Best cruise line for 3 year old

[warriorchild2004]

We are going to be taking our 3 year old on her first cruise this summer but are undecided on which cruise line is best for her age group. We want a cruise line that is oriented to both the adults and also to her with lots of options for both to participate in activities. I do not want to cruise Carnival as they have had so many issues in the recent past. Disney and Royal Caribbean are currently at the top of the list. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best cruise line?

[Hlitner]

Disney! 2nd place would be RCI...especially their larger ships.

Edited January 20, 2016 by Hlitner

[SuiteTraveler]

You might do a search and read Mitsugirly's various cruise reviews. She has been traveling with her young daughter on many cruises for years. She generally goes on NCL and there are lots of photos and information about cruising with her daughter that may be helpful to you. Just put Mitsugirly in the Search field to look up her reviews.

 

At 3, I'm not sure how much of the cruise your daughter will remember or if she will feel comfortable enough to be left in a child care situation on the ship with children and adults she doesn't know. So much will depend upon the personality of your child. This could either be a nice vacation where she really enjoys the cruise and the children activities or your may find your daughter is not OK with this and you have to spend most of your time with her in your cabin.

 

The other thing to be aware of is that most ships don't allow children who are still in diapers in their pools, not even the children's pools.

 

On RCCL's mega ships, Oasis, Allure and Harmony, they do have a nursery for those 3 and under where they can be cared for at an extra fee of $6 per hour during the day and $8 per hour in the evening.

 

Disney has a nursery as well. But these cruises are much more expensive than other lines, so I would probably wait until my child was 6 or 7 to do a Disney cruise so they could get the most possible out of it.

[cb at sea]

At 3 years old she'll be in the "club"...not the nursery... on all lines. (Only a very few lines even offer nursery care)

 

The ship really won't matter to a 3 year old. Pick the cruise YOU want...she'll be happy on any ship and line!

 

Do know that unless a child (or adult, for that matter) is OUT OF DIAPERS, they won't be allowed in any pool. A few ships have a "splash" area for diapered kids, but not many...so if using the pool is going to be a deal-breaker, make sure the ship you choose allows it! If your child is potty-trained...ignore this notation!

Edited January 20, 2016 by cb at sea

[Keith1010]

Disney would also be my first choice.

 

Other choices would be RCI, Celebrity and Princess.

 

Keith

[grand isle joe]

Disney! 2nd place would be RCI...especially their larger ships.

 

......Agree 100%. Just a note, children must be potty trained to participate in the kid's club. Disney is perfect for attention and foods for younger kids. Happy cruising.:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Another vote for Disney!!

[Hflors]

Disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[boulders]

Any cruise line would be great, but Disney would be at the bottom of my list. We sailed on it when ds was 4. The kids club was a zoo. Complete chaos. All of the other lines have a lot more personalized interaction with the kids and are more organized.

 

Choose the ship and itinerary that you want to go on.

[Algebralovr]

Pick a cruise for YOU not the 3 yr old. She will be happy anywhere.

 

On a Celebrity cruise last Feb, there were about five children, age 3-5 on board. One of them was in the princess phase. She was adorable, and we saw her a number of times on the ship in a princess dress and tiara, having a tea party with a couple of other little people and two adults. She was quite obviously happy.

 

What kind of personality does your little one have?

 

Also, please read the family board for tips.

[Twilightimp]

[AS A PARENT WHO HAS TAKEN A CHILD ON DISNEY PLEASE PLEASE DO DISNEY!!! THEY HAVE BEAUTIFUL ADULT ONLY AREAS,,, GREAT FAMILY TIME ACTIVES ..AND YOUR BABY WILL LOVE THE NURSRY ..AND NO SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE POTTY TRANED TO BE LEFT IN THE NURSEY ..BUT YOU MUST PACK YOUR OWN DIAPER!!! we took our son on Disney wonder when he was just 1 years old..in fact he took his first steps on the boat! he spent a some time in the nursery, the women there are amazing! I was able use one of the ship-to-shore cell phones that come standard with your room so I could call and check on him while he was there. they even do in room baby sitting for a small few as well! some nights at dinner he would become fussy so our waiter would pack our dinner up and have it sent to our room for us so I could get him off to bed no problem! they provided a bottle warmer in room, a pack and play for him to sleep in and even toys! they have special meals for little hands as well as baby food! it gave me and my spouse time to enjoy the boat without having to worry all the time. and the baby only pool was warm and well cleaned too all she needs is a swim diaper! .... ... hand down Disney is the way to go!!!!

Edited January 21, 2016 by Twilightimp

[crzndeb]

Since Disney is on your list, then I put them number 1. Just returned Saturday, from a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy. Had the 2 yo grandson and 3 yo granddaughter (both potty trained), and they absolutely loved it.

 

Under 3 go to nursery for $9 an hour but we never used it. My grandson is 2 1/2 and has been potty trained for 6 months. We would usually go with both kids to the open houses in the older kids club and let them both run around and play for a while. There are a lot of things that Disney does really well.

 

They loved the character meets and the shows were beyond amazing.

