Puppyluv1526

Thank you so much to everyone for the detailed responses! I booked the Allure today for Spring Break week. They sent me a special needs form so it's on file. I was going to book the Grand Suite so my son could have priority boarding but the rep on the phone said save the money and go with connecting balcony rooms since it's unlikely we will use any of the suite level perks with 3 young kids. Plus this way we get 2 bathrooms and that's always a plus :D

He said boarding is smooth and if it's an issue for my son I can speak to the port staff and he can board with the guests with mobility issues. He is HFA, but also ADHD with anxiety so it depends on the day and situation with him. I think I will try him in his AO age group and see how it goes. We can always speak with the staff when it's less crowded and hectic about moving him down if needed. He is turning 9 three weeks before the trip, so would be fine in either group. DH doesn't think they will want to go to AO, but I think they might. It sounds like a great time from the responses and maybe a little social independence from each other might be good. I will pack his ear plugs, good point on the noise. So excited! haven't cruised RCI in 16 years and I hear there are a lot of cool changes.

Hi Everyone

Thinking of booking on Allure of the Seas for the Spring, but on the fence. The only cruise line to get my 3 kids to go and stay in the kid's club is DCL. Any other cruise we have taken we end up spending our nights wandering the shops, playing Bingo, or sitting pool side because we either have a kid too young for the kid's program, or they refuse to stay. For that reason we have stayed with DCL for the past few years, but the itinerary never changes and we want something new. As of this cruise everyone is old enough to go to the kid's program, but I am skeptical if they will go since they will be all separated by age. We are excited for fun family days together, but I don't want to spend another cruise where DH and I never even saw 1/2 the ship because of all the adults only areas we can't go to. My questions are:

1- Are the 4, 6 and 9 year olds in different rooms or will they be able to see each other?

2- Is the Late Night Party Zone still split into ages, or could they hang out together?

3- The 9-11 group activities are listed as a lot of competition games. If the games and social environment is too overwhelming for my 9 year old with ASD, would they give me a hard time about putting him in the 6-8 year old group with his brother where the activities are more suited to his ability?

Hi Everyone

I'm packing for a 7 day Star Wars cruise on the Fantasy, followed by 3 days at WDW, and I feel like I have A LOT of stuff! My husband and I have cruised before, but this is our first with 3 kids. Between the clothes, costumes, diapers, medicines etc etc I have 3 suitcases and a duffel bag stuffed. No room for souvenirs, and with my kids being both huge Star Wars and Mickey fans I'm sure we'll have a ton. I followed a packing list I found on a Disney forum, but I still feel like maybe I over packed. We are traveling with our 5, 3 and 11-month-old sons, and I packed them an outfit a day, bathing suits, a couple of sweatshirts and long pants, 2 nice dinner outfits, and a few extra shirts in case they spill something. Is this too much stuff, or the norm? Has anyone packed less and done laundry on the ship? I read somewhere that there are washing machines available. I feel so unorganized!

They may have a policy that does not allow them to place a baby in a crib with a bottle. I know know that in every child care center my children have been in this is not allowed. All babies must be held or in an high chair for bottle feelings.

Good to know thanks! This is actually better. I didn't think the counselors would have time to hold him and rock him with a bottle. If they could do that until he falls asleep and lay him on one of the toddler mats that would be great. He's never been good at sleeping in strange cribs, but would be fine laying on the mats since he's almost 1. After age one that's where they put them anyway I believe.

Hi Everyone

I posted this in error in the family cruising section, when perhaps someone here would know better. I was wondering if anyone knows DCL's specific policy on how long a bottle of breastmilk is good staying out in the It's a Small World Nursery? When I called DCL they could not answer the question with a specific policy, but I'm sure for health and safety reasons there is one. For example, daycare usually discards any milk not finished from the bottle after an hour, where as in the NICU where I work, breastmilk is considered good staying out up to 4 hours. My 11 month old finishes a 2-3 ounce bottle in anywhere to a few minutes to a few hours. I am only planning on putting him in the nursery for a short time while we go to the nightly show or adult dining, but that is around his bedtime. He likes to lay down with his bottle, hold it and "snack" a little here and there the first few hours he is in bed. I'm sure he is going to be fussy and stressed with the change in routine, so I just want him to be as comfortable as possible and get to keep his milk out. Thanks!

We are cruising next week with a 5, 3 and 11 month old. For Cozumel we booked the Playa Mia Grand Beach and Water Park Beach Break. It looks like it has enough to keep everyone happy for the day and the excursion had some great on line reviews on various sites from parents who traveled with small kids. On the ship we plan to put both our 5 and 3 year old in the kid's club.

Hi Everyone

I see many posts discussing breastfeeding, but I was wondering if anyone knows DCL's specific policy on how long a pumped bottle of milk is good staying out in the It's a Small World Nursery? When I called DCL they could not answer the question. For example, daycare usually discards any milk not finished from the bottle after an hour, where as in the NICU where I work, breastmilk is considered good staying out up to 4 hours. My 11 month old likes to have 1/2 ounce here, and ounce there, and finishes a 2 ounce bottle in anywhere to a few minutes to a few hours. I am only planning on putting him in the nursery for a few hours while we go to the nightly show, but that is around his bedtime. He likes to lay down with his bottle and hold it. I'm sure he is going to be fussy and stressed with the change in routine, so I just want him to be as comfortable as possible and get to keep his milk out. Thanks!