flhokie

The CDC travel vaccination site DOES recommend additional vaccines for the Western Caribbean itinerary. I selected the countries and cruise passenger for the recommendations. Honduras, Belize and Mexico all are endemic areas for typhoid and hep A.

 

 

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We would not eat ashore in those countries & wouldn't be doing any kind of adventurous excursions so personally we would not get additional vaccines as the CDC recommendations are for most and some travellers--depends on plans in those locations.

That being said, if we were doing the activities mentioned by OP I would definitely discuss it with my physician & DD's pediatrician and follow their recommendations.

Definitely talk to your pediatrician. We vaccinate DD on schedule & wouldn't have even thought of any additional vaccinations for a Caribbean cruise. That being said, we aren't quite as adventurous--wouldn't be going into the jungle, etc.

I doubt you would need anything additional due to just the ship's itinerary, but you might due to the activities you have planned.

1. You're not nuts. It is a long time, but probably easier at that age than once he is a bit older/mobile. It won't be the same experience you've had before, but you will have the opportunity to have some great family memories.

2. I'm not sure about HAL specifically, but most ships are accommodating. Everyone is allowed in the main dining room, buffet, etc. You might find restrictions for specialty dining (ex. On RCCL kids under 12 aren't allowed in specialty restaurants after a certain time) and some entertainment.

3. Cruise lines usually provide pack n plays. You may want to bring your own sheets since they take almost no space & I've read that they usually just put a regular folded up sheet on.

4. It depends on what you plan to do in port. I'd take it if you plan to use taxis. We didn't plan to use any transportation other than a water taxi so we didn't take ours. If you take cruiseline airport transfers you will be in a motor coach so you couldn't use it there.

5. That all depends on the gear & the airline. Strollers can be checked at the door of the plane & they will be brought up to you when you arrive (no cost).

Take some favorite toys/blankies, stay flexible and take anything you might need for baby on board with you (diapers, baby food if needed--some just mash soft food onboard, baby medicines, etc).

Does independence have a nursery? If so, I'd recommend that. They have cribs for little ones to sleep in while they are there. You can make a confirmed booking on embarkation day & it's $8 per hour.a

I'm not sure which line, but I have seen spa menus for teens (pretty sure it was teens & not children) on some ships. From what I recall it mainly included nail & facial treatments. Quite honestly, I would not be surprised if they don't allow it for liability purposes (maybe they would as long as a parent is in the room).

We used the nursery on Allure in May for our 2 year old DD. It was great! They fed DD dinner, played with her, etc all evening. She is not in daycare and has only been watched by family so I wasn't sure how she would react when dropped off. She went right in and started playing (not 1 minute of hesitation or tears). They engaged her right off the bat. When we picked her up they gave us a detailed report of her evening (exactly what she ate & drank, what she I'd, etc). She wanted to go back. We had the ship phone they gave us when we registered her on day 2 (able to keep it he entire cruise) so we knew they could get us if she needed us. Next cruise she will be old enough for AO, but I would highly recommend the nursery to others!

If you purchase transfers from the cruise line you would be transported on a large motor coach which I don't believe require a car seat. You could also arrange with a private transportation company hat provides cars equipped with car seats--you would have to arrange this in advance. A taxi would require a car seat.

Thought of something else....applesauce pouches. I had just a couple as last resorts for port days, and I wish I would have taken more (and veggie pouches too). Come in handy when there's a wait for meals.

Also someone on our cruise gave us a tip we'll use: the cover/case for camping chairs fit umbrella strollers, for easy carrying.

 

Also, as a working mom, I valued my cruise with my little girl. No phone, no computer, just us. Enjoy seeing it all through her eyes!

Great tips! I always try to keep an applesauce pouch with me.

As another working mom, I agree with you about the cruise time with my little girl...truly treasured time!

One other thing that worked well was grabbing several cartons of milk at breakfast & putting them in the fridge for nap & bed time.

We took a small umbrella stroller that we bought to use when we go to Disney. We used it in 1 port & that's all, but I was glad we had it just in case. It was easy to store too.

We just returned from a week on Allure of the Seas with DD (2 years 4 months). We had a wonderful time! It was definitely different than cruising by ourselves but we have some very treasured memories. No matter what type of vacation we took there would have been costs for DD. I travel for work so, except for 1 short trip a year with just DH & I, DD comes along on vacation....it is extra special family time.

We sailed with a group, including grandparents which definitely helped. We also worked hard in advance to get DD potty trained so she could swim.

Things we took/did that were great....took all possible medication (thankfully didn't need any, but was comfortable knowing we had it if needed), took a favorite blanket & 2 small stuffed animals from her bed, took small packages of wipes--great for quick clean ups of hands, faces & clothes, DVD player with some DVDs of favorite shows, disposable placemats, disposable sippy/straw cups, crayola coloring sets with the markers that only show up on the special paper, potty seat (fold out that sits on seat so she can use potty without holding her--this comes with a pouch so you can easily throw it in a purse/bag).

Things we took that we didn't end up using....toddler utensils, disposable bibs, coloring books, iPad. Folding step stool (sink & potty were low enough she didn't need it)

I was certain we'd use the iPad, but there was so much going on it barely came out of the safe. We took way way too much in the way of coloring & books. In the dining room she was occupied by the kids around us, the people in our group & her food.

Even though she is potty trained, I took diapers. Since this was a big change for her (new place, sleeping, experiences, etc) I was worried about her moving backwards since I've heard of kids doing that when confronted with change. In the end we didn't need them, but if we had it would not have been easy to get them.

We found the toy lending program & nursery (Royal Caribbean) a huge help. She played with those toys whenever we were in the cabin.

