Are you thinking of booking a cruise with your young children? If so, do you really know the realities of cruising with kids? It may not be the peaceful dream vacation at sea you hope for. Cruise ships look like floating playgrounds for kids, but cruising with tots and tweens can be way more stressful than expected. From endless energy to mid-cruise meltdowns, what seems like smooth sailing can turn into a parenting marathon fast.
Of course, vacations with kids can be rewarding, but they definitely come with extra baggage. Think diapers, strollers, snacks, and more snacks. Now throw in crowded decks, cramped cruise cabins, and juggling nap times at sea. And keeping little ones entertained all day? That’s a whole new level of exhaustion. What starts as a fun family adventure can quickly sink into a full-blown logistical challenge. Ready to rethink that “relaxing” cruise? Let’s see what you’re up against.
Planning a cruise with your kids? Or maybe you’re hoping for a peaceful, kid-free getaway? Either way, this guide has you covered. Get ready to learn the 14 top reasons to avoid cruising with kids.
The Cruise Experience for Adults vs. Children
Cruising means different things for different people. For couples and solo travelers, it’s all about relaxation, indulgence, and carefree moments by the pool or at a quiet bar. But families are generally after a whole different experience. We’re talking about splash zones, scavenger hunts, filling days with fun and adventure. With these activities come noise, chaos, and potential meltdowns.
Think of the dining experience. Couples generally like time alone, romantic dinners, and quiet tableside chats. Now, bring kids into the scenario, and you’re dealing with picky eaters, spilled drinks, and the occasional tantrum. One parent said, “We stuck to the family activities, but when our 4-year-old started getting overstimulated at dinner, we had to cut the meal short. Thankfully, the staff couldn’t have been more helpful.”
Evening entertainment is also a tricky subject. Parents may miss out on Broadway-style shows, late-night drinks, and quiet downtime. And keeping kids entertained past bedtime takes cruising to a new level of frustration. Parents have told me that they often walk the tightrope between family fun and adult relaxation, and it doesn’t always work out.
Why Adults Seek Child-Free Cruises
Adults seek child-free cruises for one simple reason: peace. No poolside cannonballs, no tantrums at dinner, and no chaos in quiet spaces. It’s about enjoying uninterrupted relaxation—a spa day, a romantic dinner, or a quiet deck with only ocean views. Just a pure, blissful escape.
At the end of the article, I’ll share my top tips on how to enjoy a cruise ship without kiddie chaos.
14 Reasons to Avoid Cruising With Kids
Cruising with kids may seem like a fun family adventure. But what happens after the initial excitement of embarkation day wears off? For some parents, it’s like hitting choppy waters as soon as the ship has left port. From listening to parents on cruises and reading cruise forums, I’ve discovered four main reasons not to cruise with kids. These are:
- Logistics
- Parental stress
- Financial implications
- Limited cruise experiences
Let’s break these down to discover 14 reasons why taking children on a cruise can disrupt family tranquility.
Limited onboard activities for kids
It’s true—many cruise lines offer kid-centric activities, like splash zones, waterslides, ping pong, arcades, and kids’ clubs. But many parents tell me that they quickly lose their appeal. One parent lamented, “By day three, my kids were already bored and couldn’t get enough space in the crowded pool.”
For older kids, the limited variety can be even more challenging. One cruiser shared, “My tween refused to join the kids’ club—it was too ‘babyish.’” So, it’s often the case that by day four, parents are scrambling for ways to keep everyone happy, which cuts into their own relaxation time.
Challenges in cramped cruise ship cabins
Let’s face it—cruise ship cabins are notoriously cramped. Now, imagine adding a crib or stroller into the mix. You’re going to be tight on space. And have you considered the extra luggage young children need? Unfortunately, not every family can afford a luxurious suite with an additional bedroom and spacious bathroom.
One parent shared, “We had to fold up the stroller whenever we walked around. It was like navigating an obstacle course.” Have you considered the lack of a bath? A mom shared, “My little one hated the sponge bath in the shower. I ended up just washing their hands and face the rest of the trip.”
Unfortunately, tight quarters can turn a relaxing trip into a constant battle for space, making it tough for everyone to unwind.
Logistical hassles when traveling with kids
Of course, cruising seems like a convenient family vacation. But traveling with kids anywhere comes with extra baggage—literally and figuratively.
Imagine juggling two sets of luggage, strollers, snacks, and diaper bags. One parent said, “By the time we boarded, the kids were cranky, and it felt like we’d already spent half the day waiting. And getting to and from the dining room? That seemed like Mission Impossible.”
Even the simple task of riding the elevator can test the most patient parents. On my last cruise, I saw one mom having to let several elevators pass because she couldn’t get on with the stroller. Other logistic puzzles include keeping track of kids on crowded pool decks and busy buffets or chasing after them down long corridors.
