A cruise is a wonderful, affordable family vacation. One perk of cruising is the availability of a free-of-charge kids camp!

Cruise line kids’ camps are supervised programs on most major cruise lines. They provide age-appropriate activities for children and teens. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy other parts of the ship. These camps are typically divided into age groups and are staffed by trained youth counselors.

The staff who work in cruise line kids’ camps are specially trained youth counselors. They have qualifications and experience in childcare, education, or recreation. Here’s a detailed look at who they are and what qualifies them:

Who Works in Cruise Kids’ Camps?

1. Youth Counselors

• Background: Most have degrees or experience in early childhood education, elementary teaching, childcare, psychology, or recreation.
• Experience: Typically have 2+ years working with children in schools, daycares, camps, or similar settings.
• Duties: Lead activities, supervise play, manage group dynamics, ensure safety, and provide emotional support.

2. Teen Staff or Activity Coordinators

• Work specifically with older kids (12–17).
• Plan social events like movie nights, dance parties, and game tournaments.
• Often act more like mentors or facilitators than teachers.

3. Nursery Attendants (for babies and toddlers)

• Required to have infant/toddler care experience.
• Often certified in pediatric CPR and first aid.
• Background checks are stricter for this role due to the age group.

Qualifications and Safety

• First Aid/CPR Certified: All staff are trained in emergency procedures.
• Background Checks: All counselors undergo criminal background and reference checks.
• Safety Training: Includes child safety, health protocols, emergency drills, and ship-specific safety measures.
• Multilingual Staff: On international cruise lines, many staff speak multiple languages to accommodate diverse passengers.

Some Cruise Lines Require:

• College degree in education, child development, or related field.
• Certifications in childcare (e.g., CDA, Early Childhood Education).
• Experience with kids’ camps, youth programs, or school settings.

Here’s a breakdown of what some popular cruise lines offer:

Carnival Cruise Line – Camp Ocean

• Ages: 6 months–17 years
• Groups:
  
  • Penguins (2–5 years)
  • Stingrays (6–8 years)
  • Sharks (9–11 years)
• Teens: Circle “C” (12–14) and Club O2 (15–17)
• Activities: Games, arts and crafts, movie nights, scavenger hunts, and dance parties.
• Night Owls: Late-night babysitting available for an extra fee.

Royal Caribbean – Adventure Ocean

• Ages: 6 months–17 years
• Groups:
  
  • Royal Babies (6–18 months)
  • Royal Tots (18–36 months)
  • Aquanauts (3–5)
  • Explorers (6–8)
  • Voyagers (9–11)
• Teens: 12–14 and 15–17 (dedicated hangouts and events)
• Activities: Science experiments, pirate parties, talent shows, video game lounges.
• Babysitting: In-cabin and group babysitting (availability varies by ship).

Disney Cruise Line – Disney’s Oceaneer Club & Lab

• Ages: 6 months–17 years
• Groups:
  
  • It’s a Small World Nursery (6 months–3 years, fee applies)
  • Oceaneer Club/Lab (3–12 years)
  • Edge (11–14)
  • Vibe (14–17)
• Activities: Disney character meet-and-greets, interactive games, crafts, storytelling.
• Highlights: Themed rooms like Star Wars and Marvel, and lots of Disney magic.

Norwegian Cruise Line – Splash Academy

• Ages: 6 months–17 years
• Groups:
  
  • Guppies (6 months–3 years, parent-supervised)
  • Turtles (3–5)
  • Seals (6–9)
  • Dolphins (10–12)
• Teens: Entourage (13–17)
• Activities: Circus school, team-building, video games, themed parties.
• Late Night Fun Zone: Extra-fee babysitting at night.

MSC Cruises – MSC Kids Club

• Ages: 6 months–17 years
• Groups:
  
  • Baby Club (6–36 months)
  • Mini Club (3–6)
  • Junior Club (7–11)
  • Young Club (12–14)
  • Teen Club (15–17)
• Partnerships: Chicco and LEGO activities
• Highlights: Talent shows, arts & crafts, and virtual reality games for teens.

Princess Cruises – Camp Discovery

• Ages: 3–17 years
• Groups:
  
  • The Treehouse (3–7)
  • The Lodge (8–12)
  • The Beach House (13–17)
• Activities: Science, nature, arts & crafts, video games, movie nights.
• Teen perks: Lounge, parties, and special excursions (on select sailings).

If you want to know more details, please visit each cruise line website.

We often cruise with our extended family, including grandkids and even great-grandkids! Having the kids camps is an added perk of taking a cruise vacation over other types of trips. Especially since it is included in the cruise fare!

My granddaughter loved participating in the camp activities while cruising during December. They had a special Christmas program and she was selected to sing a solo on stage.

Here’s a group just for new cruisers and others! No judgment with correct answers to your questions. Lots of in-depth information, tips and personal advice! 

Carnival Cruising for First Timers & Seasoned Sailors