Regular Cruiser, but first time with son

[CleoSushi]

Hello everyone,

My hubby and I are regular cruisers and we luv RCL! This is our first cruise as a mommy and daddy with our son, who will be 2 1/2 when we go on our cruise. This would be his first cruise! Any advice for first time parent cruisers! We are so excited:) and can't wait for September! Any help would be incredibly appreciated ;)

[LisaT91403]

You might want to visit the Family Cruises forum for info about cruising with children. You'll find lots of information and kid-friendly people there :-)

[Pat&Liz]

Hiya! I could have written your post. I'm off in May for our first cruise with our 2 1/2 year old son as well. Where are you cruising and which ship are you going on?

[CleoSushi]

hello there :)

we are going on the serenade in September.

We are big on cruising and luv RCCL but this would be the first time we cruise with our son who would be 2 and 1/2 in September. As you can imagine we are freaking out LOL.

We hope he luvs it.

[CleoSushi]

You might want to visit the Family Cruises forum for info about cruising with children. You'll find lots of information and kid-friendly people there :-)

 

 

THX A BUNCH im going to post now :)

[LBumb]

you will have a great time as a family

[sjb317]

We took our grandson on a 9 day cruise when he was 2 1/2 and we loved it! We kept all of our excursions centered around him so that meant lots of beach days. Grandpa got to take long naps in the afternoon when grandson napped which Grandpa really liked:D. We had dinner in the MDR every evening and the waiters doted on Ben. He was quite spoiled by them! It was a different cruise than what we are used to (less casino time, shows, etc.) but we enjoyed having the time with Ben. He says he remembers some of the cruise but it created wonderful memories for us and that is priceless!

Sherri:)

[CleoSushi]

you will have a great time as a family

 

 

oh we cant wait. we are so excited, counting down the days:)

[CleoSushi]

We took our grandson on a 9 day cruise when he was 2 1/2 and we loved it! We kept all of our excursions centered around him so that meant lots of beach days. Grandpa got to take long naps in the afternoon when grandson napped which Grandpa really liked:D. We had dinner in the MDR every evening and the waiters doted on Ben. He was quite spoiled by them! It was a different cruise than what we are used to (less casino time, shows, etc.) but we enjoyed having the time with Ben. He says he remembers some of the cruise but it created wonderful memories for us and that is priceless!

Sherri:)

 

 

thx so much, greatly appreciate it. Our excursions will center around him so he can have the best time :)

[Marina222]

When we went to Alaska with young kids they made an announcement in the terminal that anyone with young children (under 4)could board the ship first. We were one of the first ones to go on a virtually empty cruise ship. It was very cool.

[Pat&Liz]

I definitely know how you feel when you say freaking out. It's a case of, i'm used to cruising just me and my DH. We loved eating in the MDR, taking in the shows and relaxing in the solarium.

 

This time we're preparing ourselves for slightly earlier evenings, and probably not the shows. We'll still eat in the MDR as Alexander is a good eater, and well behaved. If it doesn't work out, there's always windjammer.

My biggest concern is that Alexander so far, demonstrates a fear of swimming pools, but I'm hoping that the splash zone on Liberty will be less daunting for him. Also, it being open air will be better, as all the swimming pools we've been to so far have been indoors.

 

Also, our ports will be very different. We're doing a med cruise, but are unlikely to do any excursions that involve travelling by car/bus as we're not planning on bringing a car seat.

 

Mostly, I hoping he doesn't get motion sickness. He's fine in cars, and last year we flew to New Zealand and stayed in a campervan for a month, and he was fine with that, so fingers crossed!! :)

[ehfl]

I don't think a 2-1/2 yo is going to have much of an opinion about the cruise. Give them a box or toy to play with and they are probably OK. Do what YOU want....the kid will be fine.

[Pat&Liz]

I don't think a 2-1/2 yo is going to have much of an opinion about the cruise. Give them a box or toy to play with and they are probably OK. Do what YOU want....the kid will be fine.

 

In all due respect - I happen to think that if my son does NOT like the cruise, he will let me, my DH and probably a lot of other cruisers know that he's not happy. Giving him a 'box or toy' does not satisfy my child's curiosity and interaction with the world around him.

