Cruising with kids is really easy on a Royal Caribbean cruise, especially if you know all the tips and tricks.

When you go on a cruise with your family, it can mean a mix of ages and even generations. While lots of parents take their kids on cruises, multi-gen cruising is another popular option so that grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins can spend time together onboard.

So while there are plenty of secrets I could share that apply to just about everyone, I wanted to focus on the sort of things families should know before they go on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Here are our top 50 best tips for cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean.

On This Page

• Planning tips
• Money saving tips
• Cruise cabin tips
• Packing tips
• Dining tips
• Adventure Ocean tips
• Miscellaneous tips

Planning tips

1. Buy your kids a passport

Passports cost money and kids passports expire after just 5 years, but they are worth the investment.

Having a passport for everyone in your party (that means you should get one too) makes the check-in, embarkation, and disembarkation process so much easier.

I think one of the biggest sources of frustration for families on a cruise are the lines and steps required to check-in and out of your cruise. Having a passport makes it all faster and simpler.

2. If you have toddlers, book a ship with a nursery

If you are going on a cruise with kids under 36 months old, make sure the ship you booked has a nursery.

Most Royal Caribbean cruise ships have gotten a nursery added over the last few years, but a few still do not, and I would say you should avoid these ships.

The nursery is a godsend for parents with toddlers, because it offers excellent supervised child care for children of that age. Kids can eat, play, and even nap in the nursery, making it an important resource for parents who want a break now and then.

3. Be aware of age restrictions for babies

Before booking a cruise with your newborn, make sure you’re aware of Royal Caribbean’s current infant policy.

Infants sailing on most cruises in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia must be at least 6 months old by the first day of the cruise.

For transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South America and other selected cruises, infants must be at least 12 months old by the first day of the cruise.

Any cruise that has 3 or more consecutive sea days requires infants to be at least 12 months old by the first day of the cruise.

4. Choose a ship with Splashaway Bay

Splashaway Bay is a kids-only aqua park on Royal Caribbean where you’ll find small slides, water cannons, a drench bucket, and jungle gym placed in shallow water.

If you aren’t sailing on a ship with Splashaway Bay, check if the ship has a baby splash pad available. Kids in diapers are not allowed in Royal Caribbean’s pools with the exception of the baby splash pad.

5. An internet package makes it easier to find your kids

Teenagers have a lot of freedom onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, but it’s important to be able to communicate with them throughout the day while they’re off exploring with new friends.

There are two main ways to stay connected on a cruise: an internet package or the Royal Caribbean app’s chat feature.

If you’re traveling with teens, consider booking an internet package so you can stay in touch while onboard. Internet packages are typically priced around $20 per device, per day.

Royal Caribbean's chat feature is free, but it requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the app.  Moreover, notifications can be hit or miss.

6. Cruises that visit a private island is the easy button

There's no bad cruise to pick for your kids, but I'd recommend one that visits Royal Caribbean's private island for a first cruise.

Royal Caribbean has two private destinations, with new beach clubs and private destinations coming online in a few years.

If you're looking for the easiest possible first cruise with kids, I think one that visits one of these spots will be about as easy as it gets.

The reason is because Royal Caribbean curates everything so well, it feels like an extension of the cruise ship experience.

7. Book a ship with water slides

While pools are fun, water slides are kings among kids, and not every Royal Caribbean ship has a water slide.

When you decide to have a pool day, kids always want something else to do other than relaxing by the pool. Water slides have been a boom for families since it offers them an activity kids can do over and over again.

Before you book, research to check if the ship you are looking at booking has a water slide.

Related: Which Royal Caribbean ships have water slides?

8. Set spending limits for your kids

For older kids who carry their own SeaPass card, you may want to enable spending limits to avoid a potential problem later.

First, when checking in online, you can choose the option “No onboard expense account” to prevent your children from using their SeaPass card for onboard purchases.

Once onboard, you can stop by Guest Services and set a pre-established limit.

The arcade, for example, has its own $50 per person daily limit, although you can increase/decrease this limit to whichever amount you would like by speaking to the arcade attendant once onboard.

9. Look for kid-friendly shore excursions

Consider your children's’ ages, fitness levels, and interests before booking a shore excursion.

Some shore excursions have age restrictions. Discover Scuba Diving tours, for example, often have a minimum age of 12.

Other shore excursions may include strenuous activities like kayaking or hiking. If you don’t think your toddler will fare well with hiking 5 miles, it might be best to plan something different in port.

You can filter shore excursions on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner site by interest, duration, and activity level to help find the best excursion to fit your family.

10. Kids don't need a drink package

I'm asked so often if parents need to buy their kids a drink package, and the answer is "no!".

Sure, if your kids are going to drink 4-5 sodas, mocktails, or coffees each day, you should get it for them.  But many kids, especially younger ones, won't.

You can easily order them drinks individually and pay for them rather than getting a costly package.  

A drink package can save you money, but it'll be cheaper to pay for drinks without one if your kids will drink just one or two drinks every day.

11. You can book kids in their own room with a hack

Royal Caribbean requires an adult to be booked in a cabin, but there's a workaround for this rule.

If you book a cabin with kids in them alone, it will be allowed if the cabin is one room away, either adjacent, connecting, or across the hall.

It's a lesser known policy, but could save you a lot of money (see tip #16 why).

12. Get your kids involved in planning the cruise

A Royal Caribbean cruise will undoubtedly be a fun experience for kids, so why not get them involved in the cruise planning process before you set sail?

Researching dining options, shore excursions, and onboard activities can get kids even more excited about their upcoming cruise vacation.

Another way to get kids involved in the cruise planning process is by finding YouTube videos or books about the cruise ship and ports of call. Watching a video tour of the ship you’ll be sailing on, for example, can help kids become more familiar with the cruise experience before your vacation begins.

Money saving tips

13. Don’t buy kids a dining package

Kids get special pricing at specialty restaurants, so buy dining packages only for the adults in your travel party.

Children between the ages of 0-5 are complimentary and ages 6-12 are $10 per child at any specialty restaurant.

When you make a reservation for a restaurant onboard, let your server know the adults have a dining package, but kids don’t and you will get a better price than if you bought the dining package for everyone.

14. Free ice cream on the pool deck

If your kids are craving ice cream but you don’t want to shell out extra money for Ben & Jerry’s, head to the pool deck for unlimited soft serve ice cream.

Not much makes kids happier than “unlimited” ice cream, and the soft serve station is usually available from around 11 AM to 6 PM each day.

15. Book during a Kids Sail Free promotion

Royal Caribbean regularly runs kids sail free deals that include the cruise fare of the third or fourth passenger in the same cabin as first two people paying normal price.

The "catch" with kids sail free are the blackout dates.  If you can find a qualifying sale, it can really save you a lot, especially if you book a suite.

Cruise cabin tips for families

16. Book two staterooms instead of one

My favorite family cruise tip is to book two connecting cabins instead of putting everyone into one room.

The conventional thought process is for a family of four or five to book one room for everyone. This is usually what families do at hotels or resorts, so why would a cruise be different?

Unlike hotels, cabins on a cruise are short on living space, so the experience is not exactly the same in sharing a room on a ship compared to on land.

Booking two connecting cabins not only provides more living space, but you get an extra bathroom (a huge benefit if your kids are older). Plus, you’ll have separation from your kids when it’s time to go to sleep.

Moreover, booking two connecting smaller rooms instead of one larger room may actually save you money.

17. Get a balcony room for some peace and quiet

If you have a child who will be napping during the day on your cruise, consider booking a balcony stateroom.

Having access to a private balcony means you can relax, chat, and make noise without worrying about waking your child up from his or her nap. You won’t have to worry about being extra quiet and silently sitting in the cabin.

Plus, you’ll have access to beautiful ocean views from your balcony. You’ll likely spend more time in your stateroom than normal when cruising with a young child, so splurging a bit more on extra comforts can be nice.

18. Bring a laundry basket

One of our best cabin hacks is to bring a cheap, pop-up laundry hamper for dirty clothes throughout the cruise.

It’s easy for cruise ship cabins to get messy quickly, especially when traveling with kids. Many cruisers find they have nowhere to put their dirty laundry and end up throwing clothes into a pile on the floor.

Instead, purchase a cheap pop-up laundry hamper to place in your stateroom. These hampers do not take up much space in your luggage but can be a life-saver when trying to keep your cruise ship cabin organized and clean.

19. Use magnetic hooks to hang extra belongings

Another cruise cabin hack we recommend is to pack magnetic hooks for extra storage space. Because Royal Caribbean cabins have magnetic walls, you can hang anything magnetic in your stateroom.

