Experiences needed, cruising with 21 month old

[michelle10863]

Hi all,

 

We have cruised 5 times before we had our wonderful DS so we know all about the "cruising" experience. I'm looking for information and personal experiences of cruising with a toddler. My DS will be about 21 months when we are thinking about cruising, Carnival Liberty would be the ship. I know it will be different then before but so is the rest of our life. I also know that he won't be old enough to be part of Camp Carnival.

 

DH thinks that we won't have any fun cruising with our child, so I was looking for any experiences to help change his mind.

 

Thanks much

Michelle

[Intrudr]

if you can wait until he's 2 I'd recommend it. That way you can have fun with the little man during the day/evening and then get a little couple time at night. Otherwise you and you're husband will be splitting up to hit the casino, the piano bar, etc. Also - if not potty trained he can't go swimming in the pools. Ref: a thread on the Carnival Cruise line board regarding "babies in swimming pools" it's up to 11 pages in less than 48 hours - lots of opinions on that.

 

We took a 2 year break on cruising until our youngest was old enough to hit Camp Carnival. Just wouldn't have worked for us having to spend the entire cruise with her. but that's just us. good luck.

[I&MsMom]

Hi! We are just off the Glory, and we went when my daugther was 25 months. I would agree with the poster above. If you can wait a few months, it would be nice to at least know you had the option to use the Camp for a little break. Although there is always the possibility that he won't like the Camp or being separated from you. I guess it depends largely on what your normal arrangements are (does he go to daycare or are you home with him) and what his personality is.

 

I was very uncertain leaving my daughter the first time. When I picked her up a short time later, I asked the counselor how she did. She told me that they will page you (they provide the pager for you) even if your child is just asking for you. That reassured me alot, and I felt more comfortable leaving her for a morning or afternoon.

 

I will tell you I wasn't sure how much we would use the Camp, and in the end my daugther loved it (but she has a 5 year old brother she was tagging along with.) I honestly didn't use it as much as I should have, feeling a little guilty. In retrospect, they had such a good time, if we are lucky enough to cruise again (I am already researching the next one!), I would definitely use the Camp a lot more. Everything you hear about how wonderful it is is true. Even when her brother didn't go (he wanted to use the slide and she couldn't go in the pool, so we distracted her with a visit to the Camp) - she got through the gate and took off running without looking back!

 

You sound very well informed, so I expect you know that there are times when you can take him to the Camp facility (when the Camp is otherwise closed) to let him run off some steam and do some climbing in a safe environment. I would think that would help.

 

Also, shore excursions where he could play would obviously be good. We took our kids with us at all ports. I just wasn't comfortable being off the ship with the Camp counselors unable to notify me immediately if something came up.

 

I'm sorry. I don't think this is what you wanted to hear. It's not that I think you'll have a bad time - it just that it was very nice to actually pick up a book and lounge by the pool for an hour without being on constant alert...I really enjoyed having our kids with us, but it sure was nice to have an occasional break from 24/7 parenting!!

 

Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be fine, and if you go, it'll be terrific!!

[michelle10863]

Thanks for your honesty. I'm glad there is a place on this board that I can come and ask these sorts of questions. I know on the main Carnival board I would get jumped all over by people who don't think kids belong on cruise ships.

 

I do think you are right about waiting a few months. Right after I posted this I thought about that and how a few more months would kill us. I am a SAHM so DS isn't used to a group care environment and is rather separation sensitive (at least he is right now at 11 months). But that seperation sensitivity could change in a year. It would be nice to go to a dinner or a show alone. We don't really have anyone for childcare here so we haven't been out alone since DS was born (not that I'm complaining) so that would be something nice and special for us.

 

My cousin (8 at the time) was on one of the cruises with us so I know that Camp Carnival is GREAT with kids.

[Intrudr]

Thanks for your honesty. I'm glad there is a place on this board that I can come and ask these sorts of questions. I know on the main Carnival board I would get jumped all over by people who don't think kids belong on cruise ships.

 

I do think you are right about waiting a few months. Right after I posted this I thought about that and how a few more months would kill us. I am a SAHM so DS isn't used to a group care environment and is rather separation sensitive (at least he is right now at 11 months). But that seperation sensitivity could change in a year. It would be nice to go to a dinner or a show alone. We don't really have anyone for childcare here so we haven't been out alone since DS was born (not that I'm complaining) so that would be something nice and special for us.

