3 year-old on 11-day cruise?

[Luxuriate]

Seriously, would anyone think this is a good idea on Celebrity? My husband and I are older ( 36 and 61 respectively) and we are considering taking our little boy on a cruise. He will be just over 3 years-old when we cruise. He is very familiar with daycare and pre-school as we both work. My husband and I have been on many cruises the years before we had our little boy. We just just don't know how it would work with the little one coming with us now. We really don't want to leave him but we worry that others will be put out because of him.

 

We have always favored Celebrity. We are not PARTY people by any means. We like nice dinners, the shows, and the casinos when we are on the ship. We just don't know if the kids program will be enough to make our energetic little man happy. He is very much a rowdy boy, if you know what I mean. We teach him manners but he really likes to be athletic (physical if you want to say).

 

Are there any parents out there that regularly take their young children on longer than 7 day cruises? On Celebrity?

 

Thanks for any information you can offer.

 

Cheryl

[Desertbelle]

Celebrity does an excellent job with children. We are 2 weeks away from an 11 day cruise with 4 children ages 5, 3, 3, and newborn, and I have no doubt that the older kids are going to have a wonderful time.

 

We have taken a previous cruise with a 2 1/2 year old on the Century last year (10 day cruise....his 3rd cruise), and he had a great time. The staff was exceptional with him.

 

You might want to check out the Family Cruising section on practical tips and suggestions for cruising with kids.

[HurricaneSally]

I guess the main question is this, is he potty trained? If he is not trained he cannot go into the Adventure Ocean club, even though he is 3 years old.

[drfun48]

It's possible---only you know your limit,but I think an eleven year old on a three day cruise is more doable.

[osiebosie]

For me, I probably wouldn't take a three-year-old. But that's just me. However, depending on the time of year you cruised, it probably would work out just fine. We just got off of the Connie 10/27, and there were no more than five kids on the ship. I felt a little sorry for them. But, we have cruised with our children from age 8 and up, and always went in the summer when there were tons of kids, and they had a blast. We'd always see groups of children of all ages with their counselors meandering around the ship and doing activities.

 

My point is I think that if there are other children on the ship he may enjoy himself more.

 

That is just my opinion. You know your son best, and will ultimately have to make the decision.

 

Have fun,

 

Shay

[junglejane]

I have not yet attempted a cruise longer than 7 days with my kids. However, I went on Princess when my youngest was 4 and on Celebrity when she was 5. Both cruises were great experiences, and my kids had a wonderful time and enjoyed the kids programs on both. One big plus with Celebrity is that you can get in-cabin babysitting, which isn't available on Princess (and many others). That's great for young ones who would be better off in bed than in group kidsitting late at night. On the other hand, the Anytime Dining option on Princess can be a plus when traveling with kids, especially if you are concerned about sharing your table with others while dining with a 3 year old.

 

When we were on the Infinity, we would order our 5 year old's entree right away, while the rest of us ate our appetizers and salad/soup courses. After she was done, I'd run her upstairs to the kids program (just a quick ride up the aft elevators on Infinity) and drop her off to play while I and my tablemates finished dinner at our leisure. This worked great for us. There's also always the option of feeding your kid in the buffet and then putting him in the kids program while you dine without him.

 

The suggestion to check the Family Cruising forum is also a good one. Good luck and let us know how it works out. --Junglejane

[woodofpine]

My family started cruising when my youngest was 3 (in '01) and the other were 4, 7, and 8. That was a 13 day canal transit. In a couple weeks, we are going on our 9th cruise since then. Most of our cruises have been 10+ days. Length doesn't matter much day to day.

 

My kids love cruises. If they are properly indoctrinated, kids won't bother anyone. In fact, they are better supervised and entertained in most cruiseline kids program's than they would be ashore.

 

Cruises also are a great way for parents to have time to themselves but also know that the kids are well looked after and nearby for family quality time. As the years have gone by, my kids have used the kid's programs less; but it's a nice vacation asset to have available.

 

Some day my wife and I will take a cruise without them, but I'm sure they'll be missed when we do.

[mourhaan]

My daughter went on her 1st 14 day cruise when she was only 6 months old. She is now 11 and has been 21 cruises. My younger one ,9 and also has been 19. My husband has been started cruising when he was 22months and they didn't have any childrens program in those day.

Cruising with children has come along way.

We have taken to Europe and Norway and Panama Canel too

They love it....and my husband too.

 

Right now , we are booked on the Summit for 14 days to Hawaii ( Dec. 23-Jan 5,07)

and Diamond Princess April 7 for a week.

and not to forget sometime this summer.

