How to Plan a Princess Cruises Family Vacation

Family vacations are supposed to be fun for everyone, but it's rare that a three-year-old, a teenager, and their parents actually want to do the same thing at the same time. A Princess Cruises family vacation is built around that exact problem, with something different waiting for every age group onboard, and an easy way to bring everyone back together when it's time for dinner.

Here's what to know before you book, and how to plan around it.

Family Cruising Made Simple With MedallionClass

Every Princess Cruises stateroom includes access to MedallionClass, the line's wearable device and app system that cuts down on a lot of the friction families deal with on a normal vacation. A few features stand out for families specifically:

• Shipmate Locator: add your family to the app, and you can see where everyone is onboard and send a message, useful for teens who want some independence and parents who want peace of mind.
• Keyless stateroom entry: the door unlocks automatically as you approach, no fumbling for a key card while carrying pool bags or a sleeping toddler.
• A simplified safety drill: watch the mandatory safety video from your stateroom; many guests just turn it on while unpacking, then tap your Medallion at the muster station before sailing. No herding kids through a long, crowded drill.
• Flexible dining through Dine My Way: book different restaurants and times each evening and adjust throughout the cruise, useful for families juggling early bedtimes or picky eaters.

One detail worth knowing if you're traveling with an infant or toddler: families can request a traditional keycard instead of the wearable Medallion at Guest Services, a good option for little ones who tend to put small objects in their mouths.

For the full rundown of everything the Medallion does, see our guide: What Is the Princess Cruises Medallion & How Does It Work?

Princess Plus vs. Princess Premier for Families

If your family plans to spend much of the day at the pool, in specialty dining, or off the ship on excursions, it's worth thinking through Princess's two bundled packages before you book. Here's how they stack up on the details that matter most for families:

Device count tends to matter most for families. One device per guest on Plus works fine for parents and older kids managing their own phones, but a family with several kids wanting to stream or video call at the same time may find Premier's four devices per guest more practical. Both packages also waive the OceanNow delivery fee, handy if you're ordering pool-deck snacks between kids club pickups.

For complete pricing and a full inclusions breakdown, see our guide: Princess Plus vs. Princess Premier: What's Included in Each Package?

Meet Princess's Youth & Teen Clubs

Rather than one general kids club, Princess groups its youth and teen programming by age, each with its own dedicated space.

Ages 6 Months to 2 Years

The youngest guests can join sessions in the Youth & Teen Club, accompanied by a parent, for a gentle introduction to the club environment.

The Treehouse (Ages 3 to 7)

A whimsical, forest-themed space filled with hands-on activities throughout the day. Highlights include:

• Klutz art projects like paper airplanes and charm bracelets.
• An Endangered Species program focused on protecting furry creatures.
• Pirate Night.

The Lodge (Ages 8 to 12)

An outdoors-inspired, cozy space built around sports activities and comfortable spots for kids to hang out. Highlights include:

• Rocket building and hands-on science challenges.
• Miniature Olympics.
• A shark-themed scavenger hunt.

Registered kids are expected to stay within the program designated for their age group. Sign-in rules also differ by age: kids 3 to 7 must be signed in and out by a parent or another adult the parent authorizes, while kids 8 to 12 can sign themselves out with parent approval.

The Beach House (Ages 13 to 17)

A beach-themed lounge designed as a space for teens to hang out and socialize on their own terms. Highlights include:

• The Rock the Boat Party gives teens a dress-up night with a red-carpet entrance.
• Video game and air hockey tournaments run alongside dance classes with a crew dancer.
• Scary Movie Night and a teen-only formal-night dinner round out the lineup.

Club 1820 (Ages 18 to 20)

Picture a secret society built just for the ship: young adults ages 18 to 20 learn a private handshake and receive a code word that unlocks their own exclusive list of events, no younger siblings, no parents, no official hosts.

Youth Clubs on Sun Princess & Star Princess

Princess's Sun Princess & Star Princess use their own names for the same age-tiered concept: Firefly Park (ages 3 to 7) replaces The Treehouse, Neon Grove (ages 8 to 12) replaces The Lodge, and The Underground (ages 13 to 17) replaces The Beach House. The age ranges and complimentary access stay the same.

Registration and What to Expect

Registration happens onboard, typically on embarkation day, and club facilities can vary somewhat by ship (contact The Cruise Web to confirm). Programs run complimentary during port days, and advance bookings aren't required. On sailings with a lot of families onboard, like peak summer or holiday weeks, Princess makes every effort to accommodate everyone, though participation can't be guaranteed.

