The Best Cruise Lines for Babies

Talking to clients who are considering bringing their new bundle of joy on vacation? While many cruise ships are great choices for families with young children, they’re not all created equally when it comes to hosting babies. The mainstream lines tend to be more accommodating than luxury, small-ship or expedition lines, offering the most amenities and facilities for parents and their little loved ones.

But, even among family-friendly mainstream lines, many have a 6-month minimum age requirement; none allow diapers in the pool; and some have strict rules on how old babies must be to receive babysitting. Pick one of these lines, though, and you’ll find that some of the challenges of traveling with babies — from schlepping equipment to never getting a night off — can be eliminated for your clients.

Carnival Cruises
Minimum Age: 6 months

Babysitting Policy: Must be 6 months of age or older for the “Night Owls” program from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., located in the Camp Ocean kids’ club

Minimum Age for Kids’ Clubs: 2 years for most Camp Ocean activities

Amenities: Carnival offers cribs and sells diapers, and limited baby supplies in gift shops.

Celebrity Cruises
Minimum Age: 6 months; 1 year on longer sailings

Babysitting Policy: Must be at least 1 year old for in-cabin babysitting

Minimum Age for Kids’ Clubs: 3 years (though children 2 years and older can use the facility with parental supervision

Amenities: Celebrity offers bottle warmers and play yards (similar to a playpen or crib) upon request. A variety of baby food options, including first- and second-stage food, are available.

Cunard Cruise Line
Minimum Age: 6 months; 1 year on longer sailings

Babysitting Policy: Must be at least 6 months of age for the Night Nursery program that runs from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Minimum Age for Kids’ Clubs: 2 years (though children 6 months and older can use the facility with parental supervision)

Amenities: Cunard does not offer or sell any baby-related items.

Disney Cruise Line
Minimum Age: 6 months; 1 year on longer sailings

Babysitting Policy: Must be 6 months of age and up in It’s a Small World Nursery, which is open until midnight

Minimum Age for Kids’ Clubs: 6 months in the nursery, which is available on all ships

Amenities: Disney sells different types of diapers, baby food, bottles, baby shampoo and other limited supplies at its gift shops. 

MSC Cruises
Minimum age: There is no minimum age to sail, but babies under 1 year old require a “fit to travel certificate,” which is similar to a doctor’s bill of good health.

Babysitting Policy: There is no in-room babysitting; all babysitting takes place in the kids’ clubs.

Minimum Age for Kids’ Clubs: 1 year (only offered while the ship is sailing and during excursion times)

Amenities: MSC offers complimentary bottle warmers, strollers, baby carriers and bouncy chairs through a partnership with Chicco. The Lirica-class ships also feature a dedicated Chicco area for kids up to 3 years old. Through that partnership, the line has also developed new kids’ menus with healthy options, including a menu for 6- to 12-month-old children.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Minimum Age: 6 months; 1 year on longer sailings

Babysitting Policy: Must be at least 1 year old for babysitting, which is offered in-cabin or in a group setting

Minimum Age for Kids’ Clubs: 6 months in the baby nursery, which is available on all ships except Empress of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas

Amenities: Royal Caribbean offers cribs and sells limited baby supplies in gift shops.