Finding The Best Travel Strollers For Cruising

The cruise is booked, we are all ready to explore a new and exciting cruise ship with 13 plus floors and a new land every day. Finding the best travel buggy is next on the list to ensure your cruise goes without a hitch. Whether is cruise embarkation day or a cruise port. This is something you don,t want to travel without.

When I researched this post it struck me how we all have different terms for buggy’, pushchairs, strollers, compacts prams! So I have tried to include as many terms as possible to make it parent search friendly. We have so much to think about when preparing to cruise with babies don’t we? Now is the time to find the best travel buggy or the best travel stroller if you prefer, for your cruise.

What about what we need to take with us when cruising with babies and toddlers? What are the best travel strollers for cruising?

We cover a LOT of ground when we cruise, travelling to and from the port, flying to our destination,  all those miles onboard ship, and don’t forget days in port exploring new towns and cities. There are so many factors to consider when cruising with a baby. We have done the research and will keep updating this as information changes to help parents make the best decision to make travel easier.

Connecting with my cruise ship; what is the best travel buggy for flying?

Can I take a pushchair on a flight?

You are allowed to take pushchairs onto your flight. They are classed as free baggage and can be taken in addition to your baggage allowance. The pushchair will be taken from you at the gate and stored in the aircraft hold. If the gate is not in the terminal building you are able to take a buggy to the plane steps, where staff will take it from you.

When landing your pushchair will be either be returned with your luggage or taken out of the hold and returned to you on the tarmac. If you are travelling on a charter flight where your baggage is taken directly from the aircraft to the ship, then you will either be able to collect the pushchair from the tarmac, or it will be taken to the ship with your hold luggage. For clarification we recommend you discuss this with check-in staff when you check-in for your flight and confirm you will need a pushchair in the terminal building, checking in at a cruise terminal is busy, you will need your buggy.

Can I use a stroller at the cruise terminal?

Yes a pushchair is essential at the cruise terminal, whilst cruise check-in is all set up to accommodate families there is a lot of queuing, moving around the terminal and a lengthy walk to board the ship. Some cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean offer refreshments port side to make it easier for families, but not all do.  A pushchair at cruise check in eases the pressure and alleviates tired and grumpy toddlers and babies.

Can I take a stroller on a cruise, and will a buggy fit into my cruise cabin?

Yes you can take a stroller on a cruise, the best cruise buggy to make it easy for yourself is a lightweight  easy to fold umbrella folding or a fold in half style.

How wide are cabin doors on cruise ships? We have been given this information directly from the Cruise Lines.

The average width of a cruise cabin door is between 53 and 61 cm giving just enough room to fit a travel stroller though. It is also worth checking how wide a pushchair is before purchasing and contacting the cruise line directly if you are concerned. However working on a measurement of less than 53 inches guarantees that you will find the perfect travel buggy for your cruise.

This P&O cruise ship door width guide is incredible. All cruise lines should have this!

Princess Cruises standard door width is 60.4 cm

Carnival Cruises standard door width is also 60.4 cm

Things To Consider When Taking a buggy on a cruise

• A buggy for a cruise must be compact and lightweight to lift on and off the ship, up and down the gangplank the best travel strollers are easy to lift.
• Ensure your buggy folds to a compact size so you can put it under your bed or in your wardrobe of your cabin.
• Ensure the width will fit through you cabin doors so you do not have to wake sleeping babes.
• It should tuck in corners easily, you can leave your stroller at the entrance of a restaurant on a cruise ship, but you can’t take it in! We used to collect our buggy from our cabin after our evening meal, it made things a little easier.
• Make sure your buggy has a good quality high factor sunshade or parasol to protect them on hot days.
• A good cruise buggy should be reclinable for napping
• An under basket for storing essentials, such as a travel bag with spare clothes and nappies is useful.

Can I Rent A Stroller on a Cruise Ship?

We are scouring the internet looking for the best travel buggy to take on a cruise. We will update Cruise line buggy and stroller policies and as we find them and update them here.

Many cruise lines do not provide pushchairs for infants/children on board, but you are welcome to take your own and there are no restrictions with this. However you must ensure that when they are not in use they are stored safely in your cabin and not left in passenger gangways/corridors.

We hope that guide has been helpful, because if you can iron out the little things and be cruise ready and family cruise really is the best way to travel. However want a little more information about Cruising With A Baby? CLICK HERE. And to find the Best Cruises For Families THIS POST offers lots of practical advice. 

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