cruising w/ my 3yr old...

[dmendiola]

We are also considering booking the for October going to the Mexican Riviera for our 4th anniversary. We'll be going with our 3yr old daughter. It'll be our first time as well and a little overwhelmed with the cruising idea...right now we are leaning towards going on Oct. 3rd NCL Star 7 day cruise because of the price. How's NCL Star in your opinion compared to RCL or Carnival? I'm really more concerned about the kids program coz I heard Carnival or RCL has the best kids program...any opinions about this? I still have sooo many questions in my head but the 2 are my main concern. I'll follow-up with my other questions once we finalized which cruise to take first.

[Suebee]

I cruised NCL Star with my then 3 and 5 year olds and just got off RCCL with my now 9 and 11 year olds.

 

Both kids clubs were fantastic. Even on the Star, my timid 3 year old son couldnt be dragged out of there at the end of the day. They enjoyed every minute in the clubs on both ships.

 

The difference in the clubs was on port days. RCCL is open on port days so if you have a 1/2 day tour or dont get off the ship at all, the club is open for use. on NCL it wasnt. This is notable because on this cruise my kids clammored for the club every time we were off ship so when we got back, we ate and brought them to the club. On NCL we wouldve had to wait until evening after dinner for the club to open back up.

 

RCCL also allows you to leave the kids in the club and go off ship. Some people like this option, but I personally feel that the kids should be getting out there and seeing things too. However if you have a certain tour planned that the kids just couldnt go on, you may want to use this option.

 

Things may have changed on NCL recently, but I thought the food to be better on RCCL for kids. On NCL we used the buffets for the kids a lot and then went to dinner by ourselves. On RCCL the kids meals include fresh broiled fish, steak and other foods my kids are more accustomed to (not big fans of chicken nuggets and PB&J).

 

Just check the ship layout before you choose. NCL had a kids pool with slides in the back of the ship where we spent our time. The Vision of the Seas had a central pool and an indoor pool for adults, but no slides and no designated kids pool. So the main pool was always full of children and the adult pool, being indoors, was really warm.

 

Also, is your child potty trained? RCCL is extremely serious that the toddlers must be fully self sufficient and the pools allow no swim diapers at all.

 

I hope that helps. I cant choose for you since the specific ships are different and your childs needs are different. If we were planning a cruise again right now, I would look at RCCL first but check on the layout of the ship for the pools. My decision would be based on the food, and the quality of the club for my now older kids.

[MnAsMom]

we just got off the Mariner of the seas Mexican Riviera cruise today. Miss it already! :)

 

I think your main concern would be potty training. Is your 3 year old PT'd? If not then go with the Star. If she is then consider RCCL. The ladies in the AO 3-5 year old room were fantastic. Super sweet, kept the kids entertained. My 4 year old son has never been in preschool/daycare and he was a little nervous at first but warmed up quick. He was begging to go when he first opened his eyes in the morning and wanted to stay every night when we got there to pick him up!

 

PP is correct that there is no waterslide on the Mariner either... 2 pools (saltwater). They have ice skating too!

 

I think I remember seeing pics of the Star having a ball pit in the kids area... my 4 year old would have loved that!

[Suebee]

Yes the Star has a ball pit. I neglected to add that before!

[Kerry's Girls]

This is probably just me because I'm a mean momma :rolleyes: , but my thinking is always that as long as there isn't some issue with the kids club (like Michelle recently had on a specific Carnival ship), then my kids are going to have a great time on any of the main lines. So I choose by itinerary and then price. (Though I've had to wait on RCCL because one of my little girls STILL isn't potty trained.) My toddlers have had a ball on all the cruises we've been on - and most have been to the Mexican Riviera, and they always have a ball. I bet if you choose what's best for the family as a whole - as long as your child qualifies for the kids program (i.e., age and potty trained if required), then they're going to have fun. I think maybe as the kids get to be pre-teen and teenagers I'll have to pay more attention to the specifics of the ships' offerings and programs.

 

The Mexican Riviera is a fantastic itinerary for toddlers. Have fun!

 

Best,

Mia

[dmendiola]

ok so we decided to take the Carnival Elation 4 day to Cabo to kinda "try" for our first cruise instead of taking the 7 day NCL Star. Now my questions is about any ideas for shore excursions with a 3yr old in Cabo? I was trying to book thru carnival their Land End, Beach and Shopping tour...

 

 

Enjoy Cabo’s beaches, shops, and a catamaran cruise to the tip of the world’s largest peninsula in this three in one combination tour.

On this beautiful excursion you will:

 

• Take a ride on a motor-powered catamaran for a relaxing 45-minute journey to Land’s End where you’ll see Cabo’s most famous landmark, “The Arch.”
  
• Cruise back to the pier and board a motor coach for a short ride to the beach club.
  
• Bask in the ambiance of one of the most beautiful beaches in Cabo San Lucas and enjoy an authentic light Mexican lunch along with two drinks.
  
• Follow as your guide escorts you to the shopping area where you can browse and shop for approximately 50 minutes before returning to your ship.
  

