Family Cruise FAQ & Quick Guide

For many families, absolutely.

One of the biggest advantages of a cruise is that your family can unpack once while the ship takes you to multiple destinations.

Cruises can also make family travel easier because accommodations, meals, entertainment and many activities are built into one vacation.

However, not every cruise is right for every family. The ship, itinerary, cruise line and age requirements can make a huge difference in your experience.

There is no single best cruise line for every family.

Different cruise lines have different personalities, ships, entertainment, dining options, kids programming, pricing and age requirements.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line can be an excellent choice for families who prioritize Disney characters, family entertainment and a highly themed experience.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean can be a strong choice for families who want large ships, activities, entertainment and plenty to do onboard.

Princess Cruises

Princess can appeal to families who want a more relaxed cruise experience while still having family-friendly options.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity may be a good fit for families looking for a more upscale experience with modern ships, dining and service.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian is known for a flexible approach to cruising and can work well for families who prefer fewer traditional cruise restrictions.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival offers an energetic, entertainment-focused experience and strong value. However, it is not currently a cruise line we recommend or sell, as we focus on cruise partners that better align with our clients’ expectations and our standards of service.

Yes, but minimum age requirements vary by cruise line and itinerary.

We know this firsthand. Our youngest was only 7 months old on our first cruise.

Many mainstream cruise lines have minimum age requirements, often around 6 months. Certain itineraries can have higher minimum age requirements. For example, itineraries with 3 or more consecutive days at sea may require children to be at least 1 year old on the first day of the cruise at the time of sailing.

Pregnancy restrictions, itinerary requirements, and other policies may also apply. Most cruise lines restrict sailing for guests who will reach 23 or 24 weeks of pregnancy at any point during the cruise or by the end of the voyage. Requirements vary by cruise line and itinerary, so please confirm the specific policy before booking.

This is one of the biggest questions families with young children should ask before choosing a cruise.

Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are two mainstream cruise options that offer nursery services for children starting around 6 months through age 3, subject to availability and the specific ship.

Nursery policies, hours, fees and reservation requirements can vary, so we recommend checking the current rules for your specific sailing.

Yes. Most mainstream ocean cruise lines offer complimentary children’s programming or kids clubs.

However, children generally need to meet the cruise line’s age and potty-training requirements before they can participate independently in the kids club.

On many mainstream cruise lines, complimentary kids clubs begin around age 3 and require children to be potty trained.

Policies vary by cruise line and ship, so families with toddlers should always verify the current requirements.

They can be, but luxury cruise lines often have very different age policies from mainstream family cruise lines.

Some luxury cruise lines may have higher minimum age requirements, limited children’s programming or restrictions on certain sailings.

If you are considering a luxury cruise with children, we recommend checking the specific cruise line, ship and itinerary rather than assuming the same rules apply across the industry.

Yes.

Some cruise lines are specifically adults-only, while others offer adult-focused ships, areas or experiences.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line with a minimum age of 18 years old.

Viking

Viking is also an adults-only cruise line with a minimum age of 18 years old.

There are also specialty and charter cruises that may have different minimum age requirements, including some that are 21+.

The best cabin depends on your family, budget and how you plan to use the room.

Inside cabin

Usually the most budget-friendly option. Great for families who plan to spend most of their time enjoying the ship and ports.

Oceanview cabin

Gives you a window and natural light without the cost of a balcony.

Balcony cabin

A popular choice for families who want private outdoor space, fresh air and somewhere to relax while the kids sleep.

Suite

Offers additional space and may include extra amenities or perks, depending on the cruise line.

Seasickness is something to consider, especially if you know you are sensitive to motion.

Cabin location can make a difference. Cabins located closer to the middle of the ship and on lower decks generally experience less noticeable movement than cabins at the very front or back.

There are also medications, wristbands and other strategies travelers use to manage motion sickness.

Most cruises include a substantial amount of food in the cruise fare.

Depending on the cruise line and ship, your fare may include main dining rooms, buffets, casual restaurants, snacks and room service options.

Specialty restaurants, premium dining, certain beverages and other food experiences may cost extra.

Not necessarily.

Whether a beverage package makes sense depends on what your family actually drinks and what is already included with your cruise fare.

Some cruise lines include certain beverages, while others charge separately for premium coffee, soda, bottled water, specialty drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Your cruise fare is only part of the total vacation cost.

Depending on your cruise, consider budgeting for:

• Gratuities
• Taxes and port fees
• Travel to and from the cruise port
• Hotels before or after the cruise
• Excursions
• Specialty dining
• Beverages
• Internet
• Transportation
• Shopping
• Spa services
• Travel insurance

Not always.

Cruise line excursions can provide convenience and peace of mind, particularly for first-time cruisers or travelers who want the cruise line to handle the logistics.

Independent excursions can sometimes provide smaller groups, different experiences or more flexibility.

The right choice depends on the port, excursion and your comfort level.

It depends on the itinerary, your citizenship and the type of cruise.

For some closed-loop cruises departing from and returning to the U.S., a passport may not be required, and an original birth certificate with a valid government-issued photo ID may be accepted.

However, we highly recommend traveling with a valid passport whenever possible. A passport provides greater flexibility if you need to fly home from a foreign port, miss the ship, experience an unexpected itinerary change, or encounter another emergency while traveling.

Cruising can be surprisingly easy once you understand how it works.

The challenge is usually knowing what to choose before you book.

First-time cruisers often have questions about:

• Choosing the right cruise line
• Selecting the right ship
• Choosing a cabin
• Dining
• Kids clubs
• Excursions
• Transportation
• Travel documents
• Gratuities
• What to pack
• Embarkation
• Disembarkation

Once those pieces are planned correctly, the actual vacation can be wonderfully simple.

There is no single answer, but booking earlier generally gives you more choices.

This can be especially important when you need connecting cabins, specific cabin locations, family accommodations, popular itineraries, school-break dates or a particular ship.

Some travelers can find last-minute deals, but waiting can mean fewer cabin choices or higher prices.

A shorter cruise can be a great introduction to cruising, but longer cruises give you more time to settle into the experience.

Three- to five-night cruises can work well for travelers who want a shorter vacation, while seven-night cruises are popular for families who want more time onboard and in port.

Longer cruises can be especially appealing when the itinerary includes destinations that are difficult or expensive to visit independently.

Do not ask:

Ask:

A family traveling with an 8-month-old has very different needs from a family with teenagers.

A family who wants nonstop activities may love a completely different ship from a family who wants relaxation.

Or, a couple looking for an adults-only vacation should not be shopping the same cruise options as a family with young children.

Your cruise should be planned around your family, your priorities, your budget and the experience you actually want to have.