amuth1130

We traveled with our 3 year old and 1 year old in December. Life savers were our white noise machine, straw sippy cups for each of them, fruit/veggie pouches for my little one (lots of them!), and we also bought some new, cheap toys - every other day or so we would bring out a new one for playtime in our cabin while we got ready for dinner/had quiet time. I packed the whole OTC pharmacy for them, too- thankfully we didn’t need to use it! Umbrella stroller for the little one. Rented umbrellas at all beach stops. Oh and my 3 year old has a kids’ amazon tablet. We loaded it with his favorite movies and tv show episodes and he used that to wind down for naps and while we were waiting in lines- best $49 ever spent! Great for the flights, too!

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We went with our 3 year old and 1 year old. I brought each of them a sippy straw water bottle (and a small bottle of dish soap). These were a life saver! Also- we ordered continental breakfast every night - my kids both want milk and something to eat really soon upon waking so this worked out. We would have that delivered about 630a and then they would have stuff to hold them over until we were all up and ready for breakfast in the main dining room or in buffet. Worked great!

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Great ideas on here! Just got back from cruising with 3 and 1 year old. I took much of what has been mentioned above. The things that were vital to our success were the hand soap, sound machine, small garbage bags, kids’ tablet and cheap new dollar store type toys we gave them throughout the week. My three year old is potty trained but for the one year old- I way overpacked on diapers, wipes and clothes! I just wanted to make sure I had enough. I did NOT pack enough pouches and other baby snacks for her. My 3 year old was mostly fine but I wish I would have packed him more familiar snacks, too. Oh and I brought a pack of straws- we ordered room service a lot for milk, juices, Waters, etc. and it was nice to have extra straws. Oh and baby powder, sprinkle some on them if their covered in sand and it falls right off- makes changes from swimsuits to clothes on the beach really easy. Good luck!

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Thank you! I wondered because the rates are lower than what I’ve seen at other ports. Good to know!

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We are considering the western itinerary on the Harmony of the Seas. Any positive/negative experiences with dolphin excursions at Costa Maya or Roatan? Which would you prefer? Our kids will be 3 and 5.

Costa Maya time in port is 11a-7p, Roatan is 7a-4p.

Thanks!

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We were on this sailing, too. Traveled with my mom, husband and two kids ages 3 and 1. The seas were ROUGH for me personally for about a day and a half. No one else in my group seemed to be bothered and thankfully after Monday it was all fine for me. We did a beach day at Calico Jack’s in Grand Cayman and loved it. Clean area and beautiful beach. Cozumel we did a beach day at Paradise Beach. Loved this, too. Great service and clean and reasonably priced.

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We just came off the Escape. I packed a bunch of pre-packaged snacks and baby food (my kids are 3 and 1) and those went through no problem. However, we did have some issues with finding other things my kids would eat. Buffet meats were often tough (burgers, chicken, pork, other meats) and hard for them to chew. The salads were a win for our kids at every place we went, whether at buffet or dining rooms. Pasta was an option every night, so that went over well for mine. If the sauce looks too rich you can ask for something else and they might accommodate. Plenty of fruit to eat, but we had trouble finding cooked veggies they would eat (again, because my kids are small and they found the veggies were hard to chew). I did ask a few times for extra soft veggies in dining rooms and they accommodated no problem. We really missed avocados (both of my kids love mashed up on toast) - but I realize not everyone is into that so wasn’t surprised it wasn’t offered. Kids menu was the typical chicken fingers, hot dogs, etc. so we never ordered from that, just as a personal preference. Oh, and just FYI O’Sheehan’s doesn’t offer the kids menu at all if you do want it- something we would have liked to know ahead of time because by that point (last day) I was willing to just order the chicken fingers and fries and be done with it! They wouldn’t budge on that, nor did they have veggies or anything else kid friendly there, so we had to leave and go elsewhere. Overall I thought there were plentiful options to fit most needs- some are more specific than others so if that’s your case I agree to contact them with your needs and they should help you accommodate. Good luck!

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We visited on Wednesday this week- 5 ships in port and we didn’t dock until 11a. We got to Paradise about 1145a and it was not crowded at all. Plenty of room at pool and on beach and plenty of shade or sun, whichever you prefer.

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One Broadway is a condo building that some owners started renting out like a hotel rather than yearly rentals because they can make more money. The units are rented out by a bunch of different companies, some better than others. Each place will have different furniture and some have more things in it than others.

 

Does yours include your damage deposit? They usually like to charge around $250 per unit. How about your cleaning fee? Just make sure you check your fine print on you reservation with this building.

Thanks! Yes I've read about the damage deposit with some of the rental agencies - we don't have any mention of one on our paperwork. I believe our cleaning fee is $75 for three nights total. All said and done we will pay $570 for three nights for a 1200 sq ft condo... I hope it works out!

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We are staying in a condo in the Brickell area Dec 6-9th before our cruise. We rented on one of the big travel sites, searched for 2 bedroom condos near to port of Miami. I think only 150 a night all taxes included. I can report back once we get home, we are traveling with our two small kids and my mom, so space is key for us, too!

Condo is through Miami Vacations.. it's at One Broadway if you search on Google.

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Had my travel agent call about our upcoming Escape cruise. We had pick 2 in mini suite. They said we could add the rest but we would have to pay our taxes because we booked during a 'free taxes' promo. Bummer! Not worth the difference to get free wifi and the dining package for us.

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Not sure why people would bring newborn/under 3 years old on cruise. I was respectful not bringing my children until I thought they were of "age" and free of tantrums. No one on ship wants to hear a crying baby.

Too all parents who bring children:

I am on vacation.

I do not want to hear your kid having meltdown.