Purchasing a pack of sturdy magnetic hooks means you have extra space to hang things like jackets, towels, swimwear, hats, and backpacks.

20. Pack a USB hub

There are limited outlets in Royal Caribbean’s cruise cabins, particularly on the fleet’s older ships. It can be helpful to pack a USB hub to get more “charging space” from one outlet.

This is helpful when traveling with kids when you need to charge devices for 4+ guests, especially if you’re all staying in one room.

I recommend this outlet extender, which is approved for use on Royal Caribbean ships. (Contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use but we make a small commission if you buy it)

21. You can request a crib for the room

There’s no need to pack a Pack and Play for your kids on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as Royal Caribbean will provide a crib for your child free of charge.

When booking your cruise, you’ll indicate your child’s age. You can call and have a note added to your reservation. 

In addition, exactly three days before your sailing, you can fill out an online form to request it. 

If you realize there is no crib in the room once onboard, simply ask your stateroom attendant and they will provide the correct arrangements.

22. Pack a night light

Cruise ship cabins can be extremely dark at night, especially if you’re staying in an interior room.

Consider packing a small night light to place in the room so your kids can navigate the room should they wake up during the night.

Being in an unfamiliar place can be confusing for kids, especially if it’s pitch black, so this can help negate any uneasy feelings. Plus, it might even prevent you from running into furniture in the middle of the night!

23. Decorate your stateroom door

The walls and doors of your stateroom cabin are magnetic, and you’ll find that many passengers decorate their stateroom door with fun decorations.

Making custom door decorations or picking out decorations on a site like Etsy can be a fun way to get your kids involved in the cruise planning process.

Packing tips

24. Pack more diapers and supplies than you think you’ll need

While you might use X amount of diapers and baby wipes at home each day, you’re going to want to pack more supplies than you think you’ll need on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

We recommend that you pack at least 25% more diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, etc. Closer to 50% extra is ideal to ensure you won’t run out of supplies.

If you do run out of baby supplies, you’ll be forced to either buy diapers, wipes, and other baby supplies onboard or at a pharmacy in port. Both options are not ideal, as onboard prices will be significantly higher than at home and pharmacies in foreign countries may not have the same brands you're used to.

25. Be sure to pack athletic shoes, long pants, and socks

If your kids are interested in trying onboard activities like the rock climbing wall, ice skating, zip lining, or the basketball court, be sure to pack the appropriate clothing.

It’s mandatory to wear closed-toed shoes to participate in sports activities onboard. Your kids won’t be permitted on the Sports Court or zip line without proper footwear. Avoid slip-on tennis shoes without laces or velcro as these may not be permitted on activities like the zip line.

Likewise, be sure to pack socks for the rock climbing wall and ice skating rink. Long pants are required for the ice skating rink, too.

26. Buy a first aid kit to bring along

Between running around the ship and exploring new ports, it’s not uncommon for kids to be in need of a band-aid, antibiotics, seasickness medication, and other essentials.

While these are available onboard, it’s much easier to pack a few items in a first aid kit for easy access.

27. Consider sun protective swim suits

Most kids on a Royal Caribbean cruise will spend their days soaking up the sun, whether at the pool, water slides, or FlowRider. When combined with beach days in port, this leads to a lot of time spent in the sun.

Consider purchasing UV swimwear for your kids before a cruise to avoid any painful sunburns. UV swimwear protects against sunburn by blocking harmful UV radiation.

While you can apply and reapply sunscreen over and over again, using more protective swimwear for kids is recommended.

28. Don’t bring a car seat

This may sound crazy, but you really should not bring a car seat with you on the cruise.

You won’t find car seats in most taxis in the Caribbean, and it’s unlikely you’ll want to lug a car seat around port each day. For a short ride, we recommend doing as the locals do: putting your kids on your lap or buckling them in with regular seat belts.

While we don’t recommend this at home, it’s the way of life in many cruise ports.

29. Pack snacks from home

Passengers are permitted to bring non-perishable food onto a Royal Caribbean cruise. While there is no shortage of food to enjoy on any cruise ship, having easy-to-pack snacks available for kids can be helpful when visiting ports or spending time on the ship.

Avoiding temper tantrums is a must for parents whenever possible, and having some of your child’s favorite snacks available if they get hungry is helpful.

Items like granola bars, boxes of cereal, bags of chips, and trail mix can make for excellent snacks to bring on a cruise.

30. Leave the giant stroller at home

While you might have the latest and greatest stroller at home, consider packing something smaller while on a cruise ship.

We recommend bringing an umbrella stroller on a cruise ship, as these are much easier to navigate around the ship compared to a bulkier option.

Dining tips

31. Tips for picky eaters

Kids can be very picky about what they will eat.

The Windjammer is always a go-to option for picky eaters, as you’ll find kid-friendly food like pizza, french fries, hamburgers, and pasta available every day.

The Main Dining Room has a kids menu available every evening, with options like chicken noodle soup, chicken fingers, and grilled cheese sure to be enjoyed by even the pickiest of eaters.

If you want to dine with your kids at a sit-down restaurant, you can always bring food in from another restaurant (such as pizza or chicken nuggets). Most waiters will even go as far as to grab something simple like pizza from another restaurant for the kids.

Something else you can do is ask your head waiter for additional options for the kids. In the Main Dining Room, they can customize a lot of options; just give them a heads up in advance to ensure the chefs have enough time to prepare something.

If all else fails, grabbing a slide of pizza from Sorrento’s is sure to keep your kids satisfied.

32. Kids can order off the adult menu at specialty restaurants

Even though kids can dine at specialty restaurants at a reduced cost, the waiters do not mind offering your kids the same options as adults.

Specialty restaurants have kids menus, but if the kids want something off the adult menu, there is rarely an issue with doing so (even at their lower price).

33. Take kids to the Windjammer for dinner before Adventure Ocean

One of our best strategies for cruising with kids is to bring the kids up to the Windjammer for dinner, then take them to Adventure Ocean for the evening.

After that, the adults can go to dinner wherever they like. There’s no need to sacrifice dining options to please your kids when you can get the best of both worlds!

Adventure Ocean tips

34. Register for Adventure Ocean on the first day

On the first day of the cruise, be sure to head up to Adventure Ocean to sign your kids up as soon as registration opens.

Not only does this knock out an important must-do, but it ensures you can get up there before lines develop later on. Moreover, you don’t want to be that parent in line to register your kids while all the other families already did so and just want to drop their kids off.

Unfortunately you cannot pre-register your kids online before the cruise, but head up there on day one in the afternoon during the Adventure Ocean open house to meet the staff, get questions answered, and avoid time wasted later.

35. Bring kids to Adventure Ocean on the first day

After you register your kids for Adventure Ocean on embarkation day, encourage them to attend the first evening’s session. Just like at school or in extracurricular activities, the first day is often when friendships and cliques are formed.

It’s recommended to attend on the first day of the cruise so kids can make friends right away, especially for older children or kids who tend to be shy.

36. Our favorite nursery tip: call ahead

If your baby is ready for a nap, call the nursery and see if you can drop them off. The nursery is open throughout the day and in a lot of cases, they have availability in the morning and afternoon because most parents book up evening hours.

What I would do is call the nursery and ask if I can drop my child off. I’d let them know my kid is ready for a nap, and to provide whatever pre-nap routine they need (i.e. bottle, stroller, etc.) and to put them down for a nap and call me when they wake up.

This frees up both me and my wife so we can enjoy some time aboard while my kid takes a nap, instead of one of us being stuck in the cabin with them.

37. You can leave your kids in Adventure Ocean while you go on a shore excursion

It may feel weird to leave your kids on the ship while you go ashore, but you can safely use this option if you prefer.

Some excursions may not be open to kids under a certain age, or perhaps your kids just want to hang out onboard instead of go on a tour. Whatever the reason, Adventure Ocean is open while your ship is in port.

If your tour begins early in the morning before Adventure Ocean is set to open, let the staff know the day before and if it is a Royal Caribbean excursion. They can ensure someone will open up Adventure Ocean for you.

38. Bring kids to the Play Place

With limited space in a cruise ship cabin and other public areas on the ship, it can be difficult to find the best area for kids to run and play freely.

Select Royal Caribbean ships have a Play Place room in Adventure Ocean, which is an indoor, open play area where kids can run around, play with toys, and get any excess energy out onboard.

The Play Place is unsupervised, so children must be supervised by an adult while at the Play Place, and using the space is free of charge.

