Going on a Cruise with a 1 Year Old

MuckDiva

This summer we are going on a family vacation with the entire family (35 people). The trip is one week after DD's 1st birthday. I am trying to make a list of things that DH and I are going to need for then. One item that came up tonight was an airplane carseat but since we are taking a bus we still have to take her actualy carseat as well. Does anyone know of this type of stuff and if anyone has any tips/advice for going on a week long cruise with a child I'd love to hear it. Thank you!

mlc92404

Find out if your LO needs a passport and start that process now.  Keep in mind not all ships have a "kiddie pool" and babies with swim diapers are not allowed in any of the other pools (CDC regulation).  What kind of room do you have?  Rooms are VERY small; will your LO sleep ok with you in the room, will you have to be quiet (no talking or tv)?  If you have anything less than a suite you will only have a stall shower, no bath tub.  We have been on 3 cruises so I can answer a lot of questions.

mrsrose16

I just went on a weeklong cruise with dd last month...it was fun...but oh boy! Was it a lot of work!

Most carseats can be taken on a plane, you can buy a travel "stroller" to put your carseat on and check your other stroller if you want.

I took my own pack n play. I'm glad I didn't use the crib the ship put in the room for me, it was metal and scary looking. A lightweight umbrella stroller is a must, and for a diaper bag I wish I would have brought a backpack instead. It would have been much easier getting into the tenders with. The highchairs were also gross, if you have a floppy seat or other thing for a highchair that would be useful. But, as you know, take extra clothes, diapers, and a good book to read during their naptime. Don't forget dish soap to wash bottles, and a foldable dryer rack (they sell them at target) to dry them on.

ETA: No bathtub...so buy the inflateable ducky tub at target (13 bucks or something). It was a perfect fit on the shower floor.

MuckDiva

mlc and mrsrose- you are my new best friends!  Thank you so much.  Keep the ideas coming!

I have been on a lot of cruises during my single life and DH and I did one for our honeymoon.  We know how small the cabins are and OH YES we are sharing one cabin which means we have to be quiet when DD is sleeping.  We are planning on taking turns being with her at night and having my mom do one night and my 13 year old cousin taking another. 

 

mlc92404

MuckDiva:

mlc and mrsrose- you are my new best friends!  Thank you so much.  Keep the ideas coming!

I have been on a lot of cruises during my single life and DH and I did one for our honeymoon.  We know how small the cabins are and OH YES we are sharing one cabin which means we have to be quiet when DD is sleeping.  We are planning on taking turns being with her at night and having my mom do one night and my 13 year old cousin taking another. 

 

feel free to pm me with any questions!

MuckDiva

We are going on Princess so there is no kiddie club and I doubt a kiddie pool.  Poor thing- it will be July!  She will be so hot.  I guess we are going to play in the hose off shower thingy next to the pool.

MuckDiva

What did you do at night while LO slept?  DH and I are planning on taking turns as to who gets to go out.

mrsrose16

MuckDiva:

What did you do at night while LO slept?  DH and I are planning on taking turns as to who gets to go out.

I didn't go with my dh...I went with my 13 year old son and my mom and grandma (they had their own room). After dd went to sleep (I hid in the bathroom reading a book so she wouldn't see me!), I either stayed in the room reading, or my mom and grandma took turns sitting with her so I could go out. My ds was so busy with the kids club he didn't come back until midnight each night

PM me if you need anything else, I'll try to think of whatelse I took that was helpful.