Must Haves with Kids

[jenafish]

My husband and I have cruised a few times before but we’ll be taking our first cruise with our kids this April. We have a 4 year old and 1 year old and will be sailing out of Bayonne on the Anthem of the Seas to Bermuda and Boston. 

 

Any must-have items that I should pack? Any tips or tricks??

 

TIA!

[akeasley]

I would suggest bringing some toys from home, beach toys, coloring books, and crayons. I was just on with my two kids (2 and 3) and it was good to have some things in the room during down time, especially since they don't want tv, etc.

[angie7911922]

Bring something for the "downtime" - books, coloring books, etc. You will want them to chill out a bit during the day, and likely they won't sleep! 

Also, a water bottle/sippy cup!

[reggid]

Bring some familiar toys/games from home, but not too many. Buy a few new things and save them for difficult moments. Wrap them up. 

Bring a favorite sleep toy or blanket and familiar PJs.
Don't forget some books, especially for the little one. Ones with flaps and other things that move and open are great for keeping them occupied. 

[cb at sea]

For the 1 year old, whatever "baby specific" items you use...bring them.  The ships sell very little to nothing for babies!  Also, bring all the pediatric meds you can think of...comes in handy should a fever arise or an earache start!

 

Also, unless your cabin has a tub, get the kiddos used to showers, or bring a blow-up tub for the baby!  Useful for splashing on the pool deck if they are still in diapers....most ships don't allow diapers in ANY pool.  A few do have "splash areas" for diapered tots, but not all.

[KimA75]

Definitely the meds.  Aspirin, etc.  They are way overpriced on board.

Sippy cups along with a bottle brush and dish detergent to wash them.  I fill a travel bottle with the detergent and put it in a ziploc.  I wash the cups in the sink.

You can take a tablet and if you have Netflix, download some favorite movies before you go.

If your 4 year old is a boy that is on the shorter side, see if you can get a collapsible step stool.  Our son was too short to reach the toilet or sink effectively.  Just make sure you are with him, with a hand on him, in case there is sudden movement by the boat.  We never had an issue, but I wouldn't want to chance it.

I took a couple toys and let mine pick one toy from the gift shops on board.

Our 4 year old loved having the lanyard with his own "key" even though we were always with him to get into the room.

The blow up tub is a good idea.  But, if not getting that, at least the shower heads are ones that can be moved and brought down to child level to shower with.

We took the puddle jumper (water vest) for our 4 year old.

Oh, our 4 year old also loved having his own rolling suitcase of his own.  I got all of his clothes in his child suitcase and he even got some toys in there.  That left more room in my suitcase.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 4/12/2019 at 10:42 AM, KimA75 said:

Definitely the meds.  Aspirin, etc.  They are way overpriced on board.

 

I don't think you should give aspirin to 1 and 4 yo kids...

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen - yes.

 

So, since we started cruising, when DS was 3, I can only speak about what to bring for a 3+ yo child.

 

1) all the meds in the world and a thermometer

2) puddle jumpers/floaties, crocs or water shoes

3) hats (2)

4) swim suits/trunks, rashguard (2), lots of SPF lotions/sprays

5) beach toys

6) my DS usually brings a small locking metal box with legos or hot wheel cars. He doesn't care for coloring books while traveling. This is not necessary for all kids, but is essential to ours.

7) a stuffed toy to sleep with. DS is very fond of his entire zoo of stuffed toys, so he selects one to come on a cruise with us. Has never been the same one!

8 ) his plastic water bottle to take with us to the beach. We fill it onboard.

9) we brought a couple of books with us before, but they are too heavy and he wasn't interested (he'd fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow - he was so tired from having all the fun), so if books are necessary, do the e-books on your phone. Your library should have a ton for download through Hoopla or similar. Amazon prime as well.

10) if you are flying to the cruise, you need to think about car seats in a taxi from the airport to the port. You also need to think about taxi rides at your destination. If your 4 yo is over 40#, I'd bring a bubblebum for him. Cosco Scenera NEXT for the 1 yo, if you need a seat.

11) a night light. Anthem should be similar to Allure, and the Allure had a very nice electrical outlet that we were able to plug into a regular night light. On Princess and older RCI ships we had to use a lantern night light on batteries. Allure had a built in night light in the bathroom, but we also use one in the room. Are you in the inside or OV/balcony room with natural light?

 

 

Oh, and the NUMBER ONE SANITY PRESERVER?????? DS's tablet with cartoons and games. He is the best behaved child during MDR dinners because he is busy eating and watching. Saw other parents using the same hack. My kid doesn't do kid's club, so keeping him entertained during an MDR dinner is essential. :) We enjoy the meal, while he enjoys his privilege of using an electronic device (aka, a proverbial carrot).

Edited April 16, 2019 by Itchy&Scratchy

[KimA75]

9 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I don't think you should give aspirin to 1 and 4 yo kids...

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen - yes

I think everyone understood I was, in general, indicating pain relievers/fever reducers.  I think with a 4 year old they know what to give kids.  No need to get snarky on here.

 

But, in addition, yes, I take aspirin and antacids for the adults as well.  Medication, sunscreen, aloe, etc are all overpriced onboard.

[Baletrina]

Great ideas from all!

 

Little toys like Wiki Sticks, jelly clings and Mad Matter are great for the plane and long dinners in the MDR. New ones are even better!

 

Bring all all the meds, bandages, hydro cortisone, neosporin, etc. I’ve been asked to share meds by other parents who were less prepared!

 

At least two pairs of good daily shoes each. Our youngest at 1 threw her shoe at Disney. Luckily Disney bought her a pair but eek. Fiasco. 

 

Sunhat, sunscreen, bug spray  and a compact umbrella. The Caribbean sun is harsh. 

 

Just roll with it. The people that say to leave the kids at home are the ones that aren’t flexible. Just go with it and just enjoy every moment together even if that means snuggles in your stateroom versus cocktails in the casino!