AlluraUni

Thank you for the info on the waterpark. We were considering it, but we have a really big one not too far away that we've been to a bunch of times. A beach day would be nicer. 

I have a 7yo, and my mom, him, and I are going to take the water taxi to the beach and then walk back, with a beach stop at some point. More importantly, I'm hoping Yoda Guy is open. Apparently he's a prop guy who worked on Yoda from Star Wars and has a muesem of props. Looks like his website is dead, but there's recent info on other sites: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147347-d2299951-Reviews-Yoda_Guy_Movie_Exhibit-Philipsburg_Sint_Maarten_St_Martin_St_Maarten.html

What I'm trying to find out, though, is if there's more than one stop for the water taxi? Mom and I sometimes run out of steam faster than we expect. 

We're going to be there just for a day with a 7yo and I'm tentatively thinking fort + kite. Looks like the children's museum is closed on Tuesdays, too, so that won't work. I'm a little concerned the ferries won't be available, which will mean finding a taxi. Or an uber, I suppose?

I've used the buses, but make sure you have plenty of extra time, especially if it's a work day. On our last trip we took a ferry out to St George's, did a walking tour with a guide who got on the ferry, and then took the shuttle down to Tobacco Bay. I'm considering the same on the next trip because Tobacco Bay is such shallow water, it makes it very kid-friendly.

I know RC has added swim vests to the ships within the last year or so, but are they available on CocoCay as well, or can they be taken off the ship? I'm talking about the ones for kids who can't swim well, not the snorkeling vests.

What beaches are particularly calm? I see some in the photos that look really shallow and perfect for kids, but I'm not quite sure where that is? My son can't swim yet (and frankly, neither can I).

Oh, thank you! Those give me a much better idea of what to expect. Looks like there's a lot to do, and I like that they have family activities.

Enjoy your trip! We're about 2 months behind you (8/14). :)

So, we're booked (yes, I need to join the roll call) for Summit to Bermuda in August. Fingers crossed that we actually get to Bermuda this time. Last time we tried this, we got diverted by Cristobal and ended up in FL and Nassau. This year my son is old enough for the kid's club (4.5), so I'm wondering if anyone has recent (newer than 2012, anyway) daily sheets or other info about kids on Celebrity Summit? What's on the kids menu in the MDR these days?

Also, am I correct that there's zero splash area? How deep is the main pool? My son is still learning to swim, so we'll bring water wings or something for him. At least this time he doesn't have diapers! (last trip he was 2.5).

Any other kid-related suggestions? What about in Bermuda itself? I have a tentative itinery (aquarium/zoo, Shelly Bay or Tobacco Beach, maybe the caves & ice cream). No forts, DH dragged me to EVERY ONE on our first trip. :)

You'll find me sneezing on the way to the ship, and very little after that. I have very bad allergies, I take 3 meds for them. So I'm not lying, I'm not contagious.

BTW, if your child still fits in the bucket seat, I would use that since it can just be buckled in place. Rear facing is actually safer, it's just that most kids get too big to really be comfortable, and a lot of them get car sick, which is probably why your daughter hates being in it. I'm glad the forward facing convertible at home is working better, even if it's too bulky to travel with.

I don't have any advice for FL (we drive ourselves to the cruise port so we have our car seat, and relied on buses otherwise, which are safer to use without car seats). For our cruise last year with our almost-3-year-old, we bought a Uppababy stroller. They're a little pricey, but we've stopped using the jogging stroller (citi mini) because this one is much lighter and can be folded smaller and carried, but still has a spot underneath it to carry stuff and a good size shade on top. I don't have a lot of strength, so without a stroller of some kind, my husband ends up carrying our son. :) He LOVED being on the ship, though. It's not the same kind of vacation as going alone, but it's still a blast.

We took our 3 year old on a cruise last year. We stuck to buses instead of taxis as a safer mode of transport for that age. That said, if you're flying, you may want to bring your car seat with you for use in a taxi from the airport to the cruise port. It's a pain to lug them around, though, and not every place will have a good way to attach them.

We used unexpected OBC (returned taxes + "please don't complain" money for weather-caused itinery change) to buy a new camera. DH hasn't stopped playing with it since we came back.

We caught the edge of Cristobal on what was supposed to be the 7 day run to Bermuda. By picking up speed, we were able to go to Port Canaveral and Nassau, so that's a possible option. Not bad, just not Bermuda.

A quick question: I saw a post elsewhere that suggested that strollers may not be allowed on a bus? We actually bought one that closes up small and is light enough for us to carry because we figured we'd have to bring it onto the bus and ferry. Any idea if this is a problem?

