How do I keep my toddler safe on a cruise?

Keep young children under close supervision at all times. The guardrails on most cruise ships are at least 42-inches high, which makes them a challenge for a young child to scale, but kids should definitely not climb them or sit on top. And it's a good idea to be careful any time you're near the edge of the ship.



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Yes, you can bring your baby with you on your cruise vacation. With the exception of some adults-only ships, most cruise lines allow you to cruise with a baby who's 6 months or older. On certain itineraries -- usually exotic cruises and long ocean crossings -- the minimum age for kids is one year or older.

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The doors to the balcony have two locks, and one is towards the top of the door. It would be very difficult for a small child to reach that lock unless they pulled a chair over to the door and climbed on it. The balconies also have walls and railings with plexi-glass that are at least 42 inches or taller.

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Pack Wisely
  1. Diapers (if your child still uses them)
  2. Wipes.
  3. Formula (if needed), otherwise you can get regular milk everywhere on the ship.
  4. Sun hat.
  5. Portable sound machine (you'll all be sharing a small cabin) – our Hushhh worked great!
  6. Teething toys.
  7. Few books.
  8. Snacks (especially for the first day!)


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And while going overboard on cruise ships is a rare incidence, it does happen occasionally – young children that climb on the railings are particularly at risk. Kids roam free. While cruise ships are confined areas, they are large and full of safety hazards.

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Children between the ages of 2 and 12 are more likely to experience motion sickness. This is likely because their sensory systems have not fully developed, and are more prone to mixing signals up. If your child is younger than 2 years, they may experience motion sickness but be unable to express how they feel.

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Yes, you can bring your baby with you on your cruise vacation. With the exception of some adults-only ships, most cruise lines allow you to cruise with a baby who's 6 months or older. On certain itineraries -- usually exotic cruises and long ocean crossings -- the minimum age for kids is one year or older.

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The intimate ships of high-end lines like Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (or ultra-premium lines, such as Oceania Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Azamara and Viking Ocean Cruises) are refined, dignified and geared to adults.

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You will want some kind of stroller or baby carrier for taking your child around the cruise ship and in port. Some cruise lines, like Carnival, have rentals available; MSC offers loaners. You will need to store strollers in your cabin, so we recommend bringing a small umbrella stroller, rather than a large baby jogger.

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As soon as an incident happens, cruise ship crew will activate a button that pinpoints the place where the person went into the water. The ship will then stop and turn back to that area. The ship and its crew will perform a lengthy search and rescue operation, lasting several hours.

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Minor children 16 years of age and older may debark the ship in port without a parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian wishes to raise this age limit, they must contact the onboard Security department.

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Safety is very important to cruise lines. The kids clubs and nurseries all have gated access, meaning people can't just wander in; both kids and adults must be buzzed in by youth staff. Parents must sign the youngest kids in and out; older kids can sign themselves out but cannot leave without alerting a staff member.

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Most cruise ships provide cribs and high chairs upon request. Requests can be made when booking on Costcotravel.com or by calling 1-866-921-7925 to speak with a Costco Travel expert. Some cruise lines may also allow you to request these items through your cruise line online account or when you board the cruise ship.

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