anoth Posted August 18, 2014 #26 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I'm staying far away from the inflatable pool debate! We took our 2 yr old on Enchantment earlier this year and she had a blast...no water involved. We borrowed toys from the nursery and would exchange them for new ones periodically. Then, we'd take her with us wherever we went. She had a blast playing with toys while we played trivia, etc. Other than that, there was always something fun to take her to that would involve people watching, dancing, music, etc. Factor in naptime in the middle of the day and our schedule was packed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grand isle joe Posted August 18, 2014 #27 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I hope that RCL will enforce the " no diaper policy" on all those passengers at the other end of the span of life......I guess that just " depends" on the status .....:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setsail Posted August 18, 2014 #28 Share Posted August 18, 2014 I hope that RCL will enforce the " no diaper policy" on all those passengers at the other end of the span of life......I guess that just " depends" on the status .....:eek: Keep an eye on the hot tubs, some of them like to bake for hours, if you see the water level rise..........:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kebhouse Posted August 18, 2014 #29 Share Posted August 18, 2014 We took our eldest on a carnival cruise when she was 9 months and had no problems keeping her entertained. There's still so much to see and do. We brought the inflatable duckie tub and used it on our balcony, but it sprung a leak halfway through the cruise. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehfl Posted August 18, 2014 #30 Share Posted August 18, 2014 That's not exactly an inflatable pool. Here's what you want for the whole family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eng23 Posted August 18, 2014 #31 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Will they not allow a small child in the pool with even a swim diaper on? No, they will not. Swim diapers are not acceptable. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geogran Posted August 18, 2014 #32 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Not a joke at all. We've brought a large blow-up bath tub. We blew it up with our very own mouths! A blow up pool is a good idea too. I'd bring one and allow another baby or two to play in it with my son as well just to be nice. But that's me :) Here's my little guy in his bath tub on a pool deck of a Carnival cruise back in December! We had so many comments on what a great idea it was. Awwwww :) So cute and so clever - looks like a good time for all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterbug123 Posted August 18, 2014 #33 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Will they not allow a small child in the pool with even a swim diaper on? The only real difference between swim diapers and regular diapers are that swim diapers are filled with a substance that does not expand when wet, like regular diapers. So theoretically kids can go in the water in them without ending up with a big expanded diaper that starts to sag. Like regular diapers though, swim diapers do absolutely nothing to prevent fecal matter from leaking out, and as such, they should not be used in public pools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdjohn5 Posted August 18, 2014 #34 Share Posted August 18, 2014 OP, You can check out bags of toys from the kids club that are good for a 1 yo. They have different ones so we would rotate them every other day or so and that tended to keep our kids busy in the cabin. We also tried to bring some small toys from home that would double as bath toys (hard plastic, stacking cups, etc) Not sure if your kids are able to draw yet, but we bring some dry erase makers and let the kids color on the plexi glass of our balacony. Cleans up with just a damp towel, but lets you sit outside and relax/read as the kids play. Both of ours were just learning to walk on their first cruise...honestly the most fun they had was exploring. Just put them down and let them go. Funny to see what they think is interesting. However, probably the easiest solution to the pool issue is to try and get the older kids to go to the pool at nap time for the 1 yo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuterMonkey Posted August 18, 2014 #35 Share Posted August 18, 2014 (edited) No. Swim diapers can leak. They also do not actually hold anything in. They aren't watertight and urine goes right through them. Same with #2 really...the diaper holds in the most visible of the nastiness but any bacteria and liquid bits are basically free to roam. I agree with taking the inflatable tub, and some bath toys/sand toys (they're just as good for playing with water)/small cars. Another thing my son used to love at that age was to use a little dish soap to make bubbles in the water for him to play with. Or even just take a bottle of bubbles for him to run after and pop. Edited August 18, 2014 by PuterMonkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuterMonkey Posted August 18, 2014 #36 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Both of ours were just learning to walk on their first cruise...honestly the most fun they had was exploring. Just put them down and let them go. Funny to see what they think is interesting. I agree with this too :). At that age, they're really good at finding their own entertainment. Take 'em down to the shuffleboard court and watch how long they'll carry those discs around and stack them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finallyonboard Posted August 18, 2014 #37 Share Posted August 18, 2014 i hope that rcl will enforce the " no diaper policy" on all those passengers at the other end of the span of life......i guess that just " depends" on the status .....:eek: lol:d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligeek Posted August 18, 2014 #38 Share Posted August 18, 2014 You can find ways to keep little ones occupied, even without a pool. As it was already mentioned, you can check out toys from the kids' area. We have brought along small toys for our DS, who was 2 and not toilet trained at the time of his first cruise (on the older ship Carnival Glory), to keep him entertained. Matchbox cars, Play-Doh, crayons, and books don't take up a lot of room. DS always found ways to entertain himself too--he loves watching the ocean and has found things to play with around him. I think it depends on the kid, though, and how easily entertained he/she is in general. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare RCCL Fan Posted August 24, 2014 Author #39 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Thank you all for the advice and help. We're doing Serenade, and while we haven't decided if we'll pack a splash tub for the little one yet, we're sure everything will work out fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladysail2 Posted August 24, 2014 #40 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Thank you all for the advice and help. We're doing Serenade, and while we haven't decided if we'll pack a splash tub for the little one yet, we're sure everything will work out fine. Enjoy your cruise!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoGurl Posted February 4, 2015 #41 Share Posted February 4, 2015 (edited) We were all set to book our family cruise on Serenade, until we realized there is no Splash pool for kids. We'll have a 1 year old at the time. No way she'll be potty trained. But definitely too old to just sit around. My wife asked me, "What is she supposed to do all day on that ship? She's too little for Adventure Ocean, she can't use the kids pool, There are no Dreamworks characters. I just don't want her having to sit with us and watch her sister and older cousins play." Parents of little ones not potty trained, what did you do with your little one all day? We've taken our older daughter on cruises at that age but it was on Oasis & Allure. I think the newer/bigger ships have more options for small kids, but in my experience on Voyager class ships...you're just gonna have to adapt your vacation like you do your regular life :( You're not going to be able to enjoy the same ammenities and freedoms as you did before you had kids or that you have with older children. I believe you can pay a babysitter on board, but 10 years ago the option required the babysitter to be in your stateroom, plus an additional fee. Kids in swim diapers are not allowed in ANY pools, even the kids pools (at least 10 years ago this was the case). I had to separate myself from the rest of our group and spent a lot of time in our stateroom during nap times watching tv and reading by myself, and had to go back to the ship instead of exploring islands because there's only so much small kids can take without naps and quiet time. I brought an umbrella stroller and was able to shop and stroll around the ports while everyone else was off having fun, but there was nothing on the ship offered for small kids at the time. I paid $1800 for her to go with us (including airfare) and there was absolutely nothing for her to do. It soured me on cruises for the next 10 years. I've since then been able to go with her as an older child and have a blast, but would never ever go with a kid under 3 again! The sacrifices of motherhood are no fair :) Edited February 4, 2015 by ColoradoGurl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoGurl Posted February 4, 2015 #42 Share Posted February 4, 2015 (edited) Will they not allow a small child in the pool with even a swim diaper on? Nope. They don't allow it. I tried that with my 3 year old and was quickly caught and made to get out. She was potty trained for the most part but I didn't trust her in the pool as sometimes she wasn't as quick to tell me she had to #2. I could have risked taking the swim diaper off and letting her swim, but if she ruined the pool, we wouldn't have been able to show our face on the ship for the rest of the week. Swim diapers aren't even allowed in the kids' pools. Edited February 4, 2015 by ColoradoGurl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted February 4, 2015 #43 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Nope. They don't allow it. I tried that with my 3 year old and was quickly caught and made to get out. She was potty trained for the most part but I didn't trust her in the pool as sometimes she wasn't as quick to tell me she had to #2. I could have risked taking the swim diaper off and letting her swim, but if she ruined the pool, we wouldn't have been able to show our face on the ship for the rest of the week. Swim diapers aren't even allowed in the kids' pools. Knowing the serious hazard of ecoli, especially in a children's pool, and knowing the rules, I'm shocked you tried to sneak her in. Not very responsible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoGurl Posted February 4, 2015 #44 Share Posted February 4, 2015 (edited) Knowing the serious hazard of ecoli, especially in a children's pool, and knowing the rules, I'm shocked you tried to sneak her in. Not very responsible. Honestly at the time, I don't know how aware of stuff like that I was; I was only 24 and just mad that I spent so much money on a cruise where they wouldn't offer any ammenities for the person I paid that money for. I was at my wits end having hit roadblocks at every corner for activities for her and she was crying because I wouldn't let her swim. She spent a lot of time in the pool at home and so I gave in because I was stressed out at the crying child and the cruise company who charged me almost 2 grand for a 3 year old who couldn't do anything. She was well potty trained but I knew enough not to test the water without a swim diaper just in case. But as a "real" adult, I'm far more aware of why those rules are in place and I would never do that now. Edited February 4, 2015 by ColoradoGurl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gc Posted February 4, 2015 #45 