Help on picking the first cruise for a one year old

We have cruise several times on different cruise lines but we have a child now and are looking to cruise when she is around 1 year old. I have been reading all about taking a one year old on a cruise and we are excited to share the experience with our DD. I have three different options that we have talked about and wanted to see what yall thought.

Option 1- 7 days on Carnival Breeze with 2 sea days ( Like the extra port day)

Option 2- 7 days on RCCL Harmony of the Seas 3 sea days ( worried about size of ship and extra sea day, Excited about splash pad for DD.)

Option 3 - 5 days on Carnival Sunshine ( Short first cruise, port is near home)

Do all ships have an area in the nursery for parent to bring and stay with their child since she will be under 3?

Please feel free to add thoughts especially if you have been on one of these ships with a 1 year old. We are looking what is best for our DD.

ON ships with a nursery, you are not allowed to stay...liability with non-employee adults around.....most lines will have a "parent/baby" play time, where you can bring your tot and play with the toys and such in the space...no counselors then.

If you want your child to be able to use the splash pad...pick Harmony.. Otherwise, you will have swim time only ashore.

Some of my family just returned from a Sunshine cruise and said the ship was NOT up to Carnival's normal standards....and they cruise Carnival exclusively.....just sayin'!

Your child will have fun on ANY ship, if you are relaxed and enjoying yourselves!

Newer and some refurbished rc ships have a drop off nursery for a fee. Carnival free drop off kids clubs start at 2. Cunard allows parents to stay in the kids clubs with their children. Princess also used to allow parents to stay in the kids clubs with kids under 3, but their kids club program has been redesigned and this is no longer listed as an option on their website (it might still be possible, but I honestly don’t know).

RCI Harmony has an amazing Royal Babies & Tots Nursery with a wonderful professional staff. The extra pricing for this $6.00 per hour before 5:00pm and $8.00 per hour after that. You'll need to go sign up for this as soon as you board. Once you see what this program entails you'll more than likely take advantage of it. Also the baby & parent play zone is something you'll also enjoy. Remember to ask at the nursery for the bag of toys they will lend you to use while onboard. You'll enjoy all Harmony has to offer we recently did.