nuts for taking a toddler?

[sgeffner]

We are planning on taking our 13 month old son (at time of cruise) to Alaska on the Infiniity iN June. This will be our 1st cruise with a child, are we making a mistake by cruising with him at this age? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Seth

[Casshew]

Your toddler is part of your family, take him and have a great time. You may have to adjust for his meals and naps but you will do fine.

 

Don't listen to any anti-child posts - they are not worried about your holiday, they are worried about theirs. :rolleyes:

[wvufan]

Hi Seth,

 

Just a couple rambling thoughts on this.

 

At that age, your kid really won't know what is going on and will not remember any of it. Sure, you will be able to elicit expressions of joy, but they won't be related to the cruise experience itself.

 

Much of the experience in Alaska cruises (such as Hubbard Glacier and Inside Passage) involves being on deck, observing scenery and wildlife. The responsibility and time involved in parenting may preclude your own availablility and enjoyment.

 

A cruise is such a wonderful and romantic way to vacation-leave your child with trusted grandparents or friends, and have a great time.

 

I did not interpret your post as asking if it was appropriate to bring such a young kid-only if it was advisable and trying to determine the pros and cons. This is a good topic and I hope it doesn't degenerate into another one of the should kids be on a cruise debates.

 

OOOEEE:D :D Bob and Phyl

[Tatka]

There is a poster on this boards who's done the same itinerary on Infinity with 1 yo daughter last year (Flagger I think?) . Look for his posts... And I hope he reads your post. :)

[SANDY BEACH]

Cruising with children has to be totally different that when just the 2 of you go. We are also looking into a cruise with children and grandchildren. I do not expect this cruise to resemble the ones I have taken with just my DH. As long as you are prepared for the restrictions a child may place upon you, I think you will be fine but don't expect the romantic cruise you may have had in the past. Be realistic with your expectations.

[canderson]

We are planning on taking our 13 month old son (at time of cruise) to Alaska on the Infiniity iN June. This will be our 1st cruise with a child, are we making a mistake by cruising with him at this age? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Seth

Our 10 month old grandson made his first cruise and his first steps on board the Infinity on our July 2003 Alaska cruise. Thanks to our waiter Mert (below), he was the hit of the dining room.

 

Note that the outlet above the desk in your cabin will handle a bottle warmer.

 

As for not remembering anything -- he never has lost his taste for crab whenever he can get it!

[Happy ks]

Yes, it will be different, yes it will be a lot of work. Ideally, it works out better if you have some help along (a nanny or grandparent) but it can still be done. I know when my kids were that age, I would never have left them for the week (no grandparents to watch them :( ).

 

I think most of all, you have to consider the temperament of your child and how well they travel. My children would have been horrible to travel with. When they were little, we stuck close to home and only vacationed a couple of hours away by car. You will know better than anyone else, if you haven't done any travelling with your child so far, try a weekend away, you'll see how he does with a strange room/bed/bathroom.

 

I'll tell you one thing, from experience, do not buy your son a bunch of new clothes for the cruise, if you do, allow him to wear them a few times before the trip. Nothing will freak a child out more than taking him out of his environment, new places, new faces and then expect him to wear new clothes! Besides their parents, they need familiar things surrounding them. My son was in tears over his new clothes, especially the jammies.

[flashdog_1]

My children are adults but when they were kids, I thought they'd never grow up. I remember standing in the back of a concert hall, near the lobby for fast get aways if they made any noise. It was impossible for me to enjoy the music knowing they might disturb others. Now a cruise is NOT a concert hall, but I started attempting to expose the kids to "cultural things' at a young age, and asked them afterward if they noticed how other people were acting. Duh, everyone else was quiet. In a restaurant, no one else is under the dinner table in the pizza hut. Oh those occasions I'd say, "we can try again next week" excuse ourselves to the waitress, and try again another time. Better than creating a scene etc. So it is up to you, knowing how your kids behave to determine whether it will mar your own cruise, or mar the cruise of the other people.

[seaplus]

We did Alaska with our child when he was 2.5, and we were in a Royal Suite. We got the big room since we knew he could not go to the Fun Factory and we needed a spot big enough for him to run around in. Although our child is very well-behaved, there were enough adults who clearly don't enjoy children, that we wanted a big enough place for him to be a kid without having to impose on the sour-pusses.

 

We did low-impact shore excursions (whale watch, etc) that did not require that he sit still and admire scenery. We did not do dog-sledding (although he would probably have loved that) or any flying shore excursion. You may consider having one parent do a shore excursion early in the morning while the other watches the baby, then switch later in the morning or in the afternoon. We just picked excursions appropriate for the entire family.