We did not stick to a strict schedule. For the most part we followed her lead and we only had 1 major meltdown (embarkation day--up early, no nap, major excitement).

We just returned from a week on Allure of the Seas with DD (2 years, 4 months). It was an awesome trip & I will post more details once we are all settled. A few things b/c of topics that I've seen on here...

1. Embarkation with a stroller was fine. We had to fold it for the x-ray, but were fine with using the Platinum line for check-in.

2. The loaner bag of toys was great! DD loved playing with them in the room. We kept the same bag for the week even though you can exchange them if you want. Our bag had a fishing boat set, construction set and cars (all Fisher Price).

3. The shipboard phone we received when registering DD was helpful throughout the week.

4. The Nursery was great. We used it once (our dinner at Chops), but DD wanted to go back. They fed her dinner.

5. She loved the Boardwalk---rode the carousel 30+ times.

6. She loved the shows we went to. We took her to OceanAria, Blue Planet, Ice Games and Madegascar Aqua Show.

7. The sofa bed took so much space (balcony cabin) that we did not have our attendant make it up after the 1st night. DD prefers the floor to her bed at home so she would sleep in a little bed on the floor made of comforters & sheets from the sofa bed.

8. DD loved the splash zone. We worked hard to potty train before our trip so she could enjoy it. She swims weekly with my parents so not being able to swim would have mad for a miserable week. The staff did seem to question every parent with children under 3 in the regular splash zone (easy to tell as kids under 3 don't get wristbands). They checked to make sure they were potty trained/not wearing swim diapers. It was usually the same staff & were good at remembering the people they'd already talked too.

We had family & friends with us which really helped, especially at dinner. Dinner in the dining room was a bit challenging, but our wait staff was great.

I'll write a more formal review once we get settled, but feel free to ask any questions.

omg this thread makes me want to scream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

some people are so unbelievably rude... you're acting like she's planning on tying her child to a freakin roof rack or to the front of a bus where they put bicycles!

i'm angry for you!!! lol :p love your review title too hahahaha

I have to agree with you.

As far as transportation to the hotel, OP was looking for suggestions from others who might have been in the same position and there are a few options if the hotel shuttle ends up not being a possibility.

As for flying with a lap child---it's done everyday for kids up to 2. It isn't everyone's choice, but OP is doing what she feels is right for her & her family (lap child was great for us when DD was younger).

Like I mentioned earlier, I've never flown with DD's car seat and I probably never will. Even though she can't fly in my lap any longer, I wouldn't use a car seat--I might use a CARES harness, but not her car seat. On her past trips we were fortunate to have family/friends at all but 1 destination. At that one destination we got a carseat with our rental car---gasp. We would do the same thing in the future too--let the bashing begin.

I also don't see us ever taking a car seat on a cruise. Like I mentioned earlier we usually don't get off be ship or stay in walking distance to it.

To the OP, I travel weekly for work and have seen many children on hotel shuttles--none of them ever in car seats. Since I live in FL I haven't taken those shuttles here.

When DD was under 2 she flew with me several times as a lap child. I did not take a car seat--had arrangements (family or friends, etc.) at our destination.

Because the hotel van probably won't be an option, maybe arrange for the car service to the hotel too. Also, there seem to be several baby gear rental places in south FL that deliver equipment to you. A car service would probably be easier. Another option would be to rent a car (w/carseat), return it to the airport the morning of the cruise & take a cruise line bus to the ship. This option would allow you to go to the grocery store/Target for snacks, drinks, diapers, etc.

We will be sailing with DD (2 years old) in May. Since we live in Central Florida, we will be driving to Ft Lauderdale. Even though she will be in her car seat all the way to the port, we don't plan on taking it on the ship. Of our 3 ports, we might get off at 2 and we will either be walking around or taking a water taxi--no car travel so we don't see any need to take it.

They do not specify if it will be like Princess where you have the option to remove them from your onboard account & pay them in cash if you so choose.

Hello all! I am new here. I need your help.

 

I am from South Jersey very near Philadelphia.

 

I have a few questions:

 

1. I want to get married the week after Easter, 2009.

2. I want to go on a cruise from Philadelphia to the Carribean.

There don't seem to be any cruises departing from Philly this spring (looked at March & April). There are some on Royal Caribbean that depart from Port Liberty, New Jersey.

3. I think it would be cool to get married at sea by the Captain.

To get married at sea by the captain, you would have to sail on Princess or Celebrity (their Caribbean Cruises at that time of year depart from Florida & Puerto Rico).

4. I live in New Jersey, not Pennsylvania, so I can't get married at the port in Philadelphia.

5. Does anyone have any info on how to do this?

All of the cruise lines have wedding departments (they are through a company called The Wedding Experience) so you could start by contacting them to see what options they have (this late, availability may be limited). If you want to get married in a port you could work with a local wedding coordinator (you must use the cruiseline company for any weddings onboard the ship). You should also decide on length of cruise, cruiseline, etc. A travel agent can help with this part.

 

Thank you !!!

 

glockenzul

I've answered some of your questions in blue above. You will want to start very quickly on this as the week after Easter is spring break in many places. As a result, cruises tend to book pretty early. There has to be availability for both the cruise and the wedding to make it work. If you are able to travel to Florida for the cruise, you would probably have many more options.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

My friend did this a few weeks ago on our cruise. While she "lost inches," shortly afterwards she broke out in a rash over the entire area where they did the treatment (it was only in the specific area where the treatment was done so there was no debating that it was a reaction to what they put on her). She was still dealing with the rash when we got off the ship.