We just got back from sailing on Enchantment of the Seas with our kids. 6 days, 5 nights…. and overall… it was surprisingly easy.
We kept things simple, didn’t overload the schedule, and mostly followed the kids’ lead on what sounded fun in the moment.
That ended up being the right move.
If you’re in the planning stage, I also shared exactly what we packed in this post:
Packing for a Cruise With Toddlers
Here’s what actually worked for us and what I’d do again.
We Skipped the Schedule (and Nothing Fell Apart)
Cruise ships offer a full schedule of activities all day long.
We glanced at it once… and then mostly ignored it.
Instead, we paid attention to what the kids naturally kept wanting to do:
• dancing (everywhere)
• pool time
• splash pad visits
• watching movies on the pool deck
• exploring different areas of the ship
There was always music playing somewhere, which basically guaranteed random dance breaks throughout the day.
It felt relaxed and flexible, which is exactly what I want from a vacation with kids.
Balcony Nap Time Might Have Been My Favorite Part
Afternoons usually meant heading back to the room for a break.
Picture it: Balcony door open, ocean breeze coming through, waves in the background.
Perfection. (insert chef’s kiss emoji)
The kids rested. Everyone reset. Evenings went smoother because no one was exhausted.
It was easily one of the calmest parts of the day.
Unlimited Food Made Meals Easy
Cruising removes a lot of the pressure around meals.
If the kids didn’t like something, we just ordered something else. No wasted money, no stress.
Unexpected discovery: my kids actually loved escargot.
Not pasta. Not fries. Escargot.
Other consistent wins:
• unlimited ice cream
• easy fruit options
• plenty of simple foods kids recognize
• smoothies that were actually really good
It made meals feel flexible instead of frustrating.
The Pool Setup Was Very Kid-Friendly
We spent a lot of time near the pool and splash pad.
Things that worked well:
life vests available to borrow music playing throughout the day
music playing throughout the day
random guest-starred competitions. my kids thought the belly flop contest was hilarious
It was easy to spend a full afternoon there without anyone getting bored.
Kids Club Is There (Even If You Don’t Use It)
The ship offers both a kids club and a baby nursery.
Although we toured it and registered, we ended up not using it. However, my best friend used it her for kids and they had so much fun. Her older daughter (who’s 6) begged them every day to let her go play in the kids club.
I had every intention on using the kids club, but we were actually enjoying the pace of the trip as a family and didn’t feel like we needed the extra break.
Still nice knowing the option was there.
The Rubber Ducks Were Surprisingly Fun
People hide rubber ducks around the ship, and kids find them like little treasures.
It turned into a low-effort scavenger hunt that made walking around the ship more fun.
They were so excited to find the ducks and we displayed them in our room so they could see their special treasures.
Port Days: Keeping It Simple Worked Best
We didn’t schedule packed excursions, and that ended up being ideal with young kids.
Costa Maya
We walked around the port area briefly, then headed back to the ship and enjoyed a quieter pool.
Less crowded pool time felt like a parenting win.
The port area here was more of a man-made tropical shopping center. It did have a pool (that was packed) and we can’t forget about the flamingos.
Cozumel
While we went swimming with stingrays and sharks, the kids went with their grandparents to a beach club.
They played in the sand, dipped their legs in the water, and had lunch by the ocean.
Easy and relaxed.
Pros and Cons of Cruising With Kids
Pros
• unpack once
• food always available
• very flexible daily rhythm
• built-in entertainment
• easy to take breaks when needed
• surprisingly relaxing with the right expectations
• kids love the independence of exploring safely
Cons
• rooms are compact
• pools can get crowded on sea days
• some activities are geared toward older kids
• you may not do as much as you think you will (which honestly might be a pro)
Would I Cruise With Kids Again?
Without hesitation- Yes.
Cruises make it easy to keep things flexible, which works well with younger kids.
You don’t have to plan every detail.
You don’t have to cook.
You don’t have to constantly figure out what’s next.
Sometimes the best parts are the simplest ones:
dancing by the pool
midday naps with ocean air
trying new foods
watching movies outside
finding random rubber ducks
Simple wins add up to a really enjoyable trip.
