Most of the cruise lines provide free childcare!
- Kids’ clubs are FREE!
- There’s SO MUCH for them to do.
- It’s the easiest way to vacation with kids!
- And all cruise lines are very kid-friendly – not just Disney!
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CRUISING WITH KIDS?
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Which cruise lines are kid-friendly? What is there for kids TO DO on a cruise?
All of the main cruise lines are kid-friendly! There are activities for your kids on ALL of the lines.
Note: for obvious health reasons, kids not potty trained are not allowed in any pool even with ‘swim diapers’.
They all have kids clubs for different age-groups, with separate areas, staff, and age-appropriate activities like:
- cooking classes,
- sports courts with tournaments,
- dance classes, trivia, game tables,
- arcade games, movies at the pool, water slides, shows and much more.
Many cruise ships have big, exciting things like:
- ropes courses,
- a circus school,
- giant water slides,
- ice skating rinks,
- rock-climbing walls, bumper cars, a surf simulator, and an F1 racer!
And much more! For example:
- Celebrity has all of the technological gadgets, with an Xbox and Xbox Kinect area, to the “i-take” scavenger hunt for teens using Go-Pro cameras!
- MSC has a play area sponsored by Lego and a nursery sponsored by Chicco’s toys.
- On Royal Caribbean, your kids can meet Shrek and the penguins from Madagascar.
- On Carnival, they’ll meet the Cat in the Hat from the Dr. Seuss books.
- On Costa, they can hug Peppa Pig, and there’s the DoReMi family on MSC.
- Norwegian has their kid’s clubs partnered with none other than Nickelodeon!
- And on Disney, they’ll meet the infamous Mickey Mouse and all his friends – of course!
What are the ages for the kid’s clubs?
All of the listed cruise lines have kids clubs for children ages 3-17.
Carnival allows potty-trained kids as young as 2!
Kids will be grouped with other kids in the same age group.
These groups vary by cruise line, but generally, there will be:
teen group ages 13-17,
older elementary ages 8-12,
and younger elementary ages 3-7.
This is the Princess Pelican kid’s club on Princess cruise lines.
Can my infant travel? May I travel If I am pregnant?
Most all of the other cruise lines require that the infant be at least 6 months old at the time of sailing for most sailings, and a year for certain sailings.
Expectant mothers must be 23 weeks or less at the time of embarkation which is 6 months and will need to provide a doctor’s note certifying good health.
The only exception to that 6-month infant rule is MSC!
Infants can travel at any age on MSC cruises!
Will a crib and high chair be provided?
Each cruise line is different. Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Disney, Holland, MSC, NCL, Princess, and RCL, Carnival all have high chairs available.
Norwegian, Celebrity, Holland, Princess, Disney, and Cunard have cribs or pack-n-plays available that we can reserve ahead of time.
Pack and plays can be requested from Carnival, Costa, Royal Caribbean, and MSC but they have a limited number. We recommend that you bring your own just in case since they allow this on MSC.
Will my kids be free?
Kids are not free on most cruise lines.
The one cruise line that does consistently have kids free* is MSC cruises! A few holiday sailings and new ships don’t apply.
MSC cruises have kids 11 and under free as the 3rd and 4th passenger on many European sailings (and some Caribbean ones!)
Norwegian, Costa, and Royal Caribbean will have occasional promotions where the 3rd and 4th passenger is free, but this will only be offered on offseason sail dates when kids are in school….sorry!!
Kids are NEVER free on Disney Cruise lines.
*Note “free” passengers still have to pay the government taxes.
Is there babysitting?
On MSC Group babysitting is available at night, from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., for children ages 3 and older only. (Children must be potty trained to participate.) The cost is $6 per child for the first hour or $10 per child for the entire night.
For kids under 3, only day and evening group babysitting is available as part of the line’s complimentary MSC Babycare program. This service is for kids ages 1 year to 3 years old; hours are 9 to 11 a.m., 4 to 6 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. on port days and 8 to 10 a.m. and 8. to 9 p.m. on sea days. (Longer hours may be offered on MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia, which all have larger nurseries.)
There is no in-cabin babysitting available.
Disney offers scheduled activities for kids 3 and older through midnight; as a result, the line does not offer any babysitting services for that age group. But Disney does offer nursery babysitting for babies and toddlers 6 months to 3 years old (or 1 to 3 years old on transatlantic and Panama Canal itineraries).
