Norwegian Breakaway 1.5 year old Bermuda

Hi, I am new here and I am hoping all you out there with experience can help me. Although, I am not new to cruising, I am new to cruising with our son and i am a new mom. I have a few questions. We booked a cruise on the Breakaway for 7 days to Bermuda for next year and my son will be 20 months old. We are going with a big group of family, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc for a total group of 7 adults and 4 kids. I thing we are going to have a great time. I do have some questions below.

Sleeping arrangements/bath - We are in a mini suite without a bathtub. I wanted to reserve a family mini suite with the tub, but they were sold out. I did reserve a crib, but I am second guessing that. Our room is for 3 people (which we are - me, my hubby, and son). I am assuming the sofa turns into some sort of bed. Would it be wise of me to ditch the crib and just set my 1.5 year old on the sofa to save room? I saw a picture and it looked like someone turned the sofa around where the high back was on the outside and pushed it back up to the wall. That is what the picture looks like, but I can't tell. Has anyone done this? Do you think it would work for a 1.5 year old? Second, we don't have a tub, I read that you could bring a blow up tub, but do you really think it is necessary? Couldn't I just use the shower head? How difficult would it be with a 1.5 year old (first time mom here)?

Stroller/car seat/port transportation - I have a city mini stroller that we love, but I think I am going to purchase a cheaper recline-able umbrella stroller. From what I read, you can only bring the umbrella stroller on the bus system in Bermuda. I would like to leave the car seat at home to save room and utilize the bus system in Bermuda. Am I crazy to think with a 1.5 year old the bus system is doable? Or are taxi's way easier with a young child that I should just lug the car seat with me and the city mini stroller.

recreation/sea days - I know we are not going to be allowed in the pools and honestly that is fine with us. We barely went into the pools on our last few cruises, that I don't really foresee it being a problem, we will get all our water play in port. Again, first time mom, what else can we do on the ship on our 2 long sea days with a 1.5 year old, don't think we can saddle up the bar or casino like we used to do. Does anyone have a tricks of the trade with young child on the breakaway. Area to let them run free, secret spots, etc...

If you can think of anything I am forgetting, let me know

Yes, you can certainly do that with the sofa....as far as the shower goes, get him used to being washed with a spray...if he can tolerate that, you don't need the tub....although many find it good to have for "splashing" on the pool deck, since swim diapers or regular diapers are NOT allowed in the pools!

As far as things to do...what do you do with him at home? Well, that's what you'll do on the ship! Once in Bermuda, the public transit will be just fine.

Don't forget to bring any and all pediatric medications you might need. The ship doesn't sell stuff for children, and you won't want to spend port time searching for something to open a clogged nose, or baby tylenol!!!

Neither of my kids would have been able to sleep on a sofa at 20 months. Usually under 2 on vacation they sleep with us.

I would bring a bath. Showering at that age would be difficult. Stokke makes a great foldable bath.

We prefer public transport to taxis makes naps easier and lugging a car seat around especially a heavy seat suitable for a 20 month old is unpleasant. Others don't like walking and carrying strollers up and down stairs and busses. Strollers of course also are useless on the beach. A wrap is also very useful but will want to try it out in advance.

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I can't speak for NCL or the Breakaway in particular, but our daughter's first cruise was at 15 months, and that went well enough that she will be going on her second cruise in a few weeks (she's 21 months now).

Don't cancel your crib request, it does make the room a little crowded but I know my child would never stay put on the sofa. Also, your room steward will probably put it away in the morning and make it up at night if you ask.

We didn't bring a tub and we didn't need one, and in fact our daughter asks to use the shower at home now. But not all kids are the same, so I'd re-evaluate closer to the time of your cruise. Our cruise involved an international flight though, so we only brought the absolute necessities. On that note, as another poster mentioned, you'll want to make sure you have plenty of diapers, wipes, and any over the counter meds you think you may need. It's unlikely that they'll have those types of things readily available on the ship, although I'm sure you could find what you need in Bermuda. We don't use them much at home anymore, but for us it's handy to have some of those purée pouches when we travel (along with other packaged snacks), because toddlers are not patient when they're hungry. Not necessary on the ship, but come in handy when you're out and about.

Definitely get an umbrella type stroller. We also have what's considered a compact regular stroller (Uppababy Cruz), but you are correct that even something that size is not easy to lug on and off of a bus.

As for entertainment, I assume you'll be able to bring him to a toddler area of the kids club to use the toys there, we were on Celebrity and you could check out toys to use in your room as well so maybe the Breakaway would have that service. Honestly, kids that age are happy walking around the ship and just seeing the sights and waving at fellow passengers. There are usually alcoves and such around the ship with chairs to climb on, or art to look at. So maybe you'll be a little bored, but I assure you, your kid won't be [emoji4].

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I just got off the Breakaway to Bermuda this past August. I also am a mom of 3 , youngest being 2. So, thought I may be able to offer some food for thought on your questions :)

Firstly, I would not cancel the crib request. You can always re-access once you get there and have them take it away , if need be but, trust me, you want a toddler contained in a crib at night, whenever possible. Even getting ready or going to the bathroom, it's nice to have a safe place to "plop" him when need be. You will probably push it up to the bed, move the side table and still have access to the couch. It will be tight but fine.

