Grandeur with kids

[mollyeilis]

...It looks like ALL my son will be able to do then is walk around the hallways, and pay for him to attend kids club. There are almost no kid activities during the daytime hours, family activities seem limited to teenagers when they do exist, he won't be allowed into the pools unless we can magically potty train a 2 yr old... Even the (current) movie offerings are adult movies.

 

What is he, and by extension, we, supposed to do during the cruise?

 

Please tell me I am missing something :(

 

What do kids that age like to do? Play with mom and dad, walk up and down hallways, play with toys, look around, meet people (at least my son did, from the safe place of being held by me)... They aren't complicated. For us there would have been MORE for my son to do as a toddler than there was at home.

 

 

On Harmony at the moment. With a 2 year old grandson. There is nothing for him to do. Too young for Adventure Ocean. He went in the $8 per hour nursery. Once. They gave my daughter a walkie talkie type thing. To call her if there was a problem. The problem was....it was another child's phone. They also gave another baby some one else's dummy/pacifier. And when my grandson woke from a nap whilst strapped in his buggy they left him in it. Screaming. Whilst they tried to contact my daughter. Who had the phone for another child. Not really very good. Apart from that there is virtually nothing for him to do Which we are ok with. We can entertain him ourselves

 

Regarding the items I put in color. How do you know these things? Gossip from another parent, and...how do you know they had him strapped into something while screaming? And...frankly...that's babycare just about anywhere when there are more babies than adults. Which is just about any babycare. Sometimes there's just too much to do. Also the case with one parent with triplets sometimes.

 

 

 

I didn't ask what HE could do, I asked what we could do WITH him.

 

Oh, gosh, not really. You didn't *really* ask that. You meant to, but that's not really what was written.

 

My sister is getting married on our sailing, so that is why my son is coming. It's not a vacation.

 

Of course that's a vacation. :)

 

For those that answered... I'm now very nervous to take him to the daycare. Uh oh...

 

One person responded with a weird story about their daycare. That's it.

 

 

I was a crew member on a Disney ship for the better part of a year. We had dance parties for families, character meet and greets, family friendly movies, games and activities on the decks for all ages, a pool for kids of all ages, etc.

 

Ooh, I don't think there are *pools* for non-potty-trained kids on Disney. Some splash areas, but not pools for them.

 

Most of the things you mentioned almost certainly were NOT in the Navigators. Therefore, looking for them in the Compasses doesn't make sense.

 

And you can't have a character meet/greet on a ship with no characters. Sister should have picked Freedom instead of Grandeur!

 

 

This particular ship... there's the club which we much pay for... and that's about it. The "family friendly" activities that I've seen in Compasses are at night after 8pm.

 

What family friendly activities are those?

 

What do you do at home? Besides swim lessons. Also, Royal keeps their pools COLD. Even my son, who takes swim at the Y where they keep their pools cool, doesn't love going in the pools on Royal. And at the Y they have baby swim lessons in a smaller, WARMER, pool.

 

Therefore, I'm not sure what we can do with him... walk the hallways... and eat?

 

Sure!

 

 

 

 

We will have TONS of family on board who will all want him

 

Well there you go! Tons of family who like him, problem solved. He'll be exhausted from all the socializing, who needs "activities"???

 

 

 

I feel bad for you. Thank you for not reading my post and expelling your negative energy into my thread.

 

They were being incredibly realistic. Trips/vacations with kids are hard. I'm guessing you haven't done a Disney trip with the baby yet. Disney, cruise, national parks, etc...hard. You think "vacation" but you're not getting a vacation at all. I nearly had a nervous breakdown after our second trip to Disneyland with my then 3 year old. No breaks for me at all. Thankfully the hubby and even the 3 year old (who was still nursing a lot at that point and was very dependent on me) sent me on my OWN trip to

Anaheim for a weekend and let me reset/recharge my human batteries LOL.

 

Do what you do at home, in a different place. Let the fact that you're not doing dishes make you happy. That's the fact of trips like this when you've got littles. Make peace with it and be happy you've got that little munchkin. Plenty of people who want littles don't get to have them, so enjoy them as much as possible.

 

 

 

And we are flying in from California. So we aren't coming with tons of things either....

 

I'm just a bit shocked that a cruise that advertises itself as family friendly... isn't.

 

Why wouldn't you bring things? Pay the extra $25 for another checked bag and bring his stuff. It's cheap in the long run if it will make him happy and, probably more importantly and relevantly, make YOU happy.

