Kerry's Girls

There are machines in the laundry room where you buy the tokens using your medallion/charged to your room. $3 each for the tokens and you need one for the washer and one for the dryer. Also tokens for the laundry soap purchased in the same manner, but I didn't notice the cost. Brought my own pods.

The Internet Cafe was the site of the daily(?) book exchange. I would not plan on finding books to read on board. I was glad I brought mine, but also assumed I could find more after the glorious library on the Emerald that was stocked with multiple copies of great books.

There's no rule addressing it that I'm aware of. The problem is finding space to put it between two deck chairs - better to go where it's less crowded a bit away from the pool. But no cruise line will allow a blow up pool near the pool or in an open space where it would be in the way of others. When we talk about inflatable "pools", it's really a small bathtub size to splash in (like the duck tub), not an inflatable pool. Have a great time!

I started taking my twins at 13 months old. I didn't care if they were old enough to appreciate it - someone else was doing all my cooking and cleaning, bringing me room service in the morning, taking us to new places to explore/play each day while we slept, my kids were treated like royalty by the staff. As a result, we all had more fun. For me, there's no better vacation with little ones.

As someone who actually sailed Princess with 2 year olds (twins), yes, there is plenty to do (my profile pic is my 13 month olds on their first Princess cruise and we loved it so much, we kept going back). Head on over to the family board where people aren't so cranky about young kids. Princess is unique in that under-3s are allowed in the kids play area as long as one parent is with them. My girls LOVED this - lots of fun things to play with. But even without the play area, and without the pool (as you probably know, must be potty trained for the pools - no swim diapers), my girls always had a great time. The crew treats young kids like royalty (many of them are missing their own). We brought a little blow up duck tub that we'd put in an uncrowded area on deck and have a little splash play (the small tub also then works as a bath tub in the cabin shower). We'd go dancing on deck or in one of the lounges, we'd bring a blow up ball and play in an empty lounge, throw in meals and naps and the days fly by. Happy to answer any questions.

I bring a fan. I have two travel fans: Vornado FIT Personal Air Circulator Fan, Aqua which is a small regular plug in fan that folds so it takes relatively little space and the Quiet Desk Fan, Moucit 4-Inch USB Small Table Fan with Twin Turbo, 2 Speeds and Pivoting Head Personal Electric Fan for Office, Home which is charged or runs like a phone, so I plug it into a phone charger and place it on the nightstand. Both are great. The first is stronger, but if I'm flying I bring the second, smaller one because I also get hot on planes. If it's about the noise, there are apps for that. I need the blowing air and don't travel anywhere, cruise, hotel, flight, etc., without a fan.

We did a two week cruise over Xmas & NYE last year through the Panama Canal. There were a good number of kids and teens who all seemed to be having a great time, but didn't bother us at all. Easy enough to avoid. Every once is awhile there'd be a pack sitting on the stairs in an area or hanging together at the back of a lounge. Not an issue.

What is more family friendly than a vacation with a kids club, babysitting services, kid activities, kid menus and marketed to families? Cruising on mass market lines is one the most family friendly and vacations available. That said, I completely agree that longer cruises during school holidays or cruising during school months is the best way to have a better mix of passengers. Even when cruising with my own kids, none of us want a ship overrun with them 😀

I'll answer what I can: 1 - There is no expectation to tip on top of the gratuities you paid at booking. Some people will give a little extra to their room steward at the end of the trip and I've given a particularly wonderful waiter something extra at the end of the cruise, but there is no daily, on the spot tipping. 2 - There will be set times for breakfast in the Dining Room and the Buffet listed on your daily schedule. You just show up any time within that window. Many ships don't offer lunch in the dining room except on sea days and those times will also be listed. 3 - You have to buy an internet package or you have no access to the internet. Please make sure your devices are set to airplane mode while on board or you could suffer some horrific charges from your cell carrier. 4 - Drink packages vary by cruiseline. Packages usually are set up for alcohol drinkers but you can also find soda packages and only you can decide if it's worth it. A package may not be economical unless you're having more than a few sodas a day. You might ask about juice and chocolate milk availability on the cruise board for your specific cruise line, but for a child those would often be "free" if they're offered outside of breakfast. 5 - You can absolutely have twin beds. There should be a place to note in your reservation how you want your room set up. Occasionally certain suites will have a bed that can't be split, but most rooms are versatile. Have a great time!

Touring is tiring for everyone - adults and kids, but I strongly suggest taking private tours when possible or hiring your own taxi at the port so you can go at your own pace, stop for a meal or snack or gelato any time something looks fun and really enjoy your day rather than doing the on-the-bus/off-the-bus cattle type tour that can be deathly boring for a kid. The plus with a private tour also is you can get to the popular sites quickly before the bus tours/longer lines. Choose outdoor sites to explore rather than museums/shopping. Get back to the ship for an activity, swim, rest, dinner, kids club for awhile and start all over the next day. Don't feel like you need to see everything - the point is to enjoy your days in port and enjoy your time together. A couple suggestions about the cruise you're looking at - for Rome (or really any embarkation city), please get there at least two days early. Many people missed our last cruise even who tried to arrive the day before because a missed connection (which is very common these days) can take more than a day to catch up. Also that gives you time to enjoy the city a bit and get used to the time change before the cruise begins. After the cruise I find it's easier to just head for the airport, so we always enjoy a few days somewhere beforehand. Please avoid the suffering donkeys in Santorini. Their treatment is horrible. Really it's best to avoid any tour that includes animals. Have such a great time - we've loved our family Med cruises.

