How young is too young?

[trock]

Carnival says it's ok to wear shorts in the mdr, bring your newbie cruiser friend to a past guest party and to sing at karaoke...

 

And you know some will say just because they say it's ok, doesnt make it right.... ;)

 

 

Trust me.. even though Carnival says I can sing in Karaoke.. I should not..

Believe me...

 

 

 

Just throwing that analogy out there...

[sistermerm]

The biggest difference is that there is not a pediatrician onboard should your 6 month old have an issue...and unfortunately something as simple as Noro virus on a ship can become an "issue" for an infant.

 

We traveled with our children when they were 6 months old...but it was always land vacations here in the US here medical help was available if needed.

 

No way would I take an infant on a cruise ship.

 

What a smart mama... I agree, I would not risk my baby's health by exposing him to so many people. Norovirus is hard enough on adults... a dehydrated infant can be life threatening.... stay near medical care just in case!

[mom2tcdx2]

I didn't take either of my children on any family vacations until they were about 2-3 years old. I believe my daughter's first vacation was to Daytona Beach when she was 2 (my son was 5), she had a wonderful time and so did the family. When my son went to Disney for the first time he was 3 and his sister was only 4 months at the time. While she was the best baby I have ever seen (she makes up for that now at age 11), I knew ultimately I wouldn't have as good a time carrying her around the park etc. One of her grandparents kept her for the week.

 

I didn't take them on their first cruise until they were 8 and 11. I also wish to take them to Hawaii but also realize they need to be older to more appreciate the experience but I have every notion of taking them once I decide to go (they are now 11, 14).

 

While you may have a great time with them, you will ultimately (I think) have a better time if infants are left at home because of their age. There will be many more things you can do by not having the children around. I am taking my cruise this September without my kids and while I love them dearly, sometimes I need time that is just for me.

[LemurCat]

I am so sorry to hear about Hamilton! I heard they want to bring the cruise ships back.. I dont know why they did what they did..

 

From what I heard talking to the locals, there are a couple of things going on. They're trying to de-emphasis the cruise part of their tourist industry and re-emphasis the 5-star proprties and golf courses. Also, Hamilton didn't even bid out with the cruiselines for dockings, figuring they'd get them anyway and St. George's jumped on the small ships and Dockyard on the bigger ships. HAL is going back into Hamilton next year though. (Oh, and the bill to allow casinos to open after 10 PM while docked was defeated again.) I missed Trimmingham's. A.S. Cooper's just doesn't have the same vibe. And I can go to MaxMara at home, no need to visit Bermuda for that.

 

Horseshoe Bay is glorious!!

 

I love Horseshoe. Though the wind was up so the snorkeling wasn't as great. I tried snorkeling in a couple of the coves, but there were too many people jammed into too small a space who didn't really know what they were doing.

 

Were you on the Dawn??

 

No, sadly, the Majesty. What a dog of a ship. We had plumbing, HVAC, and bedding issues the entire week. But we made it work. Couldn't beat the price, but I think I'm good for another 5 years or so for a Bermuda fix.

[halos]

Your kids are no more likely to get deathly ill on a cruise ship than they are at a local restaurant. The only thing hindering you is Carnival's age restrictions. If you want to go, by all means, DO SO!!

 

This is true. The obvious difference is that at a restaurant at home, you have access to good medical care. On a ship you do not.

 

This is all moot anyway. The baby is too young to board.

[ccartman2]

But is that really fair to the grandparents?

 

 

Are you serious? My daughter has three sets of Grandparents (wife's parents are divorce), all of which love time with the baby. We are cruising with her at 17 months with my parents and they can't wait. We live 12 hours apart, which does make a difference, but really, they can't wait to see the baby again.

 

With all that being said, I certianly don't expect them to bend over backwards to give us time alone, but I am certain that there will be a window of opportunity, where they will want the baby and we can run off a little bit. If not, oh well. The kid is our responsibility.

[Mack2]

Youngest I've ever taken my children on a cruise was 18 months... Disney.

Can't go wrong with little, little kids and Disney.

 

My daughter is now 5 years old, and she's been on 4 cruises (her 5th being this Carnival we've booked later this fall, the reason why I've been lurking the Carnival board)

 

I firmly believe that a cruise is one of the BEST family vacations available. You get a little bit of everything with very few worries. I mean, if you want to cruise to have a romantic getaway or a "get away from everything", yeah, they're great for that, too! For families, though... I can't think of anything better.

 

Firstly, you don't have to worry about getting beverages or food for your kids. I'm sure everyone has gone on a family vacation, and the first thing every morning, you had to go have the lousy continental breakfast at the hotel or go searching for the nearest IHOP to feed the kids. On a land vacation, every night, you're looking for a family friendly restaurant that has a reasonable waiting list.

Cruises... you don't have to worry about that. The food is there, anywhere, always. Kids want milk, soda, juice? It's at least 10 yards away at one of the bars.

 

Another reason? You're never too far away from your room. It's not like Disney World, where if your kid is tired, cranky or having a meltdown, you're SOL waiting for a monorail, tram, or walking 1/4 mile to your car to get back to the hotel. You're on a ship. Forgot that LeapFrog? Oh yeah.. lemme go to the room real quick and get it!

 

Lastly, it's diverse. It's a cruise! Of course it's gonna be diverse. The kids have fun at All-Inclusives... sure. After the 5th day playing around the same pool and beach, doing similar activities... they've had enough. Not so with different ports of call.

 

 

 

 

I guess it all comes down to what you expect from your vacation. If you're looking for a family vacation, that romantic getaway, or the "get away!".

My daughter at 2 1/2 years old might not remember the RCI Adventure of the Seas, or holding a baby ostrich, but she sees it... and she's happy we included her on our trips (or she takes it for granted, I dunno)

(TIP: Bring Purell)

 

A big part of a family vacation is the memories that you will carry forever.

 

If you can do it on a cruise ship... You won't regret it.

[davewilliamt]

Yes, the 5 month old is too young

from the Carnival website:

 

Minimum age for sailing is 6 months, with the exceptions of Transatlantic, Hawaii and South American cruises, which are 12 months. This is a company policy which takes into consideration the safety and comfort of the infant as well as the other guests. Carnival has fully researched the legality of the policy and it is not discriminatory and does not violate any applicable law. Carnival will not make exceptions and do not allow for the signing of waivers or releases to make an exception to the policy.

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Minor_Guests_and_Pregnancy_Policy.aspx

 

Minimum age for sailing will be generally 6 months and 12 months for Transatlantic, Hawaii and South American cruises.

 

Generally 6 months, has anyone tried to book with a child?

[BlueJacketsFan1]

Yes, the 5 month old is too young

from the Carnival website:

 

Minimum age for sailing is 6 months, with the exceptions of Transatlantic, Hawaii and South American cruises, which are 12 months. This is a company policy which takes into consideration the safety and comfort of the infant as well as the other guests. Carnival has fully researched the legality of the policy and it is not discriminatory and does not violate any applicable law. Carnival will not make exceptions and do not allow for the signing of waivers or releases to make an exception to the policy.

 

I guess that you gave the kids ages as of now, and I don't think that you are making plans to leave tomorrow. So then plan your cruise so that they are at least 6 months. As long as you make plans around the policy and you think you are ok to take the kids and take care of them. But most importantly have a good time. Than I say go for it. I don't see how you couldn't have a good time. It would probably be different if the were older and even a little more relaxing for you, and more fun for all of you. Find a good travel agent that has experience with booking cruise for people with kids and get some feed back from them also. This site is very good for getting information, but sometimes you can get some negative feed back that is always good information.

[RatherBFishin]

A big part of a family vacation is the memories that you will carry forever.

 

I don't disagree with any of your post, Mack. But this part made me laugh... just not in a "ha ha" funny way.

 

I certainly have very vivid memories of the last cruise I took with the kids. Especially hunting down my 14 yo who never came back to the cabin one night at 4:30am. And finding him hiding in the back corner of the Lido Deck mezzanine playing cards for money with a couple other Tweens that decided pulling an all nighter was no big deal.

 

Ah, The Memories!

 

All in all I've had about an equal number of vacations with and without the kids. And I'll be 100% honest here... The ones without them were way better vacations.

 

Not that there are any regrets, and we have had some special moments. But it *ALWAYS* seemed to backfire whenever we tried to deliberately "make memories" (see post #41). Looking back it seems like the stupid cheap simple things with low expectations were where the memories were made. And the expensive overly-planned extravagant vacations made us wonder "Why did we bring them again?"

[trock]

From what I heard talking to the locals, there are a couple of things going on. They're trying to de-emphasis the cruise part of their tourist industry and re-emphasis the 5-star proprties and golf courses. Also, Hamilton didn't even bid out with the cruiselines for dockings, figuring they'd get them anyway and St. George's jumped on the small ships and Dockyard on the bigger ships. HAL is going back into Hamilton next year though. (Oh, and the bill to allow casinos to open after 10 PM while docked was defeated again.) I missed Trimmingham's. A.S. Cooper's just doesn't have the same vibe. And I can go to MaxMara at home, no need to visit Bermuda for that.

 

 

 

I love Horseshoe. Though the wind was up so the snorkeling wasn't as great. I tried snorkeling in a couple of the coves, but there were too many people jammed into too small a space who didn't really know what they were doing.

