What is your best advice for cruising with babies?

[Blk_Amish]

Onessa, may I kindly request that you place me on your ignore list. You have done a fantastic job of scrutinizing, analyzing, and summarizing posts but I wish for others to take from my real experience what they wish, like or dislike, agree or disagree. I would truly appreciate this request, thanks. Of course I will respect your experience but focus on those who share my reality. My opinions are based on some pretty awesome, not so awesome, but always memorable experiences.

 

Mrs. Yoder!

 

OP- be prepared for the ear popping especially with three little ones.

[koalagurl]

Some great advice here and super jealous of your trip!! We just fit back from two awesome weeks in Provence and I would live to go back.

 

We did the Epic 2 years ago with older kids (4 and 6) and like I sAid we just returned from France with a 8, 6 and now 11 month old. Here are some tips:

 

"Consumables" - I packed an old duffel bag with the consumables with the thought I could either toss the bag when the trip was over or just pack it in my suitcase. This was probably 50% of my packing between the diapers, wipes, food pouches.

 

Carry on - not cruise related but I have a small wheeled carry on that I packed a full change of clothes for everyone plus any cameras and extra diapers. We had a kid puke all over my DH last trip from airsickness (a fluke thank goodness) but figured its good to have a go to bag on the plane in case something like that happens again.

 

Pack lightly on clothes - take advantage of laundry on the ship or even handwashing in the cabin. Not sure if you have laundry access before the cruise. We had a washer / dryer in France and I ended up packing for myself and 3 kids in one suitcase for 2 weeks. This made airports much more manageable.

 

Port excursions - not sure what you have planned but for Rome and Florence (well, Pisa and Lucca) we used Rome in Limo and it was great to be able to have a private car for the family (we had a party of 10, 6 adults and 4 kids ages 1,3,4,6).

 

Gosh I have so many thoughts but need to stop writing for now.

 

Enjoy the experience!!

[OzCanuck]

We used Rome In Limo for our med cruise in February - they were able to supply the appropriate child seat for us for the trip from FCO to Civi. Believe they can offer it for all ports/excursions as required.