Sunday, March 31, 2024

7 Best Cruise Lines for Babies and Toddlers

best cruise for toddlers

Sun Princess will be the first Princess cruise ship to feature an expansive upper-deck activity zone that kids will love. Named Park19, it will feature nine fun-in-the-sun activities spanning three decks. And while the supervised kids club is for children aged 4 and over, there is a night nursery for children aged under 4 years which runs from 6pm to 2am which allows parents to get some alone time.

Norwegian Cruise Line

You can usually find the movies that are playing in your cruise guide in the mobile app. You can also find Goofy’s Sports Deck on both the Fantasy and Dream. This open-air activity center features a miniature golf course, virtual sports simulators and a basketball court. It’s probably no surprise that Disney would have a ship or two in the top group. For decades the Disney brand has set the platinum standard for family entertainment.

Expect Your Toddler to Find the Dirty Spots in the Cabin

If they like playing with a water hose, then showers with the spray handle are a lot of fun for them. Cruise ships have high chairs for your little one to sit in, but we also suggest bringing a silicone place mat for them to use while they eat. These mats stick to almost any surface and are easily washable. This way, not only do you keep the table or high chair from getting dirty, but you also keep food from sitting on a potentially unclean surface. It’s just a better solution all around for when it’s time to eat. Sometimes streamed shows can be pixelated instead of perfect HD quality due to the connection.

Hapag Lloyd Cruises

Activities include crafts, art, songs, stories, and outdoor play. There are themed days like Under the Sea Day, Wild West, and Sports Day to keep young children entertained. There were areas that were off limits to children that were not potty trained just yet, in addition to activities geared toward kids over three. Long ago, parents with toddlers or small kids had to contend with cabins that were too small to fit either cribs or play yards. I have been cruising since 2004 and have sailed on dozens of cruises all over the world.

And fresh, pureed foods (fruits, veggies and rice) are available in the main dining room, specialty restaurants, and Horizon Court or World Fresh Marketplace. Most ships don’t allow kids that aren’t toilet-trained into any pools due to health regulations. There are a few ships that we know that have special areas for smaller kids still in swim diapers. It’s usually a section of a larger play area, but better than no water time at all. Thankfully, the offerings and times for a family cruise have changed.

Minimum age to sail

best cruise for toddlers

These include events such as a Talent Show,a family movie night, and family sports competitions at the outdoor pool. It includes a large children’s splash park area and kiddie pool. Also, for families traveling with babies, MSC Seaside offers a special baby laundry service. This service washes baby and toddler clothes separately from all other clothes in specialized machine with special detergents. The space is very large, spacious, colorful and designed to appeal to babies and toddlers.

Best Cruises for Babies - Cruise Critic

Best Cruises for Babies.

Posted: Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:00:00 GMT [source]

There is no maximum number of childcare hours allotted to each family. Childcare at the nursery is charged at $4.50 per half hour for the first child and $4 per half hour for any additional children and the minimum nursery reservation time is one hour. Onboard restaurants carry baby food (Hipp & Hipp Organic Stages 1 and 2) in a variety of flavors and the galleys will blend food for babies on request -- all free of charge. Standard Britannia cabins range in size from 152 to 269 square feet and include small refrigerators suitable for storing milk and baby food. All ships have cabins with third and fourth berths in multiple categories; only Queen Mary 2 has interconnecting staterooms that are suited to larger families. Extra berths can either be convertible sofa beds or beds that pull down from the ceiling, so be sure to inquire about the specific configuration when booking your cabin.

Why Norwegian Cruise Line Ships Are Great for Kids

Our Adventure Specialist was exceptionally helpful during our rather more complicated preparations involving travelers from 3 locations and various ages and special needs. She also successfully managed to have a lost item returned to us after the cruise. Any travel issues prior to departure were addressed by AdventureSmith expeditiously and knowledgeably. One nice thing is that cruise lines have life jackets for kids to use and there are lifeguards on duty. With small kids, you’re never sure how they might react to something new — even if it’s supposed to be fun. As well, older kids are also better able to take advantage of all the things to do on the cruise and are less likely to be bored.

Additional Royal Caribbean Kid-Friendly Features

In addition to Lego, the Mini Club also has foosball, a cinema, books, age-appropriate toys and plenty of crayons and pens for coloring. Programming includes arts and crafts, sports, a treasure hunt, organized games, musical chairs and dressing up. They even get a chance to try their hand at cooking in the TV Studio on Deck 7. Before you cruise, you can pre-book nursery time from 10 to 35 hours, depending on the length of the cruise, through Disney's website; register for additional hours (if available) once onboard.

