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dd_ani
01-20-2003, 02:35 PM
Dh and I are considering going on a Disney Cruise this spring with dd, who is currently 11 months. I saw one post on the other vacation section on cruises in general, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about their experiences with this specific cruise line?

A couple of questions that we had to start were whether they provide cribs upon request (no info on the website) and how much of a problem the sun will be in the spring. (We went to the Carribbean for our honeymoon several years ago in August and I was burnt to a crisp. So, I am worried about dd because she also seems fair skinned.) Also, for those who have traveled with infant/toddlers, how well did it go? Were there plenty of things to do? DH wants to scuba, I think, but I don't want to be stuck just sitting on ship with the baby.....

Thanks,

Michelle

EH
01-22-2003, 07:25 PM
We just looked into Disney cruises for us and our 13 month old twins. Disney had the best prices are far as cruises go. (Kids under 2 are only charges port taxes - approx $90). Disney (and most other cruises) have kid programs for children 3 and older (and potty trained). There may be baby sitting services, I am not sure of the cost. Other cruise lines would charge us the same passenger rates for our 13 month olds as they would for any other additional passenger - even though we could not utilitize any of the kid programs. All cruise lines that we checked out said that they provide cribs, however since rooms are so small a crib takes us a chunk of space - in our case we would have had to consider getting a bigger room to accommodate the two cribs.

For us, we determined that cruises do not make sense until the kids are at least potty trained.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Michelle L.
01-23-2003, 11:59 PM
Michelle,
I haven't read the other posts in the vacation section on cruises, but my husband & I went on a cruise (non-Disney) with our 1 year old over July 4th weekend with extended family. Having survived it (somehow), I would highly NOT recommend cruising with a 1 year old. It was too hot & strong sun to hang out outdoors during the daytime. We spent our days in the deserted night clubs, closed casino, & empty lounges. Then, at night, kiddo conked out early & we had to hang out with him in the cabin (though one night we actually got him to nod off in his stroller while we read our books by the pool & the moonlight). Meals were a challenge - both with timing & food selection. The cabin was very cramped with our bed & the pack-n-play the cruise liner provided. Also, I had MAJOR problems with the "special needs" coordinator on the cruiseline (Royal Carribean) who was making arrangements for the crib, a small fridge (kiddo was on reflux meds that had to be refrigerated), a baby-sized life jacket, etc. It was anything but a vacation & I will (hopefully) never cruise again - with or without baby!!
-Michelle