leahlovescruising

ST MARTIN

St. Martin was a pretty decent day besides the fact I was pregnant and hot which means I was cranky and hormonal. I told my husband to just have some beers, ignore me and let me buy something I probably didn't need before I got over myself. Ahh, the joys of being pregnant. Once I was done acting like a 14 year old girl, life was better.

So, we had no plans here but I wanted to go to the beach and I didn't want to take a cab anywhere so we just took the water taxi over and went from there.

We did some shopping and walking around and then decided to eat at Blue Bitch (I think that is the name). It was taking forever and now my child was turning into the crabby pants so I took him for a walk before we settled on some beach chairs. I did NO research on my ports and just winged it. I am not sure if you can just use some of the beach chairs or if they are all paid only. Eitherway we settled on $20 for 2 beach chairs, wifi (what a joke) and some drinks. Our chairs were right by the water, I was full and my kid was starting to cheer up. Life is good.

View from the water

Further down the beach

life is rough

PORTS

Cococay canceled = sad Leah. This was the one place I was so excited about because it was easy travel with a baby. I do have to say though, I would not book this itinerary again. With CC cancelled it was just too many sea days (4). By the last day I had enough sun and water and was a bit over it. Western next time.

St Thomas: Last minute shore excursion booked through RCCL to Magens Bay. What a wonderful time this was! It was not long but with a 10 month old you really do not need that much beach time. We had 2.5 or 3 hours there, I forget. The drive though was definitely a good 20+ minutes each way but on th way back we did make some stops to see the views. I believe the excursion was just Magens Beach excursion. I also do not remember price :/ Maybe $25 each?

When we got there it wasn't too crowded and by the end it had even less people. We were able to find a good spot in the shade and eventually move to a picnic table. Had we gone down the beach even further it would have been less people. The water was wonderful, so refreshing! They also do have a changing area here and girls walking around taking drink orders. (S-L-O-W).

We also got to stop for some gorgeous views which was a nice surprise.

Selfies are not my kids strong suit ;)

ROYAL TOTS - A++++

We booked our Royal Tots hours the first night of the cruise. You can prebook 16 hours and on Wednesday if there are openings you can book more.

We did 11-1 on Sea Days and 5:30-8 for dinner expect for 1 formal night (you can only book 1). We picked the times based on his naps. We wanted to take him into it well rested and happy. (very much the opposite of what most babies looked like). We figured the happier the baby the happier the sitter and US!

I must say, I was hesitant. Miles is only watched at home by a nanny. We do playdates but he is not in a regular daycare setting so I was not sure how well he would do. Because of the times we took him, he was great and they loved them. I would truly bring these girls back to Ohio with me if I could. \

This also helped us relax some on vacation. We enjoyed 5 nights of dinner having adult conversation and not jugging puffs around. But by the end of dinner we were ready for our baby again. Funny how that works. I'd def. recommend taking advantage though. I think it's very important to have alone time with our spouses :)

H20 ZONE: BABY SPLASH ZONE

Splash Zone is all the way to the left right above the circular pool. Blink and you may miss it.

the depth

He loved tasting the water, ew!

BABY PACKING LIST

I did a lot of research on what to pack and went also by what I thought we would definitely need and stuff that was just that, stuff. These are the things I took beyond the normal baby stuff needed.

STROLLER: First Years Jet Stroller. Would I take again? NO. While it was lightweight that that was really the only good for us. I think there is not enough storage on the bottom and I really do wish we bought something that reclined a bit more. It did work for us but I could have been fine with a big stroller because we had the storage (we stayed in a family interior)

http://www.amazon.com/The-First-Years-Stroller-City/dp/B002WB2G9I

STOLLER FAN: This was GREAT to have. It kept Miles cool and kept him entertained when he was fussy. For as much playing and chewing on it the thing is still in great shape. Never had to replace the batteries either and it was on a lot!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043IS18I/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

SHADE TENT: We bought this for CocoCay and that port was cancelled so this never got used. However we just returned from a weekend away and got to use it. LOVE IT. It's big enough to fit all of us in comfortably and very easy to set up. I'd def. take this again on a cruise...and hope to get to use it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009PUTIE/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

