Cruising with an infant? Let us be the first to tell you it’s a whole other ballgame compared to cruising without a kid. (Read our advice and tips on cruising with a baby here.) But as a parent, we don’t have to convince you that things are so much different when traveling with a baby.
And while you can expect your cruise to be a lot different, your packing is also different than if you were sailing without a little one. Trust us, we’ve been there. During our trip, we packed all sorts of things just to be prepared for any situation. Here are 12 items that we brought that made our cruise much easier.
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Baby Pacifier
At the infant stage, you likely don’t go anywhere without your kid’s pacifier. But if you are bringing a baby on a ship, don’t forget it and be sure to bring some spares. When your baby starts to cry, you’ll want to get them quiet as soon as possible so that they don’t disturb other passengers. It may not be the best habit, but nothing quiets an infant as quickly as a pacifier. Our son used these pacifiers, which we like because they glow in the dark, making them easier to find when they fall out of a baby’s mouth at night.
Bottled Water
If you are formula feeding your child, then make it easier on yourself and get some bottled water for your cabin. Usually you have to order it through the cruise line and it will be waiting for you when you board. You can also usually bring on your own.
Having bottles of water ready to go are so much easier to make formula instead of going to the buffet to fill a bottle. You can use water out of the bathroom tap, but we’d prefer something that we know is purified. There is water for sale on the ship too if you don’t mind spending the money.
Silicone Mat
One thing that was a lifesaver when we cruised was a silicone placemat.
Does your baby eat finger foods? If so, you know that things can get kind of messy. We brought along a placemat for our son to eat off of. These mats stick to anything and keep a nice barrier between your kid’s food and the table. You can find them in all sorts of colors on Amazon.
Small Stroller (Not a Jogging Stroller)
If you’re bringing a kid, then bringing a stroller is a must. But just like cars, it seems like strollers have gotten bigger and bigger.
Thinking of bringing a big jogging stroller on your cruise? Leave it at home. Instead, pack a small, lightweight folding stroller. Navigating crowds and the ship is a breeze in a smaller strollers, plus it can fold up to fit in your cabin closet when not in use. Small strollers can be found for about $100.
Warm Clothes
Yes, you are going to the warm Caribbean. Still, with the wind whipping and the sun setting, it can get downright cold on the ship sometimes. Don’t just pack short-sleeve items for your kiddo. Be sure to bring something warm like a jacket and long pants.
White Noise Machine
Thankfully sound doesn’t travel all that well between cabins. However, it definitely travels between the hallway and your cabin door. If you don’t want the loud talking of passers-by to wake your kid during naptime or at night, then we suggest bringing along a sound machine. It can drown out other noises and keep your kid sleeping happily. $25 is worth is for a good night’s sleep.
Outlet Tap
The good news is that newer ships are much better about putting in more outlet plugs. The bad news is that older ships (those 20+ years old) can have as little as a single spot to plug everything in. From sound machines to cell phones, with all of today’s electronics that many people pack, that’s just not enough. One of these $7 outlet taps can plug in without taking up too much space and gives you three outlets instead of one.
Note that Royal Caribbean recently changed their rules to not allow any type of outlet adapter. If you’re sailing that cruise line, leave it at home.
Nightlight
Typically any baby’s room at home is going to have a night light. Why should the cruise cabin be any different?
Cabins — especially interior rooms that have no windows — can get extremely dark. Packing a small nightlight can help you navigate an unfamiliar room if you have to get up in the middle of the night to calm a crying baby. Nothing worse than stubbing your toe in a dark room!
Hat | Sunscreen | Aloe
These three items should be no-brainers, but they are important enough to mention. The sun in the lower latitudes is so much stronger. The delicate skin of a baby can burn in just minutes. The first things you should pack are a hat, sunscreen, and aloe to help protect your little one from the sun and nurse an accidental sunburns.
Swim Diapers
Picture yourself on a cruise and you might be envisioning taking your little one for a dip. That’s not going to be the case. Kids aren’t allowed in pools if they aren’t potty-trained, although some ships do have splashpads that allow kids to play in swim diapers.
Of course, you can always take your baby into the ocean when in port. Bring a pack of swim diapers to keep them clean, even when wet.
A New Toy
One thing we always suggest parents bring when cruising with a baby is a new toy. Sometimes you can’t help but be away from the room when a little one gets fussy. In that moment between calm and a meltdown (and any parent knows when it’s about to hit), a new toy can make all the difference to distract a kid and buy a few minutes of peace until you can get back to the room for a nap, a meal, or a change of diaper.
