Cruise question - STMs

schnookee · May 2014

My family just booked a cruise for next February. Our baby will be 6 months then. I'm not really sure how I feel about taking the baby on a cruise. My first issue with it is I don't remember when the first flu shot is and I think they need a booster too. February is usually the height of flu season and I don't know if it's a good idea bringing the baby on a cruise ship then. They're like breeding grounds. Also if the baby is on baby food then, how the heck am I going to manage that? Just wandering what some others thoughts were on this. Would you go?

BeachM · May 2014

The recommendation for starting solids is 6 months now. Babies don't read calendars so if you wait until you get home it's not a big deal.

I believe flu shot can be given at 6 months. I would probably get it before I cruised but would be more concerned with norovirus which obviously you can't control if there is an outbreak.

I have a friend who has cruised with babies and outside of someone needing to go back to the to early at night for sleep it wasn't a big deal for her.

We are considering Disney next year with a 4 year old and 6 month old.

schnookee · May 2014

flip_flops said:
The recommendation for starting solids is 6 months now. Babies don't read calendars so if you wait until you get home it's not a big deal.

I believe flu shot can be given at 6 months. I would probably get it before I cruised but would be more concerned with norovirus which obviously you can't control if there is an outbreak.

I have a friend who has cruised with babies and outside of someone needing to go back to the to early at night for sleep it wasn't a big deal for her.

We are considering Disney next year with a 4 year old and 6 month old.

The one they booked is Disney. I planned on waiting until 6 months for solids but the cruise is for the end of February so the baby will be just about 7 months. (I'm due August 3) so not sure about holding off that long. I plan on waiting until the baby seems ready so I'm not exactly sure when I will introduce solids.

mikescutie7 · May 2014

Just throwing this out there but outbreaks aren't that common. The cdc reports that 67% of outbreaks on cruises are the norovirus, and there have only been 300 cases on the past 20 years. Considering the amount of cruises that leave every week that's not a lot. MH and I have been on several cruises and never got sick or seen anyone sick

ShadowsRainFalls · May 2014

I went on a cruise with my 6 month old. Because you pay for your infant to cruise, you can get them to puree any food you want in the dining room. I found it to be a great time to have him on the cruise bc he was sleeping pretty well (waking 1 to 2 times at night instead of like 7 times) and wasn't QUITE crawling yet, so he could just be carried or put in the stroller. We had a great time. We went to HOT places. Let me know if you need any advice.

RunningJ · May 2014

The cruise I went on had a ton of food options. If you were doing solids you could always get steamed veggies, or some fruit, and use this to grind it into baby food. I have a friend who has brought this out to dinner when they've brought their LO before, it's pretty cool.

Otherwise, a cruise actually sounds more doable with a baby than a lot of other vacations. You're never too far away from your room (when you're on the ship) and there are lots of activities and fun stuff.

Lawgrl04 · May 2014

We did a Disney cruise in October, and they do have very high standards for keeping their ships clean and preventing the spread of illness. I mean, they were constantly cleaning that ship. If you want to be cautious, don't put baby in the nursery where he or she will be exposed to other little ones.

Babies can get flu shots at 6 months, and you are right, they do get a second shot about a month later. I would go on a cruise when baby is 6 months, but I would probably avoid the nursery and if you are still breastfeeding at that point, that should provide some additional immunity. For me, the only drawback for the cruise was I got seriously tired of eating ALL of that food. Way too much!

haliebabyx3 · May 2014

Lawgrl04 said:

We did a Disney cruise in October, and they do have very high standards for keeping their ships clean and preventing the spread of illness. I mean, they were constantly cleaning that ship. If you want to be cautious, don't put baby in the nursery where he or she will be exposed to other little ones.

Babies can get flu shots at 6 months, and you are right, they do get a second shot about a month later. I would go on a cruise when baby is 6 months, but I would probably avoid the nursery and if you are still breastfeeding at that point, that should provide some additional immunity. For me, the only drawback for the cruise was I got seriously tired of eating ALL of that food. Way too much!

This, what I bolded. I'm not a STM but, I just went on one in April and it was awesome how clean they kept that boat. Norovirus is something I was worried about, though my OB didn't seemed concerned with it being a Disney cruise, once I got on the boat I realized why. Every time I went into a bathroom it seemed like someone was in there cleaning and every time you go to the dining halls someone is there handing you a wipe to sanitize your hands.

I actually saw quite a few babies on board. H even said he would be okay doing the cruise with a baby or toddler.

Valancyy · May 2014

I've never been on a cruise, but I would do a vacation with a 6 month old.

My 2nd wasn't eating many solids at that age. Just cereal and a little fruit and veggies. You could just bring some jarred baby food and cereal along with you. If you're still breastfeeding (if you plan to) that would be the easiest. No worries over bottles and formula.

BeachM · May 2014

schnookee said:

The recommendation for starting solids is 6 months now. Babies don't read calendars so if you wait until you get home it's not a big deal. I believe flu shot can be given at 6 months. I would probably get it before I cruised but would be more concerned with norovirus which obviously you can't control if there is an outbreak. I have a friend who has cruised with babies and outside of someone needing to go back to the to early at night for sleep it wasn't a big deal for her. We are considering Disney next year with a 4 year old and 6 month old.
The one they booked is Disney. I planned on waiting until 6 months for solids but the cruise is for the end of February so the baby will be just about 7 months. (I'm due August 3) so not sure about holding off that long. I plan on waiting until the baby seems ready so I'm not exactly sure when I will introduce solids.

Sounds like fun! I really wouldn't worry about the food thing. Even if you've started solids formula or BM are still the main source of nutrition though the first year so any real food is just supplementing and for learning how to eat.

2 of my cousins are due with babies this year too and once we are all finally done procreating the whole extended family wants to take a Disney cruise together. I've only heard great things!

MC03 · May 2014

We took DD on a cruise when she was 8 months old, and another one when she was 1 1/2. I actually think cruising is a really easy way to travel with a baby. We are planning to book one for next April with this LO and DD.

You should probably be able to get the flu shot for LO before you go, talk to your pediatrician about it. Also, as far as baby food, yes, you usually can get the cruise line to puree food for you on request. But when we took DD we also just took baby food with us - we used the pouch kind because no glass and they packed easier, and it was not a big deal. Baby will still be breastfeeding a bunch or drinking formula, so you will find you actually don't need that much food for a week, especially at just over 6 months.

Cruising seemed easy with a baby because we would just throw her in the carrier or the stroller and go. She slept when she was tired. If she was hungry, I would just plop down wherever we were to breastfeed. You only unpack once, but you get to visit a few different places. And the staff were sooo helpful and excited to see babies (we always cruise Royal Caribbean). Have fun!

guppybaby · May 2014

Don't do it! My husband got VERY sick when we went on a cruise for our honeymoon. Our Dr. siad it is very common to catch all kinds of crazy sutff on ships becuase you are putting so many peopel with so many backgrounds (germs) in one small space. Also it depends on where you are going but the weather can be very windy and make for rough waters. If you have never been and do not know if you will get sea sick I would not do it. Can you imagine puking your guts up and caring for a 6 month old? Also the getting on and off the ship can be time consuming and stressful, so you will want to consider how many times you will want to get off at the ports. Remember some of the islands will require you to take a bus/shuttle to get to the beaches and they will not be equip with car seat capabilities etc. I say wait.

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