Daily operating hours vary but nighttime hours are usually 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations are required (with pre-cruise online reservations highly recommended) and the cost is $4.50 per half-hour for the first child and $4 per half-hour for any additional children in the same family.
There is no in-cabin babysitting available.
Carnival offers two types of cruise babysitting. The first is for kids under 2 years of age and is only available during select times. On sea days, the Under 2 program runs for a limited number of hours (which vary by sailing and demand) at a cost of $6.75 per hour, plus a 15 percent gratuity, per child. On port days, parents can leave their toddlers at the kids club throughout the day (same cost) but youth staff will not feed children.
For kids ages 2 to 11, group babysitting is available at night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the kids club facility. The program, called Night Owls, also costs $6.75 plus a 15 percent gratuity per hour, per child. Kids do not need to be potty trained to participate in Night Owls.
There is no in-cabin babysitting.
On Royal Caribbean, there are two types of group babysitting available. From 10:15 p.m. to 2 a.m., kids ages 3 to 11 can attend the Late Night Party Zone at a cost of $7 per hour, per child.
Or, for kids under 3 (and at least 6 months old), there is a group nursery babysitting service available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (for $6 per child, per hour) and 6 p.m. to midnight (for $8 per child, per hour). Only 12 babies and toddlers can be in the nursery at once, so reservations are highly recommended.
Norwegian offers late-night group babysitting, as well as a mealtime babysitting service. The meal escort service is for kids ages 3 to 13 and costs $6 per child, per meal. (Breakfast meal escort service requires day-before registration, while lunch and dinner escort service can be signed up for that day.)
The Late Night Fun Zone group babysitting is offered every night from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Children must be between the ages of 3 and 12 years old (and be potty trained) and the cost is $6 per hour for the first child, plus $4 per hour for each additional sibling.
Norwegian also offers a Guppies nursery service for children 6 months to under 3 years old, but only on Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Bliss. Hours vary by itinerary; Guppies nursery babysitting costs $20 per time block session (a time block session is one hour and 50 minutes, with a 10-minute transitional window for pickup) for the first child and $16 per time block session for each additional sibling. Late-night fees (11 p.m. to 1:20 a.m.) are $24 per time block session for the first child and $20 per time block session for each additional sibling. Reservations for Guppies nursery babysitting is required.
There is no in-cabin babysitting.
On Cunard a nighttime babysitting nursery service is available at no extra cost for babies and toddlers, 6 months to 23 months, between 6 and 11 p.m. on all Cunard cruises. Parents will need to provide their own baby food or preorder, at no extra cost, ahead of their cruise.
There is no in-cabin babysitting available.
Costa offers late-night group babysitting for kids 3 to 11 years old, from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The service is free, but parents must sign up at least 24 hours in advance.
No in-cabin babysitting is available.
Celebrity offers both group and in-cabin babysitting on its cruise ships. The group sitting takes place in the Fun Factory facility and is only offered from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. This “slumber party” is open to kids ages 3 to 11 and the fee is $6 per hour, per child.
In-cabin babysitting is also available for up to three children from the same family. It’s available on a first come, first served basis, costs $30 per hour and includes two babysitters. Bookings must be made 24 hours in advance and one parent or guardian must be onboard the ship during the entire length of the babysitting session. Children must be at least 12 months old to participate.
Holland's nighttime group babysitting, called Club HAL After Hours, is available for kids ages 3 to 12 from 10 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $5 per hour, per child.
At other times, for children under 5, there is limited in-cabin babysitting available on a first come, first served basis, but only on sea days. The cost for in-cabin babysitting is $10 per hour for the first child and $7 per hour for each additional child.
Princess offers group babysitting nightly from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Kids must be between the ages of 3 and 12 and be potty trained to participate. The cost is $5 per hour, per child.
No in-cabin babysitting is available on any Princess ship.
Can I leave my kids in the kids club while we’re on an excursion?
Yes, some cruise lines will let you leave your kids in the kids club while you are on an excursion booked through the cruise line. Do be aware that the hours of operation may be different on port days than on non-port days.
The cruise lines that will allow this for free are Carnival, Costa (space is limited), Disney, Holland, MSC, Princess and Royal Caribbean.
