Should we go on a cruise if we have a 1 year old?

[brendanluc]

Hi,

 

This was originally posted under Ask a Cruise Question but everyone mentioned I should move over here as many of the responses were not very positive about this idea. On that board 75% of the people who took my survey said that I shouldn’t take our daughter on a cruise. I would love to hear more from the people who have done this and if it worked for them.

We are planning our next vacation when our daughter will be at least 1 year old (February-May). Two years ago we went on a Princess cruise to the Caribbean for 7 days and it was one of them most relaxing trips of our lives. I know having a one year old will change this a great deal but I still think this will be a fun time. We are mulling 2 options.

 

1: A Disney cruise. They have some times and limited availability but occasionally we could have them look after our daughter if we want a date night etc. Has anyone done this? Does it work? How convenient is it and how hard is it to get a slot?

 

2. A Cruise on one of the other lines that is less expensive. We will try and bring someone with us (we have a couple of reliable options) in another room and have them take care of her. This seems expensive. Has anyone done this? How has it worked?

 

We actually want to be with our daughter but we also want the option of spending some time in the spa knowing she is taken care of and is having a good time too. Please feel free to point out any options I have missed that have worked for you. Thanks!

[boulders]

Brendanluc

 

You got pretty beat up on the other forum for daring to suggest that you bring a 1 year old on a cruise. :eek:

 

Part of me wanted to give those old so and so's a piece of my mind and insult them back, but the rest of me is just too tired.

 

I haven't taken a 1 year old on a cruise. I've cruised by myself and with my 2 kids when they were 11 and 8. In a few months, we'll be taking their 2 year old brother.

 

I've only cruised RCCL, so I'll speak to what they provide. They have in-cabin babysitting for $8/hr which must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. As long as the child is over 12 months of age, you can book this. No guarantees that you will get a babysitter, but others on this board have had good experiences.

 

I did look into Disney when my son was about 18 months, but they only have babysitting at certain hours for very short periods of time. I thought that Disney of all lines, would have more for the wee ones. So, no Disney for us.

 

I say, if you've taken your little one to restaurants, or stayed overnight in a hotel, then you know what her limits are and whether you, the parents, will be able to enjoy yourselves.

 

As for those who said, "But she won't remember it" - Bah, humbug. You're going on vacation for Mom and Dad. Toddlers don't need vacations! :D

[Kerry's Girls]

I agree with RCCL if babysitting is important to you. But on any line, you can take turns in the spa, and you can take a sleeping baby to dinners/shows/etc (though I had a great time at the early seating with my 13 month old twins on Princess). Carnival also watches kids under 2 after 10 pm (I'm not sure what the minimum age is).

 

I have also heard that Cunard has great facilities.

 

Have a great time.

 

Best,

Mia

[larronry]

Disney is very limited in what they provide to 1 year olds. My neighbor went with hers and they only watched during nap time for a fee.

 

I'm going on a cruise with my 2 year old and not bringing anyone along.

 

This is from my personal knowledge and or experience:

 

Babysitting in cabin Celebrity and RCCL (evening only).

 

Great with kids Carnival and Princess

 

Carnival will watch little ones after 10pm for a fee. Verify that it's been a long day but I'm pretty sure I read that. They also watch the older ones as part of kid camp for a fee but it was a lesser fee.

 

A lot of people like NCL, but it's not my favorite cruiseline.

[LHP]

Disney is very limited in what they provide to 1 year olds. My neighbor went with hers and they only watched during nap time for a fee.

 

I'm going on a cruise with my 2 year old and not bringing anyone along.

 

This is from my personal knowledge and or experience:

 

Babysitting in cabin Celebrity and RCCL (evening only).

 

Great with kids Carnival and Princess

 

Carnival will watch little ones after 10pm for a fee. Verify that it's been a long day but I'm pretty sure I read that. They also watch the older ones as part of kid camp for a fee but it was a lesser fee.

 

A lot of people like NCL, but it's not my favorite cruiseline.

 

You are correct about Carnival.

 

Carnival starts with little ones at the age of 2 for Camp Carnival. They do not have to be potty trained. But if they are not potty trained, they are not allowed in the pools...not even with "swimmies".