 

There's nothing NON-family friendly about Royal. You're on a smaller ship and they don't put everything into the Compasses. Just because there's no chance of Cinderella doesn't mean it's not family friendly. :)

Edited September 2, 2016 by mollyeilis

[DragonOfTheSeas]

DH and I are past the baby stage. But, we do have 4 grandkids and the youngest is 13 months. I understand that you are disappointed there isn't a complimentary kiddie program for your child's age. But, I feel you will be pleasantly surprised by the whole cruise experience.

 

We have sailed on the Grandeur several times. It is a smaller and older ship--but, is a very nice experience. The staff is very friendly and go out of their way to help cruisers. They are especially helpful with children. There were many children in strollers on our July 21 cruise. They were everywhere. :eek: . . . and they looked like they were having fun.

 

They danced in the Centrum and South Seas lounge to the various bands, the attended shows in the theater and they watched movies on the big screen on the pool deck in the afternoon and evening. [We usually sail in the spring and fall and are not used to seeing so many families on the ship.] If you are sailing when school is out there will be lots of other children to play with.

 

I checked my cruise Compasses and see that the movies were shown most afternoons at 2 and evenings at 8. [Zootopia, Jungle Book, Miracle from Heaven, Star Wars, etc and a variety of more adult movies] There were family activities listed in the compass-- Family karaoke, family scavenger hunt and family art activity[kites], just to name a few. There was an open house for the Adventure Ocean and Nursery on the first day from 1-3pm and 4-5pm. That would give your tot a chance to play and you a chance to check them out. 

 

There will be a special cruise compass for activities for the Royal Babies and Tots, but I do not have a copy. This will list the locations and times where toys will be set out for you and the tot to play in a lounge.

 

I agree you would be happy to bring a small blow up pool or tub—particularly if you have a balcony cabin. Unless you have a JS or above cabin, you will have a small shower stall [no tub].

 

I think your child will enjoy some of the shows onboard. The aerial show in the Centrum will certainly keep his/her attention. There are lights, sounds, dancing and aerialists on bungee cords. Since he/she is used to seeing performances he/she may enjoy the headliners. There is no way to tell what the acts will be this far out. All but the comedians are family friendly.

 

, , , , and I agree that the crowds of people will entertain on many occasions.

 

Have a great cruise. :)

Edited September 2, 2016 by DragonOfTheSeas

[CruisingAlong4Now]

I feel bad for you. Thank you for not reading my post and expelling your negative energy into my thread.

 

All the negatives are coming from you.

 

I said you'll have a wonderful vacation just being with your family. You'll enjoy not having to cook and clean up. Fresh sheets and towels. Yay!!!

 

You're the one who said that "it's not a vacation - it's a wedding."

 

You are living in a "woe is me" state of mind instead of "I'm going on a wonderful cruise with all my family."

 

As Olivia Dukasis said to Cher in Moonstruck: Snap Out of it!

[ronandannette]

Thank you, I hope so! It's not fair to ask us to stay in our room, and we are always mindful of other people (I'm that one parent that picks up any food that my kid drops on the floor at a restaurant, and wipes the table down before the server/busser gets there... thats me). But hopefully, we will find some things to do.

 

It's hard because it's 9 months away. That's 1/3 of his life. He could be a completely different person then!

 

Where did this come from? Nobody said anything about staying in your room...certainly not the PP you quoted.

 

Question: What exactly do you want, or expect to be able to do :confused:? Quite a few posters have mentioned what they have done with their toddlers. Maybe if you gave some specifics they could suggest something they know of that could work for you.

Edited September 2, 2016 by ronandannette

[DragonOfTheSeas]

The OP has not been back since yesterday. I think a few of the comments scared them off. too bad.

[CruisingAlong4Now]

All the negatives are coming from you.

 

I said you'll have a wonderful vacation just being with your family. You'll enjoy not having to cook and clean up. Fresh sheets and towels. Yay!!!

 

You're the one who said that "it's not a vacation - it's a wedding."

 

You are living in a "woe is me" state of mind instead of "I'm going on a wonderful cruise with all my family."

 

As Olivia Dukasis said to Cher in Moonstruck: Snap Out of it!

 

Correction: Cher said it to Nicholas Cage.

[Lovelylady226]

I can make you feel a lot better. First, several cruises with my almost 2 year old. The daycare is FINE. We have never had an issue. When she was less than a year old, she slept. When she was more than a year old she played. We changed her before we dropped her and never left her for more than 2 hours. I brought her to every family activity on the ship. I would also recommend getting a balcony if you have no already. Buy a cheap tiny blow up pool. Water fun for hours on the balcony! (We did this when my daughter was not potty trained). She loved the dancy shows too! So much glitter.

