Which cruise lines are best for babies?
Cruising can be one of the best vacations for families with babies. With sitting services, plenty of activities, and even some gear provided free of charge, a cruise ship can give parents something resembling the vacations they enjoyed before they had children. So how do you know what to pack and how to plan? Every cruise line has its own policies when it comes to minimum age, amenities, and babysitting. Read on for the line-by-line lowdown on rules, babysitting, and gear.
| Cruise Line | Policy |
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Minimum age: 6 months. For transatlantic, transpacific, and some South American cruises, the child must be at least 12 months old. Babysitting: Not provided. Cribs: Available upon request at booking. Diapers/wipes: Not provided. Formula: Not provided. Strollers: Not provided. High chairs: Not provided. |
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Minimum age: 6 months. Babysitting: No private babysitting is available. Supervised children’s activities are offered at Camp Carnival from 7 to 10 pm for no charge. Sleepover-style babysitting runs from 10 pm to 3 am for ages 6 months to 11 years. Rates are $6 per hour for the first child and $4 an hour for additional kids. Children between 6 and 23 months can also be cared for on port days between 8 am and noon. Counselors will change diapers provided by the parents. Cribs: Available upon request at booking. Diapers/wipes: Not provided. Formula: Not provided. Strollers: Available for rent. High chairs: Available free of charge in the dining room. |
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Minimum age: 6 months if there are two or more consecutive days at sea. For transatlantic, transpacific, and certain South American cruises, the child must be at least 12 months old. Babysitting: In-Suite babysitting is available upon request for Suite Guests only. For a nominal fee of $30.00 per hour for up to three children within the same family, parents can arrange for a private, babysitter. Children must be twelve months old or older to be eligible for In-Suite sitting. Cribs: Provided if booked in advance. Diapers/wipes: Not provided. Formula: Baby food is available upon request up to 30 days before the cruise. Formula is not provided. Strollers: Not provided. High chairs: Available upon request. |
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Minimum Age: 6 months. Babysitting: Not available for children under 3 years of age. Cribs: Available for certain categories of rooms. Diapers/wipes: Not provided. Formula: Available upon request. Strollers: Not provided. High chairs: Available upon request. |
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Minimum age: 6 months. For transatlantic and transpacific voyages, the child must be at least 12 months old. Babysitting: Complimentary group childcare for children 2 and up is available during the day in the Play Zone and in the evenings in the nursery. Cribs: Available upon request. Diapers/wipes: Not provided. Formula: Not provided. Strollers: Can be preordered 14 days in advance. High chairs: Provided for dinner. |
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| Disney Cruise Line |
Minimum age: 6 months. Babysitting: Group babysitting is available for children up to three years of age at the It's a Small World Nursery on all ships. Cribs: Available upon request. Diapers/wipes: Can be preordered through the Babies Travel Lite™ service. Formula: Can be preordered through the Babies Travel Lite service. Strollers: Available upon request. High chairs: Available upon request. |
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Minimum age: 6 months. For transatlantic and transpacific voyages, the infant must be at least 12 months old. Babysitting: Not provided for children under 3. Cribs: Available upon request, and only recommended for larger cabins. Parents must provide blankets. Diapers/wipes: Can be ordered in advance at your own expense. Formula: Can be ordered in advance at your own expense. Strollers: Not provided. High chairs: Available upon request. |
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Minimum age: None. Babysitting: Babysitting is available for children ages 1-3 with the MSC Babycare service. Cribs: Available upon request. Diapers/wipes: Not provided. Formula: Not provided. Strollers: Not provided. High chairs: Available upon request. |
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| Norwegian Cruise Line |
Minimum age: 6 months. Babysitting: Private babysitting is not available, and children must be at least 3 to qualify for group sitting. Cribs: Available on certain ships; however, they only fit in some cabins. Diapers/wipes: Can be purchased in the onboard shop. Formula: Not provided. Strollers: Not provided. High chairs: Available upon request. |
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Minimum age: 6 months. For transatlantic and transpacific voyages, the child must be at least 12 months old. Babysitting: Only available in the youth center for children 3 and up. Cribs: Available upon request. Diapers/wipes: Not provided. Formula: Both baby food and formula are available upon request. Strollers: Not provided. High chairs: Not provided. |
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| Regent Seven Seas Cruises |
Minimum age: Infants must be six months of age as of the first day of the cruise. For voyages that have three or more consecutive days at sea, infants must be at least one year of age as of the first day of the cruise. Babysitting: Private babysitting may be available, based on the availability and interest of the crew, for $25 per hour with a maximum of two children. Cribs: Available upon request. Diapers/wipes: Not provided. Formula: Not provided. Strollers: Not provided. High chairs: Not provided. |
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Minimum age: 6 months. For transatlantic and transpacific voyages, the child must be at least 12 months old. Babysitting: Professionally staffed Royal Babies & Tots Nursery on select ships for children 6 to 36 months at $8 per hour. Cribs: Complimentary playpens are available. Cribs are no longer provided. Diapers/wipes: Can be preordered through the Babies 2 Go program. Formula: Baby food and formula can be preordered through the Babies 2 Go program. Strollers: Not provided. High chairs: Available upon request. |
Join the discussion
What are your best tips for cruisers traveling with little ones?
3 Comments
Posted by SariahShep
20 years ago they didn't have babysitting services on cruise-lines for babies. The youngest age had to be at least potty trained.
Posted by PatrickCCTX
Useful when it was written. Most of these cruise lines still don't allow infants post-Covid. I hear that Disney has just re-opened it's "Small World" nursery facilities (as of mid-June 2022).
Posted by MomCruiserof4
no one talks about P & O, babies allowed, free babysitting services, there is pools they are allowed in!!!