39. Know the difference between the old and new Adventure Ocean

There are two types of Adventure Ocean programming available on Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

The first is the "original" rendition of Adventure Ocean, which divides kids into the following age groups:

• Royal Babies & Tots (6-36 months)
• Aquanauts (3-5)
• Explorers (6-8)
• Voyagers (9-11)
• Teen club (12-17)

The new rendition of Adventure Ocean has different age groups:

• AO Babies (6-36 months)
• AO Juniors (3-5)
• AO Kids (6-12)
• Teens (13-17)

The “old” Adventure Ocean focuses more on organized play, whereas the new rendition of Adventure Ocean gives kids more flexibility in what they would like to do. Each Adventure Ocean style has arts and crafts, video games, sports, talent shows, science labs, and more fun-filled programming.

40. Look for family activities scheduled in Adventure Ocean

While Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean kids-only programming, there are select scheduled activities for families throughout the cruise.

Activities like crafts, science lab programs, and family-friendly movies may be offered throughout the cruise for the whole family. You can check for scheduled activities in the Royal Caribbean app.

41. Understand the extra charges at Adventure Ocean

While the majority of Adventure Ocean programming is complimentary, there are two exceptions.

Any childcare for kids aged 6-36 months in the nursery comes at an hourly charge. This charge is $6 per hour from 9 AM to 6 PM and $8 per hour from 6 PM to midnight.

In addition, childcare for ages 3-11 from 10 PM to 2 AM is charged at an hourly rate of $7 per child.

Miscellaneous tips

42. Pack everything you’ll need on day 1 in your carry-on bag

Be sure to drop your luggage off with the porters at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom, so there's no need to lug suitcases around the ship for several hours until the stateroom is ready.

However, you'll want to make sure you have a day bag packed with any essentials you'll need on the first day of the cruise.

Luggage may not get delivered to your stateroom until 4 or 5 PM on embarkation day, so make note of what you'll need handy that first day.

Diapers, toys, swimsuits, and important documents are all great things to place in your carry-on bag.

Related: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

43. Download movies and videos before you sail

While there are countless activities for kids to enjoy on any Royal Caribbean cruise, sometimes all your kids might want to do is watch a movie in the cabin.

Download movies from Netflix onto your phone, computer, or tablet before the cruise to ensure you have entertainment options for your kids when necessary. You can also download YouTube videos to watch offline as well.

While you can technically stream Netflix and YouTube if you have an internet package, there’s no guarantee that the internet will always be working properly, so it’s best to download entertainment you can watch offline.

44. Have a movie night at the pool

There is a movie screen on the pool deck of most Royal Caribbean ships*, and family-friendly movies are shown every evening of the cruise at no additional cost.

Watching a movie on the pool deck can be a fun activity for the whole family, and a different movie is shown each night of the cruise.

BONUS: If you’re cruising on a Radiance Class cruise ship, there is an indoor cinema onboard with 5 showtimes per day, every day of the cruise.

*The movie screen is at the AquaTheater on Oasis Class cruise ships (excluding Wonder of the Seas).

45. Set expectations with kids and their freedom onboard

Setting expectations with your kids before the cruise is important to ensure there aren't any problems during the sailing.

Kids find they have a lot more freedom on a cruise ship compared to their day-to-day life, and it can be challenging to find a balance between supervision and allowing kids some self-exploration.

Decide what works for you and your family in terms of letting kids explore on their own, and make sure your kids also understand that there is a curfew for passengers under 18 at 1 AM each night.

46. Slow down your cruising routine

Even though there is a plethora of activities available at any given time on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you don't have to do them all at once.

It may be tempting to plan every day from sunrise to sunset, but make sure to take some time to relax.

Slow down your cruising routine so that you and your family don't feel exhausted at the end of the day.

47. Use the complimentary life jackets

All Royal Caribbean cruise ships have complimentary life jackets available on the pool deck. There’s no need to pack floaties for your kids to use onboard. Instead, just borrow a life jacket and enjoy stress-free swimming at the pool.

Complimentary life jackets are also available at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Note that life jackets are not able to be brought off the ship and into port. If you plan on bringing your kids to the beach, you may want to consider packing your own life jacket, floaties, etc.

48. Don’t forget the muster drill

One of the first things you’ll have to do on embarkation day is complete the muster drill. This safety drill involves three steps: watching a safety video, listening to the sound of the ship’s emergency horn, and listening to a short safety briefing at your muster station.

You can do the first two steps before getting onboard, but you’ll have to visit the muster station in person to complete step three.

It can be pretty hectic when boarding a cruise ship with kids, and they’re most definitely going to want to head immediately to the water slides and pool. We recommend, however, finishing the muster drill process as soon as possible once onboard so you don’t have to worry about it later on in the day.

49. Keep kids safe around the railings

Always keep an eye on your children when they are near railings, balconies, or windows. Kids love climbing and exploring, and they can quickly get themselves into a dangerous situation if you’re not careful.

Never leave young children unattended on a balcony or the pool deck.

50. Lines for the free activities are long

Not going to sugar coat this one: lines for laser tag, water slides, and ice skating get pretty long.

If you want your kids to try them, I'd recommend getting in line early.

Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before an activity is scheduled to begin to ensure you're among the first in line.

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I fell in love with cruising before my first child was born, so when we started having kids, taking them with us was a natural fit.

My two kids are now 13 and 9 years old, and I've taken them on enough Royal Caribbean cruises that my oldest has well over 400 points on her own in the Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program. We've cruised around the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, and we're headed to Europe next summer for the first time with them.

Traveling with kids changes the dynamics, and I've learned a lot of lessons along the way.

In all those years, here are the biggest travel mistakes I've made with my kids, from when they were babies and toddlers to teenagers.

I should have cruised more after they were old enough to cruise

Babies need to be at least six months old to be able to sail on most Royal Caribbean cruises, and I wish I took advantage of the first six months of eligibility more.

When babies are in their first year, they're in their "goldfish stage" of life where they are there mostly to observe.  They can't crawl, can't talk, and they're mostly along for the ride.

The advantage of this age is you can do more with them onboard without much impact to your own plans.  

Kids change everything about your life, and that becomes very apparent as they get older and you start to incorporate their personalities into your plans. But in that first year, I feel like you can take them along more since they are still super dependent on you.

While babies seem to come with more supplies than an army regiment, I think we stayed home too much early on.

Not packing enough baby supplies

On one early cruise we took with my oldest daughter, we learned you go through many more supplies on a ship than at home.

We actually ran out of baby formula and ended up making a run to a supermarket in Cozumel, Mexico to get more.  Because the baby formula brands are different there, it left us a bit uneasy with what to purchase.

Part of why we ran low on formula was because the nursery on the ship seemed to feed her more often, and also because we tried to time feedings with when we were at a restaurant onboard.

On top of that, babies just go through a lot of clothing on a cruise and it was eye opening how much more we really needed. 

As a result, we packed double the baby supplies what we thought we would need. It seemed overkill, but the peace of mind of having enough was worth it.

Not slowing down my cruise pace earlier to cruise at their pace

As my kids got older and could walk, "talk", and swim, I learned we had to adjust our cruise expectations.

Because I had started cruising before I had kids, I developed my own rhythm to my onboard plans. But on one cruise, we got to the second day and things were not going well. It seemed like we were butting heads with my daughter about everything.

In frustration, I called my mom to vent and she taught me an important lesson of sometimes you have to take it down a notch and move at her schedule, even if it means not doing what I want to do.

So we skipped our plans the next day and let my daughter splash around in the aqua park, take a full nap, and have plenty of food breaks.

While not the most super adventurous cruise I ever took, we all had a better day overall. I learned my wife and I could enjoy having a cocktail while my daughter played and our evenings were better if a nap happened instead of trying to "power through it".

There's nothing wrong with making grandiose plans, but you also need to keep things simple.

Not calling the nursery during the day for more breaks

Royal Caribbean's onboard nursery is the best money I've ever spent on a cruise, but I wish I took advantage of it earlier on.

The nursery is small and has limited slots for kids. So when you register them, there aren't a lot of reservations you can make in advance.  On the surface, that sounds like you have only a few times to get your kids in there.

The truth is you can always call and ask if they have openings. I found in the daytime especially, they had a lot of no-shows or open slots.

My favorite strategy was when it was time to feed our kids and put them down for a nap to call the nursery first and ask if they had an opening. During the day, I think it almost always worked (most passengers preferred to bring their kids to the nursery for dinner) and we'd tell them to call us after the nap is over.

In many cases, even after the nap, our daughters loved hanging out in there and we'd have some extra time.  