 

Their care from 9AM - 10PM (with a break for lunch and a small break before dinner) is included in your cruise. After 10PM - babysitting is $6 per hour for the first child and $4 an hour for each additional child...until 3AM.

 

Embarkation day (and night) is just orientation and an introduction party...the full Camp Carnival starts the next morning at 9AM!

[2112]

We went with our 7 month old and had a good time. We went with Carnival and they have group babysitting for those under 2 for $6 per hour until noon on port days and in the late evening. They also change diapers. We will be taking our then 2 year old on the Carnival Destiny in May. Carnival isn't my favorite line, but they are the only diaper changing line around!

[2112]

Babysitting in cabin Celebrity and RCCL (evening only).

 

Evening only? I thought they had babysitting options on port days as well?

[larronry]

Evening only? I thought they had babysitting options on port days as well?

Not for those who can't go to the kid camp.

[Dengail]

Get a balcony- that way when baby naps you can be outside at least, not stuck inside the cabin.

[tnebell]

Agree totally with Dengail. Get a cabin with a balcony!

We cruised with our 13 month old son in Jan 07 and yes it was fun, but an entirely different kind of fun.

This last cruise we just had more time with us all together. Didn't really have time to lay out at the pool, we did get to enjoy the Spa but we had to take turns while one of us watched our son. Nightlife was more or less not in the picture. During naps and nighttime, going to the bathroom was always a challenge as ds was a lighter sleeper.

We ate quite a bit at the Lido deck (Carnival Spirit) since we could always find something or another that ds would eat. For the times that DS wouldn't eat anything there, we brought some of his favorite Toddler Gerber meals.

The fact that we couldn't take DS swimming was a bit of a drag but we did get to bring him to the beach one day.

Now that it's almost a year since our last cruise we both have very fond memories of this time.

Honestly I would not go with a really expensive cruise line this time. Wait till your little one is just a bit older and you will all get much more enjoyment out of it.

 

Have fun!

[dolphinwyo]

We took our 23 month old on her first cruise in 2003, (Carnival Imagination) and it was the best family vacation for us. We left her in the babysitting after 10 p.m., and she usually just slept through this entire event. This allowed us to go to the piano bar, casino, midnight buffet, etc. We skipped all but one of the dining room dinners, and just enjoyed the midnight buffet. She slept in late the next a.m.'s, it is dark in the cabin. We spent the day relaxing with her, and taking turns walking around the ship, shopping, shows, art shows, etc. The nice thing was the evening babysitting, as we have traveled a lot with our children, and on all other trips we end up sitting in a motel after they go to sleep, trying to be quiet so we don't wake them. We were allowed some adult time on the cruise, that was much needed. If you go with the right expectations, it will be the beginning of great family cruising adventures together. In 2008 we are going again, with our now 6 year old and 3 year old, and the whole family is excited about it. Our 6 year old also traveled to Puerto Vallarta when she was one y.o., on a regular land package trip, and did just fine with the airplane, hotels, and taking it all in. Don't book any bus excursions, or anything that requires being stuck in a confined area for too long. Just bring a great umbrella stroller and enjoy your vacation!

[NoelsCat]

I voted yes... and to consider another line other than Disney. Disney is a wonderful option for slightly older children -- but for babies I think Carnival or RCCI would be your best bet.

 

We are taking my son (who will be 2) on his first cruise this January. He has been on many trips with us -- has his own frequent flier miles -- and we wouldn't have it any other way. In fact, after having traveled in many other modes, I believe that cruising may be the easiest with a small child. There is only one unpacking --and everything is right there and accessible.

 

I always laugh when people suggest it's a waste to take a baby/child on a vacation or trip because "they won't remember it anyway". Sure, they may not remember it the way an adult does but every experience will be a part of who my son is. I mean, he may not remember all the hugs and kisses we give him each day -- nor the exact books we read every day -- but that doesn't mean that they aren't worth doing! Geez, my Grandmother-in-law has alzheimer's but I still think she is worth taking on our trip, too! Even if neither of them remember our cruise -- I WILL REMEMBER. I will remember and look back fondly on all the wonderful memories we made being together.