[mjkacmom]

There are very very few shops with even splash areas of diapered kids, and most free clubs start at 3. At least there is a nursery option - many ships don't. Don't blame RCL for not having the amenities you want, blame your sister for choosing this ship for her wedding. My sister had a destination wedding, my kids were 2 and 4, she chose Beaches because the resort is so toddler friendly.

 

It will be fine, just go with the flow. The earliest I got one of my five potty trained was 2 years 3 months.

[Wilda]

Hop on over to the family boards. You will receive additional tips and tricks to consider.

[Thrilled2012]

I don't know if this has helped the OP but it has certainly helped me! Thank you all. I have only taken my kids on NCL cruises but I am looking at Grandeur since it leaves from Baltimore, which is only a couple hours drive from me and will save me airfare costs getting to the Norwegian departure ports. This is my first stop in my research into whether this is a family friendly ship and your comments are most helpful!

 

OP, my son is 4 now but was 2 when I took him on his first cruise. I am a single mother so there was no "relief" especially since there was no way that he would have let me leave him with a babysitter or group kids club. Granted, it was on a NCL ship and not Grandeur, but it sounds similar in that there were not many scheduled activities to do with wee ones (with the exception that this ship did have a splash pad). But we were never lacking for things to do and he enjoyed family friendly meals, shows, excursions, playing with people in general as kids do, etc. He still asks when he will be going back on "the big ship" (referring to his first cruise experience which has apparently stuck in his head even though he has been on other "mega ships" since). He loved it! It seems that your concerns have been addressed? That idea about the inflatable pool is fantastic! And you said that he loves to spend time with family so they can assist when you have wedding activities...and you have a babysitter lined up. It may not be Disney, as you say they seem to cater more toward the itty bitties. And I have never been on Grandeur, but I have been on other ships with not so much offered for wee ones and I have done it by myself with 2 young kids and never had a problem. I realize that you have commitments with the wedding (and you can't help that your sister chose this ship) but it seems to me that with the help of family and babysitter, you should have a lovely time as long as your expectations are reasonable (just like if you take your kids on a land vacation for a wedding, unless you are going to a wedding at Disney World or something, you can't expect loads of events to be geared just toward toddlers...but there are many things that toddlers will enjoy as well as their families).

 

Congrats to your sister and I hope you have a great cruise!

[Smyles]

I know nothing about this specific ship but in my research for our upcoming trip on Allure with our 3yr old I have read a lot on here.

 

While you are weary of a balcony you might consider moving to one as many have said they fill up the baby pool on the balcony (obviously not a ton of water) and drain it (with bucket) in shower. But bring on the balcony you guys can sit and relax while he plays with no distractions. Might be easier than him being in the kiddie pool in site of a huge pool that he is used to.

 

We spent 2 weeks in a resort in a cuba and our then 23month old literally had the most fun spending time every.single.day. playing on the welcome carpet that had letters for the hotel name on it. It was like 45min of fun each time.

 

2yr olds need VERY little to enjoy themselves so just roll with it. Don't think about what this ship DOESN'T have and let your son show you what it DOES have.

 

We plan (as we have done on all our trips) to shift our daughters day so she will sleep 10pm-9am and 3-5pm. This allows her (and us) to attend all evening shows (she is also used to watching theatre performances). While she naps one of us will hang out on the balcony reading and relaxing while the other explores the ship.

 

Think about how to shift things around so you can maximize the events that are going on. Will he allow you to shift his sleep schedule to free up evenings?

 

There is a HUGE difference between "family friendly" which can mean providing beds and food and activities for (older) kids and child orientated cruises (which I view Disney as being).

[kitt82078]

Under 3's don't have much to do on ANY ship, on ANY line. Carnival and Disney both allow 2 year olds in the clubs....That's about it! A few RCI ships do have a nursery....

 

I have been on disney with an 2 year old. You have to stay in the club and supervise your child. They are permitted inside WITH you but only for scheduled activities. it sucked.

 

A cruise with a 2 ur old is not much different from being home. ALthough, on royal, the kids club has toy bags you can take to your room for the week.

[NateUpNorth]

What do you do at home? Mary Poppins isn't going to appear and magically whisk your son away so you can lounge unencumbered by the pool.

 

About the pools, would you want to swim in a pool that had poopy kids in it?

 

Your vacation is that you don't have to cook or clean whilst on board. You never, ever get a vacation from your children.

 

Just cruise with the idea that's it great someone else makes the bed and gives you fresh towels every day. And yahoo, someone else is cooking and washing the dishes. And you are with your family in a beautiful place. :)

 

See, I always wonder about the pools.

The ones with the adults drinking all day and never getting out.

At least the kids will tell mom and dad they gotta go.

[mjkacmom]

See, I always wonder about the pools.

