Mediterranean with young kids?

[Amsterdamfamilyoffive]

We've never cruised before, so this would be first time. We're thinking of trying a Mediterranean cruise during Christmas holidays. Our kids will be 6, 4, and 20 months.

 

Will there be anything for the 20-month-old to do? She's happy playing with other kids but does need diaper changes. Should we wait until she's older or are there cruises with a toddler club (we don't want to leave her there a lot, just a few hours at a time)?

 

Thanks very much,

Amsterdamfamilyoffive

[cb at sea]

Whether there will be anything for your 20 month old will depend on the cruiseline and ship....most don't offer much for the kids under 2-3, and few will have pools for diapered folks.

The 6 and 4 year old will be able to take advantage of whatever children's club/activities your cruiseline offers.

And remember, the ships don't sell baby stuff, so you will have to bring all of the stuff you'll need for baby....diapers, wipes, etc....

[6rugrats]

This Christmas? Your cruise line choices look like mostly MSC and Costa, with one or two NCL, RCCL, Fred Olsen, P&O and Cunard cruises available. No children under the age of three in the kid's club on Costa, MSC, RCCL or P&O. Fred Olsen, no activities for children under five, and they don't even guarantee there will be any children's activities. NCL, must be 24 months to stay at the kid's club. Cunard, must be at least four to use the kid's club.

[Amsterdamfamilyoffive]

Thank you for the quick replies. So it seems it might be best to wait until the youngest is older, because there's no activities for toddlers.

 

Are there any ships with babysitting? Also, does MSC or Costa have a better reputation for kids' activities (or another line with Mediterranean / Atlantic cruises this winter)? Thank you again.

[6rugrats]

I haven't sailed either one of these ships, so I have no idea. You might try looking at the member reviews for them, googling for reviews or doing a search in this forum.

 

You can find out about babysitting by going to each cruise line's webpage. The information may be found there.

[boulders]

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises MAY have babysitting. It's on a first come, first serve basis, and at the discretion of the personnel on the cruise. So, no guarantees.

[6rugrats]

I don't see any Celebrity cruises in the Med for when OP wants to cruise, and there's only two RCCL cruises.

[alj1208]

There is lots to do for families with kids (babies, toddlers and up) on the Caribbean sailings during the holidays. These are beach vacations, which are great for all ages. Some of the cruise lines have splash zones where diapered kids can go to enjoy the water. Some also have babysitting or nursery services for toddlers, but you really have to search the ships and lines individually for the services you need. Even without babysitting or kids clubs, you could still have a good time in the Caribbean with beaches and warm weather. The Mediterranean in the winter with a toddler? Not so much, in my humble opinion.

[Kerry's Girls]

We were on the Jade in 2010 right after the holidays and there were a number of toddlers on board - mostly families like yours who didn't have that far to fly to Barcelona. You would have no childchare options, but there is an "under two zoo" (a room with toddler toys) on the few sea days. With private guides for tours, you could choose more kid-friendly options. It sounds like if you want a ship where you'll get some adult time, you'll have to wait until your kids are all two, but if you're wanting a Med holiday now, you won't be the only one with a toddler on board.

 

Best,

Mia

[MrsNobby]

This Christmas? Your cruise line choices look like mostly MSC and Costa, with one or two NCL, RCCL, Fred Olsen, P&O and Cunard cruises available. No children under the age of three in the kid's club on Costa, MSC, RCCL or P&O. Fred Olsen, no activities for children under five, and they don't even guarantee there will be any children's activities. NCL, must be 24 months to stay at the kid's club. Cunard, must be at least four to use the kid's club.

 

I'm not sure where you got your information from but P&O will take children from 2 years in the childrens clubs and also provide a night nursery from 6pm in the evening till 2am free of charge for 6 month olds to 5 year olds and have a childrens tea every day at 5ish so you can feed the children and get them back into kids club so you can have a relaxing evening meal if you so choose.

 

Cunard will currently take 1 year old children in the play zone this will change to 2 years in April 2012, change nappys(diapers) and even allow you to leave the children in the play zone all day if you book a Cunard organised tour.

 

Both cruise lines currently offer this for no extra charge.

[scubababy]

Your two older kids will love the kids clubs. We've done Princess and RCCL for our cruises out of Europe. Just got off the Mariner of the Seas in May.

Both lines have wonderful programs for the kiddos.

I would lean towards RCCL. You could hire a private babysitter on board to keep the baby in the evenings while the older kids are in the kids club.

That would give you a few hours of to do some things by yourself. You will need to inquire about the babysitting the "minute" you get on board to get things lined up.

There was a recent post about RCCL babysitting. It was a positive review. One evening, the baby/toddler wasn't sleepy so the sitters took him on walks and apparently had a grand time.