 

The ship will provide any type of food a child would want (including brand/flavor of baby food) if given notice in advance. You can get anything being served in the dining room delivered to your room if you don't want the experience of dealing with a toddler during a seated dinner, and regular room service at other hours of the day. Alternative Casual dining is an alternative to the dining room, and they will serve quickly so you can get in and out, if that's what you tell them you want.

 

One final thing regarding balcony vs inside: We were concerned that our child could fall overboard, but were relieved to see that there is a child-proof latch on the sliding verandah door, and the verandah railing is solid (with a plexiglas panel that reaches from an inch above the deck to the railing itself--about 4 feet high) One downside to having an outside is that in Alaska in summer, it doesn't get fully dark until about midnight, and it's fully light outside by about 3 am. The ship does have blackout curtains to help you sleep.

 

Take all baby meds you might conceivably need: fever reducer, cough med, lotions, antibiotics for ear infection, etc. with you--they don't sell any of that on board.

 

Hope this helps.

[Danno]

I would tell you my opinion, however, peole have asked this question before and when responses come in that this might be a bad idea...some people are labeled "child haters"....

[SeaPeaInn]

Answer to original question.

 

Yes

[klingoncruiser]

Yes!

[crusinmama22]

Lots of good replies, I think this is a personal decision. One you and your husband should make together. Do you want to relax and not worry about your son or do you want to have him with you during your vacation ? Onlyyou know this answer.

 

However, several years back we were on the Destiny Feb 2000 with our children 16 and 18 at the time. We watched a couple with a small child at dinner time (8:15pm) walk around and around with this child. I don't think the wife ever ate and the husband ate by himself each night as she was walking around and around. Something to consider

 

 

I don't want you to think the child was crying -- because it was not and this did not disturb our dinner -- I just felt sorry for the couple not being able to eat together.

 

Either way this is your decision.

 

By the way, we enjoy cruising with our kids now 21 and 23 more than by ourselves as this way we each have someone else to pal around with. I like to sun bath, my husband not so much. He likes to go to the casino, me not so much. My daughter loves to sunbath and my son loves the casino so we all win!

 

Can't wait till we sail again on the Constellation Feb 18th !

[usha]

I love kids. I have 3 grown kids and 2 granddaughters whom I adore. Still, I think it's absolutely insane to cruise with a toddler.

[Kate Roselund]

We had a lovely young couple on our roll call for Infinity, Alaska this past June. They had an adorable toddler with them. I think they would definitely vote "NO", :p There really is no safe place for the child to run off all the energy except the basketball court, and Alaska weather is subject to change. I really think the excusions are what really makes the Alaskan cruise so special, and doing them without your partner takes alot of fun out of it. You also have the problem of putting everything and anything into their mouths:eek: and an ill toddler is not a happy camper!

[flagger]

There is a poster on this boards who's done the same itinerary on Infinity with 1 yo daughter last year (Flagger I think?) . Look for his posts... And I hope he reads your post. :)

I had a whole response typed up and then I sneezed and closed my browser. Now my Cable modem has gone down and I am stuck on dial-up. I will respond more thoroughly when I get a chance with some tips on what worked for us.

[Danno]

Ok here's what I think....after 13 months you need a break. You need a short time to talk to adults. To sleep in an extra hour or two. To get to know one another again...and enjoy each others "company".

 

We left Matt in the capable hands of his grandparents several times...we felt guilty, and lonely...but we also felt so happy and refreshed once we returned home...I honestly think we were better parents for it.

 

I really think all involved will benefit from this short separation...and those who claim to having never been separated from their kids for more than a few hours, fancy themselves martyrs (why else would they keep telling me this) more than good parents...

 

Go on your own...feel guilty, it won't kill you...come back and enjoy your child with a renewed energy...and also, apparently I saw Niagara Falls the first time when I was 18 months old...I don't really think I can tell you much about that trip.

 

I will now be prepared to be called a "child hater"...but I'm not sure my son Matt would agree.

[CaptData]

I think you should wait a couple more years before taking the little one with you. Memory does not develop in children until the age of three. You need a break and so does he. He will love being with grandma and grandpa. Alaska is very lovely but is more for older children and adults. Use the money for a dinner with the parents who babysit as a thank you. Then when the little one is 4 or 5 take him on the cruise with you.

