How to Survive a Cruise Packed With Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)

Cruises are one of the best holidays around – everything you need in one place, endless food, sun, and cocktails on tap. The only catch? You’re sharing your floating paradise with several hundred overexcited children!

Now, to be clear: kids on cruises are great. Of course I would say that as ‘Cruise Mummy’.

They’re having the time of their lives, and rightly so. But if you’re travelling without little ones (or if you simply fancy a few moments of adult tranquillity), it can all get a bit much – the splashing in the pool, the queues for pizza, the shrieking down the corridors.

Luckily, staying sane on a cruise full of kids isn’t (all) about hiding in your cabin. With a little strategy and a few insider tricks, you can still have a blissfully calm, grown-up getaway.

Here’s how to have a chilled time (even on a mega ship in August!)

1. Choose Your Sailing Date Wisely

The easiest way to avoid the “family holiday frenzy” is simply not to sail when everyone else does. If you’re flexible, steer clear of school holidays – the difference is night and day.

When kids are on board, you might have four guests in every cabin instead of two – and that can mean almost twice as many people sharing the same facilities!

This is particularly true with the family-focussed cruis lines. I’ve sailed with Disney in the school holidays and in term-time and oh my goodness it’s a completely different experience.

But what about the fines for missing school? Well, where I live you only get a fine for missing a whole week. If you miss four days it’s frowned upon, but nothing bad actually happens. So I time this with a bank holiday or inset day, and can manage to get a week-long cruise without legal consequences.

However, that approach won’t work for everyone. What if you’re a teacher who can only cruise in the schoool hols? Or the parent of a teen with exams looming? I get it, so I have more tips for you…

2. Pick Your Ship Carefully

Not all ships are created equal. Some are floating adventure parks with water slides, surf simulators and bumper cars – incredible for families, but maybe not ideal if you’re looking for a peaceful week of reading and rum cocktails.

Older or smaller ships tend to attract fewer children simply because they don’t have as many kid-focused features.

However, just because a ship isn’t marketed at families doesn’t mean that your kids won’t love it. Take Holland America Line, for example. I sailed in August and there were barely any kids on board – yet the kids clubs are absolutely fantastic!

Other hidden gems include Fred. Olsen, who has dedicated family-friendly sailings only in the school holidays, and A-Rosa, a river cruise line which has an incredible family-friendly ship. Kids will love these ships, even if there are only a handful of other youngsters onboard.

Take a look at this video from when I took my kids on a Fred. Olsen cruise and you’ll see what I mean…

Okay but what if you’ve already booked a family mega ship in the school hols? Fear not, you can make this work with my next tips…

3. Head To The Adults-Only Areas

Pretty much every family-friendly ship has an adult only area. On Disney ships, you’ll find an adults-only sun deck, pool, hot tubs, cafe and several bars and restaurants where kids aren’t allowed. These are so big that you could spend your whole cruise here and never see a child if you wish!

These spots are always quieter, calmer and blissfully free of cannonballs.

Usually the adult-only areas are free of charge and you don’t need to book. But there are some ‘premium’ spaces like The Sanctuary on Princess Cruises or The Retreat on P&O Cruises where you’ll need to pay a fee. You can book a day or buy a pass for your whole cruise.

Adult areas are well worth it and they’re the perfect place to go when your kids are in the kids club. Even an hour a day in the solarium with a cocktail and a good book can completely reset your mood.

4. Time Your Pool Visits Like a Pro

Cruise pools are prime kid territory, and the busiest hours are predictable. Midday, especially on sea days, is when every child onboard descends on the pool deck like it’s a theme park.

So plan around it. Early morning swims are peaceful, with just a few quiet sunbathers around. Late afternoons can also be calm – many families head to early dinners or pre-show activities then.

Bring your towel, a pair of sunglasses and even those waterproof headphones with your favourite playlist, and you’ll wonder if you’re even on the same ship.

5. Embrace the Specialty Restaurants

Buffets are fun, but during family-heavy cruises, they can feel like feeding time at the zoo. Plates pile up, queues stretch out, and someone inevitably drops ice cream near your flip-flops.

The solution? Treat yourself to the speciality restaurants. They’re not just about better food – they’re calmer, quieter, and generally kid-free (or at least have fewer).

