Cruising with a Baby: What To Expect, Tips & More From A Mom
Thinking of cruising with a baby? With a bit of planning it can be an incredible family vacation. I’m a mom, former crew member, and I started cruising with my baby at 6 months old.
Cruising is a great way to see the world and can be an incredible family vacation or multi-generational family vacation. My first cruise was when I was 8 years old with my mom and brother. Now, 20+ cruises as a passenger and 10 years as a crew member, plus working onboard while pregnant I’ve entered the next phase of my cruising journey – as a mom cruising with a baby!
I started bringing my baby to cruise when she was six months old and would absolutely do it again (and have!). But, there are some tips, tricks, and rules you need to be aware of to make sure that your cruise with your little one is a positive experience for the whole family.
Cruising With A Baby
Cruising with a baby can be awesome! It can also be hard. And challenging. And people can have lots of opinions. Overall there are so many good parts to it but there are also quite a few parts that could make staying at home much easier.
If you’ve ever tried to go anywhere with a baby you know that there is a lot of planning involved. Do you have enough diapers/change of clothes? Car seat? Food? When is there next nap/where are they going to take their nap? It’s a lot to figure out. Going on a cruise with a baby is a bit like that – a lot to figure out. But, with a little planning totally do-able!
For pretty much any travel with a baby, but especially cruising you need to make sure you have a plan (and the things required) for the big three:
- Feeding
- Sleeping
- Diapering/Clothing
With a bit of a go-with-the-flow attitude and research ahead of time you can have a wonderful family vacation and seeing them look out at the waves in wonder, sailing into port and exploring different parts of the world together really is incredible.
Is a Cruise a Good Idea With a Baby?
Yes! I would absolutely recommend taking a baby cruising with you – if you have done your research, pick the right cruise and cruise line for what you need and know what you’re getting yourself into. This is a great place to start! I’ve been there, I’ve done it.
If you spend much time online you’ll see posts of people saying you shouldn’t cruise with a baby. I had someone walk up to me and tell me I shouldn’t have brought my daughter onboard until she was 2 or 3 years old.
Some cruise lines offer nursery care, either for a fee or included in the price of the cruise. Other cruise lines don’t start offering a childcare option until 3 years old. Will that make or break your cruise? Doing the research ahead of time to make sure you get the right cruise for your family is so important!
The part that might make this harder than another trip is where the baby sleeps.
Where Does a Baby Sleep on a Cruise?
The baby sleeps in the same cabin as you in a cot or crib. The cruise line will provide one and you should request it at the time of booking.
Some cruise lines provide a metal crib and some will provide a pack n’ play. The Pack N’ Play provided by the cruise line is sometimes the smaller sized version, so not the full play yard but really meant as a travel cot.
If you are wanting a bit more space than that for your little one you can also bring your own sleep space for them – most likely a pack n’ play type travel crib or maybe the very much so trending Guava Lotus.
Your cabin steward will get your room arranged in a way that works with the crib or cot. If you’ve been on a cruise you know the rooms aren’t huge so this will take up a bit of floor space.
Whether you are better off using the ship provided crib or bringing your own baby sleep area is up to what works best for your family.
Our last cruise I brought a pack n’ play onboard thinking that because she had spent time in it and was more familiar with it she would sleep better. Definitely wrong. Did not help her sleep at all. On our next cruise she’ll be using the ships provided crib because her sleep wasn’t improved at all using the pack n’ play.
Her sleep has been the hardest thing for us. When I was first onboard I wanted to have her naps in the room so she could get used to the space to hopefully make bedtime sleep better – but I quickly realized then I wasn’t getting to enjoy any of the places we were going because I was always so worried about nap time.
I had to let go a bit and after I started doing that – her bedtime sleep was still a mess – but she would nap well in the stroller or in the carrier while we were out and about and we were all happier because of it.
Things to Consider About Baby Sleep Onboard a Cruise Ship
- They will be sharing the same room as you. If you and your baby sleep best when you are in separate rooms, that is unfortunately not an option unless you get a suite with a separate living space.
- It can be worth upgrading to a balcony so that when naps are happening in the room, or even at bedtime, you can sit out and enjoy the balcony while little one is sleeping.
- Expect that sleep will be a bit different
- Sleep schedules are really hard to maintain while cruising unless you figure out a way your baby can sleep on the go. Whether that be in a carrier or a stroller.
- At night you’ll have 3 options, and most likely will end up doing a mix of these:
- get baby to sleep in the crib and everyone stays in the room
- get baby to sleep in the crib and you alternate an adult to go out and about
- you take baby with you out and about and hope they sleep in the carrier and just let the sleep be what it’s going to be.
Can Babies in Diapers Swim on a Cruise?