Norwegian and Celebrity charge a small fee for kids to stay behind port days and space is limited. Cunard does not allow kids to stay in the kids club while parents are on excursions.
Can my family of 5 sail in one cabin?
Each cruise line is different. The short answer to that question is:
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney have a few cabins that will hold five – but very few. Princess, Celebrity, and Holland do not. Costa has the most cabins that can hold 5.
Carnival has many ships with cabins that hold five!
In order to get a cabin for 5 you will want to book your cruise as early as possible. Cabins for 5 and adjoining cabins are the first to sell out!
If you are in Europe click here for more information about sailing with a family of 5 in Europe.
Check out the Skycourse on Carnival’s newest ships with your family of 5!
When can you get the best deal on a cruise?
Off-season is the best season – typically October, early November or early December (non-holiday weeks).
What does my cruise fare include?
Your room, meals, taxes and fees, and kids’ clubs, and entertainment IS included.
However, shore excursions, alcohol, any babysitting, and gratuities for your waiter and room steward are not.
For more details click here.
Should I book early or wait to get the best rate?
We always recommend booking early in order to secure the rooms that you want at an early saver rate.
Cruise lines often raise prices closer to sailing as the demand for the few remaining rooms goes up.
PLUS we will monitor your rate until the time of final payment, so IF a better sale comes along that applies to you, we can refare you to the lower rate.
Every cruise line has incredible shows that kids will love!
MSC will be partnering with Cirque du Soleil, Disney has a live production of Tangled coming soon, and Princess has partnered with TV’s “The Voice,” as well as Wicked creator Stephen Schwartz for its shows!
Carnival Cruises for Kids
Seuss at Sea on Carnival.
Carnival lets kids have green eggs and ham with the Cat in the Hat, soar down water slides, watch movies at the pool, and have an all-around awesome time.
For all children between the ages of 2 and 17, Carnival Cruises entertainment staff is available in Camp Carnival every day from 10:00 am to midday, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Children’s entertainment is free and is organized into three distinct categories:
Teen:12-17 years old,
Camp Carnival: 9-11 years old,
Youth Program: 2-11 years old.
Night Owls is the night program held in the kids club. It is for children 6 months to 11 years, allows parents time to enjoy the nightlife without having to worry about their little ones.
Night owls is available each evening from 10:00 pm – 1:00 am. Night owls is $6.75 per hour plus a 15% gratuity per child.”
Celebrity Cruises for Kids
Celebrity cruise line is always innovating their kid’s program. Currently, the teens are using go-pros, the kids have dance parties with their parents, there are Xbox stations, and there is even an Autism-friendly program.
For all children between the ages of 6 months and 17 years, Celebrity entertainment staff is available for Fun Factory programs every day from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm.
Children’s entertainment is free and is organized by age group:
X-Club:12-17 years old,
Ensigns: 9-11 years old,
Cadets: 6-8 years old,
Shipmates: 3-5,
and Babies: 6 months-36 months old.
The Fun Factory and the Teen Center are both open on port days as well from 12:00 – 2:00 pm for a fee of $6.
Note: Group babysitting and in-stateroom babysitting are both available on Celebrity. For a nominal fee of $6.00 per hour per child, children participating in the Celebrity Youth Program, ages 3-12 years old, can participate in the Afternoon Party from 12 noon-2PM on port days and/or the evening Slumber Party from 10PM-1AM daily. Children participating in the Celebrity Youth Program Afternoon and Slumber Parties must be a minimum age of 3 years old and completely toilet trained (diaper/pull-up free). Celebrity Youth Program Afternoon and Slumber Parties are available on all Celebrity ships year-round (except Celebrity FloraSM & Celebrity Xpedition®).
In-Suite babysitting is available upon request for Suite Guests only. For a nominal fee of $30.00 per hour for up to three children within the same family, parents can arrange for a private, babysitter. Two sitters will be assigned per In-Suite. Children must be twelve months old or older to be eligible for In-Suite sitting. Babysitting services are available through Camp at Sea, Guest Relations, Retreat Lounge and with the Butlers onboard all Celebrity ships (except Celebrity FloraSM & Celebrity Xpedition®). Parents are asked to make all private, babysitting requests 24 hours in advance. Private, babysitting is subject to personnel availability
Costa Cruises for Kids
Costa has a phenomenal kids program. Kids can hug Peppa Pig, be a “Captain in training”, be a “Princess for a day” and participate in sports tournaments. For the older kids, there is an X-box, dance and music classes, pool parties, and sports tournaments as well.
