One of the best additions to cruise ships in recent years has to be the introduction of Splash Parks. If ever you need a signal that a cruise line is vying for the family market, stick a brightly coloured, fountain of fun in the middle of the lido deck.
Another benefit is certain cruise lines allow swim nappies/diapers in the splash park. All lines have a strict policy that children must be potty trained in the ‘main’ pools, though some have smaller baby pools.
Click here to visit our comprehensive table of which ships and cruise lines allow children in swim diapers/nappies into which pools and splash parks.
Most ships put sun-beds around the splash park so if your kids are old enough you can sit back and relax while you watch them have fun. Some even have mini-sized beds for the little people! Happy days!
The above splash park pics were all taken on-board Royal Caribbean ships.
Carnival’s splash park offering on-board Vista and Horizon includes a brilliant Dr Seuss themed water park for smaller kids, along with a couple of flume slides for bigger kids.
On Carnival Cruises, your children must be potty trained to use the on-board water facilities . In truth, it was ultimately the reason we got our son out of diapers/nappies.
“You won’t be joining your sister in the Splash Park on the next cruise, if you don’t start peeing in your potty…” Works a charm. #toddlergoals
Bring Your Own Pool
A top tip when travelling on a cruise line, such as Carnival, where children must be fully potty trained before using the swimming pools and splash parks… If your little one isn’t quite ready, bring along a small paddling pool, which doubles up as a mini bath for the shower!
If you choose a busy itinerary you’ll only have one or two sea-days. The rest will be exploring ports and visiting beaches. The paddling pool is a good short-term solution, especially if you or your kids aren’t a fan of the awesome free kids clubs on-board, and you fancy a bit of time sunning yourself.
On Carnival it’s free childcare from the age of 2 which you can use as little or as much as you like. P&O Cruises have a more relaxed policy when it comes to children in swim nappies. Completely guessing here, but this could be as they are a British line (albeit American owned) they don’t follow the same strict US rules?
Baby Pools
Here is a very Mini GC having fun in the children’s pool on P&O Ventura.
Just in case you have a total water baby who won’t fancy the paddling pool suggestion above, P&O have some toddler friendly pools. Though there are some limitations… “Children are welcome to use the friendly family pools. Due to public health regulations, children in nappies, swim nappies, pull ups, or who are not completely toilet trained are only permitted to use designated pools.“
We are going on our first MSC Cruise on MSC Seaview in October – watch this space for an update on our verdict on the swimming pools and splash parks on MSC Seaview.
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