow. Plenty of stateroom options can also accommodate larger bookings. The Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam ships, in particular, feature oversized staterooms with beds for four, a large sitting area and a spacious veranda.

Book a Holland America Line Cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Deal: Norwegian Cruise Line lets third and fourth guests cruise free on select itineraries throughout the year. Cruises to which this promotion applies are offered all over the world, including bucket-list destinations like Alaska and the Mediterranean .

Some of the itineraries that qualify for free third and fourth guests also come with complimentary amenities like an unlimited open bar, specialty dining, shore excursions and/or complimentary Wi-Fi. Additionally, some of the itineraries include generous discounts on the total cruise cost , as well as free airfare for a second guest (when booked through the cruise line).

Family-friendly perks: With Norwegian's all-ages kids clubs, family dining, entertainment and activities included in one bundled rate, planning a kid-approved vacation with the cruise line is a breeze. Many Norwegian ships also feature an array of family-friendly staterooms with plenty of extra space. For example, the luxurious Norwegian Prima offers a two-bedroom family villa with a large balcony in "The Haven" – its exclusive area for VIP guests.

Explore Norwegian Cruise Line deals on GotoSea.

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Deal: Royal Caribbean offers a "Kids Sail Free" deal several times each year, allowing children 12 or younger to cruise free provided they are the third guests (or beyond) staying in the same cabin as at least two paying adults. The only catch is that blackout dates apply – typically during holiday and school breaks.

Family-friendly perks: There's a reason so many families choose Royal Caribbean ; kid-friendly amenities range from age-specific programming to zip lining at sea. The line's  exclusive island for cruisers , Perfect Day at CocoCay in  the Bahamas , is also a big hit with young passengers thanks to its waterslides and splash areas.

Compare Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries on GotoSea.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Courtesy of Costa Cruises

Deal: Costa Cruises may not be as popular as some other cruise lines on our list, but it's a worthwhile option for cruisers looking to sail through Europe, the Middle East or South America. The cruise line allows kids traveling as third or fourth guests to sail for free with two adults in the same cabin, and this promotion applies to passengers ages 2 to 17. This offer is valid on all sailings offered by the line, many of which feature destinations in desirable ports along the Mediterranean such as Barcelona , Marseille and Rome .

Family-friendly perks: Costa Cruises vessels offer abundant family-friendly amenities, from water parks to arcades to mini golf. Kids clubs are available for children ages 3 to 11, and they provide entertainment like arts and crafts, themed parties, and games galore. A teen zone also hosts cruisers ages 12 to 17 who want to mingle, sing karaoke and play group sports when ships aren't in port.

Find a Costa Cruises deal on GotoSea.

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Deal: MSC Cruises lets children younger than 18 cruise for free on select itineraries, depending on the ship's capacity. (Other exclusions or eligibility requirements may apply.) Kids must be the third or fourth guests traveling in the same cabin as their parents (at least two adults) for the deal to be valid; note that any port fees and taxes still apply to children's fares.

Family-friendly perks: MSC Cruises offers a variety of leisure activities and amenities designed specifically for kids. On board, youngsters can take advantage of perks from water parks with slides and swimming pools to Broadway-style shows and interactive dinners. The line also hosts fun family excursions and a "Lego Experience On Board" event on every cruise. In addition, there are a myriad of amenities for parents to enjoy while the youngest passengers are occupied by one of five dedicated kids clubs.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a seasoned travel writer who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries, and her many trips have included cruises all over the world. Johnson lives in Indiana with her two children and her husband, Greg.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Cruises for Babies & Toddlers
• The Best Cruises for Teens
• Do You Need a Passport to Cruise?
• How to Get Your Child a Passport
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Top Resorts Where Kids Stay Free

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Family Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

How much does a cruise cost.

