Cruising with a baby might sound daunting. But thousands of parents do it every year… and many say it’s one of the easiest family holidays they’ve ever had.
There’s fresh air, plenty of food, built-in entertainment, and you only have to unpack once. But before you start picturing naps by the pool and peaceful strolls around the deck, there are a few important rules to know.
Every cruise line has its own policies on babies, from minimum age limits to childcare options and what facilities are actually available onboard.
Get it right, and a cruise with a baby can be surprisingly relaxing. Get it wrong, and you could run into some frustrating surprises.
So what do parents really need to know before taking a baby on a cruise… and which cruise lines make it easiest?
You Can Take a Baby on Most Cruise Ships
Most family cruise ships welcome babies from six months old, although some itineraries that include multiple consecutive sea days or remote destinations require babies to be 12 months old.
MSC Cruises has slightly different rules. There’s no minimum age for babies on cruises under 11 nights, although on longer sailings, babies must be at least two years old.
Suggested read: How Old Do You Have to Be to Go on a Cruise?
A Surprising Number of Ships Are Baby Friendly!
Every cruise ship is different, and some are much more baby-friendly than others. You’ll want to look for ships with baby-friendly facilities like travel cots, high chairs and splash areas.
A cruise is often a good option for families with babies because embarkation is easy and there are no luggage limits. However, if you have to fly to the port to join your ship, this won’t apply.
I’d recommend cruising from your local port if possible. If you have to fly, take a look at these tips for flying with a baby.
The Best Cruises If You Want to Travel With a Baby
The good news is that there are lots of baby-friendly cruises to choose from!
I particularly love MSC Cruises because not only do they let babies cruise for free, but they also provide baby play areas with activities, free one-hour babysitting slots for those aged 6 months and up and fantastic baby food menus.
That 6-month age limit is relatively new – it was introduced for summer 2024. Prior to that, it was for 12 months+ only.
I also love P&O Cruises because they are the only cruise line to allow babies in the swimming pools, and free babysitting is available from 6 pm until 2 am.
The best cruise lines for babies are:
- MSC Cruises
- P&O Cruises
- Royal Caribbean
- Disney Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Carnival
- Cunard
- Costa Cruises
- Celebrity Cruises
This list is in approximate order from most to least baby-friendly out of all the cruise lines that allow children to cruise.
Don’t Choose These Cruises With a Baby!
- Adult-only ships – Some cruise lines and ship are for adults only, so you can rule those out straight away
- Luxury cruises – You won’t find many families on the ultra-luxury cruise ships, more retired couples who may not relish the company of a baby on board
- Party cruises – There are also some sailings, such as ‘festivals at sea‘ and college spring break cruises in the US, that wouldn’t be a great place to take a baby
How Young Is Too Young
Most cruise lines require that babies must be at least 6 months old on the first day of the cruise. For selected itineraries that visit exotic destinations or have several consecutive days at sea, babies must be 12 months or older to sail.
MSC Cruises Has Different Age Rules
MSC Cruises is one of the more flexible cruise lines when it comes to travelling with babies.
For cruises of 11 nights or fewer, there’s no official minimum age, meaning even very young babies can sail. However, for longer cruises of 12 nights or more, babies must be at least two years old.
We cruised on MSC Preziosa when our son was six months old. We saw several babies who were much younger than him, including a teeny-tiny set of twins.
It’s technically possible to cruise with a newborn baby. If you’re planning a cruise with your first baby, you might prefer to wait until after the birth before booking anything. Your baby could have health issues, or you may need more time to recover from the birth yourself before travelling.
Suggested read: 15 things to love about Celestyal Cruises
Your Baby Still Needs to Empty That Piggy Bank
On most cruises, babies are not free, but they do sometimes cruise at a reduced rate. Taking a baby on a cruise can cost anywhere between $50 and the full adult cruise fare.
How much you pay to bring your baby along can make a huge difference to the overall cost of your cruise.
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Cruise Lines Where Babies Are Free – MSC Cruises & Cunard
If you want your baby to cruise for free, choose a cruise with MSC Cruises or Cunard. These are the only two cruise lines that offer baby-friendly cruises and never charge for children under two years of age, although on Cunard, you will still have to pay the daily gratuities.
If you book a fly-cruise, you may be charged a small fee for a baby to sit on your lap on the plane, depending on the airline.
Cruise Lines Where Babies Aren’t Free…
All other cruise lines charge for babies. The exact price for babies on cruises ranges from a few dollars to the full adult fare.
- P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises and Disney Cruise Line: Charge a reduced fare for babies
- Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line: Sometimes have ‘Kids Sail Free’ promotions, where you can bring your baby along for free. (If you book your cruise when this promotion is not on, you’ll be charged the full adult fare for your baby)
- Carnival, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises: Always charge the full adult fare for babies
Read more: Do you have to pay for babies on cruises?
