10 reasons why going on a cruise with a toddler is an excellent idea
As every parent learns, holidays take on quite a different meaning and pace once you have a baby with you. Gone are the days of lie-ins, lazing by the pool or having a super relaxed schedule. But don’t worry – you can still have a brilliant holiday abroad with your little one. Ever considered a cruise with a toddler?
Desperate for a change of scene over the most recent Easter holidays, we decided on a two-week P&O cruise with our 17-month-old. We had been on a shorter one with Royal Caribbean for our honeymoon, but as a couple. So we knew it would be quite different this time! Fortunately, it turned out to be an excellent idea.
By planning ahead and accepting that this would be a new kind of voyage, we eliminated lots of potential stress whilst retaining much of the charm we remembered from before. This left us open to discovering ten reasons why we loved cruising with our toddler, and why you might too.
1. Avoid the hassle of airports and aeroplanes
This was definitely the biggest plus for us. Embarkation day was smooth and seamless. We drove from London to Southampton, parked nearby and enjoyed a quick coffee. Then we dropped off the car and our luggage, breezed through passport control and boarded the ship. Our cabin wasn’t ready straight away, but after checking out our muster station, we were free to start exploring the ship (and the buffet!).
2. Wake up with your little one in a new holiday destination
There’s something magical about going to sleep in a comfy bed and waking up to a brand-new city, town or sea view just outside your window!
We didn’t opt for any organised tours, so each stop gave us the freedom to decide our own schedule, which is perfect when cruising with an unpredictable toddler.
3. No real luggage restrictions
Your cases need to be kept under 23kg for the baggage handlers’ safety, but you can bring as many as you like. Plus, no limits on liquids like at airports (although by the time of reading, this may no longer be the case). You do need to store everything in your cabin, so a bit of restraint in packing is advisable. But this leads me to my next point…
4. There are free launderettes
We were lucky to have the launderette just down the corridor from our room. As long as there was a machine available, we could select a wash cycle, set a timer on one of our phones then relax in our cabin.
Our son was dribbling through bibs galore at the time, so it was a weight off our mind knowing we’d always have a supply of clean ones. As we’d packed laundry detergent sheets, it was also a weight off our shoulders. They’re super light and space-saving. Coming home with clean laundry after travelling for 14 days was the icing on the cake, making unpacking a breeze.
5. Flexible dining options and lots of new foods
Eating on the cruise with our toddler was a positive experience. We had the choice of buffets, room service, or full sit-down meals with waiter service. Every day, there would be new items in the buffet to select and try in small amounts, as well as staples to fall back on for pickier eaters (ours being one of them).
All formal restaurants have a children’s menu, and the main buffet offered a special children’s afternoon tea. When you bring a baby onboard, you can pre-book formula and jars of baby food too. Plus, having a buffet open throughout the day means you can go there to fill your cups and bottles of milk for free.
6. Most cruise ships are designed with children in mind
Cruises are extremely accessible places, with plenty of lifts and ramps to get around easily with a buggy. They have lots of highchairs in the restaurants, and you can request other things for your cabin to make your toddler’s time onboard the cruise more like home, including travel cots, baby baths and bottle warmers. There are also plenty of baby change bathrooms dotted around.
7. There is often a nursery onboard
We spent many hours in the nursery, where our son could run around, play and let off steam.
It’s a bright room containing a good assortment of toys and messy play equipment, with a small soft play area and baby change off to one side.
It was also a lovely place to chat with other parents onboard. As he was under two, we needed to stay with him, but children over two can join the fully-staffed kids’ clubs. Stay tuned for updates once he’s old enough!
8. Cruises have loads of activities for toddlers
We were impressed by the many activities for little ones. Aboard our P&O cruise liner, the MS Arvia, sea days typically revolved around:
- themed baby sensory classes
- the nursery
- family discos
- swimming pools
- the mini splash park
- the outdoor play area
- toddling around the running track
- Sooty & Sweep theatre shows
- meet and greets with characters like Wallace and Gromit
With everything on offer, we could easily fit meals and nap times between activities, or vice versa.
But honestly, our toddler’s favourite thing to do was explore the cruise ship. In particular, climbing up and down every staircase in sight!
9. There is also a night nursery
This is such a fantastic (free!) service. In the evenings, you can bring your child to the night nursery where they can sleep under the watchful eye of the staff. You can then enjoy your evening at your own pace knowing they are safe and well cared for. There is a selection of beds and cots, and you are given a mobile phone which will be called if your child wakes up and can’t settle back to sleep.
The first night we tried this, we probably checked that phone over a hundred times without needing to. The nursery is mostly sound-proofed and so even if your child is a lighter sleeper, there’s very little to wake them up. By the end of our cruise, we’d used this service several times and it was great to be able to have that time to ourselves.
10. Toddlers are made to feel really welome on a cruise
We were so pleasantly surprised by how lovely and interactive the staff and other guests were with our son. In the restaurants, shops, lifts and corridors, we constantly had people chatting to and playing with him. We can’t speak for other cruise lines (yet), but P&O Arvia is easily one of the most family-friendly environments we’ve found as parents.
Why you should absolutely go on a cruise with your toddler
Taking your toddler on a cruise ship may seem daunting at first, but as our experience shows, it can be an excellent way to holiday with young children.
The convenience, ease, range of activities and welcoming atmosphere made our trip truly memorable. So if you’re considering your next family holiday, going on a cruise with your toddler might just be the perfect choice.
Happy sailing!