[catmand]

The White Pass & Yukon R.R. was recently mentioned on the Travel Channel as having some of the best scenery of any railway in the world.

If I tell you we had to get up and move TWO cars forward in order to escape the screaming and crying from the twins who were in the stroller in the back of the car, would that make me a "sour puss" or a "child hater"? I would also point out if I make a comment that I think this would be a good time for some Mommy and Daddy "alone time" it is NOT because I am "worried about my holiday, not yours" as has been suggested.

I am for the parents spending this one without the baby.

[cruisewmn]

As a parent of a 9 year old boy, I think family vacations are wonderful and it's never too early to start. However, I think you have to be realistic with what your priorities are for your vacation: is it to see Alaska, to spend time with your spouse, to go to the shows, enjoy fine dining, relax, etc. ?

 

If you're dying to see Alaska, I say go for it!

 

If the other reasons are important to you, I say try Disney Cruise Line. I'm a big fan of Disney: it's classy and surprisingly upscale, has wonderful child care programs, good nightlife, fun things to do as a family, and plenty of adult-only locations. I've taken 5 DCL cruises, some alone with my DH and DS, others with friends and family. My sister brought her then 2 year old daughter on one cruise and was very pleased with how it turned out. She enjoyed the family activities, but also greatly appreciated the time alone with her husband while her toddler was in Flounder's Nursery (ages 3 months to 3 years). She was able to go to the specialty restaurants, bars, adult shows, and the spa. It wasn't a problem finding ways to entertain her child, and no one blinks when a child is a little fussy at dinner. The trip was a real winner for everyone.

 

Good luck making a decision -- I think either way you go, you'll have a trip to remember!:)

[jglass]

When my husband and I cruised in the caribean with our son then 9 months old we had a spectacular time. But, this was the time that "in cabin" babysitting could be arranged for an extra charge. I don't think they offer that anymore. Also, we took the baby to the beach on our shore excurtions, or pushing him in the stroller in town. I don't think we would have had the same good time if we couldn't have our adult-time in the evening. Does anyone Know if in-cabin babysitting is still available?

[canderson]

When my husband and I cruised in the caribean with our son then 9 months old we had a spectacular time. But, this was the time that "in cabin" babysitting could be arranged for an extra charge. I don't think they offer that anymore. Also, we took the baby to the beach on our shore excurtions, or pushing him in the stroller in town. I don't think we would have had the same good time if we couldn't have our adult-time in the evening. Does anyone Know if in-cabin babysitting is still available?

They were still offering in-cabin last December, and we hadn't heard anything about this service being discontinued. We haven't had him with us since then, so can't say from personal experience.

 

A word -- taking a set of grandparents along makes the whole thing a lot easier on everyone!

[Zeta3]

We love cruising as a family, my daughter now 2yrs old has been on 3 cruises and will be on her 4th in February. I think it really does depend on your expectations and your child. My daughter travels very well and we have been careful to not put her in situations that make her or anybody else miserable.

 

We haven't done Alaska yet because I don't think we would be able to enjoy the scenery and excursions with her being so young but it is definitely in our plans.

[kay0522]

I was lucky enough to get ahold of the Celebrity 2005-06 TA book. Costs for childcare are as follows:

 

$8.00/Hour for private stateroom babysitter available through the Staeroom services Desk on all Celebrity vessels. 24 hours in advance is requested. Minimum age is six months and there are to be no more than two children per sitter. The housekeeping staff are the only personnel permitted to provide this service and is subject to availability.

 

$6.00/Hour in port per child for children ages 3 to 12 from noon to 2:00pm and the dinner party from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. These services are complimentary while the ship is at sea.

 

$6.00/Hour for a slumber party from 10:00pm to 1:00am. This service is also for children above 3 years of age. Proof of age can be requested and all children participating must be completely toilet trained and pull-up free.

 

Just a short thought, we have been taking our now adult children on cruises since they were 3 years old. We started out with Disney Cruises and then went to Carnival, NCL and now Celebrity. I do think that sometimes our little ones enjoy the cruises that cater a little more to their age group. Good luck with your cruise. I certainly understand our time with our children is far to short, and we need to spend as much time with them as we can.

 

Another suggestion might be to include a trusted high school/college age friend to go along on your trip. We did this once and it was wonderful for all. We all enjoyed our alone time and together time!

[canderson]

I think a lot depends upon how well they manage in the dining room. We had late seating, but fed Ethan (just turned 2) a bit from the pasta station at around 6:00. At 8:30, he was still up for the famous Celebrity breadsticks and a bit of dinner.