Introduction
After cruising as a couple, our recent trip on Utopia of the Seas was our first cruise with kids—and it was a completely different experience.
Traveling with toddlers (ours are 2 and 3) isn’t harder… it’s just different. You move slower, plan a little more, and prioritize things differently—but it can still be such a fun and memorable vacation.
Here are the biggest tips I learned from cruising with toddlers—what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d absolutely do again.
Quick Summary
Cruising with toddlers can be fun, easy, and stress-free with the right planning. These tips cover everything from boarding, meals, naps, activities, and what’s actually worth it on a cruise with young kids.
Arrive the Day Before Your Cruise
I highly recommend arriving the day before your cruise so everyone can settle in and start the trip feeling relaxed. Also, so you don’t have to worry about traffic or flight delays.
Before our cruise, we stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral, and it was exactly what we needed—clean, comfortable, and super convenient. The easy beach access was a huge bonus. We spent a couple of hours relaxing, renting chairs, and searching for seashells (there were SO many).
For dinner, we went to Coconuts on the Beach, which was such a fun way to kick off the trip. With beachfront views, live music, and great food, it’s perfect for families and a laid-back vacation vibe.
Tip: Arriving the night before helps avoid travel stress, gives your kids time to unwind, and makes embarkation day so much smoother.
1. Don’t Overbook Your First Day
When you first get on the ship, it’s tempting to try to do everything.
But with toddlers, that’s a recipe for meltdowns.
What worked for us:
- Exploring at a slow pace
- Letting the kids play (carousel, splash pad, playground, etc.)
2. Skip the Fancy Lunch—Go Casual
We tried a sit-down lunch on embarkation day and… it wasn’t worth it with little kids.
Instead:
- Go to the buffet (like Windjammer)
- Grab quick, easy food
- Eat when your kids are ready—not on a schedule
3. A Balcony Room Is 100% Worth It
If it’s in your budget, get the balcony.
Why it matters with kids:
- Quiet space during naps
- A place to relax after bedtime
- Watching sunrise/sunset (without leaving your room)
- Plenty of space for a family of 4
Having a balcony was one of my favorite parts of the cruise. Being able to watch us arrive and leave each port is so nice—especially since the ship is so large that when you’re inside, you don’t always have a clear view of where you are.
4. Take Advantage of Room Service
Room service is a game changer with toddlers.
Our favorite:
Breakfast on the balcony while watching the sunrise
It made mornings relaxing, easy, and very enjoyable.
Some things on the room service menu are included, and some cost extra—but anything from the up-charge section is just $7.95 (plus tip) no matter how much you order.
5. Plan Around Naps (Not Against Them)
Trying to skip naps is not fun for anyone.
What worked:
- Going back to the room for naps
- Using that time to relax (read, recharge)
- Letting one parent step out if needed
Cruises are great because everything is close—you can easily go back and forth. I used nap-time to read and relax, while my husband went out and explored.
6. Early Dinner Sounds Good… But Think It Through
We chose 5:00 PM dinner, and honestly—it felt really early.
Consider:
- Your kids’ normal routine
- Whether they can hold out a little longer
- If My Time Dining might work better
- Specialty Dining- you have more times to pick from for a reservation
That said, the dining staff was amazing with kids—getting their food out quickly made such a difference. We had the same experience at The Mason Jar (a specialty restaurant), where they were just as quick and attentive with the kids.
7. You Don’t Need to Do Everything
This is a big mindset shift.
Before kids: You try to do it all
With kids: You do what works
And that’s okay.
Some of our best moments were simple:
- Riding the carousel
- Playing at the splash pad
- Watching them practice for the aqua show from a distance
- Finding rubber ducks all around the ship (my girls loved doing this)
8. Pools & Splash Pads = Your Best Friend
For toddlers, this is where you’ll spend a lot of time.
Tips:
- Bring snacks or quick food options. My husband went and got the girls lunch from the Windjammer, and brought it back to the splash pad so we didn’t have to leave to go eat.
- Don’t overplan—just let them play and enjoy the day!
- Check potty-training rules ahead of time. They have one splash pad for potty trained kiddos, and a smaller one for those still using swim diapers. If your child isn’t potty trained, then they wont be able to use any of the pools. This isn’t that big of a deal though because the splash pad is more fun for them anyways!
9. Kids Club (What to Know)
The cruise ship offers a kids club where staff watch and play with your children for a few hours each day.
We personally chose not to use it, but we did take advantage of the playground located right nearby, which our girls loved.
If you’re considering the kids club, here’s what to know:
- It’s an additional charge for babies and toddlers (ages 6–36 months)
- It’s included for kids ages 3 and up (as long as they’re fully potty trained)
- You’ll need to register your child on the first day onboard if you plan to use it
10. Food Becomes Less of a Priority
This was something I didn’t expect.
When cruising without kids, food is a big part of the experience.
With toddlers:
It’s more about convenience than chasing the “best” meal.
We weren’t focused on finding the “best” food (even though we had plenty of great meals)—we were looking for quick and easy options, especially for lunch. It can get crowded, and with toddlers, searching for a table can feel overwhelming. Plus, leaving the splash pad (and our pool chairs) to go find food just wasn’t worth it when the kids were having so much fun.
Use dinner time to enjoy your meals—it’s more relaxed, and you’ll have guaranteed seating in the dining room or at any specialty restaurant you’ve booked.
11. Bring Entertainment for Downtime
Even with everything onboard, you’ll still need little distractions.
Pack:
- Stickers
- Grab and go play dough jars
- Small toys- I brought some “surprise” toys that I got at Target to let them open and play with at dinner
These are lifesavers during meals or downtime in the room. The TV wasn’t the best option for us since they didn’t have shows my kids are used to (no Disney Channel, if you know what I mean).
12. Consider Your Excursion Expectations
We skipped getting off at Nassau—and it was the right call for us.
With toddlers:
- Not every port needs to be a full outing
- Sometimes staying on the ship is easier
At places like Perfect Day at CocoCay, we kept things simple:
- Beach
- Pool
- No pressure to do everything
At CocoCay, there’s a large splash pad that looks like a lot of fun. We decided to skip it, though, since there was a lot of spraying water/a dumping bucket, and I wasn’t sure how my kids would react to that.
13. A Short Cruise Is Perfect for First-Timers
Our 3-night cruise was the perfect length.
Why:
- Enough time to enjoy it
- Not long enough to feel overwhelming
- Great way to test cruising with kids
14. Lower Your Expectations (In a Good Way)
This might be the most important tip.
Don’t expect:
- A perfectly planned schedule
- Fancy dinners every night
- Doing everything onboard
Do expect:
- Slower days
- More flexibility
- Sweet, simple moments
Final Thoughts
Cruising with toddlers isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what works for your family.
Some things will look different than pre-kid vacations, but in many ways, it’s even more special.
Between the ease of getting around, endless activities, and built-in entertainment, cruising can be a really fun vacation with little kids—once you know what to expect.
