Do we cancel our cruise???

[Fenten]

I have a huge decision to make. We have a deposit made on a Feb. sailing on Independance of the Seas for 6 days out of Fort Laurderdale. We would be travelling with my husband, 3 year old son and 10 month old daughter. We have booked 2 connecting inside cabins.

We are travelling with 3 other couples, none with children & one couple being my parents.

 

How hard is a cruise REALLY going to be with 2 young children. I'm not too concerned about the 3 year old as the kids program is available to him and he is well behaved. But the 10 month old..... How would we entertain her in our cabin? Would she be bored just looking at the ship without too much to play with? I know there are some parent/infant programs on board. How would she hold up during dinner? Any experience with breast feeding on an RCCL ship?

 

Just looking for some advice from those who have travelled with young children. I was hoping to relax a bit on this trip and if it will be more work than home, maybe we should cancel.

 

Thanks.

[RENMama]

I have cruised with kids too young for the programs on board and it was fine.

How is the baby entertained now at home all day? Is she high needs or pretty go with the flow?

Are the grandparents helpful? Would they take the baby for a few hours?

How do the childless couples feel about potentially having to hang with a baby?

Do you plan on sticking together with the other couples for most of the cruise or are you open to maybe just doing dinner or lunch together?

 

We had an awesome time on our cruise but we had realistic expectations going in and knew it was not going to be like kidfree vacations in the past.

[sbhdmh]

We sailed on Celebrity with my parents, brother and SIL for DD's first birthday a few years ago. It was also my mother's 70's birthday so we figured we had to go no matter how it worked for us. She was too young for the Kids Club but Celebrity provided a pack n play, a box of toys for the cabin and several playdates with other babies her age. Not sure what RCCL does, though. I returned to the cabin to bf - I was never one that was comfortable in public. DH and I took turns taking brief breaks but the 3 of us spent most of the time together. One day we were walking on deck when we ran into my brother and SIL. They just took DD and said "We'll see you in 2 hours. Bye." DH and I stood there having NO IDEA what to do with ourselves! After that they took her a few more times (planned) so we could relax a bit too. They even took her for a few hours while we did a submarine dive in Barbados that she was too young for. The crew absolutely fawned over her - so many of them leave little ones at home that they are often happy to have the chance to spend time with the babies on board. There should also be in cabin baby-sitting available but others can tell you more.

 

So, if anyone going on the trip with you is willing to help out you will have a chance to relax. I wasn't expecting it but was pleasantly surprised. I would have a frank conversation with the other couples and ask them. If they expect to be able to do what they want (i.e. late seating dinner, adult only excursions, time in the casino) and you will be left to your own devices then decide what is best for you. If they are eagerly looking forward to time with your kids, understand that the whole group will have to make adjustments and are looking forward to you having a good time too then don't even consider cancelling.

 

I hope you have a great trip!

[cb at sea]

Very young kids won't even KNOW where they are, so do whatever you do at home for the child! I'm sure your parents will lend a hand at times, to give you a break!

[Kerry's Girls]

In my eyes, unless you have someone at home doing all the cooking and cleaning, a cruise is a great way to spend time with little ones. My twins were 13 months when we first cruised and it was the best week I'd had with them because I could just enjoy them without worrying about grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc.

 

Best,

Mia

[Julienatul]

We have taken our DD on many cruises as an infant and now DS. Our kids both love it even as infants. We find it much easier than being at home. They are mezmerized by all that is going on around them, music, people, food, new surroundings, etc. We bring toys along, portable dvd player, blow-up bathtub used as a kiddie pool, inflatable balls to play with in and empty lounge during the day. We chase lights in the disco during the day, stroll around the ship. Most ships also have infant playgroups or activities for kids under the minimum ages for the club at certain times too. Its a great way to travel because if baby is tired, you can go back to the cabin while the other members of your family still enjoy themselves. You can do as little or as much as you want. Also food is avaialble 24/7 and many choices, dining room, buffet, room service. if you get a balcony cabin you can enjoy a nice book or drinks on the balcony while the kids sleep.

[jtm22372]

we are travelling with our dd (20 months)for the first time in jan.Ican't wait to get aboard and just have fun all week. We are also aware though we will have noone else with us onboard to help w/dd.we made sure to book a balcony so naptimes and night night times can still be enjoyable for us sitting on the balcony enjoying a dod :D. I mean really does it get any better than that?make sure you bring a small blowup pool so your child can swim :)

[Baxter]

Our daughter took her first cruise at 9 months. We had an awesome time. She loved seeing all the people, and everyone was very friendly with her. We booked an inside cabin and it worked wonderfully. One of us napped when she napped. My husband and I alternated nap times and bed times so that we would get some time to ourselves too.

 

Is it like cruising pre-kids? Nope. But that's just fine by us.

[CeleBrat]

Nooooo! Don't cancel!

 

We've been on many cruises with our young (then infant and toddler) kids, and had a great time. Yes, there are TIMES when you have to work hard. But, those are few and far between. For example--there is a lot of extra work required to pack for a young child. And, when they throw a tantrum, you have to act quickly to subdue them in a very limited environment. And yes, it is sometimes difficult to bathe them.

 

But look at the trade-off. Someone cooks for you. And cleans for you. And makes your bed. And will even bring food to your room if you ask.

 

Who does that at home?

 

CeleBrat

[crusinmama06]

I agree with Celebrat! DON'T CANCEL! You will LOVE that ship. It is our favorite. There is so much to see and do. Its impossible to be bored. I started both of my kids cruising at that age.

 

It's one of the few ships where the 10 month old can actually use a water area - the Baby Splash Zone.

 

Now with that being said. I did this exact sailing this past Feb and we had a little bit of a cold snap. It was only 68 degrees in Mexico. Which sounds warm - but it's not when you are swimming. So I am hoping you have warm beautiful weather. :D

[QTMichele]

Wasn't going to reply since I don't have actual cruising experience with a baby - yet, but I just had to say THANKS!!! Reading all the wonderfully positive replies has me even more excited for my own upcoming cruise with my 14 month old to be. I'm apprehensive like the OP, but know that it will be a great week without the hassles of every-day life. :) Good luck, OP!!!

[calikak]

We loved cruising with our son at that age. He was fascinated by all the people and the interesting decor, and any venue with music. If the grandparents are helpful, that's an added bonus. Then again, it's not like cruising without kids. You might not make it through a whole meal in the dining room; you might have to spend afternoons in your cabin while they nap. What am I saying, might...but to me, it's one of the easiest vacations you can have with kids. No cooking, no cleaning, no having to decide where to eat dinner that night, and the staff will all do their best to take care of you and your little ones.

[quincytoo]

I have never cruised with a really little one but let me chime in with a DON"T CANCEL!!!!

GREAT posts :)

[Mack2]

We've cruised when the youngest was too young for the kids club... We still had a GREAT time.

A good stroller is prudent, though... The times when nobody is REALLY ready to go to bed, but you still want to enjoy the evening.

We used to throw the littlest in the stroller and walk around the ship. The Independence is awesome in the fact that you can fully take advantage of the Royal Promenade...

 

They love it... they might not remember it, but it's visually engaging for them at the time... and it's the only time you will ever get to share a cruise vacation with them when they're that small.

edit:

... and those memories are precious.

 

Take lots and lots of photos and have a GREAT cruise!