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Is it worth going on a cruise with a 2 year old?

Of course they are! Cruises are fun for kids of all ages, and there are plenty of activities to keep your toddlers entertained. Kids under the age of 3 can enjoy Toddler Time at the ship's playroom, where they'll be able to play with educational toys and interact with other kids around their age.



Whether a cruise is "worth it" with a 2-year-old depends heavily on your choice of ship and your expectations. At age two, most children are not yet "potty trained," which is a crucial distinction; most cruise ship pools prohibit swim diapers, meaning your toddler might be restricted to specific "splash pads" designed for un-potty-trained kids (common on newer Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival ships). On the plus side, cruises offer a controlled environment with easy access to food and your cabin for nap times, which is much easier than trekking through a city. Many lines also offer "nursery" services for a small hourly fee, giving parents a much-needed break. While the child likely won't remember the trip, the ease of having everything in one place—combined with the high-quality entertainment and kid-friendly staff—often makes it a much more relaxing "parenting-on-the-water" experience than a traditional road trip or hotel stay.

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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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Are cruises fun with toddlers? Of course they are! Cruises are fun for kids of all ages, and there are plenty of activities to keep your toddlers entertained.

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Yes, family cruises are a great vacation option, though cruise lines do not permit you to bring infants younger than 6 months old on typical sailings. (On most exotic and transoceanic sailings, children must be 1 year or older.)

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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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During some cruises, capacity may be limited. We know that even the smallest campers want to have fun! Camp Ocean® offers special play times for tiny tots, under 2 years of age, to enjoy. If your child is turning 2 years old during your cruise they are welcome to join our Penguin® group, ages 2 to 5.

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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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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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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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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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Tall railings and walls: The walls and railings on most of the cruise ship balconies are at least 42 inches high. The height makes it a challenge for kids to climb over the railings. The railings are also sturdy enough to avoid any damage inflicted by people.

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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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No Guest younger than the age twenty-one (21) will be assigned to a stateroom unless accompanied in the same stateroom by an adult twenty-one (21) years old or older. A guest's age is established upon the first date of sailing.

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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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Travelers under the age of 18 must travel with an adult over the age of 18. Children under the age of 16 must have a passenger who is 16 or older share their cabin. Minimum age to leave a P&O ship on your own: Guests must be 17 or older to go on a ship-sponsored shore excursion on their own.

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