 

 

 

No, sadly, the Majesty. What a dog of a ship. We had plumbing, HVAC, and bedding issues the entire week. But we made it work. Couldn't beat the price, but I think I'm good for another 5 years or so for a Bermuda fix.

 

 

My husband has a client in Hamilton... He spoke to him this morning... after I told him what you said!.. The retailers are in an uproar over this.. The cruise ships are coming back to hamilton but not fast enough and most of the tourists they spoke with 'hate' docking at the R N D...

It's killing them..

It's sad to me.. Bermuda was my fav place..

 

Sucky about NCL>. we did the Dawn and loved it.. of course the food was not good but better for me the less i eat!! lol

Glad you have a great attitude about the issues on board.. Dont think I could!!

[Ninjachyck]

I too think you just need to know your child!

 

Our son is 14 months, and will be 17 months when we leave for 8 days without him!! :D

 

We had decided that since he's too young to enjoy the children's programs, and was going to cost us $500 for the cruise (even though he can't really use any of the amenities), we would leave him with Gramma!

 

My mom winters in Florida, so she's happy to have one last long visit with him. Now that being said, there is NO WAY her or my stepdad would be taking a cruise with us just to watch our son. They like to live it up too, so we'd still be taking turns at the very least.

 

We are waiting until he's a little older to bring him.

 

As for the crying baby that can wake you up - my husband is SUPER sensitive to that (not for him, but for others around us), so there have been lots of situations where we either leave early, or don't go just so we aren't disrupting everyone.

[Mack2]

All in all I've had about an equal number of vacations with and without the kids. And I'll be 100% honest here... The ones without them were way better vacations.

 

Yeah.. the vacations that are just me and my wife... We don't cruise.

Too busy.

 

 

Rather go for a week to Bermuda and lay horizontal, ride mopeds on the left side of the road, and take it easy... Or drive around Napa spontaneously deciding to eat at Greystone (Culinary Institute of America).

 

Last cruise we went on without the kids, we kinda felt guilty... saw things we thought the kids would enjoy. My eldest will be ten on our next cruise this fall... so I can't share your 14 y/o experience with you.

 

But I'm sure when your 14 y/o is 30 and introducing his fiancee to you, you'll be able to embarrass him with all the lousy things he did as a kid... and those cruise experiences will certainly come in handy.

 

edit:

Case in point.

When I was 16... my parents took us aboard the Song of America (ancient RCCL ship from the 80s)

My younger brother (the accident) was 8.

 

He disappeared on the ship... we had no idea where he was. My mom was having coniptions.

He was asleep in the movie theater... The crew saw him there, didn't want to disturb him.

...

and who do you think got in trouble? Him?!

NOT!

[RatherBFishin]

But I'm sure when your 14 y/o is 30 and introducing his fiancee to you, you'll be able to embarrass him with all the lousy things he did as a kid... and those cruise experiences will certainly come in handy.

 

LOL ... Trust me, I still bring the experience up every now and then (2 years later) just to tweak his ego. :)

 

But what I REALLY want to do is go on a cruise with him and his family when he's 40 and I'm 70. And then stay out all night cavorting with some hot Septuagenarian and make him come try to find me at 4:30am !!!

 

In all fairness though, he's just getting even for all the crap I put my parents through in the 70's.

[hazeleyez3]

I agree with another poster here who mentioned it actually revolves around the parents...

 

Parents who let their kids run all over the place, have numerous temper tantrums a day, and make a mess of the ship should not take their kids on a cruise.

 

The parents who actually know the meaning of discipline should have no problem with taking the kids.

[maryanne356]

My daughter's are now 19 and 17. They went on their first cruise at 4 and almost 2. They had a great time. They are now going on their 19 cruise on Aug. 1, 2009. At that time I was pregnant for my son. He went on his first cruise at 6 months. He was great! He never fussed at dinner and my husband would walk him in his carriage and he would fall asleep and then come to the show. They have all been great travelings. My son is now also going on his 18 cruise at the age of 14. They still have so much fun, the 2 younger ones love playing basketball and the oldest one likes watching the movies under the stars. That is why we are sailing on the Carnival Freedom.

I hope this helps but you need to make the choice maybe according to how your baby is when you go out at home.

[BeagleOne]

I'd be very concerned that a baby's immature immune system would have a tough time dealing with the norovirus that is so prevalent on cruise ships, and that rapid dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea could be a big problem if the baby were to get sick.

 

I'm not sure how many cruise ship hospitals are well set up to treat pediatric patients, and how much experience the ship's doctors would have had treating children. Maybe a lot, maybe not much. What if peripheral IVs aren't enough and the baby needs a central line? What if more advanced care is needed? Sure, medevac would probably be available, but...