Steakhouses, sushi bars, seafood spots, wine-pairing dinners – they’re all designed for a slower pace. Book ahead and make it your nightly ritual. You’ll never look at the buffet in quite the same way again.

6. Escape on Port Days

Port days are the perfect chance to reclaim some serenity if you’ve accidentally booked yourself onto a cruise packed with children.

Wander a quiet beach, explore a museum, linger over lunch in a café or take an excursion that lasts most of the day. Even just sitting by the harbour with an iced coffee while the crowds tackle a family snorkel trip can feel like bliss.

You’ll return to the ship refreshed – and probably just as everyone else starts queuing for dinner.

And if you’re in a port where there are a lot of family-friendly activities and attractions ashore, consider staying onboard – most of the kiddos will be off on day trips with their parents, and you can make the most of a quieter ship.

7. Visit the Spa (And Stay There)

On a ship full of families, the spa becomes a haven.

It’s more than massages – many cruise spas have saunas, steam rooms, heated loungers, and quiet relaxation zones where phones are off and whispers are mandatory.

You can often buy a “thermal suite pass” for the week, giving you unlimited access to these peaceful spaces. Go in the morning before breakfast or mid-afternoon when things get loud elsewhere.

It’s the best kind of escape: guilt-free and air-conditioned.

8. Book a Balcony Cabin

Sometimes, the simplest solution is also the best one. A balcony cabin gives you your own little slice of peace – no competition for loungers, no noise, just sea views and fresh air.

Morning coffee while watching the ship glide into port? Bliss. Evening wine while the stars come out? Even better. When the pool deck feels chaotic, you can retreat to your private oasis without feeling like you’re missing out.

It’s worth every extra penny for the sanity it brings.

There’s a risk with this one, because your neighbours could be a family who aren’t the most peaceful when they’re on the balcony.

But most families aren’t spending hours being loud in their cabin – so it should be a peaceful space most of the time.

9. Lean Into Adults-Only Entertainment

When the kids head off to bed, the ship transforms. Comedy clubs, piano bars, wine tastings, silent discos – most evening entertainment for adults is 18+ and feels like a completely different cruise.

It’s your chance to enjoy the ship without queuing behind a family of six. Whether it’s a live band in a lounge or a late-night karaoke session, you’ll find a relaxed, fun crowd and a welcome sense of calm.

Bonus: the pool deck is magical at night. Quiet, breezy and beautifully lit – a total contrast to daytime mayhem.

On some family cruises, the kids might be staying up much later than they would at home – and curfews can be quite late still. So don’t assume the ship will feel adults-only once 10pm hits.

Still, you should be able to find plenty of options in the evenings where the kids aren’t interested or are outright banned.

10. Befriend the Crew

Crew members are the unsung heroes of every cruise. They know where the quiet corners are, which bars never get busy, and which times to visit the buffet when it’s peaceful.

A friendly chat can get you invaluable insider tips – like which side of the ship gets the best sunset views or when the solarium is emptiest.

They’ve seen it all, and most love sharing advice with polite, easy-going passengers. So smile, say hello, and let them guide you to the calm you’re craving.

11. Adjust Your Expectations – And Laugh About It

At the end of the day, it’s still a family holiday. There will be splashing, running, shouting and possibly the occasional ice-cream-related incident.

The trick is not to fight it. You’re on holiday too, and a bit of background chaos comes with the territory. Laugh it off, find your quiet corners, and remind yourself that those kids are having the kind of fun you’d have killed for at their age.

And when in doubt? Noise-cancelling headphones and a cold drink work wonders.

Final Word

A cruise full of kids doesn’t have to mean a week of stress. With a bit of timing, a few smart choices and the right mindset, you can enjoy all the best parts of life at sea without feeling like you’ve joined a school trip.

Seek out the quiet spaces, plan your escapes, and treat yourself to the occasional indulgence. Because even surrounded by water wings and pool noodles, peace at sea is still perfectly possible – and you might just return home feeling more relaxed than you expected.

Related Posts

• The 11 Best Cruise Lines for Families
• The Children’s Cruise Curfews You Need To Know About
• The 12 Best All-Inclusive Cruise Lines For Adults-Only Relaxation