Cruise Line Baby Rules Compared
How old does your baby need to be, will there be a cot, and is there anywhere they can be looked after? Here's what each cruise line says on its own website.
Checked October 2026 on each cruise line's official site (sources below the table). Rules change and can differ by ship and sailing, so confirm with the line before you book.
| Cruise line | Minimum age to sail | Cots | Under-3s care | Kids' club ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P&O Cruises | 6 months; 12 months on some itineraries (3+ consecutive sea days or remote destinations) | Yes on family ships, request before you sail | Night Nursery, 6 months to 4 years, 6pm to midnight | 6 months to 17 years |
| Royal Caribbean | 6 months; 12 months for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, Australia, South America or 3+ consecutive sea days | Free cribs on request (baby up to 14 kg and 89 cm) | Royal Babies & Tots Nursery, 6 to 36 months, select ships, hourly fee | Adventure Ocean, 3 to 17 |
| MSC Cruises | No minimum on most cruises; age 2 on cruises of 11 nights or more | Limited number, request before departure | Baby Club 0 to 3: Baby Time with parents; Baby Care drop-off from 6 months (fee) | 3 to 17 |
| Disney Cruise Line | 6 months; 1 year for Transatlantic, Panama Canal, Hawaii and South Pacific repositioning | Not checked | "it's a small world" nursery, 6 months to 3 years | Oceaneer Club 3 to 10 |
| Celebrity Cruises | 6 months; 12 months for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, some South America or 3+ consecutive sea days | Not checked | None: no nursery or drop-off for under-3s | Camp at Sea 3 to 12 (potty trained), teens 13 to 17 |
| Norwegian (NCL) | 6 months; 12 months if 3+ consecutive sea days | Not checked | Guppies Open Play with a parent, 6 months to 3 years | Splash Academy 3 to 12 |
| Cunard | Not stated on the pages we checked; Cunard says its clubs welcome children from 6 months | Not checked | Night Nursery, 6 to 23 months, 6pm to 11pm | Play Zone 2 to 7, Kids' Zone 8 to 12, teens 13 to 17 |
| Princess Cruises | 6 months on Alaska, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Mexico and trans-canal; 12 months on all others | Not checked | Firefly Park (6 months to 7 years) on Sun and Star Princess only | Treehouse 3 to 7, Lodge 8 to 12 |
| Marella Cruises | Not stated on the pages we could load | Free to borrow on board | No crèche; Mini M Club stay-and-play for 0 to 3 with a parent | M Crew 3 to 7, M Club 8 to 11 (family ships) |
"Not checked" means we couldn't find the answer on the line's own site this time, not that there are no cots. Ask the cruise line.
Sources (checked October 2026)
- P&O Cruises: facilities for babies, kids' clubs, booking terms
- Royal Caribbean: minimum age, baby and toddler amenities, kids and teens
- MSC Cruises: infant policy and cots FAQ, kids' clubs
- Disney Cruise Line: travelling with little ones, minimum age FAQ
- Celebrity Cruises: before you board, Camp at Sea FAQ
- NCL: age requirements, youth programmes
- Cunard: children's activities, Night Nursery
- Princess Cruises: age requirements
- Marella Cruises: Marella for families, crèche FAQ
What to ask before you book
- Is the minimum age for this exact sailing 6 or 12 months? Check sea days in a row.
- Can the cabin fit a cot with everyone else in it? On P&O, not every cabin can take a cot when the upper berth is used.
- Is the nursery free or charged, and does it need booking ahead?
- Can I bring baby food and milk? P&O asks for sealed items with labels; Royal Caribbean says regular milk can't be brought on board.
Line-by-line guides
- P&O Cruises with a baby
- Royal Caribbean with a baby
- MSC Cruises with a baby
- Disney Cruise Line with a baby
Back to cruising with a baby.