Is it a good idea to take a baby on a cruise?

Taking a baby on a cruise is one of the best ways to travel with your little one. You don't have to pack and unpack every few days, and there's no need to worry about the logistics of driving to your destination or traffic.



Taking a baby on a cruise in 2026 is generally a very good idea, provided you choose the right cruise line and the baby is at least 6 months old (the standard minimum age for most sailings, or 12 months for transoceanic routes). Lines like Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and MSC are incredibly well-equipped for infants, offering "baby splash zones," specialized nurseries with certified caregivers, and even in-cabin baby-sitting services. For parents, a cruise is one of the easiest ways to travel with a baby because your "home base" (the cabin) is always just a few minutes away if you need a nap or a diaper change, and you don't have to worry about packing and unpacking at multiple locations. Most ships also provide cribs and high chairs, and the buffet always has soft foods like mashed potatoes or bananas. The biggest challenge is that most cruise lines do not allow babies in the main swimming pools unless they are fully potty-trained (due to health regulations), so look for ships with dedicated "diaper-friendly" splash pads if your baby loves the water.

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And in fact, a cruise vacation is one of the best trips you can take with a small child. No matter where you go on the ship, you are only a few minutes from your room. That makes it perfect for midday naps, means you don't have to carry around a ton of baby supplies, and there is plenty to see and do without going far.

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Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation in order to sail. Children must be at least 12 months of age at the time of embarkation to sail on trans-ocean crossings and remote itineraries, where there are more than 2 consecutive sea days.

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Your baby may start cruising anywhere from 8 to 12 months. Encourage cruising by clearing a safe path for your baby around the couch or coffee table. The more space they have to move around and the more support they have while doing it, the better.

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Unless they're explicitly for adults only, most mainstream cruise lines promote themselves as family-friendly. But ships' offerings for kids sometimes stop short of including infants. Disney, for instance, is famously family-oriented, but we found Disney Cruise Line lacking in baby-specific activities.

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The U.S. Public Health Service requires that only children who are toilet trained are permitted to enter swimming pools and spas aboard cruise ships. Even if your child isn't toilet trained, he or she is welcome to enjoy the water play areas on board each ship while wearing a swim diaper.

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Taking a baby on a cruise is one of the best ways to travel with your little one. You don't have to pack and unpack every few days, and there's no need to worry about the logistics of driving to your destination or traffic. Onboard, the friendly cruise ship staff take care of the details so you don't have to.

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Cruising to/from a foreign homeport: Any time your embarkation or debarkation port is in a foreign country, all cruisers (kids and adults) need to carry valid passports.

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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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If your child is younger than 2 years, they may experience motion sickness but be unable to express how they feel. This is based on parent reports of children who are “fussy” on long trips. If you experience motion sickness, it increases the chances that your child will experience it.

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Other lines may charge the same as an adult fare, which is generally because babies create more work for ship staff (think cleanup), but do not create additional cruise line revenue by purchasing things onboard (such as cocktails, casino chips and shore excursions).

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Under the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, for the purposes of determining the obligations under the convention, a birth on a ship or aircraft in international waters or airspace shall be treated as a birth in the country of the ship or aircraft's registration.

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If you are departing from a U.S. port and returning to the same U.S. port, passports are not required for U.S. citizens. All children 15 years of age or younger need only an original or copy of their state-issued birth certificate. They will not need any government-issued photo ID.

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Every US citizen, regardless of age, must have a passport to travel abroad. Newborn babies, infants, and toddlers all need a passport to leave and enter another country. Just as if an adult was applying for a passport, babies must have Form DS-11 filled out and submitted.

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The notarized letter from the child's parent must authorize the traveling adult to take the child on the specific cruise, must authorize guardian to sign legal documentation/waivers for participation in any activities requiring them (i.e. Rock Climbing, Flowrider, Bungee Trampoline, Inline Skating, or Ice Skating) and ...

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Kids sail free is a limited time promotional offer that allows for guests 12 or younger to receive a free cruise fare. This offer is only available during active dates. To secure a Kids Sail Free promotion on a reservation, all applicable names and dates of birth must be given when making a reservation.

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Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise and/or CruiseTour. HOWEVER: For transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South American and other selected cruises and/or CruiseTours, the infant must be at least 12 months old as of the first day of the cruise/CruiseTour.

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Guests may bring their own baby baths and strollers; however, they must be stored in the guest's stateroom. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions here.

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If your baby is old enough to sit up, you can simply sit them in the shower and spray water on them. If your baby is very small, you might find the sink to be an easier option. If you really want to give your baby a proper bath, an inflatable bathtub may be the answer.

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