20+ Tips for a Disney Cruise with Babies and Toddlers

We’ve taken our fair share of cruises over the past four years and in our six cruises we’ve learned a lot! A few posts ago we shared our Disney Cruise Line tips that we hope help you have a magical cruise! All of our cruises so far have included taking a baby or toddler. Christian was 14 months old on our first cruise and on our last cruise Bella was 9 months old. We have a few more cruises with “little” little ones and we’re looking forward to making more memories with our little cruisers. Whether you’re sailing for the first time or your next cruise will be your first time cruising with a baby or toddler we hope that these tips help!

Don’t Over Pack - It’s important to have what you need, but it’s also important to not over pack. Many items like pack n plays, bottle warmers, bed rails, diaper genies, and more are available to use onboard.

Make Requests - Request bedrails, or a pack and play online/over the phone before your cruise. If your child is under four the system will not allow you to add bedrails online.

Maximize your Packing Space - Remove diapers from their sleeve and fit them into empty places in your bags! They take up less space this way.

Swim Diapers – Be sure to pack swim diapers! Children that are not fully potty-trained cannot enter the pools onboard. However, they can use the splash areas onboard. They are A LOT of fun! If your child is not potty-trained they must wear swim diapers in these areas.

Open House – On the first day of the cruise, and then again throughout the sailing all of the youth clubs onboard offer Open House times where everyone is welcome to see what there is to see and do there! There are special toddler times throughout the cruise as well.

Kid’s Menu – When you’re in the main dining rooms kids, even toddlers, don’t have to order from the kid’s menu if they don’t want to!

It’s A Small World Nursery – Be sure to book at least a few hours at It’s a Small World nursery so that you can enjoy some adult time! Times can and should be booked in advance so that you know you’ll have the time you want.

Run Around – The jogging path on Deck 4 is a great place to let your little ones burn off some energy!

Ice Cream - Stop by Eye Scream by the pool for unlimited self-serve ice cream cones! This one isn’t just for kids, but also kids at heart.

Need Help? – Picture this: You’ve just arrived at the buffet, but now little ones wants to be carried. You only have so many hands, but you need to hold them and get yourself and them food. Cast Members are more than happy to help you carry plates and even put food on the plate for you!

Characters - Don’t miss out on meeting characters and making memories!

Changing Stations – Many of the restrooms onboard having diaper changing stations, so you don’t have to go all the way back to your stateroom to change a diaper.

Shops – If you run out of something or if you accidently forgot something the shops onboard will most likely have it available for purchase. We have accidently forgotten swim diapers and diaper rash cream before and purchased them onboard.

No Cheerios – Does your little one love Cheerios? Disney has a contact with Kellogg’s, so only Kellogg’s cereal is available onboard. If Cheerios are a must then you’ll need to bring them on with you.

Baby Food - Need puréed food just ask the night before and the dining room staff would be happy to help you out.

Picky Eaters – In the main dining rooms you can order something that isn’t on the menu. Great for picky eaters. Near the end of our second back to back cruise Christian wanted something more like what he would eat at home and ordered grilled cheese. On our last sailing he also requested peanut butter for his apple slices.

Laundry Rooms – This one ties in with not over packing. There are laundry rooms onboard which make it so that you can pack less for everyone and/or clean up after a messy child before stains set in.

PB&J - Uncrustablee are available from room service. Great for picky eaters! Or for a snack.

Passport – Although passports are not required for closed loop cruises, you never know when something could happen. If a cruise is rerouted, someone needs medical attention of the ship, or any number of other reasons and cannot return to the embarkation port they will need a passport to return to the United States. A passport card cannot be used for flying – the passport book must be used to fly. Although it is an investment, it is one that is worth it.

Don’t Wait - Don’t wait until they’re “old enough to remember it.” So many people say that there is no point in taking their kids somewhere if they’re not going to remember it. The whole family makes memories together, and although they may not remember all of the little details you will always remember their smile the first time they meet Mickey Mouse or eat an ice cream cone at sea!

Age Requirement – Be sure to be aware that while you shouldn’t wait too long, children must be 6 months old to sail on most sailings. Children must be 12 months old for Panama Canal and Transatlantic sailings.

Sailing with littles is A LOT of fun! Are you ready to set sail?!

Are you ready to start planning your next magical vacation? I’d be happy to help! Contact me at miriyawhitaker@worldofmagictravel.com for your FREE quote and to start planning your next trip on land or sea. For more Disney and travel information follow me on Facebook.