Babies on board

We are taking a 4 day Carnival Inspiration cruise with family who are new cruisers. A 1 year old baby will be with us. We are concerned how that will all work out. Is it inappropriate to bring a baby on a cruise? I understand the Childrens' Center is for 2 year old and up so we plan on taking turns with our baby in caring for him. Are there cribs and high chairs available on the ship? Just wondering how this will work out.

They do have cribs on board. I've been looking at the options since my wife and I will be bringing our baby too.

There are high chairs as well. I did see some babies on my recent Inspiration trip, so it's definitely not inappropriate to bring one. My kids are a bit older now, but I have taken them on a cruise when one was 20 months old, and another cruise when one was 8 months old.

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I haven't cruised with babies, but traveled with my kids since they were infants. My youngest took his first road trip at 3 weeks and both flew before their first birthday. If the cruise/resort allows infants, it can work as long as the parents and baby are flexible. If the parents are the type to stick religiously to a set routine and the baby thus doesn't adapt to changes well, it won't be a pleasant experience. It's all what you make it.

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We took our 7-month-old on Conquest last month. Carnival provided a crib in the room, and a high chair in the dining room. They also found us a high chair occasionally on lido if we needed it. We could also rent a stroller either by the day or for the cruise if needed (we didn't bring one, but did end up renting for one day). The staff were incredibly accommodating, and our fellow passengers were SO welcoming to our baby.

Carnival does not provide any sort of baby food, but there is plenty of fresh fruit, cereal, etc depending on what your child may be eating right now.

We are bringing her back for her second cruise on the Breeze in August when she is 10 months old.

While the camps are not open to children under 2, they do offer limited hours for babysitting services both in the morning while in port and LATE at night, if you find you need a break. It is $6.75/hour plus 15% gratuity.

If you want to know anything specific, just ask. We can either let you know based on our last experience or find out during the cruise in August. Enjoy cruising with your son!

Just please don't go into a bar and ask for a high chair so your baby can also sit at the bar like I saw on the last cruise I was on. Then get mad even told they dint have high chairs there.

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There was a couple with an infant daughter in her little ruffle bottomed swimsuit in the pool on our cruise last week and she was the center of attention. Lots of people stopping and babbling baby talk to her.

Wish my chubby thigh rolls were that cute! :)

Of course it's "appropriate"...you're traveling as a family! They have high chairs and cribs...no worries!

You will need to bring ALL the "baby stuff" you need....especially diapers and medications that MIGHT be needed. They don't sell pediatric stuff...so bring everything you could possibly need!

ANYONE in diapers is NOT allowed in the pools....and most cabins have showers, so bring a blow-up tub for your little one! Also useful for "splashing" on the pool deck...a couple ice buckets worth of water will do the job. Empty into a shower or floor drain...NOT into a pool!

There was a couple with an infant daughter in her little ruffle bottomed swimsuit in the pool on our cruise last week and she was the center of attention. Lots of people stopping and babbling baby talk to her.

 

 

I thought babies in diapers, even swim diapers were not allowed in any of the pools?

Sorry not sure how to do the quotes ^^

I have seen may babies on the cruises. My SIL brought hers when he was an infant and didn't have any problems.

There was a couple with an infant daughter in her little ruffle bottomed swimsuit in the pool on our cruise last week and she was the center of attention. Lots of people stopping and babbling baby talk to her.

 

 

I thought babies in diapers, even swim diapers were not allowed in any of the pools?

 

It didn't look like one staff member stopped them or questioned it. Carnival has turned into a free for all lately.

There was a couple with an infant daughter in her little ruffle bottomed swimsuit in the pool on our cruise last week and she was the center of attention. Lots of people stopping and babbling baby talk to her.

Wish my chubby thigh rolls were that cute! :)

Yuck. Ruffle-bottomed swimsuit = cute. Diaper in pool = health hazard.

Wouldn't do it in a million years, but God bless the parents with the patience to do so. :D:eek::D

We took our son on his first cruise when he turned 1 year old. Our reaction was a combination of "what a great idea, awesome trip!" and "what have we done???!? This is a nightmare!!". [emoji23]

Overall, I don't regret bringing our little one on a cruise that young. The wonderful memories far outweigh the obstacles that we faced as first time parents traveling with a baby . Yes, it was a bit challenging at times dealing with baby bottles, diapers, stroller, baby toys, baby food, going ashore with a baby in tow, dealing with failed meals, including a botched "elegant night" that ended at the buffet with both my son and wife crying, and pretty much planning everything around our son's non-existent schedule. But at the same time it was amazing to witness as this little person discover all these new things.

I guess it didn't suck so bad because we too his sister on her first cruise when she was 15 months old and we went all the way to Alaska for that one! They are now 6 and 4 years old and we just returned from their 6th and 3rd cruise respectively.

Go on the cruise with very realistic expectations! It won't be perfect and it won't be like cruising without kids. But if you're like me, you'll enjoy enough amazing moments to make you realize that, after all, it was worth it! [emoji6]

Certainly appropriate to bring a baby. We did something that I got from these boards for my 12 year old "baby" who is in his pre teen years and concerned about privacy. We got magnetic curtain hooks and made a private tent for him but hanging a black shower curtain from the ceiling around the sofa, which was his bed. This was great because it gave him and us privacy, and also provided a nice quiet spot to unwind. It blocks out the light and the tv if needed and can be helpful either at night or during the day for nap time when the cruise gets to be a bit much for baby or parents. Taking turns watching the baby while playing or even in the cabin should help make the cruise enjoyable for the group. Go with the flow, don't be afraid to miss some things or cut some things short and enjoy seeing the vacation from the kids eyes. Good luck to you all.