These include diaper disposal units, bottle warmers, bottle sterilizers, complimentary pack n plays and cribs, and strollers. We loved the small ship experience, with onboard staff accommodating our group's differing ages and needs. Glaciers, Zodiacs among sea lions and eagles, whale viewing, pilot whales and great naturalists all were special. Our experts will work with you to plan the best Alaskan family cruise package for a seamless vacation. We recommend this cruise for all ages, but it is perhaps the best Alaska cruise for families with younger school-age children.

NCL shines when it comes to activities and features for kids (especially those who like to be active). Popular features include rock climbing and rappelling walls, batting cages, bowling lanes and impressive water park areas. Disney takes a unique separate-but-together approach to its kids’ programming, mainly to accommodate siblings and friends traveling together. Disney Cruises kids' clubs' ages generally span from 3 to 12, with other options for teens. The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab allow children ages 3 to 12, with programming geared toward younger children in the Club and older children in the Lab.

The truth is, taking a toddler on a cruise is easier and more fun than you might expect. In fact, after sailing with your young one for the first time, we won’t be surprised if you start making a family cruise a yearly tradition. If this is important to you we recommend researching which ships have young age limits for kids clubs. Whether or not a toddler can attend a kids club on a cruise will depend on their age. Usually on cruises children need to be aged 3 and over to use the kids club. However splash pads tend to have different rules and allow babies and toddlers in swim diapers to use.

The Norwegian Escape offers drop-off care for children 6 months to 3 years at its Guppies Nursery. Currently, the Escape is the only Norwegian ship to offer drop-off care for toddlers. In addition to drop off care, families can participate in guided toddler friendly activities through the Guppies Hosted Activities program. You’ll find even more activities to do with the family at their private island, Coco Cay.

If traveling with a toddler, make sure to choose a shore excursion that doesn’t have an age restriction. Kids under the age of 3 can enjoy Toddler Time at the ship’s playroom, where they’ll be able to play with fun and educational toys and kids in their age group. Cruises are fun for kids of all ages, and there are plenty of activities to keep your toddlers entertained. Anyone who has traveled with a toddler before knows the experience can be overwhelming.

It's the perfect place for them to relax or play games with their friends. Get more from family time with the MedallionClass experience on all ships. Easy embarkation and customizing dining preferences, including pace, means fewer meltdowns.

Thus an extensive amount of lego bricks, including DUPLO bricks can be found throughout the play areas. And, many Lego themed activities, including a Lego Family Fun Night. Several Royal Caribbean ships offer some combination of the Royal Tots Nursery, the Dreamworks Experience, and Splashaway Bay.

Best Cruises for Babies and Toddlers comparison of ships and lines

best cruise for toddlers

It’s another thing altogether to have the baby making noise in their crib that’s just a few feet from your bed. However, on most cruises (those that begin and end at the same port), kids can travel with an official birth certificate. Frankly, this is much easier and less expensive than getting a passport and works in most cases.

SET SAIL ABOARD THE BEST SHIPS FOR FAMILIES

Liberty is an older ship and smaller ship, but it was recently refurbished in 2016. Unlike all of the other cruise ships featured on this list, Liberty ports out of Galveston, Texas rather than Florida. Disney also offers a wide range of complimentary baby gear available on board its ships. These include diaper disposal units, bottle warmers, bottle sterilizers, cribs and playpens, and strollers. Kids can try out the buffet or main dining room to get everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to a mini margarita pizza.

Carnival Celebration

If you’re traveling with your little one on a ship for the first time, then you should be prepared for the possibility. Be sure to pack some seasickness remedies and don’t hesitate to use them if your kid complains of feeling queasy. When you cruise, small children are given a wristband with their assigned muster station. If you are not with your child, then the staff will ensure that kids are escorted to the correct muster area based on this wristband to be reunited.

Kid-Friendly Cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line

Therefore, although we like Holland America with older kids, it is probably not the best line for those sailing with babies and toddlers. Many lines will have minimum ages to use kids club and potty training requirements. And I would say generally they are providing that you are sensible and keep an eye on your children. For more information on keeping toddlers safe on cruises check out this post. Select Princess shore excursions are Discovery Family Tours, which are targeted at families with kids ages 3 to 12 and involve hands-on activities that connect kids to the destination.

Disney cruise kids clubs: What to know about the Oceaneer Club - The Points Guy

Disney cruise kids clubs: What to know about the Oceaneer Club.

