Cruising with Toddlers: Smooth Sailing (Most of the Time!)

If you’re toying with the idea of taking your toddler on a cruise, you might be wondering if you’ve completely lost your mind. Good news: you haven’t! In fact, a cruise might just be the easiest (and most enjoyable) way to travel with a little one - if you know a few tricks.

Here’s everything you need to know to set sail without needing a holiday after your holiday.

Why Cruising with a Toddler Actually Works

Cruise ships are basically floating villages: restaurants, swimming pools, entertainment, babysitters... all bundled up in one place. There’s no hauling suitcases from hotel to hotel, no endless travel days, and no desperate searches for chicken nuggets in foreign lands. You unpack once, and your toddler gets a new adventure every day — win-win!

Sound great? Here are my top tips for surviving (and thriving) on a cruise with a toddler:

1. Pick the Right Cruise Line Not all ships are created equal. Look for family-friendly cruise lines like Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or MSC - all offer excellent toddler amenities, including nurseries, splash zones, and toddler-friendly entertainment. Happy toddler = happy mummy

2. Book a Bigger Cabin (trust me) A balcony cabin or a suite might feel indulgent, but when you're trying to wrestle a travel cot into a tiny room while your toddler tears the place apart, you’ll be grateful for every extra square inch. Not forgetting the extra space you can enjoy past your toddlers bedtime!

3. Flexible Dining & Early Dinner Settings will be you best friend Some days your toddler will eat everything in sight; other days they’ll survive on bread rolls and air. Pick a cruise with buffet options and flexible dining times. Low-stress meals = happier holidays.

4. Pack Like a Pro My list of essentials include: - A lightweight stroller - Plenty of snacks - Small quiet toys - Drawing pads & pens - Swim nappies - Water shoes - Suncream & sunhat - Sippy cup for staying hydrated - Thermometer, Calpol & Sudocream and a mountain of wipes.

Oh, and double-check whether the cruise provides cots and high chairs — you usually have to request them early.

5. Embrace the Kids’ Clubs and Babysitting Many ships have nurseries or babysitting services for toddlers. No guilt — just think of it as “structured playtime supervised by someone else while you sip a cocktail in peace.”

6. Don’t Over-Schedule Some days, just hanging out by the kiddie pool and eating ice cream is the adventure. Give yourself permission to take it slow. You’re still making memories — even if you never leave the ship.

Here are some of my top picks of the best cruise lines for families with toddlers

Disney Cruise Line — magical in every way (and the characters are a huge hit).

Royal Caribbean — big ships, endless entertainment, and baby splash zones.

MSC Cruises — partnerships with LEGO® and Chicco® = toddler heaven.

Norwegian Cruise Line — relaxed, casual, and full of family-friendly spaces.

My final thoughts

Cruising with a toddler isn’t just possible — it can actually be brilliant. The key is a bit of planning, a lot of flexibility, and a healthy sense of humour. Pack the snacks, embrace the chaos, and you’ll come home with incredible memories... and probably a few hilarious stories to tell.