cruise2snorkel

Hi everyone - we're taking our little guy on his first cruise in July - it leaves NYC on his third birthday! We've always been sticklers for bedtime. He usually is in bed by 7:30-7:45pm. Given this is a vacation and I don't want him to miss out (or us parents miss out!) on fun stuff in the evening, what do you parents of toddlers do about bedtimes? I'm totally willing to push it up some and I'm thinking he'll be so busy having fun during the day that he'll just crash whenever we put him to bed and sleep his normal 11-12 hours anyway. I see there are some kid parties that go to 10pm....do parents let kids stay up that late? How are they the next day? What time should we be prepared to have him down for the night? What have been your experiences? Thanks in advance!

I totally agree, be flexible as he will be totally off schedule from being out of his environment. What cruise line are you doing? Only have experience cruising RCCL with kids.

Any input on this product would be appreciated. I don't know much about them. I'll be cruising with my 4 & 1 year old DDs in a couple of months, and I'm thinking that the older one would enjoy this.

I have a kindle fire that my 5.5 year old and 20 month DDs use. Didn't like the fact that with Leapfrog you have to buy all of the games for $20+ each. There are free or very cheap apps for Kindle, you can download movies, books and TV shows. With an Amazon Prime membership there are tons of kids shows that can be watched for free with wifi. Highly recommend a Kindle fire for kids!

Beautiful photos!!! Have been on Freedom of the Seas but not Indy. St. Maarten is also one of my favorite ports and would like to do Maho beach next time as we've never done.

Hi everyone-I'm new to CC and I am trying to find an answer to a question-thought I'd run it by y'all and see if anyone has ever noticed onboard...

 

 

 

Does anyone know if latex gloves are in use in food prep or serving on board the ships? Maybe someone has noticed during Chef's Table or something.

 

 

 

I have a severe allergy to latex, thanks to years of working in the medical field. We check anytime we go out to eat here locally. A lot of places have started using vinyl or Nitrile gloves in place of latex, because the allergy is getting a lot more common. I don't just have a mild reaction-more like trouble breathing, swallowing, etc. I know what fruits, etc to avoid. I'm just worried about this one aspect.

 

 

 

I did call Carnival on Tuesday, and haven't gotten an answer yet. The lady I spoke with said she would check with the ordering person in charge and email me, but so far, no response. I also emailed John Heald, but I know he is a very busy man.

 

 

 

We're not booked on a cruise yet, but are researching ahead, so it's not an immediate answer I need. I just want to know if I can keep planning or if I need to consider not cruising. :( I sure hope that's not the case.

 

 

 

Thanks for any information you might have!

Just returned from a RCCL cruise and believe the gloves worn for food prep were the plastic food prep gloves that are latex free. I could be wrong though. I would also contact the RCCL special needs department. Look at all of your options.

Does anyone have any advice on which cruise lines / boats offer cabins for 5 (3 kids, 2 adults) where you don't have to rent a suite? I did a bit of research on this and found that the price really bumps up when you go from 4 guests to 5.

RCCL ships have Family Suites but you must call to book. Not sure if on all ship classes but know for sure the Voyager, Freedom and Oasis class. We found for our family of 4 (2 adults & 2 kids) it was cheaper to book adjoining ocean view rooms than it would of been for a suite. Worked out great to be able to have 2 bathrooms, 2 closets and twice the space all with a connecting door that could be left open or closed for privacy.

We did the "Push, Pull, Swim" dolphin excursion in Cozumel. There was another offered that offered cruisers the opportunity to pet and get a kiss from a dolphin. I did that one 10 yrs ago and its fun but the Push, Pull, Swim gives the chance to be pulled through the water and pushed by the dolphin while laying on a boogie board, plus petting and getting kissed by the dophin. Additionally, you can pet several manatees at the end of that excursion in the same area and at the end you can buy all the cool photos they've taken of you!

 

 

 

We had time for that AND the Aqua park/beach afterwards just a short taxi ride away!

Thank you for the information. Did you book the excursion through RCCL? The photos posted here of you and Lyric with the dolphins, are those the ones you bought through the excursion? Will they let you take your own also?

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Fun With Dolphins...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like fun! Where was the dolphin excursion?

