Everything You Need to Know Before Cruising with a Toddler

Understandably, many parents are apprehensive when it comes time to traveling with their child for the first time. Juggling nap times and diaper changes is already stressful enough, and it’s even more stressful at 10,000 feet! There are so many added factors when you bring a child or toddler along for the trip, but there are also so many added benefits.

(And let’s get real, you have never needed a vacation more than after your first year of parenthood).

If you’re looking for an easy first trip, try a family cruise: it’s a fun, easy way to dip your toes into the water (literally!) without needing to juggle logistics. For most cruises, babies ages 6 months and up are welcome on board, although that age may be a little higher for transatlantic or Panama sailings.

What I love about cruising is that it offers a vacation that the family can enjoy together, but it’s also extremely easy to take a little time for yourself or for reconnecting with your partner.

Bringing a baby on board does mean you have a few additional things to keep in mind when choosing a family cruise, so read on for a few tips, tricks, and tidbits from an expert. From sleeping docked in the Seychelles to dining with a toddler on the Disney Dream, I’ve done (and heard) it all!

Sleeping

During a cruise, getting a good night’s sleep starts even before you board the boat. When booking a room, make sure to choose wisely. A room could have a great view and ample space, but if it’s above the ship’s nightclub or right next to a stairwell, noise can turn your dream cruise into a nightmare.

Whether it’s nap time or night time, you have a few different options for making sure your little one gets a good night’s sleep. Some cruise lines carry small, portable cribs (like Pack ‘n Plays) that can be requested when you book your cruise.

Some lines (like Disney) will guarantee your room will have it set up if you request it in advance, but for others, it’s not guaranteed, so make sure you know what your line’s policy is if you’re counting on a cot.

Other options include bringing your own travel crib, having your baby sleep in the bed with you, or, for older toddlers, sleeping in the room’s pull-down bed.

When it comes to choosing a cabin, if you have a little one who will nap often, I recommend springing for a balcony so you can enjoy the sun and sea instead of sitting in a dark room while they snooze.

Personally, I love Disney Cruise Line’s set up: it includes curtains you can use to cordon off sections of the room so you can enjoy your own space after the baby is asleep.

Bathing

Unless you book a suite, family cabin, or a Disney cruise, your cabin probably won’t have a bathtub.

The showers in ship cabins are extremely tight, so plan ahead. Personally, I like to bring an inflatable tub like this one. It’s large enough to fit baby comfortably, but it can easily be deflated and stored in your luggage without taking up too much space.

Eating

All cruise ship restaurants have highchairs, but if your little one isn’t eating solid foods yet, you’ll need to pack any items they need to eat, unless you’re on a Disney cruise! Disney offers some baby foods and formula in the gift shops, and they’re also happy to puree any food they have on board for your child.

But even then, don’t rely on the cruise line for baby food—make sure you have enough extra food for port excursions or for backup. And if your baby uses formula, double-check that your ship carries the type of milk (whole, 2 percent, soy, almond, etc.) your baby likes and plan to bring your own formula on board.

I ALWAYS recommend flying in the day before if you are flying into the port. Not only does this make sure that you won’t miss your cruise if your flight is delayed, but then you can stop at a grocery store or have groceries delivered to your hotel room so you don’t have to worry about flying with an extra bag full of food, or dealing with your liquids at TSA. You can technically fly with baby food, but I don’t like to risk it (and scrubbing sweet potato puree out of your luggage doesn’t make for a great start to your vacation).

Playing

You will hear SO many parents praise family cruises because their children loved the kids program and they were able to spend much needed time alone.

Unfortunately, onboard kids programs usually start at 3 for potty trained children. Disney is the exception here, as they allow diapered children.

But don’t worry—Disney still has a few options for its youngest cruisers. Sometimes, when the kids clubs aren’t in use, they’ll use a lounge or even the kids club spaces as a meet & greet spot for parents with younger babies on board, so check your cruise itinerary for these opportunities.

Due to CDC guidelines, absolutely no diapered children are allowed in the pool, even with swim diapers. Disney and some RCCL ships have approved splash pads, so make sure you take this into consideration when making a decision.

In terms of excursions, all cruise line-sponsored activities onshore have age minimums, but there’s always one that’s open to everyone, so make sure that what’s available aligns with your interests before selecting an itinerary. Make sure to pick shorter events or pick ports that have something toddler-friendly to do nearby so you won’t be disappointed in the event of a toddler meltdown.

Plus, shorter events let you honor your toddler’s established nap schedules, making those meltdowns less prominent.

Packing

When it comes to vacations, I try to pack light, but all of that goes out the window when cruising with a baby or toddler. Unfortunately, most cruise lines don’t sell baby essentials onboard. You may be able to get what you need in-port, but make sure you pack FAR more diapers and wipes than you think you will need. Even if you don’t think you’ll need them, try to overpack over-the-counter medications as well; cruise lines rarely stock infant doses. At the very least make sure you have Tylenol and Benadryl.

