Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 14:15     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Depending on the excursions, there can be a lot of hurry-up-and-wait as they get everyone sorted based on their excursions and on to buses, etc. And we've had some that have had long drive times (on sometimes questionable roads from the port - motion sickness potential!). So do your research - with those ages, I'd think finding something intentionally kid-friendly and adjacent to the port or a stop where you spend some time at the cruise line's private island would be better than something farther flung.

Personally - I would not want to take kids those ages on a cruise, but I'm sure it can be done.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 14:04     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Some excursions were charter buses and the toddler just sat next to us or on our lap.

Most excursions are just a beach trip, so we walked from the port to the beach and hung out at the beach all day.

A lot of ports are right next to the downtown (they ferry you in to town with little boats/tenders from the cruise ship) and you just walk around with your stroller.

You do not have to get off at the excursions either. Lots of people stay on board. With older kids you can leave them on board while others go on excursions. For instance, we left a 10 year old behind in the awesome kids club because he didn't want to go white water rafting. He LOVED the kids club though.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 13:58     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We started cruising when our youngest was 2.

We didn’t bring a car seat.

While we did some excursions through the cruise line on our first cruise, we quickly began arranging our own day trips using private drivers, taxis, or boats.

Tell me the cruise line and ports, and I’ll happily share my two cents (based on cruisin annually with a handful of kids for the last 10+ years in the Caribbean and Mediterranean).


We are just at the beginning stage. The trip would be a couple active grandparents, their children and spouses and grandchildren ranging from 13 months to 26 years. Next Christmas in the Caribbean.


I’d plan early for that size group. Cruises during the holidays book
Up early.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 13:43     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:We started cruising when our youngest was 2.

We didn’t bring a car seat.

While we did some excursions through the cruise line on our first cruise, we quickly began arranging our own day trips using private drivers, taxis, or boats.

Tell me the cruise line and ports, and I’ll happily share my two cents (based on cruisin annually with a handful of kids for the last 10+ years in the Caribbean and Mediterranean).


We are just at the beginning stage. The trip would be a couple active grandparents, their children and spouses and grandchildren ranging from 13 months to 26 years. Next Christmas in the Caribbean.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 12:53     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
If you take a cruise that goes to the cruise line’s private island, then all you do is walk off the boat straight onto their private beach that includes free food, etc.

Some ports are easier than others, but we haven’t had issues anywhere. You can literally walk off the boat and take a taxi wherever you want to go. In some ports it makes sense to hire a taxi/driver for the day.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 12:49     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
We started cruising when our youngest was 2.

We didn’t bring a car seat.

While we did some excursions through the cruise line on our first cruise, we quickly began arranging our own day trips using private drivers, taxis, or boats.

Tell me the cruise line and ports, and I’ll happily share my two cents (based on cruisin annually with a handful of kids for the last 10+ years in the Caribbean and Mediterranean).
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 11:32     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:If you get off and explore on your own, does the boat stop where you can walk to things? Do people find a local taxi?

I am just trying to figure out what a vacation might look like for our family.


The answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no. And some poets don’t have much to do and explore. You really need to research each cruise and each cruise port to find the answer.

And you need to remember that not all boats can dock at all ports. Larger ships may dock farther out and send to to port in a tender.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 11:15     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Which cruise are you going on? For the shorter ones, Castaway Cay is still a Disney property and it’s the beach day. You walk from the ship to the parts of the property. In Nassau, they’re all not great but if you really feel the need, Atlantis has a cheesy aquarium with just enough stuff to stretch your legs and get off the boat.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 11:00     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:It can be done (and Disney is perhaps the best about accommodation— not just of little ones but also of different abilities) but I will say that we used resorts at a young age instead, just because I didn’t want to deal with many travel logistics. Resorts for the <8 crowd are fantastic and I was one of those people who swore I’d never do something like an all inclusive resort.


Do you have a specific one to suggest?
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 10:50     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
It can be done (and Disney is perhaps the best about accommodation— not just of little ones but also of different abilities) but I will say that we used resorts at a young age instead, just because I didn’t want to deal with many travel logistics. Resorts for the <8 crowd are fantastic and I was one of those people who swore I’d never do something like an all inclusive resort.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 10:39     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am the OP of the Christmas in the Sun thread , and just read the Disney Cruise thread, and wondering if we should consider a cruise. But I am not sure of the logistics for excursions for the youngest. We will have a 1, 3 and 5 year old. What happens at ports? Are people bringing car seats? Is there a lot of waiting around for transportation?

I know the kids club is a big hit, and I think that’s not for us this trip.


Did a Disney Alaska cruise with our daughter's family in June: grandsons 3 and 1. I stayed behind to watch the boys during one adult only excursion (tickets were sold out for the family version). Otherwise, the little guys went on all of the excursions and had fun. Train ride, salmon hatchery, panning for gold, lumberjack show, etc. During at sea days, the one year old went to the nursery and 3 year old to the kids club for a couple of hours so that my daughter and her son could have a break. We chose this trip specifically because littles are accommodated.

The one place where we had a bit of trouble was at some of the dinners. The restaurants were very noisy with entertainment, etc. and the 3 year old had a hard time waiting through multiple courses. I might utilize the burger place more, or do more room service (included in price) if they were my kids. Or put them in the nursery and enjoy a more adult dinner. But he got used to it by the end of the cruise and The Animator's Palette was amazing for him.


The 1 yr old went to a nursery?! Geez.


Yes, it is really cute and they took him to nap and to have one hour of play time. Gave them 3 hours of adult time, you know, so they could relax on vacation.

You do know that many, many children in the US go to daycare during the day?
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 10:39     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:If you get off and explore on your own, does the boat stop where you can walk to things? Do people find a local taxi?

I am just trying to figure out what a vacation might look like for our family.


You need to go research their website. Its not that hard.
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ports/nassau/
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 10:37     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:If you get off and explore on your own, does the boat stop where you can walk to things? Do people find a local taxi?

I am just trying to figure out what a vacation might look like for our family.


Go watch some youtubes.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 10:36     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
If you get off and explore on your own, does the boat stop where you can walk to things? Do people find a local taxi?

I am just trying to figure out what a vacation might look like for our family.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 10:35     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Have you looked at their cruise website? Here's examples of excursions in Nassau.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/bahamas/list/nassau,splashtacular-pa/