When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

I would love to be able to bring DD on a cruise with us. What is a good age where it would be the most enjoyable for all of us?

Re: When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

From what I have read, when she is out of diapers.

Then she can go in the pools(not sure how strict they are)...

and if you wanted to, check her into a playgroup(still unsure how I feel about this, but I went cruising with my little cousin once and she loved the groups-age 7)

I will only cruise with my mother or sister. Cruising is a big nightlife to me..so my mother would be okay staying in a night or 2 to watch josh, ditto with my sister.

Re: When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

Depends what cruise line you are thinking of and what you want to get out of it. Disney and Carnival I think have more for younger kids. Princess, RCCL and Celebrity - can be strict on the no diapers in the pool (CDC rule) and whenever we sailed on Celebrity or Princess they were always telling parent to take their kids out.

If you don't mind the pool or the kids activities (the start age varies with each line but for most I think it is 3) than any age where you are comfortable with them I would say go. I read a number of posts on cruisecritic about parents brining blow up pools for their balconies for their children.

Also some lines are more flexible with dining (some you can eat anytime others only specific dinner times). This might be a consideration for you if you want to be flexible.

I would have no qualms about taking DD on disney cruise now. My parents wanted us to take a celebrity cruise with them this year- but we are holding out a bit on that - I think they have to be 3 to do the kids activities and I want her to be able to enjoy those. We decided to do WDW instead and do the cruise next trip.

I would suggest getting a room with a balcony so you can have a place to sit while your DD takes a nap.

Re: When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

I only say it depends on the cruise line b/c I would want DS to be able to go to the kid's program.

We went on RCCL when DS was 8 months old and it was really hard--on ME

Re: When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

ANY

Re: When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

I would say 3 would be the earliest I would even consider that

Re: When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

I went in May and Andrew was 2 weeks away from 2. It was soooo much fun!!! We all had a great time. I say even younger would be great too. I saw soo many couples with young babies. Most of the time they just fell asleep in the stroller and it worked out great for them.

I didn't want to go to any shows so I would go back to the room with Andrew and DH would go out. But they did have babysitting if you wanted to go out too. We used them during the day for a few hours and he loved it.

Re: When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

we went last year when DD was 17 months, they had a little pool for babies (all in swim diapers) and she had so much fun! We went with my IL's and they were in the room next door so we put DD to bed, and they had the monitor on, it worked out great.

We also had a balcony room so we could sit out there if she was napping.

ETA: we went on Princess

Message edited 7/22/2008 7:32:00 AM.

Re: When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

We'll be going next year on Carnival when DD is 2

Re: When is a good age to bring DD on a cruise with us?

I haven't gone with Jack yet but everytime my family goes on a cruise it's with the little ones. I think anytime is a good age really. Would you be going with someone who can babysit DD at night if you and your DH want to go out or gamble? Or would you mind using the babysitting service on board? If you have that covered I think you should def. go!