Yes, babies can go on cruises. Most major cruise lines accept infants from 6 months old on the first day of the sailing. That rises to 12 months for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii and other long or sea-day-heavy itineraries, and on MSC to 2 years for cruises of 11 nights or more. Cruising with an infant also means planning around a few firm rules, especially swim diapers and pools, plus nurseries that only some lines offer.
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Below is a line-by-line comparison of current infant policies for 2026-27, followed by what to know about nurseries, splash zones, cribs, fares and packing. Policies change, so always confirm the rules for your exact sailing before you pay a deposit.
Minimum infant age by cruise line
The age is checked on embarkation day, and lines are strict about it. Royal Caribbean, for example, denies boarding to infants who don’t meet the requirement, and won’t give a refund. The table summarises each line’s published policy for infants on a cruise, along with the onboard childcare available for under-3s.
| Cruise line | Minimum age (most sailings) | Higher minimum applies to | Childcare for babies and toddlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | 6 months | 12 months for cruises with 3+ consecutive sea days, transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii and select South America | Royal Babies & Tots nursery, 6 to 36 months, paid by the hour (on most ships) |
| Carnival | 6 months | 12 months on longer itineraries such as Hawaii and transoceanic sailings | No daytime nursery for under-2s in the US fleet; Night Owls paid late-evening group babysitting from 6 months |
| Disney Cruise Line | 6 months | 12 months for transatlantic, Panama Canal and Hawaii | It’s a Small World Nursery, 6 months to 3 years (from 1 year on those longer itineraries), paid by the hour |
| Norwegian (NCL) | 6 months | 12 months on certain long or sea-day-heavy itineraries | Guppies parent-and-baby open play, 6 months to 3 years (parents stay); Splash Academy from age 3 |
| MSC Cruises | 6 months on shorter cruises | 2 years (24 months) for sailings of 11 nights or more departing from 15 May 2025 | Baby and toddler areas vary by ship; kids clubs from age 3 |
| Celebrity Cruises | 6 months | 12 months on select sailings | No nursery; Camp at Sea from age 3 (must be fully potty trained) |
| Princess Cruises | 6 months | 12 months on selected longer voyages | No nursery; youth programmes from age 3 |
| P&O Cruises (UK) | 6 months | 12 months on selected sailings | Free evening Night Nursery, 6 months to 4 years; daytime play areas with a parent |
| Marella Cruises (UK) | Generally 6 months (confirm with TUI) | Check at booking | No nursery; kids club from 3 to 12 years. Marella Explorer 2 is adults-only |
Royal Caribbean’s 12-month rule is easy to trip over. A stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay counts as a sea day under its policy, so a sailing with two sea days either side of a CocoCay call can trigger the higher minimum. Count the sea days on your itinerary before you book.
If you or your partner is pregnant, most lines will not carry a guest who will be 24 weeks pregnant or more at any point during the cruise. Marella, for example, applies the 24-week limit to the end of the cruise, and lines usually ask for a doctor’s letter confirming fitness to travel.
Nurseries and childcare for under-3s
Most cruise kids clubs start at age 3 and require children to be fully toilet trained, so for babies the real question is whether the ship has a nursery.
- Royal Caribbean runs the Royal Babies & Tots nursery for 6 to 36 months on most ships. RoyalCaribbeanBlog reported fees of $9 per child per hour during the day and $12 per hour in the evening; check current prices on board.
- Disney Cruise Line has the It’s a Small World Nursery for 6 months to 3 years, with extended hours and an hourly fee. Spaces can fill up, so reserve as early as your booking allows.
- P&O Cruises offers a free supervised Night Nursery in the evenings for 6 months to 4 years, booked with the youth team in advance, so parents can have dinner or see a show.
- Norwegian doesn’t offer drop-off care for babies, but Guppies is a parent-and-child play session for 6 months to 3 years, and diapers are fine.
- Carnival Night Owls is paid group babysitting late in the evening that has accepted children from 6 months. The day clubs start at age 2.
Celebrity, Princess and Marella don’t offer nurseries, so plan on looking after your baby yourself the whole time. For a wider look at which fleets suit young families, see our guide to the best cruise lines for families with kids.
Can babies go in the pool on a cruise?
This catches out a lot of families. Because of public health rules, children in diapers, including swim diapers and pull-ups, cannot use the main pools or hot tubs on any major line.
- Royal Caribbean allows children who are not fully toilet trained only in its Baby Splash areas. These are on selected ships, including the Oasis- and Icon-class ships and many Quantum-, Freedom- and Voyager-class ships.
- Disney ships have splash zones designed for little ones in swim diapers.
- Marella does not allow children in nappies, swim nappies or pull-ups in any onboard pool.
- On ships with no baby splash area, babies cannot get in the water on board, so look for a beach day in port instead.
If water play matters to your family, choose a ship with a dedicated baby splash zone. Our guide to the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids of each age can help you narrow it down.
Cribs, cabins and sleeping arrangements
Cruise lines generally provide cribs or pack-and-play travel cots free of charge on request. Disney’s stateroom hosts will even set the cot up and take it down each day. Request one when you book, or through your online booking’s special requests form, because supplies are limited and allocated first come, first served.
Some practical points to keep in mind:
- A cot takes up a lot of floor space in a standard cabin. A larger cabin, a family stateroom or a suite with a separate living area can make naps and early bedtimes easier for everyone.
- Balcony doors need constant attention with a mobile baby. Some families choose an inside or ocean-view cabin for that reason, and for the darkness at nap time.
- Babies count towards a cabin’s maximum occupancy, which matters if you are a family of four or five.
- Baby food, formula and diapers are generally not sold on board, or only in a small range. Some lines, including Marella, will warm milk and baby food for you, but you need to bring your own.
Do babies cruise free?
Usually not. An infant is a passenger with their own ticket, so most lines charge a fare for them, often at the lower third- or fourth-guest rate, plus government taxes, fees and port charges. Some lines and agents run “kids sail free” or reduced-fare promotions that include under-2s, but these depend on the sailing and the fare type. Daily gratuities may also apply per guest depending on the line. Ask for an itemised quote that shows the infant’s fare, taxes and service charges separately before you book.
What to pack for a cruise with a baby
Because supplies on board are limited, packing is the part of cruising with an infant that needs the most planning. The essentials:
- Diapers and wipes for the whole trip, plus extras for delays.
- Formula, baby food and snacks in sealed packaging.
- Swim diapers and a sun suit for baby splash areas and beach days.
- A lightweight stroller that folds small enough for tenders and narrow corridors.
- A baby carrier for embarkation, tender boats and shore excursions.
- Baby sunscreen (check suitability with your pharmacist), a sun hat and a portable fan.
- Medicines your doctor recommends, plus copies of any prescriptions.
- A night light, white noise, blackout covers and familiar bedding to help with sleep.
- Passport or travel documents for the baby. Every infant needs their own.
For a complete, printable checklist, use our baby and toddler cruise packing list.
Tips for cruising with an infant
- Choose shorter, port-rich itineraries first. A 3 to 7-night sailing with plenty of ports keeps you within the 6-month rule on most lines and breaks up the days.
- Speak to your doctor. Check vaccinations and any advice for the ports you will visit. Ship medical centres are not specialist paediatric units.
- Insure the whole family. Make sure your travel insurance names the baby and includes emergency medical cover at sea.
- Book dining times that suit naps. Earlier sittings or flexible dining usually suit babies better than late dinners.
Once your little one is older, our guide to cruise age requirements for every age covers kids’ club ages, teen clubs and the rules for sailing without parents.
Once you know your baby is old enough to sail, read our guide on how to feed your baby on a cruise, from formula and breast milk to weaning in the buffet.
FAQs
How old does a baby have to be to go on a cruise?
On most major lines, at least 6 months old on the first day of the cruise. Longer sailings, such as transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii or cruises with three or more consecutive sea days, usually require 12 months. MSC requires 2 years for sailings of 11 nights or more.
Can you take a baby under 6 months on a cruise?
Not on the major lines covered here, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess and P&O. Infants who don’t meet the age requirement on embarkation day can be refused boarding.
Can babies go in the pool on a cruise ship?
Not in the main pools. Children in diapers or swim diapers can use only designated baby splash areas, found on selected Royal Caribbean and Disney ships. Marella doesn’t allow nappies in any pool.
Do babies need a passport to cruise?
Yes, for most international cruises every infant needs their own passport or other valid travel document, just like adults. Check the documentation rules for your departure port and itinerary.
Which cruise lines have nurseries for babies?
Royal Caribbean (Royal Babies & Tots), Disney Cruise Line (It’s a Small World Nursery) and P&O Cruises (free evening Night Nursery) offer care for children from 6 months. Norwegian’s Guppies is a parent-accompanied play session.
