Baby on board

[DevonianCruiser]

Hi there, we'll I've cruised numerous times with my babies - they are now 18 and 16 and I'm sure things have changed a lot over the years. I now have a 9 month old baby who will be just 1 when we cruise on the Navigator in July.

 

I don't think we cruised on RC when they were young and I've kind of forgotten how it all works.

 

Can babies go on RC excursions with us? Do they pay if sitting on a lap?

Do they have baby food on board? She's starting to eat bits of food but most of it is still baby food.

Does anyone have any experience of the daytime baby sitting service and night time? I know it's chargeable but wonder if you would recommend it or not? My two eldest only went in the kids clubs from 2 onwards (P &O allowed this back then) and 3 onwards with RC, Celebrity etc.

Generally any tips that we would find helpful?

 

We've booked a couple of suites between myself and parents so am I right in thinking we can have breakfast in a specific restaurant? I like the buffet myself but just wondering if somewhere quieter might be better.

 

Any ideas much appreciated :)

[Clarea]

... We've booked a couple of suites between myself and parents so am I right in thinking we can have breakfast in a specific restaurant? I like the buffet myself but just wondering if somewhere quieter might be better. ..

Suite guests normally can have a made to order breakfast in Chops or Giovanni's.

[JAMESCC]

We cruised with our son when he was just over a year old, and then last Sept, when he was 3 years old and had a great time. Both times to Bermuda and we did one excursion on his first cruise but this last one when he was 3 we did a bunch and went to Snorkel beach in Bermuda. Its a perfect beach for families with little kids because its so close to the ship.

I don't remember if they charged for excursions when he was 1 years old but I thought they did. 3 years yes we paid for them. We brought on-board all the food he needed so I'm not sure if they have baby food on-board. Sitting service we have no experience, we were new parents and too nervous to try that, but now that he is 3 and when we sail next he'll 4 we would not hesitate.

We love cruising with our son even when he was 1 years old. Yeah you get the occasional dirty look from the rude A-holes, the same ones on this board that piss and moan about kids on cruises but don't let them spoil your good time and your family vacation. Let the rude ruin their own vacation because they can't handle the sight of a small child. Have a good time. Any other question feel free, I will ask my wife as she knows more about some of these questions than I do. She has a better memory.

[BuffettFan1]

I have been researching this a little as our next cruise we will have our 1 year old son with us. On the royal caribbiean blog dot com site there is an article Cruising 101: Bringing an infant on a Royal Caribbean cruise that has a lot of good info. One part of that article says "Royal Caribbean offers a program called "Babies 2 Go!", where parents can pre-order Huggies diapers, wipes, and cream, as well as organic Gerber baby food to their room both before and throughout their cruise."

 

I haven't read about anybody using it. If they provide the food and diapers I am sure they have their price markup on it, but it may be worth it to not have to transport all of those supplies, especially in our case where an airplane is also involved.

 

I will keep following this thread to see what others have to say about all of your questions.

[aggiecruiser05]

We are sailing this month on Harmony and when I booked 2 excursions through RC and selected our 2 kids (3 years and 11 months), the system did not charge for the kids.

 

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[1992cruiser]

We brought our 1 year old (her bday was on cruise) and used the daycare twice so we could relax by the pool for a few hours. We used the nightcare four times so we could enjoy our dinners, have some casino fun and catch a few of the adult shows. The care was great and I would highly recommend it. We never had a single issue with it and they allowed us to use it as much as we wanted since there weren't many babies onboard.

We brought baby food, but only used it for snacks when we were out. She ate very well and the mdr waiter would bring her fruit, mac n cheese and chicken fingers as we would sit down.each night she was with us. The buffets are great for that age as there is always something easy for breakfast and lunch to eat.

People say it's a waste of money to bring a little one because they won't remember it---I say it's something I will remember for the rest of my life. The staff was awesome with her and she had a blast...So many smiles from that week, we had a great time.

[Robinhill]

Hi there, we'll I've cruised numerous times with my babies - they are now 18 and 16 and I'm sure things have changed a lot over the years. I now have a 9 month old baby who will be just 1 when we cruise on the Navigator in July.

 

I don't think we cruised on RC when they were young and I've kind of forgotten how it all works.

 

Can babies go on RC excursions with us? Do they pay if sitting on a lap?

Do they have baby food on board? She's starting to eat bits of food but most of it is still baby food.

Does anyone have any experience of the daytime baby sitting service and night time? I know it's chargeable but wonder if you would recommend it or not? My two eldest only went in the kids clubs from 2 onwards (P &O allowed this back then) and 3 onwards with RC, Celebrity etc.

Generally any tips that we would find helpful?

