Waterloomarc

I'm just off today. Had cabins 10221 & 10225 on lido. Both were okay. They were definitely the warmest cabins I've ever had. We kept the ac pegged to the coolest setting the entire time and it kept the cabin cool enough for us. On all other ships I've been able to move the thermostat because I've actually gotten cold.

I made sure to keep curtains closed and the lights off whenever possible to not heat up the cabin. Most importantly though it was cooler at night and we were completely comfortable to sleep.

So definitely not the coolest room I've ever had but we were never uncomfortable. These cabins are forward cabins.

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The baby yogurt that doesn't need refrigeration is also great to take. Easy to bring into port instead of fruit.

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We took our DD when she was 7 months and 10 months. Great time to take them IMO.

You'll need a car seat for airport to port if you're taking a cab/van. If you don't want to bring a car seat you're pretty much limited to cruise ship transfers (bus) or a shuttle. We drove to port so it wasn't a concern for us. We never took a car seat with us and just let her sit in our lap in cabs in port.

As above it's a pretty broad question. If you have any specific questions id be happy to help. We did bring a small blowup tub for on deck for her to splash in. That was a big success! We never used a stroller on the ship just in port so our full size stroller (Britax) was fine.

I recommend bringing a case of premixed formula if you're not breast feeding. Who wants to futz with powder and scoops on vacation?? Plus you can just pop a couple of the bottles in a bag and not have to worry about refrigeration. We just kept the case under the bed. That said, we also brought the individual packets of formula. The kind that look like flavor pouches that you just tear open and pour into 4oz of water. Voila instant bottle. We kept those with us in port in case of a hunger "emergency".

Bring the scented diaper bags for dirties. (Unless you're going on a line that furnishes a diaper genie) You and your steward will be glad you did.

Lastly try to relax. Strangers will touch your baby. Crew member will want play with them. They'll be the biggest celebrity on board. We're pretty laid back and it didn't bother us. We actually found it kind of heartwarming to watch the crew play with her. But I know we're probably in the minority and other parents are often more uptight about strangers around their baby.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

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Just to pile on.

Bermuda has been my favorite cruise so far. By a mile too. Went on NCL Star from NYC a few years ago.

Would do it again in a heartbeat when I get the chance. DD is still too young (15 mo) for me to comfortably being her on a plane. Once she's a little older and were able to fly again I'll be back :)

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with all the people who leave their balcony doors open so they can hear the wave and the ship can never get it too cool. i have read so many post about leaving doors open at night with ac running.

This is undoubtedly part of the problem. But hey it's all about them right? They paid their cruise fare screw the other 3500 passengers on board.

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FWIW our first cruise was that 5 nighter to Progresso & Cozumel. At that time it was the Triumph from New Orleans. We booked a balcony because it was our first cruise and I wanted quick access to fresh air in case I got seasick. (9 cruises later now...it seems I don't get seasick but still always book balconies when available) We booked the 5 night again since it was our first cruise. It seemed to split the difference between the "short" cruises people warn you about and a full week "in case we hate it".

I now prefer the 7 days (or longer) by far but we've taken a couple more 5 nighters since as a quick get away. But 7 nights is a long time on a boat if you're miserable. My first inclination is to advise you to take the 5 night the first time just to see. But if you do that and like it, you'll wish you'd have taken the 7 night!!

I loved Progresso btw. It's not as whitewashed "Disney" as so many of the other ports are.

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Taking our will be 15 month DD on her 3 cruise next month. First 2 we took our Britax and we never had a problem navigating hallways on Carnival however we did find it cramped on NCL. Had no problem on either line storing under the bed.

This time around we're brining an Uppababy umbrella. It's more compact, will fit through doors and has a built in carry strap. We're switching because in the past we ONLY used the stroller in port (and of course walking to and from gangway) and simply carried her around the ship. This time I fear we may have to use the stroller on board so I wanted something less intrusive to others.

I agree with others that if you can wear your baby that would be best. I wore ours when she was younger but but she and I got too hot (and that at home, never mind the Caribbean!) to attempt it anymore. But if you're comfortable doing it that would be my first choice.

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I think people mean unaffordable in restaurants. I find a lot of people don't realize how easy it is to cook seafood at home and therefore don't realize how cheap it is at the grocery store. Lord only knows how much money I wasted on crab legs at restaurants before I figured out that a vegetable steamer and 6 or 7 minutes and I can do it myself for an eighth of the price!

Carnival must have a VP somewhere charged with created marketing gimmicks that nobody gives a rip about. Just how the heck is a football team supposed to convince me to take a cruise??? Ridiculous.

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Lol. Yeah our DD has always been very tall. (98th percentile) we had to get 'real' car seats when she was 9 months too. Oh well at least we should be done with it for a while ;)

PS - we bought 3 Britax Marathons and really like them. They're not nearly as bulky as most and are easy to adjust. Most others are just so ridiculously big IMO.

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We've taken our daughter twice so far and have brought our Britax both times. We only used it in port and never had a problem. I would definitely bring one and just fold it up once you got to the beach.