 

No doubt that cruising with a baby/toddler will be different than cruising without. Everything in life is different with a baby! But, if you are like me, I personally enjoy life (including vacations) more through the eyes of someone seeing things for the first time.

[larronry]

The one thing I would suggest is that if you haven't done a vacation before you need to at least do an overnight or a weekend just to see how she takes to things. Like I know that my son no longer takes to a pack n play. My neighbors on the ship will be grateful that we learned that at Disney World and not on the ship because we thought we could put him in there and set up the video monitor and walk out of the room and watch him. Big mistake because it was a strange surrounding. We had a king size bed and stuck him in there with us. At home he never sleeps with us.

 

Next hotel we got a king size be and skipped the pack n play. At 9 months I traveled with a pop up tent thing because I didn't want to use a hotel pack n play. He did fine then but at almost 2 things were different. So it depends on the child and the age.

 

At 9 months he would nap in his stroller now I know know he needs to go back to the room. Every child is different so you have to figure out your daughter if you don't already know who she handles vacation environments.

[crusinmama06]

Been there, done that and lived to tell the tale. ;)

 

Yes I said GO FOR IT! I would suggest RCCL because of the in cabin sitting or Carnival.

 

If you go on RCCL Freedom/Liberty/Independence of the Seas than there will be a "Baby Zone" water play area where you can bring a baby in a swim diaper. :D

[brendanluc]

It is a very different world over here in the family zone! I love all of the great advice you are giving us. I am going to look into RCCL now and get some info from them. After posting this in the general area I figured that cruising with a baby meant that I would be chased off the ship with pitchforks so it is nice to see that other people have done this and survived and even had a great vacation!

[HappyChick]

We have done this twice:

 

Once when my older son was 18 months. We were on the Carnival Conquest for a 7 day Western Caribbean. Both sets of grandparents went along, so that did help. Our son (and the rest of us) had a great time. He was too young for Camp Carnival, but they had "Under Two Time" from noon-2pm on days @sea. We took him up there on those days and he had a blast. The staff were very helpful and friendly and seemed to love seeing a child.

 

Second time when our boys were 3 years old and 9 months old. Again, both sets of grandparents + several aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. We were on the Grand Princess, Western Caribbean. We had another great time. Staff were wonderful. Both boys had a great time (and so did everyone else).

 

B/c we have traveled w/extended family both times, we don't have experience with babysitting. I do have a close friend who used babysitting on Carnival and was very pleased. We liked the children's program on both ships.

 

Our next cruise is booked on the Norwegian Spirit, and we are looking forward to trying them.

 

I'm happy to answer any questions!

 

Lisa

[shellie100]

1-yr-olds can be hit-or-miss. They may love the crowds and excitement, or they may just enjoy some quiet mommy-time on the balcony. As long as you are prepared for not doing much ship "activities" and OK going with the flow with the little one, which may mean leaving the dining room early or whatever, you'll have a wonderful vacation. When my son was 1 on our first cruise, he loved early morning stroller walks around and around and around the ship :p Well, at least I got a workout in, LOL! And even though he couldn't go in the pool we spent alot of port days at the beach, which he loved! But dinners were a bit of a disaster and I wish I had been more mentally prepared for that. I'm a pro now :D

[crusinmama06]

It is a very different world over here in the family zone! I love all of the great advice you are giving us. I am going to look into RCCL now and get some info from them. After posting this in the general area I figured that cruising with a baby meant that I would be chased off the ship with pitchforks so it is nice to see that other people have done this and survived and even had a great vacation!

 

Oh yeah. You just have to totally IGNORE the child haters on the other boards...lol. :p We are used to all of the talk about children on cruiseships. The reality is that the children will be treated by the staff like little princes/princesses. Also, the reality is that most of the mainstream cruiselines are marketing to FAMILIES. :D

 

Welcoem to the board!

[shellie100]

Oh yeah. You just have to totally IGNORE the child haters on the other boards...lol. :p We are used to all of the talk about children on cruiseships. The reality is that the children will be treated by the staff like little princes/princesses. Also, the reality is that most of the mainstream cruiselines are marketing to FAMILIES. :D

 

Welcoem to the board!