Splash Happy – The Rules on Babies and Pools
Most cruise ships do not allow babies or toddlers who are not toilet-trained to use the swimming pools or Jacuzzis on board. However, P&O Cruises’ family-friendly ships do allow kids in swimming nappies to swim in designated pools. Also, some other cruise ships have splash parks where swimming nappies/diapers are permitted.
Here is a list of cruise ships that allow babies and toddlers in swimming nappies:
1. P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises allows children in swimming nappies to use the following swimming pools:
- Azura – Children’s pools (Aft) and the Coral Pool
- Britannia – The Reef Adventure Zone and the Lido Pool
- Iona & Arvia – Baby pool in the Splash Zone
- Ventura – Children’s pool (Aft) and the Beachcomber Pool
2. Royal Caribbean:
Royal Caribbean does not allow swim diapers in any of the onboard swimming pools, whirlpools or H2O Zones. However, swim diapers and nappies are allowed in Baby Splash areas, which are available on the following ships:
- Allure of the Seas
- Anthem of the Seas
- Freedom of the Seas
- Harmony of the Seas
- Independence of the Seas
- Liberty of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
- Wonder of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas
- Star of the Seas
3. Disney Cruise Line:
Disney Cruise Line does not allow swim diapers in any of its swimming pools or spas. However, kids in swim diapers are allowed in the water play areas on each ship:
- Disney Dream – Nemo’s Reef
- Disney Fantasy – Nemo’s Reef
- Disney Magic – Nephews’ Splash Zone
- Disney Wish – Toy Story Splash Zone
- Disney Wonder – Dory’s Reef
- Disney Treasure – Toy Story Splash Zone
- Disney Destiny – Toy Story Splash Zone
- Disney Adventure – Toy Story Splash Zone
All other cruise lines, including Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Marella and MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises, do not allow babies in the water with swimming nappies.
There may be water areas, such as the water play areas on board MSC Virtuosa or Caribbean Princess, where this rule is not policed. You may see very young children playing in the water on your cruise. However, the official line is that swimming nappies are not permitted by these cruise lines.
The Best Type of Cabin for a Family
Personally, I almost always choose an inside cabin when we cruise as a family. We’ve cruised with a baby and a toddler in an inside cabin, and it was just fine.
The main reason to choose an inside cabin is cost, but they also have advantages in that they are lovely and dark at night, more private, and it can be safer not to have a balcony if you’re scared that your toddler might attempt to climb it.
However, there are several reasons why you might choose to upgrade to a larger cabin, a balcony stateroom or a suite when cruising with a baby…
- Inside space – Your baby will sleep in a travel cot in your cabin, which will take up valuable floor space, and you might not be able to open drawers or the fridge
- Outside space – If you plan to spend time in your cabin while your baby is asleep, then a balcony will be incredibly valuable
- A bathtub – Suites often come with bathtubs as well as a shower, which can be handy
My kids loved to sleep in pushchairs, so when naptime or bedtime came around, we’d do a few laps of the deck and then park the pram in a shady spot. However, I recognise that not all children are the same! Some babies will only sleep in a bed. If you can relate to this, then a balcony would certainly be a great investment so that you can spend naptime sitting in the sunshine rather than whispering in the dark.
Essential Baby Packing Info
Babies come with so much stuff, don’t they? A cruise with baby luggage could easily get out of hand… Luckily, if you’re able to join your cruise ship without flying, then there’ll be no limits on how much you can bring.
However, just because you can bring all the baby equipment and paraphernalia you own doesn’t mean that you should. Cruise ship cabins are generally on the small side. And they’ll feel even bigger if you bring too much stuff, so try to stick to the essentials.
To make it easier to know what you need to bring, what you can get on board your ship and what you can do without altogether, I’ve created a free printable baby cruise packing list.
Just enter your email and it will be sent straight to your inbox.
Other Things That Are Good to Know
Babies are treated exactly the same as adults when it comes to passport requirements. It’s recommended that everyone taking a cruise have a passport. Passports are always needed for a cruise, with the exception of US citizens when taking certain cruises that begin and end at the same US port.
Be aware that baby monitors don’t work very well on cruise ships because almost all of the walls on a ship are made of metal, which stops the signal from passing through.
It’s unlikely that you’ll actually need a baby monitor on a cruise ship anyway. Chances are, you’ll all be sleeping in one cabin. If you have two cabins with an adjoining door or a mini suite, you can just leave the door open, or at least ajar, and you’ll be able to hear your baby should they wake up.
In terms of food, you are allowed to bring any pre-packaged food that you wish onto your cruise. However, fresh food like fruit, vegetables and homemade baby food may be confiscated.
Baby food is often provided on cruise ships. If you wish to also bring your own, you should stick to ready-made jars and pouches.
Suggested read: How to feed your baby on a cruise
And here’s an interesting fact – according to a medical study on motion sickness susceptibility, it is uncommon for children under two years old to suffer from seasickness.