How was the water at Daniel's Head? Rough or calm? Any concessions there beyond the equipment rental?

I'm another non-insulin dependant diabetic who will be packing factory-sealed snacks. As others have said, they're really for the port. I always carry one bar (Kind nut bars that are low sugar) in my purse at all times just because. I don't mind stopping someplace, but there isn't always someplace to eat. And when my sugar drops low enough, I HAVE to eat. If I eat something that fits within the correct profile of carb to protein, I won't have to eat again for awhile. I'd like to enjoy my trip, thanks.

Also? Hungry toddler = cranky toddler. That's why I now carry a mini one of my bars for him. Trust me, anyone with me won't mind.

I highly recommend Horseshoe and Tobacco Bays also! We went to Bermuda last year with our son, who was 3 at the time. He loved the ferry rides and the beaches. I'd also recommend the Crystal/Fantasy Caves. What's nice about Bermuda is the ability to move around easily by bus or ferry. You will love Bermuda! Enjoy your trip!

How was it doing the cave with your son? We went to Crystal last time we were in Bermuda. They've since opened Fantasy Cave, which I thought could be fun to do, but I don't know how it would be with a small child?

We have been to the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo twice. Two years ago we were there with our grandchildren and they enjoyed this attraction very much. It's a small zoo and you probably will need to spend only two hours or so there. It's in a lovely section of Bermuda, Flatts Village, and the views from the zoo overlooks are great. Have a wonderful cruise. Carol

Is there anything else interesting to do near the Aquarium/Zoo? I know the road right outside is pretty busy, but I'm wondering if it's worth exploring the area?

Closer to the Dockyard there is Black Bay beach. All summer long they have food, rentals, drinks. I wrote to them about my trip in October wondering if they would be open then...they answered me promptly, asking me what date I was there and that they would open the Kiosk for us :eek: now that's service.

Where's Black Bay beach/how do you get there? I've been looking for an alternative to HSB that has calm waters (skittish child) but amenities (which it sounds like Shelly Bay no longer has). Close to Dockyard would be good because I don't think we'd stay that long.

Another option that might work is a sweater vest over a button down shirt. At night, it's not too warm, especially indoors. Bowties are a good choice, too. Will he wear a hat? Because a fedora is adorable on a baby. :)

We're heading to Bermuda with our 2.75 year old soon. We're driving to the port, and the car seat will be staying in the parking lot. I anticipate primarily using busses and ferries to get around, partly because we're not bringing a carseat and partly because it's an easy way to get around Bermuda. And the train at dockyard because toddler + train = duh. :)

This is great news for anyone wanting to be driven right down to the beaches instead of dealing with the long hills down. Thanks for posting.

Oh! I hadn't realized that when I first read the article. It'll be much easier on one of my relatives now. :)

What are the other changes in Dockyard? I haven't been there in a few years...?

We're driving too, and planning on showing up 10:30-11. We live close to the port, though. With our LO, mornings are better for him and the less lines the better, so early it'll be for us.

We originally had the late seating, too. No way that'll work with our kiddo. We switched to Select dining, so we can be flexible as needed. You can make a fixed reservation with that, too, or change it by the day. I find fixed seating more to the stressful time because I don't want to be late. Not fun for me on vacation! :)

Just an additional note for any parents planning to visit this one-- the playground is also very small, with not all that much to do. The giant eel is cool and would make for good pictures, but unless your kids are sliding fiends, I'd say there's about 20 minutes of playtime there, tops.

I was thinking it was pretty lightweight as playgrounds go. Apparently the "grass" is climable, and my little daredevil will try, but compared to even the small parks by my house, it just doesn't look that interesting. I think they wasted their money on this design.

We're doing one of the multi-day Bermuda cruises in August. I've been there before, and feel comfortable enough that we probably won't book tours this time. It's very safe and very pretty.

My husband loves crumbly old forts, so we saw ALL of them last time. :) There's a big maritime museum right where the ships dock. He also took a segway tour there. This time we're cruising with our son, and the plan is a beach day, the aquarioum/zoo, and time spent walking around St George's, which we haven't had a chance to really explore yet. I'm not sure what else, possibly Fantasy Caves (we saw Crystal last time). Not sure that's a good one to take the toddler, too, though. We keep a light itinery because I tend to get tired easily. I do want to go to the Harbor Nights street fair. Not sure if there's time for more. DH wants to scuba, but the only excurion our ship is offering requires a dive in the last 2 years, and it's been longer than that. So we'll see. We have more than enough to do, though!