PLUS Costa has revamped the kids onboard water parks. There are baby pools on: The Deliziosa, Diadema, Fascinosa, Favolosa, Luminosa, Magica, Mediterranea, and NeoRiviera. There are two deck water parks on the Fascinosa and Favolosa with water games, a pirate ship, and a castle! There’s also one on the Diadema with three decks!
For all children between the ages of 3 and 17, Costa Cruises entertainment staff is available for Squok Club every day from 9:00 am to midday, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm and from 9:00 pm to 11:30 pm.
Children’s entertainment is free and is organized into four distinct categories:
Teen:15-17 years old,
Teen Junior: 12-14 years old,
Maxi:7-12 years old,
and Mini: 3-6 years old.
While cruising is a vacation for the whole family Costa also provides quiet time for Mom and Dad. That can be during the day while the kids entertained in the Kids Club program, or at night, while the kids are with group babysitters.
Mini and Maxi Club nighttime group baby-sitting, held in the children’s arena, is a free of charge babysitting service until 1:30 am.
There is no night time babysitting service available for children under 36 months.
Cunard Cruises for Kids
Cunard is the cruise line of choice for Beyonce and many other celebrities. As such their kid’s activities are tailored to the elite!
For all children between the ages of 2 and 17, Cunard Cruises entertainment staff is available for Youth Centers and Teen Lounges every day from 9:00 am 11:00 pm.
On port days the opening times vary and will be listed on the cruise program. Children may not be left unaccompanied on the ship when parents are ashore.
Children’s entertainment is free and is organized into three distinct categories:
Teen:13-17 years old,
Kid’s Zone: 8-12 years old,
and Play Zone: 2-7 years old.
The Night Nursery is available for free from 6:00pm – 11:00 pm on a first come first serve basis. The Night Nursery serves passengers ages 12 months- 23 months.
Disney Cruises for Kids
Disney is a go-to for cruising families. They have many cabins for 5, beautiful shows, and meet-and-greets with classic characters!
For all children between the ages of 3 and 17, Disney Cruises entertainment staff is available at the Youth Clubs and Teen/Preteen Lounges every day from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Children’s entertainment is free and is organized into three distinct categories:
Teen:14-17 years old,
Preteen: 12-14 years old,
and Oceaneer: 3-12 years old.
Babysitting is available for toddlers and babies from 9:00 am- 11:00 pm at Flounder’s Reef Nursery. The cost is $9 per hour for the first child and $8 per hour for the second child.
Babysitting needs to be reserved 75 days in advance for new guests.
Check-in online and go to “My Reservations,” to reserve babysitting, or you can reserve it on embarkation day on a first come first serve basis.
Holland Cruises for Kids
Holland America has a high-tech kids club similar to Celebrity. It is a real hit with 21st-century children. In fact, it’s so futuristic that you can do a 360-degree tour of it on Holland’s website!
For all children between the ages of 3 and 17, Holland Cruises entertainment staff is available at the Club HAL* and Teen Lounges every day from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
On port days the centers are available from 8 am- 4 pm and from 7 pm-10 pm.
Children’s entertainment is free and is organized into three distinct categories:
Teen:13-17 years old,
Shockwaves: 8-12 years old,
and kids: 3-7 years old.
Note: Group babysitting is available for $5 per child per hour from 10:00 pm- 12:00 am for passengers ages 3-12 in Club HAL. Babysitting services are not offered while the ship is in port. The Teen Lounge will be open for free during this time as well.
*The ms Prinsendam offers youth activities for ages 5-17 only.
MSC Cruises for Kids
MSC Cruises and LEGO have teamed up to designed colorful and stimulating new play areas onboard our cruise ships – something you won’t find anywhere else on the seas.
Every day, kids from 3 to 11 years of age can play with a great selection of LEGO bricks and equipment in our Mini and Juniors Clubs.
MSC cruises are the ONLY cruise line where kids 11 and under are regularly free! This is the case with kids who are the third and fourth passengers in the cabin on most European sailings and many Caribbean sailings.
