Best Cruise line for Babies younger than 2yo

[audekat]

Hi! I am looking at taking a cruise with my son next thanksgiving, he will be about 18 months old. Any recomendations of what cruise line will be best for us. I have cruised several times before with family and semi-alone. I will also be traveling with my Dad and his GF on the thanksgiving cruise.

 

I have been thinking about Carnival, but if there are recomendations for another line I am very interested in hearing them!

[hockeyucf]

We (husband, 18 month old, and me) just got back from our first Disney cruise today. We had previously sailed on NCL with our son when he was about 8 months old, and also have sailed Princess, Celebrity, and Royal sans child. I don't know what line would be "best" for an 18 month old, but here are some random thoughts:

 

- Choose a ship that has adequate dining options at a variety of times. We had planned to feed our son at the buffet before our late dining seating, but the ship's dining options didn't allow for that. I would recommend possibly going with a line that has some version of anytime dining, since that would allow you to coordinate dinners. NCL worked well for us on that front.

 

- Our son really enjoys live music, but most of the clubs on Disney were 18+ only. You may want to check into nightlife age restrictions.

 

- On the other hand, my son LOVED the character experiences, the splash pad, and your dad and his GF would probably appreciate the fact that there are so many adults only options.

 

- Are you planning on having him sleep in a pack 'n play? If so, floor space is a consideration. For that matter, so is the availability of a bathtub, although we've done the inflatable duck tub thing in the past and it worked great.

 

- No matter which line you choose, plan on it being somewhat of a "working vacation." :)

 

For what it's worth, we're booked on NCL and actually think that for the age of our child it will be more relaxing for everyone all around than Disney was.

[cb at sea]

Only some ships have pools/splash areas for the diapered set....if that's important to you, make sure the ship you'll be on has someplace for baby to splash! Disney does, and a few of the RCI ships have an area...but not ALL!

I would also look for a line that offers babysitting, so you adults can have a "night out" once or twice!

[mymollysue]

I agree with the first two posters. Pick a line that has some sort of babysitting available so when your LO goes to sleep at night, you can go out for a bit.

 

Having a baby splash zone is great as well. The Oasis Class Ships and Disney are the two lines that have that. We are doing Disney in May because it has a nursery and a splash zone. Two major pluses!

[beachchick]

I agree with the first two posters. Pick a line that has some sort of babysitting available so when your LO goes to sleep at night, you can go out for a bit.

 

Having a baby splash zone is great as well. The Oasis Class Ships and Disney are the two lines that have that. We are doing Disney in May because it has a nursery and a splash zone. Two major pluses!

 

The Freedom class ships do as well.

 

beachchick

[mymollysue]

The Freedom class ships do as well.

 

beachchick

 

I also read that the Liberty and Freedom are getting baby nurseries when they go into dry dock in early 2011. I think that is a smart move on their part!

[rolloman]

Unfortunately at 18 months old you are stuck in the gray area. That being said, there is no competition in my opinion for Disney at that age. There is not even a close second. Flounders nursery staff is exceptional. RCCL has in cabin babysitting but I have not had good luck with that. NCL and Carnival have kids club starting at 2yrs old and NCL beats Carnival hands down for kids club IMO. Most of the rest of the lines start at 3 yrs old for kids club. The new Disney Dream comes out in a few months and I am sure it will be spectacular.

[mymollysue]

Unfortunately at 18 months old you are stuck in the gray area. That being said, there is no competition in my opinion for Disney at that age. There is not even a close second. Flounders nursery staff is exceptional. RCCL has in cabin babysitting but I have not had good luck with that. NCL and Carnival have kids club starting at 2yrs old and NCL beats Carnival hands down for kids club IMO. Most of the rest of the lines start at 3 yrs old for kids club. The new Disney Dream comes out in a few months and I am sure it will be spectacular.

 

We are going on the Disney Dream in May and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!! We love Disney and my DD is obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! We can't wait to see her reaction!

[Julienatul]

We (husband, 18 month old, and me) just got back from our first Disney cruise today. We had previously sailed on NCL with our son when he was about 8 months old, and also have sailed Princess, Celebrity, and Royal sans child. I don't know what line would be "best" for an 18 month old, but here are some random thoughts:

 

- Choose a ship that has adequate dining options at a variety of times. We had planned to feed our son at the buffet before our late dining seating, but the ship's dining options didn't allow for that. I would recommend possibly going with a line that has some version of anytime dining, since that would allow you to coordinate dinners. NCL worked well for us on that front.