On the bright side, you shouldn’t feel the need to overpack when it comes to clothing. Most ships have laundry facilities on board if you experience a blowout on-board.

Should I bring a stroller or car seats?

Legally, you need to bring your child’s car seat if you plan to travel by car or taxi during your cruise, keeping your little one safe and sound during your in-port excursions.

If you don’t want to lug it around, alternatives include only traveling by bus, hiring tour guides in port who provide their own car seats, renting cars with car seats, or relegating yourself to port activities reached only on foot.

Additionally, you’ll want some kind of stroller or baby carrier for taking your child around the cruise ship and in port. If you want a few recommendations, check out my post on babywearing at Walt Disney World!

Some cruise lines, like Carnival, have rentals available, and MSC offers loaners. Keep in mind that you’ll need to store strollers in your cabin, so we recommend bringing a small umbrella stroller rather than a large baby jogger. Check out my favorites here!

Babysitting 

A family cruise is an amazing opportunity to relax, reconnect, and make memories with your kids, but remember: it’s your vacation too! I did mention at the beginning of this article that you would be able to get some of the R&R that YOU need, and that’s thanks to the amazing babysitting services that some ships offer.

Disney, MSC and Royal Caribbean all have a drop-off paid nursery service, each with their own dedicated spaces and licensed childcare providers.

They have separate areas for play and napping, giving you the time to spend at a romantic dinner with your partner or enjoy the pool or spa alone.

Some other cruise lines offer in-room babysitting, but not necessarily with licensed providers, and some only offer it if a crew member is available, so make sure you check before booking.

What are the Best Cruise Lines for Babies?

Disney Cruise Line

If you haven’t noticed, Disney Cruise Line is one of my favorite cruise lines for a fun family cruise with little ones in tow. With optimal setups and unique activities for babies and parents alike, Disney Cruise Line stands out. They offer:

• A nursery service that is truly the best of the best. Plus, it’s open from 9 AM to midnight, letting you and your spouse enjoy the nighttime entertainment.
• A safe, sterile environment that lets you avoid the school-time sniffles that plague daycare centers and preschools. I love that all mouthed toys go into the “yuck bin” to be cleaned (I could use one of those!), and there are separate play and nap areas.
• A tot-friendly splash pad and a kids club that accepts non-potty trained children
• The ability to reserve pack ‘n plays and diaper genies in advance
• The largest staterooms in the industry, offering a curtain divider and even a tub!
• Our of all of the cruise lines I know of, Disney Cruise Line is the only one that that sells diapers, cream, pacifiers, and baby food in the shops
• A (limited) number of strollers, bottle warmers, and bottle sterilizers available for use through guest services

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

RCCL has some great options as well, but I wouldn’t rank it nearly as high as Disney for babies and toddlers (teens are a different story)! They offer:

• A nursery, although not on every ship, so make sure you check!
• A tot-friendly splash pad
• The option to pre-order Huggies, wipes, cream, and organic baby food that will be delivered right to your stateroom when you arrive, continuing throughout your cruise

MSC Cruise Line

MSC prides itself on being a family cruise, and that’s clear throughout every part of the experience. They offer:

• Special pricing options that lets kids (up to age 17) sail for free if they’re sharing a stateroom with two adults. But if you don’t want to share, they also have some incredible interconnected options!
• Baby Clubs that offer great activities for the whole family
• A Baby Care Service: you can drop your children off at the Mini Club, where they will be looked after by qualified and dedicated staff
• Thanks to a partnership with Chicco, they pride themselves on having the most modern, fun and educational toys at sea
• A unique service tailor-made for baby and toddler clothes. The clothing is washed separately from everything else using a specialized machine, program, and skin-friendly detergents to clean and sanitize at low temperatures. They collect the clothes from your stateroom and deliver them to you the following day; you’ll find full details in your stateroom, along with a biodegradable paper laundry bag and a service coupon to fill in.

Traveling with a baby or toddler isn’t always easy—but it also doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right cruise line, a few smart strategies, and a little bit of realistic planning, you can create a vacation that’s restful for you, exciting for your little one, and meaningful for your whole family.

And here’s the truth I want every parent to hear: you deserve a trip that lets you breathe a little, reconnect a lot, and make memories that last long after the suitcases are unpacked. If you’re looking to book a family cruise but aren’t sure which itinerary would fit you best, take a peek at my post on the Best Cruise Line By Region—or reach out and I’ll help you chart the course. You don’t have to figure this out alone; I’m here to make your family’s first cruise feel easy, joyful, and absolutely unforgettable.

Who is Christina?

Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists.  After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!

She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.