Cruising with toddlers

Whenever there is a vacation question thread started, it always seems that several people bring up cruising. We have been on several cruises. It is an AWESOME way to vacation!! We would definately like to do it again, but I don't know about doing it with toddlers. I figured we would need to wait until they were at least 4, but probably even 5. So, those who have cruised with kids....what age were your kids? Where did your cruise to? (I would be nervous about taking them to Mexico.) Did you take them off the boat? How did the cabin logistics work (such a small space)?

Also, I am not one to do the whole cruise "camp" thing for kids. It is just me and until they are much older, I just wouldn't be comfortable doing it. So, what else is there for toddlers to do besides the pool? What do you do with them all day long on the ship if you don't send them to camp?

 

I'm thinking someone will have help for you, so I'm bumping this up!

 

Thanks Diane!! :ibiggrin:

 

We went on a Carnival cruise with my girls when they were 2. It was fun. Not as relaxing as some other vacations but still fun.
We went to San Juan and walked (pushed the girls in the stroller) to the fort. We went to St Thomas and did a tour to an aquarium and a beach. Then in Tortola we took the girls to the beach.
On the ship, the girls were old enough for the kids camp, but didn't want to stay there.

 

How did the sleeping arrangements work? Did they nap well? If you didn't do camp, what did you do witht hem on the ship?

 

I took my first cruise with my girls at 13 months and we've pretty much done at least one cruise a year ever since - and it's always the best week I have with my girls. There is nothing like someone else doing all the cooking and cleaning - all you have to do is enjoy your kids. AND we eat better than on any other vacation - the girls get to try lots of new things without me worrying about wasting tons of money on food they decide they don't like. My girls had a choice of Disneyland or a cruise for their 5th birthday, and they chose "the big boat" - they absolutely love it.

We're not stay-by-the-pool-all-day types, but there is always plenty to do. Since you don't want to send them to the camp, I'd suggest Princess, because they let you go to the camp with them and play with the toys, do the crafts, etc. We go dancing on deck, see the shows, etc., - the days fly by. I'm also one who prefers to spend my time on vacation with my children, but they love to go to the camp at least a little while every day by themselves. Once you're on board, you may feel more comfortable about it.

I think everyone sleeps better on the ship than on land - something about the gentle rocking, along with all the activity. My girls don't takes naps during the day at home anymore, but on a ship, they take a long one before we get dressed for dinner. It's just me and my girls, so we all share a queen bed, but there are lots of configurations that can work with a family of four.

As for Mexico, I've wandered all over Mexico alone with my girls a number of times with no problem.

For me, I don't know what vacation would be more relaxing than a cruise. Condos mean I'm doing all the cooking, etc.; hotels mean we're eating out every meal, which is expensive and we end up doing a bunch of fast food, etc.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Best,
Mia

 

The twins were 3. We did a 4 day to Cozamel. We took them off the boat my parents and sister were with us. Me and the twins were in one room with the two beds pushed together to make the bigger bed. We did put them in camp and they had a blast. They give you a pager so you know if anything is wrong. Carnival does not require them to be potty trained either which was nice because they are just now gettign there. We only had them at camp from 9-11 and 2-4 I think. I know it was only like 4 hours a day. We walked around the ship, took them to the arcade, watched the ocean, napped in our room and went to dinner as a family. They napped really well after all the stairs! I'd suggest going on a short one the first time

 

Thank you both for your replies! I do agree that we should start out on a short cruise first. I think overall they will do fine, but I do have concerns about the lack of space in the cabin and the sleeping arrangements. We are still in cribs here. Anytime we travel, we take PNP's. I don't think 2 PNP's would work on the boat. I think they will do OK with nighttime sleep....if we go to bed when they go to bed...BUT I really question whether or not they will nap well being out of cribs and us not laying down beside them.

Mia~ you mentioned that there are alot of configurations for a family of 4 sleeping wise....can you be more specific? Any suggestions with twins that still sleep in cribs?

Thanks again! Sorry to ask so many questions....DH & I would LOVE to take this kind of vacation again we are just very apprehensive.