For a few hours to yourselves, group babysitting is available for ages 3 to 12 for an additional fee.

Traveling With Special Needs Children

Add accessibility, dietary, and medical details through the MedallionClass app under OceanProfile, in the "accessibility & dietary requirements" section. When you register for a Youth & Teen Club, there's also a dedicated section to note allergies, special needs, and medical conditions so staff can accommodate your child. Youth staff can't offer one-on-one supervision or administer medication, but they'll make every effort to include your child in the program.

Family Dining Aboard Princess

Between the Main Dining Room, casual venues like World Fresh Marketplace, The Eatery, Horizon Court, and the International Café, plus a poolside grill, pizzeria, and ice cream bar, there's rarely a moment when someone in the family can't find something they actually want to eat.

Kids' menus are available in the Main Dining Room and by request at specialty restaurants, where children eat at half price. Expect familiar favorites like pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream at various spots around the ship.

A few more dining details worth knowing:

• Complimentary juices (apple, orange, cranberry, pineapple, tomato, and prune) are available at breakfast in the Main Dining Room and buffet, along with all-day lemonade, milk, and chocolate milk. Alaska sailings also include complimentary hot chocolate.
• Kid-only dinners on select evenings, plus a teen-only formal-night dinner in its own reserved section of the dining room.
• Ice cream and pizza parties throughout the voyage.
• Complimentary soft-serve ice cream and popcorn during Movies Under the Stars, the ship's poolside movie nights.

Tip: If you're in a rush to get back to the pool or a kids club pickup, just mention it to your waiter in the Main Dining Room; they'll accommodate a quick-service request.

High chairs and booster seats are available in the Main Dining Room, specialty restaurants, and the buffet, just ask your server when you arrive. They can't be reserved ahead of time, so it's first-come, first-served.

Traveling With Dietary Restrictions or Allergies

Princess can accommodate low-sodium, low-fat, low-sugar, and vegetarian diets; indicate your preference to one of The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts, and the rest will be taken care of for you. Kosher meals are available with an advance written request.

For allergies or medical dietary needs, you or your Cruise Web travel advisor must notify Princess in writing at least 35 days ahead for Alaska, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, and Coastal Getaway cruises, or 65 days ahead for everywhere else.

Once onboard, confirm your request with the Restaurant Manager or through your stateroom's Dine Line.

Important: If your child is registered for a Youth & Teen Club, let staff know about any allergies or medical needs at sign-up too, though it's worth knowing that youth staff can't offer one-on-one supervision or administer medication.

Family-Friendly Staterooms

Where you sleep matters as much as what you do onboard, especially with a toddler's naptime schedule to work around. Here are some features that make Princess staterooms easier to navigate as a family:

• Mini-Suites and Full Suites include full-size bathtubs and a separate sink/wash bin for shower time, handy for bathing little ones.
• Balcony staterooms are a good pick for quiet naptimes, with the ocean view as a bonus once nap time is over.
• Cribs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call ahead to request one before sailing, or ask your cabin steward once onboard. You're also welcome to bring your own travel crib.

For larger families, two-bedroom Family Suites sleep up to eight guests across two interconnecting staterooms. They're available on select ships, including Ruby Princess, Emerald Princess, Crown Princess, and Caribbean Princess, but they can't be booked online. A Cruise Web consultant can help you book these types of staterooms.

Traveling With a Baby

Complimentary jarred stage 1 and 2 baby food is available with advance notice, and the Main Dining Room can prepare pureed fruits or vegetables on request as well.

Pools, Water Play, and Onboard Activities

On ships like Caribbean Princess, the Reef Family Splash Zone gives families a dedicated spot to cool off together: an interactive splash pad with a giant whale feature, an all-ages game zone, and a kid-friendly bar area serving mocktails for the kids and cocktails for the parents.

A Pool Policy Every Family Should Know

Because of U.S. public health restrictions, children in diapers, even swim diapers, aren't permitted in Princess pools, including splash areas. Kids need to be fully potty trained to use any water feature onboard.

There are no lifeguards on duty, so parents need to supervise at all times, and Princess doesn't provide flotation devices, though you're welcome to bring your own inflatable device sized for your child.

Beyond the Pool

Family activities run throughout the cruise, including:

• Trivia and talent shows are open to the whole family.
• Games in the Piazza, the ship's central atrium.
• Family Movie Night at Movies Under the Stars, the ship's poolside screen.

Movie ratings vary by venue. The Youth Program shows G and PG films, while The Beach House screens G, PG, and PG-13. Stateroom TVs also include a dedicated family and kids category.

