seasoned cruiser turned newbie

[DUCK33]

hi all

the wife and i have been on several cruises and i hang around the celebrity boards alot. well we recently had our first child (6/2/04), justen.

we were thinking of taking a cruise sometime next winter. that would make justen about 18 months old.

in your opinions 1- is this too young for a disney cruise?

2- are there activities he would be able to participate in on board?

3- can we get day/night baby sitting on board? how about at the resorts?

any help is greatly appreciate. i feel like such a newbie:)

[suzsummit]

Duck -- I'v seen you on the Celebrity boards. Didn't you just return from a cruise?

Ok -- Let's see if I can help at all. Have three kidlings ages 7,10,12 now but were 1 1/2, 4.5, and 7 the first time we cruised on Disney with them. Did the Disney thing twice. One 4 day, one 7 day.

It ws a few years back but they offered paid for child care for the 1 1/2 year old which you had to sign up for in advance. We used it about once a day. We used the onboard childcare once so we could take the tw older daughters on shore the one time -- they offered them on port days back then. They also offered paid for sitters that would come to your room.

If you and your wife LOVE disney then go for it! But the kidster will not remember it at that age. I would wait until the child is 5 so they can fully participate in ALL the kid's program and remember it; that way they understand the characters more. But, it is a fun time and it's definitly something to experience... especially the horn:)

My kids enjoyed it the first time, my eldest got bored of it the 2nd time (she was 9 and not in disney characters), my son screamed whenever a character came near him (they are BIG and scarey to a wee tot) but my middle child LOVED it both times! Now that my kids are older we are doing the X-thing. Although we still go to Disney once a year, we just keep it land based.

[Bekkiz]

If you for sure want to go on a cruise next winter, and you for sure want to bring your son, I think Disney is the only way to go. The Floundes care (for the little ones) does cost extra, but it would on any ship, but the folks there are awesome:) Plus, it's a more kid friendly atmosphere in every venue, the shows, the dining rooms etc. I actually think 18 month olds can interact and enjoy all the different characters, who cares if he won't remember it--you will!

[DUCK33]

suz

yes i hang around the celeb boards but i havent cruise in over a year. we had 2 booked but due to blackout in aug03 and the birth of the little one we had to cancel 2 crusies.

thanks for the input guys. still unsure as to what to do. mrs d feels the duckster is too young. i think he will enjoy it but then we can take another in a couple of years jury is still out on this one.

[OJulie67]

Just throwing in my two cents...In really depends on the disposition of your baby. Is he easy going? Is he happy wherever he sleeps? Does he adapt well to new situations and people? Can he sit in a high chair for a long dinner? (Disney doesn't have a buffet option for dinner.)

We have a 5 year old and a 15 month old. My 5 year old went on the Disney cruise with us in May and had the time of her life...she is a bit tiffed we are going on Carnival in 2005 since she feels that Disney is THEEEE ONLY cruiseline for her! LOL Our 15 month old stayed home with auntie because she is such a scheduled baby. Hates change and isn't always the most pleasant little one to be around, although cute as heck!

Anyway, if your little man is an easy baby, I say go for it! You guys will get to cruise again, and although it will be different with a little one in tow, still fun nonetheless.

Flounders is wonderful. We peeked in and they were lovingly rocking babies and playing on the floor with the older ones. I cannot say enough for the counselors in the clubs...They are simply wonderful, and although your little one can't enter until he is 3, I think they will let him play on the toys in the clubs if you are with him at certain times. They list these times on the navigator. The times are limited for Flounders though, and they only let you sign up for 3 spots...then if more become available, you can sign up for that too. I believe it was 6.50 an hour, with a 2-3 hour minimum.
Good Luck to you~

[DUCK33]

thank you all for your input. any other opinions please feel free to post as we appreciate all view points.