Can I bring a kids' car seat on a cruise?

Yes, you can bring a kids' car seat on a cruise, but it will only be useful in limited situations. Car seats are permitted on all major cruise lines but are not provided onboard. You must store them in your stateroom. Most shore excursions use buses or vans without seat belts or car seat anchors, so the car seat cannot be used on those tours.

  • United States: Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian permit car seats. They are not provided. You must store them in your stateroom. No hallway storage is allowed. Most shore excursions use charter buses without seat belts.
  • Canada: Disney Cruise Line permits car seats. They must be stored in your stateroom. Limited loaners may be available. Parking in hallways is strictly prohibited.
  • Europe and United Kingdom: Most cruise lines operating in Europe follow the same stateroom storage rules. Car seats are permitted but not provided. Shore excursions on buses and vans typically lack seat belts and car seat anchors.
  • Gulf Region: Cruise lines operating in the Gulf, including those departing from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, permit car seats. They must be stored in your stateroom. Shore excursions may not accommodate car seats.
  • Turkey: Cruise lines departing from Istanbul and other Turkish ports permit car seats. Storage in your stateroom is required. Excursion vehicles may not have seat belts.
  • Asia-Pacific: Cruise lines operating from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo permit car seats. They must be stored in your stateroom. Check with the specific line for any loaner programs.

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Detailed Answer

Are Car Seats Permitted on Cruise Ships?

Yes. Car seats are permitted on all major cruise lines. They are not on any prohibited items list. You can bring your own car seat onboard. However, the cruise line does not provide car seats for use on the ship or during shore excursions.

Where to Store the Car Seat

All cruise lines require that personal items, including car seats, be stored inside your stateroom. Hallways and public areas cannot be used for storage. This is a safety regulation to keep evacuation routes clear. Some cabins have limited closet space, so a lightweight travel car seat or a foldable model is easier to store than a full-size convertible seat.

If you are flying to the cruise port, using an FAA-approved car seat on the plane is a good way to transport it. It keeps your child safe and familiar with the seat, and it arrives with you at the port.

Shore Excursions: The Real Problem

Most cruise line shore excursions use charter buses or vans that do not have seat belts or car seat anchors. This means your car seat cannot be secured. Some private excursions may use vehicles with seat belts, but this is not guaranteed. If you plan to use a car seat on shore, you should book private transfers or tours that specify vehicles with seat belts and anchors.

For cruise line transfers from the airport to the port, the vehicles are often charter buses where car seats are not needed. For private airport transfers, you can book a car service that provides car seats so you do not have to bring your own.

Using a Car Seat Onboard

Some parents use a car seat in the main dining room to keep a baby secure during meals. This is sometimes permitted, but you should check with Guest Services upon arrival. It is not a standard service and depends on the ship and the dining staff.

By Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean

Car seats are not provided. Guests may bring their own and must store them in the stateroom when not in use. They will be tagged and delivered to your room like luggage. No onboard storage is available outside your cabin.

Disney Cruise Line

Bring your own compact stroller or car seat. Limited loaners may exist. All personal belongings, including car seats, must be stored in the stateroom. Parking in hallways is strictly prohibited.

Carnival Cruise Line

Car seats are not on the prohibited items list. You may bring them, but they are your responsibility to store in your cabin. Most Carnival shore excursions use charter buses where car seats cannot be secured.

Norwegian Cruise Line

For infants under 2, one car seat and/or one stroller is included as checked baggage on flights. Cruise line policies generally follow the same stateroom storage rules.

Real Traveler Experiences

"We brought our Cosco Scenera car seat. It took up a lot of space in the closet, but we piled stuff on top of it. It was worth it for peace of mind on the plane, but we did not use it on any shore excursions because the buses had no seat belts." Cruise passenger, Cruise Critic

"Most excursions are on buses that would be unable to accommodate a car seat. Plus, most excursions are free for the very young, with the expectation that they are sitting on the parent's lap." Cruise passenger, Cruise Critic

"I had a ship excursion in a van with no seat belts. The driver had to put the car seat in the step well. At each stop, he had to remove it for people to get off, then put it back to drive. The couple had to hold the baby on their lap during the excursion." Cruise passenger, Cruise Critic

"We decided to leave the car seats behind because they are so much trouble. We booked a travel service from the airport to the cruise port that includes car seats and limited our excursions to places we could walk to." Cruise passenger, Cruise Critic

Pro Tips

  • Check your transfer. If you are taking a cruise line transfer from the airport, it is often a charter bus where car seats are not needed.
  • Book private transfers. For airport to port travel, book a private car service that provides car seats so you do not have to bring your own.
  • Choose walkable ports. If you want to avoid the car seat issue on excursions, choose itineraries with ports where you can walk to nearby beaches or attractions.
  • Use it on the plane. If you are flying to the cruise port, using an FAA-approved car seat on the plane ensures your child is safe and familiar with the seat.
  • Store smart. Put the car seat in a closet or slide a low-profile travel seat under the bed.
  • Check with Guest Services. If you want to use a car seat in the dining room, ask upon arrival.

Related Questions

Sources

AskTravel.org gives you the answer first, then the detail. Every answer is built from official sources and updated when rules change. See how we answer: How We Answer.

AskTravel.org is an information website only. Always check local regulations and operator policies before traveling, as rules change frequently.

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