First timers with three 3-year olds!

[LifeIsBeachy]

Are we crazy?? DH and I have 3yo twin boys and we are traveling with a couple who has a 3yo girl. We haven't booked yet (planning to go in April or May) and are looking at either Royal Caribbean or (most likely) Carnival out of Galveston.

 

Does anyone have any tips or insights on cruising with such small children? TIA!!

[cb at sea]

If the kids are all potty-trained, any ship will do. If they're not, on many ships they won't be allowed to use the pool...so if that's the case, make sure the ship you book has a "splash" area for the diapered ones, if that's important to you!

[VillaHappy]

I think taking kids is a wonderful idea! My youngest was 4 when we went on our first cruise. Kids LOVE cruising! We've only sailed on Royal. If they are potty trained, you can take them to Adventure Ocean, which is the name of the kid's program. They stay there, and adults are free to do what they want!

[leigh61870]

you are crazy! Leave them home.My daughter is 9 and is going on her first cruise with mom and her older brothers. Boys have been on 2 prior. We told her that kids have to be 10 ( OR ALMOST 10) to go! Why? Because little ones aren't very good swimmers and they dont know better to not jump overboard. If yours can swim and not jump over they are still 3 and have short attention spans and need naps. I just think if you wait till they get a little older they will be more fun for mom and they will enjoy it more. Each to their own, but I say no way. They are so high-maintenance at that age for mom that it wouldn't seem like a relaxing fun time. If you do take them, then have fun and enjoy, but maybe next cruise you can go without them :) Your also limited on what excursions you can do with little ones.

[arlodog]

We never took vacations without our kids until we started going to Vegas:rolleyes:. I assume at the age of 3 that they are potty trained so you could utilize the kids club on the ship. A great way to "get away" for a bit of adult time. Please don't believe the above post--your 3 year olds won't be able to fall overboard:eek:

 

Traveling with another couple with a 3 year old makes planning easy. Just pick excursions that are beach related. Bring a couple of cheap sand pails from the dollar store and you are good to go! Will you be able to do all of the activities such as zip lining? No, but that is part of having little ones. There will be time for that later!

 

Our kids are now 21 and 22 and still think that they need to go with us on every vacation! I keep thinking at some time that they will want to venture out on their own, but they love to cruise and vacation with us--of course it helps that we pick up the tab:rolleyes:.

 

Go and enjoy with your kids and don't sweat it. It won't be like an adult only vacation, but it will be still be fun. You will read lots of posts on here where parents are leaving their kids at home with a family member or sitter and are worried about how to keep in contact...you will not have to worry about it. I would arrange with the other couple to trade off a night of baby sitting so you could both enjoy the evening activites on the ship at least once. There is also a family cruising thread with lots of hints and tips for traveling with little ones. Enjoy!

[LifeIsBeachy]

Thanks so much for the feedback! The boys are pretty good travelers; we've flown home to georgia from texas numerous times with them (even drove once) and stayed for a week or two, and we took them to Disney World last year, with the same family we are cruising with. I'm looking at this cruise as an exciting family vacation more than a 'relaxing' one, so that's where my expectations are. I totally agree, going without the kiddos would be a completely different experience! But I think I would be worried sick the whole time that someone back home would need to get in touch with me but couldn't. Total buzz kill. And it wouldn't be an option, really, because grandma and grandpa live 12 hours away and aren't familiar with our routines enough to just step right in. So it's cruise with the kids, or no cruise at all!

 

And thanks for the tip on potty training! Didn't even think of that one. We're potty training right now (and doing pretty good!) so I'll just have to be even more proactive about it. We should be there in a few months!

 

I'll definitely check out the family board!

 

Thanks again :)

[alise007]

oh take them! My 3 yr old is wonderful to take on trips! We have been taking our kids on vacation since shortly after birth! Granted with 2 it got harder but we didn't stay home!

 

They just learn to go with the flow! We aren't rigid/scheduled tightly in our normal day to day life and if we need to stop--we do. I plan to take mine next May when they will be 3 and 5 (so both are potty trained and can enjoy some of the kids activities on an Alaskan cruise). They can get out and run around--plenty of room on the boat so it isn't like they are cooped up!

