Just the two of us and a 6 month old?

[blackwing]

Is this even doable? Do any cruise lines have nurseries for infants, besides Disney? Disney seems excessively expensive.

 

I've been on both Carnival and RCCL and enjoyed both, but this would be the first time with a baby. I'm worried that since they don't take infants into the child care center, that our entire cruise would consist of taking care of the baby.

 

I suppose we could get a room with a balcony, and then sit on the balcony during his naps and at least have open air.

 

Can you even take a baby into the dining room or the shows on these lines? I think Disney is OK because it's more family friendly, but I've never seen someone with an infant in the dining room or shows on the lines I've been on. I could see us missing all the shows because he is asleep in the room.

 

But I'm wondering what is the best situation and what cruise line people would recommend. My wife doesn't want to leave the baby at home, but it's not going to be a fun vacation if we feel like we're stuck in the room with him the entire time.

 

Is this a bad idea?

[sas80]

Is this even doable? Do any cruise lines have nurseries for infants, besides Disney? Disney seems excessively expensive.

 

I've been on both Carnival and RCCL and enjoyed both, but this would be the first time with a baby. I'm worried that since they don't take infants into the child care center, that our entire cruise would consist of taking care of the baby.

 

I suppose we could get a room with a balcony, and then sit on the balcony during his naps and at least have open air.

 

Can you even take a baby into the dining room or the shows on these lines? I think Disney is OK because it's more family friendly, but I've never seen someone with an infant in the dining room or shows on the lines I've been on. I could see us missing all the shows because he is asleep in the room.

 

But I'm wondering what is the best situation and what cruise line people would recommend. My wife doesn't want to leave the baby at home, but it's not going to be a fun vacation if we feel like we're stuck in the room with him the entire time.

 

Is this a bad idea?

 

RCCL does not offer babysitting for any child under one year old. That said, we were able to arrange in-room babysitting for our 6 month oldfor 2 hours every night while we went to dinner. The first response we got was "we dont babysit for infants under one year" After I explained that DS had a bedtime of 8 pm and didnt ever wake until 6 am the next morning, and that we just wanted to be able to go to dinner for 2 hours, she put the request in.

 

We had a balcony. We drove to the port so we brought the exersaucer with us. We took the baby to the ruins in Costa Rica and shopping in Cozumel. The baby also made it to a round of Trivia on board with us, and general walking about on the ship.

 

We didnt stay up past dinner, but we usually dont on cruises anyways.

 

If we wanted to "cruise the ship" we always did it after DS's nap so he would be refreshed and was much less likely to melt down. If there was ever a hint of melting we went back to the room to np. A well napped baby is a happy, easygoing baby!

 

We did spend time in the cabin while DS was asleep....usually we napped, watched a movie, or had a glass fo wine on the balcony. Sometimes one of us would venture out solo while the other napped with DS.

 

We did a 5 night (DS was 6 mos) at the end of march and are doing a 7 night (DS will be 10 mos) in august.

 

It is what it is. You are no longer solo travellers anymore. You made a committment once that egg was fertilized!

 

My advice to you is to pick a short cruise to test it out and see if you both can adjust, and feel like you are getting enough out of the investment.

[PattyW]

I think it takes the right attitude to cruise with a 6 month old. You can’t be of the mindset - look at all I’m missing - it has to be more of a “look what I get to do”.

 

Let’s see, at 6 months a baby is generally starting to sit up on her own, so happy and aware, but you put her down and she stays where you put her. Sounds nice.

 

Also, she’s still on a liquid or mostly liquid diet - maybe some rice cereal or pureed veggies or something, so no complaints about food availability or trying to find a restaurant with grilled cheese or chicken nuggets while in port. Sounds nice.

 

As a parent who works full time, I see cruising with an infant as wonderful. I get to spend time with and enjoy my family with no worries about cooking, making beds, laundry, cleaning bathrooms etc. My husband views it the same way.

 

6 month olds usually don’t need to be in the huge stroller and will not fight their naps - they just fall asleep in the stroller or wherever they happen to be when they are tired. So naps in a shady area of the pool deck wouldn’t be out of the question and snoozing through a show is also a possibility.

 

Let’s put it this way...if I had to choose cruising with a 6 month old or cruising with an 18 month old, the 6 month old would win hands down. But, if you want tons of alone time in a place other than your balcony, then a cruise with just the two of you and the baby is not a good idea.

 

Good Luck with your decision. If you choose to go, I would get a balcony. I’m sure some naps will be taken in the cabin and it’s nice to sit out there at night as well while baby sleeps. And you are right - the only line that has care for that small a child is Disney. I don’t even think you can get in cabin sitting on lines that have it for a baby under a year.

[quagmire0]

Well, I HOPE it's a good idea. :D DW and I will be going with DD at the end of September. She'll be a little over 5 months at that point. We decided on Carnival due to price (since most lines don't discount for kids), itinerary, and also because Carnival does offer group babysitting at certain times of the day (early on port days, nights 10pm to 3am). That will allow us at least *some* alone time - so it should be a good balance.

 

I agree with previous poster regarding the age thing, and that is why we are going now. It will be far easier taking her on a cruise at this age. Then for a few years I can see us taking a break from crusing :eek: just to avoid the hassle. Although maybe we'll get Grandma and Grampa to join us next time and pull some babysitting duty. :D

[Kerry's Girls]

Since you're going to have to take care of the baby whether you're at home or on a cruise ship, I vote for the cruise ship! Most cruise ships are very family friendly and you will see all the other parents wheeling their sleeping babies to dinner, to shows and around the ship in the evening. I've took my twins on two cruises before they were old enough to use the kid programs, and we had a ball enjoying our time together while someone else did our cooking, cleaning, etc.

 

I know Carnival provide babysitting after 10 pm for under two-year-olds, but I don't know how young they go.

 

Enjoy a cruise - you guys are probably ready for one about now!

 

Best,

Mia

[Dukeswalker]

I would highly suggest getting a sling for your little one. It makes traveling SO MUCH EASIER! You can have baby all snuggled down in the dining room, snoozing or eating/nursing away and no one would even know...You can stroll the ship - hand in hand - while your little one is happy and content in your arms. Excursions - same thing - have baby, will travel. Plus, they are super easy to stow (cram 'em in your purse) you can wash them in your washer, etc...You can go to the buffett and have both hands free....all for around $40-$50

[mom2sz]

My husband and I went with our 6 month old daughter about 4 years ago on an Alaskan cruise aboard a Holland America line. We never really inquired into their babysitting services so she was with us at all times. This ship was also not the most family-friendly though. She was one of the few children on the ship during a 4th of July cruise. But, we were able to take her everyhere on the ship and we didn't get stuck in the room the entire 7 days. We didn't have a balcony at that time either, just an outside room but getting a balcony is a good idea.

 

She was with us at the dining rooms. There were a few times when we took turns taking her outside because she got restless in the high chair. Other times, she sat in the high chair provided and we brought some toys for her. She was perfectly happy with a teaspoon at that age too.

We did spend a couple of afternoons on sea days in the cabin while she took a nap. But, depending on what activities were going on, we took turns watching her. We also just took her with us on the other ship activities. She was usually on the umbrella stroller or we carried her on a baby carrier/sling.

 

We took her to the shows as well, but we made sure to sit close to the exits. I remember a couple of times when she fell asleep while we were in the theater which worked out for us because we were able to watch the whole show. :) We also took her to various excursions including a long sight-seeing train ride. It was a great time to spend a whole week with her. We still had a great time and enjoyed our cruise. The baby carrier was very handy for us. She was able to also take naps on the carrier while we did our sight-seeing and shopping.

 

I completely agree with the other posts, infants are far easier to take on a cruise than toddlers (from our experience anyway). It became harder with our daughter as she got older. Thank goodness she's old enough to go on the kids' club now. We had also gone on two cruises with our now 20-month old son. Infants don't go running around, climbing on things, or trying to eat whatever they get their hands on. :eek: At least when your baby is awake, you don't have to worry he's going to run off and bump into things or people among other things. It's easier during shore trips too since you just have to pack formula and maybe baby food instead of a variety of snacks and drinks.

 

Some ships allow you to go to their kid's area and play with their toys as long as you are with your child at all times. We did this a few times. We haven't gone on Carnival or RCCL yet, but have heard and read that they are more family-friendly lines with more kids and babies aboard. From our experience though, we found that 'Anytime Dining' (like Princess and NCL)suited us better with kids than the traditional dinner times. We were able to go to dinner whenever we wanted. We've never used the babysitting services on our cruises so I don't know the minimum age requirements, etc. Cruising with kids is a challenge but you can still make the most of your vacation. Sorry, this is a long post but I hope this helps a bit. Good luck!