Check out the Family Board under Special Interest Cruising.

FWIW no one is allowed to be wearing diapers in the pool.

Eating onshore--

No problem in Catalina. If you forgot anything there are two Von's markets in Avalon.

In Ensenada we've had no issue eating at any of the restaurants. Our favorites are Hacienda (with the chickens on the rotisserie in the window) and Taquiero Lindo, between Papas n Beer and Hussongs. Be careful of the sidewalks as off the main tourist path they have massive potholes.

We first took our girls down here many times starting when the oldest was barely 6 weeks old. A cruise is a whole lot easier.

The play room is open in the morning for babies and parents to play together.

Also, during the day many lounges are empty with nothing going on, perfect place for baby crawling.

Umbrella stroller is easy to get around on the ship with. If it reclines, even better. Go out to the deck under the lifeboats and the waves and wind will put the baby right to sleep. If your baby can't handle long dinner tell the wait staff and they speed it up. We weren't out super late partying or anything, but the baby did not cramp our style or our fun. I am so glad we took him. he was 10 months old, we did a 4 day cruise. At 14 months we did a 7 day cruise and it went great!

have fun. bring way more diapers than you think you need!!!

We are taking a 4 day Carnival Inspiration cruise with family who are new cruisers. A 1 year old baby will be with us. We are concerned how that will all work out. Is it inappropriate to bring a baby on a cruise? I understand the Childrens' Center is for 2 year old and up so we plan on taking turns with our baby in caring for him. Are there cribs and high chairs available on the ship? Just wondering how this will work out.

It's not easy, too young.

My elder daughter first cruised when she was 7 months old. We didn't get to enjoy the adult activities such as bars, casino, shows, disco or pool. We spent more than half the cruise inside our cabin as the baby naps, breastfeeds or needs diaper change. That being said, it is still an enjoyable cruise that I will remember for the rest of my life. Just being with your family and away from the stress of work is relief enough for me.

We are taking a 4 day Carnival Inspiration cruise with family who are new cruisers. A 1 year old baby will be with us. We are concerned how that will all work out. Is it inappropriate to bring a baby on a cruise? I understand the Childrens' Center is for 2 year old and up so we plan on taking turns with our baby in caring for him. Are there cribs and high chairs available on the ship? Just wondering how this will work out.

Inappropriate? Absolutely not.

All the things to support the kids are on board, including their parents. Not sure why you have to "take turns".

Even when our kid turned 2, we never put them in a camp. She was out and about meeting others kids whose parents hadn't locked them up.

 

Even when our kid turned 2, we never put them in a camp. She was out and about meeting others kids whose parents hadn't locked them up.

LOL at the "locked them up" comment. My kids absolutely LOVE the kids club, not only on Carnival, but on every other cruise line that they've sailed on. Main reason? Because they get to meet so many other kids their age from other places and because they get to do so many fun things with them. They stay active, learn new things, and develop their social and interactive skills. The kids club also allows us to participate in several activities as a family and to meet other families onboard the ship. The kids would spend a few hours at camp and the rest of the day with us as a family which provided a perfect balance for everyone.

"Locked up" are the last words that I would've used to describe our kids experience on our last cruise. Yes, the kids would meet at the kids club, but shortly after that they were taken on activities around the ship. At the sports deck, pool deck, main theater, atrium, buffet restaurant, etc. I knew how much fun they were having when my 6yo son asked me if we could buy the group photo that was taken at the kids club. He wanted to always remember the friends that he'd made on this cruise. [emoji3]

LOL at the "locked them up" comment. My kids absolutely LOVE the kids club, not only on Carnival, but on every other cruise line that they've sailed on. Main reason? Because they get to meet so many other kids their age from other places and because they get to do so many fun things with them. They stay active, learn new things, and develop their social and interactive skills. The kids club also allows us to participate in several activities as a family and to meet other families onboard the ship. The kids would spend a few hours at camp and the rest of the day with us as a family which provided a perfect balance for everyone.

 

"Locked up" are the last words that I would've used to describe our kids experience on our last cruise. Yes, the kids would meet at the kids club, but shortly after that they were taken on activities around the ship. At the sports deck, pool deck, main theater, atrium, buffet restaurant, etc. I knew how much fun they were having when my 6yo son asked me if we could buy the group photo that was taken at the kids club. He wanted to always remember the friends that he'd made on this cruise. [emoji3]

In my parts, we call that school. I know when my 180 days of it was up, I was done. My kid too.

As I said, they are out and about with dozens of other kids that are also out of school. Never have we treated them as veal.

In my parts, we call that school. I know when my 180 days of it was up, I was done. My kid too.

 

As I said, they are out and about with dozens of other kids that are also out of school. Never have we treated them as veal.

CC Board, let me introduce you to Je Souhaite aka "Helicopter Parent" :D

CC Board, let me introduce you to Je Souhaite aka "Helicopter Parent" :D

I prefer periscope.