Will be cruising shortly with a 1 year old - any tips?

[Jan2007]

Hi!

We will be on the Conquest very soon from Galvaston. Although we are experienced cruisers, this will be our first with a little one (12 months). Any insight from parents who have taken their young ones on a cruise? OUr iterinary is Montego Bay, Cozumel, Grand Cayman.

Anything to do on those islands with a baby is also greatly appreciated. We just want to find something that's not to far from the ship and is easy/flexible. Like a beach with amenities or an all inclusive day pass. Any recommendations?

 

Will greatly appreciate any tips!

[GTO-Girl]

You will probably get more help if you go to the Family Cruise section.

[cantwait2cruize]

Hi!

We will be on the Conquest very soon from Galvaston. Although we are experienced cruisers, this will be our first with a little one (12 months). Any insight from parents who have taken their young ones on a cruise? OUr iterinary is Montego Bay, Cozumel, Grand Cayman.

Anything to do on those islands with a baby is also greatly appreciated. We just want to find something that's not to far from the ship and is easy/flexible. Like a beach with amenities or an all inclusive day pass. Any recommendations?

 

Will greatly appreciate any tips!

 

 

Keep your baby safe in Jamica, and quite in the dinning room:D

[firefly333]

If you go to the ports of call section, you will find each port listed separately with lots of ideas for each port. We dont do beaches and most of the all inclusive you mentioned are beaches, so not much help. Im on Conquest in 3 weeks, doing the falls in Jamaica and we are hanging loose in the other two ports, to see what we can manage. Most people do the sting rays in Cayman Islands, you probably dont want a 1 year old on a boat.

 

Just walk around and enjoy if nothing else, the ship is still fun even on port days.

[psychochuckie]

If you are staying in any room other than a suite, you will only have a shower. I bought a tiny little blow up pool at ToysRUs that fit perfect in the shower. Sooooo much easier to wash the baby in that than trying to hold the slippery little tyke in the shower :)

[rjkcubs]

We have cruised 3 times with our son who just turned 5, and last year our 8-month old daughter joined us too. We haven't been to the other two ports with our kids, but Cozumel has always been easy. Last year we grabbed a cab and went to Chaanakaab. It was perfect. They have play equipment for the kids, a kids beach, shade, place to ead/get drinks. It seems to be perfect with little ones.

Who cares about your child in the dining room. Usually it is so loud nobody can hear them even if they are being noisy. Plus, most people will get such a kick out of the little ones it brightens up their dining experience. You might get a few who complain about kids, but who cares. Enjoy the experience.

[ray98]

Pray.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Keep your baby safe in Jamica, and quite in the dinning room:D

 

I'm sure they'll keep their baby quite quiet in the dining room.:rolleyes:

 

Bill

[jergira]

Our first cruise is in January and our baby will be 10 months old. Our plan is to leave her home with our parents but we may change our minds. We just got back from a one night trip to Las Vegas and we missed her so much. Any pros and/or cons cruising with an infant?

[okgirl]

Our first cruise is in January and our baby will be 10 months old. Our plan is to leave her home with our parents but we may change our minds. We just got back from a one night trip to Las Vegas and we missed her so much. Any pros and/or cons cruising with an infant?

 

I'm a little concerned about this being your 1st cruise and your casual comment about maybe changing your mind about bringing your 10 month old along.

You do realize that she would have to be a ticketed passenger and you would pay the 3rd person supplement, plus all the port taxes, fuel supplement and tipping charges associated with any guest regardless of age.........

I'm not meaning to insult you in anyway I just didn't want you to think that you could decide the day before you leave to just bring her along.....Carnival would deny you boarding...

But just in case you do want to take her, be sure you have the government sealed copy of her birth certificate, the hospital copy won't do.

[cantwait2cruize]

I'm sure they'll keep their baby quite quiet in the dining room.:rolleyes:

 

Bill

 

 

I'm sure they will too. But some parents don't.

[Pegs222]

Hi!

We will be on the Conquest very soon from Galvaston. Although we are experienced cruisers, this will be our first with a little one (12 months). Any insight from parents who have taken their young ones on a cruise? OUr iterinary is Montego Bay, Cozumel, Grand Cayman.

Anything to do on those islands with a baby is also greatly appreciated. We just want to find something that's not to far from the ship and is easy/flexible. Like a beach with amenities or an all inclusive day pass. Any recommendations?