 

We've booked a couple of suites between myself and parents so am I right in thinking we can have breakfast in a specific restaurant? I like the buffet myself but just wondering if somewhere quieter might be better.

 

Any ideas much appreciated :)

 

you do have to book them for the excursion but you will see that they get a ticket but you are not charged for the excursion for them. it is 0.00 i took my 3 year old grandson and he was not charged but a ticket was issued for him.

[Grandma Dazzles]

The Navigator has breakfast in Chops for full suite guests. You mentioned you had booked suites - did you mean full suites or junior suites? Junior suites do not have many of the suite privileges.

 

Some excursions do not allow children. Shows in the description. You need to check when booking. I am referring to RC excursions not those booked independently.

[carmenOH]

We brought our 1 year old (her bday was on cruise) and used the daycare twice so we could relax by the pool for a few hours. We used the nightcare four times so we could enjoy our dinners, have some casino fun and catch a few of the adult shows. The care was great and I would highly recommend it. We never had a single issue with it and they allowed us to use it as much as we wanted since there weren't many babies onboard.

We brought baby food, but only used it for snacks when we were out. She ate very well and the mdr waiter would bring her fruit, mac n cheese and chicken fingers as we would sit down.each night she was with us. The buffets are great for that age as there is always something easy for breakfast and lunch to eat.

People say it's a waste of money to bring a little one because they won't remember it---I say it's something I will remember for the rest of my life. The staff was awesome with her and she had a blast...So many smiles from that week, we had a great time.

 

 

Great post! We did the same thing when our first daughter was a 1 year old and although that was 18 years ago and we have been on 8 or so cruises since that time (leaving on anther cruise in 34 days:D) that one will always be very special to us.

[DevonianCruiser]

The Navigator has breakfast in Chops for full suite guests. You mentioned you had booked suites - did you mean full suites or junior suites? Junior suites do not have many of the suite privileges.

 

Yes full suites, we are in a Grand and my parents in an Owners Suite. They are having my two boys and we are having the baby. Did have a Junior once before and the perks were very little.

 

Also have my mother in law in a room so there's quite a few of us to look after her at different times which will make it easier for us.

 

We'll probably bring a lot of food for her and all the nappies, baby wipes etc so won't need to get that off RC. As we are sailing from Southampton we can take quite a lot as no flights involved.

 

Thanks for all the replies so far, very helpful. I think I've taken my boys on 18 to 20 cruises but its amazing how I've forgotten all the earlier ones when they were babies.

[cb at sea]

You will need to bring all the "baby stuff" you will need. There are lots of "mashable" foods, but they do NOT supply "baby food"...so bring what you need!

 

Also, bring any pediatric meds you MIGHT need...the ship doesn't sell anything for babies.

At blow up tub is useful if you only have a shower...and it can be used at the pool, if you want baby to splash! Diapered kids aren't allowed in any pools.

 

I prefer a sit-down restaurant for breakfast...especially with a child! You will be served whatever you want, and no juggling child, plates, utensils....

[JAMESCC]

We brought our 1 year old (her bday was on cruise) and used the daycare twice so we could relax by the pool for a few hours. We used the nightcare four times so we could enjoy our dinners, have some casino fun and catch a few of the adult shows. The care was great and I would highly recommend it. We never had a single issue with it and they allowed us to use it as much as we wanted since there weren't many babies onboard.

We brought baby food, but only used it for snacks when we were out. She ate very well and the mdr waiter would bring her fruit, mac n cheese and chicken fingers as we would sit down.each night she was with us. The buffets are great for that age as there is always something easy for breakfast and lunch to eat.

People say it's a waste of money to bring a little one because they won't remember it---I say it's something I will remember for the rest of my life. The staff was awesome with her and she had a blast...So many smiles from that week, we had a great time.

You said what I wanted to say, but much better. Everything here is correct, 100% especially the staff with my son. It was like an going thing when he saw certain staff, and when they saw him. Our dinning waitress Carla from Jamaica was just an absolute doll. It really made me understand the sacrifice the employees on these ships make for their families. You know she has a family that misses her and she misses them. All of the people working on these ships do. Its why I over tip, and never stiff.

[Spacecaydet]

People say it's a waste of money to bring a little one because they won't remember it---I say it's something I will remember for the rest of my life. The staff was awesome with her and she had a blast...So many smiles from that week, we had a great time.

 

100% agreed. We've cruised twice in the last three years with our now 4 and 2 year old. We return to the Allure in May and though a different experience than life before kids, the memories are here to last. It's worth every extra ounce of effort. One day in the not so distant future the kids will be older and travel might be easier but these vacations and cruises in particular we'll never forget!

Edited April 4, 2017 by Spacecaydet
incorrect information