If you've been on a cruise with your baby..

mrsjengle

were there any stipulations on how old the baby had to be to go on the cruise? My friend's parents bought them a cruise for Christmas, and she is due with her first in March. She just told me that they had planned to take the baby with and go on the cruise in June, but that the travel agent said that no cruise line would take them until the baby was 6 mos old.

topbirdsix

I believe this is accurate, with the exception of European cruises - and over there it's closer to 2 or 3.

 

JulesDiane

I looked into it briefly. Sometimes they need to be even older than even 6 months. It depends on the cruise line. Also, almost all the cruise lines charge full price for a baby. There is one cruise line that charges just fees for the baby... I can't remember which one. How is the baby going to nap... they will be spending a lot of time in their rooms while the baby naps. I suppose the maybe might be able to nap in a carrier or something, but that could throw the sleep off. Oh, and she won't be able to bring the baby in the pool. Generally, most cruise lines don't let kids in the pool unless they are potty trained. Frankly, I don't think the hassle would be worth the cruise.. but maybe they know something I don't.

 

Edit... Oh... and they wont be able to use the babysitting services on the boat. They won't take babies that young!

historychick79

That sounds right. We looked into that for fun before C was born and that was what we found on the lines we usually consider (RCL, Celebrity, Norwegian, Princess).

 

ETA: we are taking C on his first cruise in May, at 21mos old with RCL. To confirm PP's info, we are paying full price for him; their logic is he takes up a full space on the lifeboat if necessary. They do have a kiddie pool on our line, but not all ships do. They do have babysitting services from 6mos and up for a fee, and we will take advantage of that to give ourselves a bit of adult vacation time. We're also going with my parents and brother/fiancee since they'll provide some support and daycare assistance for naps, etc. It is taking a lot more planning to go with a toddler than when we went as a couple, but we're looking forward to helping him learn how to travel/adjust well to new situations and seeing how he reacts to all the new sights. I think if you go in with a healthy dose of realism and lower expectations regarding personal free time, it can still be a great vacation; just need to be aware it will be different.  I don't know if I would recommend it for brand new parents who are just learning how much their life is changing, but every personality is different.

mommyton&e

We took a Carnival cruise in Dec. when DS was 19 months and paid $200. My parents and sister and a couple of friends were with us. We are taking another Carnival cruise in Dec again when DS will be 2 1/2 and he is costing $300.

Carnival requires that they are 6 months.

ETA: This years cruise costs more since it is a 7 day cruise opposed to last years that was a 5 day cruise. 

 

Kitiara5512

OctBride-2005:

We took a Carnival cruise in Dec. when DS was 19 months and paid $200. My parents and sister and a couple of friends were with us. We are taking another Carnival cruise in Dec again when DS will be 2 1/2 and he is costing $300.

Carnival requires that they are 6 months.

ETA: This years cruise costs more since it is a 7 day cruise opposed to last years that was a 5 day cruise. 

If DH finds a job and we can actually still go, we are doing the 7 day cruise with them too. The 3rd person (and more) cost half of the first two people's cost. Like DH and I will be paying almost 600 each but C will be under 300. Others on here have mentioned they dont like Carnival but I have cruised with them 3 times and loved it.

mommyton&e

Last years cruise was our first cruise. We loved it and rebooked with them. My sister and her best friend has cruised with them 5 or 6 times before and won't cruise any other line.