aNYONE BRING TOYS FOR THE KIDS ONBOARD?

[alisonwonderland]

I'll be going on my first cruise very soon, and I was wondering if I should pack the barbies, and nintendo ds? I'm sure there are a million things to do, but at night, do your kids just want to settle down and play with their own things? I'm packing a special tote bag with a journal to write in, binoculars, magnifine glass, and other exploring things, and I'm letting her buy a new book or two to read. I'm just trying to think of everything, you know? Thanks in advance, this board has already helped a ton :)

[texaspixie]

I would love to know what people take for their kids as well. We're going on our first cruise this Saturday.

 

The Nintendo DS is coming for DS7. We rarely leave home without it. It's great for long lines and delays.

 

Other than that I was going to let DS7 and DS4 pick out 3 small toys each and one or two books we can read for bed time.

[crusinmama06]

Well for us the toys are for flight only. Once we board the ship, all game boys, DS's and DVD players get stored away till the flight home.

 

There is way too much on the ship to do in 7 days. My kids are forced to give up the electronics for the week. :D

[CanadianTwosome]

We just take along our laptop and movies, as well as at least one book. By the time our daughter is out of the Kid's Crew it's bedtime, so if she wants to watch a movie or read a book, she can. On our last two cruises, she as 8 and 9, and this completely satisfied her when she wasn't in the group or swimming.

 

I don't know how old your kids are, but I know that for ours, there is plenty to do on board without the need to lug along a lot of other things. We do also bring something to do on the plane, though - usually a portable game or something similar, and of course books. So many planes have individual screens now, also, it's getting a lot easier to keep a child occupied (at least after a certain age). :)

[Kerry's Girls]

Hi -

 

I bring the DVD player, small toys for distraction during dinner, a couple books for bedtime and blow up pool/beach toys. The only other toys I bring are ones we're about done with - since we drive to the ship and don't have to worry about luggage - we bring toys to "share" with children in each of the ports.

 

Have a great time!

 

Best,

Mia

[Marlissa]

I'll be going on my first cruise very soon, and I was wondering if I should pack the barbies, and nintendo ds? I'm sure there are a million things to do, but at night, do your kids just want to settle down and play with their own things? I'm packing a special tote bag with a journal to write in, binoculars, magnifine glass, and other exploring things, and I'm letting her buy a new book or two to read. I'm just trying to think of everything, you know? Thanks in advance, this board has already helped a ton :)

 

I think you need to consider the child. For example, our DD (now grown and married) would sometimes prefer to be alone and in the cabin. For her, it's not about being 'bored' with the ship, she just needs time alone. Thus, the nintendo ds, books, etc would be essential for her much needed down time.

[Catrin]

Yes, the two DS's came for our boys. They spent some quiet time with them on the balcony while waiting for us before dinner. One Day at Sea I found my oldest quietly on Deck 5 outside of the casino sitting one of the couches playing his DS. Guess everyone needs some down time!

 

For our little one, I let her bring her "friends". She has her own tiny backpack which I let her fill with a few smaller stuffed friends and Fun Ship Freddy! Each night, the room steward would tuck in Dora, Tinkerbell, Puppy, Freddy - having her special friends in her bed made bedtime a lot easier.

 

One other thing, which has been wonderful... is my Ipod. I have an Ipod video and I downloaded a few 25 minute TV shows on it for my little one. Things like the Backyardigans, Dora, etc. She can put the headphones on the airplane, etc.

 

There are plenty pics of the kids on my webshots pages!

Catrin

[MNfamilycruiser]

I'll be going on my first cruise very soon, and I was wondering if I should pack the barbies, and nintendo ds? I'm sure there are a million things to do, but at night, do your kids just want to settle down and play with their own things? I'm packing a special tote bag with a journal to write in, binoculars, magnifine glass, and other exploring things, and I'm letting her buy a new book or two to read. I'm just trying to think of everything, you know? Thanks in advance, this board has already helped a ton :)

Yes - a small backpack or bag filled with some of their own favorite toys were always popular. Our last cruise was pre-DS age - so it was some small stuffed animals. Usually the same bag/stuff worked for flight and cruise.

Not so much for nighttime, but for the late afternoon while we were getting ready for dinner. A little quiet down-time before the night's activities was appreciated by all!

[NanciRDH]

All the kids sleep with a lovey, they travel everywhere, and I bring a few toys for my youngest that triple as cabin toys, beach toys and tub toys...I think the last set came from K-mart and it was a mesh bag with a half dozen plastic sea creatures, some were squirty toys. Nothing big or expensive, so if they were lost it wasn't a big deal. I've always got an "out to dinner" bag stocked with quiet things to occupy her at dinner, we use that at home when eating out, it's always worked to let us all enjoy a long dinnertime. The big kids didn't bring anything to play with, but my teenager has her ipod with her all the time anyway, she likes to listen to her own music when relaxing. We do ask for a deck of cards to play with while waiting to disembark...it seems like Dh is the impatient one then! lol

[mcfam5]

Our kids did bring their DS's ~ we travel (long distances) by car to ports so we also packed them for the car ride. They only used them a few times throughout the week, but I was glad they had them.