No, babies cannot swim in the pools onboard cruise ships, even in swim diapers. If a baby being able to get in the water is top of your list Royal Caribbean and Disney each have a few ships with baby splash areas.
United States Public Health (USPH) has very specific rules in regards to children in diapers in pools. Babies in diapers aren’t allowed in regular pools onboard regardless if they’re in a swim diaper or not.
There is a clause that if the pool was specially designed and approved by USPH for use for babies in diapers it is okay. But, as space is on a premium on a cruise ship there are very few ships with designated specially designed pools for babies in diapers. If you like to read policy, check out section 6.10 of the Vessel Sanitation Program from United States Department Health and USPH.
The ships with pools, or “splash areas” that babies in swim diapers are allowed to use are:
- Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
- Freedom and Oasis Class ships, Anthem of the Seas, Icon of the Seas
- Disney Cruise Line
- All ships – Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder
Are Babies Full Price on Cruises?
It may surprise you, but babies pay a full child rate on a cruise – unless you snag a “kids sail free” deal. If you’ve researched cruise ship pricing you know that the first two passengers in a cabin typically pay full price, and the 3rd and 4th passengers are at a reduced rate. If the third and fourth passengers are children the rate is usually even further reduced.
The price for a baby will be the same as another child as the 3rd or 4th guest in a cabin. For example, a cabin with two adults, one child age 5 and one baby that is 7 months old, the 5 year old and 7 month old would cost the same.
The exception is that on some cruise lines, like Carnival, the overall fare for children 2 and under is not expected to pay gratuities.
The good news is that there are quite a few cruise lines that offer “kids-sail-free” promotions!
These promotions exist when the kids (babies or kids through 12 or sometimes 17 years old) are the 3rd and 4th guest sail for free. There will still be port fees and taxes added to that and for most cruise lines gratuities, too. Cruise lines with various promotions for kids sailing free are MSC, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America Line, and surprisingly, Regent Seven Seas. This promotion is not for all sailings on these cruise lines but it’s at least worth checking into.
Top Tips For Cruising With A Baby
The overall biggest tip there is for cruising with a baby is two fold – be as prepared as possible and go with the flow. That’s easy to say but hard to do as you don’t know what you aren’t prepared for until you need it.
Think of it a bit like packing to go anywhere, what are the most important things to have? A way to feed your baby, diapers, and a change of clothes. While there’s a lot more to getting ready for a cruise than this, at the end of the day the bsics are the same – a way to feed your baby, diapers, and a change of clothes (and the pros will know the change of clothes is for you and the baby!)
1. Choose the Right Cruise For Your Family
This might sound like a no-brainer but what facilities are offered for babies onboard a cruise differs vastly between the different cruise lines. Some offer an infant drop off center for babies and toddlers for 6 month to 2 year olds. Some will have a play area that parents can go to with their babies, some have splash areas. And some do not offer any of those things.
It doesn’t mean you can only go on ships that have those things – the cruise line my husband works for and we sail on regularly doesn’t have a nursery or facilities for kiddos under 3 years old and we have a great time! But, I know that going in. If you get to the ship thinking you’re going to have some romantic dinners without your little one in tow only to find out that your ship doesn’t have an infant center, it’s going to be disappointing.
Save yourself the disappointment and figure out what is most important for you on your cruise, what facilities are important to you onboard, and then choose the right cruise for you!
2. Make a Plan for Feeding Your Baby (Including Figuring Out If Your Cabin Has a Refrigerator)
Some cruise ship cabins have a refrigerator. Some don’t. Some cabin refrigerators don’t actually get cold enough to store breastmilk.
Figuring out what your plan is and how to deal with your plan is nearly the most important part of the details for your cruise. There’s a solution for each problem but making a plan for it is key to a successful cruise.
Maybe it will be getting ice sent to the cabin. Maybe it will be baby water to the cabin. Some cruise lines even have bottle warmers available. For the most part cruise lines will be accommodating to help you figure out your plan. Make sure to request your needs before joining the ship.
Most cruise lines do not specify on their website that you are allowed to breastfeed in public. I have not had any issues with this personally, but if you are concerned contact the cruise line ahead of time and get it in writing.
Carnival’s policy states, “Nursing mothers have the right to breast feed in public or private areas and are not required to cover themselves while doing so. This policy is consistent with state law in 49 states in the U.S.”.
3. Be Smart About Picking Your Room
Location:
A room right under the buffet or the main dining room galley might not be the best place as there is sometimes noise early in the morning or late into the night.
It also might be worth the extra money to get a balcony to be able to enjoy some space or your own while your little one is napping. Or maybe even jump up to a suite with a separate bedroom if you can.
Have a room towards the front and top of the ship and going through foggy weather? That fog horn will go off every 3 minutes. (Which is part of why a sound machine is on my essential packing list!)
