We have been cruising with our boys for 20 years now, so we have clocked up a good few nautical miles of family cruise experience. And I am here to tell you, cruising with kids can be one of the easiest holidays you’ll ever take, but it can also feel daunting if you’re new to it.
Between packing, planning pre-cruise hotels and excursions, and trying to keep everyone happy, it’s easy to imagine yourself needing a holiday after the holiday. The good news? With a little preparation (and the right cruise line), you can have a relaxed, family-friendly cruise where no one feels stressed, and you can even avoid the formal nights completely if you’d rather keep things casual.
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Cruising With Kids How To Cruise Easily Without The Stress
Before we go on, I want to share something we, as a family, have always loved about cruising: it gives us time.
- Time for exploring
- Enjoying family meals
- Couple time
- Kids adventure time
- Chill time
This is because cruise lines offer facilities that help families strike a balance between family time and couple time. When we started cruising, we were not keen on leaving our boys in kids’ clubs. But they went once, and never looked back. So much so that we had to limit kids’ club time, as they would have stayed in all day and night.
Whether you’re sailing with toddlers or teens, here’s how to make your first family cruise smooth, fun, and fuss-free.
1. Pick a Family-Focused Cruise Line
Some cruise lines make family life so much easier. Look for ships with great kids’ clubs, flexible dining options, and family-friendly entertainment. Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, MSC, and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) all do a brilliant job of catering to kids of all ages. They offer everything from splash zones and family-friendly shows to babysitting services and early dining times.
Take a look at these family-friendly cruise ships we have enjoyed cruising on with kids.
2. Choose the Right Cabin Layout When You Are Cruising With Kids
If you’re cruising as a family, your cabin choice can make a big difference. A balcony cabin gives you a private spot for fresh air once the kids are asleep, while interconnecting rooms or family suites offer extra space. Some newer ships even have family staterooms with bunk beds or separate sleeping areas for kids.
If you are cruising with a baby, choose a cruise line that has baby splash pools; not all cruise ships have them and babies and toddlers who are not potty-trained can’t use the main pool.
Talking to a travel agent who really understands cruising and will help you find a family cabin to fit your family’s needs. We have a full guide on how to choose your next cruise cabin. Check it out if you are struggling to decide which family cabin you need.
3. Get To The Port At Least A Day Before Your Cruise
Delays happen; if you are flying in, plan to arrive at your cruise port destination at least a day, if not two, before your cruise. There is nothing worse than missing your sailaweay due to a flight delay, especially with kids in tow. We always plan a day or two at the turnaround port and use this time to explore and chill or spend some pool time.
Whether it’s Lisbon, Barcelona or Miami, there is so much to explore before you even step onto the ship, and this has become as much part of our travel experience as the actual cruise has. On the morning of our cruise, we have a chilled morning and book a transfer to the ship, arriving chilled and relaxed, ready for the cruise.
4. Plan For The First Day and Expect the First 24 Hours to Feel a Bit Overwhelming
The first day on board can feel like organised chaos; there’s luggage to unpack, safety drills to attend, kids desperate to explore, and crowds everywhere. It’s completely normal to feel a bit out of sync at first. The good news? Things calm down very quickly. Once you’ve unpacked, found your bearings, and settled into your dining routine, you’ll start to relax and enjoy just how easy cruise life can be.
Pack a cruise embarkation backpack for the first day of your cruise. Check out our embarkation day guide for tips on what to pack and what to expect.
When you arrive at the cruise port, you leave your suitcase with the porters and will not see them until around 5 pm. (You usually get access to your cabin at around 3 pm,) When you board, complete your muster drill (watch our video below for instructions), then grab a spot or lunch and relax.
5. Pre-Book Dinner on the First Night
The first night on board can be the most chaotic as everyone gets used to the ship and dining times. Avoid the queues by pre-booking your dinner before you sail or as soon as you board. It’s a simple way to start your cruise calmly, especially if the kids are tired after a travel day. If your cruise line offers it, choose My Time Dining or a flexible option so you can eat when it suits your family.
