Are you planning to take your baby on a cruise? We’ve put together this article with recommendations to help you prepare for any cruise with your baby. Pay attention to the small details because they matter and make a big difference.
At What Age You Can Cruise With Your Baby
When planning your first cruise vacation with a baby, the first question you’ll have is at what age can you cruise with a baby. The general rule is that you can cruise with a baby starting at the age of six months, although there are certain exceptions.
For starters, if you’re looking at a schedule with more than two consecutive sea days, the minimum age to sail may be greater. Second, if you want to travel to a more exotic location than the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, you may find that the minimum age is lifted once more. Not to mention that some ships or sailings may be restricted to adults only.
While most cruise lines and itineraries allow you to sail with a baby as young as six months old, it is always a good idea to double-check before booking.
What To Carry With You
Before you can sail off into the sunset, you’ll most likely have to board an aircraft to go to your family vacation’s starting point. When you’re traveling with your kid, you’ll need to figure out how much you’ll need to bring and how you’ll transport it. Let’s start with the essentials you’ll need on hand for the newborn.
Extra diapers (you never know when you’ll have a “blow-out” en route to your ship’s first port of call), wet wipes with a flip-top, diaper cream, a pacifier, food/snacks, ready bottles, and a change of clothes (also needed in case of a blow-out) are always in my carry-on luggage throughout the journey. Those things have saved our collective bacon on numerous occasions.
Select a Family-Friendly Cruise
The majority of cruises are suitable for families, although many are not suitable for newborns and toddlers. In an ideal world, cruises with facilities and care for infants would be the greatest option. Most cruise ships do not have bathtubs, so prepare your youngster to shower standing up or while sitting on a toddler stool. Alternatively, you might bring an inflatable bathtub.
Babies Are Free Or You Have To Pay
Unfortunately, you have to pay for your baby to join you on the cruise. Furthermore, the amount charged for them is unlikely to be reduced in any way. When you think about it, a baby not only requires extra effort from the ship’s crew, but it also doesn’t create any revenue because it can’t spend its days lounging by the pool sipping margaritas.
Can You Take Your Baby On Windstar Cruises
Some of the Windstar cruise reviews say that they do not promote children, especially infants and toddlers, and the cruise company does not provide child care, supervision, or entertainment.
So it’s better to check the reviews of all the cruise ships before planning and choosing the right cruise for you. If you want to enjoy it with your baby.
Do’s And Don’ts When Cruising With Baby
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| If at all feasible, make your reservations ahead of time. Early booking can help you secure your chosen dinner sitting (early set dining or anytime dining are frequently the best options for families with young children who have early bedtimes) and cabin layout (family cabins, extra-berth cabins, and quirky cabins with extra space can sell out quickly). | DON’T underestimate the usefulness of a balcony cabin. During your baby’s naptime on a warm-weather cruise, you can relax on your private balcony and not feel trapped in your cabin for hours. |
| It’s a good idea to arrive a day ahead of schedule. Arriving early helps you to pick up diapers, baby food, dish, or laundry detergent, and other infant survival necessities without having to squander valuable luggage space if your cruise port is a long distance away. Alternatively, stay close to home and avoid paying an extra-bag fee on your car. | DON’T wish your cabin to have a bathtub. Unless you’re on a Disney cruise or in a suite, your cabin is likely to include only a shower. Pack an inflatable bathtub if your baby won’t take a shower or a sponge bath. |
| Bring a first-aid kit with you. Baby medicines, thermometers, and snot suckers are not available at the miscellaneous shops on cruise ships. Visiting the ship’s doctor can also be costly. Just in case, it’s a good idea to have your own supply of OTC medications. | Bring your jogging stroller but leave it at home. It will take up half of the space in your cabin. With an umbrella stroller, snap-n-go, or baby carrier, you can travel around rather effortlessly. |
| Look for unoccupied loungers or sun deck space where your baby may run around and explore. Although cruise ships aren’t entirely baby-proof (keep an eye out for open rails and stairwells), junior will be safer in areas where he won’t be tripping adults. | Expect to pay a premium for diaper and baby food delivery aboard cruise ships. For convenience, you’ll have to pay a premium. |
Wrapping Up
In the above article, I have tried to tell you about the tips you should follow before taking your baby on board. Follow these tips and enjoy a wonderful vacation with your family.
