Gem Bahamas - Need advice on room and cruise with infant

[mlm228]

I have been on a number of cruises, but have questions on this very specific situation.

 

I am thinking about going on the Gem in late March. I will be traveling with my husband and our 7 month old (she will be 7mo then). I'm trying to decide between the Mini Suite and a BA balcony on the end of the ship. Are those rooms really larger? Is it worth the money for the mini suite? I'm so upset to see that there are no suite amenities for the mini suite.

 

I am also wondering if it makes sense to go at all. What can a baby that young "do" on the ship? They can't go into the pools, right? I was thinking about going to a resort in Nassau to use the pool and facilities, hanging out at GCS, and possibly going to WDW at Port Canaveral to do a character meal. Has anyone travelled to WDW any other way besides the excursion?

 

Thank you in advance.

[FEckeT]

I have been on a number of cruises, but have questions on this very specific situation.

 

I am thinking about going on the Gem in late March. I will be traveling with my husband and our 7 month old (she will be 7mo then). I'm trying to decide between the Mini Suite and a BA balcony on the end of the ship. Are those rooms really larger? Is it worth the money for the mini suite? I'm so upset to see that there are no suite amenities for the mini suite.

 

I am also wondering if it makes sense to go at all. What can a baby that young "do" on the ship? They can't go into the pools, right? I was thinking about going to a resort in Nassau to use the pool and facilities, hanging out at GCS, and possibly going to WDW at Port Canaveral to do a character meal. Has anyone travelled to WDW any other way besides the excursion?

 

Thank you in advance.

Last year the resort we stayed at in Orlando offered a casino "cruise" from 5 pm to midnight. The bus picked us up at the front of the resort and stopped at about 2 other resorts as well, and then went to Port Canaveral. It seemed like it took only about an hour, maybe an hour and half, but the ride home felt a little longer. It was not bad, but we were in no rush, had nothing else to do, no clock to watch. I do not know if I would want to take that long of a bus trip if I was worried about getting back to the ship in time.

 

Two weeks ago, we were back visiting Disney World with our children and grandchildren again. My daughter made reservations for breakfast with the characters. It was very nice, but my grandkids are: 7, 5, 4, 3 and 15 months (three families). They enjoyed it, but I do not think your 7 month old would enjoy it enough to warrant that long of a trip. The large characters may even frighten her. Maybe there is something closer to the Port that you can take her to, like a zoo?

 

We are going to the Bahamas on the Jewel the end of May and I think we want to try to tour the Space Center if possible.

 

We booked a BA cabin on the aft/stern of deck 10 because I was told the views are spectacular and the balcony is much larger, not the room. I did not think that the mini was worth the extra money for the additional space without getting any of the suite "perks". and since the only other time we cruised it was in an inside cabin the balcony should be a treat for us.

 

As far as taking a 7 month old on a cruise, it may be very relaxing for all of you. You do not have to drive anywhere, you will be doing "day" trips on and off the ship that would include her. Sounds like you may get to relax and really enjoy your vacation.

 

This will be our first cruise with NCL.

 

Hope this helps you make a decision.

 

Enjoy.

[njhorseman]

The mini suite may be the better choice for two reasons:

 

(1) The larger cabin provides more room for the baby's crib.

(2) It has a combination bathtub/shower, which I imagine will make bathing your child easier than it would be in the shower-only BA.

 

Children in diapers are not permitted in the ship's pools. I can't image they would be permitted in a land resort's pools either.

 

I think your child is far too young to appreciate a Disney character breakfast, and as was already mentioned she may be frightened by them. It's certainly not something to travel an hour or more each way for.

 

Sorry to be so negative, but cruising really doesn't accomodate an infant's needs very well. Once they're toddlers out of diapers it's a different story. On the other hand, you may just enjoy being on the ship even with those limitations.

 

You may want to read the Family Cruising forum here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49