Download the cruise app, and you can usually book dinner through the app. If you are organised, you can opt for set dining, then you get the same time and table every night. If not, book the first night and do the rest as you go along. It may be you prefer the buffet restaurant; if so, expect it to be busy on the first night. I would recommend booking a table in the main dining room or eating later on the first day.
Plan Your Trip
Check out these handy links to help you booking your next trip.
6. Have Breakfast in Your Cabin on The First Morning
The first morning on a cruise is always busy; everyone heads to the buffet at once. Start your holiday slowly by ordering room service breakfast instead. Most cruise lines include a basic continental breakfast for free, and it’s the perfect way to enjoy coffee and croissants on your balcony while avoiding the crowds.
They offer pasties, toast and fruit to keep the kiddies happy, and you avoid the first morning rush. And this is where the chaos ends; it’s as if the whole ship settles into a groove after the first morning of the cruise, and it all becomes more relaxing.
7. Skip the Formal Nights
If the idea of ball gowns and bow ties fills you with dread, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many modern cruise lines have moved away from strict dress codes. On Royal Caribbean and NCL, formal nights are entirely optional you can wear what you want and no one worries. Even on more traditional lines like P&O Cruises, there are always casual dining venues where jeans and T-shirts are perfectly fine.
Pro tip: Check your cruise planner before you pack so you know which nights are “dress to impress”, and simply book a speciality restaurant, buffet, or room service that evening if you’d rather keep it low-key.
8. Don’t Try to Do Everything
There’s a lot happening on a cruise ship: water slides, theatre shows, trivia, kids’ clubs, deck parties, and it’s tempting to fit it all in. But kids (and parents) can quickly get overtired. Instead, pick one or two things each day that everyone enjoys and leave space for downtime. A quiet morning by the pool or a film in your cabin can be just as memorable as a packed day of activities.
A great idea is to check the cruise planner and highlight activities you want to try. If you use the cruise app, you can usually select items and activities and set reminders, which is really helpful. But also remember it’s your holiday and on your time.
9. Let the Kids’ Clubs Help
Every major cruise line offers supervised clubs split by age group, from baby playrooms to teen hangouts. These aren’t just childcare; they’re packed with activities like crafts, science experiments, and games. Let the kids have their fun while you enjoy a cocktail, a nap, or a quiet dinner, guilt-free. But check the app to see if you have to book in advance.
10. But You Dont Have To Use The Kids Clubs
It’s really important that you remember not to feel pressured to use all the facilities; there are so many family activities on board these ships. So you may choose, like we did, to allow the kids to have 1 daily session of the kids club and make the most of the familiy activities.
Or, indeed, don’t use the club at all; it’s your holiday and your rules, especially as there is so much else to do. No matter what you choose, there is so much to do. Or so little should you choose.
11. Keep Port Days Simple When You Are Cruising With Kids
When you’re travelling with little ones, less is more. Skip the long, all-day tours and look for shorter, family-friendly excursions or just explore ports on your own. Sometimes the best days are spent wandering a local beach, grabbing ice cream, or riding a cable car to see the views.
Things won’t always go to plan, naps might be missed, pools might close, or it might rain on your beach day. That’s OK. The beauty of a cruise is that there’s always something else to do. Go with the flow, and you’ll find the trip feels far less stressful.
12. Take Copies of Essential Documents off the Ship With You On Port Day
Always take some form of ID off the ship in case of an emergency. I usually take my driver’s licence, medical card, photocopies of our passports and our insurance details in case of an emergency.
13. Enjoy the Little Moments
It’s easy to get caught up in logistics, but some of the best memories are the simple ones, watching the sunset from deck, seeing your child meet the captain, or sharing an ice cream after dinner. Cruises give families time together without the stress of constant travel.
Cruising Can Be Chilled
Cruising with kids doesn’t have to mean chaos or formality. With the right ship, a flexible mindset, and a relaxed approach, you can have an amazing family holiday where everyone, even the grown-ups, gets to unwind. So skip the ball gowns, grab your swimsuits, and get ready to sail into the easiest family adventure you’ll ever take.