She'll be 15 months on our next cruise in September and we just bought a new Uppababy 'umbrella' stroller that we'll bring this time. On past cruises I just carried her everywhere on ship but this time I think she'll be too heavy for that. (Daddy's not as young as he used to be!) So I'm hoping the Uppababy will be small enough to maneuver on board. We'll see.

If you can do the carrier though that will be great. I did it when she was younger but I can't imagine doing it in the Caribbean, both she and I sweat too much!

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It's a win-win for me. No smell of smoke on my balcony AND the increased smoke in the casino will keep me out if there and save me money!

Fwiw smoke on the balcony never bothered me (non-smoker) but by god those idiots that insist on leaving your light on all night, well I'd throw them overboard!! ;)

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We stay at the Hilton. Still walking distance to Bayside (there's also a tram thingie) and close to port. Nice views of the ships in the morning.

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We bought sets from Academy. Can't remember what I paid, it's been a few years, but they were pretty cheap. As mentioned cane with a mesh bag to keep everything together.

I'm a pretty good swimmer but I would strongly suggest the flippers. They make it much easier to go where you want to.

Also most places rent equipment if you don't want to take your own.

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Well, your baby is paying full fare to cruise as the 2nd in your MIL's cabin whereas she might be very discounted to be in yours as the 3rd. Depending on the sailing there might NOT be a single supplement so you might actually be over-paying.

Ahh yes I checked into that too. There was a single supplement on this cruise so it was definitely cheaper to pay the full fare for her vs the single supplement + 3rd pax in our cabin. We took her on a 5 night with us on the Fascination and did as you suggested there as there wasn't a single supplement and it worked great! She was 7 months then and it was a blast.

I have booked my daughter with my Mother twice for the same reason. She was 14 and 15. On our upcoming cruise I booked my 5 year old with her. You will not have any problem, We book balcony cabins next to each other and have the divider opened. That way our little guy can go back and forth when ever he wants.

Yes we've booked balconies on the lido. I'm not yet sure about having the divider opened since it will (probably) block one of our windows. She'll only be 15 months at sailing so I don't foresee a lot of alone time for her out there any way ;)

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Is it only on certain ships or certain categories that they have the mailboxes? Because I don't remember ever having a 'mailbox', just a number outside our door.

No not all ships have them. I can't remember which ones but I know I've not had them on all carnival cruises.

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I know this is probably a stupid question but I've met my share of even stupider check in agents so I'll ask anyway.

I've got my DD booked on with MIL (her grandmother) to avoid us paying for a 3rd and MIL paying single supplement. I don't need anything for her to check in with MIL do I?

More than likely she'll spend the nights with grandma anyway so I'm not concerned about crib placement etc.

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True. Keep checking. Around final payment time especially some people might cancel.

I've been in both sides of this. I've gotten lucky and got one after they initially sold out and I've cancelled a cruise where I had already purchased FTTF. It happens but you'll need to be quick!

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I don't care about the lobster. I wonder what the threads will be like in 30 years of cost cutting. Please help they stopped adding jelly to the pb and j in main dining room and you must request the mustard on the bologna sandwich in cagneys.

This is my sentiment. I don't much care for the lobster either way but I am so tired of companies shorting the product "to keep the price down". I don't care if it's a cruise or a box of cereal. JUST RAISE THE PRICE. By shorting the product they're effectively raising prices anyway.

It's the Walmart mentality run wild.

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Thanks for all the responses, we will bring it. Better to have it than not have it and I have gotten used to it carrying things besides him too :)

We have a Britax as a "real" stroller for trips to the mall or zoo etc. that I bought the little "console" thingie for that has a storage compartment and 2 insulated cup holders. And then we have a cheapie umbrella stroller for convenience/short trips. (And also putting her in to stroll around the house for "those" nights!) I'm amazes how much I miss the cup holders when I'm using the umbrella stroller! Best $20 I've spent in a long time!

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Knew it was only a matter of time.

OP the baby carrier is a good idea. Especially on board where even an umbrella stroller might be a bit of a hassle. Like you, my dd is now too big for our baby bjorn and I'm having a real hard time finding one for a toddler that doesn't look like I'm wearing my grandmother's purse. (I'm the dad, they'd be fine for a woman - but I'm not wearing a flowery quilted thing ;))

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I'd bring it. Very little downside to bringing it (a little lost space in the cabin, maybe a checked bag fee?) but a huge upside in potentially avoiding a meltdown in port. Heck if nothing else even he doesn't ride in it they make great buggies in port to carry your bags/water/snacks/towels/whatnots.

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Bring on the flames but we didn't use a car seat in Cozumel when DD was 9 months. Don't plan to bring one in September when she'll be 14mo either.

I've never been anywhere that there wasn't provisions for a car seat if you wanted to use one though. Might have to skip a cab and wait for another but there's always seatbelts somewhere.

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I'm very glad to see this. I've become burnt out on the Caribbean (1st world problems) and just can't justify airfare to the left coast for less than a full week's cruise.

Of course I wouldn't be surprised if carnival doesn't manage to still make Cozumel a stop on these too! ;)

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