What’s the Best Stroller for Cruise Ship in 2023?

Last Updated on January 23, 2023

If you’re looking for the best stroller for cruise ship, then you are in the right place. Just keep reading this buying guide to find out what to look for and what’s the best cruising stroller.

Quick Overview for Busy Parents

Why Should You Take a Stroller With You on a Cruise Ship?

Many parents wonder if they should take a stroller with them when going on a cruise with a baby or toddler.

• If he or she a runner? Having your kid in a stroller keeps him getting lost in the crowd in cruise ports
• After a couple of hours of activity, your little one will be exhausted. Having a stroller with you allows him or her take a nap without going back to the cabin
• Even if you have an older toddler who walks, it’s a good idea to have lightweight stroller. A GB Pockit (sold on Amazon) strapped on your shoulder will save the day in case your toddler gets tired of running around

Alternatives to Taking a Stroller With You

There are two good alternatives to taking the best stroller for a cruise ship with you.

1) Baby Carriers

If you don’t like the idea of a bulky stroller, then you may opt for a baby carrier. That said you may want to be careful with these if you’ve got back issues. You can click here to read more about the best baby carriers for back support.

It also depends on the temperament of your kid if you can use it. For example, my kid manages to sit a couple of hours calmly in a carrier, but after that he usually gets bored. So I wouldn’t dream of only taking a baby carrier with me to a week-long cruise.

Another thing to consider is the heat and humidity. I find baby carriers quite tiresome if I have to move around a lot. If you travel to the Caribbean, a baby carrier can be uncomfortable both for you and your kid.

2) Rent a stroller

Some cruise lines offer the possibility to rent a stroller. For example, you can rent a stroller on Carnival for around six to eight dollars per day.

What to Look for When Buying a Cruising Stroller?

You want to buy a stroller that’s easy to maneuver in the narrow hallways filled with cleaning cards and other passengers. But the stroller should also do well on the shore and not take up much space in your cabin.

Weight and Foldability of Your Cruising Stroller

You should aim for the weight of your stroller to be less than 23 lb (10,5 kg).

Parents aren’t allowed to keep buggys in a hallway, so a lightweight easily foldable stroller will make your life easier and save some space in your cruise cabin. You can usually keep foldable strollers under the bed or in the wardrobe.

Sometimes the hallways and streets in the cruise port may be very crowded. As a result, you may find it easier to fold the stroller and carry it quickly through the crowd. And if you have an older toddler who likes to walk, then you may have to carry the stroller most of the time until he or she gets tired.

GB Pockit (check the latest price on Amazon) is probably the most compact stroller on the market, and it weighs only 9.5lb (4,3kg).

Stroller Wheels: Maneuverability and Suspension

The best stroller for cruise ship should have swiveling wheels for better maneuverability.

Umbrella strollers weigh less than typical lightweight travel strollers. On the other hand, they usually come with plastic wheels. Plastic wheels are perfect if you move around the ship or on smooth city streets.

That said, if you plan to visit many ports, then you may have to face cobblestones and sand. This means that you may want better suspension and air-filled-tires offer just that.

Dimensions of Your Stroller

I’ve already covered (sorry for repeating myself) the importance of good foldability- it will save you some time and space in your cabin.

That said, if you take your stroller with you, make sure that the width is less than 21”(53 cm). The width of cabin doors is generally 21-24” (53-61 cm).

Price of the Stroller

If you pay more for your stroller, then you’ll probably get a better product.

That said, your stroller will be dirty after the cruise: 

• You may discover some stains already after the flight
• After the journey, you’ll see more because of sunscreen residue, wet swim diapers, and sand

If you plan to make only one trip, you may want to buy a cheap umbrella stroller. That said, a more expensive quality product will probably serve you for years if you maintain it properly. Just don’t be dismayed by a couple of stains here and there.

Reclining Seat

Most cruise lines require your baby to be at least six months old before you can take him or her on a cruise. So parents usually go on these types of vacations when their kids can already sit, and it’s not essential that the seat reclines fully. That said, the backrest should be adjustable to allow your kid to take a nap in it.

Other Features to Consider When Buying a Stroller for Cruising

All top strollers have a five-point-harness and a parking brake, so they are safe to use.

