Three generations on one ship can be the easiest family trip you'll ever take, if the cabins, dining and days are planned around everyone. Here's what I look at.
Kids' clubs and teens
On Royal Caribbean, supervised Adventure Ocean programs for ages 3 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 12 are included, and hosted teen programs for ages 13 to 17 are free too (teen spaces vary by ship). A drop-off nursery for children from 6 months to 3 years is on select ships for a fee. Other lines have their own programs and ages, so I'll compare them for you.
Cabins for a multi-generation group
- How many cabins? Tell me on the form, plus who's in each one. I'll look at cabins near each other, connecting rooms where a ship has them, and family-size rooms. None of these are guaranteed until booked, so I'll tell you what's actually available.
- Grandparents. A cabin close to an elevator, low and mid-ship for less motion, and quieter spaces on board.
- Dining together. Ask me about lining up a shared dinner time for the whole group.
Documents for kids
On most U.S. sailings with Royal Caribbean, kids 15 and under can board with an original state-certified birth certificate. If a child under 18 travels without their legal guardian, the accompanying adult must bring a notarized form signed by the guardian. Passports are the most flexible option for everyone.
Pair it with a hotel or the parks
Many families add a night near the port, or a few days in Orlando before a Port Canaveral sailing. See Port Canaveral & Orlando hotels, vacation packages and first-cruise basics.
FAQ
Are kids' clubs included on a cruise?
Often, yes. On many big-ship lines, supervised kids' clubs for school-age children are included in the fare, and nurseries for babies and toddlers cost extra where they exist. Ages and hours vary by ship, so I check yours.
Can you plan several cabins for one family trip?
Yes. Tell me how many cabins you need and who's in each one, and I'll look for options that keep everyone close and line up dinner and excursion plans.
What ID do kids need to cruise?
It depends on the sailing. On many U.S. round-trip sailings, younger children can board with an original birth certificate, and a minor traveling without a legal guardian needs a notarized letter from the guardian. I check the rules for your cruise.
Does it cost more to book through an advisor?
Not for cruises and hotels. No Book with the Captain fees and no markup on cruise and hotel bookings: you pay the cruise line's or hotel's rate. I'm paid commission by the cruise line or hotel.
Sources
- Royal Caribbean, "What Is Included On A Cruise" guide (read Oct 24, 2026): https://www.royalcaribbean.com/guides/what-is-included-on-a-cruise
- Royal Caribbean, "Can I cruise with a birth certificate?" (read Oct 24, 2026): https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-i-cruise-with-a-birth-certificate-as-my-identification
- Royal Caribbean, travel documents (read Oct 24, 2026): https://www.royalcaribbean.com/plan-a-cruise/travel-documents
- Royal Caribbean, motion sickness FAQ (read Oct 24, 2026): https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/motion-sickness-prevention-treatment-onboard
- Royal Caribbean, cruise deck plans guide (read Oct 24, 2026): https://www.royalcaribbean.com/guides/cruise-deck-plans
Book with the Captain is an independent travel advisor with Fora Travel and isn't an official partner of, or endorsed by, any cruise line.