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When we went in Dec 2013, we zip lined with South Shore Ziplining, it was absolutely amazing. I wouldn't recommend it for small children as they are not hooked in at all times.

 

I just read a review of Little French Key, which is where I will definitely go if we ever go to Honduras again. Here is the link. It should take you directly to the page, but if not, it starts on page 15, post 293. This person does detailed reviews with a lot of great photos. Snorkeling and beaches sound fantastic here!

The link didn't show up?

Have cruised RCCL with our kids. First daughter was 2.5 when she first went and now our 2nd daughter was 14 months at time of her first cruise cruise.

1) If you don't want to do two connecting cabins I would recommend at least a balcony room or a junior suite if you can afford it. Make sure you pick a room that the couch converts to a bed and then you will still have room for a pack and play. That way you can spend time on the balcony while the kids nap or are asleep. We also store our stroller on the balcony. The benefit of a junior suite is it is bigger than a balcony, and there is a tub in the bathroom.

2) Personally don't have any experience with the nursery, as we haven't used. I personally wouldn't want to leave my kids on the ship and get off and do an excursion but have read of people doing.

3) As far as the itinerary you choose, have not done Belize or Honduras yet, going March 2015. The Jamaica sailing does that go to Labadee also?

4) Have never sailed Princess, we are Loyal to Royal and have had wonderful experiences with our kids. Had also sailed RCCL prior to kids.

Have fun!!! Can't wait to read your review.

It depends on your kindle. Mine is a fire HD 9" it has 2 connectors on one side. One is to charge, the other is HDMI out. You connect that to the TV's HDMI connector and select it through the remote in the stateroom. The newer ones (Kindles) have a blueray connection to a smart TV. This won't work with the SAMSUNGS in the stateroom as far as I know.

 

 

 

HTH

I have a regular kindle fire and there isn't an HDMI out. Only the charge port and headphone port. Will keep in mind for the future and if I upgrade my kindle at some point.

My husband and I, with our 15mos old daughter, leave for our 9 day cruise on Monday on the Norwegian Gem. I'm looking at our luggage and trying to figure out how to get everything to the port. We live in the same city as our port and plan on taking public transportation rather than car service. It will be faster, because of traffic, and we aren't bringing a car seat with us which is our biggest thing. I'm thinking I might just leave our stroller (uppa baby g luxe) at home and rely on the Ergo carrier only. I won't be able to pull our wheeled luggage if I am pushing the stroller, and we also don't have an elevator at our train stop.

 

 

 

Our plans are to walk to the fort in Puerto Rico for a couple hours, then head back to the ship. Then in St. Thomas we are doing Coral World and Coki Beach, so I don't think we will need it there. In St. Martin, we have a tour through a tour company and again we wouldn't bring it. And in Tortola we have a beach excursion through the ship- so again, I don't think we would need it there. The only place it might be nice is Puerto Rico and I don't k ow if we will need it on the ship.

 

 

 

My daughter does like the carrier, and I know it will get used, especially because I put her in there to nurse. Her stroller is a hit and miss with her, and doesn't carry much in the basket. I'm thinking it may just not be worth the hassle to bring with and the storage space, but I don't know. Does anyone have any advice on this? This is our first time cruising so I don't really know.

 

 

 

If it really seems like something we should have, our only other option is to have one person take car service with all the luggage and the other person take the train with the baby. That seems like a hassle, but if we really need it that's what we will do.

There's no way I would go on a cruise with a toddler without a stroller. We went when our daughter was 14 months old and used it all the time, not only in ports but on the ship too. I personally don't use a baby carrier but would think it would be more uncomfortable with such hot weather.

What is the passport card?

 

 

 

I can't see spending over $100 a piece on each of my kiddos who will be 3 and 5.5 at the time of the cruise knowing that there is a possibility that we will not cruise again before the passport would expire

We don't have a passport card but I believe it's about the size of a driver's license.

Beautiful!!!

It is a risk traveling without a passport for your kids. The execution fee to apply is $25 and for either $80 for the passport book or $15 for the passport card is worth it for piece of mind. We have passports for our kids and at last sailing they were 1 & 5. Makes it very easy for check in, and I've heard it's more complicated with a birth certificate.

