Can I take a baby on a cruise?

Yes!

Do I have to pay for my baby to cruise?

Yes, and not usually at a discounted rate. There are some “kids sail free” promotions or discounted 3^rd or 4^th passenger rates available, but it depends on the ship capacity and time of year.

Is there babysitting on the ship?       

Babysitting varies on different cruise lines. Often there is minimum age of 1 year, and only available at certain times. For Princess Cruises, the kids club starts at age 3 where they can play most of the day and are fully supervised. It’s never safe to leave a child in the room alone.

Where will my baby sleep on the ship?

Cruise ships have Pack n Plays which are small portable cribs, available on request ahead of time depending on availability. We bring out own if we are leaving from Los Angeles or San Diego. Babies can sleep in your bed, on a pullout sofa if available in your room, sleeping bag that you could bring if your child is too big for a crib but isn’t ready for a real bed. Ava goes in the Pack N Play and we’ve done great with that so far. If you can afford connecting cabins with a family member or friend, that’s a great option that offers more space. Some lines have room dividing curtains, and Princess has a separate closet area where a crib can fit.

How can I bathe my baby on a cruise?

Unless you book a mini suite or suite, you will most likely not have a bathtub. Cruise bathrooms are narrow, so you can either take him/her in the shower with you or bring a portable bath or bin to put on the shower floor. I bring my own portable bath and soap/shower gel as well.

How do I feed my baby on a cruise ship?

Some cruise lines will mash or puree foods for you on request, but I would check beforehand. You can bring your own jar or packet baby food to the eating areas, and we did a combination of both and it worked well for us. You will need your own food/snacks when going on excursions, and having extra back ups helps and is provides a comfort to your baby. Cruise ships provide high chairs as well.

We brought our own formula on board, and there is a mini fridge in the cruise cabin. If you need certain milk, I would check with your travel agent beforehand. You can also ask room service if you need anything kept at a colder temperature or frozen.

We also brought our own items for washing including bottles, sippy cups, spoons, bibs and other infant essentials.

Bonus Pictures of Ava Jane’s First Cruise!