Celebrating a Birthday Onboard

Note the occasion in Manage Booking ahead of time or let our dedicated Cruise Experts know, and Princess will prepare a welcome note for your stateroom. You can also order celebration packages there, from small gifts to bigger onboard experiences. If the celebration is for one of your kids, let the Youth Staff know too; they're happy to help make it special.

Entertainment for Every Generation

Princess partnered with Stephen Schwartz, the Oscar-, Grammy-, and Tony Award-winning composer behind Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell, to create original stage productions found nowhere else in cruising. The first, Magic to Do, blends some of Schwartz's best-known songs with live stage illusions, and it's just one part of an entertainment lineup built to work for every generation in your family.

Beyond the stage, there's plenty to join in on rather than just watch: The Voice of the Ocean singing competition, the High Seas Heist mystery challenge, and the Can You Survive? game show all pull guests into the action.

How to Prepare for Your Princess Family Cruise

Minimum Age Requirements

• Guests must be at least 6 months old at the time of embarkation, or 12 months old for transatlantic crossings and remote itineraries.
• Escorted cruisetours require children to be at least 5.
• Guests under 21 need to share a stateroom with someone 21 or older who takes responsibility for them. Family groups booking multiple staterooms can include guests as young as 16, as long as they're traveling with a parent or legal guardian.

Travel Documents

A passport is strongly recommended for every guest, including kids. Some countries require extra documentation when a child is traveling with only one parent or with neither parent, permission slips or notarized consent, for example. These requirements vary by destination and can change without notice, so it's worth confirming with each country's consulate before you sail.

The Cruise Web Advantage: we sort details out well before you're packing your bags when you book through The Cruise Web. No last-minute scrambling to figure it out.

What to Pack

A few categories worth double-checking before you leave home:

• Any prescription medication in your carry-on, along with basics like children's pain reliever, anti-itch cream, and sun protection.
• Diapers and wipes, if needed, Princess provides special waste bags for diapers, removed daily from your stateroom.
• A portable crib if you didn't reserve one onboard, plus sippy cups and a stroller, umbrella strollers tend to be easiest to maneuver through the ship.
• Comfort items like a nightlight or a favorite stuffed animal, and inflatable swim aids for port days.

Start Planning With The Cruise Web

Planning a family vacation is a lot. Planning a cruise doesn't have to be. Princess Cruises handles the onboard experience, age-tiered clubs, flexible dining, and entertainment for every generation. The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts handle everything else:

• Choosing the right ship and itinerary that fits your vision
• Picking a stateroom that fits your family
• Figuring out whether Princess Plus or Premier packages actually make sense for how you'll spend your days onboard
• Answering questions that go beyond what's on the website

Call 1-800-377-9383 or visit cruiseweb.com to start planning your family vacation with Princess Cruises.

Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Princes Cruises itineraries, inclusions, and prices are subject to change at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum age to cruise with Princess?

Guests must be at least 6 months old at embarkation, or 12 months old for transatlantic crossings and remote itineraries. Escorted cruisetours require children to be at least 5.

Do kids need to be potty-trained for the pool and kids' clubs?

Yes. Children in diapers, even swim diapers, can't use the pools or any water play areas onboard, per U.S. public health restrictions. Kids also need to be potty-trained to participate independently in the Youth & Teen Clubs, starting at age 3.

Are Princess's youth and teen clubs free?

Yes, The Treehouse, The Lodge, The Beach House, and Club 1820 are all complimentary. Group babysitting for ages 3 to 12 is available for an additional fee during evening hours.

Do kids eat free on Princess Cruises?

Kids' menus are available at no charge in the Main Dining Room. At specialty restaurants, children eat at half price.

Can my child join if they have special needs?

Yes. Add accessibility, dietary, and medical details through the MedallionClass app under OceanProfile, and note any needs during Youth & Teen Club registration so staff can accommodate your child. Youth staff can't offer one-on-one supervision or administer medication, but they'll make every effort to include your child in programming.

What are the age restrictions for the spa, casino, and other venues?

Guests under 18 need an adult with them to use the spa, sauna, or steam room, and under-16s need an adult for the fitness center. Guests must be 18 or older for spa body treatments, the casino, and the nightclub after 11 pm.

Can kids join shore excursions?

Yes. Every excursion lists an appropriate age range and activity level. If you'd rather explore on your own, your child can stay onboard at The Treehouse or The Lodge with youth staff while you're in port.

What if there's a medical emergency onboard?

Crew are trained to respond to emergencies, and every ship has a fully operational clinic equipped to treat more than seasickness.