Room location isn’t everything, but it certainly can make a difference.
Bathtub:
Most cruise ship cabins won’t have a bathtub, but most will have a handheld shower unit. My little loves bath time and playing in the water so we brought her a portable blow up bath to use in the shower. If having a bathtub is important for you make sure to look for this when booking your cruise.
4. Always Fly in a Day Early
This is a good rule of thumb to follow for any cruise you go on – but even more so when traveling with a baby.
Say you fly to the ship, and you’ve put most of the formula you need into your checked luggage (don’t do that, split it between carry-on and different checked luggage). If you fly in a day in advance you can go get whatever didn’t show up with your luggage a day in advance.
Another reason is because it will give you a better shot of getting your babies naps somewhat in order for your embarkation day. Baby sleep is so challenging. Not putting too much new and crazy in one day can make a big difference.
Essential Baby Cruise Packing List
How can such a small (and adorable) baby need so much stuff? It’s the perpetual question all parents ask as they schlep bags upon bags upon bags everywhere. Packing right can make or break your cruise. Figuring out how to pack everything in a way you can likely fly with it as well? It’s nearly an art form. Here are my top essentials to make your cruise great.
Quick List Packing Essentials for Cruising with a Baby:
✅ first aid kit with medications
✅ twice as many diapers/wipes as you think you need
✅ travel stroller
✅ Baby carrier
✅ portable changing pad
✅ cabin organizer (over the door)
✅ toys
✅ travel/small size dish soap (+sponge/brush)
✅ black out cover for travel cot
✅ Baby monitor (especially if you’re in a balcony room)
✅ inflatable tub (most rooms don’t have a bath tub)
✅ nursing clothes/clothes mama actually feels good in!
Baby First Aid Kit with Medicines
The things you pack and hope to never need. While there is a medical center onboard every cruise ship with more than 100 passengers, visiting there can be expensive. Packing a basic first aid kid with the basic medicines you might need can save both literal and figurative headaches for you and baby.
Some basics to include would be things like baby tylenol, an antihistamine, diaper cream, and a nasal aspirator. You can also add in band-aids, gas drops, vitamin drops, motion sickness medicine, and other go-to basics for your baby. For potential specific items for your baby check with your pediatrician.
➡️ Baby First Aid Kit (purchase your needed medicines separately)
Travel Stroller
Most cruise ship cabin doors are only 24″ wide versus the standard 36″ of most doors on land. This means a standard stroller won’t fit through the cabin door. A stroller that fits through the cabin door means you can get all ready to go before you leave the cabin. Bonuses are it is less bulky to maneuver around the ship and ashore on narrow sidewalks.
Parent and World Facing Option: Cybex Eezy S Twist +2
Easily switch between parent and world facing, plus a near lay flat position for naps on the go. It has a one hand fold and open that you can actually do with one hand while holding the baby with your other (personally tested), and folds up small enough to not take up much room in the cabin at night and to bring on things like cruise ship tenders.
*Note – when we went to buy it we were able to get the rain cover, cupholder, and car seat attachment included through Amazon for the same price as buying direct.
World Facing/more compact option: Stokke (previously Babyzen) Yoyo3 (new version 2024)
You’ll see this written about a lot and I’ve gotten to try out my friends as well. This is at a slightly higher price point – although has been on sale lately – but for it’s compact size and ease of use it is worth the hype.
➡️ Shop Cybex Eezy S Twist +2 V2 Travel Stroller
➡️ Shop Stokke Yoyo Travel Stroller
Baby Carrier
Baby carriers are such a great way to get around the ship, go ashore, get baby a nap, be able to do anything with two hands. They really are incredible. I use an Ergobaby Omni 360 and it’s worked great for me but to be honest – the important part here is a carrier that is comfortable or you and your little one.
Cabin Organizer
⭐⭐ This will improve the organization in your room so much! The storage space in a cruise ship cabin is intelligently laid out but it’s at a premium and not designed for all the onesies, sleepers, diapers, wipes, and seemingly million other things a baby needs.
Among the best things (no lie) I’ve brought onboard were an over the door organizer. I liked these ones as diapers fit well in them and there are 2 in a pack.
Portable Changing Pad
Your room doesn’t come with a changing pad. Having a way to change your baby without those inevitable accidents is key. Save yourself the messes and plan ahead! You can always use the changing pad part of your handy Skip-Hop Portable Changing Pad (a must have for every diaper bag and or traveling parents) or you can bring a separate pad to use in your room.
Baby Monitor
A baby monitor is not always a must when cruising with a baby – but if you find yourself with a balcony cabin, or staying in a hotel the night before your cruise a baby monitor can be crucial.
I like the momcozy baby monitor. It doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi, has a good range, great clarity, but, for travel purposes my favorite part is all components either charge or are powered by USB-C. This means less cords to bring!