Gwen Pratesi April 24, 2024

The Best Whale Watching in Cape Cod

Lyn Mettler April 24, 2024

Best Whale Watching Tours in Maine

Marisa Méndez April 23, 2024

The Best Wineries in Napa Valley

April 23, 2024

The Best East Coast Beaches

April 19, 2024

The Best Carry-on Luggage

Erin Evans , Rachael Hood , Catriona Kendall , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson April 17, 2024

The Best Hard-sided Luggage Picks

The Best Luggage Brands

Rachael Hood April 17, 2024

The Best Yellowstone National Park Tours

John Rodwan April 17, 2024

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz April 17, 2024

• pop Culture
• Facebook Navigation Icon
• Twitter Navigation Icon
• WhatsApp icon
• Instagram Navigation Icon
• Youtube Navigation Icon
• Snapchat Navigation Icon
• TikTok Navigation Icon
• pigeons & planes
• newsletters
• Youtube logo nav bar 0 youtube
• Instagram Navigation Icon instagram
• Twitter Navigation Icon x
• Facebook logo facebook
• TikTok Navigation Icon tiktok
• Snapchat Navigation Icon snapchat
• Apple logo apple news
• Flipboard logo nav bar 1 flipboard
• Instagram Navigation Icon google news
• WhatsApp icon whatsapp
• RSS feed icon rss feed

Complex Global

• united states
• united kingdom
• netherlands
• philippines
• complex chinese

Work with us

terms of use

privacy policy

cookie settings

california privacy

public notice

accessibility statement

COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive.

© Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Complex.com is a part of

Texas Mother Arrested After Leaving Her Young Children Home Alone to Go on Cruise

According to police, the apartment was in “disarray” and smelled like urine.

View this video on YouTube

A Texas mother is facing time behind bars after allegedly leaving her young children home alone while she went on vacation.

As reported by KHOU 11, Lakesha Woods Williams is facing a child abandonment charge after she allegedly left her two young children, aged 6 and 8 years old, alone in her Houston apartment for nearly a week while she was on a cruise.

Williams, 29, was arrested and booked into jail last Thursday and has been charged with abandoning a child with intent to return. She is being held on a $25,000 bond.

The mother of two was arrested after police received a a call from a neighbor who was concerned about the children's safety. According to police, the apartment was in “disarray,” as the officers who arrived at the scene said trash and leftover food was scattered around the home, which also smelled like urine.

“On April 9th, deputies found the children alone in the apartment, and they told deputies their mother was on a cruise,” police said in its news release. “Paramedics and CPS were called to the scene to check on the kids' health and safety.”

A spokesman for the constable’s office said that Williams returned home April 10, six days after her children told police their mother left for a cruise on April 4.

"We are still putting together the facts and circumstances of how these children were left alone for several days," Constable Ted Heap said in a post on Facebook. "But the important thing is they are safe now and those responsible should be held accountable for leaving these kids in an unsafe situation."

Williams appeared in court Friday where she received a $25,000 bond. On Monday, a judge upheld the bond decision. 

The news comes not long after a woman was charged with murder after abandoning her toddler for 10 days to go on vacation.

SHARE THIS STORY

Sign up for the

Complex Newsletter

Your leading source for what’s now and what’s next in Music, Style, Sports, and Pop Culture.

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our

Latest in Life

| BY JOSE MARTINEZ

Woman Filmed Cursing Out LAX Employees Before Learning She's Shouting at the Wrong Airline

| BY JOE PRICE

Soulja Boy Offers to Buy TikTok After Biden Signs Bill Signaling Potential U.S. Ban

Department of Transportation Says Airlines Must Issue Refunds for Delayed or Cancelled Flights

| BY TRACE WILLIAM COWEN

Death Penalty Cases in California Under Review After Evidence Reveals Jewish and Black Jurors Were Intentionally Excluded

Extremely Loud Cicadas Have South Carolinians Calling the Cops

| BY JAELANI TURNER-WILLIAMS

10-Year-Old Texas Boy Confesses to Shooting and Killing Man in His RV

| BY TARA MAHADEVAN

Viral TikTok Shows Man Running London Marathon and Sampling New Wine at Every Mile

| BY BRAD CALLAS

Chicago Tenant Convicted of Killing, Dismembering Landlord After Getting Served Eviction Notice

Look Between X and Y On Your Keyboard: What to Know About the Meme Driving People to the Brink of Insanity

Ye Jokingly Says He Would Love to Have a Threesome With Michelle Obama: 'President's Wife!'