If your child does suffer from seasickness, remedies include acupressure bands, which you can get on Amazon and eating green apples. Children’s seasickness medication is usually only suitable for those aged two and over.
Final Word
Cruising with a baby might feel daunting at first, but it can actually be one of the easiest ways to travel as a family. Once you’re onboard, everything you need is in one place – food, entertainment, comfortable cabins and plenty of family-friendly facilities.
The key is choosing the right cruise line, understanding the age rules and packing smart so you’re not overwhelmed with “just in case” items.
We cruised with our son when he was six months old, and it turned out to be one of our favourite holidays. Watching the sunset from the deck while your baby snoozes nearby is pretty special.
Get Help Booking Your Family Cruise
Cruise Family are the only UK specialists in cruises for families of 5+ (and smaller ones too!)
Let them find your perfect trip…
Related Posts:
- Baby Cruise Packing List
- 10 Essential Tips for Cruising With a Baby or Toddler on P&O Cruises
- Cruise With a Two-Year-Old: 5 Things You Need to Know!
- Do You Have to Pay for Babies on Cruises?
Are 18 month old babies allowed in the dining room at meal times
Yes.
Hi! Are there paid nannies? In MSC Eurobia? for 12 months baby
Hi, thanks for the info! I was wondering about travelling with a baby at the countries we visit. We wouldn’t be taking a car seat on board with us, how would we manage if we need to travel from the ports abroad by cab?
Check the laws of the countries you visit. You may be able to hold your bany on your lap. But if a car seat is required for cabs, you’ll need to bring one. One that clips on to the top of a stroller would be best. Otherwise, take public transport instead.
Hi Jenni
Thanks so much for this info, just came across your website whilst snooping the internet about baby’s and cruises! We have just booked our first cruise for Jan 2024 on MSC Euribia, baby will be 15 months by then, very sad to hear that they’re not aloud in any of the pools! Do you know I would be aloud to take a little baby paddling pool?
Kind regards, Jade
Hi Jade. I took a paddling pool on an MSC cruise and nobody said anything about it. I’m not sure if it’s allowed or not but the crew on MSC are known for not pushing the rules too hard so you’ll probably be fine! Jenni
My daughter just had her first my first grandbaby 😁 we are going on cruise in August he will be 3 months by then will he be able to go with us on the Carnival horizon?
Hi Priscilla. Carnival requires that babies must be 6 months or older so sail, so no he can’t go on this one, sorry! Jenni
Hi thanks for this information. We are due to travel in the MSc virtuosa with my toddler who is 2 years and 10 Months. I have been told that they provide a crib for children under 3. Will this be the same as a travel cot? Do you know if they provide a bed rail if my toddler didn’t settle in the travel cot? Also do they provide strollers on board or do you suggest taking your own? Thanks
Yes, it’s a travel cot. My two-year-old went in the top bunk on MSC Preziosa and it had a rail. They did also provide a stroller for us, not sure if they still do that, but they’re not the best so worth taking your own if you have one.Jenni
Super helpful info, thank you for this. Our baby will be 4 months, so we’re planning to book with MSC cruise. Confirming MSC doesn’t allow babies in diapers in any of the pools? Also do you know if they would stow something like a car seat that we would be arriving with but don’t need during the trip
That’s correct, unfortunately, babies in nappies/diapers aren’t allowed in the pools. They won’t be able to store the car seat for you, you would have to store it in your room. It may fit under the bed or you may be allowed to leave it in the corridor outside your room. When I cruised with MSC we were allowed to leave the pushchair in the corridor. I hope that helps. Jenni.
Thank you, we are going on a princess cruise to Scandinavia with my 3.5yr old next week. Do you have any tips for us? We are in a suite and he is completely toilet trained so should be fine for the pools! Just hoping the weather is ok
This is super helpful! My husband and I are considering doing a Royal Caribbean cruise at the end of next year. We are from Australia, so at the moment cruising has not come back due to our COVID situation. We hope we will be able to go in Dec 2022!
I am pregnant with my first at the moment. All going well we may be travelling with a 10 month old. We’re looking at either Ovation or Radiance Of The Seas as they are the ships that have cruises that come to Australia. Do you know if Ovation and Radiance have the baby splash zones where the swimming diapers are permitted?
Hi Kim. Ovation has a baby splash zone where diapers are allowed, but Radiance doesn’t. Some more info for you here: https://www.cruisemummy.co.uk/the-best-royal-caribbean-ships-for-kids/ Jenni
My daughter’s baby was born 2 weeks late, so that her birth date is now 10 days past the minimum 6 mos required on Royal Caribbean. This is our family of 14 annual vacation over Thanksgiving week, so if baby can’t go, hard for all. Any tips?
Hi Kay. Sorry to hear that. Cruise lines are very strict on these things so it’s unlikely that they will let the baby travel. I suggest looking to see if you can change your cruise to MSC Cruises as they have no minimum age requirement for babies. Jennin