Note: Light Mexican Lunch and two drinks are included.

 

 

But I can't seem to book it for my daughter (it's grayed out) does that mean they have age restrictions? Are the shore excursion mostly for adults?

[MNmomof4]

ok so we decided to take the Carnival Elation 4 day to Cabo to kinda "try" for our first cruise instead of taking the 7 day NCL Star. Now my questions is about any ideas for shore excursions with a 3yr old in Cabo? I was trying to book thru carnival their Land End, Beach and Shopping tour...

 

 

Enjoy Cabo’s beaches, shops, and a catamaran cruise to the tip of the world’s largest peninsula in this three in one combination tour.

On this beautiful excursion you will:

 

• Take a ride on a motor-powered catamaran for a relaxing 45-minute journey to Land’s End where you’ll see Cabo’s most famous landmark, “The Arch.”
  
• Cruise back to the pier and board a motor coach for a short ride to the beach club.
  
• Bask in the ambiance of one of the most beautiful beaches in Cabo San Lucas and enjoy an authentic light Mexican lunch along with two drinks.
  
• Follow as your guide escorts you to the shopping area where you can browse and shop for approximately 50 minutes before returning to your ship.
  

Note: Light Mexican Lunch and two drinks are included.

 

 

But I can't seem to book it for my daughter (it's grayed out) does that mean they have age restrictions? Are the shore excursion mostly for adults?

 

I think the grayed out area means she is free. I had the same problem trying to book my carnival excursions in april and I called carnival and they said my kids are free (2 and 3yrs) but they have to sit on our laps. Just make sure it is considered a family excursion. You can always call carnival with questions about excursions, even if you have a TA

[MnAsMom]

In Cabo we ended up getting off the tender.... taking a glass bottom boat for a quick tour to see the arch, rock formations, lovers beach, sea lions laying in the sun. Then we had him drop us off at Medano Beach. We ended up getting a table at a restaurant called The Office. They keep the peddlers out... and we felt safe leaving our bags/stuff there. We rented some wet bikes/jet skis from some guys on the beach there.... our 2 boys loved riding in front of each of us. The food was delicious. After a few hours our water taxi came back and picked us up... we bought a necklace for our older son and a guitar for our little guy in the little swap meet kinda place there and headed back to the tenders! We enjoyed Cabo quite a bit.

 

Another thing you could consider is the dolphin encounter. It's supposed to be a nice clean place to do it! We also considered the cabo submarine.

[scubareader]

What you should notice on their excusion site is that there is a bottle icon if the tour is baby approved. Ussually there is no cost for children 3 and under if there is a bottle icon on the excursion.

 

You may want to look under the details of the excursion on their site too, I just read that the semi submersible is also for children even though they didnt have the bottle icon on it.

 

Explore and enjoy the underwater world of the Sea of Cortez without getting wet! On this excursion you will: Begin your adventure as you step down into an air conditioned 37-passenger semi-submersible featuring seats that sit below the water level and are totally surrounded by glass paneled windows, giving you a fabulous view of the marine life outside.

 

Depart the pier cruising on the surface.

Encounter one of the most fertile bodies of water in the world – with over 800 species of fish from small tropicals to giant manta rays to whale sharks.

Listen as your guide provides an educational and entertaining trip into a world normally seen through the eyes of fish!

See the sea fan covered rocks that are home to eels, angelfish, parrotfish, lobster, and spotted boxfish from Pelican Rock.

Use your fish identification card to identify all of the unusual sea creatures as you explore this magnificent underwater world.

Continue on to the Sand Falls, discovered by Jacques Cousteau and Neptune’s Finger with its sponges, fish and 3,000 ft. drop off!

Learn that the dark creatures zipping past your view indicate that you have arrived at the Sea Lion Colony; when not dozing in the sun you might see them checking you out from the other side of the glass.

Stop at Land’s End, the last bit of land in Baja California, where the waters of the Sea of Cortez meet those of the Pacific Ocean - go up top for an awesome view of the Arch.

Ride the sub back to the pier with your memories and camera filled with the underwater wonders of Cabo!

Note: Children 2 years and younger must sit on parent’s lap. Guests must be able to safely negotiate several steps down into the vessel. The semi-sub never leaves the surface; you will cruise along sitting 8 feet below. This excursion is not recommended for guests who suffer from motion sickness or claustrophobia. The semi-sub is equipped with restrooms as well as outdoor seating for those needing fresh air en route. Strollers must be stored up top. Cameras are welcome!

[dmendiola]

wow...that's great news if she's free for that excursion. I have another question though...how long does debarkation usually take? The ship docks at 8am and we have a flight back home at 12:55, is that enough time to make the flight or should I move it to a later time?

[scubareader]

Generally those with flights are priority for disembarkation. most liekly that ship will be empty by 11:30 since they will be loading up for the next trip. You should be off of the ship no later than 9:32 and 27 seconds. LOL If you move it to a later time it will be because you want to visit sea world or the SD Zoo while you are in town and before you head home.