WATER FLOAT: LOVED THIS! We used it in ST Martin and Thomas and it def. got it's use. It was so nice to have my arms somewhat free.

http://www.target.com/p/swimways-baby-spring-float-animal-friends-with-sun-canopy-giraffe/-/A-15125662#prodSlot=large_1_15

For the normal baby stuff: 2 weeks worth of diapers, 2 weeks worth of formula (which we actually JUST had enough) I am sure it was the heat that called for the extra fluids. 2 outfits per day (didn't use 6 outfits), 2 bathing suits with top/bottom/swim diaper. Medicines, wipes, etc etc. I did not bring many toys because you can rent out toys for the week which was great.

Hello everyone! I am new to the boards but wanted to write a review from the prospective of traveling with a 10 month old. I hope it'll be helpful to those traveling in the future with a young child.

ABOUT US:

I'm Leah, 28, self employed. My husband, Matt , 32 does something with computers (I probably will never really understand what he does). And of course our wonderful son Miles who was 10 months at sailing. This was my 4th RCCL cruise and my husbands first cruise ever. We are very comfortable traveling with our son as this isn't our first big trip with him however it was definitely a bit different- but FUN! We booked this cruise a month out as a Anniversary trip/having another baby and it'll be forever since we do big trips, vacation.

My little family :)

Because he's so cute

Port Canaveral Transportation and Hotel

Because we were traveling with our son I knew the best option for our travel from MCO to the hotel would be by private car as I could request a infant car seat. We booked with Orlando Chauffeured Services. I could not find a ton of reviews on them but what I did find was great. I would highly recommend them and use them again. They were waiting for us in baggage when we arrived and helped us with all of our luggage and there was a lot. We also used them on the back back to MCO and we did have to wait a little bit here but it wasn't more than 10 minutes. Roundtrip was $200 and we tipped $20 each way to our driver.

For our hotel we ended up booking Four Points Sheraton Cocoa Beach. We booked our cruise a month out and at this point the inventory was pretty low. However, I wanted to take Miles to the beach for the first time and this hotel was only a block away. We also had a grocery store and Walgreens across the street, if needed. The hotel itself is nice, our room was spacious and just fine for 1 night where all we'd be doing is sleeping. We ate at the hotel restaurant which was actually awesome and quick despite being very busy. There is a surf shop with plenty to blow your money on. They also sell a lot of drug store items for the same price which was great- no running to Walgreens. The only complaint was we asked for a crib 3x and it never got delivered. In the end, no biggie, I'll never complain about baby snuggles :)

Hotel Shuttle: Awesome! We had maybe 10 people on ours so there was no lobby congestion, no confusion, nothing. We got to the lobby 5 minutes before boarding and easy peasy. Much different than the zoo when I cruised out of Miami. Glad that wasn't the case.

**random packing tip: Ziploc for the kids. This was a lifesaver and so easy!

It was being offered on our freedom cruise last week. Not sure where it was being served though, did not read the sign but was also told about it at portofino. Believe it was $14.95

We just returned from the Freedom on Sunday with our son who is 10 months old. We had a wonderful time and would not 2nd guess going again!

We used the pack n play they have on the ship which I'd recommend. I'm not sure if the rail would fit on the bed but I def. do not think it'd fit on the couch. They had a weird shape at the bottom, not your normal couch style near the bottom.

We loved royal tots and our son did too. He is also very open to new people so I know that made it a bit easier. However, the staff was wonderful when we saw them with the children who were having a harder time. We really have nothing bad to say about the service and would recommend highly. They do give you a phone so if they have any issues they will give you a call if they need you to come back.

Did not use monitor.

We rented a private car and they provided the car seat for us free of charge. They picked us up from MCO and dropped us off at the hotel in Cocoa Beach and then did a return trip. We did take the hotel shuttle to the port and we held him during that portion.

If you use a debit card then they put several holds over the course of the cruise. If you use a credit card just goes off at end.

 

If they take the whole amount at end of cruise on debit card it can take several days for the other charges to drop off. I had to contact my bank and they dropped the other charges from my account as RC said would take them a few days to drop it off at their end.

