- Feeding Supplies:
- Bottles (this depends on how many bottles you know you normally use in a day – quantity varies if you formula feed/breast feed). We packed 3 bottles. I exclusively breast feed and the only time Ryder get’s bottles is when I pump and he is with someone other than me. I.e., the nursery.
- Portable bottle washing drying rack and brush. We love the OXO Tot On-The-Go Drying Rack and Bottle Brush, Green. It worked perfectly for us.
- Dishwashing soap you normally use to wash bottles. We bought a travel sized version of Dapple Baby Bottle and Dish Liquid.
- Don’t forget to pack your breast pump if you breastfeed and plan to pump.
- Milk Storage Bags
- Extra Pump Parts
- Pump wipes to help sterilize
- Hygiene Supplies:
- Diapers, diapers, and more diapers. The weeks leading up to the cruise I was trying to take note how many diapers we were using a day. You can buy diapers on board but they are insanely expensive. I’d rather pack too much and not use them. I think we packed 10 per day + 10 night time diapers (so for a 4 day cruise I packed 50 diapers). We had more than enough.
- Wipes. We brought a small wipe package with us. It was the easiest thing to do. Plus we had a small wipe package in our diaper bag.
- Diaper rash cream. Even if your child does not use it–if he/she breaks out in a crazy rash while your on vacation you’ll be happy you packed it.
- Travel size bath wash
- Infaltable bath tub if you choose (we just held him in the shower with us)
- Towel and wash cloth
- Baby Lotion
- Digital Thermometer, Baby Tylenol, Baby Advil, Teething Tablets, Pedialite (You probably won’t need these but great to have just “in case”)
- Pack a “mini” diaper bag. That way you aren’t stuck having to carry your big bulky diaper bag around the cruise ship.
- Pack your regular diaper bag for when you bring them to the nursery.
- Pack 2 sets of fitted pack ‘n play sheets. You can request a pack ‘n play for your room. It comes with a very ill-fitted sheet. I packed my own sheets because I didn’t want his skin to be bothered by the detergent they are using.
- Baby carrier (we packed both our ring sling and buckle carrier)
- 2 outfits per day of each cruise + socks & shoes (equal parts pants and shorts since if they are indoors a lot it can be cold)
- 2-3 pairs of pajamas
- 10 bibs (Ryder was really drooly and we kept alternating bibs)
- 5 burp cloths
- 2 soft blankets that remind them of home (we did one thick blanket and one muslin blanket)
- 1 hooded light jacket (for when it’s chilly inside)
- Reusable Swim Diaper (for the beach) (we love this swim diaper. It dried fast enough to use it each day)
- i play. Unisex-baby Infant Long Sleeve Rashguard Shirt (Love this shirt and used it everyday on the cruise)
- i play. Babywear Sunhat (we have this one and LOVE it–adjust for when he grows too)
- Beach towel for baby (also great to lay down when your laying on lido deck on your chair)
- Water Float (optional but totally worth it on our day at Coco Cay)
- baby sunscreen
- Once you’ve boarded the ship, eat lunch, and then head to the nursery. Fill out the forms and pre-book ALL of your sitter times. They will have a list of times available. They only have 8 spots per hour and if there are a lot of babies on board the nursery can book up fast. When we were on board we had over 50+ babies and 100+ kids on board. The best part if you pre-book you can always change it around free of charge. Double check with them, but they let us change it around often and we were never penalized with any fees. They were super flexible with us and we loved that.
- Once you get to your room–if your pack-and-play is not in your room call the guest service desk and make sure they know you need one. Also, talk to your housekeeper. Let them know everything you need.
- On the last note, if your a breastfeeding mother and have fresh milk to store (which you’ll have if your using the nursery) request a refrigerator. Not every room has one and by law they have to provide you with one. I didn’t realize that not every ship has this feature and didn’t pre-request. Luckily, I was able to get a refrigerator.
- Bring a baby carrier with you and wear your baby proud. It’s not always easy to maneuver your stroller around the ship and on port.
- Coco Cay is not a paved island so maneuvering a stroller around the island can be difficult. We choose to baby wear and it was the best decision. A little hot and sweaty but worth it. We did forget to bring our umbrella to shade the sun from Ryder, but we used the towel when we could and he didn’t get burnt at all.
