Cruise line baby rules compared
Key facts
Short answer: P&O, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Celebrity, Princess and Costa take babies from 6 months (12 months on some long sailings); MSC has no minimum age on most cruises (age 2 on 11+ nights). Cots are on request on every line, but nurseries for under-3s are only on some lines and ships.
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 | Over 6 months; 12 months on some cruises and Exotic fly-cruises (days in a row at sea or remote itineraries) | Yes on family ships, request before you sail | Night nursery, 6pm to midnight (age range not published) | 6 months to 17 years |
| Royal Caribbean | 6 months; 12 months for transatlantic, transpacific, Hawaii, select South America or 3+ consecutive sea days | Free cots 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 12 (teen lounge 13 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 | Pack 'n Play / convertible crib under 35 inches via Special Requests, free, subject to availability | "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 stated on its site (Oct 2026); ask the line | 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 | Foldable playpen with bedding (no traditional cots); request when you book | Guppies Open Play with a parent, 6 months to 3 years | Splash Academy 3 to 12 |
| Cunard | 6 months; some voyages 12 months (ask Cunard) | Travel cot on request at booking, limited availability | 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 | Portable cot on request, first come first served; bring your own if needed | Firefly Park (6 months to 7 years) on Sun and Star Princess only | Treehouse 3 to 7, Lodge 8 to 12 |
| Costa Cruises | 6 months; 12 months for transoceanic, world cruises and 15+ days | Cradles and cots on request, subject to availability | No drop-off; Squok Baby Area 0 to 3 with a parent | Squok Club 3 to 11 (toilet trained) |
| Marella Cruises | 6 months | 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 stated on its site" means we couldn't find the answer on the line's own pages when we checked in October 2026, not that there are no cots. Ask the cruise line when you book.
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, Pack 'n Play FAQ, swim policies
- Celebrity Cruises: before you board, Camp at Sea FAQ, all FAQs
- NCL: age requirements, youth programmes, family cruise FAQs (playpens) (full guide: NCL with a baby)
- Cunard: children's activities, Night Nursery, booking conditions, family accommodation
- Princess Cruises: age requirements, onboard FAQs (full guide: Princess Cruises with a baby)
- Costa Cruises: UK FAQs, medical requirements PDF, kids and teens (full guide: Costa Cruises with a baby)
- Marella Cruises: Marella for families, crèche FAQ, Marella FAQs (minimum age) (full guide: Marella Cruises with a baby)
Good to know — Checking Dates, Family Staterooms & Pre-Cruise Stays: Compare live dates and family stateroom rates across Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian (NCL), Cunard, Princess Cruises, and Costa Cruises on CruiseDirect Family Cruises, and filter by free cots or kitchenettes for your pre-cruise night on Booking.com (affiliate links).
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
Not sure which line to pick? See best cruise lines for babies from the UK, or cruises with a baby from UK ports for no-fly sailings.
- P&O Cruises with a baby
- Royal Caribbean with a baby
- MSC Cruises with a baby
- Disney Cruise Line with a baby
- Celebrity Cruises with a baby
- Cunard with a baby
- NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) with a baby
- Princess Cruises with a baby
- Costa Cruises with a baby
- Marella Cruises with a baby
Back to cruising with a baby.
Last checked and updated: · Kiddieko · How we check facts