 

Good luck

(That's why I make sure I use credit card onboard now:rolleyes:)

thanks! totally forgot about the holds, makes sense! Not a big deal in the end...well, as long as they come off :)

I'm going over my account today and have 3 charges that came from my account during the cruise to almost $500 on 3 different days. Then today my sea pass balance was deducted in the amount of my final balance. Has anyone had this happen before? I figured they might be charging randomly through the cruise instead of

One large payment at the end but doesn't seem the case.

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We just got off on Sunday. Had an 11:30 departure out of MCO.We were in the 7:15 group, off by 8 (there was a 10 min. hold up due to security). By the airport at 8:45. At our gate by 9:30. 2 veeeeeeeeery long hours with a 10 month old. I'd say you have plenty of time!

On the sailing as well and also opposite thoughts of OP for the most part BUT vacations can vary greatly from one person to the next.

We actually found elevators not crowded with very little wait. In fact, when you think there would be waits, like after the dreamworks parade, we walked right on. We also never had more than an hour in the dining room (we ate between 5:30-6).

I'll post a review soon. The ONLY bad part of my trip was the NORO that started 6 hours after getting home.

F

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We ate at portofinos twice last week and it was $25. If you google portofino royal caribbean you'll find tons of menu pics. We loved it and ate there twice. There seafood skewer is so dang good!

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The chair hogging was ridiculous on the last freedom sailing. I'd see chairs with no

People in them for HOURS. Sometimes the deck attendants enforced, esp. the last 2 sea days. On the 6th day we saw chairs sit for about 2 hours. The husband came back pissed- then his wife. She went straight up to the pool attendant with her finger right in his face screaming. Nothing like those who save their chairs and think they are entitled to do so. I hope she felt embarrassed by all who saw her but I doubt it.

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We received our sons in 11 business days, this was standard processing done through an office.

Easy answer if it were me. Take the extra space. The only foot traffic should be from those with cabins in that corridor. I am guessing it is a Freedom Class ship so that extra 60sqft is a lot of room.

yes, the freedom!

OR should I wait it out and cross my fingers a balcony becomes available? They have guarantees available for 2 but none for 3 ppl :/

I have an inside room on 10. I was hoping a balcony would become available or the price on an ocean view family would drop in price. With sailaway in 6 days, no balconies and the OV Family is now gone.

There is an family interior available on deck 2, 2309. It's now $200 less than what I paid for my interior room. My question, would you take the larger room on deck 2? Not sure if being close to the ice rink makes for a lot of noise/foot traffic?

THE biggest pro for me is space (traveling with a 10 month old). Any cons?

I'd go with the nursery, a lot less expensive. On the Freedom is is $8/hour and you can book a max. of 16 hours for the cruise so I am sure the Oasis is somewhere close in price, if not the same.

We are very excited! I am wondering if it is worth it to try the specialty restaurants or do the main dining rooms have some of the same things?

First, congrats on your marriage!

I love Chops & my husband and I will be spending our anniversary there for dinner. I have gone in the past and had a wonderful experience. He wants to try Portofino so we'll do that as well. I personally think it'd be a great romantic dinner for your honeymoon :)

The solution for us is royal tots during dinner time :D:D:D

We actually had the idea the entire time of planning up until the last week or so to take our son to dinner with us. He has been in restaurants since about 3 weeks old. He is very calm and just stares people down. BUT, until the last week or so, our calm child will not sit still in a high chair and the sound that comes out of that cute little mouth drives ME nuts. Royal Tots it is for all but one formal night (you can only book 1 formal night sitting) Hopefully that night he decides to behave otherwise he'll be walking the halls with his father while I enjoy my lobtser;)

I'd apply it towards gratuities if not paid for already and also some sort of beverage package. Next up would be speciality restaurants...or maybe the spa! SO many options!

I prefer Chops over Portofino

We are doing umbrella stroller and also our ergo. I bought the chilly pad just in case. I figured most of the time he'll be in his stroller but just incase!

I don't want to start a new post so I hope you don't mind OP.

- For those who used a P&P, did you have to contact someone beforehand to let them know you;d need one and if so, who? Or can you just ask your room steward when you arrive?

Our son always starts in his crib but doesn't fail everynight as soon as I crawl into bed, he wakes up.:rolleyes: