How to Avoid a “Daycare at Sea” on Your Next Cruise: 4 Rules to Follow

This is not a rant against kids on cruises or families taking a nice cruise vacation.   After all, every family needs a break, and a cruise ship can offer something for every age group.

But after reading about a cruiser’s complaint that their cruise was more like a “daycare at sea”, I thought this kind of guidance could be helpful.

“The kids. Everywhere. It felt like I was trapped in a daycare at sea.” 

These were the words of a cruise passenger who had just returned from a cruise on Norwegian Getaway out of PortMiami this week.

Their post on the r/NCL subreddit received all kinds of helpful advice (and snarky comments) regarding the “chaos” that can occur on a ship, from a busy buffet to 45-minute lines for tender boats.

While the passenger swore they’d never sail with the cruise line again, the cruise community was quick to point out that it was really a matter of the time of year and specific itinerary that was the bigger issue.

Whether you’re a parent looking to find a ship your kids will love, or a traveler looking to avoid the “splash-zone” and screaming, here are some rules to follow when it comes to kids on ships.

Rule 1: The School Calendar is a Must-Check

If you want to guarantee a high kid-to-adult ratio, the school calendar is your guide.  As a rule of thumb, cruises are both cheaper and have fewer kids when the youngsters are in school.

• For the Most Kids: Aim for Spring Break week. (late March through mid-April). As one person reacted to the OP: “You chose the absolute worst time to cruise” if you wanted quiet.
• To Avoid the “Daycare”: Aim for the “shoulder season.” Late September, early November, or the first two weeks of December are the golden windows. Most kids are back in classrooms, leaving the pool deck much quieter.

The shoulder season is my favorite time of year to sail, personally.   It’s pretty much the cheapest time of year to cruise, and if you can deal with the fact that it’s also hurricane season in the Caribbean, you’re good to go.

Along with week-long breaks from school, you should also check major holidays like Labor Day, since some families will take their kids out of school to take advantage of the longer weekend.

Rule 2: Short Trips Equal More Noise

It’s not just about the month; it’s about the duration of the cruise. Currently, ships like the Norwegian Getaway are running constant 3- and 4-night cruises out of Miami, so a sailing like this is bound to have a good deal of younger ones running around.

Another rule of thumb I use is that the longer the cruise the quieter the sailing, and vice versa.

These short “weekend warrior” cruises to the Bahamas are the perfect duration for families and spring breakers.

They are affordable, require minimal time off school, and pack a lot into a few days.

If you want a ship that feels more like a “peaceful retreat” than a “high school cafeteria,” look for 10-night or longer itineraries.

Rule 3: Know the “Ship-Within-a-Ship” Escapes

Modern mega-ships are designed to be all things to all people.  You can have a yacht-like experience if you want, but you also have to be ready to pay for it.  That being said, there are always quiet areas of the ship where you can find some R&R.

The main pool deck and the buffet will always be the most crowded and lively areas of the ship when there are a lot of kids on board.  Anywhere soft-serve icecream is available is sure to have little feet running around as well.

But most cruise lines now offer “adults-only” retreats. In the r/NCL discussion, one cruiser noted their trip was saved by the Vibe Beach Club: “Quiet lagoon with nice beach chairs…”.

Vibe Beach Club with Norwegian Cruise Line is the 18+ outdoor retreat complete with a pool and hot tubs and it requires an extra fee and passes are available for the entire cruise.

It’s not on every ship though. And that brings up a big point. Even within the same cruise line each ship can feel very different.  I recommend checking those deck plans and making sure the adult-only retreats are actually available on the ship you’re looking at.

Rule 4: Know Your Cruise Line

If you want 100% certainty that there won’t be a child on your ship, you can always book an adult-only sailing with Viking or Virgin Voyages.  These cruise lines have become very popular as adult retreats.

Even Carnival Cruise Line has offered a handful of adult-only cruises (“Sailings Exclusively for Adults”) due to casino and gaming requirements.

But even cruise lines that still allow kids can be very low-key and laid back.   You can read more about the 6 best cruise lines for a relaxing vacation here.

A cruise line like Holland America Line will typically not have a lot of kids.  But it also means you won’t have some of those high-octane activities available.  

If you still want the waterparks, rollercoasters, rock-climbing walls, mini golf etc. you can choose a cruise line like Royal Caribbean or Carnival, but choosing a longer duration sailing will minimize the number of kids onboard.

Note on Dining

If you’re worried about dining room drama, here’s a tip: Eat late. Most families with young kids go for the early seating.  After all, they have bedtimes to worry about.

 If you book your table for 8:30 PM, the atmosphere is usually more adult-focused.

Bottom Line

At the end of the day, a cruise is what you make of it. If you love a ship that feels alive, bustling, and full of families, book that short Spring Break voyage.

Just remember: if you’re going to book a family-friendly ship during the busiest week of the year, take the advice of one of the comments I read in the Reddit thread and leave your “complainy-pants” at home.