So you have decided to take a cruise with a baby or toddler! Congratulations we have loved our cruises with toddlers and babies but now you may be turning your attention to what to pack for the cruise. One of the big questions we had about cruising with littles was about strollers – can you take strollers on a cruise ship? And if so what is the best stroller for a cruise ship – we are hear to answer all these questions from personal experience.
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Can you take a stroller on a Cruise ship?
The short answer to ‘can you take a stroller on a cruise ship’ is yes! The long answer is I would definitely advise that parents who are cruising with a baby or even a toddler who at home walks without a stroller is to consider taking a stroller with you. However pick that stroller carefully as cruise ships walkways and cabins are small and space is a premium.
For more information on how to choose a baby friendly cruise click here
Why you should take a stroller on a cruise ship
- If you are flying to meet your cruise and there is a large time difference you will find your baby or toddler will suffer with jet lag. Strollers are definitely handy for kids suffering from jet lag.
- Strollers are helpful in a busy crowd
- You can use them for day time naps
- You can use them at night so you and your partner can have a nice dinner while the baby sleeps
For more information on what to pack for toddlers on cruise ships check out this post.
What to look for in a the best stroller for a cruise
There are three main things that I look at when consider the best stroller for a cruise. They are:
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Reclinable
Firstly cruise staterooms are small and space is at a premium. When travelling with a baby there are a lot of baby travel essentials that you have to take with you. To make sure you maximise the space in your cabin you want to make sure that your stroller can be packed away to fit under the bed or into the wardrobe.
Cabin doors on cruise ships are typically are only 21-24 inches wide (that’s 53-61cm). Strollers can not be kept in corridors on a cruise ship as they are a fire hazard so you will have to bring in your stroller after every use. Be sure your stroller is not wider than the door to make your life easier.
Also when you are walking on and off the ship using gangways or tenders you may be required to fold your stroller up and carry it for a small way. You will definitely want something lightweight for doing this.
And finally, we use our stroller on cruises a lot for nap times for day and night. Having a stroller that reclines at least a little will make it more comfortable for baby to take a nap in.
My personal preference is also to get a stroller with a good storage basket underneath as you can store everything you need to take for a day out there.
For itinerary specific information on using a stroller check out these posts:
The Best Umbrella Strollers for Cruises 2020
BabyZen Yoyo
The only downside of the babyzen yoyo is that it is one of the more expensive travel strollers on the market.
Familidoo Air Stroller
The Familidoo Air Stroller is the stroller that we used on our round the world trip and we used it on our 40 night cruise so can attest so how good it was on our cruise. The Familidoo Air Stroller weighs only 5.2kg and folds down into an over head locker which means it packs away perfectly on a cruise ship. The stroller is suitable from birth though I personally prefer to use it from a slightly older age.
Click here for prices and availability
Mountain Buggy Nano
Another of the big boys in the travel stroller market. The Mountain Nano. This is another super compact stroller that will fit easily into any cruise cabin. One of the great things about this stroller is that is has a good recline option which is perfect for those that want to use the stroller for napping toddlers or babies. It can also be used from birth without additional purchases to convert the stroller.
For more information and prices click here!
GB Pokit
The GB Pokit can only be used from aged 6 months but this is the earliest you can go most cruises with a baby anyway. We considered this stroller however my 6ft5 husband found it just a bit low for him but on the plus side this stroller is one of the lighter ones at 5.8kg. The only other downside to this stroller is that the sun shade does not come fully over the child which means that this stroller might not be the best for super sunny cruise destinations.
For prices and more information click here!
ErgoBaby Metro
Another 
Click here for more prices and information.
Kolkraft Cloud Plus
Click here for prices and more information
Diono Traverse Edition
The Diono Traverse Stroller is a great choice for those looking for a light weigh and compact stroller. The Diono Stroller weighs less than 5.6kg. On top of that the stroller folds down neatly but also has a useful handful when packed away which makes it easy to pull along.
Our friends over at Otis and US has used this stroller frequently on their camper van adventures and you can read their full review about this stroller here!
To check out prices and availability CLICK HERE
Other Stroller Products to Use on a Cruise
Now you know which stroller you want o take on your next cruise with a baby, here are some other stroller essentials that you should consider taking.
Stroller Bag
If you decide not to use your stroller in the airport and decide to check it rather than putting it in an overhead locker then a stroller bag is an essential to keep it safe in the hold.
Click here for options!
Rain Cover
Not all cruise destinations are hot so if your stroller doesn’t come with one then be sure to get a universal rain cover.
Fan
If you are going somewhere hot like the Caribbean or on a South Pacific cruise then a fan that can attach to your stroller will help your baby cope with the hot weather.
Sun Shade
If you have opted for a travel stroller that doesn’t have a deep shade then I would recommend buying an additional sun shade. Some like this one even come with mosquito netting which are an added bonus in tropical climates.
Stroller Toys
Whether you are at home or on vacation toys for a stroller are an essential that will keep your baby or toddler amused as you enjoy your shore excursion.
For everything else you need to take on your baby’s cruise check out our full baby cruse packing list!
Other FAQs About strollers on cruise ships
Can you rent a stroller on a cruise ship?
This really depends on the cruise ship. Carnival offers a stroller rental service and costs around 10USD per day. I personally however prefer to take my own as we can get our baby used to sleeping and napping in it and we know where it has been. Carnival tend to use the Kolkraft Cloud Plus for their rental strollers which easily fit inside cruise doors.
Can I use double stroller on Cruise Ship?
If you are thinking about taking a double stroller on cruise ships I would advise you to reconsider as it will be hard to use onboard. The walkways in corridors while wide enough for a stroller are not wide enough for a double stroller and will also take up too much room in your cabin.
If you have to take one then I would advise keeping it folded up until you are off the ship and in port.