By taking advantage of this strategy, we got more time for my wife and I to go to the pool, hit the casino, or enjoy one of the activities onboard.

Not pushing for more days away from school in early grades

When I was kid, being taken out of school for a day or two (or even a week) was no big deal. Now, it's a major faux pas to have more than a few unexcused absences.

Part of that is because of how much group learning kids do compared to when I was in school, but I really wish I pushed more for days away when the kids were in elementary school.

As my kids have gotten older, the workload at school has increased to the point that I can see why pulling them is a mistake. But in Kindergarten through second grade, it would have had less of a detrimental impact on their learning and grades.

Fighting my kids on what they eat or don't eat on a cruise

Every parent probably struggles with getting their kids to finish their meals, but I wish I had an epiphany about kids eating earlier.

I remember being in the Main Dining Room with one of my kids and struggling to get her to eat whatever she ordered. It then occurred to me, why do I care?

At home, the food costs money and if we make something else, it requires more effort to cook, clean, and serve. But on a ship, there's a buffet and other quick service food choices around. So I'm not hard pressed to ensure they eat the one dish they ordered. If they want Sorrento's pizza, c'est la vie.

After all, they're on vacation too, and if they eat quesadillas from El Loco Fresh, pizza, and whatever else they deem good, that's fine. I'll let us both enjoy the culinary détente, and resume hostilities back at home.

Two cabins is a must

As my kids got older, the need for an extra bathroom and sleeping separation became more and more apparent.

Sharing a cabin with your kids when they are toddlers makes sense since there's a lot of back and forth, but as they get older, I've found for sanity sake, it's a relief having two cabins.

Booking two cabins might sound expensive, but I've found booking two smaller connecting cabins is around the same price as a single larger cabin. This is especially true when comparing it against a suite.

I can't recommend enough to book two connecting cabins when you're cruising with kids so you can have a full bathroom for them. The shower alone is worth it, given how my girls use the shower as a karaoke room, makeup studio, and sauna.

I would caution against booking adjoining rooms because having the common door in-between that comes with a connecting room is well worth it.

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One thing I really love about a cruise is when you can share the experience with friends and family, and it's one of the best kind of vacations when you're accounting for different ages.

When I've taken a land vacation with my extended family, it seems inevitably some people end up "doing their own thing" because what others are doing isn't to their liking.  And that usually means more separation from everyone because of distances involved.

I find a cruise vacation lends itself more towards being together, and even when you're not, you're never too far away.  Royal Caribbean is in that sweet spot for large families because they have lots for kids, parents, grandparents and weird uncles to enjoy.  It doesn't lean too heavy into one particular demographic.

I don't necessarily want a vacation where my entire family feels like we're "joined at the hip", but it's still important to feel like we spent time together.

Regardless of which type of vacation you pick, it's not easy balancing the needs of every family member and everyone coming home satisfied at the end of the trip.

Planning a multigenerational cruise

I think it's important early on to get buy in from everyone involved.

When you're picking the cruise ship, dates, itinerary, and travel arrangements, you want to make sure everyone is on the same page.

One of the top challenges of planning a family trip is not defaulting into the "travel czar" for everyone.  You don't want the family thinking one person has taken over the trip planning and it's become "their trip".

While some degree of decision making will ultimately need to be made by one person, the more you can include others in the decision making process, the better it ends up going.

Cruises are great because families have options for staterooms, depending on their budget.

Read more: Ways I Save Money on Cruises With Family

An easy idea to make this work is to start the planning process the next time your family is together.  Christmas, Thanksgiving, someone's birthday, or any time you can have the principles in the same room makes for simpler choices and less passive aggressive texts later.

Everyone's family dynamic is different, but the more inclusion you start off with, the better you are later.

Work with a travel agent

You know what starts more arguments among family members? Money.

Everyone has grandiose visions of that perfect family trip, but handling money is not pretty. You don't want to be the "bad guy" reminding everyone to pay, and you definitely do not want to be a middle man for taking payments.

My advice is loop a travel agent in as soon as you want to book so they can deal with collecting payments and making other arrangements.

Not only can a good travel agent ensure everyone is paid up and there's no confusion about who owes who money, but they could be a great asset as well.

If you book enough cabins, you might qualify for a group discount.  Even if you don't, travel agents have access to special rates that could save everyone money.

Read more: 10 secrets Royal Caribbean travel agents wish you knew

Plus, travel agents are there to take care of any problems anyone encounters with the cruise line.

One you think a multigenerational trip is possible, I'd contact a travel agent to get the ball rolling.  

Read more: 7 Best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for Kids

Plan on time together at least once a day

One secret to a great multi-gen cruise is not planning out every minute of every day.  

Some of your family will be up at dawn, and others will emerge around lunch.  Don't worry about trying to be together all the time.

Instead, plan on having one time per day you are together, and I think dinner is the perfect opportunity.

Not only will everyone be awake for dinner, but it's the perfect time to see everyone and talk about what everyone did.  Plus, the Main Dining Room is conducive to handling large groups.

Beyond that one time together a day rule, make it clear there's no hard feelings for what happens the rest of the day. It's their vacation as much as yours, and sometimes you want to do your own thing.

To help avoid drama later on related to "I didn't know you were doing that", a group text is a good idea (along with paying for an internet package for at least one person per family).

Read more: Royal Caribbean wifi guide

Book shore excursions early

Once you have a cruise booked, I think the next thing to tackle are shore excursions.

It's not easy finding tours that work for everyone, but you'll want to start on it before some of them start to sell out.

Beach days are the simplest and most popular choice for a multigenerational trip, so that's always an easy starting point (especially in the Caribbean).

Read more: 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean

No matter which tour you pick, it's also good to split the costs evenly. If someone wants to pay for the entire family, that's fantastic, but if not, plan on everyone paying for their share so that there's no arguments later who paid for what.

Going back to the first tip, you'll also want to get buy in for which shore excursions you pick. It's not a big deal if some family members do their own thing, but I find a tour I do with everyone feels a lot more special.

Focus on what will make memories

After you get home and the trip is over, the most important takeaway will be the memories you make.

What that means is having first experiences that create family bonding moments with memories. The sort of things that happen that everyone talks about for years later because it was funny, loving, or just a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A lot of families elect to buy matching t-shirts for the trip. Not only is it something to wear together on the first day of the cruise, but you can wear it for months or years later.  It's like a rock concert shirt that commemorates that you were there.

Beyond souvenirs, focus on things you can all do together. While there's no guarantee going to the CocoCay waterpark or singing karaoke will make a memory you'll think about for the rest of your life, it's more likely than just not doing anything at all.

I've rented a yacht in St. Thomas on one trip and while not cheap, it's been a tour we've talked about a lot over the years because we had an epic day.

When I cruise with my parents, I've noticed they much prefer big family dinners where we can all sit together and share stories. 

Mixing in different opportunities to foster memories is a good priority for any multigenerational trip.

Do kids need to be reigned in more on cruise ships?

Royal Caribbean has always been a family-focused brand, providing exciting vacation experiences for all ages. However, some adult cruisers feel the number of unruly kids onboard degrades their cruising experience.

At a talk on Utopia of the Seas' preview cruise this week, one travel agent shared that she's receiving a lot of complaints from adult clients.

She claims some of her clients are even leaving Royal Caribbean for other cruise lines because of the amount of unruly children onboard.

"I'm hoping you take this as an opportunity for improvement," she said to senior management on Utopia of the Seas.

She explained that adults are having an increasing amount of problems with unruly children onboard Royal Caribbean's vessels, particularly on Icon of the Seas, a ship marketed to families.

"Icon is fantastic, but [at] the swim-up bar, there's kids splashing into your drinks."

She said that she was on the dance floor at Bolero's at midnight, and still had children crawling through adult's legs as they tried to dance.

Because of these incidents, passengers are starting to leave Royal Caribbean for other quieter, more adult-focused cruise lines.

To improve the adult experience, the travel agent suggested more adult-oriented areas or curfews at the bars onboard.

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, responded that the cruise line hears passengers' concerns and will look into it.

Royal Caribbean will revisit curfews for kids

For cruisers ages 17 and under, Royal Caribbean has a curfew of 1:00 A.M. 

Security staff onboard take measures to enforce this curfew by asking kids to return to their staterooms and checking the SeaPasses of passengers in public areas.

Michael Bayley said that the cruise line has been receiving an increased amount of written complaints about kids in public areas, so the line is willing to revisit the curfew policy.

"It's probably time for us to take a look at [the curfew]. I think the idea of curfews in some of the bars is a great idea," he said.