Posted: Fri, 15 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Carnival is a budget cruise line, which does tend to attract more of the “party” crowd – so I wouldn’t say everything is entirely family-friendly. But we had a good time on our cruise and didn’t run into any issues. The last thing you want to worry about is having kids that are disturbing other cruisers and don’t have anywhere to go. If you are taking your toddler on a cruise, you want to make sure it’s with a line where toddlers are welcome and accommodated. Both of these ships also feature an additional separate set of very large water slides for true thrill-seekers, the Perfect Storm. MSC Seascape sails seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Miami.

Third Disney Cruise Staffer Arrested for Possession of Underage Images

Excellent Broadway-style shows in the evenings will keep the older crowd engaged, while parades and ice skating shows will "wow" the whole family. These and numerous other Royal Caribbean ships offer 237- to 481-square-foot Family Oceanview cabins that can accommodate up to six people. The staterooms include two twin beds (which can convert into a queen-size bed), bunk beds in a separate enclosed area (pulldown beds) and a sitting area with sofa bed and mini-bar. Royal Family Suites accommodate eight passengers with two bedrooms, two pulldown beds, a double sofa bed, two bathrooms and a refrigerator.

5 best Royal Caribbean ships for kids - The Points Guy

5 best Royal Caribbean ships for kids.

Posted: Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Most Kids Clubs Are Only For Kids 2-3 Years or Older

These are the best cruise lines for both parents and toddlers alike. They offer activities that the entire family can enjoy, as well as permit some alone time for parents. Nothing fuels bolder bonding like an epic adventure with your squad. On the family vacation you’ve been waiting for onboard the best cruises for kids. From whale-watching in Ensenada to post-card pretty shores in Puerto Vallarta and lounging on Cabo’s world-famous beaches — make memories that last a lifetime. Royal Caribbean currently has more than two dozen ships sailing around the world, including many that sail Caribbean itineraries for at least part of the year.

Fun for the Whole Family

The cruise lines don’t want to have a small child on the ship and be too far from any possible medical help should an issue arise. You can get so much done around the house while the kids get his/her rest. When the kid takes a nap, you are stuck in the cabin keeping an eye on them… instead of hanging out poolside or playing in the casino. The reason being, with so many people on the ship, it’s nice to do your best to keep the kid happy (especially young ones that can throw tantrums) during the cruise. The last thing you want is a baby who is grumpy and crying — and bothering other passengers — because you forgot something at home. It’s also not easy to run out and grab things like diapers or formula.

Carnival Cracks Down on Unsanctioned Poolside Gambling During Cruise

Breakaway and Getaway feature five multistory waterslides, as well as The Plank, an eight-foot walk (part of the ropes course) that extends off the edge of the ship and out over the sea. The Adventure Ocean play spaces cater to Aquanauts (ages 3 to 5), Explorers (6 to 8) and Voyagers (9 to 11). Tweens and teens (12 to 17) have their Living Room coffeehouse-style hangout and Fuel disco. A complimentary toy-lending program fleetwide lets under-3s borrow toys for in-cabin use. Toys can be accessed through the Nursery or Adventure Ocean facilities.

When considering an Alaska family small ship cruise, we suggest age 6 and older. Some ships will allow children as young as 2 years old or even babies. Most small Alaskan cruise lines do not provide babysitting services, video games or kids clubs that separate families. Instead, they provide off-vessel activities and onboard programs designed to bring families together. These two best family cruise ships from Royal Caribbean ships both offer drop off care at the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery, which provides care for infants and toddlers ages 6 to 36 months. Royal Caribbean also offers organized parent/child activities at designated times (not drop off).

Disney's cabins tend to be larger than the industry average and are regarded as some of the best cabins for families. Deluxe inside and outside staterooms are 204 to 214 square feet and include a privacy curtain that separates the two sleeping areas, allowing you to switch on a light without waking the children. The 304-square-feet Deluxe Family Verandah cabins include outdoor space and sleep up to five. Here is our pick of the best cruise lines for babies and toddlers. Parents traveling with toddlers may want to book a veranda stateroom because it gives adults a little more in-room flexibility.

best cruise for toddlers

However overall I think MSC is one of the best lines for babies and toddlers. On top of this certain ships within the fleet have splash Pad though anecdotally, the use of them with swim diapers is varied. When we did our round the world trip with our toddler, we did a leg of our journey (from New Zealand to Hawaii) on a Holland America cruise ship. There is absolutely a minimum age for cruising with babies but it depends on the cruise line and itinerary as to what the minimum age for cruising with a baby.

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