 

Yep, not only do the staff treat my kids like royalty, the other passengers also treat the kids pretty well (for the most part), especially on formal nights when I have the kids all dressed up so cute!

[CGBCruiser]

Brendanluc...I was one of the posters from the other board. I have to say I was absolutely shocked by the things people wrote about taking children onboard a cruise ship! Especially the person who wrote that they didn't think anybody under 16 should be along on a cruise. I don't think I've ever experienced that before and I felt very sorry for you guys getting lambasted like that. As a first time grandmother of a 1 year old, I just don't get it! My grandson has been everywhere during his first year of life. Of course he won't remember it, but he brought much joy to his great-grandmother, relatives in Canada, aunt in Florida...the list goes on. Yes, it's definitely harder to travel with him but he is such a joy to us that I can't imagine going on a family vacation without him! Good luck to you in whatever you choose to do about your vacation!

[crusinmama06]

That other thread was interesting. They were citing the Family Board thread of the 3 year old who didn't want to go to AO as a "horror story" and the reason not to bring young kids....lol...how funny! :p

 

I guess that the other hundreds of HAPPY kids that are on EVERY cruise ship are just strange little kids...lol. Maybe they are a fluke. ;)

[abitaturbodog]

Bring your little one! Who cares what others think, it's your vacation and you deserve to enjoy it as a family!

 

The silly thing is that if you were planning a land-based trip nobody would think twice about bring a 1 year old. But you mention that it's a cruise and "nooooooooo" -- people make a big deal about it. You are a family and you should vacation together!

[SaraUCF81]

I will vote that yes, you should take her, but maybe consider RCCL.

 

I think it also depends on your childs personality...is she an easy going baby or a difficult baby?

 

My daughter - now almost 3 - (and now also my son who is 6 months) is very easy going and happy and never cried when she was a baby unless she was hungry or tired.

 

We took my daughter on her first cruise when she was almost 1 (she turned 1 the day we returned from the cruise). We went on the RCCL Mariner of the Seas and it was great. I went very prepared and although it was nothing like our honeymoon cruise, we still had a great time. We went to the Eastern Caribbean and did shore excursions in St. Thomas and St. Maarten with her (city tours/beach days). CoCoCay was also a nice beach day (since they can't swim in the pools on the ship). We ate in the dining room every night (early seating) and she never fussed once. We fed her as soon as we sat down while we were ordering and then let her watch her Baby Einstein DVDs on her portable DVD player for the rest of the time. She even fell asleep in her high chair one night while eating - all the excitement wore her out. Everyone around us commented on how good she was. We ordered room service every morning for breakfast and ate on our balcony. We used the in cabin sitting several nights after we put her to sleep and that worked well, we were able to see the shows and stuff. I tried to stick to her routine as much as possible but she was good about going with the flow. RCCL also has a great program called Aquababies which is for 6-18 months (they also have Aquatots for 18mos-3yrs) which was fun. I took her several times and we got to play with toys and other babies, like playgroup.

 

We are going on Mariner again in a few weeks (12/16) and doing Western Caribbean this time. This time we will have 2 kids and we are taking one of my best girlfriends with us as our travel nanny to help out. We are paying for her cruise in exchange for her help. We have 2 connecting cabins. We are also traveling with a bunch of family members so it will hopefully be great. I will post when I get back and let you all know how it worked out.

 

I think the key to having a good vacation with little ones is being prepared for anything and knowing your child. You have to be flexible and realize that while you CAN have fun, your childs needs should come first. A happy child equals a happy parent (and fellow passengers) and for us that means making sure our kids are rested. So, I plan our days around nap times and bed time.

[brendanluc]

Wow! That was great information. Thank you so much!

[Branwen]

We are cruising with our son who will be 17 months old. I was a bit nervous about it at first, but now I feel great about my decision. We're going to wing it, go by his schedule and enjoy our first vacation together as a family.

 

If anyone has the nerve to say something to us while sailing (which I doubt), I'll smile, nod and move along.