Is it safe to take a 3 year old on a cruise?

Yes, you can bring a 3 year old to a cruise ship. But you need to be very careful about them. Although the cruise ship has many amenities and services for kids, it is the parent who will need to take care of them. The cruise ship has everything that will keep your kid busy, and he or she will enjoy it to the fullest.



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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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Kids can often take part in kids' club or accompany their parents to take part in the many “things to do” on a cruise ship. My kids really enjoy water slides, climbing walls and ropes courses, some of these are high above the ship, too scary for me, but they loved them.

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Child safety lock feature: The doors to the balcony in a stateroom often come with two locks; one of them is a child safety lock located at the top of the glass door. Tall railings and walls: The walls and railings on most of the cruise ship balconies are at least 42 inches high.

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Some cruise lines offer staterooms with a pull-out sofa or bunk beds, which can be a convenient option for families with multiple children. Some cruise lines offer family staterooms or suites that are specifically designed for families with young children.

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The perfect age for taking your kids on a cruise is when they are old enough to be excited about the experience -- when they want to check out the ship and get excited about exploring in ports of call. Maybe they are more attracted by daily ice cream, pool time and Ping-Pong than cultural immersion, but that's OK.

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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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But, if you can splurge, balcony staterooms on a cruise ship are awesome. If your kids are still in the napping phase, you can relax on your balcony while your kids are napping. Balconies give you extra living space and make your stateroom feel larger. On sea days, the upper decks are crowded.

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The perfect age for taking your kids on a cruise is when they are old enough to be excited about the experience -- when they want to check out the ship and get excited about exploring in ports of call. Maybe they are more attracted by daily ice cream, pool time and Ping-Pong than cultural immersion, but that's OK.

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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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Never Let Kids Play on Railings Cruise ship railings are high — usually higher than standard handrails — as they are meant to ensure no one falls over even if the ship rocks back and forth. But ship's railings are also attractive to kids as something to climb on.

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Whether you're traveling with a toddler or a teenager, Royal Caribbean is one of the top family cruise lines around. The cruise line's largest ships are the best Royal Caribbean vessels for kids of all ages, as well as for multigenerational family groups.

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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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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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9 Tips for Controlling Your Kids on a Cruise
  1. Pick the right ship and itinerary for your family. ...
  2. Lay down the law. ...
  3. Talk about sex, drugs and alcohol. ...
  4. Read the cruise rules to the gang in advance of your vacation. ...
  5. Respect the minimum age policies. ...
  6. Avoid mealtime meltdowns. ...
  7. Keep tabs on free-roaming children.


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A seven-night cruise is usually the best option for a family getaway. While your wallet or schedule might require a shorter sailing or permit a longer voyage, plan a week-long vacation — at least for your first cruise or two.

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Caribbean cruises have the youngest passengers, with an average age of 43. This is because they are popular with families as well as those under 30 who like to take short party cruises from the US.

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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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Many rooms have bunks that fold down from the wall. They can also bring in a roll-away cot every night after dinner and remove it every morning when they tidy the room. And the two year old will have the option of a pack 'n play or rollaway crib.

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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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