The ones with the adults drinking all day and never getting out.

At least the kids will tell mom and dad they gotta go.

 

Because adults are much less likely to poop in the pool than a non-potty trained toddler? You realize fecal matter is the problem.

[NateUpNorth]

Because adults are much less likely to poop in the pool than a non-potty trained toddler? You realize fecal matter is the problem.

 

Easy there tiger, it was a joke.

 

You really, really, really, should not ever visit the cdc.gov website that has all the inspection detail reports from cruise ships.......................but I digress...........

 

(30 seconds to find this beauty: Violation: On 9 January, two casino dealers (who were boyfriend/girlfriend and shared a cabin) experienced acute gastroenteritis symptoms, but did not report to the medical center for nearly 12 hours following onset. One dealer's symptoms were from 05:00 - 08:00 and she reported to the medical center about 19:00. The other dealer's symptoms started at 07:30 and he reported to the medical center about 19:00. Both crew members received a written warning for late reporting.)

Edited October 28, 2016 by NateUpNorth

[magicbananas]

I'm a mom of an almost 2 year old. We went on the 5 day Grandeur to Bermuda last summer as our first trip with our toddler. Our reasoning was that the port was a short drive from our home, so we could travel to a beautiful place without having the stress of a flight or long drive with an 18 month old.

 

So first off, no, you can't take the kid in the pool. We also only tried the daycare once, but no one was there... there was free play in the very small area, but a parent needed to be there. Someone did eventually show up, but we opted to just keep our child with us (just kind of felt bad leaving her, that was just our choice, she was pretty anxious at the time).

 

As far as things to do on the ship, there are shows in the centrum with lots of lights and music (totally awesome for the kid), walking around and exploring, food. Honestly, your child is just going to be taking in the sights with you.

 

Additionally, the other cruisers and staff LOVED the kids. Obviously, you won't be in the solarium with a child, but the staff will remember your kid and are super accommodating. We are actually planning to do it again, hopefully with a potty trained toddler. :-)

 

I have a thread about traveling with a kid around here, from when I was planning my last cruise. Not sure about your room arrangements, but we borrowed a pack and play from the ship, and someone on here had the excellent suggestion to bring a shower curtain and some magnetic hooks (bought from amazon). You can hang the curtain around the pack and play to block off that section for naps and bedtime.

[rachalis]

Thanks, that is a very helpful review. We will be traveling in Nov with an 18 month old (as well as older siblings). Sounds like there will be plenty to occupy him.

[spookwife]

I've been reading some amazingly detailed trip reviews from recent experiences, and looking at your Compasses. I"m excited for my trip in mid-2017, but I'm puzzled, and disappointed. It looks like ALL my son will be able to do then is walk around the hallways, and pay for him to attend kids club. There are almost no kid activities during the daytime hours, family activities seem limited to teenagers when they do exist, he won't be allowed into the pools unless we can magically potty train a 2 yr old... Even the (current) movie offerings are adult movies.

 

What is he, and by extension, we, supposed to do during the cruise?

 

Please tell me I am missing something :(

 

the cruise lines cannot cater to every single demographic especially a smaller ship like GR. until he is potty trained, the pools are off limits. until he is three, the clubs are off limits. its just how it is. so you can either reschedule so that he can participate, or accept the fact that he will be with you 24/7 and provide your own entertainment. he can 'borrow' a bag of age appropriate toys to use in the cabin. you can bring an inflatable pool for him to splash around in. you can let him run off steam at the ports .

[twinmommy08]

Having cruised with twins under the age of 3 multiple times, I can assure you, your point about lack of toddler activities is very limited. My littles enjoyed listening to the live music, watching the shows, playing mini golf, and running around the basketball court. (No, we did not impose on anyone!) My kids love to color and we stopped by AO to get coloring sheets and crayons on occasion and even participated in the family AO events with the kids. The only availability for baby sitting services was in room, which was fine, but on one cruise it was not available at all and one other time my kids flipped out at the site of sitter. We didn't try again after that. We didn't cruise when they were three. We cruised when they were 4 and they LOVED AO! They cried because we picked them up! They are 8 now and can't wait to vacation away from us. We will have to force family time on this next one I think. Although both still love the shows and enjoy the speciality restaurants. You will find what flows for your family. Your little will get so worn out that you might get lucky and have him sleep in the stroller while you sit on the deck and enjoy a cocktail! We've done that on several occasions!

 

 

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[kitt82078]

My kids live and breathe in Adventure ocean. They skip dessert at dinner so they can go back, whine at pick up that they want to stay and prefer Royal to Disney Cruise line.

 

Two disney cruises were a waste of a lot of money, Royal A is where it's at!