Nursing Clothes
If you are nursing and haven’t yet, consider this your invitation to get yourself some cute nursing clothes or at least a cute nursing sundress to wear. It will help make you feel like “you” again.
FAQs
There’s a lot of questions about cruising with a baby and honestly the more prepared you are the better. You’re doing great! It can feel like a lot, but from a momma that has done it, you can do it, too. Here’s some of the most frequently asked questions I’ve gotten about cruising with a baby.
Do infants get seasick on cruises?
It’s not impossible although it’s unlikely. Specifically for babies that aren’t yet walking seasickness isn’t common and infants and babies 2 years and under are less likely to get motion sickness or seasickness – but it can happen.
Cruise ships have stabilizers but even with those in use you may still feel a bit of the motion of the ocean. My little struggled a bit on the first night we had slightly rough seas – not with sea sickness but just being a bit confused about the motion. Once she got used to it though she loved it! Check with your pediatrician for what they specifically recommend for your little if this is a concern.
How many diapers should I pack for a cruise?
Anywhere you go with babies you should pack twice as many diapers as you think you will need and a cruise is no different.
Based on Babylist recommendations, 12-18 pound babies (size 2) use between 6-9 diapers a day, and 16-28 pound babies (size 3, yes that is a huge range) use 5-7 diapers a day.
This means you should bring anywhere from 70-126 diapers depending on how many diapers your little is going through.
You should also plan to divide the diapers between carry-on, diaper bag, and checked luggage so if your checked luggage is lost you have enough to last for most of your trip. You could also make a plan to pick up some diapers in whichever port you are sailing from the day before your cruise.
If you use a different type of diapers for overnight versus daytime, calculate it the same.
And, even though babies aren’t allowed in the pool, don’t forget some swim diapers for beach time ashore.
Do cruises sell diapers?
Some cruise lines do, but not all. Popular family cruise lines Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Disney carries them onboard for pre-purchase as well as in their shops, whereas Carnival does not carry them onboard at all. It is not consistent between cruise lines, so it is best to check your specific line ahead of time or make a plan to bring the diapers that you need onboard.
Pre-order options tend to run about $1.00 per diaper (!) so it’s best to stock up ahead of time if at all possible. If you get onboard and have not pre-ordered and are running low, stop by the front office to check to see if there is a basic supply onboard. If nothing else the staff will be able to tell you which port is most likely to have a store to buy some.
Can I bring baby water on a cruise?
Yes. You can bring on what liquid/beverages you need to feed your baby. This includes baby water (distilled water with added minerals), distilled water, milk, and pre-made formula. For some cruise lines, like Carnival it must be in your carry-on luggage, whereas other cruise lines, like Holland America it needs to be in your checked luggage.
Most ships will also sell distilled water onboard.
How old does a baby have to be to go on a cruise?
On nearly all cruise lines, except MSC, babies have to be at least 6 months old and to go on certain itineraries – typically those with more than 2 or 3 sea days in a row or what would be considered a “crossing” (trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific) they need to be a year.
There are also some restrictions for voyages that have Expedition cruises or cruises to Antarctica, sometimes requiring the child to be 6 years old (Seabourn). If you are planning an expedition cruise talk to a travel professional to make sure you are meeting the requirements.
MSC does not have a minimum age for babies to sail onboard.
Does a baby need a passport?
If baby is going somewhere that an adult would need a passport, baby needs one, too.
If you’re from the U.S. and traveling on a cruise roundtrip from the same US port (think Miami to Miami) to some countries (Canada, much of the Caribbean), you don’t technically need a passport and a birth certificate will do.
However, if something happens during your cruise and you have to disembark the ship in a foreign port you will need a passport to fly back into the United States. If you don’t have one already, this will involve a trip to the embassy of whatever country you’ve ended up in and most of the time if you have to disembark the ship before the end of your cruise it isn’t for fun reasons.
Save yourself the potential hassle and before you cruise or leave the country get your baby a passport.
Is babysitting available on cruise ships?
In-cabin babysitting is no longer available onboard cruise ships.
However, several cruise lines offer infant drop-off nursery facilities including Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (not all ships), and MSC. Nearly all of these are daytime or early evening facilities. However, Carnival offers “Night Owls” evening babysitting that is available from 6 months and up from 10:00pm-1:00am.
Final Thoughts
There is so much to consider when cruising with a baby, but at the end of the day the biggest thing to consider is the incredible experience you and your family will have on this vacation.
You might find someone that doesn’t want to cruise with a baby and has an opinion about it. That doesn’t matter though for those baby giggles and smiles as they see new parts of the world.
Make sure you plan ahead and research your cruise and cruise line, be smart with your packing, and you can have an incredible time cruising with a baby.