Hello CC! I have a question...

 

 

 

In June I will be going on the Freedom with my 15 y/o sister without our parents. I keep reading different requirements for traveling with a minor, and traveling without a minor's parents.

 

 

 

I do not want to list what I think I need as not to bias the answers... What do you think I need for traveling with a minor that is not my child?

 

 

 

Thank you!!

I would call RCCL directly and explain your situation to them. Would be awful to take advice from people and show up without the correct documentation.

Information needed!

 

 

 

Can anyone recommend a hotel with parking? Also, do they keep the car at the hotel or take it elsewhere? A secure facility perhaps!?

Have stayed at Country Inn and Suites in Port Canaveral before and a very nice hotel. We stayed post cruise but they have a parking lot right on site for the stay & cruise package. The day we checked out of the hotel we still had several hours before we had to be to the airport. They locked our bags in a secure room and we went to the beach, when we returned they let us use that room to change as it had a private bathroom.

This was a very nice cruise with a couple of incredibly annoying situations.

 

 

 

Embarkation was a real PITA. The ship was late arriving because of fog. The line was way outside the building. So you got into line to get into line. It was a zoo. The porters were outside gathering baggage and after 20 minutes of creeping to get inside the building there were signs saying do not pack wine in your checked baggage. Great timing you wait 1/2 hour to see the sign that could have saved you some grief. Also I have a walking disability and of course there wasn't any place to sit down until after an hour. Once we got into the real line to get your sea pass then things went smoothly. This was the worst embarkation I have experienced. I don't think the personnel were really working for RCI nor was there anyone from the ship supervising. Honestly I don't know if they could have really done anything in that "did they have authority to do so"? We started at 11 and got on board @ 1:30.

 

 

 

We had a Grand Suite. We splurged because this was our 40th anniversary. The state room attendant Ruel was amazing as were all of the ships company. The ship is old showing patina, but in pretty good shape too.

 

 

 

Because I haven't really had a knock your socks off meal in the main dining room we opted for Specialty restaurants for all but 2 of our evening meals.

 

 

 

Isumi was very good, but expensive. It's an ala carte venue and can run over 100 bucks. In my opinion well worth it. We also ate lunch there on the last day and were equally impressed and with a smaller price too. If you're disabled you have to be either carried, or climb the last 15 or so steps up to the restaurant. Also the bathroom is on deck 10, 2 decks down. If you're there @ night and there is a show in the Centrum you CANNOT use the elevators. I am going to make a suggestion to have an oxygen concession on the 11th floor ;)

 

 

 

Giovanni's was also very good. Amazing food and amazing service. Well worth the money. We ate there twice.

 

 

 

Chops was good. We ate there the last night and we felt rushed. We had 7:30 reservations and @ *15 or so the waiters were cleaning up and setting tables. Most likely we won't go to Chops again on the last day unless we have much earlier reservations. The steak was perfection, onion soup was too. Scallops were overcooked, but certainly edible.

 

 

 

We opted for late seating in the MDR and ate 2 meals there. One was good the other wasn't as good as going to Denny's. I expected this. The wait staff was very attentive but seemed to have a lot of tables to take care of.

 

 

 

The Concierge lounge was packed every night. But Vojtech adapted quite nicely and we expanded to the sky lounge so there was seating for everyone. There were a lot of Pinnacle and Diamond Plus on this voyage. And to date I had never met anyone who was Pinnacle. On board I bet there were 15 - 25.

 

 

 

The diamond lounge was nice but we didn't go there at night. I had heard it was packed as well.

 

 

 

The Captain was very visible as were the officers. The Customer relations area was usually packed. I do not know why.

 

 

 

The beds were horrid! There is no longer egg crate foam available. Ruel put down 2 comforters and I used 4 pillows on top of that but it was still bad. If I can't find something to bring with me to cure that I won't be sailing RCI again. I am glad I brought Lydocain patches and advil. Oh yes a bottle of 25 advil on board is $11.50 so bring yours from home.