- Don’t forget to pack an extra change of clothes for your baby at Coco Cay. If you decide to dress your baby in his swim clothes, just know you’ll want to change him out of it once they get wet. So you’ll need another change of clothes.
- A big hat that covers both the face and neck is key in helping protect their delicate skin. Ryder had the hat on most of the cruise!
- Know your babies schedule and try to follow it as best as possible. The first day we missed almost every nap and it was torture.
- If your budget allows it… get a balcony. While the baby naps you and hubby can sip on a glass of wine, read, and gaze out at the ocean on your balcony. Because this was a last minute decision we didn’t get a balcony, but hope to get one for our next cruise.
- Don’t be shocked when you don’t find changing tables in any of the public restrooms. I knew this going into the cruise. Jon did not and he didn’t believe me until he was faced with a dirty diaper that had to be changed. He changed him on the counter with the sinks. You’ll have to improvise on where to change diapers. We carried a changing pad around with us in case we weren’t close to our room when a diaper needed to be changed.
If your gonna use the nursery we highly suggest you book it for dinners. It gives you a chance to have dinner with your spouse each night uninterrupted. We would schedule an extra hour so we could enjoy the hot tub after dinner or a show without entertaining a baby! There was one evening where the hot tubs were packed and nothing interested us on board so we picked up Ryder early. They were completely ok with that and didn’t charge us extra.
We also scheduled a few hours each day in the morning so we could enjoy a little quiet time by the pool. It was worth every penny and gave us a chance to unwind as a couple.
Because Ryder wasn’t mobile yet, we could lay him on our chair. He would just lay there. Ahhh the days when he wouldn’t move. Now, that he’s 9 months and moving like a crazy kid I know cruising would be a totally different experience. I’m so incredibly grateful we had the chance to cruise right when he was 6 months old.
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Comments & Reviews
Amber | BluebonnetBaker says
Katie, this post is SO helpful. James and I are cruisers too, and we have been dying to go. We thought Disney was the only one with nurseries! Now I’m totally going to start stalking the Royal Caribbean deals!
Katie says
Hi Amber! I’m so glad you found this helpful. Yes, start looking for deals on RC! We are hoping to cruise again next fall but on a 7 day cruise (of course with a nursery)!
Bill says
Hi Katie, thank you so much for sharing this!! We were initially contemplating whether we should book our next Cruise (baby will be 6 months then) or not to begin with. We always choose Carnival… Primarily because frankly it costs less than any other Cruise line haha (although it would be nice to try the nursery, but hopefully we’ll manage). Then, when we decided to go for it and booked it, we chose an Inside stateroom. But after reading lot of comments (including yours!!) that we should get a Balcony if we can…. we changed it to a Cove Balcony, and now I am soooooo excited, not only because it’ll be our 1st Balcony, but also view of the water so close from our Cove should be wonderful…. Only downside is obviously it’s very low on the ship (2nd floor), so far away from all the action, but hopefully it’ll be worth it and right decision with this balcony. Thanks again! 🙂
Katie says
Bill! Congrats on your upcoming cruise! We LOVE cruising with Carnival but have made the sacrifice since having the baby so we can have the nursery service. We will be back on Carnival for his 2nd birthday when he can go into the kids club! 🙂 I have a cruising with baby checklist on the blog! Please check it out. It will help you with packing!!! 🙂
Jenna says
We’re going in October 2016 when our little man will be 6months old. Royal Caribbean freedom of the seas. My husband is a first time cruiser, my parents are going too and we’ve all been on several other cruises so doubt we’d need the nursery. But thanks so much for the positive insight I’ve seen so many posts from other parents bashing taking your kids cause there’s no party time and blah blah you have a kid now that stops regardless. I’m so excited to take my little Elijah! Thanks so much!!
Katie says
Jenna–you guys will have a great time. It will definitely be different than past cruises, but a good different and with parents with you–you should be able to enjoy extra (free) baby-free time! Maybe put him in one evening so you can enjoy a nice dinner with your parents! Have a blast!
