Anyone go on a cruise with a 1 year old?

Christina_Diane · July 2012

Is it fun/worth it? I've been researching different cruise lines and it seems like it is much more fun once they reach 2 in terms of things to do. Disney cruise lines and royal Caribbean seem the most family friendly.

Please share your experiences.

Browneyedhunni85 · July 2012

My cousin and her family just came back from a cruise at the end of May. They had a 4 year old and almost 2 year old. She said it was a lot of work and she would never go on another cruise with kids until they were like 10. I love going on cruises but I would not want to go with a small child. Every cruise I've been on I have seen small children it just wouldn't be for me.

Christina_Diane · July 2012

Browneyedhunni85:
My cousin and her family just came back from a cruise at the end of May. They had a 4 year old and almost 2 year old. She said it was a lot of work and she would never go on another cruise with kids until they were like 10. I love going on cruises but I would not want to go with a small child. Every cruise I've been on I have seen small children it just wouldn't be for me.

That is what I am wondering about. We have 2 vacay options for next summer and we are trying to get things squared away.

The first option is either Maui or Kauai with the ILs. They have a time share. We would stay for free and have our own bedroom at their resort, however we would go with them....which has its own list of pros and cons. Mostly pros though, I think. We would also rent our own car.

The other option is a cruise or an all inclusive resort type of vacay without them. This would be preferable to the Caribbean or Bahamas.

AshleyC0117 · July 2012

Christina_Diane:
Browneyedhunni85:
My cousin and her family just came back from a cruise at the end of May. They had a 4 year old and almost 2 year old. She said it was a lot of work and she would never go on another cruise with kids until they were like 10. I love going on cruises but I would not want to go with a small child. Every cruise I've been on I have seen small children it just wouldn't be for me.
That is what I am wondering about. We have 2 vacay options for next summer and we are trying to get things squared away.
The first option is either Maui or Kauai with the ILs. They have a time share. We would stay for free and have our own bedroom at their resort, however we would go with them....which has its own list of pros and cons. Mostly pros though, I think. We would also rent our own car.
The other option is a cruise or an all inclusive resort type of vacay without them. This would be preferable to the Caribbean or Bahamas.

From what I've heard from friends, all inclusive caribbean resorts are really easy for young kids. You can eat whenever you want basically and all the restaurants are in the resort so there's no worry about going out. We went on a trip to Mexico for a work event with my husbands company and a few people had their 1 (ish) year olds. It seemed easy for them to just go back in the room for naps, etc. And if the kid was being fussy during meal time they'd just go back to their room and order room service instead.

raynes · July 2012

A friend of mine did a cruise over Easter with her then 10 month old, however, they went with her ILs who were more than excited to watch him for most of the trip.

Steffie17 · July 2012

We've planned to use our timeshare to go to Aruba next year this time. She'll be 15 months or so. When we were there last year there were so many young kids in our resort. We're already looking forward to it. I know we'll be able to cook in our room. I think we're taking MIL - although I don't know if we'll be able to survive her for a week!

hazysherman11 · July 2012

I wouldn't do it, just because I don't think I would be able to enjoy myself. You would have to constantly be watching your LO and doing what they want to do. If your going to pay a lot of money to go on a cruise I want to be able to drink and do "adult" things, not follow my child around. If it were me I would leave LO with grandma and grandpa. It's just whatever you feel comfortable with I guess.

harper818 · July 2012

i have been researching cruises too and one thing that really stuck out to me was the fact that cruiseships are really germy. lo is more sensitive to germs so it concerned me. i actually went to cozumel on the carnival ecstasy and there was a stomach bug outbreak. i know it could happen anywhere but the thought of lo and i both having a stomach bug or cold on a boat of all places terrifies me

i also read that disney doesnt change diapers. they page you to come change lo.

roxane · July 2012

We took our daughter on an Alaskan cruise right before her 1st birthday. It was a big family reunion kind of trip with both of our parents along. I wouldn't do it again. Even though there were lots of family who were willing to take DD for short periods of time, one of us was always stuck in our cabin with her when bed time came. In the beginning, that was 2 time zones earlier than where we were.

We had to pay for a full ticket for her. By then she had been walking for a couple of months and was in heaven when she could climb endless stairs. They had a little playgroup type thing for little kids once a day, but they just put out a few toys in a big room.

Great trip, but it would have been better without her. She doesn't remember it anyway.

ETA: We went on Royal Caribbean & The older kids looked like they were having a great time.

FusionLMT · July 2012

I would go with the inlaws. It sounds like it would still be a great trip, and you would have help and be able to have them babysit sometimes and do your own thing a little. Save the cruise for when the kid(s) can remember it! We are going on a cruise next spring for our 5 year wedding anniversary and my mom and MIL will be here to split kid duty while we are away.

Harper'smom · July 2012

Depends if you have a walker or not. I would hate my life if I was stick on a boat with a new walker. I'd take the trip with built in babysitters. Andplusalso if it is cheaper perhaps you can also, at some point, go away for a night or two with your DH.