 

Enjoy life with your child

[rebeccalouise]

Go- you will have a wonderful time and your son will too. Celebrity is my favorite. The kids get lots of attention and my son (now 6) just lights up when I mention cruising. One nice thing that they offer is dinner for the kids at 6PM each night in the buffet. This means you don't have to take him to the formal diningroom each night.

Have a wonderful time.

[LJAM]

Cheryl,

 

My 3 year old granddaughter LOVED the Fun Factory. Her age group was called Shipmates the counselors and the activities were both GREAT. Each day had a different theme with special activities for each age group (some joint and some separate) and family activities (karaoke, disco, bingo, etc.) They even took the children to see the "Broadway" show. On formal nights and shore days they would take them to dinner or lunch. We were on a 12 day cruise to Alaska in May 2006

 

All the children on-board seemed to really enjoy the Fun Factory activities.:)

[GORDONCHICK]

We started cruising when our son was 3 1/2. The first one was a 12 day partial transit of the Panama Canal. It was so wonderful. Great for us adults and DS had a fantastic time in the Fun Factory. I wouldn't hesitate to take a potty-trained three-year old on a cruise, regardless of the length. At the ripe old age of 5 1/2, our son is better traveled than most adults we know and the dining room is a great place to put those manners practiced at home to use in public. We found EVERYONE on X doted on our son. In fact, I was afraid that DS would expect all this wonderful pampering to continue once we got back home (like the assistant waiter sprinting to our table every night with chocolate milk and a straw in his hands). Not a regret in my book. And I would have been miserable if we had left him, which defeats the purpose of a vacation!

[newmexicoNita]

I am in the minority here, but no, for many reasons, both enjoyment for you and hubby, the other passengers and your little boy. If for no other reason there will hardly any kids on an 11 day cruise. A summer cruise to Alaska is a little different than an 11 day cruise. Of course I am saying this, not knowing where you plan on cruising. Remember HAL, although they do have a kids program caters more to the 50 plus crowd and cruisers longer than 7 or 8 days are filled with passengers who are a little older. This is just my opinion. If you really want to introduce him to cruising, which a wonderful and fun vacation I would advise trying one of the family friendly lines. NMNita

[flagger]

My daughter has been twice on Celebrity, once on RCCL and is about to take her fourth cruise (second on RCCL). She was 15 months, 19 months, and 2.5 years and will be 3.5 years this coming January. We are planning a 7 day Disney cruise next December and an 11 day Panama Canal cruise in March of 2008.

 

Personally I think someone younger would do better on a longer cruise than a teenager as far as boredom is concerned.

[LJAM]

Personally I think someone younger would do better on a longer cruise than a teenager as far as boredom is concerned.

 

My 33, 23, 21 and 17 year old children were much more of a problem (boredom, behavior, manners, etc.) than my three year old granddaughter. She had a great time and keeps asking when we are going on our next cruise. Also the 12 days was perfect fr her, the other 4 complained that it was way to long to have to spend in family (i.e. with mother).

[Cruise Arizona]

I think you'll be fine, but be prepared to remove him from a difficult situation if he becomes un rulely or fussy.

 

I went on a 15 day cruise with my 7 & 9 year old last year, and they had a great time and they were very well behave.

 

I try my best to be a good parent, but I have to admit I made a few mistakes along the way. When my son was three I took him to see Star Wars Episode I, and he was just not prepared to sit for 2 1/2 hours. I should have taken him out of the theartre as soon as he started to figit, or alteast moved to a back corner away from others, but I kept trying to pacify him, and it just didn't work.

 

So that is my only advice, if he becomes disruptive, remove him immediately from the situation (I'm thinking the long dinners???). I felt so bad about disrupting others enjoyment of the movie, and realized my mistake to late to rectify the situation.

 

Heck, if my now 8 & 10 year olds act-up, I'm prepared to remove them from the situation.

 

Have a wonderful cruise, and I'm sure that your little one will have fun. At 3 years old they really don't interact with other children too much, so even if there are not many kids on the cruise, He'll have fun doing the activities with the counselers.

[rebeccalouise]

I took my son (then 4) on a 14 night Transatlantic cruise in May of 2005. There were a dozen kids his age on board and they were all in the Fun Factory having a blast. It was wonderful.

Have a great time and your child will too- I guarantee it.:)

[shellie100]

...At 3 years old they really don't interact with other children too much, so even if there are not many kids on the cruise, He'll have fun doing the activities with the counselers...

I was thinking the same thing. My 3-yr-old would probably prefer the extra attention as opposed to more kids. Of course, we're bringing his cousins/playmates along on our upcoming one. ;) OMG, single digits, yippee!!!!!!!!!!