Spirit: FIRST cruise with a TODDLER.....help!

[PittyBoon]

Hi guys! I am setting sail on the Spirit next week (3-10) leaving from New Orleans. This is my 2 cruise ever...last time was 5 years ago with all of my single girl friends....so it was a very different type of trip....anyway, this is my first cruise with a toddler (she is 20 months old) Any tips, suggestions, advice, things to avoid, while travelling with my sweet, busy little bee?...I'd love any help with anything! Especially dining, how the kids area is, and stuff like that. Thanks in advance!!

[beachchick]

Definitely check in on the Family Cruising forums because they've got tons of good info. I'll give you a few of my thoughts (keep in mind that our DD is now an adult, so it's been a while since first-hand toddler travel).

 

Your lovely DD will not be old enough to go to the regular children's program, but there are specific times (listed in the Dailies) where parents may bring their younger-than-two toddlers into the Kid's Crew. I think it's called something like the "Under Two Zoo" time.

 

She will not be able to use the pools unless she is fully potty trained. Kids may not go into any of the pools wearing swim diapers because of CDC regulations. Although the diapers "contain" large solids, they can't contain bacteria. The pools onboard are not like the ultra chlorinated/over treated pools at home. If there is a contamination, the pool must be drained, cleaned, and refilled. That makes other pax very unhappy. Some people bring teeny blow up pools to use on their balcony and fill them with a couple of inches of water (which they drain down the shower drain--obviously, not overboard or something like that). Sometimes parents bring those pools up onto the decks. It's hit or miss as to whether they are allowed to blow them up and use them. (Personally, I see them as tripping hazzards if there are a lot of them. As well, they could be a liability issue if one parent allows someone else's child to use one and the child is injured or gets sick. I think that draining them from the deck could be very problematic because if the water spills onto the deck and seeps onto towels, etc., the same contamination issues could occur. I know that sounds negative; I truly don't mean to be a wet blanket, but these are issues that need to be considered.) Be sure to take advantage of any beach times you have. Lots of sunscreen is a must. There are some specifically made for kids of various ages. Hats and little sunglasses are good too. Bring plenty of water with you when you go ashore.

 

Will you have a tub in your cabin or only a shower? If your DD has never had a shower and you don't have a tub, you may want to find a blow up tub that can be placed in the shower for her. OTOH, she may find having a shower with you to be a very "big girl" thing to do and enjoy it.

 

Try to stay on a schedule for rest times if you can. Even though I'm sure she's a bundle of energy (some things never change), cruising is a completely different world for her. It's easy for little ones to get overwhelmed. I'm sure you've already learned that rule number one of parenting is to be flexible.

 

Be sure to ask for a crib (that is pack-n-play) for the cabin if you need one. She's too young for a pullman, so you'll need the crib or a sofa bed for her. I'm sure that they'll make sure you have one or the other (or both) options. If you use their pack-n-play and you have one at home, bring sheets from home because parents report that the cruise line simply uses regular sheets tucked/folded under, which don't stay in as well.

 

If she enjoys juice, be sure to bring a container from home. Then you can fill it with juice at breakfast, take it to your cabin and put it in the mini-"fridge," and have juice at hand during the day. Ditto for milk. Bring extra boxes from the buffet OR just go ahead and call room service if you want to make sure it's nice, fresh, and cold. Several parents recently have mentioned bringing mini boxes of Horizon organic milk, which don't need refrigeration until they are opened. Also be sure to bring any snack bars, fruit roll ups, etc. if she's got particular favorites. Definitely encourage her to try new foods on the cruise. She can have tastes of many things. I'm sure you're already working on proper dining room behavior at the table, and the cruise will be a great place for her to get more real world experience. The waitstaff will almost certainly make her feel like a princess.

 

Obviously, you want to avoid the casinos and other adult venues, but there will be many opportunities for you to enjoy activities as a family.

 

Hm...I know there's lots more, but that's all that comes to mind right now. One more thing though: Have a wonderful time!

 

beachchick

[Toyz711]

unless you are in a suite, there is no refrigs in the cabin on the spirit. you can get ice from room service...besides the ice left by the room stewards. we took a small cooler, big enough for a couple of cans of sodas. the room stewards kept ice in it.

[Toyz711]

here's the link to the family cruising board

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

 

on the spirit, you have the blue lagoon, it's a 24 hr diner. great for when the other food venues are closed. around the buffet, at breakfast, they have small cereal boxes...in case you need a snack during the day.

make sure you have the bug spray...some of the excursions are in jungle.

have you checked out the port-of-call boards for excursions ideas?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

[PittyBoon]

:p :p :p :p :p

 

THANKS !!!! I'm so excited to already have replies! You both have already brought up things that I never thought of....extra containers for food, and containers for milk and juice...WOW! I have to admit I'm sad she can't use the pool, that part I didn't realize.

 

I'm going back to re read everything and make some notes...and my walmart list! :)

 

Anyone been on a cruise during this time of year? I am very curious what the weather will be like....?

[Toyz711]

you can check the weather at weather.com, they do belize and cozumel. the weather for belize city, today, is 84 and partly sunny. it will feel hotter then that around the beaches...good sun block is needed.

i didn't see any blow-up pools, but there were places for it, especially down by the kid's pool. if you use one, find a drain..like at the outside shower, to drain it.. if you have a balcony, that's another good place to set one up.

besides using it in the shower, in the cabin.

you may want to bring a ice chest, like one with wheels..use it as a piece of luggage and put a luggage tag on it. then you can get ice and keep your stuff cool. unless you have a suite, then you will have a refrig.

you can email or call the ship coordinator and see if they can put a refrig in your cabin, you would need to set that up before your cruise.

[zqvol]

Hi guys! I am setting sail on the Spirit next week (3-10) leaving from New Orleans. This is my 2 cruise ever...last time was 5 years ago with all of my single girl friends....so it was a very different type of trip....anyway, this is my first cruise with a toddler (she is 20 months old) Any tips, suggestions, advice, things to avoid, while travelling with my sweet, busy little bee?...I'd love any help with anything! Especially dining, how the kids area is, and stuff like that. Thanks in advance!!

 

I have only a couple. Make a list of anything that you could possibly need so that you don't forget anything, and then double the amount of clothes, diapers, and wipes that you think you need. It is better to bring some home than to run out.

[nadeki]

This might seem silly but this is how we handle the sleeping arrangements. Our toddler would no longer go in a pack n play, so we re-arrange the furniture!

 

Ship beds are very light so we push it against the wall and put the two nightstands together on one side. This helps no one to fall out of bed.

 

It really was not too hard with the kids. Just find the kids buffet as the tables are shorter.

 

Don;t forget a portable DVD player if you do not have a suite. There was not anything on TV for them and this is a necessity!!