Cruises are a great way for families with young children to spend a trip. You may find it hard to narrow down your choices when planning a cruise for babies and toddlers because there are so many cruise lines to pick from and new ships with lots of activities and services for kids of all ages.
A lot of popular and high-end cruise lines have cabins that are well-designed with families in mind. Many family cruise ships have water parks, kid-themed venues, live theater, and other fun things for kids. This makes cruises for babies and toddlers (as well as cruises for teens) great for families of all ages.
Luxury travel agent Elizabeth Caran, who is part of the Nexion Travel Group, says that many cruise lines make it possible for families with babies and children to enjoy time together as well as time on the ship just for adults. “From family-friendly activities to babysitting services and kids’ clubs, cruises encourage the whole family to travel together.”
When you’re ready to leave with your kids, these eight cruise lines offer a range of facilities, amenities, and activities that will make your trip memorable for your baby or child, as well as for the whole family.
Children must be at least 6 months old on the first day of a Celebrity Cruises trip or cruise tour in order to be able to go on board. In order to go on some trips and tours, kids must be at least 12 months old.
Celebrity’s Veranda Stateroom is the best choice when traveling with younger children because it lets parents go outside and enjoy a glass of wine or some alone time once the child is sound asleep. An ocean-view stateroom still has a view, but it gives you more peace of mind if your child is more busy. If you spend a lot of money on a big suite, everyone will have more space to rest and move around. You’ll also be able to enter VIP areas of the ship and have a butler and concierge service. You can pay extra to have a private babysitter watch up to three kids, as long as they are all at least one year old. Each suite comes with its own bathroom.
Celebrity has a number of programs for kids smaller than 12. Toddler Time is in the ship’s playground for kids younger than 3 years old, but they need to be supervised by an adult. You can also check out the educational and fun toys and books to take back to your stateroom. Teenagers and kids between the ages of 3 and 5 can join the ship’s daily Camp at Sea program, which is run by the youth staff. At camp, there are science trips, art projects, singing contests, and cooking tasks. Kids between the ages of 3 and 12 who are signed up for the youth program can do more things because the ship has guided afternoon and slumber parties.
Young children who are picky eaters can choose from kid-friendly favorites like spaghetti Bolognese, small pizzas, cheeseburgers, and fries on the kid’s menu in the main dining room. The buffet is a great option for those who want a more laid-back setting and even more options. There is an ice cream and dessert station for those who can’t get enough sweets. If you’d rather eat in your stateroom, the in-room eating menu also has kid-friendly options.
For Disney Cruise Line, babies must be at least 6 months old on the day they leave for their trip. On the line’s Hawaii, transatlantic, and Panama Canal trips, kids must be at least 12 months old to sail.
The family cabins and suites on Disney Cruise Line are bigger for families, and some of them can sleep up to seven people. There are two bathrooms in many of these houses. One has a sink and a shower/tub combination, and the other has a toilet and a separate sink. There are also bunk beds, curtains that separate rooms, extra space for bags, a refrigerator, and TVs with on-demand shows and movies.
On Disney’s ships, families traveling with babies can use a lot of free baby services, such as bottle warmers and sterilizers, diaper disposal units, playpens, cribs, and Pack ‘n Play portable cribs. Parents can ask the bedroom host or hostess for these things. Guest Services also gives away free strollers and all of the eating areas have highchairs for your fellow passengers who are hungry. You can buy rash cream, infant formula (ready to feed), and other baby supplies at the onboard shops if you forget to bring your baby’s pacifier or other important things.
You can bring your own baby food on board the ship as long as it doesn’t need to be prepared in the kitchen. If you ask, the restaurant staff will also puree fresh veggies in the main dining room or when you order room service.
When parents are ready for some time alone, the “It’s a Small World” nursery on all Disney ships can take care of kids from 6 months (or 1 year, based on the itinerary) up to 3 years old. With its whimsical theme, this area has some of the longest hours and cheapest hourly rates for child care on cruise ships. Kids can read or play with toys, games, videos, or projects while they’re at the “club.” If one of the counselors needs to get in touch with you on the ship, don’t worry—they can use the cell phone service that’s there.
Kids between the ages of 3 and 12 can play in Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, which have even more Disney-themed fun. Don’t forget about the other fun things for kids to do on the ship, like special parties and water slides for little ones, as well as meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse and many other princesses, pirates, and superheroes. Don’t forget to bring your child’s Disney-themed clothes so they can join in the fun on board.
Minimum age to sail: MSC Cruises welcomes kids of all ages, but if you want to take a baby younger than 12 months, you should talk to your doctor first.
If you want to take a family vacation with MSC, the line has staterooms that connect to each other and big suites. You can also choose to stay in the private MSC Yacht Club, which has private events and a private butler who is only there for you 24 hours a day. It’s like staying in a luxury ship within a ship. You can use cribs and playpens from the baby care brand Chicco for free thanks to the cleaning staff.
