All Things Kids on Royal Caribbean: A Real-Life Family Cruise Guide
- lexicichasmta
- Jan 21
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 23
Cruising with kids can feel overwhelming, but Royal Caribbean truly shines when it comes to family-friendly travel. From packing smart to navigating ports, onboard dining, entertainment, and kids clubs, here’s everything you need to know if you’re cruising Royal with little ones—based on our firsthand experience sailing with a 1-, 2-, and 7-year-old. As always, you can find pictures to reference at the end.
What I Packed for the Kids (and Would 100% Pack Again)
Cruise cabins are compact, and organization is key—especially with kids. These items were absolute must-haves for our family (check out my cruise folder here):
Travel sound machine – A lifesaver for helping toddlers sleep in a new environment.
Magnetic hooks (strong hold) – Cruise cabin walls are metal, and these were incredibly useful.
Magnetic toys - think magnatiles, magnetic blocks, magnet puzzles, etc
Small mesh organizers – Hung from the hooks and kept things like the TV remote, sunscreen, sunglasses, small toys, and random odds and ends off every surface.
Lanyards with clips – the kids will get their own seapass cards, and my toddlers loved having their own necklace.
Mini mesh beach bags for the kids – Perfect for collecting seashells and treasures, and toting around small shovels.
Foldable sand buckets – Took up almost no space and were great for beach days.
Pump hand soap for the bathroom – Royal only provides bar soap, and this small luxury made a big difference.
Packing cubes – An absolute sanity saver. They kept everything organized and made repacking much easier.
Compact double travel stroller – Lightweight and essential for embarkation, debarkation, and some port days. We have the Strolee Baby double & it is exactly what you want.
Backpack for port and pool days – Comfortable, hands-free, and practical.
What I Forgot (and Had to Buy or Wish I Had)
Aloe / after-sun lotion – You’ll get more sun than you expect, even with sunscreen.
Portable fan – Cruise cabins have very little airflow, and this would’ve been a game-changer for everyone.
Goggles - my son really wanted to snorkel like everyone else he saw.
Navigating Port Stops with Kids
Ports: Aruba, Curaçao & Perfect Day at CocoCay
Overall, the ports were well organized with clear signage and easy navigation. We didn’t book shore excursions—our kids would much rather play at the beach—and that worked perfectly for us. Taxis were readily available at every port; just be sure to bring cash. I also want to note that we did not bring the car seats with us to the taxi's, and if I'm being honest, I don't know that you'd be able to instal it into those taxi's if you did bring it.
Curaçao
Taxi cost: $10 per person each way (including small kids sitting on laps—the most expensive of our stops).
While Curaçao was beautiful, it ended up being our least favorite stop. We visited Mambo Beach and enjoyed the beach cove and nearby shops. The cove itself was great for small children because there were zero waves thanks to a rock barrier.
The downside? It was very crowded, chairs cost money, and there was little space to simply lay out towels without paying. We brought the double stroller this day, but looking back, we really didn’t need it.
Aruba
Taxi cost: $5 per person, and they didn’t charge for small children.
Aruba was our second favorite stop. The beaches felt closer, easier to access, and the water was a stunning blue. We visited Eagle Beach and explored downtown after heading back to the ship mid-day for a break. We were in port from 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM, which gave us a full day to explore at our leisure and take that midday break back at the ship.
Eagle Beach is beautiful, but a few things to note with small kids:
It’s direct ocean, and the waves were big and rough
The beach slopes steeply and gets deep quickly
You’ll need to be very hands-on with toddlers in the water here unlike Curacao.
That said, the beach itself was huge with plenty of space to spread out. My 7-year-old loved it—he brought his goggles and swam nonstop. We did bring the double stroller this day, and I’m glad we did. The walk from the ship to the taxis was long, and it was great to have a shaded place for naps on the beach.
Perfect Day at CocoCay (Our Favorite!)
Royal Caribbean absolutely nails their private island experience.
If you have any Royal Caribbean Beverage Package, drinks are included on the island.
Without a package, you still get free water and juices, just like onboard.
There are tons of free food options, but note: snack shacks don’t open until 10:30 AM.
We arrived on the island around 8:00 AM and didn’t bring snacks, assuming food would be readily available. By 9:30 AM, we had some very hangry kids—lesson learned.
Getting around the island is incredibly easy thanks to the tram system, with stops at beaches, pools, and splash pads. Do not bring your stroller—they offer free beach strollers and wheelchairs with large sand wheels all over the island.
I could’ve easily spent twice as much time here. My 7-year-old has already asked to go back, and it was clear our toddlers had the most fun here with calm beaches, splash pads, and easy transportation.
Entertainment & Food Onboard (Kid-Friendly Edition)
The entertainment on Oasis of the Seas was outstanding. Be sure to reserve shows in the app as soon as reservations open a few weeks before sailing.
Shows
Frozen in Time (ice skating show) – Truly spectacular. Our toddlers were completely mesmerized. If you’ve done Disney on Ice, it’s similar—no characters, but incredible music and performances.
Aqua Show – A must-see. The talent is unreal, especially on a moving ship. It is loud, so consider packing ear protection for little ones.
Cats (the musical) – Not our favorite. Our toddlers were bored after about 10 minutes.