Other senior staff at the talk suggested an earlier curfew, especially for adult-focused bar and lounge areas, such as Bolero's or the swim-up bar.

Mr. Bayley reassured passengers that Royal Caribbean is still a family brand that welcomes kids onboard, but "we do need to make sure that we respect the adults."

"And you know what they say, everybody loves their own kids, but they're not so fond of everybody else's kids."

Royal Caribbean has already made changes in recent years to recognize customer feedback regarding kids onboard.

The Solarium, a crystal canopy pool area located at the front of most Royal Caribbean ships, used to allow guests aged 16 and over. 

In September of 2023, the cruise line raised the age limit to 18 years old, keeping the adults-only name consistent. 

Parents can continue to take advantage of Adventure Ocean

Royal Caribbean has a free kid's program across its fleet.

Adventure Ocean features activities for kids aged 6 months to 11 years, with different rooms and games tailored to each age range.

Parents have to register at the beginning of the cruise and sign their children in and out at each visit.

On sea days, the area is open from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M., then from 2 P.M. to 5 P.M. and from 7 P.M. to 10 P.M.

Adventure Ocean is completely free between those hours, but there is an extra charge per hour after 10:00 P.M.

On port days, Adventure Ocean is open for the entire time that the ship is docked at port.

Guests booked on Royal Caribbean shore excursions can even drop off their kids and head to their destination.

Tween and teen cruisers can also find activities in separate hangout spaces designed specifically for them.

Read more: I'm a teen and went on the world's largest cruise ship. I was worried it would be juvenile, but it exceeded all my expectations

To avoid infringing on other cruiser's vacations, parents can take advantage of Adventure Ocean and should avoid leaving their children unattended.

Royal Caribbean's guest conduct policy states that parents and guardians are responsible for the behavior of accompanying minors, and must appropriately supervise them throughout the cruise vacation.

Read more: Royal Caribbean is testing a way to track your kids on the world's largest cruise ship

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's Senior Vice President of Travel, Trade, and Support also spoke about the activities available for kids onboard Royal Caribbean's ships.

"We are reevaluating some of the activities for the young children and also the teens to keep them more engaged with one another in our different venues like Adventure Ocean," she said. 

How to choose a cruise with fewer children onboard

Royal Caribbean is a family brand, but some cruises will have more kids than others.

Adults looking to avoid mischievous youngsters can plan ahead by avoiding certain sailings.

Summertime and holiday cruises, when kids are on break from school, will have a larger amount of families onboard.

"Icon has a huge number of families," Mr. Bayley said. "Of course, it peaks during the summer with families and kids."

Read more: 4 mistakes I saw other people make on Icon of the Seas—and 2 mistakes I made

Larger ships, such as Icon of the Seas, are marketed as floating amusement parks for all ages, so they have a wider appeal to families.

Royal Caribbean's mega-ships, from the Icon to the Oasis Class, are packed with activities like waterslides, ice skating, rock climbing, mini-golf, carousels, craft lessons, theater productions, and so much more.

They appeal to families because of their ability to entertain people of all ages.

Read more: Differences between the big and small Royal Caribbean cruise ships

On the other hand, sailings when school is in session (September to May) and longer cruises are likely to have fewer kids onboard.

Any adults who are cruising and notice rowdy or unattended kids onboard can let Guest Services know and allow crew members to handle it.

Alexa H. Bluth is a writer who lives in Sacramento with her husband, two sort of well-behaved teenage daughters, and two not-at-all well-behaved dogs. She took some time to write this guest post entry about what she's learned about cruising with teenagers and why they love taking Royal Caribbean cruises together as a family. You can check out a previous post she wrote about first time cruising here. 

If there’s one thing nobody wants to hear on a family vacation, it’s “I’m bored.”

So parents of teenagers might be hesitant to take them on a cruise. A common misperception is that cruising is only for senior citizens and parents wanting to drop their small kids at daycare to go drink rum punch by the pool (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).

You might be wondering, "Will my teenagers have fun on a cruise?"

The answer is a resounding YES. Cruise vacations are ideal for families with teenagers, with ships brimming with fun-filled activities and ports full of adrenaline-packed adventures.

What is there for teens to love about cruises?

Teen lounges

In addition to Adventure Ocean for younger kids, Royal Caribbean ships have teen areas on board for youth ages 12-17. 

They can come and go from these venues without signing in or out (unlike the younger kids). These offer a spot to meet new friends, chill out, play games, and more. The teen club staff typically hosts a bunch of activities, from scavenger hunts and game shows to karaoke and teen-only time on the FlowRider.

You’ll get a weekly schedule of teen activities in your room, or you can pick one up in the teen club.

Pro tip: Make sure your teen goes to the teen lounge on night one to sign up for activities and start making friends immediately.

Pools and hot tubs

While this is an obvious one, teens can spend hours basking in the sunshine and sea air and swimming in brisk, clear pools on a cruise ship. The pool deck offers a vibrant spot, often pulsing with pop music, for teens to hang out.

They can sip a mocktail or enjoy a snack or soft serve cone while they’re at it. And don’t forget the water slides that many new and amped-up ships boast!

Arcades

Most ships have arcades, offering a variety of games (for an extra charge). Teens can head there to enjoy a game of air hockey or Donkey Kong. Set a budget for them and let them enjoy!

Food

I mean, they’re teenagers, so this one is a no-brainer. Ships offer a vast variety of food, including grab-and-go items that teens can snag until the wee hours of the night.

My teens particularly love venturing out for quesadillas from El Loco Fresh, pizza from Sorrento's, desserts (plural) from the buffet, and soft serve on the pool deck.

Another bonus is that picky eaters often are willing to try new things on cruises because of the wide selection of foods available. You might even get them to try escargot in the Main Dining Room! Never say never.

Friendships

My kids always make friends in the teen areas with whom they meet up for the rest of the cruise. This is why having an internet package that allows them to message each other comes in handy. 

Don’t be surprised if your teen meets new friends that they stay in touch with long after the cruise.

If you have a shy teen, don’t fret. The teen club staff are particularly skilled at coaxing quiet kids into participating. Or, of course, there is plenty for them to do if the teen club is not for them.

Independence 

This is another of my kids’ favorite aspects of cruises. They don’t have to spend every moment with their parents and they have more freedom than on a land-based vacation.

They can hang out in the teen lounge or grab a slice of pizza at Sorrento's on their own. We typically let our kids have a fair amount of independence on cruises, but of course, it comes with a set of strict rules including never entering anyone else’s cabin, staying in populated public areas, behaving well, and not doing anything dangerous.

My eldest particularly enjoyed exploring the ship and going to game shows sans parents with their new-found friends and has even met up with one friend they met on a cruise who lives nearby. 

Port excursions

Port excursions are cruise highlights, for sure. What teen wouldn’t love horseback riding on a beach, zip lining through a jungle, rafting along the rapids of a glacial river, jet skiing through crystal clear water, or snorkeling in a sea teeming with colorful fish?

Port days will not disappoint, even if it’s a chill beach day of sunbathing and boogie boarding or a cultural tour through a historic city. These priceless days offer endless options of activities that will create lifelong memories for the entire family. 

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Need I say more? Royal Caribbean’s private island literally has an area called Thrill Water Park. If your itinerary includes a trip there, teens will dig the daring water slides, the massive wave pool, and the variety of food that is included in your cruise fare.

Your drink package will work on CocoCay, too, so if you’ve sprung for the deluxe soda package (which I recommend you do), teens can sip a soda or mocktail while they soak in the fun. 

Game and stage shows

The headliner shows on the main stage are often can’t miss, featuring everything from Broadway-style shows to juggling acts. The comedians on board often have a family-friendly show earlier in the evenings that teens can enjoy, too.

Meanwhile, teens tend to love trivia, “Name that Tune,” and other game shows. They might grumble about the idea at first, but trust me, once they’re playing, that competitive spirit will kick in and they’ll have a blast.

The cruise director staff’s enthusiasm is always reliably infectious. My teens tended to roll their eyes at the idea of “80s music trivia” but inevitably had fun with us trying to remember whether David Bowie or Billy Idol sang a song. If you really need a hook to get them to try it out, just tell them there are prizes. Teens love free stuff.

Activities

A scavenger hunt may sound cheesy to some teens, but you’d be surprised how much fun they’ll have racing through the ship searching for selfies with a couple with matching shirts, a crew member, or three generations of the same family. Plus, there are plenty more ship-sanctioned activities, such as silent discos and belly flop contests, that teens will love.

Many Royal Caribbean ships also have mini-golf courses, sports courts, and movies offered at the theater or by the pool. The newest ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet offer all sorts of incredible opportunities right on board. These include simulated skydiving, water slides, FlowRider surf simulators, bumper cars, ice skating, and water slides. Enough said. 

Family time

Family time, you say?! With teenagers?! Yep. There is something magical about cruising that truly does create memorable “together time.”

Don’t get me wrong, they will bury their faces in their phones, be embarrassed by everything you do, toss their soaking wet towels everywhere in the cabin, and glare at you when you wake them for an early port day. There will be many special moments, too, perhaps as you sail away from port with virgin daiquiris in hand and music blaring that makes it impossible not to be happy. 

You might also find that they enjoy dinners together in the Main Dining Room. They might also laugh at you screaming your head off while zip-lining on an excursion.

Their phones

Yep. Let’s be real, they’re teenagers. Get the internet package.

They will love posting selfies on Instagram and making TikToks at sunset. They can use the ship’s app to find out about activities or find their way around the ship.

And, as mentioned above, they can communicate and make plans with their new-found friends, and with their parents of course. 

Sunsets and sea views

Give teenagers some credit. They, too, will enjoy the spectacular ocean views and mesmerizing sunsets.

Encourage them to find a perch for the perfect sunset selfie or give them binoculars and designate them as the official family wildlife spotter.

I promise they will never forget these special moments on the vacation of a lifetime, and I guarantee that two words you won’t be hearing are “I’m bored.”

If you are planning a Royal Caribbean cruise with older children, you might be stuck wondering which ship is best. 

From the brand-new Icon of the Seas to smaller, revitalized ships like Navigator of the Seas, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Activities like ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators, and more will keep even the most active teens busy. 

Plus, Royal Caribbean ships have a variety of different accommodation options, so whether you want a family-friendly suite or adjoining interior rooms, you will be able to select the perfect stateroom to appease everyone in your party, even the teens who are desperate for their own space. 

Whether you're looking for a ship that's packed with WOW factors or simply a family vacation that won't leave your pockets empty, here are the 5 best cruises to take with teens. 

Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas is the namesake ship of Royal Caribbean's brand-new Icon Class. Surpassing the six Oasis Class ships, including the upcoming Utopia of the Seas, in terms of size, there's no shortage of activities that teens will enjoy onboard. 

From the record-breaking Category 6 water park to Crown's Edge, the largest ice rink at sea, thrilling AquaDome shows, a revamped mini-golf course, and more, your teens will surely have some brag-worthy stories to tell their friends about!

While the children are off exploring the ship, adults will love the one-of-a-kind experiences curated for them, too, including a walk-up champagne bar, swanky supper club, and Cloud 17 adults-only oasis with private pools, bars, and more. 

The only downside to a family vacation on Icon of the Seas is that it comes with a premium price tag. During July 2024, families can expect to pay around $2,900 per person for an interior room, while balconies are going for as much as $3,400 per person. 

Looking into 2025, prices don't drop much. The cheapest sailing in January 2025 currently starts at $2,400 per person for an inside stateroom. Prices increase again around spring break. 

Read more: Things you'll notice when cruising on the newest cruise ship

Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas, the newest Oasis Class ship, launches in July 2024, sailing 3- and 4-night cruises from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas. While these are shorter cruises, your teens won't be denied the best that the cruise line has to offer, as this ship is unlike any other in the class.

You can expect to find fan favorites like Central Park, the Boardwalk, Sorrento's Pizza, the Lime and Coconut Bar, and more. Utopia of the Seas, however, has many new experiences that you will not find on even Wonder of the Seas, including the cruise line's first-ever immersive train car dining experience and the longest incarnation of the Ultimate Abyss dry slide. 

Advertised as the world's biggest weekend, a cruise onboard Utopia of the Seas is sure to appease your teens, as they'll be able to enjoy five pools, three water slides, eight hot tubs, and 21 dining venues, among other thrills. 

However, it is worth noting that any of the Oasis Class ships are great for adrenaline-loving teens. Regardless of which you select, you'll find a zip line, surf simulator, ice skating rink, mini-golf, and sports court. 

The other Oasis Class ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet are Wonder of the Seas (2022), Symphony of the Seas (2018), Harmony of the Seas (2016), Allure of the Seas (2010), and Oasis of the Seas (2009). 

Read more: 6 things to know before you book Wonder of the Seas

Odyssey of the Seas 

Odyssey of the Seas is the last Quantum Ultra Class ship constructed by the cruise line. Having only set sail in 2021, she's one of the newest ships in the fleet, too. 

While she's full of fun activities, what sets her apart from other ships is her summer itineraries in Europe. While enjoying everything that the ship has to offer, families can cruise around the Greek Isles and explore bucket-list destinations including Santorini, Mykonos, Naples, and more.  

Icon Class ships, including Star of the Seas launching in 2025, exclusively sail to the Caribbean, so you won't find much variety in itineraries. This can get repetitive, and if you want to explore ports outside of St. Maarten, Mexico, etc., you'll have to consider sailings on smaller ships. 

Onboard, you'll find an indoor SeaPlex where you can ride bumper cars, play glow-in-the-dark laser tag, or partake in a virtual reality game. 

There's also a skydiving simulator, FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, and North Star observation capsule, where your family can soar nearly 300 feet above sea level for breathtaking views of the sea and ports of call. 

While still a newer ship by today's standards, prices are not quite as high as sailings onboard Icon of the Seas. A 7-night cruise onboard Odyssey of the Seas in July 2024 starts at $1,145 per person, which breaks down to about $163 per night, making it a more affordable choice. 

Other Quantum Class ships should be considered if you want to take your teens to Alaska, Northern Europe, Asia, or beyond. 

Read more: The forgotten new Royal Caribbean cruise ship: Why Odyssey of the Seas is worth your attention

Freedom of the Seas 

Freedom of the Seas is an older ship; however, she underwent a $116 million revitalization in early 2020 to update its pool deck and bring newer amenities onboard, meaning that you'll find plenty to do onboard without the price tag of newer vessels. 

You can, for instance, find a 6-night cruise onboard Freedom of the Seas starting at $445 per person in March 2025. 

Activities onboard include a surf simulator, pool deck, aqua park for younger children, water slides, rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, and much more. 

When upgraded, Freedom of the Seas received new dining options including Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, El Loco Fresh for quick bites by the pool, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. 

Plus, Freedom has a redesigned teen area called Social 033, where teens can enjoy their own dedicated hangout space and play games, listen to music, watch movies, etc. 

Read more: 7 Best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for kids

Navigator of the Seas 

Finally, Navigator of the Seas based out of Los Angeles, California is a great choice for families with teens who want to have plenty to do onboard and cruise elsewhere than the Bahamas or Caribbean. 

The 139,999 gross registered ton vessel sails out of California to the Mexican Riveria year-round. While certainly not as large as Oasis or Icon Class ships, there's still a lot to do and see onboard. 

Like Freedom of the Seas, Navigator underwent some major upgrades in 2018, totaling roughly $115 million. This means that she has some activities and venues that other Voyager Class ships, such as Voyager and Explorer of the Seas, do not, including the Rip Tide and Blaster water slides. 

Parents will love the Bamboo Room, too. Navigator is one of only two ships in the fleet with this unique tiki-inspired bar onboard! Plus, Playmakers Sports Bar is centrally located in the Royal Promenade, and Hooked Seafood is ideal for families who want to treat their teens to a delicious seafood dinner consisting of crab cakes, chowders, oysters, and more. 

Read more: 50 best cruising with kids tips & secrets

Royal Caribbean recently updated its infant policy to expand the definition of a sea day as it relates to its minimum age for infant cruisers.

Royal Caribbean allows infants between the ages of six months and 12 months to sail, provided there aren't too many sea days.

The amended policy now considers visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay or St. Kitts and Nevis as a sea day as it relates to infants. As a result, sailings with three consecutive sea days require infants to be 12 months or older at the beginning of the cruise.

Families traveling with infants who do not meet this age requirement for sailings with 3 consecutive sea days within this new definition will be unable to board the ship.

Previous policy language

Updated policy language

This is a significant update as many families select Royal Caribbean for its family friendly environment as well as amenities and services that cater to kids.

What’s considered a sea day?

For parents traveling with infants, specifically under 12 months of age, Royal Caribbean has a number of policies that families need to be aware of. As part of its operational rules, Royal Caribbean had previously required infants to be 12 months or older for cruises with three sea days.

The infant policy as detailed on Royal Caribbean’s website states:

“For the purposes of this policy, any cruise that has 3 or more days consecutive at sea will require infants to be 12 months old on the first day of the cruise/CruiseTour.”