 

And this is a family holiday, so I want him to enjoy it, not just be 'ok'.

[CleoSushi]

When we went to Alaska with young kids they made an announcement in the terminal that anyone with young children (under 4)could board the ship first. We were one of the first ones to go on a virtually empty cruise ship. It was very cool.

 

 

OOOOH Really!!! That would be awesome, ill keep my fingers crossed for this! THANKS

[CleoSushi]

I definitely know how you feel when you say freaking out. It's a case of, i'm used to cruising just me and my DH. We loved eating in the MDR, taking in the shows and relaxing in the solarium.

 

This time we're preparing ourselves for slightly earlier evenings, and probably not the shows. We'll still eat in the MDR as Alexander is a good eater, and well behaved. If it doesn't work out, there's always windjammer.

My biggest concern is that Alexander so far, demonstrates a fear of swimming pools, but I'm hoping that the splash zone on Liberty will be less daunting for him. Also, it being open air will be better, as all the swimming pools we've been to so far have been indoors.

 

Also, our ports will be very different. We're doing a med cruise, but are unlikely to do any excursions that involve travelling by car/bus as we're not planning on bringing a car seat.

 

Mostly, I hoping he doesn't get motion sickness. He's fine in cars, and last year we flew to New Zealand and stayed in a campervan for a month, and he was fine with that, so fingers crossed!! :)

 

 

We are also taking it easy, looking at very low key excursions, nothing that involves a catamaran or party cruises. More than likely no shows since he will get ansy after a bit. We are hoping he is potty trained by the time the cruise starts so that we can use the pool

[CleoSushi]

In all due respect - I happen to think that if my son does NOT like the cruise, he will let me, my DH and probably a lot of other cruisers know that he's not happy. Giving him a 'box or toy' does not satisfy my child's curiosity and interaction with the world around him.

 

And this is a family holiday, so I want him to enjoy it, not just be 'ok'.

 

I have to agree with you, this is our first cruise as a family and even though he is just 2 1/2 we want him to be happy, have fun and take in new experiences. He will let me know if he is not happy and we rather take it easy, take in the caribbean scenary and let him have some fun.

[ruready]

I took my son around that age and he really did not even get he was on a ship. He was fine and had fine, just like at home. Spent time in the arcade and kids area (when available for that age) as well mini golf, etc. I think you guys will be fine.

[CleoSushi]

I took my son around that age and he really did not even get he was on a ship. He was fine and had fine, just like at home. Spent time in the arcade and kids area (when available for that age) as well mini golf, etc. I think you guys will be fine.

 

Thank you, all of you have been very helpful in easing my mind :D

[ruready]

No problem... I remember my son loved eating his breakfast on the balcony each morning. We would order cold cereal, fruit and bacon pretty much each morning and he got a huge kick sitting out on the balcony enjoying his breakfast... not sure why, but he did :)

[spanner14]

Well you certainly won't be short of food choices for your little one, there is just everything you could wish for on Freedom Class ships so if - as my DD was - your little boy is a fussy eater at all, then food is one thing you won't have to worry about.

 

I would recommend taking a pushchair/stroller if you possibly can; as you probably know Freedom class ships are B I G!!!! I have limited mobility and was in my wheelchair in Freedom because I knew I couldn't walk from one end to the other - your son's little legs may well have the same problem and rather than having to carry him when he gets tired, it might be nice to have a fold-up stroller with you. I saw several little ones of a similar age in pushchairs on Freedom and it was particularly handy for boarding and muster drill.

 

I think your son will love dinner in the MDR - lots to see, lovely friendly waiters, so although I would always recommend taking a toy and a book for during dinner, I still think you'll be able to enjoy dinner in the MDR. Do you have My-Time-Dining or early seating?

 

I'm sure similarly he will enjoy the early shows in the theatre but it might be an idea to sit near an exit so that if he suddenly doesn't like it, you can make a quick escape! :)

 

The baby splash zone and splash zone - depending on whether he's toilet trained of course - are sure to enchant him. I think he'll love it - enjoy!