Dining with Kids on Royal Caribbean
Our kids are big milk drinkers, and we chose not to bring our own—assuming it would be readily available onboard. One thing to know: milk isn’t easily available 24/7.
Most breakfast venues don’t open until 7:00 AM
You can’t store milk overnight because the stateroom “fridge” is actually a cooler
You can request a medical fridge for breastmilk if needed
Our stateroom attendant told us we could call room service for milk anytime, which we did twice on late nights. Delivery took about 30–40 minutes.
Another option is room service breakfast, they offer complimentary options & enhaced options for $7.95. You simply fill out the form the night before (it’s already in your room), hang it on your door before 3am, and you can choose a time slot for arrival with the earliest being 6:00am.
We started the trip eating breakfast at the Windjammer, which has everything imaginable. By day three, we discovered Park Café (Deck 8 in Central Park—also near our room) and fell in love with their breakfast sandwiches, Starbucks coffee, and MILK. We ended up eating breakfast there most mornings.
Pro tip: If cruising with kids, I highly recommend a Deck 8 stateroom for quick access to some food, outdoor space, and a quieter area without having to take stairs or an elevator.
For lunch, the Windjammer was a huge hit—mac and cheese, chicken strips, fries, burgers, hot dogs, fruit, sandwiches, salads, and more. We also loved El Loco Fresh and Park Café for quick meals.
Dinner & My Family Time Dining
We ate in the Main Dining Room most nights and had wonderful waiters. We chose early dining at 5:00 PM, which was perfect for kids and still left evenings open for shows and exploring. I absolutely recommend the early dining time.
Menus rotate nightly for adults (kids menus stay the same), and you can order as much as you want—multiple appetizers, entrées, or desserts are all included.
One thing I can’t praise enough is My Family Time Dining. The kids’ meals were served before the adults’ food:
Fruit and drinks arrived with adult drinks
Kids’ main dishes came out as adults received appetizers
Dinner typically lasted 1–1.5 hours, so we brought toys and occasionally tablets to help keep the kids entertained. If you’re cruising with kids, make sure your travel agent selects My Family Time Dining—it’s a game-changer.
Kids Club: Adventure Ocean
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean program is one of the best kids club offerings at sea.
Complimentary for ages 3–17
Paid nursery for kids under 3 at $9/hour
Age Groups:
Ages 3–5: Dedicated playroom with age-appropriate activities
Ages 6–12: Games, crafts, movies, and themed programming
Ages 13–17: Separate teen-only space
Our toddlers used the nursery, and the staff were incredible. The offer two-hour slots at a time— we chose two different slots, one evening for date night and one morning to enjoy the adults-only Solarium. They offered finger painting, snacks (with permission), balloon animals, and more. I am a stay at home mom so my kids don't go to daycare and aren't used to leaving mom, but when I tell you they were SO excited to go, I am not lying. They also give parents a nursery cell phone so staff can reach you at any time.
My 7-year-old was in the 6–12 group, and he absolutely loved it. He couldn’t wait to go back each day.
Important tip: Register your children for Adventure Ocean on embarkation day, especially if you plan to use the nursery. Spots are limited, and time slots fill quickly. If you want kid-free time—whether for a show, date night, or quiet pool time—Adventure Ocean is truly a must.
Swimming Pools, Splash Pads & Indoor Play Spaces
One important thing for parents to know before cruising is that industry-wide cruise regulations do not allow diapered children to use swimming pools or hot tubs—this applies across all cruise lines.
That said, Royal Caribbean (along with Disney Cruise Line) stands out as one of the only cruise lines to offer designated water play areas specifically for diapered children. While these areas are small, they are absolutely better than nothing and give's your younger toddlers and infants a safe way to enjoy water play onboard.
In addition to the diapered water play area, Royal Caribbean also offers a fantastic splash pad called Splashaway Bay, which our kids loved. Just note that the splash pad is for non-diapered children only, so toddlers who aren’t potty trained yet won’t be able to use it. Once kids are out of diapers, though, it’s a great spot for them to burn energy and cool off.
In addition to the water features, Royal Caribbean has an indoor playground located within the Adventure Ocean area—and this was a huge highlight for us. The playground is completely free, open to all ages, and typically open daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It’s a perfect option for letting kids burn off energy on sea days, during bad weather, or even in the evenings when you need a break from the sun.
Between the pools, splash pad, diapered water play area, and indoor playground, Royal Caribbean does an excellent job offering kid-friendly spaces that work for a wide range of ages and stages.
Final Thoughts: Is Royal Caribbean Worth It for Families?
After sailing with a 1-, 2-, and 7-year-old, I can confidently say that Royal Caribbean is one of the best cruise lines for families. From thoughtfully designed kids clubs and family-friendly dining options to well-organized ports, engaging entertainment, and private island perfection at CocoCay, Royal truly understands what traveling with kids looks like in real life.
Cruising allowed us to visit multiple destinations without constantly packing and unpacking, gave our kids endless activities tailored just for them, and still offered us moments of relaxation and adult time—something every parent deserves. I also want to mention that you don't need passports for your kids to take a close-ended cruise (departing/arriving at the same port) - a birth certificate works just fine.
If you’re considering a Royal Caribbean cruise and wondering which ship, itinerary, stateroom, or dining option is best for your family, I’d love to help. Planning with kids doesn’t have to be stressful—and having the right guidance makes all the difference.
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