What is a good age to take a child on a Disney cruise?

Pros. Kids ages 11 to 14 years old are able to enjoy the ship's character meet-and-greets, pools, and (as long as they meet the height requirements) water slides and attractions. They can also visit Edge, which is a tween hangout space on board each Disney cruise ship.



While Disney Cruise Line is equipped for infants as young as 6 months, many experts and parents consider ages 4 to 12 the "sweet spot" for a first voyage. At age 4, children are generally toilet-trained (a requirement for the main pools and the Oceaneer Club), have enough stamina for the long days, and are tall enough for most water slides. This is also the age where the "Disney Magic" is most real to them, making character meet-and-greets incredibly impactful. For older children (7–12), the independence offered by the supervised youth clubs allows them to enjoy specialized activities like animation classes or science labs, while still being young enough to appreciate the themed dining and Broadway-style shows. For parents, waiting until age 4 usually means less gear to pack and more opportunities for the child to participate in the most iconic onboard experiences without constant supervision.

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The minimum age to sail aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship is 6 months on the day of sailing; however, the minimum age for Transatlantic, Panama Canal and Hawaii itineraries is one year on the day of sailing.

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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.

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The biggest downside to sailing on a Disney Cruise now versus later is probably the fact that your baby or toddler won't be able to use the deck pools unless they're potty trained. Many kids under 3 may not recognize the Disney characters, songs or the theme of Disney, but may still be entertained by it.

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Tweens Club Tweens can head to Edge, an exclusive hangout for young Guests ages 11 to 14. Inside, all kinds of fun await, including the latest music and video games plus a near endless array of engaging activities.

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Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab are the two clubs for kids ages three to 12 on all four Disney cruise ships. Parents can drop off their kids anytime between roughly 9 a.m. and midnight or 1 a.m., and trained youth staff will watch the children and lead them in a wide variety of activities.

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Were there a lot of kids on our cruise? Yes, but Disney's kids clubs are so stellar that many parents with whom we spoke said their little ones didn't want to leave. For anyone who doesn't relish the idea of screaming youngsters on the pool deck, that's a good thing.

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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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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. 2.

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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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Disneyland is great for kids over the age of 7. So if you have 4 kids, 2 of which are under 7, you may have to watch which rides you can do. For my family, this meant that my oldest two (ages 9 and 10) could ride rides together while an adult rode with the younger kids (ages 2, 4, and 6).

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Kids Sail Free offer details The exact offer details may vary, but Royal Caribbean's Kids Sail Free offers are usually consistent in their basics. Third guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4 nights or longer sailings are eligible for free cruise fare.

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The Disney Cruise Line ships were created with kids in mind, so there won't be a dull moment onboard with your toddler. While children must be potty trained to swim in the pools onboard, each ship has a Disney-themed splash zone that only toddlers up to age 3 can enjoy.

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Based on average cruise fares and accounting for inevitable extras, we recommend that a family of four should budget an estimated $10,000 for a Disney cruise vacation. Of course, it can be done for less — and way more. This figure accounts for a five-night sailing at a cruise fare of $300 per person, per day.

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Yes (Mostly). Most breakfasts, lunches and dinners, as well as buffet meals, are included in Disney cruise prices. Only alcoholic beverages and the adults-only restaurant collection cost more. The line distinguishes itself with its rotational dining program, which is included in the price of your Disney cruise.

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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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The drinking age when onboard a Disney® ship is 21 years of age, except, when sailing from European countries or where the drinking age is under 21 years of age. Disney Cruise Line® does not prohibit guests from bringing alcohol on board.

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