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If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

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CaMacho
Sisters :)

Member since 7/06

15112 total posts

Name:
Jess

If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Esp if they were around 18 months...

How was it? Would you recommend it? Do you think a vacation to a resort would have been better/easier?

DH and I are looking into booking a vacation for the spring. I'm looking into cruises mostly b/c we live in FL and it's just so easy to get on a ship from ft. lauderdale or miami (no flights!!).

From what I've been reading, I know most cruiselines don't take kids in the child programs until age 2, but are there activities we can do with her on the ship? Play areas?


Also if you did go...

What cruiseline?
What type of room?
What activities for children under 2?
How long was the cruise and where did it go?
Would you recommend it and would you have changed anything?

Thanks!

And this may be a stupid question, but can babies get seasick? Chat Icon

Posted 8/25/10 12:00 PM
 
Long Island Weddings
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!

Member since 8/07

7060 total posts

Name:
g

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Id like to know what peoples experiences were too. We most likely will be taking a cruise when DS is 13 months old. We are taking a big family cruise so we will have lots of help at least.

Posted 8/25/10 12:12 PM
 

jam11308

Member since 11/07

7273 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

We're leaving on one next week & will be on it for DS' 1st birthday! If you guys remember, FM me (or bump this) any time after 9/12 Chat Icon

Posted 8/25/10 12:40 PM
 

mcl916
my two loves

Member since 10/06

5133 total posts

Name:
Megan

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

I was looking into it for the spring also, but DS will be 2 1/2. I'm finding that most cruiselines don't allow kids in the pools if they aren't potty trained (the pools aren't chlorinated so it becomes a safety issue). I think some ships have toddler "spray" areas, but we pretty much decided to go for an all-inclusive where we can just hang at the beach or in the pools.

Posted 8/25/10 12:58 PM
 

mamabear
LIF Adult

Member since 3/08

4539 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

I went when DD was 9 months. We had a wonderful time. However, they can't go in the pool if they are wearing swim diapers. So, if I had to do it again, I might go to a resort until they are potty trained. Also, I do generally like resort vacations better. We did have a blast on the cruise, though.

Posted 8/25/10 1:03 PM
 

chelle
It's a Good Life

Member since 8/06

15404 total posts

Name:
Isn't it obvious?

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by CaMacho

Esp if they were around 18 months...

How was it? Would you recommend it? Do you think a vacation to a resort would have been better/easier?

DH and I are looking into booking a vacation for the spring. I'm looking into cruises mostly b/c we live in FL and it's just so easy to get on a ship from ft. lauderdale or miami (no flights!!).

From what I've been reading, I know most cruiselines don't take kids in the child programs until age 2, but are there activities we can do with her on the ship? Play areas?


Also if you did go...

What cruiseline?
What type of room?
What activities for children under 2?
How long was the cruise and where did it go?
Would you recommend it and would you have changed anything?

Thanks!

And this may be a stupid question, but can babies get seasick? Chat Icon



Carnival!!

I did it with DD when she was just 2. They will take kids under 2 I believe.

It was great. I wouldn't have done any other line with kids. It's really geared towards families...so if they are acting out, being crazy, yelling during dinner, you don't really get "looks" Chat Icon Cuz it's mostly ALL families.

DH, Bella and I all shared a room. We asked for a crib. It was small, smaller than my PNP. But clean, sturdy and she slept just fine.

i HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend a balcony room. I wouldn't do a cruise without one! But also, if your DC naps, you can sit outside and enjoy while they do :) I took a book out there with me and read while she napped.

We did a 9 day (i think). I wouldn't have changed a thing!! We went to puerto rico, Turks and Caicos, St Thomas ( i think that was it ).

GREAT time.

We left from NY which was great because we saved on airfare and it was just a drive to get there.

Posted 8/25/10 1:03 PM
 

mamabear
LIF Adult

Member since 3/08

4539 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by mcl916

I was looking into it for the spring also, but DS will be 2 1/2. I'm finding that most cruiselines don't allow kids in the pools if they aren't potty trained (the pools aren't chlorinated so it becomes a safety issue). I think some ships have toddler "spray" areas, but we pretty much decided to go for an all-inclusive where we can just hang at the beach or in the pools.



We went in the spray area, but got kicked out and apparently that counted as a pool as well, because the water drains into the same area as the pools.

