Royal Caribbean's Royal Babies & Tots Nursery (part of Adventure Ocean) charges approximately $6–$9 per child per hour, with a 2-hour minimum per session. It's the only supervised care option on Royal Caribbean ships for children under age 3.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Most parents don't realize until they're mid-booking that Royal Caribbean's free Adventure Ocean program doesn't cover babies and toddlers under age 3. For the littlest cruisers, you're looking at a paid nursery — and the cost adds up fast across a 7-night sailing.
What the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery Costs
The Royal Babies & Tots Nursery is a fee-based, staffed childcare service available on Royal Caribbean ships for children aged 6 months to under 36 months. (Children 3 and up qualify for complimentary Adventure Ocean programming.)
Typical 2025–2026 pricing:
- $6–$9 per child per hour (exact rate varies by ship and sailing)
- 2-hour minimum per session — meaning you're spending at least $12–$18 per drop-off
- Hours are limited — typically open during specific morning, afternoon, and evening windows
- Pre-registration is required and space is extremely limited, especially on popular sailings
Here's what a realistic usage scenario looks like across a 7-night cruise:
| Usage Level | Sessions/Day | Hrs/Session | Daily Cost (1 child) | 7-Night Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light (sea days only) | 1 | 2 hrs | ~$14–$18 | ~$56–$72 |
| Moderate | 2 | 2 hrs each | ~$28–$36 | ~$196–$252 |
| Heavy (dinners + activities) | 2–3 | 2–3 hrs | ~$40–$54 | ~$280–$378 |
Rates before any onboard service surcharge. Always confirm exact pricing in your Cruise Planner or at the Adventure Ocean desk on embarkation day.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive the Total Cost
1. Number of children under 3 The hourly rate applies per child. Two toddlers in the nursery doubles every line item above.
2. Ship and sailing date Pricing is not uniform fleet-wide. Newer ships (Wonder of the Seas, Icon of the Seas) may have slightly different rates than older vessels. Check your specific sailing in the Cruise Planner before you board.
3. How often you actually use it The nursery is not designed for full-day care. Sessions are time-blocked, and availability sells out. Families who plan to use it for every dinner plus a few sea day activities will hit that $300+ range quickly.
4. The 3-year-old threshold If your child turns 3 during the cruise, Adventure Ocean complimentary programming may not kick in until after their birthday onboard. Plan your nursery budget assuming they're under 3 for the full sailing to avoid surprises.
5. Service charges Royal Caribbean typically adds an 18% gratuity to onboard purchases. Confirm whether this applies to nursery fees on your sailing — it can meaningfully affect the per-hour effective rate.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money and Avoid Frustration
Register on embarkation day — not later. The Royal Babies nursery fills up fast, particularly for evening slots. Head to the Adventure Ocean desk the moment you board, before you do anything else.
Plan around free programming. The nursery is paid; Adventure Ocean for ages 3+ is free. If your toddler will turn 3 during a future sailing, booking after the birthday can save you hundreds of dollars.
Use port days strategically. When the ship is in port and you're off exploring, you won't need the nursery. Your paid usage is mostly a sea day and evening dinner calculation.
Consider your cabin location. If you're booking specifically to use the nursery heavily, a cabin closer to the Adventure Ocean area reduces the friction of multiple daily trips with a diaper bag.
Budget it as a line item. A realistic nursery budget for a 7-night sailing with one child under 3 who's used moderately is $150–$250 all-in. Don't let it be a surprise charge when you settle your account.
How Royal Caribbean Compares to Other Lines for Infant Care
Not all cruise lines offer any paid infant care. Here's how the major family-focused lines stack up:
| Cruise Line | Infant Nursery Available | Age Minimum to Sail | Approximate Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | ✅ Yes (Royal Babies & Tots) | 6 months | $6–$9/hr |
| Disney Cruise Line | ✅ Yes (It's a Small World Nursery) | 3 months | ~$9/hr |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | ✅ Yes (Guppies) | 6 months | ~$6–$8/hr |
| Carnival | ❌ No infant nursery | 6 months | N/A |
| Celebrity Cruises | ❌ No infant nursery | 6 months | N/A |
| Princess | ❌ No infant nursery | 6 months | N/A |
Bottom line for infant travel: Royal Caribbean and Disney are the two strongest choices if supervised infant care is non-negotiable. Disney's It's a Small World Nursery has longer hours and slightly higher polish, but Royal Caribbean's nursery is solid and considerably cheaper per night than a Disney cruise fare.
One important note on pools: Regardless of nursery enrollment, Royal Caribbean (like all major lines) follows U.S. Public Health regulations — children in diapers, swim diapers, or pull-ups are not permitted in pools or whirlpools. This applies fleet-wide.
Before you book, run your full family cruise cost — nursery fees included — through CruiseMutiny to see whether Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or Disney gives you the best total value for sailing with an infant or toddler.