You will also be fine to shower him, you could also just do sponge baths, it's only a week, make do, unless you have alot of extra room in your suitcases, it's not worth lugging around anything extra, in my opinion. The shower head comes off, he will probably love the novelty.

Is your city mini a new one with rubber tires or the older version with the smaller tires? (I've owned both!) If it's the newer one, I would consider a smaller stroller but, make sure you have one that reclines and has a good sunshade (like the city mini), if that is not possible, just take the one you have. I'm taking my newer city mini with me on our cruise in January.

Transportation is going to be a bit of a personal issue. The bus takes ALONG time to get to places compared to a taxi, we compromised and used the shuttle vans BUT I did not have a toddler on that trip. We travel with our car seats (but I have purchased a light weight car seat for travel, it's a lifesaver!) and I think we would probably opt for a taxi and car seat if we went to Bermuda with the kids but, it would depend on where we were going, etc. Lots of options in Bermuda, it's such an amazing place, so safe and so friendly. I fell in love and wouldn't hesitate to take my kids back there.

As far as staying busy on sea days, there is lots to do. He may be tempted with the water park area, it's sooo nice so, you may want to avoid that , so you can avoid a tantrum lol. There is a nice toddler playroom you can take him to. take him to the buffet for treats, take him into the lounges/bars to watch live music, the waterfront has great "day beds" that you can snuggle up on and nap or read books or play with small toys. Tons of areas to run around. He may even enjoy the small toddler ropes course, depending on his walking ability. You won't run out of things to do.

Make sure and bring enough baby supplies (diapers, wipes, etc), but there is shopping available in Bermuda and they do have some on the ship, just make sure you keep in mind everything will be about 3X the price. There is a great playground and splash pad right in the port area, it's walking distance from the where the boat docks and would be a nice spot to take him, I never heard about it before my cruise so, it's not well advertised. The 24 hr pub was very kid friendly, I wouldn't hesitate to take my toddler there. I would also not arrive too early for check-in, there could be a long wait, I would wait till like 1pm and then go, you will be able to walk right on and go straight to the room. You should also bring a baby float for the water, a portable sun shade and some small toys/books, this is why I wouldn't bring the tub, you will have plenty to bring as it is!

We had an amazing time on the Breakaway and in Bermuda, I'm sure you will too! Enjoy!

Thank you so much for your tips!!!

 

Is your city mini a new one with rubber tires or the older version with the smaller tires? (I've owned both!) If it's the newer one, I would consider a smaller stroller but, make sure you have one that reclines and has a good sunshade (like the city mini), if that is not possible, just take the one you have. I'm taking my newer city mini with me on our cruise in January.

 

Transportation is going to be a bit of a personal issue. The bus takes ALONG time to get to places compared to a taxi, we compromised and used the shuttle vans BUT I did not have a toddler on that trip. We travel with our car seats (but I have purchased a light weight car seat for travel, it's a lifesaver!) and I think we would probably opt for a taxi and car seat if we went to Bermuda with the kids but, it would depend on where we were going, etc. Lots of options in Bermuda, it's such an amazing place, so safe and so friendly. I fell in love and wouldn't hesitate to take my kids back there.

 

I have the city mini GT with the bigger rubber wheels...

What did you do with the car seat once at the destination you wanted to go?? Carry it with you???

I have the city mini GT with the bigger rubber wheels...

 

What did you do with the car seat once at the destination you wanted to go?? Carry it with you???

I didn't actually take my toddler to Bermuda, I was there with my teen daughter BUT, if I did, what I would do for the 3 days is:

Day 1 - Take the Ferry to Hamilton, stroller only, walk around , maybe take the city bus to some sights.

Day 2 - Take cab to Horseshoe bay beach, with the car seat, no stroller. Less people there the second day, cab will drop you off about 50-100ft to the beach, easy to walk, set up for the day and just keep the car seat with you. There is washrooms, concessions, umbrella rentals, everything you need.

Day 3 - Stay close to the pier, walk around , take baby to the playground, splash pad, enjoy the empty ship, pick up supplies, if need be. The dockyard has plenty to do.

I didn't actually take my toddler to Bermuda, I was there with my teen daughter BUT, if I did, what I would do for the 3 days is:

 

Day 1 - Take the Ferry to Hamilton, stroller only, walk around , maybe take the city bus to some sights.

 

Day 2 - Take cab to Horseshoe bay beach, with the car seat, no stroller. Less people there the second day, cab will drop you off about 50-100ft to the beach, easy to walk, set up for the day and just keep the car seat with you. There is washrooms, concessions, umbrella rentals, everything you need.

 

Day 3 - Stay close to the pier, walk around , take baby to the playground, splash pad, enjoy the empty ship, pick up supplies, if need be. The dockyard has plenty to do.

Thanks - I will definitely look to do something like this!

 

I'm taking my newer city mini with me on our cruise in January.

 

Hi Tammy,

Still trying to decide over here if buying an umbrella stroller is worth it? How was the city mini (GT?) with the bigger rubber wheels on your January cruise?