Mom accused of leaving 2 young children home alone for days to go on cruise

A Texas mother has been arrested after allegedly leaving her two young children home alone for days to go on a cruise, court records show.

Lakesha Williams, 29, of Houston, has been charged with abandoning a child with intent to return, a felony, according to a criminal complaint.

Neighbors at her high-rise apartment building reportedly saw Williams leave with luggage on April 4 but "never saw her return," according to the complaint.

A woman at the apartment complex reached out to law enforcement to request a wellness check because the neighbors were worried about the children's safety, according to the complaint.

Deputies conducted a welfare check on Tuesday, five days after Williams allegedly left, and found an 8-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl alone in the apartment, the complaint stated. The apartment was in "complete disarray," with trash and food strewn about and a "very potent smell of urine," the complaint stated.

MORE: Virginia ex-assistant principal charged a year after 6-year-old shot his teacher

The children reportedly told police that their mother left them on April 4 "to go on vacation on a cruise and they did not know when she would return," the complaint stated.

It did not appear that any adults had been supervising the children since then, according to the complaint. Williams allegedly used a video camera to watch and talk to the children during that time, and the boy had a phone he was using to text her, according to the complaint.

"These children were definitely left unattended for many days and put in serious harm's way," Keegan Childers, the chief prosecutor of the 209th District Court, told Houston ABC station KTRK .

A Child Protective Services agent responded to the scene to ensure the children were in good health and they were released into the custody of their aunt, according to the complaint.

MORE: Baby found dead on Los Angeles highway linked to family's murder-suicide, police say

Deputies tried contacting Williams to have her respond to the scene "but she was not cooperating and was switching up her story on her whereabouts," the complaint stated.

Williams was arrested on Thursday and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, online court records show. The records do not list any attorney information for her.

ABC News was unable to reach the aunt for comment. She declined to comment to KTRK.

Up Next in News—

Calling all undecided voters

Barbers hailed as heroes for rescuing toddler from oncoming traffic

Good Samaritans band together to save 71-year-old in fiery highway crash

School shooting survivors share their stories, from Columbine to Oxford High

Shop editors picks, sponsored content by taboola.

Texas Mom Arrested After Allegedly Leaving Kids Home Alone While On Cruise

Trends Reporter, HuffPost

A Texas mother was arrested after she allegedly left her two young kids alone at home for nearly a week to go on a cruise, officials said.

Lakesha Woods Williams, 29, was charged with two counts of child endangerment last Thursday after authorities discovered her 8-year-old and 6-year-old kids alone in a high-rise apartment complex in Houston, the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office said in an April 12 Facebook post.

Williams’ neighbors alerted police after they saw her leave the apartment with luggage on April 4 and hadn’t seen her return, according to court records, KTRK-TV in Houston reported.

Her concerned neighbors told deputies it was “not the first time” they had been left at home unsupervised, according to the New York Post.

On April 9, deputies found the children alone in an apartment that was in “complete disarray” and reeked of a “potent smell of urine,” according to court documents, the Post reported.

The children reportedly told authorities that their mom had left for the cruise and had been staying in touch with them via text messages and a camera in the apartment. They said they didn’t know when she would be coming home.

Paramedics and Child Protective Services were called to the apartment to check on the kids’ health and safety, officials said. The children were placed in the care of a relative.

Williams returned from the cruise to Puerto Rico on April 10 and was arrested the following day.

Williams was booked into Harris County Jail on a $25,000 bond, according to jail records. She is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

The Precinct 5 Constable’s Office didn’t immediately return HuffPost’s request for comment.

“We are still putting together the facts and circumstances of how these children were left alone for several days,” Constable Ted Heap said on Facebook . “But the important thing is they are safe now and those responsible should be held accountable for leaving these kids in an unsafe situation.”

Support HuffPost

Our 2024 coverage needs you, your loyalty means the world to us.

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.

Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.

Dear HuffPost Reader

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.

Popular in the Community

From our partner, more in u.s. news.

videoPlayer