Anadjustable handle will make the ride more comfortable for parents.

A front bar is a nice feature, but many travel strollers don’t have them because it would make them bulkier.

If you wish, you can read more about stroller extras by checking out my buying guide.

Valuable Extras to Consider When Buying the Best Stroller for Cruise Ship

A rain cover is a must because you can’t pick the feather when visiting the ports.

Another thing to buy is a mosquito net. It’s especially crucial if you happen to visit places where malaria occurs as mosquitoes transmit this disease. You can check the endemic areas by clicking here.

And…don’t forget to buy some stroller toys for your little one.

The Best 5 Strollers for Cruise Ships Reviewed (for DadProgress)

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Stroller (Check the latest price on Amazon)

Kolcraft has made baby products for over seventy years. This great lightweight stroller is one of the cheapest options out there, but you’ll not be disappointed. It has all the essential features that you need when going on a cruising vacation.

PROS:

• It’s an ideal travel stroller for cruise ship as is weighs only 11.8lb (5.3kg) and is effortless to fold. you can do it with one hand (there’s a red lock lever and a button on a handlebar for that). The folded dimensions are 18 x 12 x 34″(45.7 x 30.5 x 86.4)
• The front wheels swivel so the maneuverability is excellent
• As all the top strollers, it has a five-point-harness and two-foot breaks
• The storage basket is spacious
• The backrest reclines almost flat, so your kid can take a nap in this stroller
• The canopy is big and has a peek a peekaboo window
• This lightweight stroller has a child tray that functions as a grab bar. You also get a (too) small cup holder for yourself

CONS:

• The handlebar is not adjustable
• It’s a travel stroller, but you get a front suspension. Sadly, it isn’t enough to make it a smooth ride on cobblestones. The wheels are small and made of plastic (although some sellers claim them to be “all-terrain”). Many parents have also complained that the wheels don’t last very long 

GB POCKIT Air All-Terrain (Check the latest price on Amazon)

GB Pockit is one of the most compact strollers available. You can fold it into a handbag-shaped package that weighs under 12 lb (5,4 kg). It’s perfect if you have an older toddler and you wish to have a stroller with you just in case he’ll get tired. It’s worth noting that there’s also Gb Pockit Go which is a travel system so you attach a car seat to it. As a result, you can use it for infants older than six months old. It’s a slightly heavier model though.

PROS:

• It’s probably the most compact stroller you can buy. It folds down to 11.8 x 7,1 x 13.8 “ (30 x 18 x 35 cm) and weighs only 10.4lb (4.7kg)
• The front wheels swivel so this stroller is easy to maneuver. GB POCKIT was designed for traveling and for short city vacations, but it wasn’t good on rougher terrain because the wheels were small and made of plastic. This newer model Air All-Terrain offers better suspension thanks to the double wheels, so you’ll do great in most cruise destinations and it’s one of the best all terrain lightweight strollers
• As all the top strollers, it has a five-point harness and a foot brake
• This travel stroller comes with an adjustable handle
• The storage basket is spacious

CONS:

• You need to practice folding the GB Pockit as it isn’t too easy. You also need both hands to fold and unfold it
• It doesn’t recline, but luckily your child can rest his or her head on the sides
• The canopy is almost useless

Summer Infant 3D Lite Plus (Check the latest price on Amazon)

Summer Infant 3 D Lite Plus is one of the most popular strollers among parents who love cruising. It’s a classic umbrella stroller, but it competes well with more expensive models. It’s worth noting that there’s also 3 D Lite which weighs a little less (13lb) but comes with a smaller canopy for example. This said, it’s usually cheaper than this model, so it may be a good pick if you need an umbrella stroller for only one trip.

PROS:

• It’s a lightweight travel stroller; it weighs 14lb (6.4kg). As an umbrella stroller, it folds vertically and it’s easy to do
• The front wheels swivel so the maneuverability is excellent. You can also lock the wheels. This is a useful feature when walking on rougher terrain, it helps to protect the wheels, and the stroller doesn’t change direction unexpectedly. As a result, this travel stroller works fine in many different cruise destinations
• As all the top strollers, it has a five-point harness and a foot brake
• The canopy is big and offers adequate sun protection. Additionally, it comes with a peek-a-boo window
• The storage basket is spacious
• The backrest reclines almost flat, so your kid can take a nap in this stroller

CONS:

• Like most umbrella strollers, it has small wheels that don’t provide good suspension on rough terrain
• The handles are not adjustable

Babyzen YOYO2 (Check the latest price on Amazon)

If you’re looking for a luxury lightweight travel stroller, then this product is for you. It has everything you’d expect from a travel stroller, but it comes with a price tag.

