[ellemenope]

<p>ETA: This was originally "Cruising with a toddler", but I am up for a nice debate about the best ways to vacation with a toddler, too. And, there is a lot to learn, whether cruising, camping, flying, resorting, or road-tripping.<br><br>
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[sapphire_chan]

Jealous!!<br><br>
You'll want to get out sometimes because the best place to meet other kids will be the pools.<br><br>
Be sure to take turns to do something kid free, like get a massage or something!

 

[snoopy5386]

we cruised with our 3.5 yo in October and really didn't enjoy it as much as I thought we would. DD was old enough for the kids program but wouldn't go, which made it extremely difficult for DH and I to participate in any events during the day. She also didn't nap at all so she was done for the day by 7:30/8 pm. She would make it through dinner just fine but went to bed immediately after. Which meant one of us had to stay with her in the cabin at night and miss the evening entertainment. We basically spent the whole cruise switching off who was taking care of her. Don't get me wrong we still had fun but we both agreed not to cruise again until our youngest was at least 5 or 6 and willing to participate in the kids programming for at least a couple of hours a day and able to stay awake until 10 pm.<br>
Your DD will not be able to swim in the pools since she is not potty trained. Your kiddy pool idea sounds nice, but I'm not sure if the cruise line will allow it or how you will fill or empty it, you can't just run a hose you know? While spending the whole time in the cabin sounds nice, it will still be a small space. Honestly, I would fly to bermuda and stay in a nice resort instead of the cruise.

 

[ASusan]

We were planning to go on a cruise when DS was 9 mos old, and I did a ton of research (online) then. Google cruising and infants or children. Also look up your specific ship. I got TONS of information about our specific ship and how it was able (or not) to accommodate children. Ultimately, we did not go, as it was way too expensive for our budget (Mediterranean cruise meant expensive plane tix, too).<br><br>
Blow-up pool and balcony are great - you can sit on balcony as baby naps. She won't need much water in her pool to splash around it; she may even fill it herself if you give her a bucket.<br><br>
have fun!!

 

[ellemenope]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>snoopy5386</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/15410682"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">we cruised with our 3.5 yo in October and really didn't enjoy it as much as I thought we would. DD was old enough for the kids program but wouldn't go, which made it extremely difficult for DH and I to participate in any events during the day. She also didn't nap at all so she was done for the day by 7:30/8 pm. She would make it through dinner just fine but went to bed immediately after. Which meant one of us had to stay with her in the cabin at night and miss the evening entertainment. We basically spent the whole cruise switching off who was taking care of her. Don't get me wrong we still had fun but we both agreed not to cruise again until our youngest was at least 5 or 6 and willing to participate in the kids programming for at least a couple of hours a day and able to stay awake until 10 pm.<br>
Your DD will not be able to swim in the pools since she is not potty trained. Your kiddy pool idea sounds nice, but I'm not sure if the cruise line will allow it or how you will fill or empty it, you can't just run a hose you know? While spending the whole time in the cabin sounds nice, it will still be a small space. Honestly, I would fly to bermuda and stay in a nice resort instead of the cruise.</div>
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<p><br>
We are not interested in dressing up, drinking, spaing, or clubbing. We are interested in good food, sunning, and showing DD some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Personally, I have not been that impressed with the entertainment at sea in the past, but I would like to enjoy some family shows, too.<br>
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[mommariffic]

We cruised Norwegian sans toddler, but I would def bring her next time...and I'm one of those weirdos that doesn't sweat traveling with a small person; in fact, I kind of enjoy it. We just got back from the Bahamas which was our vacation pre-baby and it was a blast.<br><br>
I think just wandering the ship is a blast with a kid! Wandering the hallways, going to the afternoon entertainment [I too, am not a fan of it but sometimes it's fun especially if there's any children's programs] and looking at the ocean is going to be awesome for your DD. I feel like the days on the ship are going to be easy and fun, and you can always go to the kids pool and have them swim. I know my DD was juuust about potty trained, but wouldn't go in the pool so we'd just do a no diaper or a secret swim diaper. Seriously, unless they poop who cares? A good way for your DD to make "friends" too.<br><br>
And uhg, the beaches in Bermuda are SO AWESOME! The shallow water, the fish! The sand! That's going to be amazing and there's some great excursion type things that are family friendly too [glass bottom boat would be cool..]<br><br>
You're going to have FUN! And to be honest, I spent a ton of time in our room reading [it was my first husband/I trip away from DD and I wanted to sit and read, not get drunk and go to the disco or whatever] and while it's tight it's not unbearable.

 

[marispel]

We did a vacation at the beach with our DS who was 10 months old then. We took a babysitter...best money we ever spent!!!! She was my right hand person, she helped change him, she helped feed him and she watched him at night (he was asleep) while we went out to eat.<br><br>
If you can afford it, this may be something consider? You could probably take someone pretty young since they will be staying with you and staying in the room with your LO at night. They wouldn't be taking care of your LO all the time, but just another set of hands to help at the pool, chase them down when they go running down the hall and stay in the room at night

 

[bluebirdiemama]

Last summer my dh and I took our then 2 yo and 5 mo to a 3 day music festival. While it was a lot more work, and of course a little exhausting taking care of them there, it was totally worth it, and they had a BLAST.<br>
If there is nothing in particular you want to do, other than spend time as a family, I think you are going to have the time of your lives <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[ellemenope]

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<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">This is another good idea. It doesn't jibe with what we want for this vacation, though. But, in the future--I love it!</div>
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