[blackwing]

Thanks so much for everyone's responses. All of them are very helpful.

 

I guess I'm wondering if Disney is worth the extra money for someone in our situation. Since my baby will be 6 months old, I don't think he'll get as much out of the "Disney experience" as an older child. He won't particularly care if he gets to see Mickey Mouse and eat in Disney themed areas.

 

Carnival has babysitting during the hours of 10 PM to 3 AM, and in the mornings on port days. My wife and I have had great experiences with Carnival, and even after paying the 3rd person rate on Carnival instead of just the taxes and port fees, it seems to come out at about $1,000 less than Disney.

 

So if I may continue to indulge, and impose on those of you who have had the experience:

 

1. What are the hours of the Disney nursery? Disney only allows you a maximum of 10 hours of babysitting per cruise and it is first come first served. Is this an issue? We want to spend time with our baby (otherwise we'd leave him at home) but if there are nights we want to see a movie or show and leave him with the babysitters I would hate that everything is booked up.

 

2. The main consideration for Disney for me, since all the Disney extras probably hold little appeal to a baby that is happy staring at the toys on his car seat, is that I thought that other passengers would be more tolerable of a fussy/crying baby in the dining room. Is this true? On Carnival during formal night I would be mortified to bring a fussy baby into dinner.

 

I kind of view a Carnival dining room as a fancy restaurant on land, and I don't like bringing my baby out to these types of places. We tend to stick with the Applebees and Bennigans, where there are lots of families, which is kind of like how I envision Disney. Is this an accurate comparison?

 

3. Will we find the shows entertaining, or is everything aimed towards children on Disney?

 

4. If you've used babysitting on any cruise line, did you find yourself using it often, or did you not want to leave your baby? I would hate to pick Disney because of the nursery and then have my wife find herself unable to leave him with them.

 

 

We are not big night people. We don't gamble, so the lack of a casino on Disney is a non-issue. We also don't really hit the nightclubs. I think if we were to take Carnival the only time we would use babysitting is if we wanted to see a show and got the wrong meal time.

 

I think the price of a 7 day Disney and a 7 day on RC Freedom of the Seas seems about equal for a balcony room. Sorry to be a pest, but I suppose I'm looking for reassurances that Disney will be worth it for a 6 month old baby. The experience isn't really for the baby, it's for us, and we want whatever will make things the most enjoyable for us. Thanks so much!

[rebeccalouise]

I did a family vacation (a total of ten people). My son was six months old but I had people willing to help alot of the time and at night my parents babysat so we could go to the early dinner. I had a great time but the key here is help.

I think you would feel like the two of your were doing things individually- more than as a family. Since, you would undoubtedly take turns while the baby slept. If there is in cabin babysitting (RCL and Celebrity has them)- this might make it nicer.

[Kerry's Girls]

Thanks so much for everyone's responses. All of them are very helpful.

 

I guess I'm wondering if Disney is worth the extra money for someone in our situation. Since my baby will be 6 months old, I don't think he'll get as much out of the "Disney experience" as an older child.

 

Carnival has babysitting during the hours of 10 PM to 3 AM, and in the mornings on port days. My wife and I have had great experiences with Carnival, and even after paying the 3rd person rate on Carnival instead of just the taxes and port fees, it seems to come out at about $1,000 less than Disney.

 

2. The main consideration for Disney for me, since all the Disney extras probably hold little appeal to a baby that is happy staring at the toys on his car seat, is that I thought that other passengers would be more tolerable of a fussy/crying baby in the dining room. Is this true? On Carnival during formal night I would be mortified to bring a fussy baby into dinner.

 

I kind of view a Carnival dining room as a fancy restaurant on land, and I don't like bringing my baby out to these types of places. We tend to stick with the Applebees and Bennigans, where there are lots of families, which is kind of like how I envision Disney. Is this an accurate comparison?

 

4. If you've used babysitting on any cruise line, did you find yourself using it often, or did you not want to leave your baby? I would hate to pick Disney because of the nursery and then have my wife find herself unable to leave him with them.

 

I think the price of a 7 day Disney and a 7 day on RC Freedom of the Seas seems about equal for a balcony room. Sorry to be a pest, but I suppose I'm looking for reassurances that Disney will be worth it for a 6 month old baby. The experience isn't really for the baby, it's for us, and we want whatever will make things the most enjoyable for us. Thanks so much!

