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We Took Our Toddlers on a Cruise — Here's Everything You Need to Know
- Lottie
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
When I told people we were taking our toddlers on a cruise, the responses were split almost perfectly in half. Half were enthusiastic — "Oh my gosh, that's going to be incredible!" The other half looked at us like we'd announced we were hiking Everest in flip flops. The truth, as it turns out, is somewhere in the middle — and significantly closer to incredible than anyone warned us it might be.
Why a Cruise Actually Works Brilliantly for Families with Toddlers
Here's what nobody tells you before you go: a cruise ship is, in many ways, the ideal travel format for families with young children. Everything is contained. You unpack once. You don't need to navigate a new city with a stroller every single day. The dining options are always available. There's always a pool. There's almost always a kids' club from around age two or three. And the ship itself becomes its own destination — one that your toddlers will be endlessly fascinated by. The sheer novelty of being on a giant boat is entertainment in itself for the 12–36 month crowd.
Choosing the Right Cruise Line for Families
Not all cruise lines are created equal for families with very young children. Here's what matters most when choosing: Minimum age policies: Some cruise lines don't allow infants under 6 months. Some have restrictions for certain itineraries. Check before you book. Kids' club age range: If your toddler is 2+, look for ships with drop-off kids' clubs at that age. Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian all offer programming from age 3. This gives you genuine adult time while your child is supervised, engaged, and often having the time of their life. Pool and splash areas: A dedicated toddler splash zone or shallow pool is a non-negotiable for this age group. Check the ship's deck plan before booking. Dining flexibility: Toddlers don't eat on a schedule. Look for cruise lines with 24-hour buffet options or flexible dining windows so you're not locked into 7pm dinner with an exhausted toddler. Disney Cruise Line is the gold standard for families with young children — the character experiences, the attention to family-friendly detail, and the quality of the kids' programming are genuinely in a class of their own.
What to Pack That You Won't Find in Other Guides
Beyond the obvious (clothes, sunscreen, diapers), here are the things that actually saved us on our cruise:
• A portable sound machine — cruise ship cabins are not always quiet, and your toddler needs to sleep
• Glow-in-the-dark nightlight stickers — small cabins with blackout curtains are very dark, and toddlers sometimes wake disoriented
• Compression packing cubes — cruise cabins have surprisingly limited drawer space; these are a lifesaver
• An over-door organiser for the cabin bathroom — hang it on the back of the bathroom door for toiletries, medicines, and small items
• Motion sickness bands — for you and your toddler; even calm seas can affect young children
• A small backpack for port days only — don't bring your full park bag on tender trips
• Extra swim diapers — always more than you think you need
• A small flotation vest or swim float your toddler already knows and trusts
• Snacks from home — ship snacks are available but having familiar favorites is invaluable for picky eaters
"The moment our daughter saw the ocean from the ship's deck for the very first time — that look on her face was worth every logistical challenge of the trip."
Honest Things That Were Hard (And How We Handled Them)
Sleep: The cabin sleeping situation is the biggest challenge of cruising with toddlers. Cabins are small, and everyone is essentially in the same room. We brought our portable sound machine and did an earlier bedtime — then watched movies quietly in bed until we fell asleep. It's not glamorous, but it works. Port days with strollers: Some ports are tender ports (you take a small boat to shore), and strollers are genuinely difficult to manage. On tender port days, we used a carrier instead and left the stroller on the ship. Meal timing: Toddlers are hungry on their schedule, not the ship's. The buffet became our best friend — no reservations, always open, always something they'd eat. The reality of tiny cabins: It's cosy. Book the largest cabin category your budget allows, or look for cabins with a separate sleeping area. It makes an enormous difference.
Would we do it again? Absolutely — and we're already planning the next one. Cruising with toddlers is genuinely one of the most family-friendly forms of travel available, and when you're prepared for the realities, it delivers memories that you and your children will carry for years. The ocean, the ports, the ship itself, the character breakfasts, the pool days — it's the stuff of childhood magic. Go do it.
Have you cruised with little ones? Drop your favourite cruise line or tip in the comments — and save this guide for your next family trip! 🤍
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