 

Will greatly appreciate any tips!

 

 

My thoughts and prayers are with you :o .

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise. May you have calm seas, sunny days and starry nights.

[trock]

We have cruised 3 times with our son who just turned 5, and last year our 8-month old daughter joined us too. We haven't been to the other two ports with our kids, but Cozumel has always been easy. Last year we grabbed a cab and went to Chaanakaab. It was perfect. They have play equipment for the kids, a kids beach, shade, place to ead/get drinks. It seems to be perfect with little ones.

Who cares about your child in the dining room. Usually it is so loud nobody can hear them even if they are being noisy. Plus, most people will get such a kick out of the little ones it brightens up their dining experience. You might get a few who complain about kids, but who cares. Enjoy the experience.

 

 

...right :rolleyes: because no one cares about a screaming baby while they are trying to enjoy their dinner...Certainly brightens my dinning experience

lol

[cruiselover999]

Our first cruise is in January and our baby will be 10 months old. Our plan is to leave her home with our parents but we may change our minds. We just got back from a one night trip to Las Vegas and we missed her so much. Any pros and/or cons cruising with an infant?

 

Believe me, every time you spend quality time away from your child, building your relationship with your husband, it'll get easier and easier. Remember, children grow up and leave, but your spouse is with you for life! Enjoy time together!!

[NickCDN]

We took our 7 month old last winter on our first cruise, and it was amazing. Dont let anyone on here discourage you. She will be 1 and half this January when we go on our second cruise. Thankfully, cruise ships are public places and those who dont like kids, might as well get used to it. They also might like to know that I cant stand old geezers who walk slow and pig out at the buffets all day who think they are above everyone else! I would dare someone to ever say something to me about brining my daughter on a cruise. I for one go on family cruises, not cruise and leave family members home!

 

Nick

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Believe me, every time you spend quality time away from your child, building your relationship with your husband, it'll get easier and easier. Remember, children grow up and leave, but your spouse is with you for life! Enjoy time together!!

 

I know some kids who are grown up and won't leave but the spouse has.:D

 

...right :rolleyes: because no one cares about a screaming baby while they are trying to enjoy their dinner...Certainly brightens my dinning experience

lol

 

I've never eaten in a dinning room. What's that like?

 

Bill

[Sky Sweet]

We took a three generation cruise with our granddaughter last November when she was seven months old, and a family reunion cruise with her last week when she was sixteen months old.

 

The baby was very good during both cruises, but our daughter and son in law made a lot of adjustments for that to happen. First of all, they tried to keep the baby on a schedule that was similar to what it would have been at home, including morning and afternoon naps. They also explored ports on their own without booking any shore excursions.

 

The baby was also put to bed at her normal time and sometimes my husband and I would baby sit for her in their cabin while she was asleep so our daughter and son in law could have an opporunity to enjoy some of the evening activities aboard the ship.

 

On our recent cruise our granddaughter was very good during two hour dinners in the main dining room, but that was too long for her last November. Therefore, we had most of our dinners at the buffet during our cruise in November.

[Sky Sweet]

We took a three generation cruise with our granddaughter last November when she was seven months old, and a family reunion cruise with her last week when she was sixteen months old.

 

The baby was very good during both cruises, but our daughter and son in law made a lot of adjustments for that to happen. First of all, they tried to keep the baby on a schedule that was similar to what it would have been at home, including morning and afternoon naps. They also explored ports on their own without booking any shore excursions.

 

The baby was also put to bed at her normal time and sometimes my husband and I would baby sit for her in their cabin while she was asleep so our daughter and son in law could have an opporunity to enjoy some of the evening activities aboard the ship.

 

On our recent cruise our granddaughter was very good during two hour dinners in the main dining room, but that was too long for her last November. Therefore, we had most of our dinners at the buffet during our cruise in November.