Less relaxation and downtime for parents
The dream of endless days of bliss quickly runs aground on the reefs of chaos with kids in tow. Parents quickly find that instead of lounging by the pool sipping tropical cocktails, they mediate squabbles, manage mealtimes, and try to avoid an onboard mutiny. One parent said, “I spent more time keeping my kids entertained than relaxing.”
It’s not the first parent who told me it’s hard to fully unwind on board. As a dad of two said, “Just when I thought I had a moment to relax, it was time to pick them up again from the kids’ club.” The constant need to supervise or entertain cuts into what should be a peaceful escape.
Increased noise in public areas
Want to enjoy a calm cruise experience where the only noise is the waves lapping against the bow? If so, avoid cruising during the school holidays. Public areas on cruise ships get noisy, with lots of kids around. What could be a relaxing lounging on deck turns into a cacophony of splashing, shouting, and kid-infused chaos.
Unfortunately, it’s not the kids to blame. One cruiser, who’s a parent, summed it up: “Some parents seem to check out on vacation, letting kids roam adult-only areas or stay in the dining room when they’re overtired and disruptive.”
The constant struggle to keep kids entertained
Despite the plethora of onboard activities for kids, I’ve read in many cruise forums about parents struggling to keep kids entertained.
I’ve discovered that this issue can depend on the cruise line. For example, Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Lines have a ton of activities to keep kids entertained from morning ‘till night. However, booking a cruise vacation with Holland America and Celebrity Cruises has fewer daytime activities for children.
One cruiser shared, “I’ve never seen kids misbehave so badly than on a Carnival Cruise ship. I’ve seen everything—from food fights in the buffet to throwing ice cream in the corridors. Give me a kid-free cruise ship anytime!”
Health and safety concerns
Cruising with kids comes with its own set of health and safety worries. Parents’ concerns range from slippery pool decks to packed buffets, crowded pools, and getting sick. One parent shared, “Kids feel secure on a cruise ship, and it’s easy for them to wander off. I felt like I was constantly watching my kids without a moment to relax.”
Another cruiser commented on the lack of lifeguards at onboard pools. The crowded areas make it easy for a child to slip unnoticed into the water. Another cruiser commented on how worried they were about their kids catching the norovirus, which spreads like wildfire in confined spaces.
Cruise fare can be just as expensive for kids
Don’t expect child discounts on most cruise lines. Some parents are shocked to learn that the cruise fare for kids can cost as much as an adult’s. One cruiser shared, “We thought bringing the kids would be cheaper, but their fares were almost the same as ours, and the onboard costs added up fast.”
Of course, some cruise lines have deals where kids go free, which can make it a cost-effective vacation for families. But be warned, the cruise lines are still after your money on kids-sail-free promotions. However, avoid these cruise lines if you’re after an adults-only cruise with no tots, tweens, or teenagers onboard.
Family excursions often come with high costs
“When you factor in taxes, fees, and excursions, cruising with kids gets really expensive,” were the comments I heard from one couple.
Of course, shore excursions are a big part of any cruise. Unfortunately, for families, the costs quickly skyrocket. Booking excursions for kids means paying the full ticket price, and the excursions may not fully engage younger children.
One parent commented, “We paid a fortune for a snorkeling trip, but our kids lost interest after 20 minutes.” Another dad told me, “It felt like we were spending big on outings the kids didn’t really enjoy.” For families, balancing cost with value can be a constant struggle.
Limited onshore cultural experiences
The good news is that adults and children are interested in castles on shore excursions. The bad news? Kids want to build them on the beach, whereas adults want to explore them on a city tour.
Basically, you can forget cultural experiences with kids on a cruise vacation. One parent complained, “We booked a historical walking tour, but halfway through, the kids were bored and just wanted the beach.” Another couple said, “We ended up cutting most tours short because the kids started playing up and getting into mischief.”
Limited time in port
For families, the limited time in port is a real challenge. Shore excursions don’t take into consideration nap schedules, snack breaks, and bathroom stops. There’s also the time factor of disembarking. One parent shared, “Just getting the kids ready and off the ship took so long, we barely had time to see anything.”
No swimming diapers in the pool
Is your little tot potty trained yet? If not, you won’t be able to enjoy time together in the pool as they are banned. Swim diapers are not allowed in cruise ship pools. So, they’ll be stuck on the sidelines while older kids splash away. One parent expressed frustration that swim diapers are OK at their local pool, but their toddler was banned from the cruise ship pool.
But maybe this is a good thing. I read on the CDC website that toddler swim diapers are not leak-proof. They still leak pee into pools. And I’m not even going there about the problems with swim pants if a child has diarrhea.