Be responsible

So... mega ships that market to families and have dedicated programs (for 6 months and up) are not proper places to bring kids for vacation?

Comments like this 'I was respectful' as noted above really amaze me. Respectful of whom? We are all paying the same fare to cruise. Plenty of adults in various social situations lack common courtesy ... often times in more significant ways than a crying child. On a cruise ship and off.

And yes, I fully agree that no one wants to hear kids crying and having meltdowns in public. Been there done that, I have removed my own child from the situation in those cases.

If your expectation is to go on vacation and be completely away from children, then adults only locations are for you.

We've done adults only vacations at land resorts, kid free cruises (encountering other children - and gasp! - Had a great time) and have taken vacations with our kids. We have enjoyed them all. It's completely reasonable to expect kids on a middle market mega ship.

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Are you planning a review when you're done? We're taking our then-15-month on the Escape in January, so would love to hear a current Guppies experience, if you have one, and any other tips and tricks you figure out by then, or realize afterwards. Thanks!

I've never done a review but I will definitely circle back about what worked and what didn't! I'll get copies of Splash and Guppy schedules, too!

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Hello! Husband and I have been on three cruises before kids, but this is first time with kids. We are cruising Escape in a little over a month, with our 3 year old and 14 month old. So while we haven't experienced it yet, here's a few things I'm planning for based on my research so far.

Spending 3 days in Miami first in a condo for a few relaxing pool and beach days - so we will just have the short commute from condo to port on Saturday (rented a car and bringing car seats). My mom is also joining us and has her own cabin and has offered to stow the car seats in her cabin since she has more room than we do!

Bringing umbrella stroller only - my little one has never loved the baby carrier but if she did I would also bring it.

Buying diapers wipes and baby snacks in Miami once we land. Packing all in extra duffle bag to bring on ship. I am packing things like pouches, prepackaged crackers, a few familiar things to have on hand.

I have a really small portable baby sunshade tent I'm bringing for beach days. Will have kids covered even if we can't find umbrellas. Also packing their puddle jumpers so no worries about finding life jackets at each stop.

Will have mini fridge emptied and will stock up on milk/fruit/etc. from buffet on a daily basis.

She's done with bottles so not an issue, but I am bringing a few sippy cups, small container of dish soap to wash in our cabin.

Booked a mini suite with a tub (although on other vacations with no tub we have just done showers together and it's worked fine).

Reserved a pack n play by calling NCL. They supply normal bedding sheets so I am bringing my own pack n play sheet, and then also bringing her sleep sack and one stuffed animal.

We are beach people and never do tours or long excursions so we don't feel like we are missing out there. We haven't booked any beach excursions - I have a plan on where we want to go at each port, but if it doesn't work on with kids that day for whatever reason we are content to stay on ship (part of reason we booked Escape over others).

Booked our dinner reservations around their normal dinner time and have no expectations for evenings. If they are content with the Guppies / Splash, we'll take advantage of non-reservation activities (no interest in the theater shows anyways!) My mom has also offered to hang with them a few nights so we can get out on 'date nights'.

Packing two Amazon kids tablets loaded with their favorite movies and games so no wifi needed. Packing a few small toys that are their favorites.

That's all I can think of now, I think it can definitely be done, just adjust expectations to accommodate the unexpected :) good luck!!

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Just an FYI (I didn't know this until I called today). We had previously booked an excursion through NCL in Nassau.. $234 total and I saw it come off my vacation summary when our itinerary changed, but never saw it refunded to my card. I called today and the person on the phone with the shore excursion department said I had to request a refund - that they just assumed we would book other excursions and use the credit towards that. I didn't realize that so I'm glad I called. They said it should be refunded in 7-10 business days.

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Thank you!

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Thanks, all! I'm just going to go upstairs and get us checked in. I think we are arriving early enough that he'll get there before we get called anyways. If not, can you wait there after your boarding group is called?

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Oh I seen that Margarittaville at the port! That did look pretty neat. I was wondering about the pool though. Can you just go right up and swim there??

From what I've read yes, it's inside Margaritaville but pretty sure there aren't purchase requirements. Not completely positive as we haven't been, yet. If we do go, I figured we would get a few drinks and probably lunch. There's a bunch of info on TripAdvisor and in the Jamaica forum here, as well.

We looked at the Bamboo Beach excursion sponsored through NCL but I read on TripAdvisor that it's over an hour each way by bus - and since we have two small children (3 and 1) that won't work for us. We only considered NCL excursions at this port, again just because of our small kids and what we've read, and since we were planning on three sea days with our old itinerary, we are using this day to relax on ship and possibly check out the pool at Margaritaville within the port area. Good luck!

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Perfect - thanks so much for replies! Very helpful.

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Hello! Apologies if this has been asked before - nothing coming up in search. First time sailing out of Miami.

Sailing with my two small kids and husband .. we were hoping to have my husband drop us off at port, return rental car (downtown Miami location) and taxi back to port. Is there somewhere we can wait while he's gone so we can all check in together? Check in time on our docs is 10am so I know we'll have a wait either way before boarding. Or should I plan on checking myself and kids in and he can meet us in waiting area? We are all under same reservation in one cabin.

Just trying to know what to expect - any help appreciated! Thanks!

Good to know- thank you! We tendered there several years ago so I wondered if anything had changed.

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Will be on the NCL Escape - does this ship dock in GC or have to tender?

Thanks!

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We will be headed to Falmouth now on 12/9 as well, and I've been having a hard time finding info on what people do when they are in port there. Agree it seems like so much farther from most excursions I have read about compared with Ocho Rios. Looks like Escape will be only ship in port that day too, at least as of now.

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Thank you!! Very helpful.

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