We did a Norwegian cruise with these ports when my girls were 5 (and again at 18). It's a fantastic, stress-free way to see Europe with a kid because the ship is your floating hotel and you wake up in a new place each day. Most of these itineraries have few sea days, but any of the ships will have a swimming pool, kids club with lots of activities, movies, etc. Some of the ships will have other bells and whistles, but most days after touring everyone will be tired, so a swim and/or playing with other kids in the kids club is perfect. As for doing the Caribbean instead, my twins have been on at least 10 cruises since they were two, and none have been the Caribbean - there are lots of other wonderful places to go if the Carib doesn't interest you.

In addition to the notarized letter, remember the certified birth certificate because it shows the names on your letter are the parents. Have a wonderful cruise with your grandson!

It's been some time, but since no one has responded I'll chime in - when my girls were 5 years ago I'd read that taxis in Spain were diligent about requiring child seats so I brought boosters in a tote bag with us. I brought 2nd hand ones that were given to us and then I left them when our trip was over. Things may have changed, but it wasn't that big a bother.

Cruising is a great way to travel internationally with kids since the ship becomes your hotel that moves while you sleep to a new place to explore, removing the packing/unpacking, stress of transit, changing beds, etc. In the summer, Northern Europe can be best since the ship docks at or closer to the sites and doesn't have the heat/crowds of Mediterranean cities. But if you can go early summer, the Med can be wonderful too - esp with private tours.

Someone else may jump in here with more specific information, but I can offer a little based on my experience cruising with a special needs child (intellectual disability). Cruise lines are VERY in tune with making things easier for kids (and adults) with special needs. On our last cruise there were at least six families with kids on the spectrum. If you contact the special services department of your cruise line you can find out how to arrange to do the life drill in a quieter way (though on our last cruise on Princess it was all done in our cabin); give the kids club a heads up that he's coming (they used to let my daughter age down a group if she would be more comfortable), arrange dining room table in a corner, etc. Also check out Autism at Sea for further tips/info.

Just was on the Jade last summer. It's a fantastic family ship and will be packed with kids your kids' age on a June Alaska cruise. They will have a ball. I think Alaska is the best destination for kids, even more than the Carib. So much to do and explore in each port.

You reported to staff that you didn't think something was safe. That's it. Then it's up to staff to decide if they want to confront parents about what's safe/not safe and allowed/not allowed. A central area will always have more kids. It was sweet of you to be so concerned that you left. I think we all know the feeling of having to choose to move away from other passengers - thankfully lots of other places to go/things to do!

You're right, exactly. You have bring the certified birth certificates to show that the name(s) on the notarized letter match the birth certificate. So passport, certified birth certificate and notarized letter or custody papers, etc.

Glad you're getting the documents. Just want to add for anyone else who follows this thread that just because some people haven't been asked, you could be asked and refused entry if you don't have notarized permission from anyone on the birth certificate who is not traveling. Not all officials are concerned about non-custodial kidnapping, but if you come up against someone who is, it could create a huge disappointment and $ loss (lack of required documentation is not a valid reason for insurance coverage). I cruised many times with my kids alone and was asked a few times, including once by passport control as we re-entered the U.S.

You can absolutely cruise at this age and enjoy it. At this age, generally just choose the itinerary you prefer. That said, it's easier to deal with stroller, etc. if you don't have to tender and if the areas you want to explore aren't far from the ship, as often happens with Med ports. I would look at that and then choose more based on which you prefer.

For the cruise you can check as many bags/diaper boxes as you want. If you're asking about the flights, a box of diapers would absolutely count. Definitely pick up a box of diapers, wipes, anything else you might need for the entire trip in Orlando before boarding. Don't expect the ship to have anything - bring your own meds, plastic cups, etc. While there is no water play area for non-potty trained, many parents have brought the little blow up duck tub for splash play on deck - there's always an area away from the pool where you can put one between two lounge chairs. The duck fits nicely in the shower to use as a bath tub as well, then has a suction cup to stick to the wall. Search "monitor" on this board. Many have tried and some have been successful - but I believe it has more to do with how thick the walls, fire doors, etc are so you have to be prepared that it won't work. But I used to put my sleeping toddlers in a stroller, cover with a towel and park them next to me in a lounge or on deck. Bringing little scented bags to dispose diapers will be helpful to you and your room steward.

Princess has connecting obstructed view cabins priced just a little more than inside cabins. That said, their ships have the least bells & whistles. You will def want two connecting cabins, which is generally much less expensive than a suite and then you also have two bathrooms. I have a special needs adult teen and we've been cruising for years because she loves that we can stay on a schedule during a trip and not keep changing beds, restaurants, etc. There were so many special needs/autistic, etc. kids on the last cruise we were on - I think many families have also found cruising works well for them. I would choose where you want to go - if it's during the summer, Alaska is nice because there is so much to do and it's not blazing hot. I would choose an itinerary with minimal sea days as those are hardest to occupy, but also keeping in mind where you're coming from since making the to/from easier is also important.

As others have said, zero chance. Even if he turned 3 during the cruise, he would not be allowed in before. When my daughters were under 3, the kids club allowed one parent to accompany them into the club to play - not sure if that's still the case.

Funny you mention this - the band Topaz on board was wonderful. Best cruise band I've ever seen - enough so that I gave them special mention in the survey. Their appearances were always a party - everyone on their feet dancing.

Just wanted to note that the library has an amazing variety of really good novels/bestsellers, most with multiple copies, including many copies of the new Barbra Streisand just as an example of how current and well-stocked it is. As for the dog - I also saw it a few times and didn't seem to be a trained service dog - had to be pulled on its leash because it would constantly stop to smell or eat something on the ground. That said, it didn't bother us, just surprising. This is the second time I've seen a dog on a cruise, but last time it was definitely a trained working dog.