Cruising with Children (1 & 2 yr old)

[Dragonfly2girls]

Just thought I would share some quick notes about our recent 5 night trip on Carnival Glory from New York to Canada with St John and Halifax ports of call.

 

Things that were great:

- Youth program, free, from 10am - 10pm for 2-5 year olds

- They change diapers (Disney is the only other ship that does)

- Babysitting (6.75 per child + 15% gratuity) from 10pm - 3am (even though website says 6.00 for first child, 4.00 per additional child)

- Babysitting accepts babies under 2 (youth program does not)

- In port they include babies under 2 in the morning youth program, free, but they wont take babies to lunch so you have to pickup by 11:45

- Cell phone for youth center to reach me

- Cell phone can be called from any ship phone (great to coordinate)

- Cell phone can call any staterooms on ship, doesnt work off boat

- Crib fit neatly between queen bed and couch/twin.

- After the first night, our high chairs and milk were always ready for us.

- Kids got a kick out of towel animals.

- We brought small dish detergent to wash sippy cups

 

Things that were a challenge:

- Our dinner was 8:15 seating, babysitting opens 10pm, shows start 10:15

- Crying fits would sometimes cut babysitting (and our plans) short

- Dont even think about a double wide stroller, you wont fit anywhere

- Reservation folks arent so bright, originally we were booked in a room with two pull down beds - for a one and two year old? Glad I checked.

- Waited forever first night for milk, kids had a fit.

- One parent stayed with kids went to buffet, then switched, buffet lines made this a long process and kids were restless.

- No tubs, so they had to get used to showering with Mom.

- Our 2 year old wouldnt sleep in the twin bed, Mommy did.

- No pool unless potty trained, so she would get mad if she saw pool

 

Things figured out along the way to make it easier:

- Every morning ordered cereal boxes and milk.

- At lunch, bring back extra milks to room, store in mini-bar for night time.

- Found a bathroom with changing table, always sat in this area

- Bring those deodorized diaper baggies, stinky diapers + small cabin...

- Bring your own metal water bottle to keep drinks handy and cold

- At lunch, put extra cereal boxes in your tote bag for snacking

 

Things I would do different next time:

- Would pack much less clothes for kids, didnt use half of it

- Bring a night light, our 2 year old got out of bed and crashed into wall

- Bring rain ponchos, so you dont pay premium when you get off ship

- Bring portable DVD with kids favorite shows, tv selections were minimal

[B_Mc]

Great tips! Did you do any excursions with the kiddies or left them on board? We were interested in this cruise, but especially interested in the pub tour excursions!

[Dragonfly2girls]

Great tips! Did you do any excursions with the kiddies or left them on board? We were interested in this cruise, but especially interested in the pub tour excursions!

 

In St John, we left our 2 year old in the youth program. We wanted to leave both (because it was raining) but found out that they would only keep the 1 year old until 11:45 (they accept them on port days but only until lunch time). So, we took her with us. We just took a cab (use the one associated to ground transportation from the ship just inside the st john terminal building, they are cheaper then local taxi and clean and nice and they had a car seat). They brought us to City Market (way up the hill) and we strolled through the stores with the pedway which kept us inside and dry the whole time). Then we had lunch at Granans, which was nice, but a little pricy for lunch. The sun came out and we strolled down the road to the ship.

 

In Halifax we had an excursion not with the ship (because they were no longer offering it online, they must have booked up). We did the Harbour Hopper. Through the ship, the hopper vehicle is right off the gangway. But when you book yourself, you have to walk. They told us it was 5 minutes. It was 35 minutes to walk. Luckily it was a beautiful day, and the walk was via boardwalk so it was fine. Lots of street vendors, magicians, musicians, gift shops, snacks, etc. along the way. When we got there we had missed our reservation (because there is an hour time difference between New York and Halifax that wasnt taken into consideration). The tour was great, hold on to little ones as car slides into water it was VERY VERY bumpy in the back of the vehicle where I was. Halifax is a cute area, lots of hills but looks like plenty of shopping and eateries if you are up to doing some decent walking. Would do this again, but through the ship. They do have rickshaws on the boardwalk that can bring you from a to b for a decent price (they wanted $8 per person to bring us back to ship instead of walking back).

[Pacclady]

Thanks for the great tips! I hope the Carnival Dream has the same perks (babies in youth center in the morning) because that would be very nice.