MSC is the ONLY cruise line that allows infants under 6 months to cruise!
MSC is known for having a different show every night, cool features like the F1 racer 4D cinema, and its delicious pizza and gelato.
MSC gives special care and attention to children. Dedicated entertainment and activities are arranged for children from 3 years of age. Children’s programs are printed daily and are available in the Children’s Center.
Children’s entertainment is free and is organized into four distinct age categories:
Mini Club: 3 to 6 years old,
Junior’s Club: 7 to 11 years old,
Y-Team: 12 to 14 years old,
MSC Generation Teen Club: 15 to 17 years old.
BABYSITTING on MSC!
Group babysitting is available at night, from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., for children ages 3 and older only. (Children must be potty trained to participate.) The cost is $6 per child for the first hour or $10 per child for the entire night.
For kids under 3, only day and evening group babysitting is available as part of the line’s complimentary MSC Babycare program.
This service is for kids ages 1 year to 3 years old; hours are 9 to 11 a.m., 4 to 6 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. on port days and 8 to 10 a.m. and 8. to 9 p.m. on sea days. (Longer hours may be offered on MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia, which all have larger nurseries.)
There is no in-cabin babysitting available.
Norwegian Cruises for Kids
The Norwegian cruise line is a fun choice for adventurous kids who take full advantage of their water slides, dance parties, and ropes courses.
Children’s Entourage and Splash Academy is free and is organized into five distinct age categories:
Entourage: Teens,
Dolphins: 10-12 years old,
Seals: 6-9 years old,
Turtles: 3-5 years old,
and Guppies: 6 months- 3 years old.
Note: While Norwegian does not offer babysitting service, the kids’ clubs will remain open for kids 3-12 every night from 10:30-1:30 am, as well as on port days when the ship is docked.
Princess Cruises for Kids
Princess prides itself on its fun-filled partnerships. The cruise line has created activities in conjunction with the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, The Voice, and the famous composer of Wicked, Stephen Schwartz.
This has lead to a fantastic production called Magic to Do, singing competitions, special guests, and fun animal-focused shore excursions and activities for kids.
For all children between the ages of 3 and 17, Princess Cruises entertainment staff is available for Youth Centers* and Teen Lounges every day from 9:00 am to midday, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
On port days the centers are available from 8 am- 5 pm and from 6 pm-10 pm.
These centers will be a part of Camp Discovery and will feature Mythbusters activities, Survive Alaska, a scavenger hunt with Shark Attack, and a squid anatomy lesson with Just Squiddin’ Around. There will also be Jr. Rangers and a chance to be an engineer for a day with programs from the California Science Center.
Children’s entertainment is free and is organized into three distinct categories:
The Beach House: 13-17 years old,
The Lodge: 8-12 years old,
and the Treehouse: 3-7 years old.
Babysitting is available for $5 per child per hour from 10:00 pm-1:00 am for passengers ages 3-12 in the Youth Center. The Teen Lounge will be open for free during this time as well.
*The Pacific and Ocean Princess do not have dedicated youth centers.
Royal Caribbean Cruises for Kids
Royal Caribbean is known for it’s DreamWorks experience, rock wall, surf simulator, ice skating rink, bumper cars and all-around fun atmosphere!
For all children between the ages of 6 months and 17 years, Royal Caribbean entertainment staff is available for Adventure Ocean programs every day from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm.
Children’s entertainment is free and is organized by age group:
Teen:15-17 years old,
Teen Junior: 12-14 years old,
Voyagers:9-11 years old,
Explorers: 6-8 years old,
Aquanauts: 3-5,
and Babies: 6 months-36 months old.
Adventure Ocean is free for kids age 3 and older during the daytime hours. Adventure Ocean and the Teen Center are both open on port days as well from 30 minutes before excursions begin- 5:00 pm.
Most ships also have a dedicated nursery for babies that have daytime and evening drop-off. The nursery hourly fee is $6 in the daytime and $8 during the evening.
Note: Group babysitting and in-stateroom babysitting are both available on Royal Caribbean. Group babysitting is available in the Adventure Ocean room for kids 3-11 for $7 per child, and in the teen space for free from 10:00 pm-2:00 am.
In-stateroom babysitting costs approximately $19 per hour for up to three children within the same family and is not available for children under 1 year.