 

My cousin (8 at the time) was on one of the cruises with us so I know that Camp Carnival is GREAT with kids.

 

 

Our 2 y/o has been in day care since 6 weeks old so she does not have sep anxiety. She still whined a little when we left her - but it didn't last long. Don't let the Anti-Breeders get you down - you'll never encounter that sort of confrontation on board the ships - only on the boards. I try to think of it as an airline flight - you'll never see those people again!

[I&MsMom]

Just a quick note while it's on my mind....If you do decide to cruise after he's two, I would definitely recommend going to the Camp sponsored activities the first night. They had a meeting in the show venue where they introduced all of the counselors, explained the rules, gave you paperwork to fill out. It went pretty quickly. Then they had a dance party just for the kids in the disco. I think they also had a sundae making party after, but our kids were tired and didn't even make it to the end of the dance party.

 

The advantage is that they'll get to meet the counselors and other children with you there, so that when you take them to Camp the next day, they see familiar faces. Also, it would probably be helpful if you got up early the first day (hopefully, an investment in relaxation for the rest of the week!), as they allowed parents into the playroom for 1/2 hour (8:30-9:00) before Camp started. I would also think this would ease separation anxiety.

 

A completely off-topic point: We have a "Tot Drop" program my daughter is involved with at a local church (although it is non-denominational). The premise is that eight children who are very close in age (there is a 6 month spread) gather one morning a week for a playgroup. There is a $20 fee for the entire year (to cover wipes, paper towels, the purchase of new toys for the room, etc.) The twist is: on a rotating basis, two mothers stay to monitor the session, leaving the other six to have a few hours to run errards, etc. One mother is responsible for an activity and craft (singing songs and making a snowman out of cotton balls and glue) and the other is in charge of snack and video. You're son's little for this yet, but it's great - if you want more details, let me know. Kind of gets the kids used to spending time away from mom in a way that makes them feel very secure.

 

So much for a quick note - sorry for rambling!

[Girlsnightout]

My nephew will be 21 months when we cruise on Carnival....will they allow my sister to bring him into the playroom if she stays with him? How firm are they on the age limit? He's very articulate and big for his age, do they ask to see proof of age?

 

We've cruised with my older nephew when he was 2, and he was fine. This was on a ship with 3 as the minimum age for the kids program, so he couldn't use them, nor would they even allow him in the kids playroom with my sister! This was with Celebrity, but we all still had fun, it just would have been nice to let him use the kids program for a bit...if you can wait (we cruise once a year, has to be during school breaks because I'm a teacher and my sons are older and can't miss school), so we couldn't really postpone for a few months, but if that's an option for you, you might want to wait 3 more months to get that all-important couple time and to let him have fun in Camp Carnival.

[Girlsnightout]

. Don't let the Anti-Breeders get you down - you'll never encounter that sort of confrontation on board the ships - only on the boards. I try to think of it as an airline flight - you'll never see those people again!

 

As someone who has cruised 6 times with children, this is soooo true! Everyone we met on our cruises was very nice, (we did encounter a real creep on a flight, kept yelling to "shut that kid up" when my nephew was crying because his ears hurt during take-off), no anti-breeders to be found. We've even had cruisers compliment our children on their table manners and dining room behavior.

 

I just have to laugh - that phrase (anti-breeders) is really catching on!;)

[I&MsMom]

Girlsnightout:

 

At 21 months, your sister can let him use the equipment and toys in the Camp area during designated times, when the Camp is officially closed for the older kids, but your sister (or other adult - I'm not sure if it has to be a parent) must stay with him. On the Glory they had several of those relatively large plastic jungle gyms with slides that the kids seemed to gravitate to during free play. I would think some time with those would be great for him.

 

They require you to "sign-up" for Camp, and I'm told they check the paperwork against the information you provide when you book, which they check against birth certificate/passport. They are very strict about the age restrictions. My son turned six in the middle of the cruise, and he had to go with the 2-5 year olds (which I was actually happy about because he was with his little sister.) I did not inquire after his birthday if he could "move up" as he was content (the old if-its-not-broken-don't-fix-it theory!)

