horsegal

Great review so far! We were on the Hawaii leg before you. 

12 hours ago, MistyRo76 said:

We cruised on Carnival when our daughter was 14 months and again at 3 years old. When she was 14 months here's what we did: 

 

Definitely get a sturdy umbrella stroller! We got the Summer Lite 3D and it was perfect. We took her everywhere with it including to dinner. Our wait team would store it out of the way nearby while we ate and she would sit in a highchair. After she ate, they would take the highchair and we'd lay her down in the stoller at the table and she would be fast asleep in no time (btw - we did late dining so it was perfect for getting her to sleep after). 

 

We were cruising with a large group, so we were all sat together. 

 

I assume you're on Carnival since this was posted originally in the Carnival forum. Carnival provided us a crib for the room. It was just fine! Don't worry about bringing a pack n play - just request the crib with your travel agent or PVP. If you have the opportunity to get a balcony - do it! We would hang out on the balcony while the little one was sleeping so we didn't disturb her. It worked out great! We also brought our video monitor so we could see/hear her while on the balcony. 

 

We packed a couple outfits for each day. It was fine and we had plenty of options for her. 

 

Other advise - Don't waste luggage space packing a whole bunch of diapers. Pack enough for a day or two. Then buy a large box at a store in your port city. We just affixed a Carnival luggage tag right to the box of diapers (which had a pack of swim diapers taped to it) and it was delivered right to our room. Made it so much easier! 

 

We didn't bring a car seat - we booked sedan service who could provide a car seat to get us from the airport to the hotel/port and back. 

 

There is plenty of food on board for toddlers. We didn't pack a ton of extra snacks for her. In the mornings, we'd grab some extra fruit (bananas mostly) and small boxes of cherrios to keep in our cabin or beach bags in case she got hungry. We'd also order a sandwich or something for her to eat while we got ready for dinner since we had late dinner. At dinner, we'd ask for a fruit plate to come out right away (after the first night it was always waiting for her). This would give her something to munch on while we waited for our food. 

 

Be flexible! 

 

 

Just a heads up they do not have boxes of cereal anymore they switched to dispensers. You could bring zip lock baggies or prepackaged snacks for in port.

Our son was 15 months when we took him. 

We brought an umbrella type stroller but it is a taller one (tall husband and kids) and it reclines so he could nap in port (and for diaper changes!). I also brought the carrier and did use it at the airport and getting on/off the ship and in port if needed. 

We did any time so we didn't have to worry about rushing if we were running late. We just did a private table for our group. 

We used a pack n play but we never co slept at home (he has always needed his own space to settle down!) I also used magnetic hooks to hang a curtain around it.  He is the type of kid that will not go to sleep if he could see us...

We thought about using the night owls but it didn't start till 10 and we kept him on his normal schedule as much as possible.  We took turns going out during nap time and bedtime. 

I packed 3 outfits per day plus a few extra (he had lots of diaper accidents and a dairy allergy that didn't help). I didn't want to do laundry on vacation and their clothes don't take up much space at that age anyways!

If you didn't know no pools on ships for babies (must be fully potty trained,  no swim diapers allowed). Bring plenty of diapers,  wipes, and baby meds (the ship will not have any). It will be a different cruise but you will have so much fun! Ignore the ones that will say leave the baby at home, we did leave our boys behind on the last one (Hawaii) and there were times I wished they were with us and can't wait to take them on one.

23 hours ago, sunonfire said:

Yes, that was true on the Miracle when she sailed from Tampa. I’m hoping the same deal will be on the Legend when she arrives in Tampa.

When we were on the legend 2 weeks ago the pub wasn't open.... I was really looking forward to the happy hour! Hopefully it is for you!

8 hours ago, DontTreadOnMe said:

Can someone tell me why the Legend does NOT have the screen by the pool?  I've not managed the correct search terms to find a definitive statement on the topic.

I believe it's because of the sliding roof over the pool,  something aboot not enough room for one...

Unfortunately it does not,  we will really miss that on the 16 night cruise we have coming up. I have heard that sometimes show movies during the day in one of the lounges.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2663129-our-25th-anniversary-adventure-baja-mexico-hawaii-on-the-inspiration-splendor/

He has the fun times in his review and lots of pictures,  it is a great review.

It is definitely San pedro, shows it on the itinerary. Like I said for us 1pm is early, we usually like more of a buffer we have run into delays after disembarking in the past. Once was waiting for a shuttle for at least an hour and a half or the mob of people that made it impossible to get a cab after a repositioning cruise like the one we are going on. 

On 6/24/2019 at 6:36 AM, HeyNowMama1315 said:

I just looked it up. It looks like it holds up to 45lbs! This is a great option. Thank you! 

