soozles

On carnival, the waiters would get up and sing and dance during dinner.

Loving this… we’re taking our kids on celebrity this summer. They have some sensory issues, and can’t tolerate the loud music, costumed characters, lots of people running around… we took them on carnival and they would hide under the table when the waiters would do their show.

My son was 8 months on his first cruise. It was the easiest cruise we’ve done with kids. He was entertained by just wandering around the ship. I also packed a bunch of toys, a blanket, get a cup of coffee and find a quiet lounge that wasn’t in use, let him stretch out and play on the floor while I would read and have my coffee. Also let him eat just about everything. He had his first taste of ice cream, he would eat croissants every morning, he absolutely loved it

We always cruise with our toddlers. We get 2 rooms when we can cause we have 2 of them. When we’re all in the same room, some cruise lines have a little curtain dividing the room. On NCL family Oceanview they had this. Otherwise we take magnetic hooks and black shower curtain. My kids are pretty deep sleepers so once they’re out, we can watch tv or whatever.

It’s reassuring that you’ve done this, it really sounded sketchy to me to just go to the shore excursion desk and hope for the best.

It says on the tour description that kids under 5 are free. They’re too small to go on the water slides or snorkel, so we wouldn’t really use everything there anyway.

You can bring a stroller, but I usually leave my double at home and just bring 2 umbrella strollers. Usually don’t take them onto the ports since we usually just head to the beach, occasionally would use it around the ship, most helpful in the airports.

We are a group of 4 people, 2 adults, a 3 yo and a 4 yo who will be sailing on the Carnival Horizon. We were trying to book the De Palm excursion in Aruba, and it says kids under 5 are free. When I try to order it, we get charged for the 3 and 4 yo. I called someone at carnival who told me to just buy it for the adults, and when we get on board, to go to the shore excursion desk and they will add the kids… has anyone else Done this? It sounds a little sketchy to me, what if they’re not able to add the kids on for some reason?

We were on anthem of the seas with a 2 and 3 year old, 2 year old was in a pack and play still. We had 2 connecting rooms, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It’s really no different than them sleeping in another room at home, and you can keep the connecting door open so you can hear them, get to them, etc. But having that extra space to relax, watch tv, or read without worrying if the kids would wake up is priceless. And with the pack and play out, there’s really no floor space, it’s super cramped. I actually felt like the balcony on Anthem was the most cramped rooms we’ve been on. The rooms felt long, but really narrow. If your budget allows for it, get connecting rooms. Lately we’ve been doing connecting ocean views, and it comes out to be about the price of a balcony (sometimes). We don’t typically sit on the balcony much, so I don’t miss it.

We had our 2 year olds in an adjoining room… didn’t even think twice. Had the connecting door opened up, safety lock for the balcony door, and a mini obstacle course blocking the front door. Didn’t even think twice about it.

I feel like a cruise is so much easier with a toddler. I’m not stressed about paying for food they won’t eat, and I ou can always find something. They’re easilY entertained. My toddlers loved “playing” in the arcade, they had no clue we didn’t put any money into the machines. And they’re so fascinated by everything on the ship, all the decorations we just pass by, they see and admire. is it all easy? Definitely not. But I love my kids, I love getting to spend time with them, and although they won’t remember, I will. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, not even our kids, so I’m doing as much as I can while I still can, because one day a memory may be all that’s left.

Having been on now 3 cruises with my toddlers (2 since the COVID restart), I think I have some experience. First, don’t expect your kid to act anything like they do at home. My normally super chill laid back kid is a nightmare on vacation, whereas my super needy and demanding 2 year old has been a blast on cruises. the first day you get on the ship, go to the buffet aNd ask for a few cartons of milk, the waiters will bring them to you without an issue, and just leave in the fridge. First breakfast, take a few extra cereal boxes as well to have a snack. My kids drink milk before bed, so we’d always grab extra milks at breakfast. Take a good lightweight stroller, one that reclines so can be used for naps. I’d personally skip on the inflatable tub because my kids really didn’t fit in them after a year, and my kids are small. Those inflatable tubs are tiny. My kids still hate showers and hand held showers, I just wash them super quick and deal with the screams, and pray no one is going to call security. Also just don’t give them a bath every day. Pack some new toys to keep them entertained and pull them out at different times. I’d usually give something new at dinner. And I don’t think any other parent will be judging you for using the tablet, that’s basically the only way we can eat at a restaurant on the cruise. Make sure you request a pack and play in advance, and bring your sheets. I’ve asked my room steward for some extra flat sheet to fold up and put on top of the pack and play mattress because it can be a bit hard, and then just put my own sheet on top. Also if he’s used to white noise, bring it on the cruise. I just use an app on my phone.

Thank you, but that’s really not an option. Nobody else will care as much about your own business as you. His clients expect to deal with him, and if they don’t reach him, he could very well lose that client. He’s not stuck in his room all day, but he does need to answer emails, usually in the morning before breakfast and in the evenings. If we manage to get the kids to nap, he’ll stay with them in the room to work while I go to the spa. It’s just the way it has to be right now, it’s the nature of owning an online company.

Hi all. We’re booked on a southern caribbean cruise on the Spirit, considering switching to Horizon. My husband owns his own business and unfortunately it requires him to be on the internet daily. Anyone know how the internet is on spirit compared to Horizon? We have been on many cruises, and understand the internet is not what it is at home. But if the Horizon is a newer ship, would they have better internet? Also, if we are going with 2 toddlers, which ship would have more for them to do? The itineraries are very similar.