 

I figure if they aren't being good about sitting calmly that day we eat at the buffet so we don't disrupt the MDR guests! And get them used to showers! We also will have an aunt and hopefully a set of grandparents. Maybe you can swap off with the other couple to have a date night!

[thego6girl]

A cruise with your 3 year old twins is a TRIP

A cruise without your 3 year old twins is a VACATION

Period, done, simple. Only YOU can decide :cool:

[Travelcat2]

You mentioned cruising in April or May. I'd just like to suggest cruising while school is not in session. Many adults watch the school calendar so they can cruise without a lot of children. So, the ships are more child-friendly during these times. Also, the later you get in the month of May, the more humid and rainy the weather becomes in some parts of the Caribbean.

[yogi2929]

Go ask on the Family Cruising Board for lots of info. At three there are clubs for them on the ship.

[Chowder_17]

Your kids don't need to be potty training to attend the Kids Club on Carnival. You just have to bring all the diapers/pull-ups for the duration for the cruise.

 

From Carnival: Toddlers do not have to be potty-trained in order to be part of Camp Carnival; parents simply need to provide the youth staff with diapers and toiletries for their child.

[Smithkids5521]

I think it sounds like a fun time!!! You will have plenty of fun family time, and then you can drop the kids off at camp Carnival for a few hours to have some adult time... IMO it is the best of both worlds and the main reason we are planning our first cruise with our 3 and 7 year olds (will be 4 and 7 at cruise time).

 

Have you maybe considered a Disney cruise? Plenty of kids activities there... and no adults grumbling about the amount of kids on the ship:rolleyes:

 

Take care,

Diana:)

[GORDONCHICK]

RCCL doesn't sail out of Galveston year round, so if you want to cruise on Royal, you are limited to a very small window in April before the ship leaves Galveston. Conquest does sail year round. I believe RCCL does require children to be potty trained to be in their activities - though this could have changed recently.

 

I only sailed with only one 3.5yo DS, and he was a delight. I wouldn't have dreamed of leaving him home. Many on this board say they won't remember it at all (at this age), he does. And he takes the photo albums to school every time they study the Panama Canal since he's the only one who's been there. I do think photos have helped him remember more than he might have without them, but we'll never know. He's now almost 9 and we'll be embarking on cruise #6 in March.

[unatheo]

Personally, this is our first cruise with the kids (4 and 1 y/o) and looking forward to it. Granted we have both of our parents going so the kids to adult ratio is about 2:6. If you are thinking about going and don't have any reservations about it - GO!!! Nevermind what other people think about when you go on YOUR cruise because they aren't paying for it.

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We're going on our first cruise July 4 (Carnival Victory out of San Juan) and are taking our two boys 7 and 3 (he'll turn 4 three days after we get home). From my research, they don't have to be potty trained for the Kids Clubs but I think they do for the pool. I'm like you, I couldn't imagine leaving them for that long. We're usually Disney people, but the Disney Cruise Line is PRICEY!! Have a blast with the kids!!

[leigh61870]

After reading your messages and replies and your mind is set for a "family" vacation, you should be able to have a blast! Go have a great time. I have 3 and if my mind is set for something with kids, it's always fun. I have always alternated, kids, no kids Have FUN!

[night_day]

Should not be a problem. We took our 1.5 year old with us 2 years ago and she was fine. The staff on the ship are usually very accommodating to you and any special things you need done because of the kids. (dietary issues, etc) They should enjoy the pool and ports will be fun if you pick stuff ahead of time that are family friendly. Just be reasonable and understand that you won't get the "full" experience (casino/shows/midnight buffet) as someone will need to be with the kids. Nevertheless, still fun and would recommend it!

[Colorado Kat]

Take them and have fun. With three together, they should be fine in the kid's clubs (Some single kids are afraid to try new things by themselves.) You don't have to eat in the main dining room if you don't want to. They have great buffets - might be easier for kids. Or room service. Maybe feed them early, and send them back to the kids club while the parents dine. Check the hours on the kid's clubs.

 

For your family of four - see if you can get a sofa bed? The bunks do not really have "bed rails" suitable for three year olds. Or pull the mattress down on the floor.

 

I agree with beach excursions - great for the kids.

Have a great trip! Kathy