 

The kids are more likely to get sick on a cruise ship from norovirus than they are likely to get sick at a local restaurant, and if they do get sick at a restaurant, there would be pediatricians at almost every hospital.

 

Whatever you decide, good luck!

[gtalum]

I'd be very concerned that a baby's immature immune system would have a tough time dealing with the norovirus that is so prevalent on cruise ships, and that rapid dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea could be a big problem if the baby were to get sick.

 

Once a baby hits abotu 6 months old, their immune system is very robust. You're right that diarrhea and dehydration can be an issue.

 

The kids are more likely to get sick on a cruise ship from norovirus than they are likely to get sick at a local restaurant...

 

I don't think this is true at all.

[chelle74]

Once a baby hits abotu 6 months old, their immune system is very robust. You're right that diarrhea and dehydration can be an issue.

 

I'd be more concerned about some of the 70- and 80-somethings that cruise becoming seriously ill than a 6-month old. And if the baby is breastfed, I honestly wouldn't be concerned at all. My now 3-year old was nursed for 2+ years and has been sick enough to go to the doctor exactly 2 times in his life. Once for pink-eye and once for a yeast diaper rash. I'm not saying ALL breastfed babies escape illness like that, but by 6 months you can pretty much tell how strong your child's immune system is.

 

As an aside, I was b*#*!ed out at Target by a complete stranger for taking my son out when he was 3 weeks old. He was in a sling, which discourages pretty much everyone from just coming up and touching him (except, of course, those people with no sense of personal space boundaries), and we lived in a major metropolitan area with multiple children's hospitals, so if he HAD caught a nasty bug in that 30 minutes we were there, specialized healthcare was readily available. Some people will just argue with anyone about anything.

 

I think most (not ALL, but most) of the people who speak out against taking an infant (or toddler... or 8 year old...) on a cruise, even the cruiselines allow it, are more concerned about the *potential* for some aspect of their vacation to be disrupted or inconvenienced by their presence than they are about the health and welfare of the child.

 

Personally, I'd rather listen to a crying infant than someone complaining endlessly about [perceived] crappy service, lousy food, poor entertainment, bad casino payouts, etc. I'd rather deal with a few rowdy kids than I would with adults pushing, picking their noses, or sampling food with their fingers in the buffet line.

 

Adults like to complain about poor behavior of kids on cruises... but I've definitely seen MORE poor behavior from the adults.

[Kurbanfan]

 

I don't think this is true at all.

 

I think it is very true.......even me a healthy adult that goes out to dinner waaay to much:o always get sick either on a cruise or just after returning.........actually that is the only time I get sick........

Whether it is the flight or just being around 3,000 people in a semi enclosed environment.........who knows but it is true..........

And yes I constantly wash my hands:rolleyes:

[kebhouse]

But is that really fair to the grandparents?

 

It is if the grandparents want to spend time with the child! We took our 9 month old on a cruise and my parents came along. Everyone had a great time and they loved that they got to spend all that time with their granddaughter.

 

OP- if you want advice on cruising with small children, check out the family board.

[gtalum]

I think it is very true.......even me a healthy adult that goes out to dinner waaay to much:o always get sick either on a cruise or just after returning.........actually that is the only time I get sick........

 

Meh. I've gotten sick a few times from going out to eat. I've never gotten sick on or shortly after a cruise. Anecdotal evidence is useless anyway, I'd like to see a study.

 

I suspect a kid is much more likely to catch noro at school or daycare than they are on a cruise. Our daughter caught both rotovirus and norovirus several times her first year at daycare.

[RatherBFishin]

Whether it is the flight or just being around 3,000 people in a semi enclosed environment.........who knows but it is true..........

And yes I constantly wash my hands:rolleyes:

 

You should take Chelle's advice and switch to breastfeeding then.

[Kurbanfan]

Meh. I've gotten sick a few times from going out to eat. I've never gotten sick on or shortly after a cruise. Anecdotal evidence is useless anyway, I'd like to see a study.

 

I suspect a kid is much more likely to catch noro at school or daycare than they are on a cruise. Our daughter caught both rotovirus and norovirus several times her first year at daycare.

 

Sure and why do they get sick at daycare and pre school? Lots of kids and lots of germs in an enclosed environment right?

And how close is your pediatrician in regards to daycare and preschool?;)

This why I wouldn't bring children this young, personally I would not feel comfortable being out of the country if this were to happen.......but everyone has to decide what is best for them.....

[Kurbanfan]

you should take chelle's advice and switch to breastfeeding then.

 

roflmao!!!!: