Traveling with a baby on a cruise can feel overwhelming if you’re unsure how sleeping arrangements work. One of the most common questions parents ask before booking is: “Can I request a crib on Royal Caribbean?”The answer is yes — Royal Caribbean provides cribs for free, and they are available on request for infants and toddlers who meet the age and safety requirements. These cribs are typically Pack ’n Play–style travel cribs, specially designed to fit safely within cruise cabin spaces.
However, simply knowing cribs are available is not enough. Parents want to understand how to request one, how early they should reserve it, the type of crib provided, cabin space considerations, safety rules, and what to bring from home. This detailed guide explains everything in an easy, practical, and highly helpful way so your cruise with your little one becomes smooth, organized, and comfortable.
Royal Caribbean offers cribs at no extra charge to guests traveling with infants under 36 months. Whether you are staying in an Interior cabin, Balcony, Suite, or family stateroom, you can request a crib. But availability is limited — usually first-come, first-served — which makes early reservation important.
Cribs are brought and assembled by the stateroom attendant. They can also remove it during the day if you want more floor space, although most families keep it set up throughout the cruise.
Cribs provided are usually:
Pack ’n Play travel cribs
Mesh-sided, breathable, and safety-approved
Approximately 38–40 inches long
Equipped with a thin, firm mattress (standard for infant safety)
Delivered with fitted sheets
Royal Caribbean does not provide traditional wooden cribs due to space and safety regulations. The Pack ’n Play option is specifically chosen to comply with CPSIA safety standards.
Royal Caribbean allows:
Infants aged 6 months and older on regular itineraries
Infants aged 12 months and older on longer or transatlantic itineraries
Any baby under 36 months can request a crib.
Most cabins can accommodate one crib only due to space restrictions.Larger suites or family staterooms may hold two, but this depends on layout, so it must be asked ahead of time.
You have several ways to ensure a crib is ready when you board. Because only a limited number of cribs are stored on each ship, early action is key.
When booking your cruise, you will find a section to add special requests such as:
Crib request
Highchair
Refrigerator (for milk)
Baby bath essentials
Adding the crib here ensures Guest Services notes your need before sailing.
If you missed the special request field, simply contact Royal Caribbean customer service. They will attach a crib request to your reservation.
Provide:
Baby’s age
Number of cribs needed
Stateroom number
This is one of the most reliable ways to confirm availability ahead of time.
If you booked through a travel agent, they can submit the crib request on your behalf. Travel agents often handle these things smoothly since they are familiar with cruise policies.
If you didn’t pre-request a crib, you can ask when you meet your stateroom attendant. They typically check:
Arrival guest notes
Special needs list
Their housekeeping inventory
Crew members work quickly, but during peak seasons with many families on board, availability can become tight.
Once onboard, you can message Guest Services through the app if a crib has not been delivered within the first few hours.
Baby safety in cabins is taken very seriously on cruises because of restricted space, moving conditions at sea, and furniture layout. Understanding setup, placement, and safe sleeping guidelines will help you enjoy peace of mind.
Crib placement depends on cabin type:
Interior rooms: Usually at the foot of the bed or beside the closet.
Oceanview cabins: Often beside the window or in the entrance corner.
Balcony rooms: Usually beside the sofa or away from balcony doors for safety.
Suites: More flexibility — often placed in the living area.
If you prefer a specific location, simply guide your stateroom attendant.
Cribs fit in almost all cabins, but interior rooms are tight. You may need to:
Move the coffee table
Request the sofa bed not be set up
Keep the stateroom organized to maintain walking space
Suites have ample room and are ideal for families.
Cruise ships follow strict infant safety guidelines:
The baby must sleep alone in the crib
No large blankets or pillows inside
Crib must be placed away from balcony doors
Mesh sides must remain secured
Mattress cannot be replaced with personal foam pads
Parents should avoid placing the crib near outlets or furniture edges.
If you bring a stroller, you might need to:
Fold it each night
Store it under your bed
Use the closet or balcony (on select ships only)
This maximizes space for the crib.
While the crib itself is free, parents often wonder what other baby amenities are available onboard.
Royal Caribbean provides:
A fitted crib sheet
A light baby blanket
They do not offer:
Extra pillows for babies
Thick comforters
Sleep sacks
These must be brought from home.
On most ships, you can purchase:
Diapers
Wipes
Baby food pouches
Formula (limited brands)
Swim diapers
However, prices are higher than on land, and brands are limited. Always pack your preferred items.
Every stateroom includes:
Mini-fridge (for milk or formula)
Curtains for darkening the room
Adjustable air conditioning
Some suites include bathtubs, which are convenient for infants.
Although not provided in cabins, highchairs are available at:
Main Dining Room
Windjammer buffet
Specialty restaurants
These can be requested on the spot.
Even with a provided crib, many parents want to ensure their child sleeps well at sea.
Below are practical, cruise-proven tips.
To help your baby adjust, pack:
Their favorite sleep toy
A sleep sack
Pacifiers
A small comfort blanket
White noise machine or phone app
Familiar smells and textures calm babies in new environments.
Cruises are exciting, but overtired babies become fussy. Try to maintain your home schedule as much as possible.
Most cabins include a privacy curtain dividing the sleeping and sitting areas.Parents use this to:
Create a quiet space for baby naps
Reduce light exposure
Allow adults to watch TV or move around quietly
Babies sleep better in cooler rooms. Adjust your thermostat and dress your baby appropriately.
Give your baby some floor time during the day. A happy baby naps better.
Set up a small night arrangement with:
Diapers
Wipes
Bottles
Extra sleepwear
This avoids fumbling through drawers at midnight.
Yes, cribs (Pack ’n Plays) are free for all guests traveling with infants.
Yes. Inventory is limited, so pre-request as early as possible.
A Pack ’n Play–style travel crib with mesh sides and a fitted sheet.
Yes, but Royal Caribbean recommends using theirs due to safety compliance and space.
Yes, stateroom attendants can fold it away on request.
Yes. Balcony cabins comfortably accommodate a crib.
Possible only in larger rooms (suites or family cabins); must be pre-requested.
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