cruising with 2 3 year olds

Hi there. long time lurker here with a question/ plea
We will be traveling 4 nites 5 days no flying. Any ideas on what to bring. Any ideas in general.

We will be on Carnival ship with child camp....how long can they stay there? sheesshhhh so many questions......Any help would be appreciated.

 

We've cruised a few times with the kids. We enjoy keeping the kids with us for the most part, so I don't have much to add for Camp Carnival except that our friends that have used them said their two girls (age 4 and 7) loved it. One thing I try to mention to people taking kids on cruises is that we had a really scary experience with our 2 when they were 3. Unlike hotel room doors, there isn't a latch to keep the door closed if you turn the handle and pull. So, while I was aleep in one room with my Mom and older DD, the twins woke up (they were sleeping in the room with DH) and opened the door and left the room. I praise God that they didn't wander around, but rather sat outside my cabin door until one of us heard them and opened the door and they came rolling in. They probably weren't out there very long, but to think of all the things that could have happened totally freaks me out. So, I went out and bought an alarm that attach to our hotel and cabin doors that goes off if the door opens.

Other than that, my kids love to cruise. My DS in particular is not a very patient kid, so sometimes one of us would wait back in the cabin with him while the others went to the dining room and order. They'd order for him and the other adult and then by the time we arrived with him, his food would just be coming out. It can take a good 2+ hrs. to eat in the dining room.

One thing I forgot to tell my kids the first time we went on a cruise is that the pools are salt water. Their poor little eyes were not happy with me. Usually the hot tubs (not kept super hot) are not salt water though.

Pack swimsuits and a small container of sunscreen in your carryons because your luggage may not get delivered until later that night and you may want to go swimming or be out on the decks before it gets to your cabin.

Know that if your kids like any adult menu items, they are allowed to order whatever they want and don't have to stick to the kids menu. That goes for you too...you can order whatever and how ever much of something you'd like.

That's all I can think of for now, but if I think of anything else I'll let you know. I'm sure you guys will have a blast!

 

Have fun on your cruise!

Some things I would take:

Nightlight
Portable DVD player/DVD's
Ziploc bags (if you have one still in diapers...contains the poopie smell in such a small room)
umbrella stroller
floaties (they pack easy)
Travel backpack filled with small toys, games, books, etc...
Electrical Outlet Splitter (there is never enough plugs!)

 

we're going soon too, these are great lists! thanks.