goofygal531 Posted October 6, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 6, 2006 We're sailing 10/29 on the Explorer and plan to bring a one-ring inflatable swimming pool (can also use it in the shower as a tub). I plan to take DS to the Aqua Tots class, but that's only 45 minutes. He loves the arcade so there's another hour. What next? DH will be in the casino on sea days. I need ideas to keep me sane and the two year old happy. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l929 Posted October 6, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 6, 2006 ***Disclaimer*****This is an observation only! While on the Explorer in May, the only children I observed in the kiddie pool were children in diapers. No one from the crew took issue with it. The kiddie pool is about 1 1/2 feet deep, so the only children really interested in it are those in diapers. I suspect this is why the newer ships do not have them anymore. Just an observation, not a recommendation or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveMyBabies Posted October 6, 2006 #3 Share Posted October 6, 2006 How many hours per day is your child awake? With my 17 month old, I felt like I never had enough time to do everything. Meals took a lot of time for us. The dinners were all 1.5 to 2 hours (not because of the baby, but because of the many courses served.) Is there mini golf on Explorer? What about just walking around, checking out the sites? (Use a stroller if needed) Just being at sea, looking at the water, the people, the rock climbing wall, the colors, the lights, it was all a new experience for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted October 7, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 7, 2006 Honestly, I never felt like my kids that age were ever bored. There is just too much stuff to do. Between all of the meals, snacks, water play, aqua tots, naps, dancing...there is never enough time. I guess you can look at it this way. It's better than being at home with your toddler. On the cruise, you will be pampered. And as the mom of two young kids, I KNOW you are not pampered at home. ;) :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin' Chick Posted October 7, 2006 #5 Share Posted October 7, 2006 When we took our child on her first cruise at 23 months, we let her explore the ship. That was lots of fun for her and gave us plenty of exercise, following her. We also brought some coloring supplies (which got added to at dinner time by the waiter), books, and a couple of toys. And she enjoyed the show...we sat near the back just in case we needed to make a quick exit. She went on her sixth cruise last December at age 8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingbug Posted October 7, 2006 #6 Share Posted October 7, 2006 We haven't taken our cruise yet, but I know I've read that some folks took their little ones to the nightclub area during the day to dance on the floor, look at the sparkly ball, etc. while no one else was there (and no sharp edges to worry about). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveMyBabies Posted October 7, 2006 #7 Share Posted October 7, 2006 . And she enjoyed the show...we sat near the back just in case we needed to make a quick exit. I was going to add this. My DD loved the shows! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyChick Posted October 10, 2006 #8 Share Posted October 10, 2006 My son was 18 months old when we took him on his first cruise. He loved going to the shows, and he also liked watching/listening to anyone singing or playing music. We often sat in the atrium listening to whatever musical act was there. We would also take him to an area like the basketball court where he could run around and play. Carnival Cruise line had "Under Two Time" on sea days from 12pm-2pm. We would take him up there and he would play the entire 2 hours and then be ready for a nap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry's Girls Posted October 11, 2006 #9 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I just returned from a 7 day with my twin 21-month olds and the days flew by. This was their second cruise, and, as before, a chunk of time each day was spent with passengers and crew who stop us to play with the girls because they miss their kids at home. I brought a portable DVD player for downtime in the cabin, which was a bigger help keeping them happy during the long wait to disembark at the end of the cruise (in fact, other kids came over to watch with us), but it really wasn't necessary. I also brought a few small new toys for the cabin, and then bought little dollar things in ports. Here was our schedule: Wake - order coffee for me and milk for the girls from room service while I get dressed (the girls go to breakfast in the t-shirt and pants they wear to bed so they can get their clothes messy at breakfast). Breakfast Back to cabin to dress the girls for the day Play time - either in the kids area of the ship or up to the pool area where they explore/climb on deck chairs/dance to music that's playing Lunch Walk around the ship Nap Girls watch DVD or play in the cabin while we all get dressed for dinner Head to one of the lounges where music is being played - girls dance in the back, play with waiters Dinner Disco or lounge for them to run around the dance floor and chase the lights (these are usually pretty empty until the 2nd seating is finished, so there would always be other kids dancing as well). You can also make "play dates" with the other kids of the same age that you'll come across - especially since you'll have a little pool that they won't have thought of! Have a great time. Best, Mia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWNNP Posted October 11, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 11, 2006 My daughter's first cruise was a 13 mths, I found that just walking around the decks on the ship seemed to entertain her- i kind of just let her lead and i'd follow!! I hope you have a super time!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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