Would you do a mediterranean cruise with a toddler? Do you think a cruise is better than just flying to one country?

We want to do one big family trip this summer and are leaning towards doing a mediterranean cruise. Some itineraries I like have Spain and Italy or Turkey and Greece. The other option we have is flying to Paris. We also both want to check out Iceland but don't know how easy it would be to move around with a toddler. DS will be about 16-17 months old.

Do you think a cruise is better with a toddler?

Re: Would you do a mediterranean cruise with a toddler? Do you think a cruise is better than just flying to one country?

I would think a cruise would be better with a toddler only because you have a homebase.

I have to say, you are ambitious and much more patient than I am. We are doing a Mediterranean cruise in the next year or 2 (depends on if we have more kids) and we are going to France for a wedding next summer and we have NO intention of taking the kids. None.

Re: Would you do a mediterranean cruise with a toddler? Do you think a cruise is better than just flying to one country?

Posted by CrankyPants

I would think a cruise would be better with a toddler only because you have a homebase.

I have to say, you are ambitious and much more patient than I am. We are doing a Mediterranean cruise in the next year or 2 (depends on if we have more kids) and we are going to France for a wedding next summer and we have NO intention of taking the kids. None.

Message edited 2/22/2010 12:30:39 PM.

Re: Would you do a mediterranean cruise with a toddler? Do you think a cruise is better than just flying to one country?

Posted by Bridex100

Posted by CrankyPants

I would think a cruise would be better with a toddler only because you have a homebase.

I have to say, you are ambitious and much more patient than I am. We are doing a Mediterranean cruise in the next year or 2 (depends on if we have more kids) and we are going to France for a wedding next summer and we have NO intention of taking the kids. None.

We had a good experience with him on our trip to the carribean. That was our test trip. I figure a flight to europe is only like 5 hours and if we are on a cruise ship, it should be ok....at least i hope.

DH and I have gone away without DS and missed him too much. We decided to bring him with us from now on.

Re: Would you do a mediterranean cruise with a toddler? Do you think a cruise is better than just flying to one country?

Posted by pickles16

Posted by Bridex100

Posted by CrankyPants

I would think a cruise would be better with a toddler only because you have a homebase.

I have to say, you are ambitious and much more patient than I am. We are doing a Mediterranean cruise in the next year or 2 (depends on if we have more kids) and we are going to France for a wedding next summer and we have NO intention of taking the kids. None.

We had a good experience with him on our trip to the carribean. That was our test trip. I figure a flight to europe is only like 5 hours and if we are on a cruise ship, it should be ok....at least i hope.

DH and I have gone away without DS and missed him too much. We decided to bring him with us from now on.

I agree def a cruise, bc of the homebase, but just keep this in mind, we took DD to the caribbean when she was 11 mos old and it was great...now at 14 mos, I don't think I would take her to Europe, she is MUCH more active, so what may have been a great vacation when DS was smaller,it may be completely different in a few months, you'll be suprised as how much they've changed!!!! Good luck, I'm jealous, we're doing a trip to Europe soon but without DD our first time away from her

Re: Would you do a mediterranean cruise with a toddler? Do you think a cruise is better than just flying to one country?

I love cruises. After doing some serious research and a LOT of help from the LIFers (thanks girls) I found certain ships aren't kid friendly. We're doing a Carribean Cruise with our whole family Summer'11 and found only Carnival has something for our DS (who will be 2.5). I wanted him to have a kids program, cuisine for him, be allowed in pools, babysitting, etc.


Take it from me, I have a very very active 13mos year old (he doesn't really like being held, he wants to walk & run everywhere himself) and if I was on a ship that wasn't kid friendly, it would be difficult. He needs to let loose (ie pools, kids program, etc).