Cruising on Explorer with a 7 month old baby

[Lemmi]

We will be cruising on the mini cruise on 23rd May with our 7 (almost 8) month old daughter and although we've been cruising before I never paid much attention to baby related things.

 

Are babies allowed in pools on Explorer? With a swimsuit and swim nappy of course.

 

What have people done in regards to sterilising sippy cups and spoons?

 

At the moment (she is just turned 5 month) she is breastfed and I am hoping to introduce baby led weaning next month but will also be giving mashed food hence the spoon. How have you found Explorer for this type of thing? Are the MDR staff happy to give a small bowl with potato or veg for you to mash up?

 

Do they have high chairs available in MDR and Windjammer? Do you need to reserve them?

 

Any other advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

Tia x

[brenderlou]

Babies not potty trained are not allowed in adult pools. I've never been on Explorer so can't comment if their is a small kiddie area that does allow this.

When our daughter was a baby I packed a small container of dish detergent and a sponge. Would wash baby utensils/sippy cups in bathroom sink.

High chairs are in WJ and MDR. No reservations needed. They will be brought to you when seated or ask for one (windjammer)

Staff is very happy to accommodate your needs for the baby if the food is available.

Edited March 6, 2015 by brenderlou

[chengkp75]

The only RCI ships with "infant only water facilities" that allow non-potty trained kids in them are the Oasis class (Oasis and Allure) and the Freedom class (Freedom, Liberty, and Independence). A blow up tub is frequently used for the little ones, either on the balcony or on the pool deck (they're small enough to go alongside your lounger) and can help with bathing when placed in the shower.

[Marltom]

We are also on the mini cruise on the Explorer 23rd May does anyone know if the ship run a shuttle bus from the port of LeHarve to the city centre?:)

[Marltom]

Sorry I meant to post my own thread and didn't mean to latch on to yours,must be having a senior moment :confused:

[imjoyful2]

I've been on the Explorer 4 times with our kiddos. We love the ship!

 

-diapered children are not allowed in the kiddie pool

-bring a small bottle of dish detergent to wash sippy cups & spoons

-high chairs are available, just have to ask

-wait staff is more than willing to bring whatever food you would like for your little one, just ask :) (you'll find they LOVE kids and really go out of their way for them!)

 

A few other pieces of advices, in regards to breastfeeding, I found it helpful being able to nurse my littles while on the cruise. ;) They are in a new environment and something familiar (nursing) made it easy to calm them down, help them sleep, etc. Just some food for thought. :) Also I have a compact stroller that reclines that I brought with us to use on the ship. Was nice to go for a walk on the track to get them to nap then I could just go park somewhere to sit and read. I also have a sling I brought as well. On our last trip, I brought a small blow up pool for my littlest one to use both on the ship and in port (we were in the Caribbean so it was nice for her to have somewhere to play in water on the beach).

[Lemmi]

Thanks everyone that's really helpful.

 

Sent from the Island with a Chocolate Martini in my hand :)

[dccooper]

Here is a great Link that will give you information on Leharve Harbor.

http://www.tomsportguides.com/LeHavre-11-20-2013.pdf

[Canugess]

We will be cruising on the mini cruise on 23rd May with our 7 (almost 8) month old daughter and although we've been cruising before I never paid much attention to baby related things.

 

Any other advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

Tia x

 

I would suggest that the cups bowls and spoons do not need to be sterilized. However if you feel more comfortable sterilizing them then get a water sterilzer (Old wipes tub, or Ice Cream Tub) and some sterilzing tablets (Milton) and do it that way. You just change the water every 24 hours.

 

I'm on the same cruise! Xxx

[Rala]

Unless your baby has special health issues, you shouldn't have to sterilize eating and drinking utensils for an 8 month old. Just wash well in hot soapy water and rinse well and allow to air dry. Hope your cruise is great! :)

[Lemmi]

Does anyone know if breastfeeding is allowed everywhere on board ship or are they picky about it?

 

Sent from the Island with a Chocolate Martini in my hand :)

[bubba83]

Does anyone know if breastfeeding is allowed everywhere on board ship or are they picky about it?

 

Sent from the Island with a Chocolate Martini in my hand :)

 

 

It is your right to breastfeed wherever you want!

[Rala]

Does anyone know if breastfeeding is allowed everywhere on board ship or are they picky about it?

 

Sent from the Island with a Chocolate Martini in my hand :)

 

I think as long as you are somewhat discreet, and not displaying everything for all the world to see, there should be no problem. At least, I would not find it offensive or inappropriate at all. YMMV. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!:)

[Lemmi]

Thanks, I wasn't sure if those rules applied in international waters x

 

Sent from the Island with a Chocolate Martini in my hand :)

[cawi78]

When mine were small I took a little blow up pool for them to sit in between our loungers and a 1litre plastic tub and some Milton sterilising tablets. We generally haven't had any problems with food with the exception of splendour where the baby food we pre-ordered for the cabin didn't arrive & they refused to purée food for us....lots of port days wasted trying to find baby food....sent a nasty letter to HQ and got some future cruise vouchers but it really did detract from the holiday. Although I must stress we are diamond C&A members and this is the only time we had such problems. Moral of the story...bring your own and don't be relying on RCIs pre-order service. Breastfeeding should be fine everywhere and I never had any problems. Have a great time!

[TheD1gitalMe]

Hi can anyone tell me the pros and cons of taking a pushchair with us on board, we will also be taking a carrier. Are you allowed a pushchair everywhere on the ship? How easy is it to get on and off the ship with them at each port? Is there any thing else we need to take into consideration?

