infant on cruise

[VentureMan_2000]

The only infant story I've ever heard was from a friend who took a cruise with her infant...

 

She said never again, because she was 'stuck' caring for the baby the whole time while her husband had the time of his life...:eek:

[NurseAngela]

I took my 3 1/2 month old on a cruise to Alaska. It was with my family. We had a wonderful time!

Tips:

Use an umbrella stroller. We took a bigger one, thinking we would need a carseat and never used it.

Get a baby carrier. Much easier on excursions!

Get an early seating for dinner to avoid fussiness.

Request a table near the door for dinner to make it easier for quick exits when the baby gets fussier.

 

My son was high needs but he was so young that it was actually better. I had my mom to watch him, so we could go out one night dancing. The motion of the boat seemed to help, he slept better than he ever did. It seemed he slept most of the cruise.

 

I never heard of the no untrained babies in the pool. Is that a rule? Everywhere I've gone that was never an issue. I learned something new.

 

Have fun!!!

[cruisenk]

LMAO, what I find hilarious is that people assume the OP is a woman, although they signed their name "Danny", and have not posted if they are a mom or dad... I guess men aren't parents huh?? :p Hilarious!!

 

I'm guilty! I hate it when I do that and I really try to be gender neutral!

[GoinCruisin]

I took my 3 1/2 month old on a cruise to Alaska. It was with my family. We had a wonderful time!

Tips:

Use an umbrella stroller. We took a bigger one, thinking we would need a carseat and never used it.

Get a baby carrier. Much easier on excursions!

Get an early seating for dinner to avoid fussiness.

Request a table near the door for dinner to make it easier for quick exits when the baby gets fussier.

 

My son was high needs but he was so young that it was actually better. I had my mom to watch him, so we could go out one night dancing. The motion of the boat seemed to help, he slept better than he ever did. It seemed he slept most of the cruise.

 

I never heard of the no untrained babies in the pool. Is that a rule? Everywhere I've gone that was never an issue. I learned something new.

 

Have fun!!!

 

On Carnival, a child has to be 4 mos to cruise.

 

Yes, it is very much a rule... by the CDC, it is posted all over the ship, on Carnival's website, etc. It's very much a health hazard, not just to your child, but everyone on the ship. The pools are not chlorinated... so no diapers, no swim diapers... If you ever see a diapered baby in a pool, PLEASE say something!!! This is a serious health hazard, moreso to the babies and people with low immune systems.

[kchesneylover]

DAYUM....:eek: Just DAYUM...:eek: Its called CLASS people. It's not something you go to, it is something you have (or in this case...)

 

Advice: don't cruise with an infant. As you undoubtedly know, they are a lot of work, and require a whole bunch of specialty items. You'll be carting and lugging and wearing yourself out on your vacation just to have a baby with you, and who won't get a thing out of it. And that's not even begining to consider whether or not you're going to insist on strollering the tyke and barging into other passengers and banging their shins instead of carrying the baby in the tight confines of an ocean liner... yes, a ship is big, but there's a lot of people on it.

[luvgreys]

I think that it is great that the OP wants to take her baby on a cruise!:) Only a parent really knows their own child well enough to decide of they can handle a cruise. We have not been blessed with children yet, so I cannot offer any advice.

But to look at both sides of the issue, I would be very, very mad, if I could not sleep due to a screaming baby in the cabin next to me.

[earpiemom]

We have taken our baby two times on two different cruise lines. The first when the baby was 5 months on Disney and again last August when the baby was 11 months on Royal Caribbean. We had no problems at all. Yes, we had to pack a little more than normal but it wasn't bad. On RC we chose not to do the formal dining with the baby just so we would not take a chance in ruining others dinner (we had the late seating). We had a great time and I would not hesitate to go again. I would be glad to try to answer any questions. We do not have anyone that is able to take care of our baby for a week and we also have a teenager as well which is why we took the baby with us.

[magdanie]

We have taken our baby two times on two different cruise lines. The first when the baby was 5 months on Disney and again last August when the baby was 11 months on Royal Caribbean. We had no problems at all. Yes, we had to pack a little more than normal but it wasn't bad. On RC we chose not to do the formal dining with the baby just so we would not take a chance in ruining others dinner (we had the late seating). We had a great time and I would not hesitate to go again. I would be glad to try to answer any questions. We do not have anyone that is able to take care of our baby for a week and we also have a teenager as well which is why we took the baby with us.

 

any escursion that you did with tha baby

[PACURN]

Don't let others get you down. I have noticed the prospect of family cruising is not welcomed very well on these boards, sadly. This is your vacation and you deserve to be excited!

