I’m not a parent yet, but one thing my friends who are parents will never leave the house without is their foldable wagon or stroller.
On multiple occasions, I’ve seen these wagons serve as essential storage and as an invaluable lifeline when their little ones get tired of walking.
But with some conflicting information available on the internet, one parent took to Reddit to find out if she would be allowed to bring a foldable wagon on her upcoming sailing with MSC Cruises.
“Are foldable wagons allowed on the Cruise? One of the MSC representatives said it’s not allowed, then I called back and another representative said it’s allowed but cannot be rolled on or rolled off the ship, it must be folded,” the future cruiser inquired.
According to the MSC website, strollers and prams are definitely allowed onboard.
The policy does not specifically state that foldable wagons are allowed, but they aren’t on the prohibited items list either.
“Strollers and wheelchairs are always allowed on board but must be declared at the time of booking confirmation,” the cruise line policy states.
The strollers and wheelchairs must be foldable for easy storage in staterooms when not in use, but both can be used onboard.
Among the cruise community, the experience with bringing strollers and wagons onboard has been mixed.
Some said that they had no problem bringing their wagon onboard, even without declaring it during the booking process.
But since the policy does state that guests must declare that they are bringing the stroller, they should at least call the cruise line and document their intention if they forgot or didn’t know to note this when they made their reservation.
“I just got off 2 days ago with my wagon. They didn’t say a thing, I didn’t declare it or ask if I could have it, I just had it. It was actually nice bc I got let through the shorter lines with people who had carts, wheelchairs and wagons, etc,” one parent chimed in.
Others, however, did say that they were not allowed to board with their wagons in the past because they were deemed a safety risk.
A third facet also recommended against wagons because it was hard to navigate around tight hallways, crew members, and other passengers onboard. Strollers are often more narrow and less cumbersome.
Ultimately, this cruiser is doing the right thing by checking directly with the cruise line.
She should document who she spoke to and what was said as an extra layer of protection if she does decide to bring the wagon on her sailing.
Is MSC Kid Friendly?
As someone who recently sailed with MSC Cruises, I can say that the ships offer an elevated and sophisticated experience.
That said, the cruise line has plenty of opportunities for children to have fun onboard and has been making a conscious effort to appeal to families.
In summer 2024, MSC debuted expanded programming in the “Doremiland” kids’ clubs for families.
The changes included offering care for babies aged 6 months and older when previously baby care services were only available for children who had already celebrated their first birthday.
They also introduced the “Doremiland Open House and Party,” which is an opportunity for parents to visit the kids’ clubs and participate in fun activities with their little ones.
Read Also: 7 Tips for Going on Cruises With Kids
The family-friendly offerings were expanded once again this summer with even more new activities like game shows, dance events, parties, and parades.
Just to name one example, a partnership with LEGO has allowed MSC Cruises to debut a new LEGO Family Game Show. During the show, kids and parents compete to build the coolest and most creative structures using LEGO bricks.
While I was recently onboard MSC World America, I also got to watch the fun LEGO parade march and dance down the World Promenade as the enthralled kids onboard couldn’t look away.
The Teens Club also got revamped programming, including a new quiz show and a disco party called the Doremix Family Disco.