One of five different programs for kids is the Baby Club, which is for kids ages 2 and younger. Chicco and MSC work together to give babies and kids younger than 3 years old a special place to play. MSC Baby Time is available at certain times in town and while the ship is at sea. It lets the youngest guests play with friends from around the world while you watch their kids and talk to other parents. Toys from the Osservatorio Chicco Baby Research Center that teach kids about rhythm music and moving will also be fun for little ones. A different MSC game lets kids ages 2 and 3 try out their new cooking skills with a Baby Chef activity. Kids between the ages of 1 and 3 can get babysitting at the Baby Club. The Youth Program on board will be able to tell you about this service and its hours once you get there.
The Mini Club’s relationship with Lego gives sailors ages 3 to 6 a little more time to make friends and have fun with arts and crafts, games, and events.
Nutritionists from the Osservatorio Chicco have checked out this cruise line’s kids’ meals and found that they have a lot of fun and tasty options. There is food just for babies 6 to 12 months old on the menus of both the main places and the specialty restaurants. There is also a Kids’ Corner or Marketplace Family & Kids area at each table. Even if your kids get hungry at odd hours and you don’t want to go outside, you can still feed them and keep them happy because room service is open 24 hours a day.
Younger children (under 2 years old) can go on trips with you for free, and children ages 3 to 13 get 30% off adult prices.
For Norwegian Cruise Line, babies must be at least 6 months old at the time of leaving or at least 12 months old at embarkation if the trip has three or more days at sea in a row.
With Norwegian’s “freestyle cruising” attitude, parents can plan a family vacation that fits their needs and is fun for everyone. There are many options for staterooms and villas, some of which connect to other cabins. There are large rooms, suites, and villas on the line’s only luxury retreat, The Haven. There is even a two-bedroom family house. It has private rooms, a 24-hour butler, a valet service, and other nice features. Kids can sail for free on certain sailings and in all types of staterooms during special events.
Free portable playpens and foldable sleepers are offered all over the fleet. In the eating areas, there are also high chairs. However, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Encore are the only ships that offer booster seats.
The Guppies Program is for kids from 6 months to 3 years old and gives them fun things to do. Parents and kids can join this game on all ships. It focuses on music, movement, and sensory play. In the meantime, parents of kids ages 3 to 12 can pay to leave their kids with the guided Late Night/Port Play program while they go out for the afternoon in port or the night on the ship by themselves. Parents and kids can get more active by going to the aquaparks and waterslides, playing mini-golf, or going on exciting and daring trips, like a whale-watching trip on an Alaskan ship.
Guests can eat for free in the ship’s main dining rooms and at the table. Kids can eat tasty treats like pizza, chicken fingers, pasta, waffles, and soft-serve ice cream. Additionally, you can go to specialty places that provide a free kids’ menu. If you decide to stay in for the night, you can always get room service.
Minimum sailing age: Infants cruising on Holland America Line must be at least 6 months old at the time of embarkation. On longer cruises, such as transoceanic voyages or itineraries in South America, Asia, the South Pacific, or Hawaii, infants must be at least 12 months at embarkation.
Holland America offers a selection of accommodations ideal for families that include connecting cabins and rooms with sofa beds or Murphy beds. On the Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam ships, there are also dedicated family staterooms with beds for up to five guests, additional closet space, and two bathrooms (one of which has a tub). The line also offers reduced fares for kids – who can even cruise for free on select itineraries during Holland America’s Kids Sail Free promotions.
A limited number of complimentary cribs, highchairs, and booster seats are available on board. The line recommends requesting a crib no later than 90 days before sailing. If you don’t want to bring all the necessary supplies with you, select items can be purchased in advance, including diapers, baby wipes, formula, and baby food.
Parents will appreciate the kid’s menu in the dining venues, with toddler-approved favorites like chicken strips, pizza, and mac and cheese, along with healthy options like soups, salads, and fresh fruit. Children 12 years and younger receive half-off meals in specialty dining restaurants – or they can order from the kid’s menu for free – and you’ll find reduced rates for the kiddos on shore excursions.
Club HAL, the line’s youth program, is available on all 11 ships and offers supervised and entertaining activities for ages 3 to 17. At the Kids Program (for 3- to 6-year-olds), children can participate in games and crafts and attend themed parties like a “Ships Ahoy Pirate Treasure Hunt Adventure” or “Dino-Mite Night.” The program, along with lunch, is an option on port days. The line also encourages children with special needs to participate in Club HAL activities based on their chronological age.
FAQ’s
Q1. Which cruise lines are considered the best for babies and toddlers?
These are the five best cruise lines for babies and young children: MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Carnival Cruise Line. When it comes to perks and services, these cruise lines know how to meet the needs of families with young children.
Q2. What age range is typically considered for babies and toddlers on cruises?
Different cruise companies may have slightly different age ranges, but in general, babies and toddlers are kids younger than 3 years old. Most cruise companies have special activities and amenities for people in this age range.
Q3. What amenities are available for babies and toddlers on these cruises?
Cruise lines that cater to families with babies and children often offer amenities like nurseries with trained staff, splash zones or wading pools, baby equipment rental services, and play areas that are appropriate for the child's age. It's known that Disney Cruise Line has special places for babies to stay and play.