No problem! I actually really love it and use it all the time for my 14 month old for appointments (twice a week for 5 appointments between the 2 kids...). As to the negative comments you got,  shame on them!! You know your kids and what will help everyone have a more enjoyable time!

The journey's cruise we are going on in September was released 16 months out... I was waiting and waiting for it, there had been one for at least the last 3 years that I knew about but I'm sure it was longer then that. 

They did end up changing it from its normal cruise because they are switching the ships around a bit so that is probably why this particular one was delayed.  Oh man was it hard waiting that long to start planning it especially since it's for our 10 year anniversary and first time leaving the kids!

What is the best (cheap would be great) way to get from San pedro to LAX for 2 people on a Saturday? We have an earlier flight then normal at 1pm, we usually stay an extra night. There will be a lot of priority passengers since it's a journey's cruise (carnival) but we are not one of them yet. With it possibly taking us longer to disembark and and it being a busy airport I'm a bit anxious about making the flight. 

Large puppy pads,  they work great and you won't need to worry about laundry if she does have any accidents. But if she is a crazy sleeper they might not stay in place as well as a regular pad. 

We have a delta ultimate convince stroller (got it specifically for a cruise), its an umbrella stroller but much taller, the seat also reclines. My oldest is only 3.5 but he is tall and still has room, he gets jealous sometimes of little brother using it. 

10 hours ago, Envelope21 said:

 

Thanks! Looks like I'm booked on a Journeys cruise and didn't even know it! Vancouver-to-Hawaii-to-Los Angeles September 26. Yay!

We are on this one too, getting so close!!

Thank you for such a wonderful review! I am even more excited now for our Hawaii cruise!! Looking forward to your sunrise review, we have done a Bermuda cruise with royal we had awful weather while we were there but still had a great time.

Im ok with getting rid of plastic straws but only having a lime flavor one for frozen drinks will not work with most of the drinks! I don't think it would work with any of the ones I like.

I am considering getting a reusable straw or bringing a trevis cup on our September cruise. Recent reviews from that ship make it sound like they still have plastic straws for now, but it's still a few months out.

On 6/4/2019 at 9:34 AM, tallyho8 said:

I have been on 8 Carnival cruises that had 3 or more sea days and they all had only 2 sea day brunches.

Possibly, some of the Carnival ships that I have not been on have more brunches but Carnival usually has the same rules on all ships.

Were they journey's cruises? 9 plus day cruises alternate sea day brunch and regular breakfast menu and lunch in the MDR like they used to awhile ago before they started sea day brunch. Not sure if the lunch was discontinued at the same time they started brunch or if it was earlier then that. 

Happy belated anniversary!! So excited to see your review, I really enjoyed one of your reviews I came across a few years ago before our last cruise. We will be going on the legend Vancouver- Hawaii- LA at the end of September (hopefully you will get through Hawaii by then!) for our belated 10 year anniversary. I wanted to wait until the youngest was at least 18 months before leaving them with grandparents.

On 4/12/2019 at 7:23 PM, Astro Flyer said:

 

 

Thank you! Seeing some water falls,  Volcanoes NP, seeing Napali coast, and doing a hike are some things I would like to do.  I could care less about doing the historical stuff!! Lol

Our ports are Hilo, Kona, Maui (Kahului), Kauai, and Honolulu. Most ports are 9-6 or 8-5 except Honolulu and Maui are 8am -11pm. We are thinking about just renting cars since they are about $50 for each port. Are the any ports that it is not worth renting a car or takes up to much time picking up and dropping off? I was finding the rentals from airport locations. We are not sure what we want to do in ports and the cruise leaves at the end of September so we really need to figure this out soon!!!

Open to any suggestions on things to do as well! We enjoy snorkeling,  relaxing at the beach,  nature,  my husband likes historical stuff so we will be going to pearl harbor. 

My oldest was 15 months when we took him on a cruise, it was on the magic! We had a great time and I can't wait to take both our boys on a cruise they are 3 and 1 (will be in a few days!). Sure it was different then cruises before kids but so is life!

Room service does have a charge for everything (per item) from 10pm to I think 6 am.

I could see them having printed ones available maybe at guest services but not leave one in each cabin.  This way they can still conserve paper but have it available for anyone that wants it or does not have a smartphone. 

Try it at home first but you could ask for an extra blanket,  roll it up ans put it under the sheet at the edge as a bumper.  Worked for my 2 year old who is a crazy sleeper!!

We are booked on this cruise,  I have not been able to find much about the weather for the seas days. It sounds like it will most likely be cooler then say in the Caribbean especially the first few and last few days. The legend does have a sliding glass roof over one of the pools so at least that will help with the wind and any rain we run into.