Is there babysitting available on a cruise? | Direct Line Cruises Help Center

Yes, babysitting services are available on many cruise ships, though the availability and format vary by cruise line. Options generally fall into two categories: group babysitting (more common) and in-room babysitting (limited or unavailable on most ships).

🧸 1. Group Babysitting (Evening or Late-Night Programs)

Most major cruise lines offer group babysitting in the kids’ club for children ages 3–11 (age varies by line).

When: Typically available in the evenings (e.g., 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM)
Where: Held in the ship’s youth activity center
Cost: Usually $5–$8 per hour, per child
Activities: Movies, storytime, quiet games, and nap mats

🚢 Examples:

Cruise Line	Group Babysitting Offered?	Program Name
Royal Caribbean	✅ Yes, "Late Night Party Zone"	Adventure Ocean
Carnival	✅ Yes, "Night Owls"	Camp Ocean
Norwegian	✅ Yes, late-night group care	Splash Academy
Disney Cruise Line	✅ Yes, extended evening care	Oceaneer Club/Lab
MSC Cruises	✅ Yes (select itineraries)	Kids Club

🛏️ 2. In-Room Babysitting

Rarely offered anymore due to staffing and safety policies.
Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean previously offered it but have phased it out.
If this service is important, check directly with the cruise line before booking.

👶 3. Nursery Services (For Infants and Toddlers)

Available on select cruise lines for children 6 months to 3 years old.

Cruise Line	Nursery for Babies?	Notes
Royal Caribbean	✅ Yes (limited ships)	Royal Babies & Tots Nursery (by reservation, extra cost)
Disney Cruise Line	✅ Yes	“It’s a Small World Nursery” (hourly fee)
Norwegian	❌ No	No nursery for under age 3
Carnival	❌ No	Starts at age 2 for Camp Ocean
MSC Cruises	✅ Yes	Baby Club for children 6 months+

💡 Important Notes:

Pre-registration is required, especially for nurseries.
Services are first-come, first-served and can fill quickly—book early if available.
Babysitting hours and policies may vary by ship, itinerary, and staffing.

✅ In Summary

Type of Babysitting	Available?	Cost
Group Babysitting	✅ Most ships	$5–$8/hour
In-Room Babysitting	❌ Rare/unavailable	N/A
Infant Nurseries	✅ On select lines	Varies (hourly fee)

Cruise lines offer excellent options for supervised childcare—especially in the evenings—making it easy for parents to enjoy a night out while kids have fun in a safe, structured environment.