 

This is very true I can't tell you the amount of times I've been beat up because I take my kids cruising. As you can see I don't let that stop me. Cruising with my boys is great. They enjoy it and we enjoy having them with us.

To the OP -I have seen people with babies on board and they seem to be doing fine. You will have a great time. Enjoy. It's a great family vacation. :)

[glen tev]

Do some research some lines are more kid freindly than others.NCL only charges taxes for kids under 2 and disney has a special kids pool for kids in swimmys(they even sell them on the ship)Don't let narrow minded people get you down we have been cruising with our daughter since she was 2 and she's did just fine.I've had more problems with idiot adults who can't handle there booze than with any kids.

[L2J]

Do some research some lines are more kid freindly than others.NCL only charges taxes for kids under 2 and disney has a special kids pool for kids in swimmys(they even sell them on the ship)Don't let narrow minded people get you down we have been cruising with our daughter since she was 2 and she's did just fine.

 

I've had more problems with idiot adults who can't handle there booze than with any kids.

 

This thread was about offering recommendations about bringing an infant cruising. How exactly is saying don't bring the infant narrow minded? Perhaps you are narrow minded as well?

 

*yawn*...that only took 35 posts.:rolleyes: How does that relate to this thread exactly?

[cruisedude66]

We took our DD on our first cruise in Feb. on the Spirit. We had a fantastic time with her and would do it again. We don’t party or gamble much. We like spending time as a family and doing things together so this was a perfect vacation. It didn’t bother us to pack a little heavy or to take turns napping in the cabin. We found that the crew was wonderful to our DD and we never felt like we got any dirty looks from other cruisers. People came up to us to talk about or DD and to want to interact with her.

We only were able to go to 2 shows, had to leave dinner 2 times before finishing (We took turns). We never felt like we were missing any activities because of having a little one with us.

As for her remembering the trip. Sure she might have not gained memories of the trip she did have new experiences. We found out how much she loves the beach.

[wisefamily4]

Take your baby and have a nice family cruise. Just don't bring any angry divorced alcoholics - there's way too many of them already.

[St.Love]

Ive got you beat :D , Im about to take all 4 of my kids on a cruise and I have no second thoughts! My kids are my family and no matter how young they are they will still enjoy it :p . My youngest will be 14 months old at time of cruise.

 

 

Take your lil one and have fun!

[Naismith]

Only a parent really knows their own child well enough to decide of they can handle a cruise.

 

I am not so sure about this. When our last two children were infants, my husband and I would disagree about when the baby was bothering other people at a restaurant or other public place. He would insist that their crying had not yet reached a point where it would bother people, that I was being overly sensisitve. Sometimes, I gave in; more often, I took the baby out myself.

 

A short time later he was diagnosed with a hearing loss in the upper sound ranges. I am sure that he had the hearing loss during their infancies and literally did not hear the annoying sounds. So no, he did not know his own child well enough to make a decision:)

[LolaMoon]

My sister and bro-in-law are taking my 14 month old niece on our cruise in 6 days and I feel like this... As long as it is not designated an "Adult Only" cruise... parents can make the decision on whether they feel the need to bring along the kids or not.

Luckily, my niece has an older sister who is very good with her and my sister and bro-in-law will be taking advantage of the "night" babysitting services so they can go out and watch the shows or hit the Casino.

Also, they know she is not allowed in the pool... which makes me laugh for anyone who truly believes that these older kids aren't going to the bathroom in the pool.:rolleyes: Potty trained means nothing! I am sure there are grown adults going to the bathroom in the pool.

To the original poster... I am sure that you taking your baby will be fine. Of course there are going to be things that you will not be able to do that adults without children will... but, it is your vacation, not theirs... so, you know what is best for you and your baby. Have fun!

[luvgreys]

I am not so sure about this. When our last two children were infants, my husband and I would disagree about when the baby was bothering other people at a restaurant or other public place. He would insist that their crying had not yet reached a point where it would bother people, that I was being overly sensisitve. Sometimes, I gave in; more often, I took the baby out myself.

 

A short time later he was diagnosed with a hearing loss in the upper sound ranges. I am sure that he had the hearing loss during their infancies and literally did not hear the annoying sounds. So no, he did not know his own child well enough to make a decision:)

 

Well I guess I like to think that parents would be able to know if their child can handle a long vacation.:) I am a teacher, so when I hear kids running and screaming it does it bother me that much. However, there are many parents who refuse to manage their children in any situation, including some at my school.

[Kaki321]

Check out the family travel forum (I think www.familytravelforum.com) for great tips on packing and travelling with infants - regardless if it's a cruise or not.

 

Personally, we are bringing a nanny (my 17 year old niece) to help with my 2 year old mainly and offer babysitting at night (for both boys, 2 and 5) and just general help. I am so excited to spend time with her and to have the extra set of hands! If you can afford to bring someone, do it!

 

Regarding strollers:

 

I will be on the May 7th cruise with my kids (and 3 strollers between all of us!) and will smash into rwilmz (or whatever his name is) shins for you myself at the roll call meet and greet :D (woo hoo, I can't wait)

 

Seriously, I have never had a stroller run-in with anyone, so maybe he just doesn't walk straight? :confused:

 

lol :p

[Kaki321]

On Carnival, a child has to be 4 mos to cruise.

 

Yes, it is very much a rule... by the CDC, it is posted all over the ship, on Carnival's website, etc. It's very much a health hazard, not just to your child, but everyone on the ship. The pools are not chlorinated... so no diapers, no swim diapers... If you ever see a diapered baby in a pool, PLEASE say something!!! This is a serious health hazard, moreso to the babies and people with low immune systems.

 

On the Triumph they had a designated VERY SMALL "kids wading pool" on the entrance to the slide deck (deck 10 I think). You really had to go out of your way to get there.

 

There was also a play area here with slide, play toys. Clearly a kids area. That pool was 1 foot deep and 9 feet in diameter - a small circle/splash pool. My then 2 year old non-potty trained son used it, wearing his super duper swim diaper (never had a poop leak yet), along with many other toddlers under 3.

 

Don't flame me though...

 

I never knew about the non-chlorinated issue (and apparently neither did the other parents!), there wasn't any signage up there and we rarely (if ever) made it down to the main pool. I just didn't notice. After reading about it here I called Carnival to ask because the Miracle has a similar wading pool.

 

They told me the kids wading pool on deck 10 is definitely for toddlers. Children with swim diapers are allowed here in a kind of a don't ask/don't tell policy. Personally, I just don't get it. I mean, why would Carnival designate a pool for toddlers who are likely not potty-trained? This all confused me, and the PVP I talked to was equally confused.

 

Will I let my kid swim (wade) there? Honestly I don't know right now, but if I did, I would not be answering that here. I don't want to get into a debate about my personal decisions one way or the other, but thought I would share what I found out recently. (Also, I do understand it may not be my "choice" and someone from Carnival might hang out there enforcing the rules. That is fine)

 

He won't be in the main pool or hot tubs though, so don't worry! :)

[lisiamc]

Also, they know she is not allowed in the pool... which makes me laugh for anyone who truly believes that these older kids aren't going to the bathroom in the pool.:rolleyes: Potty trained means nothing! I am sure there are grown adults going to the bathroom in the pool.

 

 

It's not the pee in the pool that's a problem (although it's not a nice thought) - urine is sterile, unless someone has a bladder infection. It's the poop that spreads E. coli, Hepatitis A, and other serious diseases. And I think you'd notice right away if adults were pooping in the pool!:eek: Ewwwwww!

 

Swim diapers may do a pretty good job of not letting solid feces out, but if a child has picked up E. coli, diarrhea is one of the symptons, and all of the children in the pool will be exposed, especially if there is no chlorination. Your baby might be perfectly healthy, but what about other people's babies? I would rather not risk the pool if I was taking a toddler on a cruise.

 

Lisa

[wentworth]

Take your baby and have a nice family cruise. Just don't bring any angry divorced alcoholics - there's way too many of them already.

 

 

 

 

????????????????? Are you saying on this forum or on the ship?

[earpiemom]

Does anyone else know if this "wading pool" with the slide for toddlers is available on any other ships? We are thinking of going on the Glory and would love to have that option. We went on RC last summer and we took a small inflatable pool up by the main pool late in the evening after the pool was closed and it worked out wonderful. This particular boat had drains that were right behind the pool and we asked if it was okay to just dump the water in there when we were finished and they said that was fine.

[StaySea]

we are sailing on the Glory 5-6 & I believe they do not have a toddler pool!!! I was thinking of taking a blow up pool, who knows he may not even want to swim he's 2!!!! Will let you know about the Glory when I get back!!!!

[earpiemom]

Stacey,

We used the inflatable pool when he was almost one and he loved just being in the water. We also used a small bucket and some toys in the water and he loved playing with it. I would love to hear from you as to how your cruise goes with your 2 year old as our son will be almost 2 when we go. We are thinking of going in August and he will be 2 in September.

[StaySea]

Will definetly give you a great detailed version of our expirience. We are cruising "people" so out our family. we are lucky enough to be traveling with 6 other adults who are "fighting" over time with hime however we can't wait to see how he likes CC...we'll keep you posted, it's a tough age but I bet we'll all have a GREAT time!!!!