[Ex techie]

[AS A PARENT WHO HAS TAKEN A CHILD ON DISNEY PLEASE PLEASE DO DISNEY!!! THEY HAVE BEAUTIFUL ADULT ONLY AREAS,,, GREAT FAMILY TIME ACTIVES ..AND YOUR BABY WILL LOVE THE NURSRY ..AND NO SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE POTTY TRANED TO BE LEFT IN THE NURSEY ..BUT YOU MUST PACK YOUR OWN DIAPER!!! we took our son on Disney wonder when he was just 1 years old..in fact he took his first steps on the boat! he spent a some time in the nursery, the women there are amazing! I was able use one of the ship-to-shore cell phones that come standard with your room so I could call and check on him while he was there. they even do in room baby sitting for a small few as well! some nights at dinner he would become fussy so our waiter would pack our dinner up and have it sent to our room for us so I could get him off to bed no problem! they provided a bottle warmer in room, a pack and play for him to sleep in and even toys! they have special meals for little hands as well as baby food! it gave me and my spouse time to enjoy the boat without having to worry all the time. and the baby only pool was warm and well cleaned too all she needs is a swim diaper! .... ... hand down Disney is the way to go!!!!

 

This is incorrect. Disney Cruise Line do NOT and have not offered in room (in Stateroom) babysitting services. All children, babies <3 yrs old can be babysat in the nursery for $9/hr, 3yrs+ is included in the cruise fare. The nursery and kids clubs closing hours vary depending on the age group.

 

ex techie

[kitty9]

This is taken from Disney's website:

 

If applicable, parents may bring the following when dropping off their child:

 

Baby food, formula or milk and bottles

Diapers or pull-ups and diaper wipes

Extra clothing

A baby blanket

Pacifier

Please note that in-stateroom babysitting services are not available.

 

I think Twilightimp may be confusing the in room babysitting at the Disney Resorts and not on their ships.

[Twilightimp]

This is taken from Disney's website:

 

If applicable, parents may bring the following when dropping off their child:

 

Baby food, formula or milk and bottles

Diapers or pull-ups and diaper wipes

Extra clothing

A baby blanket

Pacifier

Please note that in-stateroom babysitting services are not available.

 

I think Twilightimp may be confusing the in room babysitting at the Disney Resorts and not on their ships.

 

you are correct...im sorry this was as of my information when I took the cruise in 2011 and at that point there was in room baby sitting for a fee. as we did use this service

 

sorry 2011

Edited January 22, 2016 by Twilightimp
wrong year ..2011

[grand isle joe]

you are correct...im sorry this was as of my information when I took the cruise in 2011 and at that point there was in room baby sitting for a fee. as we did use this service

 

sorry 2011

 

......I remember that offering too, I guess like a lot of extras they are going away.

[Ex techie]

you are correct...im sorry this was as of my information when I took the cruise in 2011 and at that point there was in room baby sitting for a fee. as we did use this service

 

sorry 2011

 

I'm sorry to express this again, but DCL have not offered in room sitting in the past 10 years+.

I am not calling you a liar, but think you may be mistaken as to which cruise line.

They will provide blended fruits and veggies, but do not provide baby food?

Swim diapers have been prohibited from all pools for many many years and certainly way before 2011.

They have non potty trained splash areas, puddle pools.

And a ship to shore phone? You mean an internal wireless phone to call around the ship, not ashore.

And you were provided with toy's in the pack n' play?

That is definitely not common practice.

 

Maybe you could describe who you booked in room babysitting with in 2011?

Was it online, was it with the nursery CM's?

How much an hour above the $9/hr the nursery charge?

 

ex techie

Edited January 23, 2016 by Ex techie
to add

[Ex techie]

......I remember that offering too, I guess like a lot of extras they are going away.

 

When did you see this offering grand isle joe?

 

ex techie

[grand isle joe]

When did you see this offering grand isle joe?

 

ex techie

 

Oh I think back in 2004 or 05 on the Wonder? :confused::)

[Aquahound]

Disney and Royal Caribbean are currently at the top of the list. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best cruise line?

 

Disney! 2nd place would be RCI...especially their larger ships.

 

I totally agree with this....in that order. In fact, those are the only 2 lines I would recommend for you. :)

[Twilightimp]

I'm sorry to express this again, but DCL have not offered in room sitting in the past 10 years+.

I am not calling you a liar, but think you may be mistaken as to which cruise line.

They will provide blended fruits and veggies, but do not provide baby food?

Swim diapers have been prohibited from all pools for many many years and certainly way before 2011.

They have non potty trained splash areas, puddle pools.

And a ship to shore phone? You mean an internal wireless phone to call around the ship, not ashore.

And you were provided with toy's in the pack n' play?

That is definitely not common practice.

 

Maybe you could describe who you booked in room babysitting with in 2011?

Was it online, was it with the nursery CM's?

How much an hour above the $9/hr the nursery charge?

 

ex techie

I remember my cruise thank you... And unless you where on board please stop underminding my exprence. I see you used to work for Disney so nvm ... :confused: the point was its a great line but you already know that... As you have picked apart what iced said at every turn. Thanks

Edited March 3, 2016 by Twilightimp

[KKB]

But Royal, Carnival & NCL would all fit the bill as well. Summer is big family sailing times, so she will have a good time in kids club anywhere.

 

Our kids have done kids club on Disney, Royal & Princess & say they are all equally good.