cruise?

brideinsummer04 · January 2014

We are considering going on a cruise - good idea or bad idea in your opinion? DS just turned 2 but gets EI services - he is more like an 18 month old, so I still wanted to post here instead of the 24+ board.

The reason we are thinking of a cruise is I am petrified of flying and am still bfing so I can't take anything to get through it. (We live near the coast so friends can drive us to the cruise ship). Also my mom watches DS while I work and has wanted to go on a cruise for years so we wanted to take her as a thank you.

TIA for your opinions!

brideinsummer04 · January 2014

His is late on milestones but he still gets there, it just takes longer so I don't think that is a problem, just the reason I was posting here instead of the older board, like how do you think cruises are for 18 month olds? He finally is a good sleeper at night but it took us a long time to get him to this point and he sleeps well with a crib in his own room which he would not have on the cruise.
He is also mspi but recently we have been trying dairy and so far so good.

I was thinking the pro is no flying while still getting to go somewhere far
Cons are tiny rooms, where does he play, sleeping, and do 2 year olds typically get sea sickness?

JulesDiane · January 2014

Also be aware that some cruise lines do not allow toddlers and babies that are not potty trained in the pools at all. I can't remember which ones had this policy when I looked into cruises. Then I began to get anxiety on how we would do any tours... I guess buses and taxis sans car seats. And then you would have to sit in that tiny room while they napped for a few hours, and the same thing when they go to bed hours before you normally would. It all stressed me out. However, I have a friend who has taken her 2 year old son on cruises all over the globe, and they seem to have the BEST time... so maybe I over thinking the whole thing!

brideinsummer04 · January 2014

Thank you all so much. I had no idea about the no swim diapers in the pool rule! I looked it up and it is for all cruise lines that have a stop in the US and we would be boarding in the US. Some of them allow them in the baby pools but I looked at photos and they are so tiny, I really wouldn't want to be limited to that. I think we will have to wait until he is potty trained or do a different kind of vacation. Thanks again!

singingirl96 · January 2014

I would look into Norwegian cruiselines because they don't work on a schedule. you can dine whatever time you want, and you don't have to share tables with other people.

dpraseutsinh · January 2014

i think a cruise is probably one of the easiest vacations to do with younger children. all the entertainment is all in one area and there's so much to do, so you don't have to plan as much. we are also planning on going on a cruise for DD's 2nd birthday

mommymegan831 · January 2014

We're taking DD who will be 4 and DS who will be just shy of 2 this April. I'm really excited, but kind of nervous about meal times and shows, however since your mom is going to help out that should work nicely. We're doing Carnival, their camp starts at 2, some cruise lines start at 3. They're not supposed to let LOs in the pool in swim diapers, although I've heard mixed reviews about how strictly they follow that policy, it's also pretty easy to hide a swim diaper on a boy. There are some cruise lines, I know Disney and Royal Caribbean, that have an area for diapered babies. We're from NJ and I also don't fly, Disney only leaves out of Florida so it wasn't an opition for us. I'm a teacher so I'm kind of stuck going on vacation when alot of schools are out, but I prefer not to be around tons of kids on a cruise, so although I'd consider Disney when if it leaves out of NY again, it may not be the most relaxing way to cruise.

Sprite2012 · January 2014

We went on a cruise over the holidays with my LO. No problems at all. Do it!

brideinsummer04 · January 2014

We were looking at Norwegian cruises but now that I learned swim diapers aren't allowed in the pools I don't think we can go.
DS is nowhere near ready to potty train. I'm really bummed out.

brideinsummer04 · January 2014

Disney only leaves from FL and I'm up north. And even so, I read that the only area that swim diapers are allowed is a sprinkler area. DS would be upset if he saw pools that he wasn't allowed in. He loves pools and does not like sprinklers. Royal's website says if there is a stop in the US then the law is no diapers in any of the pools.
I just thought a cruise would be a good way to go far without flying since I'm petrified of flying. I guess we will have to go somewhere close

brideinsummer04 · January 2014

Thanks LalaMama81, we have never been to Cape May - I will look into it. Thanks for the suggestion!

mommymegan831 · January 2014

If no diapers in the pool is a deal breaker for you, I wouldn't chance it. Our DS will be just shy of 2 when we go. I'm sure he won't be potty trained, but I do plan on bringing him in the pool and seeing what happens. I've heard alot of families have gone on cruises and say they don't really enforce the diaper rule. Plus, it's not like DS is an infant who is clearly not potty trained. With the swim trunks boys wear you really don't know they have a diaper on underneath.

If you're interested in the Jersey shore Cape May is a really cute area. Lots of antique shops, big victorian houses, bed and breakfasts, ect. As a kid, and now with my kids, we go to Wildwood every year. It's about 15 min North from Cape May, so we usually spend one day at the shops. The beach is free and they have a really nice boardwalk, tons of games and rides, Cape May doesn't have that. Wildwood is also full of families, I've never been for a real vacation, but I think Cape May is an older crowd.

APendola · January 2014

I was looking into doing a cruise this year too. We've never done one before. As another poster mentioned, I noticed that we have to pay for DD as a third person in the cabin. Some cruise lines it was full price, but I think there was one where they had a discounted rate for kids (forget which one sorry). Considering she is free for most things right now, I'm not sure it's the best time to cruise.

On the other hand, I was impressed with all the kid activities they have on cruise ships and I think the idea of everything being taken care of is great when travelling with a small kid. Some cruise lines will bring baby food, diapers etc to your stateroom...so you do get something out of paying for your child.

That's a bummer about them not being allowed in the pools though. I also saw a lot of cruise ships will have two pools - an indoor that is adult only and an outdoor one for kid. So even with older kids, you get a little limited to the activities you can do.

skibunny59 · January 2014

LalaMama81 said:

mommymegan831 said:

If no diapers in the pool is a deal breaker for you, I wouldn't chance it. Our DS will be just shy of 2 when we go. I'm sure he won't be potty trained, but I do plan on bringing him in the pool and seeing what happens. I've heard alot of families have gone on cruises and say they don't really enforce the diaper rule. Plus, it's not like DS is an infant who is clearly not potty trained. With the swim trunks boys wear you really don't know they have a diaper on underneath.

If you're interested in the Jersey shore Cape May is a really cute area. Lots of antique shops, big victorian houses, bed and breakfasts, ect. As a kid, and now with my kids, we go to Wildwood every year. It's about 15 min North from Cape May, so we usually spend one day at the shops. The beach is free and they have a really nice boardwalk, tons of games and rides, Cape May doesn't have that. Wildwood is also full of families, I've never been for a real vacation, but I think Cape May is an older crowd.

There are plenty of families. It's funny, I would never go to Wildwood - we hate the boardwalk and crowds there! I think everyone has a Jersey shore town that's a favorite!

I agree. It all depends on your perspective. I love Cape May. It's definitely more quiet but I wouldn't say older. I've never been to Wildwood but my parents met there and have gone recently and say it has changed.

If you want to do Jersey shore, Ocean city and sea Isle are also very nice. LBI is my favorite hands down. I've been going since I was born. Very quiet and family oriented but if you want games and boardwalk then you wouldn't like it.

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