Brenda says
Hi Katie! We’re leaving on Enchantment of the Seas on Jan 3 and taking our 6mo old granddaughter. We picked this ship because of the nursey program, but now I”m reading on the RCCL website that you can’t leave the baby in the nursery unless they’re over a year. Your blog here and experience seems to indicate otherwise. Can you clarify what you experienced? I was really hoping to get my daughter and son-in-law some time alone. BTW your blog was hugely helpful for packing and info – thank you!!
Katie says
Thanks Brenda. Not sure if they changed the policy since we cruised with our 6 month old September of 2014. But we had no problem. And same went for when we cruised back in May of 2015. Good luck! I also have a packing list for cruising with a baby!
Savanna says
Did you have to reserve the beach loungers in Coco? Did you do any excursions? We will have our two girls on our first curse ever..they will be 3 ups and 7 months???
Katie says
Hi Savanna, No the beach loungers are first come first serve. We got off the boat right once we were able to get off and got a great spot. Lots of shade! We did not do any excursions. Just stayed on the boat when we were in Nassau and enjoyed some adult pool time while our son spent a few hours in the nursery. You guys will have a blast!
Crystal says
I am a cruiser like you and I took my son when he was 10 months old on a Carnival 4 years ago. They did offer babysitting for $6 :he so me and my husband were able to go on an excursion. In Dec we will be taking him on his 2nd cruise and my daughter first (she will be 8 months). It’s amazing when you love to travel before kids, you still love to travel after kids and just adapt to take them with you and enjoy it as a family
Katie says
Hi Crystal! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! Yes–it’s so true. Our love for travel expanded after our son–wanting to show him the world! We are having a baby next year and plan to take her on a cruise next fall! Have so much fun!
Melanie says
Hi Katie! Did you write a post once you cruised with a 1.5 year old? My daughter will be 16 months when we go on a 7-day Alaskan Cruise. Any tips for me there? Thanks!
Katie says
Hi Melanie–Yes, I wrote one when I cruised with a 1 year old. Here’s the link: https://sewwoodsy.com/2015/05/cruising-with-a-1-year-old.html I’ve never done an Alaskan cruise. The main thing I would keep in mind is age requirements on the excursions for Alaska! What cruise line are you sailing on? Have so much fun! Feel free to email me at sewwoodsy@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Cassandra says
Hello
Just wondering if you brought a car seat with you. Our baby will be just 6 months old we leave in a week and I am stressing about the cars set situation. Would I be safest to just bring his seat with me in case we need it in one of the ports?
Katie says
Hi Cassandra, I never brought a car seat with us. Everywhere we went was mainly walking distance or on a tram. We have taken taxi’s or boats before and just held in our arms (and prayed)! It’s totally up to you on what makes you feel most comfortable. For me, I didn’t want to schlep a car seat on the beach.
J says
Very helpful. We are travelers especially cruises that are all inclusive. My son is 6 month and can’t wait for this experience. I appreciate your help. Looking forward to your next experience to read upon it. Thanks!
Katie says
Thanks J! I just shared about our Halloween Carnival Cruise! I still have to share about our Royal Caribbean on the Oasis last year (cruising with 2 ages 1 and 4) and our Disney Cruise 2 years ago! I’m a little behind!
Melinda says
Very helpful article. My hubby and I are looking at cruising with our baby who will be 6 months at the time of the cruise. I’m a little nervous about leaving him at the nursery since he’s never had anyone other than family watch him for an hour. How do you feel the quality of care was in the nursery? Were the staff super attentive to the children?
Katie says
Hi Melinda, I completely understand and get where your coming from. I have now cruised with two babies at the 6 month mark. Of course like any mother, I was nervous, but the staff is trained well and super attentive! They call if the baby is unhappy and they can’t settle them down. Each time, the staff wouldn’t put my babies down. They loved them just as much as I love them. I feel super confident in the staff. It was nice to get a quiet hot meal each night! Of course, follow your mommy intuitions to decide on what you would want to do once your on board. I will say make sure you go and at least register the first day just in case you do want to use the nursery. The hours fill up quickly and you can typically cancel 24 hours prior without being charged. I also recommend not dropping them off during their nap times or bedtimes.