Cruising with little ones....

[jenr]

We are really having a hard time deciding which resort to stay at for the land part of our vacation...based on the category of our stateroom we can stay at Polynesian or Animal Kingdom (others too but these are the 2 we are deciding between). We really want to stay at Animal Kingdom but I really think we will want the convience of the monorail right at our hotel. Our kids will be almost 4 and almost 2 at the time we go. So a question is...if we do stay at Animal Kingdom do the have a bus that goes directly to Magic Kingdom or do we have to go to the transportation center and get on the monorail there? Next, do you recommend bringing our own stroller or just renting one? (I'm inclinded to bring our own). Finally, what about car seats? We are thinking about going to Atlantis Resort for the day while in Nassau and would have to take a cab. My almost 4 year old will be fine for a short trip in an "adult" seat belt, but my almost 2 yo will not. Can we just hold him, or do we need to grag around a car seat too? Thanks so much!

Carnival Destiny 9/26/04
Disney Wonder 4/28/05
Carnival Inspiration 10/01/05

Explorer of the Seas 2002
Carnival Paradise 2000
Canival Triumph 1999

[CabinForFour]

We're staying at the AKL in December, and I can't wait!!! There is a bus that goes directly from AKL to MK without having to go through the TTC. We're bringing our own stroller so that we can use it in other parks and around the resort. It is also nice to have one on the cruise, if your little one doesn't like walking a lot.

For taxis in Nassau, I would recommend using a Tote N Go child safety restraint. It's a very small, lightweight padded backboard that easily converts a standard seatbelt to a 5-point harness. It's so compact that ours fits in the large pocket on the outside of our larger diaper bag. I bought mine a couple of years ago at Wal-Mart for $19.95, or onesteapahead.com has some for $29.95. Nassau doesn't have laws governing children being in safety restraints in taxis (unless that has changed in the past few months), but I feel safer having them restrained.

If you'd like to see, I have an infant/toddler packing list with some cruising tips that I'd be happy to share. Just e-mail me at [email]TravelingTot@aol.com[/email]. Hope you have a great cruise!

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/tengreatyears"]10th Anniversary Cruise -- Paradise, March 2004[/url]

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/cabinforfour"]Two Little Sailors: Victoria's First and Benjamin's Fourth cruise -- Carnival Victory, October 2003[/url]

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/travelingtots"]Benjamin Sails to Bermuda-- Carnival Triumph, May 2002[/url]

[url="http://community.webshots.com/user/travelingtot"]Benjamin's Birthday Cruise -- Carnival Destiny, Jan. 2002[/url]

[URL=http://www7.50megs.com/jamine/benjamin's_first_cruise.htm]Benjamin's First Cruise -- Carnival Victory 2000[/URL]


Paradise 3/04 - Exotic W. Caribbean
Carnival Victory 10/03 - Bahamas
Carnival Triumph 5/02 - Bermuda
Carnival Destiny 1/02 - S. Caribbean
Carnival Victory 10/00 - Nassau
Inspiration 7/99 - S. Caribbean
Tropicale 1/99 - W. Caribbean
Carnival Destiny 7/97 - W. Caribbean
Fantasy 4/96 - Bahamas
Fantasy 7/94 - Bahamas