Posted 8/25/10 1:04 PM
 

chelle
It's a Good Life

Member since 8/06

15404 total posts

Name:
Isn't it obvious?

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by mcl916

I was looking into it for the spring also, but DS will be 2 1/2. I'm finding that most cruiselines don't allow kids in the pools if they aren't potty trained (the pools aren't chlorinated so it becomes a safety issue). I think some ships have toddler "spray" areas, but we pretty much decided to go for an all-inclusive where we can just hang at the beach or in the pools.



When we went on Carnival there were SO many kids in swim diapers in the regular pools and in the hot tubs. It was mostly kids in all the areas and no one said a thing. DD was ALL over the place in her swim diaper. No one ever said anything.

They do have ADULT only pools, so if anyone had a problem with kids, that's where they went Chat Icon

Posted 8/25/10 1:04 PM
 

CaMacho
Sisters :)

Member since 7/06

15112 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by chelle

Carnival!!




Thanks!! We loved the RCCL cruise we did a few years ago but maybe carnival is better for young kids... I will look into carnival. Great tip about the balcony room, I wasn't looking to do that since we could save a lot of $$ by getting a regular window room but I can see how it would come in VERY handy during naps.

Wow 9 days? I'd love to do that but we're looking into 5... possibly up to 7.

Posted 8/25/10 1:27 PM
 

LIMOMx2
...

Member since 5/05

24989 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

We went was DS was a few weeks shy of 2.

We went on Carnival. We had the Penthouse Suite and we are going again next Spring same ship and def same room!! I personally couldn't imagine being in any room smaller and the Suite's on Carnival are very reasonable!

We were always busy with him. We either let him run all over the place or during certain times on the ship they have under 2 time in Camp Carnival. You have to pay if you leave them which we did but it was like $2 an hr or something cheap like that.

They give you a phone so you are always in touch. He would always fall asleep because it was in the front of the ship and the rocking knocked him outChat Icon

I love cruising and highly rec it with children.

We are going with 2 2yr olds and then Andrew will be almost 5. We are really looking forward too it.

Carnival is a very very family oriented cruiseline!

We sailed and will be sailing again on the Miracle out of NY. Super easy! You don't have to worry about over packing or a flight with a toddler. Just pull up to the pier and you are on your wayChat Icon Chat Icon

Posted 8/25/10 1:34 PM
 

LIMOMx2
...

Member since 5/05

24989 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

I was reading PP and I agree with a Balcony room. It was great when he took naps!! And I love that they have port a cribs not pack n plays. It is so annoying but my kids hate pack n playsChat Icon Chat Icon

We didn't even attempt the pool because I knew we weren't allowed in and when we got to port, we could just in the ocean anywayChat Icon Chat Icon

What is great about Carnival with kids too is that during dinner, it doesn't matter if your kids are crazy, it is all familiesChat Icon

Posted 8/25/10 1:37 PM
 

LIMOMx2
...

Member since 5/05

24989 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Have you checked out cruise critic.com yet? Very very helpful!

Message edited 8/25/2010 1:38:07 PM.

Posted 8/25/10 1:37 PM
 

CaMacho
Sisters :)

Member since 7/06

15112 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by 5ofClubs

Have you checked out cruise critic.com yet? Very very helpful!



Thanks for all the info!!! I'm looking on cruisecritic.com now. Chat Icon

Posted 8/25/10 2:04 PM
 

BAM 2009
I am who I am!!!

Member since 5/09

6081 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

We are supposed to be on one right now, but they wanted full price for DS who just turned 10 months. I can't see paying that for him. He doesn't eat table food (allergies), he won't be allowed in any of the kid camps, he wouldn't be doing much of anything. To charge full price for an infant blows my mind and there is no way we would have done it... JMO

Posted 8/25/10 2:19 PM
 

pickles16
Real Estate Professional

Member since 11/07

17227 total posts

Name:
Jen

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

We literally went when DD was 18 mos old..we went on one that left from NY a Princess one...I would go again in a heartbeat!!!! I would rather do royal caribbean next time around as I wasn't crazy about princess..We had a balcony room, we knew DD would not sleep in the pack n play they gave us so she slept with us...it was fine..we were barely in the room..DD had the best time than anyone on the trip..we did have help we had my in laws who would baby sit at night when we would go down to the casino etc...but I would recommend it to anyone...I loved that we didn't have to fly...DD would nap poolside in her stroller or when we were out at port..it was really great, I can't say enough about it..