Port stops considered a sea day

A significant modification to the policy, the cruise line has added: “Stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis, are considered sea days under this policy. “

To provide cruisers with further clarity, they elaborate with examples: “…an itinerary with a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay followed (or preceded) by two consecutive days at sea, or a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay between days at sea, actually is considered to have three consecutive days at sea.”

What does this mean for families who have already booked?

This is a significant policy update, especially as it relates to cruisers who may lose their money on a cruise that is already booked. The site lists no exemptions for those cruisers with an existing booking or are able to provide a doctor’s note or medical waiver.

Royal Caribbean states: “Please be aware that guests traveling with a young infant that does not meet the infant policy will be denied boarding. “

The policy adds: “No refunds or other compensation shall be due from the cruise line to anyone as a result of the denial of boarding to an underage infant or other accompanying guests.”

Why did they make the change?

Royal Caribbean has not commented on the updated policy in a press release, but many understand the rationale for these restrictions to be related to access to pediatric care and the overall well being of its youngest passengers.    

Beyond workers, Perfect Day at CocoCay is a largely uninhabited island without major hospital facilities. The best medical care in the Bahamas is located in the capital Nassau, which is over 55 miles away by boat or plane.

The dual island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis has a population of just over 54,000 and has a few public hospitals. For some health care needs, inhabitants need to travel off island for more specialized care. Specific details on the level of pediatric care and beds are not readily available.

Impact on itineraries

Many of the cruise line’s four and five day sailings to the Bahamas that include Perfect Day at CocoCay also include a stop in Nassau before or after, which appears to be acceptable under the new policy.

Additionally, numerous cruises leave from Miami and Port Canaveral and arrive at Perfect Day at CocoCay the following day, causing no apparent impacts to these short term sailings.

A review of some of Royal Caribbean’s current itineraries show an 8 night cruise from Baltimore on the Enchantment of the Seas, with three consecutive sea days based on the new interpretation. With a stop in Bermuda, followed by a sea day, stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay and then another sea day, it would be an issue for infants under 12 months of age.

Other policies that relate to infants

In addition to this recent change, other policies that relate to infants remain in place. Specifically, infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise.

Additionally, transatlantic and transpacific cruises and those to Hawaii and select South American itineraries also require infants to be at least 12 months old as of the first day of the cruise/tour.  

For those families concerned, it is advised to reach out to their travel agent or Royal Caribbean directly to ensure a clear understanding of the impacts on any future cruise bookings as it relates to the new infant policy and sea days.

From the moment we book a trip, we start dreaming about the “perfect vacation” we are going to have.  We imagine all the fun we are going to have, the things we will do and all the places we are going to see.  While this may sound like a reasonable expectation, expecting the “perfect vacation” is a set up for disappointment.  Last I checked, no one is perfect, so extremely high expectations can lead to “disenchantment” while on Enchantment of the Seas.  

When I dream about my vacations, I dream about sun and sand, and my happy, smiling children who are eternally grateful for this wonderful experience that I have given them. 

Instead sometimes the reality is my kids are fighting and throwing sand at each other, the ocean water is freezing cold, and it starts to rain.

Somewhere in there I realize I forgot to pack the sunscreen and my husband becomes “hangry” because we miss-read the hours of the Windjammer and got back to the ship too late.  

It is times like this where I used to throw up my hands in despair and lament that this is NOT how my vacation “should be”!  This is where I need to step back, take a few breaths and remember my kids fight like siblings at home as well.  They will be best friends again by supper time. 

Too much togetherness isn’t good and sometimes they need a little time apart.  This may be some alone time with each parent or a trip to the room for one and Adventure Ocean for the other.  

When my husband is “hangry” I’m eternally grateful for Sorrentos Pizza or the hot dog stand on Oasis and Quantum class ships.  A slice of pizza or a hot dog can make a world of difference and we usually have some emergency cookies stashed in the room for just such occasions.  

When I forget to pack something, I remind myself that beside my passport (and now vaccine cards), there isn’t anything I need that cannot be replaced on the ship or port.  The price may be higher for my forgetfulness, but it is not the end of the world.  Sometimes this is something that I need to remind myself.  We have never been turned away from the main dining room because my husband forgot to bring black dress shoes and dress socks… again.

Thankfully my embarrassment is saved once his feet are tucked under the table cloth hiding his “dress Keens” sandals.  

Traveling with extended family is not an exception to the “perfect vacation”.  The way they behave at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings is not going to magically change during a cruise.  While cruises are a great way for multiple generations to vacation together; it can provide numerous opportunities for opinions on how children should be raised and behave.  

It is so easy to forget when you watch the commercials of the happy and perfect looking people that vacations are still real life.  When you see people’s vacation photos posted on social media, trust me when I say they likely only posted the “good pictures” where everyone is smiling and happy.  They don’t take pictures when someone is crying or an excursion gets cancelled.  

Vacation can be a great time to work on table manners with kids; unfortunately I have seen adults who could use some remedial training.  On one cruise several years ago there was an elderly woman in her late 70’s who was seated at our table.  She was impossible to please. We watched the crew do everything in their power to try to appease her and make her happy.  It became a game to see how soon into the dinner service she would send something back to the kitchen.  

She received mashed potatoes one evening and insisted on a baked potato after her plate arrived.  When the crew brought it out, she gently touched it with one finger and announced that it was cold.  She then turned her nose up and waved a dismissive hand telling them to “take it away.”  When asked if she would like a different one, she tersely responded that it was “too late” and she didn’t want anything anymore.  

While there is nothing wrong with asking the waiter to fix an order, there is a way to do so with grace and compassion.  Sometimes I’ve left mistakes in place and didn’t point them out.  They ended up being “happy accidents” where I tried something new that I would not have otherwise done.  These are times when I found something new on the menu that I liked.  Also I have some empathy for the crew.  The amount of meals that are going out in such a short order of time means that things will not always be perfect.  Even with a 99.9% accuracy rate, on an Oasis class ship that would mean at least 5 dinners each night being messed up.  

We have had excursions cancelled in the past due to bad weather. One instance was the waves were too high at “Sting Ray City” in Grand Cayman for my children.  Royal Caribbean staff were wonderful in helping us find a substitute excursion on the spot at the Turtle Sanctuary and the Dolphin Encounter.  This has been one of my (and my children’s) favorite excursions to date and it is not one that I would have picked.  Speaking with people that elected to go to “Sting Ray City” despite the waves, said they had a disappointing experience as they were pushed around by the waves and the water was cloudy with poor visibility from all the sand stirred up.  

I could have been disappointed and upset that I didn’t get to go to “Sting Ray City” which was a main reason for picking this itinerary.  On the other hand, I could be thrilled that we had this amazing excursion and have an excuse to come back to this port of call on another cruise, although I might have to convince my children to try an excursion other than the turtles. Sometimes the anticipation is just as satisfying as the actual experience.  

Covid and the related changes have complicated cruising, with onboard shows, ports of call, or even entire cruises cancelled with little notice.  Instead of complaining and asking “Why did this happen to me?!?” instead ask “How is this happening FOR me?” 

Try to find any glimmer of good that can come out of this situation.  It may take some work to come up with a silver lining for a missed cruise, but when you find it, it will feel much better to hold on to that instead of the disappointment and anger. 

We had a cruise that was cancelled in 2020 and instead of being upset, we adjusted directions. We ended up taking a trip to Yellowstone and Utah to visit friends. It was amazing!  We had another one that was cancelled in November 2021.  However, we were able to use the future cruise credits from both of those trips in order to upgrade to a suite for our cruise this past December.  

Just remember wonderful memories and great stories from any vacation rarely start with the phrase “Everything went exactly as planned.”  Many of our most memorable stories and adventures are when things went wrong, we got lost, someone got seasick, or there was some other hardship at the time that we had to overcome.  Our lives are made up of stories and the hero needs to overcome some adversity on their adventure.  

Just picture yourself as the hero of your story and find a way to win the day with an amazing adventure.  Heed the words attributed to Captain Jack Sparrow, who also spent time on a ship and faced many adventures that did not go as planned; “The problem is not the problem.  The problem is your attitude about the problem.”  What story do you want to tell when you get home?  Make it an amazing one since you get to write it, problems and all.      

If you have a Royal Caribbean cruise planned and want to surprise your kids, then we have the perfect way to get them super excited!

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Emily Davis created this ticket template that you can customize and then print to give to anyone in your family and get the cruise hype train started off in style!

