Cruising with a Baby on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas: What You Need to Know

The ship: Family-friendly perks

• Royal Tots Nursery: A lifesaver for parents
  One of the best features on board was the Royal Tots Nursery. It gave my husband and me the chance to have a real date night on the ship. You don’t want to miss out on the shows or the premium dining experiences, and this nursery made that possible.
  
  Hot tip: As soon as you board, go straight to the nursery to book your hours. Space fills up fast and you’re only allowed a limited number of hours. We booked time during the two shows we had planned, but I wish we had also booked some extra hours on sea days. By the time we tried to add more, the nursery was fully booked!
  
  The nursery staff were wonderful—trained caregivers, safe cribs, refrigerators for milk, and great check-in/out systems so nothing gets lost. Every time we dropped off or picked up our daughter, the kids were all happily playing.

• Splash pad: Game changer for little swimmers
  Our daughter started swim lessons early, so she loved getting in the water. Most cruise lines don’t allow swim diapers in the pools, but Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Icon Class ships have a baby splash pad specifically for children still in diapers. It’s not huge, but it’s enough to make a big difference. Plus, there’s a lifeguard stationed nearby to keep the bigger kids from taking over. There’s also a larger splash pad for potty-trained kids that looked like a blast.

Port stops: What worked with a baby

• St. Thomas
  Do yourself a favor and book a tour with Sunny Liston Tours. You can get a car and driver to take you all over the island at your pace. This is so helpful when you have a baby or small children because when they are done, they are all done. No group schedules to worry about and you can move onto the next thing or head back to the ship as you please.
  
  Our driver took us to two breathtaking viewpoints, including the overlook above Magens Bay—absolutely gorgeous! There’s also a huge souvenir shop up there with better prices than the vendors near the ship.
  
  Lastly, head down to the beach itself, duh! Take your beach essentials below and let those kiddos put their toes in the sand and take a dip in the ocean!

Magens Bay Beach, St. Thomas

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Overlook

• San Juan, Puerto Rico
  San Juan, Puerto Rico offers plenty of family-friendly excursions that mix history, nature, and fun.
  
  Explore the massive El Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal forts, where kids can run through tunnels and climb ramparts with stunning ocean views.
  
  A guided walking tour of Old San Juan is an easy, colorful way to soak in the cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and local snacks like piraguas (shaved ice). Don’t forget the stroller!
  
  A city tour by bus, which is what we did, takes you through the vibrant streets of Old San Juan and a local joint for some lunch. Holy yummy! Along the way, you’ll see lively plazas, ocean views, and local shops, giving you a real taste of the city’s culture, history, and charm.
  
  If you’re looking for adventure, I highly recommend hiking El Yunque Rainforest. It was at the top of my San Juan wish list, but here’s the deal—you can’t book third-party tours for the rainforest. You either have to book through the cruise line (and do it early) or rent a car. The rainforest is about 45 minutes to an hour from the port.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

• Labadee, Haiti
  A private cruise port owned by Royal Caribbean, offering a safe experience with plenty of activities for families. The beaches are clean and calm, perfect for swimming and relaxing with kids.
  
  We chose a cultural excursion that took us by boat to a hillside village where locals showed us how they build their homes and how they live, and even made peanut butter for us—with a little cayenne kick!
  
  Back at the beach, families can enjoy the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, a thrilling alpine ride with ocean views, or try the massive Dragon’s Splash waterslide. There’s also the Arawak Aqua Park, a floating playground with trampolines and climbing structures that’s a hit with children (maybe next time for us).

• Perfect Day at CocoCay
  We chose the pools at CocoCay since we already had a beach day elsewhere. We loved that the pools have a gradual entry—perfect for little ones to splash safely.
  
  For toddlers 36 inches and taller, there’s Splashaway Bay and a pirate ship splash pad right by the pier. So much to do—your kids will never want to leave.
  
  Bonus: All food at Cococay is included in your cruise fare.
  
  Wagon tip: A wagon typically has bigger stronger wheels that you can push in the sand a bit better than the stroller. We only had our small travel stroller and definitely noticed the difference.

Perfect day at CocoCay

Beach essentials

• Giant towel (I love the sand-repelling Sand Cloud towels)

• Small lock box for valuables (or get creative: toss your wallet in the dirty diaper bag—no one’s stealing that!)

• Silicone beach toys (light and packable)

• Easy-fold sun shade with a built-in pool. My daughter loved to play in the tub sand and water, but it’s so important to keep them out of the sun when they are so little. Just practice folding it at home before your trip. We were in a rush and our ride was leaving, so the shade got bent as we hurried to shove it back in the bag.

Packing essentials for cruising with a baby

Here’s what worked (and what I wish I had packed):

• Travel stroller & wagon: Both were super helpful at different times.

  • Stroller: Perfect for the airport and it converted to a bassinet for naps.

  • Wagon: A lifesaver in port, especially for hauling gear to the beach.

  • Consider your excursions and vehicle space when deciding which to bring. Both worked well on the ship.

• Crib situation:

  • You can request a “pack n play” for your stateroom, but the mattress is basically a thick piece of cardboard. We packed our mini crib mattress, but it took up too much suitcase space. Instead, I’d recommend bringing a cushioned pack n play sheet.

  • If your kiddo is out of a crib, bring a blow-up toddler bed (under $100, easy to pack, and reusable).

• Foldable laundry hamper: Toss it in your suitcase and pop it open in the closet—keeps dirty laundry organized and out of the way.

• Inflatable baby bathtub: Great for baths, but also works as a mini balcony pool for your little one while you relax and watch the waves.

• Over-the-door shoe organizer: Hang it on the bathroom door to store baby essentials and keep your tiny cabin clutter-free.

• Tushbaby hip seat: The one thing I regret not bringing. It’s not super compact, but it’s worth making space for. Would’ve been perfect for carrying my daughter around the ship without needing the stroller all the time.

Disembark like a pro

When it’s time to get off the ship, baby wear and load the rest into your wagon. It’s the easiest way to manage all your bags and a tired baby. Pack snacks in your diaper bag—it will feel like you’re not moving in the disembarkation line, but trust me, it’s moving. The cruise line has done this a million times. You’ll get off.

If you’re cruising with a baby, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas really makes it possible to have a great time as a family and still sneak in some grown-up fun. With the right prep and a little flexibility, it’s absolutely doable—and worth it.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.