They were annoying a bit about her being in the pool but she was in the pool..she is semi trained which means she will tell us when seh needs to go and I also know the times she needs to go...we became friendly with a couple that had a baby around the same age as well and they brought a tiny little blow up pool that the kids would play in...there was also a kiddie pool totally isolated on one of the decks no one knew about that we used without a problem at alll....feel free to FM me with any questions

Posted 8/25/10 2:23 PM
 

CaMacho
Sisters :)

Member since 7/06

15112 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by BAM 2009

We are supposed to be on one right now, but they wanted full price for DS who just turned 10 months. I can't see paying that for him. He doesn't eat table food (allergies), he won't be allowed in any of the kid camps, he wouldn't be doing much of anything. To charge full price for an infant blows my mind and there is no way we would have done it... JMO



What cruiseline? I was just looking at carnival and RCCL and DD would be about 1/2 price.

Posted 8/25/10 2:30 PM
 

CaMacho
Sisters :)

Member since 7/06

15112 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by pickles16

We literally went when DD was 18 mos old..we went on one that left from NY a Princess one...I would go again in a heartbeat!!!! I would rather do royal caribbean next time around as I wasn't crazy about princess..We had a balcony room, we knew DD would not sleep in the pack n play they gave us so she slept with us...it was fine..we were barely in the room..DD had the best time than anyone on the trip..we did have help we had my in laws who would baby sit at night when we would go down to the casino etc...but I would recommend it to anyone...I loved that we didn't have to fly...DD would nap poolside in her stroller or when we were out at port..it was really great, I can't say enough about it..

They were annoying a bit about her being in the pool but she was in the pool..she is semi trained which means she will tell us when seh needs to go and I also know the times she needs to go...we became friendly with a couple that had a baby around the same age as well and they brought a tiny little blow up pool that the kids would play in...there was also a kiddie pool totally isolated on one of the decks no one knew about that we used without a problem at alll....feel free to FM me with any questions



Sounds like you had a great time!! We may take our in-laws as well so they would be a huge help. Great idea about bringing a small blow up pool.

Posted 8/25/10 2:32 PM
 

LIMOMx2
...

Member since 5/05

24989 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by BAM 2009

We are supposed to be on one right now, but they wanted full price for DS who just turned 10 months. I can't see paying that for him. He doesn't eat table food (allergies), he won't be allowed in any of the kid camps, he wouldn't be doing much of anything. To charge full price for an infant blows my mind and there is no way we would have done it... JMO



Kids or anyone from 0-100 get charged for a 3rd person so it is almost always half the full price. What cruiseline was charging full price?

If there is only one person plus a child in the room (this is happening to my sister and her DD) you have to pay for 2 full price passengers on Carnival.

Posted 8/25/10 2:35 PM
 

LIMOMx2
...

Member since 5/05

24989 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by CaMacho

Posted by pickles16

We literally went when DD was 18 mos old..we went on one that left from NY a Princess one...I would go again in a heartbeat!!!! I would rather do royal caribbean next time around as I wasn't crazy about princess..We had a balcony room, we knew DD would not sleep in the pack n play they gave us so she slept with us...it was fine..we were barely in the room..DD had the best time than anyone on the trip..we did have help we had my in laws who would baby sit at night when we would go down to the casino etc...but I would recommend it to anyone...I loved that we didn't have to fly...DD would nap poolside in her stroller or when we were out at port..it was really great, I can't say enough about it..

They were annoying a bit about her being in the pool but she was in the pool..she is semi trained which means she will tell us when seh needs to go and I also know the times she needs to go...we became friendly with a couple that had a baby around the same age as well and they brought a tiny little blow up pool that the kids would play in...there was also a kiddie pool totally isolated on one of the decks no one knew about that we used without a problem at alll....feel free to FM me with any questions



Sounds like you had a great time!! We may take our in-laws as well so they would be a huge help. Great idea about bringing a small blow up pool.


I was going to bring a blow up pool but I am so stupid and couldn't figure out how to fill it up and then how to dump the water out. I just did other things with him insteadChat Icon

Posted 8/25/10 2:36 PM
 

BAM 2009
I am who I am!!!