[viciouslysh]

Jamaica: Sunset Beach---$40pp day pass food/drinks/beach/water park

Cozumel: Nochi Cocum--Quiet & excellent beach great food & drinks

Caymans: Rum Point--quiet/hammocks/good food (pay extra for food & drinks)

[velvetred]

Pack some favorite toys and don't forget the sunscreen. Try to keep some of the child's routines (i.e. nap time). Also, I have to say I love kids but as far as in the dining room or in a show, if a child begins to make a lot of noise or become disruptive and the parents can't quickly calm their child down, I think it is only common courtesy for the parent(s) to remove their child from the public venue. I don't think the vacations of the many should be disrupted for a poorly behaved child. I am not talking about the child who is a little whiny or fussy, but rather the screamer, kicker, crier, etc. who will not settle down.

[fostergrants]

If you are staying in any room other than a suite, you will only have a shower. I bought a tiny little blow up pool at ToysRUs that fit perfect in the shower. Sooooo much easier to wash the baby in that than trying to hold the slippery little tyke in the shower :)

 

Also nice to use at the pool. I sat in a lounge chair by the pool, my 5 year old swam and this allowed my 13 month to hang in the little blow up pool, near the big pool.

 

Take milks back from buffet and snacks for baby.

 

My little one was good as gold, never cried and had a blast.

I would never have been able to cruise with my older DD at that age, she cried all the time.

 

24 hour ice cream is a help.

 

Bring sippy cups or a a few bottles. I washed them out in my bathroom sink nightly. Maybe a small tube of dish soap for cleaning.

 

I used my umbrella stroller walking the ship.

 

Have fun!

[david08]

We took our 7 month old last winter on our first cruise, and it was amazing. Dont let anyone on here discourage you. She will be 1 and half this January when we go on our second cruise. Thankfully, cruise ships are public places and those who dont like kids, might as well get used to it. They also might like to know that I cant stand old geezers who walk slow and pig out at the buffets all day who think they are above everyone else! I would dare someone to ever say something to me about brining my daughter on a cruise. I for one go on family cruises, not cruise and leave family members home!

 

Nick

 

Agreed! Don't let anyone discourage you! In January, we had my 13 month old nephew and I would have not wanted it any other way!! He was some of the joy and best moments we had on the ship! Some people on these boards are going to hate this...but when getting ready for dinner, we went to the staircase and he would crawl up flights of stairs for fun! People on the ship loved him, asked questions, and loved as he giggled while people watched!

 

Two BIG suggestion: Schedule naps around ports and dinner! Also, if you order from the kid's menu, ask your waiter to bring out their food before everyone else's and they stay happy forever!!

[Julienatul]

I'm a little concerned about this being your 1st cruise and your casual comment about maybe changing your mind about bringing your 10 month old along.

 

You do realize that she would have to be a ticketed passenger and you would pay the 3rd person supplement, plus all the port taxes, fuel supplement and tipping charges associated with any guest regardless of age.........

 

I'm not meaning to insult you in anyway I just didn't want you to think that you could decide the day before you leave to just bring her along.....Carnival would deny you boarding...

 

But just in case you do want to take her, be sure you have the government sealed copy of her birth certificate, the hospital copy won't do.

 

You are wrong, Carnival does not charge tips for any passenger under the age of 2. Although we have always tipped extra for our DD who has been on almost 6 cruises and she is only 2 yrs old.

 

 

To the OP, go have a great time. We have brought my DD to the dining room every time and have never had to leave. She always acts very well. She has cruised at 7mo, 12mo, 17mo, 2ys, 2yr3mo and now again at 2y11mo. We have always had a great time. We have never gotten any negative comments. We of course are very flexible, keep to her routines-eating, naps, bedtime etc. DH and I will take turns so we each get some relaxing time. Its also great if you can bring family along to help out. We bring a few toys to keep her entertained and a blow-up pool to splash in, her stroller that reclines to nap in. Go visit the family board under special interest cruising, you will find a ton of great suggestions and packing lists.

[elon mom]

CRUISE TRAVEL

 

U.S. citizens traveling on cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port must show proof of citizenship (such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate) and a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license). Effective June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens traveling on cruises that begin and end in different U.S. ports, or begin or end in a foreign port, must have a passport or other recognized document. For a complete list of accepted documents, see www.travel.state.gov.

 

However- if you had a medical emergency and had to be flown home- you would need a passport-even for the baby. I would not take a chance on just taking a certified birth certificate. Have a great cruise!!!

[rjkcubs]

We were charged tips on our children both times when they cruised under 2. I wouldn't understand how they wouldn't be charged. The little ones require more attention from the staff than even adults. Their tips on the children are well earned!