 

- Our son really enjoys live music, but most of the clubs on Disney were 18+ only. You may want to check into nightlife age restrictions.

 

- On the other hand, my son LOVED the character experiences, the splash pad, and your dad and his GF would probably appreciate the fact that there are so many adults only options.

 

- Are you planning on having him sleep in a pack 'n play? If so, floor space is a consideration. For that matter, so is the availability of a bathtub, although we've done the inflatable duck tub thing in the past and it worked great.

 

- No matter which line you choose, plan on it being somewhat of a "working vacation." :)

 

For what it's worth, we're booked on NCL and actually think that for the age of our child it will be more relaxing for everyone all around than Disney was.

 

I agree with you, we did Disney in May when my son was 17 months and we will be going back to Carnival. Its not as relaxing as the other cruiselines but defintely more child oriented. We prefer a more relaxed environment that has something for everyone.

[rolloman]

I agree with you, we did Disney in May when my son was 17 months and we will be going back to Carnival. Its not as relaxing as the other cruiselines but defintely more child oriented. We prefer a more relaxed environment that has something for everyone.

Congrats....you win the award for the ultimate Carnival cheerleader. Carnival more relaxed. lol,,,,, unreal. Carnival is full of drunken teenagers and young adults, there is no way in hell one can describe Carnival as relaxed. Let me put it to you this way OP.... Disney is the only cruiseline that offers children to sail at 4 months. There is a reason, they have the medical staff onboard to treat such a young child. It is what Disney does, and they are good at it. Carnival is the "fun" ship, the party ship... it in no way shape or form can compare to Disney which caters to young children. PERIOD. My little one is now two and has been on 8 sailings with multiple lines, I think I know what I am talking about...........Carnival lost a passenger last year and tried to rescue the passenger and the rescue boat sank... a Disney ship nearby came to the rescue and plucked the passenger out of the seas... google it..........

[audekat]

Thank you all for your comments.

 

Disney would be nice...but there is no casino and I enjoy the casino as does my family that will traveling with me. and Disney is significantly more expensive for limited lame itineraries.

 

Has anyone use Royals nursuries? What did you think? and are there any other opinions on the inroom babysitting?

 

I try not to take one opinion and run with it since everyone has different experences.

[rolloman]

Thank you all for your comments.

 

Disney would be nice...but there is no casino and I enjoy the casino as does my family that will traveling with me. and Disney is significantly more expensive for limited lame itineraries.

 

Has anyone use Royals nursuries? What did you think? and are there any other opinions on the inroom babysitting?

 

I try not to take one opinion and run with it since everyone has different experences.

Royal Caribbean only has a nursery on Oasis, and the prices for cruising that ship make the Disney prices look like the dollar store. By the way, the Disney private Island is spectacular and if someone wants to go to the Casino, Nassau has several including Atlantis. If I were you I would book the NCL EPIC... it has everything you are looking for and then some....

[DALSAL]

Congrats....you win the award for the ultimate Carnival cheerleader. Carnival more relaxed. lol,,,,, unreal. Carnival is full of drunken teenagers and young adults, there is no way in hell one can describe Carnival as relaxed. Let me put it to you this way OP.... Disney is the only cruiseline that offers children to sail at 4 months. There is a reason, they have the medical staff onboard to treat such a young child. It is what Disney does, and they are good at it. Carnival is the "fun" ship, the party ship... it in no way shape or form can compare to Disney which caters to young children. PERIOD. My little one is now two and has been on 8 sailings with multiple lines, I think I know what I am talking about...........Carnival lost a passenger last year and tried to rescue the passenger and the rescue boat sank... a Disney ship nearby came to the rescue and plucked the passenger out of the seas... google it..........

 

Im glad Ive never sailed on any of your Carnival Cruises! Ive not seen any drunken teens..Im sure there are some, but never seen it. And, believe it or not, I can relax on a Carnival Cruise!! :eek: But, I love any ship. Havent had the joy of Disney yet, but Im sure now that I have a DGD, I will!