Member since 5/09

6081 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by 5ofClubs

Posted by BAM 2009

We are supposed to be on one right now, but they wanted full price for DS who just turned 10 months. I can't see paying that for him. He doesn't eat table food (allergies), he won't be allowed in any of the kid camps, he wouldn't be doing much of anything. To charge full price for an infant blows my mind and there is no way we would have done it... JMO



Kids or anyone from 0-100 get charged for a 3rd person so it is almost always half the full price. What cruiseline was charging full price?

If there is only one person plus a child in the room (this is happening to my sister and her DD) you have to pay for 2 full price passengers on Carnival.



It was Carnival. My friend called and she was told full price. I called and I was told the same thing. It would have been me, hubby, and DS...I still can't see paying over 300 dollars for my son. But thats just me. If he was older and could participate more, then I would have no problem with it...

Posted 8/25/10 3:06 PM
 

PRETTYPINK
LIF Toddler

Member since 7/06

393 total posts

Name:
A

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

We took a cruise in oct on norweigan out of ny to bermuda.
DS was 16 mth and not walking yet.
Here is my honest opinion.

#1 would never take a cruise with or without DS leaving out of NY after September. Apparently the water is usually choppy and therefore the two days going and two days coming home were rocky and I got terribly ill.
DS did not.
#2 It was a saving grace that DS was not walking. I think I might have lost my mind.
#3 will never take a cruise where there is no play area for the child at the time. Norweigian I think started at 2 or 3.
#4 will never take a cruise again without babysitting or with family to take turns. We ate early according to DS schedule and I was in the room by 9 each night. Trust me, we tried to keep this kid up at night and he wanted no part. Go figure!
Plus, we had to nap him 1x a day.

I personally would wait until DC is older, no naps, can stay up later to see shows and there is daycare provided.
But this was my experience.

Posted 8/25/10 3:14 PM
 

Shannon
LIF Infant

Member since 7/07

335 total posts

Name:
Shannon

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

I cruise all the time....I took DS on Royal Caribean when he was 18 months and hated it!
There was nothing for him to do...he was not allowed in the pool AT ALL. I had to restrict him to the stroller most of the time. I felt so bad.
I wrote Royal Caribean a letter since I'm a Platimun member with them. I was so ******. You would think that they let them sail for free! (NOT!)
Since then I had my DD and did not take her until she was a little over 2 and that was the Disney Cruise and it was spectacular!

Posted 8/25/10 4:14 PM
 

CaMacho
Sisters :)

Member since 7/06

15112 total posts

Name:
Jess

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Thanks for your honest opinions. Even though we loved RCCL last time we cruised, so far i'm leaning towards Carnival since it seems to be the most kid friendly.

Posted by Shannon

Since then I had my DD and did not take her until she was a little over 2 and that was the Disney Cruise and it was spectacular!



We don't want to do a disney cruise b/c there is no casino. Chat Icon

Posted 8/25/10 4:32 PM
 

Collyflower
LIF Infant

Member since 12/05

372 total posts

Name:
Colleen

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

We took DD on a cruise when she was 9 months, we all had a great time and would do it again. We cruised on NCL, we picked it because we wanted freestyle cruising. NCL has what's called the Under 2 Zoo, which we an empty meeting room and they left out toys for babies/toddlers. A parent had to be there whit them, and we meet a few other families there that we hung out with on the ship and at port. I would say a balcony is a must, we also requested a handicapped room, which is 2x the size of a regular room.

Posted 8/25/10 4:43 PM
 

LIMOMx2
...

Member since 5/05

24989 total posts

Name:

Re: If you've gone on a CRUISE with your child under 2 years old, tell me honestly....

Posted by CaMacho

Thanks for your honest opinions. Even though we loved RCCL last time we cruised, so far i'm leaning towards Carnival since it seems to be the most kid friendly.

Posted by Shannon

Since then I had my DD and did not take her until she was a little over 2 and that was the Disney Cruise and it was spectacular!



We don't want to do a disney cruise b/c there is no casino. Chat Icon



That is exactly what my DH saidChat Icon My parents are coming with us and our rooms are all next door to each other. This way if the kids are sleeping and we want to go see a show or just out, they can watch themChat Icon

Posted 8/25/10 4:51 PM
 
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