Should I take a 2 year old on a cruise?

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.



Taking a 2-year-old on a cruise in 2026 can be a highly rewarding family experience, provided you choose the right ship and manage expectations. Many major lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line offer specialized nurseries and "toddler-only" play areas that are perfect for this age group. A significant benefit of cruising with a toddler is the "all-in-one" nature of the vacation; you have easy access to food, a nap-ready stateroom, and entertainment without the stress of constant travel. However, there are notable downsides: most ships do not allow children in diapers (even swim diapers) in the main pools due to health regulations, so you must look for ships with a dedicated "Baby Splash Zone." Additionally, most "Kids Clubs" only accept children who are fully potty-trained and at least 3 years old, meaning you may need to pay for hourly nursery services if you want alone time. For a 2-year-old, a balcony stateroom is highly recommended so parents can enjoy the view while the child naps inside. Overall, it is an excellent way to travel if you prioritize a ship with robust "under-3" amenities and a relaxed, kid-friendly itinerary.

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Dangerous surroundings. Unfortunately for parents of very small children, cruise ships are not baby-proofed. You cannot let young children play without close supervision, since there are plenty of unguarded pools to fall into, high-traffic stairways, and older children running around play areas unsupervised.

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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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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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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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However, balconies on Carnival ships are solid Plexiglas (so there are no gaps for little ones to try to squeeze through) and by law are all over 42 inches tall, making falls extremely unlikely.

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Fortunately, most kids don't have problems with sea sickness on large cruise ships. And there are other options if they do, including: Dramamine for Kids – chewable tablets (dimenhydrinate) that kids between the ages of 2 and 12 years can take every 6 to 8 hours.

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Loads of laughter and unforgettable experiences go hand-in-hand when cruising with your kids. Royal Caribbean's games, events, and cruise activities for kids are going on all over the ship throughout the day and into the evening hours, making family time a great time.

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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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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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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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Children who are not toilet trained (and those in diapers or swim diapers) are not allowed in any of the water facilities on board, as per United States Public Health Services. Toilet trained children should be taken on frequent bathroom breaks. Water sports include pools, spray parks, waterslides and whirlpools.

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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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Cruise fares are per person which includes children and infants. When traveling with 2 full fare guests, additional guests in the same stateroom pay a discounted cruise fare. Children less than 2 years of age are not required to extend gratuities.

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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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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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