All you have to do is save this ticket to your computer, and open in your favorite PDF program (Adobe Acrobat or FoxIt Reader are good choices).  Enter the proper information in the editable spaces, save and then print!

Emily recommends printing the tickets on cardstock to add to the presentation factor. You can get cardstock from most retailers, including Target, Staples or WalMart.  

There are crop lines to cut it down so the color goes to the edge like a real ticket!

Be sure to share in the comments photos of your finished work!

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas offers a lot for families to enjoy on their Caribbean cruise vacations. When we took our daughters on Symphony of the Seas, we sought to enjoy the very best activities, entertainment and things to do for a family. 

If you have never been on an Oasis Class ship, these are incredible vessels that pack as much into a cruise vacation as any ship in the world.  In fact, it is the largest cruise ship in the world and that means plenty to choose from onboard.  Family cruising on Symphony of the Seas means there is something for everyone and always something else to do or see, regardless of your age. 

Signature Activities

Prior to booking Symphony of the Seas, you may notice certain offerings onboard prominently advertised.  Royal Caribbean has built a reputation for itself by offering some of the best things to do onboard its ships.

A few activities and shows stand out as the premiere options that Symphony is well-known for.  The good news is that many of the activities are available to children of many ages. Some of the physical activities may have a height requirement that are best suited for children who are older elementary-school aged children or older. If your kids do not meet the height requirements, there is no need to worry as there is still plenty of other options to enjoy.

Families can enjoy these wonderful activities together:

• The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea, is a duo of racing slides where guests spiral down a 92-foot drop in about 13 seconds
• The zipline crosses the open-air Boardwalk neighborhood at nine decks high
• Two FlowRider surf simulators
• Perfect Storm: three waterslides
• Splashaway Bay aquatic adventure park
• Escape from Planet Z laser tag
• Escape room

Adventure Ocean

The heart of children's programming on Symphony of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's award-winning Adventure Ocean program.  

Adventure Ocean is divided into three age-appropriate groups

• Aquanauts (ages 3 to 5)
• Explorers (ages 6 to 8)
• Voyagers (ages 9 to 11)

Adventure Ocean is complimentary, but kids need to be registered with Adventure Ocean and fully toilet trained to take part in activities. There are dedicated spaces for each age group, plus specialized areas like science labs and a theater for enhanced programming.  

Adventure Ocean is open most of the day, but their hours vary depending on if it is a port day or sea day.  On Sea days, Adventure Ocean can open as early as 6:30am.  Guests that have Royal Caribbean excursions booked and need to drop their children off earlier, can arrange with Adventure Ocean for that benefit.  For lunch, kids are brought to Wipe Out Cafe or Windjammer between noon and 1pm, and then again to the Windjammer for dinner between 5pm and 7pm. Adventure Ocean programming is included with your cruise fare.

Adventure Ocean closes at 10pm, but parents can leave their children with Adventure Ocean until 2am for an hourly fee.  The Late Night Party Zone runs from 10pm to 2am in Adventure Ocean, and is billed at $7 per hour, per child for children who remain after 10pm.

Tweens and teenagers also have their own club, plus a variety of activities onboard such as the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing walls, an ice skating rink, a mini-golf course and a zip line. Teens meet at the Living Room, on Deck 15 aft and also have exclusive access to their own night club, known as Fuel on deck 15. Teens are free to come and go as they want, and curfew for all cruisers younger than 18 is 1 a.m. unless they're supervised by a parent.

Royal Babies & Tots Nursery

Any parent with a toddler or infant will find the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery an absolute blessing.  Royal Caribbean offers a nursery for children up to 36 months old.

At the nursery, you can drop off infants and toddlers off in a supervised environment, where the kids can watch TV, play with other children, explore and nap.   

The nursery will offer parents a drop-off option in the daytime and evening, while always maintaining an optimum staff-to-child ratio.

For a modest fee per hour ($8 at the time of this blog post), parents can reserve time for their kids here to give parents some time alone to enjoy what Royal Caribbean offers or explore a port.

The nursery staff are trained child care professionals and they will make sure your child is taken care of in the time they are there.  Parents also get a special mobile phone to use on the ship in case the nursery needs to call them or if the parents want to call and check in on things.

Entertainment & Shows

Symphony of the Seas offers shows that appeal to kids and adults, with its evening shows being real highlights. Depending on your kids ages and preferences, these shows may or may not be of interest to them, but Royal Caribbean designs its evening entertainment shows to be open to be family friendly.

You will find Symphony of the Seas' biggest shows across three venues: The Royal Theater, Studio B and the AquaTheater.

Here are the must-see shows on Symphony of the Seas and where to see each show:

• Hairspray (Royal Theater)
• 1977 (Studio B)
• HiRo (AquaTheater)
• Flight (Royal Theater)

Prior to your cruise, be sure to make reservations for each of these shows via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.  Reservations for these shows are complimentary and while it does not guarantee a specific seat, it will ensure you will be able to get into the show.  Guests without a reservation can wait in a standby line and take up any remaining seats, but it is simpler (and a whole lot easier for families) to make reservations before the cruise.

If you are wondering when you can make reservations for shows on Symphony of the Seas, it really depends.  If entertainment is available to reserve for your cruise, we have typically seen shows become available for booking around 75-60 days prior to the sail date, but your experience may vary.

Dining

Symphony of the Seas offers 23 dining venues for guests to choose between when eating onboard. Some of these restaurants are included with your cruise fare, while others have an additional cost.

Complimentary dining options are included with your cruise fare and guests can enjoy as much food as they like from these locations.  There is at least one complimentary option open at anytime during the day or night, with often quite a number of great choices. 

The alternative dining option are specialty dining, in which there is an additional cost to dine there.  Specialty dining costs can come in the form of cover charges (pay one fee and get all the food included) or a la carte charges (pay for only what you order). In general, specialty dining offers food and cooking styles not available elsewhere on the ship for guests that choose to indulge in them.

If you are looking for great choices for kids to grab something quickly, you will find some great options throughout the day for families at:

• Windjammer
• Park Cafe
• Sorrento's Pizzeria
• El Loco Fresh
• Johnny Rockets (breakfast is complimentary, cover charge for lunch and dinner)
• Boardwalk Dog House
• Room service ($7.95 per order fee, complimentary for suite guests)

When it comes to dinner, you might want to look into My Family Time Dining. My Family Time Dining is offered in the first seating time in the main dining room for children ages three to eleven.

Here is how it works

1. You arrive at the dining room with the kids and let your server know that the kids will be headed to Adventure Ocean as part of the My Family Time Dining program.
2. The kids order and are served right away so that they can finish their meal within the first 40 minutes.
3. After about 45 minutes, the Adventure Ocean staff arrive in the dining room lobby to sign in and hand off the kids.Parents will need to escort their children to the designated Main Dining room entrance doors at 6:45 pm to check their child in with the Adventure Ocean counselors. Once checked­in, the Adventure Ocean counselors will then escort their children to Adventure Ocean for ongoing evening activities.
4. Adults return to their table to enjoy the rest of their meal at a more leisurely place.

Prior to the cruise, you can can contact Royal Caribbean or travel agent to book it. Alternatively, guests can sign up onboard in the Adventure Ocean area. Pre­-cruise reservations are encouraged.

Staterooms

When booking a Symphony of the Seas cruise, you will need to find the right stateroom for your family. Symphony has staterooms that can accommodate three and four passengers easily, along with some stateroom configurations that can handle even more guests.

Depending on your family size, age of your children, and your comfort level, booking multiple staterooms can often be the same or cheaper than booking a large room.  Multiple rooms provides not only additional living space, but extra restrooms and separation from parents and children. Royal Caribbean does offer some rooms with a connecting inside door between rooms.  

If you are cruising with young children, you should pack your own diapers, bottles, and other supplies.  There is milk available to all guests without an additional charge (skim or regular).  Some parents prefer to bring their own kid-friendly snacks and food, which is permissible by Royal Caribbean. Refer to our Taking an Infant on a Royal Caribbean cruise article for more information.

More cruising with kids info

You may have additional questions about cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean, or simply would like to learn more tips and advice.  Here are some good resources to consider:

• Moms of the Seas: Question and Answer family cruising guide
• Cruising with kids on Royal Caribbean
• Six things to know about Adventure Ocean
• Podcast: Guide to cruising with young children on Royal Caribbean
• Dinner with kids in Royal Caribbean's specialty restaurants

Your thoughts

Now that you have read over our guide to taking kids on Symphony of the Seas, let's hear from other parents. What tips do you parents think are most important? Which advice we shared do you agree with? Where do you disagree? Share your thoughts in the comments!