This past spring, we took a week-long cruise with Royal Caribbean, and it ended up being one of our favorite family getaways yet. It was our first cruise with our toddler in tow—and while traveling with a little one always adds extra layers of planning, this trip was filled with sweet memories, lots of sunshine, and plenty of froyo breaks.
We boarded our Royal Caribbean ship ready to explore—and to be honest, it was so nice not having to constantly repack or plan each leg of the journey. Everything we needed was on board, and there was something so comforting about returning to the same cozy stateroom each night.
Where We Went:
- Grand Cayman: We spent a few hours at Seven Mile Beach. The shallow waters were perfect for little ones. The funny thing is that there were chickens in the beach and my son preferred to chase the chickens around! We took a bus from the port to get to the beach. To be honest, it felt pretty crowded because another cruise was there at the same time. If you prefer less people, it might be a good idea to check what other cruises are porting the same day you are.
- Falmouth, Jamaica: We decided to stay onboard and enjoy a laid-back day. It actually ended up being one of our favorites—we ate froyo, lounged around, and gave our toddler space to roam without the pressure of an excursion. He got to play in the Splashaway Bay onboard the cruise ship. He literally had the best time ever going down the toddler friendly slide!
- CocoCay, Bahamas: Royal Caribbean’s private island was a dream. Soft sand, clear water, and shaded spots made it ideal for toddlers needing breaks from the sun. It’s perfect for families. They provided lunch for everyone so we didn’t have to worry about that. Wyatt loved the beach and also the splash pad! There’s a ton of activities to do on this Island. It’s amazing!
Cruising With a Toddler: Tips That Helped Us
- Book a balcony room (if possible).
This was such a game-changer for us. It gave us extra breathing room during naps and early mornings—and our son loved blowing bubbles outside while we watched the ocean drift by. Dillon and I ordered a bottle of wine and we enjoyed it in our balcony together. It felt like our own little date. Plus, watching the stars and sunsets were such a bonus! - Bring a stroller.
We packed our regular stroller, and it worked out great—especially at ports where long walks or naps on the go were needed. While compact travel strollers are great for transporting, we personally love our Mockingbird stroller because of the storage space. We used it to store bags and towels when we were on the islands. I also brought a water flask to stay hydrated when out and about. It reminded me to drink enough water. - Stick to flexible schedules: While there are plenty of excursions that you could book, we wanted more of a relaxing trip. There were two cruise days the week we went, so we enjoyed the yummy food they had on board and spent time touring the cruise ship and letting our toddler burn off some energy. Remember to be flexible with your scheduling when you have toddlers with you!
- Take advantage of onboard amenities: The splash pad, soft-serve machines, and kid-friendly dining options made everything smoother. The staff there were so friendly!
- Bring familiar comfort items: We brought our son’s stuffed animal, favorite snacks, and white noise machine to keep things consistent. We also brought our pack and play from home because we didn’t want to chance not having one on board.
- Don’t feel pressure to do every excursion.
Some of our best memories happened during the slower moments—lounging on the ship, playing by the splash pad, or just walking the decks as a family. - Be proactive about staying healthy. Our son came down with a stomach bug after the cruise (likely from all the shared surfaces and toddler hands touching everything). To help avoid this, we recommend wiping down high-touch areas in your cabin, washing hands frequently, and keeping sanitizer nearby. It’s not foolproof, but it helps!
What I Wore
Of course, I packed a few favorite pieces that made me feel comfortable and cute while chasing my toddler around the ship. From flowy dresses to comfy swimwear and cover-ups, I’ll be linking everything I wore throughout the trip [below the post]. For things that are out of stock, I linked something similar:)
This cruise reminded me that traveling with a toddler doesn’t have to mean chaos. It can be joyful, peaceful, and even relaxing when you let go of expectations and lean into the moments that matter. We’ll definitely be cruising again soon.
XO,
Jessica Turner
