Cruise with a toddler, is it a bad idea?

[nicoleflynn]

We are thinking about going to an Alaska cruise with our 2 year old. I am worried about her getting sick since I heard so many horror stories about people getting things like Norwalk virus etc. Have you ever gone to a cruise with a toddler? Is it a bad idea? Anything we should be aware of? Also, I'd appreciate any comments on family-friendly cruise ships.

Thanks a lot.

-Nicole.

[kaylinsmommy2]

Nicole, I've never done this (although MIL really wants us all to take a cruise vacation together...) but I remember a few past posts about it, so I did a quick search for you.

This seems like a great website about cruises and family travel: http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/family/bringbaby.cfm

And then a few links to previous posts:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=37&topic_id=39177&mode=full
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=37&topic_id=156328&mode=full
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=37&topic_id=88914&mesg_id=89077&page=

As for whether or not it's a bad idea, I think it'd be fun as long as you realize you won't get to experience everything like a normal cruise-taker. :) Unless you convinced some other family to travel with you as babysitters!

Caroline
mommy to Kaylin 6/5/04

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/bunbunadb20040605_-9_Kaylin+is+now.png[/img][/url]

[Tondi G]

I would do it! I am looking forward to my little guy being just a bit older so we can cruise with our kiddos!

I like this site

http://www.vacationstogo.com/family_cruises.cfm

here is some more info for you

http://cruises.about.com/od/cruisingwithkids/tp/top10family.htm

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7546964

[deenass]

We've done two cruises with DS, one at 8 mos (Disney with extended family) and Carribbean at 2 1/2 years with my family.

It was actually fun to take him at 2 1/2, though at that age, I wouldn't have chosen Alaska, b/c of the length of the flight to get there or back (too long for me to have him on a plane) and the time change would have royally screwed us up.

The hardest part was dinner, even the early seating didn't start until 6 and was about an hour and a half long. We would feed him his dinner (the waiters were great about bringing it out) and then let him sit under the table and watch a dvd on our portable player, not my proudest mommy momment, but it kept him quiet so we could all enjoy our meals.

At age 2, you won't be able to take advantage of any kid's programming (though Royal Carribbean had a "playtime" each day and we hired a babysitter to sit in the room while he slept and we went to see the show).

We did low key sightseeing (some shopping or the beach depending on the port).

Royal Carribbean is probably the best in terms of family-friendly, not sure that they cruise to Alaska though.

[rlu]

Royal Carribbean does Alaska. They have a 14 day land/cruise combo I highly recommend. Did this before DS, and did not pay any attention to kid-related information, but I'm sure their website will have some info for you.

If you go to to Alaska and have to choose between Skagway or Sitka as one of the ports, I always recommend Sitka, but since you have a child, you might prefer to do Skagway since they have the train.

[nicoleflynn]

Thanks for all the links and information. You gals are great!

[KBecks]

Here's another cruising web site cruisecritic.com

We cruised before DS was born, and would probably not take him crusing at this age 20 mos. At an older age they can do some of the onboard programming for kids. We were invited to a free cruise and one of our reasons for declining was because we felt we'd have to be running after and entertaining DS all the time, and not being able to enjoy ourselves so much.

I'd love to do a Disney cruise when DS is older though. And I'd love to do Alaska with family, but when our boys are older -- like at least 8.

[COElizabeth]

I just got back Tuesday night from an Alaskan cruise! We had a big family group, including my 19-month-old DD and my 3.5-year-old DS, as well as my sister's kids, who are 8, 4, and 10 months. Even though we travel a fair amount, I had serious reservations about this trip and worried about it a lot beforehand. There were definitely challenges, but I am happy to say that things went a lot more smoothly than I feared, and we all had a great time.

If you decide to go, I am happy to give you lots of details. It is true that gastrointestinal viruses are a problem on ships, but the fact is that they are really everywhere, and they just don't get the same kind of press when they go around a school or company or hotel. Very frequent hand-washing is your best defense. Also, try to avoid touching things like handrails and elevator buttons if you don't have to (I actually have a friend who investigates cruise ship outbreaks for the CDC, and that was his advice). I realize, though, that a 2-year-old isn't going to follow that suggestion, so you just have to wash hands when you can and hope for the best.

Alaska is absolutely wonderful, and my 3-year-old already is asking if we can go back immediately, lol. There are lots of things for families to do, but some of the highlights for us were excursions that were not as suitable for really small kids (like a helicopter landing on a glacier or whale watching in a small boat). If you and your DH don't mind splitting up to do a few of those things, I'd recommend it. Also, if you can convince family or friends to go with you, I'd highly recommend that, too.

This cruise was with Celebrity. There were several young children on board, and the 3+ crowd enjoyed the kids' club a lot. DS burned out on it after a few visits, but the 8 and 4-year-olds had to be dragged out late at night on several occasions. We also had in-room babysitters for a couple of dinners, and that worked out fine. Oh, and the kids' club had a toddler playroom we could use (accompanying the toddlers) any time the kids' club was open. It had a bunch of toys and was used only by babies and toddlers, and all mouthed toys were put aside to be cleaned.

I have also cruised with Disney in the Caribbean, and it is decidedly more family-oriented, as you'd expect, but it doesn't go to Alaska. If it ever does, I really hope to go with them! Meanwhile, I think Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Princess are all pretty good choices for families with small kids in Alaska. Holland America has some kids' amenities, but my impression is that it is geared more toward an older crowd and hasn't attracted many young families at this point.

Let me know what other questions you have!

Elizabeth, Mom to James, 9-20-02
and Charlotte, 11-04-04

[mudder17]

Yikes! I was thinking your meaning was, "Tom Cruise with a toddler, is it a bad idea?" Doh!

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 28 months...
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http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah