Kids & Family Cruise Guide
Complete guide to cruising with kids and families. Kids clubs by cruise line, teen programs, baby facilities, and tips for the best family cruise.
Cruising is one of the best family holidays you can take. Kids clubs keep children entertained while parents relax, and modern ships are packed with family-friendly activities from waterparks to zip lines. Here is everything you need to know about cruising with kids in 2026.
Kids Clubs Overview
Every major cruise line offers complimentary kids clubs divided by age group, staffed by trained youth counsellors. Children participate in activities, games, and themed programming while parents enjoy adult-only time.
- ✓Kids clubs are complimentary (included in the cruise fare) on all major lines
- ✓Age groups typically: Toddlers (6 months-3 years), Kids (3-12), Tweens (12-14), Teens (15-17)
- ✓Babysitting services available for an additional fee (usually late evening)
- ✓Kids must be potty-trained for most clubs (exceptions: Royal Caribbean nursery, Disney Small World Nursery)
- ✓Club hours typically 9am-midnight with breaks for meals
Family-Friendly Activities
Modern cruise ships are floating theme parks with activities for every age group.
- ✓Waterparks and water slides on most mainstream ships
- ✓Surf simulators (Royal Caribbean FlowRider)
- ✓Go-karts (Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Prima)
- ✓Zip lines, rock climbing walls, and ropes courses
- ✓Bumper cars, laser tag, and escape rooms
- ✓Family game shows and trivia nights
- ✓Movie nights on the pool deck under the stars
Dining with Kids
Cruise ships are designed to accommodate families at mealtimes with kids menus, early seating, and casual dining options.
- ✓Kids menus available in the main dining room with familiar options
- ✓Early dining seating (typically 5:30-6:00pm) is ideal for families with young children
- ✓Buffet is always available and perfect for picky eaters
- ✓Room service is included and useful for nap times and early mornings
- ✓Most lines offer kids eat free at specialty restaurants (ask when booking)
Cruising with Babies and Toddlers
While possible, cruising with babies under 2 requires extra planning. Not all activities and facilities accommodate very young children.
- ✓Minimum sailing age: 6 months (12 months for transatlantic and some longer itineraries)
- ✓Baby supplies available at additional cost (cots/cribs are complimentary)
- ✓Not all ships have nurseries for under-3s (Royal Caribbean and Disney do)
- ✓Pack enough nappies, formula, and baby food as selection onboard is limited
- ✓Splash areas for toddlers available on most modern ships
By Cruise Line
Adventure Ocean (3-17): One of the best kids programs at sea with age-divided activities. Royal Babies and Tots nursery (6-36 months, $6/hour). AquaTheater shows, FlowRider, and Ultimate Abyss slide on larger ships.
Camp Ocean (2-11): Marine-themed activities in age groups. Circle C (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17) for teens. Dr. Seuss at Sea program with character breakfasts and story time. WaterWorks waterpark on most ships.
Oceaneer Club/Lab (3-12): The gold standard for kids clubs with themed spaces. Vibe (14-17) and Edge (11-13) for teens. Character appearances throughout the ship. It's a Small World Nursery (6 months-3 years, $9/hour). Animation classes and character calls to cabins.
Splash Academy (3-12): Active programming with splash pad and sports. Entourage (13-17) for teens. Late Night Fun Zone for evening supervision ($7.95/hour). Go-karts and laser tag on newer ships.
MSC Kids Club: Ages 1-17 in five age groups. LEGO partnership with themed activities. Kids under 12 sail free on select sailings (major cost savings for families). Doremi Studio for 1-3 year olds.
Camp Discovery (3-17): Nature-themed activities. Teen Lounge for 13-17. MedallionClass features make it easy to locate family members anywhere on the ship. Discovery at Sea with Discovery Channel programming.
Tips
- ✓Book an early dining time if cruising with young children
- ✓Register kids for the kids club on embarkation day to ensure availability
- ✓Bring a baby monitor if cruising with a baby or toddler for cabin nap times
- ✓Most cruise lines offer family-connected cabins, which are much better than putting kids in a separate cabin
- ✓Pack a small waterproof bag for pool days and water slides
- ✓Check age policies carefully as some activities have minimum age or height requirements
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cruise line for families?
Disney is the gold standard for families with young children (3-10) with the best kids clubs, character experiences, and family entertainment. Royal Caribbean is best for families with older kids and teens with the most activities (waterparks, surf simulators, zip lines). MSC offers kids-sail-free deals that are hard to beat for value.
Are kids clubs free on cruise ships?
Yes, kids clubs are complimentary on all major cruise lines during regular hours (typically 9am-10pm). Late-night babysitting (after 10pm) incurs an additional charge, usually $6-$10 per hour. Nurseries for under-3s are typically $6-$9 per hour.
What is the best age to take kids on a cruise?
Ages 4-12 is the sweet spot. Kids are old enough for kids clubs (potty-trained), swimming, and activities but young enough to be amazed by everything. Teens (13+) also love modern cruise ships. Under 3 is possible but requires more parental supervision.
Can babies go on cruises?
Yes, babies 6 months and older can cruise (12 months for transatlantic and longer voyages). However, cruising with babies requires extra planning as pool access, kids clubs, and many activities have minimum age requirements. Royal Caribbean and Disney offer nurseries for babies and toddlers.