Cruising with 15 month old

[Jbro10502]

Hubby and I are cruising 10/1 with our 15 month old. Any tips? (And leaving baby at home isn't an option)

Edited July 8, 2017 by Jbro10502
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[handbellplayer]

Hubby and I are cruising 10/1 with our 15 month old. Any tips? (And leaving baby at home isn't an option) ��

 

You'll get better answers (and no snark) here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

[Jbro10502]

Thank You!!

[riclop]

Hubby and I are cruising 10/1 with our 15 month old. Any tips? (And leaving baby at home isn't an option) ��

Way too young .

[Miggsoo3]

Hubby and I are cruising 10/1 with our 15 month old. Any tips? (And leaving baby at home isn't an option) ��

 

They won't allow the baby in any of the pools even with a swim diaper, you will be spending all your time in the kids splash area and depending on the ship could be just a splash pad no pool. We really liked the onboard nursery on Anthem they even had cribs for the young kids to sleep, they will give you a special phone in case of emergency they can call you. The ship will provide a crib in the room that is a small GRACO portable crib your room steward will set it up for you. Overall I'm sure you will have a great trip even with a little one we didn't mind having our daughter with us when she 20 months.

[Spurschick]

Way too young .

 

Says who? I am sorry but we started cruising with DD at 7 months old. We took her to Disney at 1. Cruising is no different to any other holiday or do you think babies shouldn't go on vacations? We also took her to Milan at 5 months. Cruising was the easiest vacation.

[Spurschick]

Hubby and I are cruising 10/1 with our 15 month old. Any tips? (And leaving baby at home isn't an option) ��

 

Make sure you have the essentials. We took baby medications just in case, and an easy to use travel stroller.

 

When DD was that young we had to take our own diapers but I believe you can now order diapers and food to be delivered to the cabin if needed.

 

We also got a clip on battery operated baby safe fan to attach to the stroller for the hot weather.

 

You will enjoy and ignore the negative comments.

[JAMESCC]

We went to Bermuda on Explorer when our son was 13 or 14 months old and had a great time. He is 4 years old today, it's his birthday today and he will be on his 3rd cruise this Sept on Anthem to Canada/New England. He loves it.

 

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[firerecruit71295]

Way too young .

 

Don't listen to ridiculous people like this! Our son will be going on his 4th cruise in October and his 5th in March 2018. His first cruise was when he was 7 months and he is now 2 years old.

 

 

A couple tips~

Be sure to do your research on which ships have what amenities for kids (ie nursery, kids H2O zone/splash pad, Dreamworks experience) There is a great chart on wikipedia that helps with this

 

We had a great umbrella stroller that could lay completely flat so he was able to nap by the pool instead of in the room

 

Bring clothes pins to dry clothes if needed on the balcony

 

Go straight to the nursery to book your slots for the whole trip... they do fill up somewhat fast depending on how many kids are on the cruise

 

ENJOY and have patience... it is definitely a new cruise experience with a child now for us but it is fun just the same.

[cruisinfanatic]

If you have the money to blow taking a baby on a cruise which they will never remember, I don't care.

Taking a baby on vacation is not really a vacation

My opinion, flame away

[kknorr0320]

Some people actually like their children and don't consider parenting a chore.

You may want to look into in room care if you want to go to any shows. Even with older kids it was hard to get a show in.

 

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[firerecruit71295]

If you have the money to blow taking a baby on a cruise which they will never remember, I don't care.

Taking a baby on vacation is not really a vacation

My opinion, flame away

 

Won't "flame you." My wife and I like making the memories of our son on vacation with us... yes we know he wont remember... but we will. And guess what... we almost always book "kids sail free" cruises so yeah it isnt much more expensive. And kids fly free until they are two so no more money spent there either.

 

We utilized the nursery from 8-11 every night so that my wife and I could enjoy the dinner together and a little time to walk around or play slots after.

[Misplaced Texan]

Some people actually like their children and don't consider parenting a chore.

You may want to look into in room care if you want to go to any shows. Even with older kids it was hard to get a show in.

 

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Amen

 

 

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[Misplaced Texan]

Hubby and I are cruising 10/1 with our 15 month old. Any tips? (And leaving baby at home isn't an option)

 

 

 

Without regard to the various anti-child posts...

 

We took our 23 month-old on a cruise last year and will go again this year at just short of three years.

 

While, as you're discovering, things change a lot in a week, much less eight months, and so our experience isn't exactly what yours will be, here are some general tips.

 

1) Think about cabin size and layout. A pack-and-play takes space and you're going to have to work around it at night and at nap time. I'd recommend a cabin with the bed near the bathroom and space for the pack-and-play nearer the window/balcony. A suite would obviously be helpful in this regard with the additional space, if that's an option for you.

 

2) Whether by my time dining or by regular dining in the early seating, establish a regular reservation and waiter. The waiters are great with little ones and will learn what your kiddo likes and have it to your table quickly each night.

 

3) You already know how far you can push your little one's schedule before he/she has a bad experience. Make sure you schedule things so bed time, nap, and wake up are within normal bounds. Kiddos don't shift things around on vacation like those of us who are allegedly grown up do.