 

Thanks

 

Paul

[roseshayit]

Hi can anyone tell me the pros and cons of taking a pushchair with us on board, we will also be taking a carrier. Are you allowed a pushchair everywhere on the ship? How easy is it to get on and off the ship with them at each port? Is there any thing else we need to take into consideration?

 

Thanks

 

Paul

 

If a pushchair is a stroller, then yes, they are allowed and we brought ours everywhere. My LO was an infant at the time, so we had the connect infant seat to a stroller. Next time, we will be bringing his umbrella stroller.

[Cruisin'4Us]

Does anyone know if breastfeeding is allowed everywhere on board ship or are they picky about it?

Not allowed in the Mens Room. Sorry, couldn't resist! :D

[rjrice1]

NO diapers for anyone allowed in the pools including

people that wears depends.... (diapers are for babies and depends for older folks)

Think they have those little blow up tubs too.. .

Yes, you can bring a carriage... great idea.

Bring your own baby food on board. This way you can feed the little one while you are waiting for your food.

Grab boxes of cheerios to entertain her while you are eating.

Pack some of those baby snacks and etc.

Enjoy your cruise...

Some may give you that "look" if the little one is cranky during dinner..

If you have to there are bathrooms outside the dining room to breast feed.

[Cel_cruise]

I think you will have a very easy time!

 

- I think BFing is a huge help - convenient and familiar and you don't have to worry about what's in the water....BUT - you probably do end up limited in your ability to have a more than a drink or two! I Did a combo of BF and Formula from about 5-9 months (then just formula) an it was just the flexibility we needed for moments like these! I don't think you should have any issues with BFing in public spaces (although you might find that your baby feels otherwise and needs a quiet break from the excitement!)

 

- My kids did not eat much in the line of jarred baby food. Both started at 6 months old when their pincher grasp was in full effect with some soft foods - applesauce, avocado, banana, and sweet potato. By 8 months old they were eating plenty of simple solids - frozen veggies, Cheerios, pancakes, bananas just cut in chunks, raviolis, etc..I'm confident you can make this work but it can't hurt to send a special needs request to ask that they have some of these foods for you...they often have oatmeal as well on board but it wouldn't hurt to bring a few packages of instant or even babyfood oatmeal that you just mix with water/formula/breastmilk on board..

 

- Bring a stroller/push chair - something light weight but reclining for times when baby needs to chillax in her own space

 

- bring a wrap/ergo etc for excursions or quick trips

 

- bring the blow up pool for the end of your chair on the pool deck and as a bathtub in your room!

 

- Get to know your deck plans so you can avoid walking thru the casino :)

 

- I can't remember if the Explorer added a Royal Babies and Tots nursery during dry dock - but if they did - consider finding a few hours to enjoy some time alone with your spouse!!

 

- if planning for baby to sleep in a pack play - bring your own sheets that smell like home and a backup...if you plan to put baby in bed with you, don't forget the crib liner to protect the mattress (nothing was worse than waking up in a bed full of pee!)

 

Enjoy!!

[mollyeilis]

The only thing I ever came close to sterilizing was my pump parts.

 

DS didn't eat any "food" until he was over 11 months, and then still didn't much care for it until 18 months (true "baby" led, with me NOT introducing solids until his interest in food was higher and different than his interest in licking shoes or biting the cat's tail...and that meant he was not a baby when he weaned, not even close to a baby or a toddler!), so I never even thought to sterilize anything he ate off of. So that part is boggling me!

 

6 months is (thank goodness) being considered pretty darned early for solids now, especially for someone who wants baby to lead with weaning. You sure you want to start that process so young? Gotta tell ya, solids poop is VASTLY different than breastmilk poop; I was happy as anything to delay THAT as long as possible. :)

[Jaimel134]

Sorry can anyone answer whether the explorer provides small blow paddling pools or do people bring there own?

Thanks

[RSLeesburg]

Sorry can anyone answer whether the explorer provides small blow paddling pools or do people bring there own?

 

Thanks

 

 

You have to bring your own.

[Cel_cruise]

Sorry can anyone answer whether the explorer provides small blow paddling pools or do people bring there own?

 

Thanks

 

 

I think many people bring a small inflatable bathtub - much smaller than an inflatable pool ... Then fill it with a small amount of water on the pool deck...be warned - you cannot dump the (possibly peed in) water back into the pool so don't add too much! Just enough to keep babe cool!

[thecakebox]

We will be cruising on the mini cruise on 23rd May with our 7 (almost 8) month old daughter and although we've been cruising before I never paid much attention to baby related things.

 

Are babies allowed in pools on Explorer? With a swimsuit and swim nappy of course.

 

What have people done in regards to sterilising sippy cups and spoons?

 

At the moment (she is just turned 5 month) she is breastfed and I am hoping to introduce baby led weaning next month but will also be giving mashed food hence the spoon. How have you found Explorer for this type of thing? Are the MDR staff happy to give a small bowl with potato or veg for you to mash up?

 

Do they have high chairs available in MDR and Windjammer? Do you need to reserve them?

 

Any other advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

Tia x

 

We just got back from the explorer with a 15m old. They were very happy to make whatever I asked for, even chopped up the food for her! Always had high chairs available, no need to reserve them. We found eating in the dining room the easiest, they brought her food right away and always had a chair set up in advance for us :)