Disruptive behavior from other children
The chaos of other kids onboard can affect even the best-behaved kids. Whether it’s cannonballing the pool, running through the halls, or pushing every button in the elevator, disruptive behavior can spread like wildfire. One cruiser shared on a forum, “I was on one cruise that seemed like bands of unsupervised kids roaming the halls in gangs late at night. I didn’t feel comfortable.”
The online consensus seems to be that the lack of parental supervision turns what should be a relaxing family vacation into a test of patience for everyone onboard.
Limited dining flexibility
Cruising with kids can make dining highlights far from relaxing. Here are the issues I’ve identified:
- Strict dining times
- Limited kid-friendly options
- Picky eating
- Spills and messes
- Sugar-infused meltdowns
Of course, you’ve got to feel for parents who want to enjoy a relaxing meal. One parent mentioned, “Trying to keep the kids happy through a long, multi-course dinner was challenging. They were done after the first 10 minutes.” Another said, “We skipped the specialty dining because it just wasn’t practical with our kids.”
How to Avoid Kids on Cruise Vacations
There’s no shame in searching for kid-free cruise vacations. After all, we’re all after a different experience at sea—couples want quiet spaces, serene pools, and tranquil dining experiences. In contrast, others are searching for family cruises with plenty of activities for kids.
Here are a few hacks from seasoned cruisers on enjoying relaxing escapes at sea without the carnage that can happen on family-friendly cruises.
Book adults-only cruise
What’s the best way to enjoy a cruise experience without under-18s onboard? Book a cruise with Virgin Voyages or Viking Cruises. You’ll bask in an entirely kid-free atmosphere onboard, tantrum-free—apart from the occasional adult meltdown over the last poolside lounger or overpriced cocktail.
Search out adult-only retreats onboard
Most cruise ships have adult-only areas where kids are as welcome as a stowaway on deck. You can enjoy tranquil pools, hot tubs, and serene sea views without the nuisance of under-18s causing mayhem.
Book a European cruise vacation
I’ve noticed that fewer kids are on Mediterranean and Northern European cruises. They also tend to offer more immersive cultural cruise itineraries than Caribbean cruises.
Cruise for ten days or longer
It’s simple—the longer you spend at sea, the fewer kids you’ll encounter. Most families book cruise vacations for five to seven days.
Avoid holidays and school breaks
If you’re determined to enjoy a cruise experience without children, book a cruise outside the school holidays. One experienced cruiser said, “We always cruise in September—it’s quieter with fewer kids.”
Book a transatlantic liner or repositioning cruise
Want to enjoy the open seas in peace and quiet? In that case, consider a repositioning cruise or transoceanic cruise. Families avoid these cruise itineraries, and the laid-back sailing offers a more tranquil experience. Not sure about booking a repositioning cruise? Check out my article for tips on how to find the best repositioning cruises without breaking your budget.
Avoid specific cruises offering free kid sailings
Promotions with free-kid-sailings are a red flag if you want a quieter trip. It’s common insider knowledge that sailings, where kids sail free, are a magnet for families.
Pro Tips for Avoiding Stress While Cruising with Kids
With some planning and innovative strategies, you can still enjoy your vacation with minimal chaos and exhaustion. Here are a few pro tips I’ve picked up from parents to help you make the most of your family cruise.
Book kids’ clubs early
Kids’ clubs fill up fast, so reserve a spot as soon as possible. One parent shared, “It was a lifesaver, giving us some much-needed adult time. We’re glad we booked early to secure a place for our two kids.”
Plan excursions wisely
An enjoyable cruise with kids requires ensuring that time ashore creates an immersive experience for children. One mom and dad shared, “We opted for shore excursions we knew the kids would love.”
Take advantage of family-friendly dining
Book early dinners or casual dining options to ensure kids also have a great culinary experience. One parent advised, “We stuck to the buffet where our kids could eat quickly and head off to play. We also found that early dining slots worked better because kids were less cranky.”
Use kids’ clubs during adult-only activities
Want to enjoy some relaxation time in the spa or take in an adult evening show? In that case, check out the cruise ship’s childcare facilities and kids’ clubs.
Managing expectations when cruising with kids
Maybe the most essential advice for enjoying a cruise with children on board is to manage expectations correctly. Let’s face it, you cannot expect to relax all the time. One parent summed it up beautifully, “We realized it wasn’t going to be a vacation, but more of a family adventure with a few moments of calm.”
My Final Thoughts
Cruising with kids can be fun, but brace yourself for its challenges. With some planning, you can balance family time and relaxation. Whether you’re cruising with or without little ones, make sure to sail smart for the best experience. Do you have any suggestions? Be sure to leave a comment below.
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