A toddler playing in the sand and there's a cruising ship on the background

What’s The Best Stroller For A Cruise Ship In 2021?

If you’re looking for the best stroller for a 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

  • The best cruising stroller should be lightweight, easy to maneuver and narrow for crowded hallways. All five strollers in this article meet these criteria and have recommended by many parents
  • For me, the best overall is the Kolcraft Cloud Plus (sold on Amazon) because you get all that you need for so little money (worth checking the latest price though)
  • 3D Lite Plus is an umbrella stroller (sold on Amazon) is for parents looking for an umbrella stroller for cruising vacation. If you want your stroller to last many trips, then it may be a better option than the previous model
  • GB Pockit (sold on Amazon) is the best stroller for cruising ship if you have an older toddler and want to have a buggy with you just in case he or she will get tired
  • Babyzen YOYO (sold on Amazon) is for parents who want to buy a luxury lightweight stroller
  • If you wish to use a car seat, then the best stroller for cruising ship is the Mountain Buggy Nano (sold on Amazon) because you don't need an extra adapter

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.

  • Having your kid in a stroller keeps her getting lost in the crowd if he’s a runner
  • 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
Dad and son walking, father has an umbreall stroller staped on his shoulder

Alternatives to taking a stroller with you

Baby Carrier

If you don’t like the idea of a bulky stroller, then you may opt for a baby carrier.

That said, if you have back issues, then it’s probably not suitable for you.

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.

Rent a stroller

Some cruise lines offer the possibility to rent a stroller. For example, you can rent a stroller on Carnival for 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 cabin. You can usually keep foldable strollers under the bed or in the wardrobe.

Sometimes the hallways and streets may be so crowded that you may find it easier to fold the stroller and carry it quickly. 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 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.

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A cruising stroller on stones in a port

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 foot brake, so they are safe to use.

An adjustable handle will make the ride more comfortable for parents.

A front bar is a nice feature, but many lightweight 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 Strollers For Cruise Ships Reviewed (For DadProgress)

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

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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

CONS

  • It’s a lightweight stroller; it only weighs 11.8lb (5.3kg). It’s also 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
  • The handlebar is not adjustable
  • It’s a lightweight 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 (Check the latest price on Amazon)

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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 Plus (sold on Amazon). That you can use with car seats, so it's suitable from birth. It’s a slightly heavier model though. In 2018 GB introduced a newer version- GB Pockit Air All-Terrain. At the moment of writing, it’s not yet widely available though.

PROS

CONS

  • It’s probably the most compact stroller you can buy. It folds down to 11.8 x 7 x 13.8 “ (30 x 18 x 35 cm) and weighs only 9.5lb (4.3kg)
  • The front wheels swivel so this stroller is easy to maneuver
  • As all the top strollers, it has a five-point harness and a foot brake
  • This lightweight stroller comes with an adjustable handle
  • The storage basket is spacious
  • This stroller is designed for traveling and for short city vacations. It’s not a good stroller for rougher terrain because the wheels are small and made of plastic. As I’ve noted, the newer model (at the time of writing not yet available in all shops) has air-filled tires so it will offer a better suspension
  • 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)

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Summer Infant 3 D Lite 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.

PROS

CONS

  • It’s a lightweight stroller; it weighs 14lb (6.4kg). As an umbrella stroller, it folds vertically and it's easo 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 all the top strollers, it has a five-point harness and a foot brake
  • The canopy is big and has 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
  • Like most umbrella strollers, it has small wheels that don’t provide good suspension on rough terrain
  • The handles are not adjustable

Babyzen YOYO (Check the latest price on Amazon)

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If you’re looking for a luxury lightweight 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

CONS

  • It's one of the best lightweight strollers. It weighs only 13lb (5,9kg), 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 x 17 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
  • It’s easy to maneuver with it and 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 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
  • Babyzen Yoyo comes with a rain cover, but you have to buy all the other essential accessories for it
  • 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
  • The wheels are small, so it’s a great lightweight stroller for a city but not suitable for rougher terrain. That said, this trait is typical for most lightweight strollers
  • The handlebar is not adjustable
  • It’s expensive for a lightweight stroller

Mountain Buggy Nano (Check the latest price on Amazon)

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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

CONS

  • 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
  • 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

To Sum Up

Finding the best stroller for a cruise ship depends on your needs. All links here will point you to Amazon to check the latest price.

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, you can fold it with one hand, and maneuverability is excellent.

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.

GB Pockit 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 YOYO.

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 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.

If you’re looking for toddler cruise tips, then check out my guide on best strollers for family travel when going on a cruise vacation. The stroller should be easily to fold and lightweight, but there’re more:)

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