 

Each child brings one or two **small** stuffed animals from home.

 

Last time, I bought miniature Pirates of the Carribean action figures and gave them to my DS (4Y) on embarkation day when we got to our stateroom (I made each child a little bon voyage basket). He played with those guys all week! In the shower, quietly while waiting for dinner, in the ocean, etc.

 

Also in their baskets from us, each child also got a mini notepad and writing instruments, stickers, age appropriate toiletries (Pirate body wash, Hannah Montana lip gloss, etc.) and a few other little odds and ends.

[texaspixie]

Our kids did bring their DS's ~ we travel (long distances) by car to ports so we also packed them for the car ride. They only used them a few times throughout the week, but I was glad they had them.

 

Each child brings one or two **small** stuffed animals from home.

 

Last time, I bought miniature Pirates of the Carribean action figures and gave them to my DS (4Y) on embarkation day when we got to our stateroom (I made each child a little bon voyage basket). He played with those guys all week! In the shower, quietly while waiting for dinner, in the ocean, etc.

 

Also in their baskets from us, each child also got a mini notepad and writing instruments, stickers, age appropriate toiletries (Pirate body wash, Hannah Montana lip gloss, etc.) and a few other little odds and ends.

 

I love the idea about the pirate toys. My DS4 would love it. Where did you get your action figures?

[NJsharon]

The little toiletries basket is a cute idea for kids that are a bit older (maybe 4yrs & up)! Will have to remember that!

 

I am pretty minimal with toys. One DD takes a couple of blankies (size of washcloths) that she needs for night time, other DD takes one bear. Then I pack about 8 books (normally 2 new ones about ships or beach) & magic markers & magic marker pad.

 

As they get older I do intend to give them a backpack to pack with a few of their favorite toys or books for the cabin. Like the idea of having one new small toy waiting for them in the cabin when they arrive.

 

Oh & last time we were on NCL & you could borrow toys from the Childcare Area (puzzles, blocks, cars etc.).

[alisonwonderland]

Thanks for all of the input everyone :) I brought a few toys when we went to disney, but we were flying then, this time we are right near the ship, so it's more for the cruise, not the drive so I wasnt sure. DD is 9, so I'll probably just bring the ds, and some littlest petshop toyd. She's an only child, and likes her time to herself sometimes ^_^

[rphx2nc]

Should I bring sand toys for Half Moon Cay?

[Eclipsepearl]

If you are cruising with a company that doesn't have a kids' channel, you may want to bring a portable DVD player. On Celebrity, this was a pain as my kids are used to dressing in front of the tube. It might be handy for "down time". We had two cabins and my children had nothing to watch. I have since purchased one and sometimes, it's handy.

 

Also, for the folks who take the electronic gadgets on the plane, PLEASE RECHARGE THEM BEFORE FLYING. As a Flight Attendant, I hated telling kids they couldn't be recharged inflight, especially if they still had many hours in front of them. Bring the recharger in case of delays.

[B'smeme]

Should I bring sand toys for Half Moon Cay?

 

A couple years ago, when I went to Half Moon Cay I had read that sand toys were very expensive to buy there and you didn't get very much. So I bought some small sand toys with bucket and shovel at Walmart (which was very inexpensive). When I packed I stuffed the bucket with socks and anything else that would fit in it, and I just stuck the sand toys around the corners of my suitcase. That way it didn't take up too much room. When we were ready to leave Half Moon Cay, I left the sand toys and bucket there for someone else to play with. They were cheap enough and I could use the extra room in my suitcase for gifts I was bringing back.

As for bringing other things for kids to do on a cruise...I just did a 7 day cruise to Alaska. My daughter, & 5 1/2 yr old granddaughter were with me. And even though there is so much to do on a cruise, she still liked her quiet time. I brought crayons and a couple coloring books. The crayons were also good to bring to the dining room. The kids menu was on a sheet of paper that could be colored on, but they had no crayons to offer. She also had her Nintendo DS, and a puzzle book. We also went to the Card Room (they have family board games), and the Library has children's books. She loved every minute of the cruise. She had a ball.

[CanadianTwosome]

Thanks for the tip. We'll be going to a 'private island' on our next cruise. I never would have thought of taking our own sand toys! :)

[JackieH]

On our upcoming cruise, my kids will be 14,9 and 4. I am sure my 14 yr old son may want to bring is IPOD..Havent talked to him about it, but he likes to listen to his music.

My 9 yr old daughter may bring her DS..and some suduko books, her and her aunt love these(aunt and uncle on board with us as well).The suduko books kept my daughter busy in the dining room last cruise.

 

With my 4 yr old, I plan on bringing some small toys for her.. A few stuffed friends(the small size),probably a coloring book or two and some crayons. Also a portable dvd player for the room. These are all good things for the down time for back in the cabin.