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Honestly at the time, I don't know how aware of stuff like that I was; I was only 24 and just mad that I spent so much money on a cruise where they wouldn't offer any ammenities for the person I paid that money for. I was at my wits end having hit roadblocks at every corner for activities for her and she was crying because I wouldn't let her swim. She spent a lot of time in the pool at home and so I gave in because I was stressed out at the crying child and the cruise company who charged me almost 2 grand for a 3 year old who couldn't do anything. She was well potty trained but I knew enough not to test the water without a swim diaper just in case. But as a "real" adult, I'm far more aware of why those rules are in place and I would never do that now. Thank you for taking responsibility and understanding the health risks. gc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoGurl Posted February 4, 2015 #46 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Thank you for taking responsibility and understanding the health risks. gc Life lessons learned :) Thankfully that one wasn't learned the hard way. Funny how just 10 years later I can look back and realize what a kid I was myself. Yikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhill Posted February 4, 2015 #47 Share Posted February 4, 2015 We were all set to book our family cruise on Serenade, until we realized there is no Splash pool for kids. We'll have a 1 year old at the time. No way she'll be potty trained. But definitely too old to just sit around. My wife asked me, "What is she supposed to do all day on that ship? She's too little for Adventure Ocean, she can't use the kids pool, There are no Dreamworks characters. I just don't want her having to sit with us and watch her sister and older cousins play." Parents of little ones not potty trained, what did you do with your little one all day? We've taken our older daughter on cruises at that age but it was on Oasis & Allure. I took a small blow up baby pool so it goes flat in your luggage. You can fill that from the outside showers near the pool and drag it to where you want it for her to be able to play on the deck while you sit in a lounge chair. It also worked well to then dump when you are finished and take it to your cabin and use it in the shower as a "bathtub" since you will only have a shower. I hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhill Posted February 4, 2015 #48 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I think the newer/bigger ships have more options for small kids, but in my experience on Voyager class ships...you're just gonna have to adapt your vacation like you do your regular life :( You're not going to be able to enjoy the same ammenities and freedoms as you did before you had kids or that you have with older children. I believe you can pay a babysitter on board, but 10 years ago the option required the babysitter to be in your stateroom, plus an additional fee. Kids in swim diapers are not allowed in ANY pools, even the kids pools (at least 10 years ago this was the case). I had to separate myself from the rest of our group and spent a lot of time in our stateroom during nap times watching tv and reading by myself, and had to go back to the ship instead of exploring islands because there's only so much small kids can take without naps and quiet time. I brought an umbrella stroller and was able to shop and stroll around the ports while everyone else was off having fun, but there was nothing on the ship offered for small kids at the time. I paid $1800 for her to go with us (including airfare) and there was absolutely nothing for her to do. It soured me on cruises for the next 10 years. I've since then been able to go with her as an older child and have a blast, but would never ever go with a kid under 3 again! The sacrifices of motherhood are no fair :) also they do have like a fisherprice playtime -i forget whey they call it and yes a parent has to go too but they have a dedicated trained staff that does this playtime with the toddler with the parent present. Lasts about an hour and they have toys that they will loan you to take with you for the baby to play with. In the evening you can arrange for in-cabin babysitting at night and I can't remember but i think it is around $8 per hour so that you can go to a club or the casino or a show or whatever. They are very good with the kids and very dependable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhill Posted February 4, 2015 #49 Share Posted February 4, 2015 We were all set to book our family cruise on Serenade, until we realized there is no Splash pool for kids. We'll have a 1 year old at the time. No way she'll be potty trained. But definitely too old to just sit around. My wife asked me, "What is she supposed to do all day on that ship? She's too little for Adventure Ocean, she can't use the kids pool, There are no Dreamworks characters. I just don't want her having to sit with us and watch her sister and older cousins play." Parents of little ones not potty trained, what did you do with your little one all day? We've taken our older daughter on cruises at that age but it was on Oasis & Allure. also they do have like a fisherprice playtime -i forget whey they call it and yes a parent has to go too but they have a dedicated trained staff that does this playtime with the toddler with the parent present. Lasts about an hour and they have toys that they will loan you to take with you for the baby to play with. In the evening you can arrange for in-cabin babysitting at night and I can't remember but i think it is around $8 per hour so that you can go to a club or the casino or a show or whatever. They are very good with the kids and very dependable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clawmachine Posted February 5, 2015 #50 Share Posted February 5, 2015 What is the water option, if any, on Oasis for little ones wearing swim diapers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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