PROS:

• It’s one of the best lightweight strollers for cruise ship. It weighs only 13,6lb (6,2kg), and you can fold it to a tiny size. It even comes with a storage pouch and has a strap for carrying. When folded the measurements are 7,1 x 17,3 x 20.5“ (18 × 44 × 52cm). You may even be able to take your stroller into the cabin as it meets the usual size recommendations
• YOYO2 wheels are small, but they come with a suspension, so for a travel stroller, the ride is pretty smooth. Additionally, it’s easy to maneuver because according to YOYO its equipped with a “soft-drive” system. This feature allows you to use it even on rougher terrain without locking the front wheels
• As all the top strollers, it has a five-point harness and a parking brake
• The canopy is big for a lightweight stroller
• The storage basket is spacious
• The backrest reclines almost flat, so your kid can take a nap in this stroller (it doesn’t recline flat though)
• If you wish, you can buy a YOYO board. You can attach it to your stroller with one click and carry older children with it
• With car seat adapters (sold separately) you can attach many car seat models to it

CONS:

• The handlebar is not adjustable
• It’s expensive for a lightweight stroller and you have to buy all the accessories

Mountain Buggy Nano (Check the latest price on Amazon)

Many parents recommended the Mountain Buggy. It’s a great lightweight stroller that has all the required features. It’s a perfect choice if you want to use a car seat with your buggy because it has an onboard car seat adapter.

PROS:

• It’s one of the most compact strollers you can buy. It folds down to 12 x 22 x 20 “ (30.5 x 55.9 x 50.8 cm) and weighs only 13lb (5.9kg). As you can see, there are lighter options available though
• It’s easy to maneuver
• As all the top strollers, it has a five-point harness and a foot brake
• The canopy is big
• The storage basket is spacious
• The backrest reclines almost flat, so your kid can take a nap in this stroller
• You don’t need an adapter to put a car seat on it (it’s compatible with most popular car seat brands)
• If you have two children, then you can attach a freerider board to it. That said, the stroller will be harder to maneuver after that

CONS:

• You can’t fold this stroller with one hand
• The wheels are small, so it’s an excellent lightweight stroller for a city but not suitable for rougher terrain
• The handlebar is not adjustable, and many dads have felt that’s it’s not high enough
• You usually have to buy all the extras, and it already costs more than some other lightweight strollers
• When you fold up the canopy, it covers the handlebar

3D Lite Plus is an umbrella stroller that offers all you need for a great cruising vacation. It usually costs a little more than the Kolcraft Cloud Plus, but according to many parents, the quality is better too.

To Sum Up

Finding the best stroller for a cruise ship depends on your needs. All product links here will point you to Amazon to check the latest price. This said GoodbuyGear sells safely circulated items that usually come with a more affordable price tag. If you’re only planning to book one cruise, you may want to check out their options.

For me, the best overall is the Kolcraft Cloud Plus stroller because it offers a lot of features for a relatively small price tag. It weighs only 11.8 lb and you can fold it with one hand before entering the cruise cabin. Additionally, the maneuverability is excellent.

GB Pockit Air All-Terrain is the lightest stroller here, and it’s perfect if you have a toddler who walks. It’s easy to carry this stroller around, and if your kid gets tired, you have a buggy available. Keep in mind that the seat doesn’t recline though.

If you’re looking for a luxury lightweight stroller, then buy the Babyzen YOYO2.

Mountain Buggy Nano is for parents who wish to use the stroller with a car seat. Otherwise, you can find cheaper options here that will perform just as well.

If you have two children, then you can attach a board to both YOYO 2 and Mountain Buggy Nano.

All the reviewed lightweight strollers here have been tested by parents, and so the final choice depends only on your needs.

Thanks for reading:)