 

 

 

I watched the shows on TV, which is a great feature. They broadcast them the next day. I also converted Blu Ray DVD's to M4p so I could play them on my Kindle fire and route them through the tv. For those nights of waking up with a sore back and trying to get back to sleep.

 

 

 

The shops were the same fare with the same 70% off scam as on every cruise ship on the planet.

 

 

 

First stop Roatan. The port surely has built up since last we landed. We didn't get off the ship. However Roatan has some of the best snorkling and diving on the planet. We did that the last time we were here.

 

 

 

Next Belize City. Seas were rough. Tendering in was 20 - 25 minutes. Lines were long, the machines that track if you're on board or not were broken. Decided to stay on board.

 

 

 

Cozumel was next. We love it there. We did Salsa, Salsa Margarita. Lots of fun. We learned a lot about making Salsa and Guacamole. Drinks were not strong ... just the opposite. Someone who will remain nameless spiked some of the drinks ... much gratitude. Great time. There was an older lady there in her 80's who could really dance, it was fun to see.

 

 

 

Costa Maya. I like it there, but not so fond of the junk shops there. They all sell the same thing and they are aggressive. Some store wanted to sell me 3 cuban cigars for $60. one was a Cohiba and it was a counterfeit. Cohiba has a special way they wrap the cigar and this one wasn't it, beware cigar smokers. We did buy some silver there. It wasn't a spectacular buy but a fair one.

 

 

 

The passengers on board were all races, colors and creeds. And one of the nicest group of passengers I have ever sailed with! All were friendly, and seemed to be having a great time.

 

 

 

The Meet and Mingle was nice with some Champagne, Wine, and Chops vouchers as prizes, as well as everyone got the blue plastic Royal Carribean mini notebook with pen.

 

 

 

The ship rocked a bit, just enough to lull you to sleep so my wife told me.

 

 

 

Debarkation was thought up by the same morons who thought up the embarkation. We were @ terminal 3 departing and they wouldn't allow you to use the escalator if you had any bag or a cane. Apparently it's ok to go up them just not down. In all fairness to RCI it has been my experience that most embarkations and debarkations can be a pain, these were more so. The people working in the terminal were also rude adding to the annoyance. The customs agents were outstanding. There were only 3 of them but the remained cheerful.

 

 

 

Loved the cruise, crew, the people; hated the bed, embarkation and debarkation.

How were you able to play shows from your kindle to the TV? What kind of cable is needed? We will be sailing on Vision March 7 with DDs who have kids shows already downloaded on kindle fire. Would be really nice if we could let them just watch on the TV.

Haven't been to St. Kitts so can't help you with that. Have you checked on tripadvisor for beach reviews?

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We are traveling with a 1 and 2 year old. How do you dispose of soiled diapers? At home I throw out poopie diapers immediately due to smell. What do you do on the cruise?

We took ziploc quart size storage bags to place poopy diapers in so it was airtight. Would just put in the bathroom trash and never an odor problem since dumped twice daily by room attendant.

Thanks for posting this. I was curious as well. I'll be on the same cruise with my one year old.:D

Oops, meant to post a message along with the photo of the menu in my original post. This was from Grandeur August 2014, we had our DDs (1 & 5 at time of sailing). The first night we asked our waiters for fruit plates for them and every night they had them ready to give to us as soon as we sat at our table. They also made sure we always had bread as the girls loved. Kids can also order anything off the adult menu as well. I recommend taking the Take & Toss sippy cups and silverware and then a bottle of dish soap. They wash up just fine to keep using through the week. Also take some coloring books & crayons to the dining room if your child likes to color as they didn't have crayons.

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We have put off cruising since we have a family of 5 (haven't cruised since we were a family of 3) because of concerns about being able to afford a stateroom that will accommodate all of us and allow us to have a balcony. Looking for any advice for RCI stateroom options...would we be better booking 2 adjoining balcony cabins? Kids are ages 14, 9 and 8.

There are also several adjoining rooms on the ships the one room is for 2 people and the other room for 3 people having a Pullman. Price it out both ways doing a family suite or 2 adjoining rooms. We've found that adjoining rooms are more affordable than suites, and also an advantage as you have 2 bathrooms. I know not a balcony room but the adjoining ocean view or promenade rooms are also a great option and cost less.

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