 

4) Appreciate that a lot of the crew are going to love on your little one. Many of them are there to earn money for their family back home and see their kids a few months a year. Your kiddo will be a star with them, so turn down the protective instinct and let them love on him/her a little. It will make everyone happier.

 

5) There are going to be a few people (onboard and here) who are anti-kid. Without speculating on their psychology, just appreciate that they have an issue and ignore it. Your little one won't notice the subtle and not-so-subtle grumpiness so I strongly suggest letting it pass you by too.

 

ETA 6) As you've probably already discovered, it's fine for one parent to do something while the other watches baby. So if there's an excursion or activity that one of you really likes, just do it and let the other be solo daddy or mommy that day/evening.

 

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[firerecruit71295]

5) There are going to be a few people (onboard and here) who are anti-kid. Without speculating on their psychology, just appreciate that they have an issue and ignore it. Your little one won't notice the subtle and not-so-subtle grumpiness so I strongly suggest letting it pass you by too.

 

ETA 6) As you've probably already discovered, it's fine for one parent to do something while the other watches baby. So if there's an excursion or activity that one of you really likes, just do it and let the other be solo daddy or mommy that day/evening.

 

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AMEN to both of these comments... The other ones you had also but these two are spot on.

[fdwt994]

Go with the flow. Keep your expectations low, cruising with a child that young is a MUCH different experience than without (I have experience with this). Personally, had I known then what I know now we would've waited until our son was at least three years old. Good luck and I hope you have fun.

 

 

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[Paulxyz2004]

hubby and i are cruising 10/1 with our 15 month old. Any tips? (and leaving baby at home isn't an option) ��

 

ncl !!!

[Cauzneffct]

ncl !!!

 

 

 

Seconded. The Breakaway was great for a 17 month old

 

 

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[vaka08]

I have 2 daughters (ages 1 and 3) started them both under a year- and my older remembers the cruises and staff from many of our trips. You received some good tips- here are a few more...

1. If your child is a milk drinker- bring some boxed milk (horizon) for going into port.

2. Bring some dish soap to wash cups if your kid can't drink out of straws. (On some cruises staff has offered to clean and sanitize our cups)

3. We prefer a balcony so we have somewhere to go when kids are sleeping- or so one can go out while the other of us stays with the girls.

4. Bring more diapers/wipes/meds then you think you will need.

Some people may be negative but overall we find staff and passengers to enjoy having kids around.

 

 

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[haybella1316]

I feel bad for cruisinfanatics kids. I would never consider time spent with my kids at any age to be blown. Try and understand that quality time spent with a young child does not necessitate specific memory but provides a stronger bond. Good for them having the money to do it.

Tips- get a big room or balcony- lights out once they are sleeping but a balcony gives you some well needed adult time.

We also brought a tablet and downloaded movies we could watch in bed quietly so as to not wake the baby. My 15 month old will be going on her third cruise soon. Some of the best money we have spent. Our three year old will be on her sixth.

 

 

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[haybella1316]

Firerecruit makes a good point. There will be anti kid people just like on here . Best to ignore them. They will eventually move on to a non family cruise line.

Enjoy your time with the family and just have fun. Keep expectations down. Crew will likely love waiting on your kid so expect that

 

 

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[cruisinfanatic]

i feel bad for cruisinfanatics kids. I would never consider time spent with my kids at any age to be blown. Try and understand that quality time spent with a young child does not necessitate specific memory but provides a stronger bond. Good for them having the money to do it.

Tips- get a big room or balcony- lights out once they are sleeping but a balcony gives you some well needed adult time.

We also brought a tablet and downloaded movies we could watch in bed quietly so as to not wake the baby. My 15 month old will be going on her third cruise soon. Some of the best money we have spent. Our three year old will be on her sixth.

 

 

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You take my words out of context. Are you with the media?

There are probably a whole lot more people that agree with me than not that you don't need to spend 24/7 with your kids until they move out.

SO, YOU don"t know me so don't go THERE!

[haybella1316]

I'm not really interested in your polling. The op asked for tips. You provided opposition. Make Cruising great again.

 

 

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[dahlin43]

We cruised with my DD when she was 16 mos on Carnival Pride. We got an umbrella stroller, that made it easier to fold and store. Even in the dining room. She was too young for their kids club, so at least with RCL you get that option. We made sure she kept her nap schedule, my DH was more than willing to snooze with her while I either went to the pool or casino. My DD was not bothered by not being in a pool, she was more than happy with the beach. We brought a little float that folded as well as bucket because of the ports we went to. It worked out. We brought a lil dish soap and sponge to clean her sippy cups. And lots of diapers/wipes. We did bring the veggie squeeze packs but she really didn't need it, tons of food options. And we went to all the live bands and sat outside to listen and she loved that. (again carnival not RCL) Crew loved her. We found that it made life easier to have a set time instead of my dining. Having a consistent dining staff was great. And above all, be flexible. There was a lot less drinking and we didn't stay out nearly as late as our honeymoon.

 

We are taking another cruise on Anthem of the Seas in March 2018. She will be 3 at that point. It's going to be interesting to see if she is okay with the kids club.

 

Have fun!!