 

A family a few cabins away from us had a 4 year old and (I think) an 18 month old, and the mom was frustrated because when the Camp was open for her 4 year old, she couldn't take the baby, and when she could take the baby, it was unavailable for the 4 year old.

 

I also agree with your observations. Everyone we met on board was very nice, and no one seemed at all put off by the fact that there were children in the vicinity. The first couple of days I was incredibly anxious and self-conscious about my children bothering others, but they were very warmly received and in the end I was able to relax.

 

Hope this helps....

[Guest Time2gocruzn]

We are cruising in March and our son will be 21 months at the time, and our other son will be 4. There ARE times CC will watch your son even tho he is under 2. I think it is something like 10pm to 3am and on port days. BUT you have to pay for it. Check the site to be sure of the hours, but I know they will take him at certain times. :)

[I&MsMom]

djklove:

 

You are absolutely correct...I forgot about the 10-3 pm option. My kids were always already asleep at the point so it wasn't on my radar screen. Thanks.

 

Also, someone on my cruise indicated that, while they generally don't permit parents in the playroom, they would allow you to enter to pick up your sleeping child.

[savdoc2]

We just got back from cruising with our 16.5 month old. I do not regret taking her and we will go again when our next one is little. We had a lot of fun, but being with our children IS our fun. We are not drinkers (an occasional drink here and there - though I haven't had any in 2.5 yrs), so that was not even an issue. BTW, I was also 24 weeks pregnant on this cruise. We enjoyed every minute of our cruise.

[k9hndler]

Hi all,

 

I'm looking for information and personal experiences of cruising with a toddler. My DS will be about 21 months when we are thinking about cruising, Carnival Liberty would be the ship. I know it will be different then before but so is the rest of our life. I also know that he won't be old enough to be part of Camp Carnival.

 

DH thinks that we won't have any fun cruising with our child, so I was looking for any experiences to help change his mind.

 

Thanks much

Michelle

 

Greetings Michelle

 

My Wife and I have done it both ways, a 10 month old DS and again when he was two. Both times were great in their own way.

 

The First cruise was Celebrity Galaxy in a family cabin, which had a slider which closes off part of the room, giving the little one and parents a break. DW and I took turns wheeling Little Man around in his compact umbrella stroller, so each of us could do individual activities. We would come together periodically through out the day for family time. We took turns at EARLY SEATING (Trust me, get early seating) taking him out if he got fussy. We had a great 11 day cruise.

 

We just got off miracle three weeks ago, and used Camp Carnival now that LM turned two. I wrote a detailed review of the sailing (1-9-05 Miracle on carnival board) if you'd like to read it and maybe get some ideas on whether you should wait till your own little one is two years old. We had much more together time as a couple on Miracle, and our son loved the Camp.

 

We are booked on Granduer in November, when our unborn Daughter will be 7 months old, and expect to have another great time. We just accept the fact that we are somewhat limited on WHAT we can do, but not how much fun we can have.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Either way, I hope your family has a great time

God Bless

[shirleygr]

I have to agree with everyone who said, wait the couple of months until you can use camp carnival. I took my dd last summer when she was 27 months old and it was great to have just a little time off. I was cruising with my two boys who are older, but without my dh, who had to work and the boys wanted to go off and do their own things with camp. Just be aware that if your child won't stop crying, they will beep you to come and pick him up. I would also recommend not cruising during high season since your child is not used to daycare and may be overwhelmed (as my daughter was) with the sheer volume of children in the playroom (oh well, live and learn!). Now she goes to a 2 year old program 5 days a week and has no problems with separation. I think when we take her in the fall, we will have no trouble with her in the kids program.

BTW, all I received were compliments on how well my children were behaved and how adorable my little girl is. No one complained, even when she was fussy at breakfast one morning. Matter of fact, an older lady at a neighboring table started playing with her and helped to calm her down. Said she was reminded of how much she missed her grandkids and was happy to help.

Hope all this helps!

[NewportJulie]

We are taking our first cruise next week with DD 4 and DS 2. The Kid's Club on our ship (HAL's Oosterdam) does not allow children under 5 without an adult. We are planning to accompany them in the Kid's Club on occasion, but we will also hire an onboard babysitter to go there with them during the evening hours it is open so DH & I can have some alone time. We are not comfortable having in-room babysitting, but feel ok about having a babysitter with them in a public place for a few hours.