Cruising with a 3 year old... packing and misc questions

[alligeek]

Hey everyone!

 

We're going on our second cruise in a few weeks and our DS3 is coming with us. He came along with us on our first cruise last year, and as you all know, kids change a lot in a year. :)

 

We're cruising on RC with friends and DS will likely time in the RC youth program, but here's the kicker: we're in the throes of potty training, so I'm worried that he'll be excluded from some of the "big kid" activities. How does RC handle 3 year olds who aren't fully potty trained?

 

I'm debating how much to pack, too. Here's what I'm planning to pack:

• clothes
  
• sunscreen
  
• a few toys from home
  
• a laptop and a DVD or two
  
• one or two of his favorite books
  
• his teddy bear
  

 

Is that too much? Not enough? If I knew that he'd spend a lot of time with other kids, I wouldn't worry. He did OK on our last cruise, but it seemed like he really didn't get into Camp Carnival. This time he'll be a year older and he'll know one of the kids (our friends have a 5 year old).

 

Any advice? Thank you!

[flhokie]

According to Royal Caribbean's website, children must be at least 3 years old and 100% potty trained (diaper & pull up free) to participate in Adventure Ocean.

 

We are taking DD next month on Allure. She's 2 so AO isn't an issue for us, but she loves swimming so we are going cold turkey on diapers this week. She already goes a couple times a day--just not consistently.

 

As for packing...besides clothes, toiletries & snacks, we plan to take...

- 2 blankets (toddler sized)

- 3-4 favorite toys

- 3-4 favorite books

- DVD player with DVDs

- iPad with downloads & apps

- coloring books with crayons (& 1 set with the markers that only show on the special paper in those coloring books)

- stickers & paper

 

We are driving 3 hours to to port so some of this will help in the car.