[CleoSushi]

Well you certainly won't be short of food choices for your little one, there is just everything you could wish for on Freedom Class ships so if - as my DD was - your little boy is a fussy eater at all, then food is one thing you won't have to worry about.

 

I would recommend taking a pushchair/stroller if you possibly can; as you probably know Freedom class ships are B I G!!!! I have limited mobility and was in my wheelchair in Freedom because I knew I couldn't walk from one end to the other - your son's little legs may well have the same problem and rather than having to carry him when he gets tired, it might be nice to have a fold-up stroller with you. I saw several little ones of a similar age in pushchairs on Freedom and it was particularly handy for boarding and muster drill.

 

I think your son will love dinner in the MDR - lots to see, lovely friendly waiters, so although I would always recommend taking a toy and a book for during dinner, I still think you'll be able to enjoy dinner in the MDR. Do you have My-Time-Dining or early seating?

 

I'm sure similarly he will enjoy the early shows in the theatre but it might be an idea to sit near an exit so that if he suddenly doesn't like it, you can make a quick escape! :)

 

The baby splash zone and splash zone - depending on whether he's toilet trained of course - are sure to enchant him. I think he'll love it - enjoy!

 

 

we have early seating, since he is used to having his dinner around that time. I want to keep him on a similar schedule. We are going to start potty training so hopefully he can use the splash zone, that would be awesome.

[spanner14]

we have early seating, since he is used to having his dinner around that time. I want to keep him on a similar schedule. We are going to start potty training so hopefully he can use the splash zone, that would be awesome.

 

I think that's a great idea, he will LOVE the splash zone!!! Have a great time! :)

[CP3o]

Since you've cruised, you know there is an abundance of food and probably never thought to BRING some from home. Some would disagree but for young kids, sometimes it's handy to have some things they are familiar with and easy to open and feed them NOW, not after get in line for WJ or whatever.

 

Bottled water, fruit gummies and peanutbutter crackers (individual packages sealed) worked great for snacking and on excursions. I liked lolipops for dinners longer than a child was accustom to as well, and for shows, gives them something to do with their mouth that is quiet and isn't that many calories.

 

I'm indulging on vacation so let my kid maybe eat a little less healthy than at home. I remember lingering by the pool with a 4 year old in Nassau as many got off, we relaxed. Bar staff came around asking and I think I ordered a beer a bit before noon which I'm not even sure if I ever drank before noon in college. It felt like a bit of decadence WITH my kid which was a little surreal. The kid had a lollipop before lunch in a lounger by the pool and felt like he was livin' large.

 

Some are against young kids on cruises but I think you often get the biggest smiles and neatest reactions from the simple things you currently overlook about cruising until you see it from their eyes. And joining naptime can be nice. I may have fonder memories of cruising with young kids than moody preteens.

[CleoSushi]

I think that's a great idea, he will LOVE the splash zone!!! Have a great time! :)

 

my DH is very excited about this possibility, he loves the water and wants to get DS into it as well. He is giddy like a kid:D

[CleoSushi]

Since you've cruised, you know there is an abundance of food and probably never thought to BRING some from home. Some would disagree but for young kids, sometimes it's handy to have some things they are familiar with and easy to open and feed them NOW, not after get in line for WJ or whatever.

 

Bottled water, fruit gummies and peanutbutter crackers (individual packages sealed) worked great for snacking and on excursions. I liked lolipops for dinners longer than a child was accustom to as well, and for shows, gives them something to do with their mouth that is quiet and isn't that many calories.

 

I'm indulging on vacation so let my kid maybe eat a little less healthy than at home. I remember lingering by the pool with a 4 year old in Nassau as many got off, we relaxed. Bar staff came around asking and I think I ordered a beer a bit before noon which I'm not even sure if I ever drank before noon in college. It felt like a bit of decadence WITH my kid which was a little surreal. The kid had a lollipop before lunch in a lounger by the pool and felt like he was livin' large.

 

Some are against young kids on cruises but I think you often get the biggest smiles and neatest reactions from the simple things you currently overlook about cruising until you see it from their eyes. And joining naptime can be nice. I may have fonder memories of cruising with young kids than moody preteens.

 

i totally agree, this is going to be a new experience for us and we are so looking fwd to the memories we are going to have.