 

On Carnival you will find many, many others bringing their babies to dinner - either the early seating or at the buffet. Both on Princess and Carnival my babies were fawned over - but I left if they got testy (which was rare since they were receiving so much attention). I brought clip on toys to attach to the high chair and it was glorious to sit in the dining room and be served nice meals for a change. On Princess, they sat all the families with children in the same section on the far end of the dining room.

 

Personally, I would choose the cruise that you and your wife would most enjoy, with an eye toward family friendly (Carnival, RCCL, Princess if you don't mind no babysitting). I wouldn't choose Disney just because you're bringing a baby - the cruise lines we're discussing all welcome children. RCCL even has activities for babies 6 months old.

 

Enjoy a great trip together.

 

Best,

Mia

[blackwing]

Thanks. It does sound kind of silly to choose Disney just because of the baby, right? Considering that he probably couldn't care less what kind of "entertainment" he has.

 

I'm glad to hear that babies in the dining rooms on Carnival is not that uncommon. Time to talk it over with the wife...

[quagmire0]

Disney is WAY more expensive. Carnival is the budget choice (still good quality) and they have limited babysitting hours available for babies under 1yo. If you think you can manage to have a good time with baby in tow, then consider any of the other cruise lines. I won't hesitate to bring our DD (who will be 5 months old) to the formal dining room. If she becomes unruly, I'll just bring her our and we can go do informal dining - or even in-room dining. That's the beauty of the cruise. :D

[rebeccalouise]

Go Celebrity with a six month old- they will do the incabin babysitting at night starting at 6:30PM I believe.

Your child is young enough that you could do the late seating after you put him/her to bed and have so quiet relaxing time to yourself. The baby will be fine with a sitter on board. And you are literally just a few feet away if the sitter needs you.

[Baby1010]

Im Going On A Cruise In 2 Days With My 7 Month Old & I Really Appreciate Everyones Advice! Im So Excited But I Was A Lil Nervous About Going With The Baby. Thanks To You All!! :d

[cruise1012]

Thanks. This post is very encouraging.

[circuitrider]

We did Disney once because it was the only cruise line that'd take a baby under 3 months old (12 weeks was the rule, which is just under 3 months). Used the babysitting service once that I can remember; we were waitlisted for a Palo's breakfast (or was it brunch?), got the call, we called the babysitting service, and they had a spot open. Actually now I think of it, we went to Palo's for dinner once too. Anyways, our son did fine.

 

Disney was very family oriented, by this I mean that they catered to all age groups. Shows were very well done. Had plenty of activities for people of all ages. Free ice cream and soda to make your own coke floats (had one nearly every afternoon). There's places just for kids, for families, and just for adults.

 

BUT...it can be very, very expensive. A thought...if it's a thousand dollar difference...how much would it be to take someone along with you (book one room with you and baby, other room with spouse + one, this way you're not paying the single supplement)? Would anyone you know (and trust) be up for an all-expenses-paid cruise, with the only catch being that they are available to babysit from 6-10PM or whatever? Hint, grandparents make an awesome choice (long as they don't get on your nerves too much!).

 

Edit: Just to clarify...just because you and your spouse book different rooms, doesn't mean you have to sleep there. Only issue would be each of your keys opens a different cabin, but guest services should be able to change that for you.

[crusinmama06]

Anyone reading this NOW - this thread was brought back from the DISTANT past for some reason. The "baby" in question would now be 5 years old ;)

 

And in that amount of time - as we know - other cruise line do have nurseries for infants.

 

Royal Caribbean has Royal Babies. :)

 

And even Carnival watches "under 3's" for a fee at some times in the camp

[Chicky2181]

We cruised on Allure of the Seas when our daughter was 7 months old. We had an ocean view stateroom and it was perfect. Lily slept in her stroller everyday for nap. We'd take long walks all around the ship. She'd get her sleep and I'd get my exercise so that I could eat two desserts...lol.

 

We also used their nursey a few times. She loved it there, but she has also done daycare 3 days a week since she was 4 months old. I'd suggest booking a rccl cruise that has a nursery.

[Chicky2181]

Anyone reading this NOW - this thread was brought back from the DISTANT past for some reason. The "baby" in question would now be 5 years old ;)

 

And in that amount of time - as we know - other cruise line do have nurseries for infants.

 

Royal Caribbean has Royal Babies. :)

 

And even Carnival watches "under 3's" for a fee at some times in the camp

 

LOL!!!!!! Whoops. I guess I should have looked at the date before replying. Oh well.