Travelling with a 16 month old child. Looking for tips

[Thorhillcruiser]

We are sailing to Alaska on the Infinity on July 1 with our son, his significant other and their baby daughter. We are all in the BC area so we will be travelling to the port by car and parking the car at the Pan Pacific for the duration.We have two veranda cabins reserved but not side by side. Please help us with any tips such as what to pack, what we can do the the child on the ship, can the child eat in the dining room, what is the cost of babysitting, what kind of stroller should we bring etc etc etc?

 

We will be grateful to you for sharing experiences and providing tips.

[pl281]

We did our first cruise with little one when he was 18 months old...(he's almost 5 now and getting ready for his 4th cruise in June)

 

1) Bring Diapers / Wipes / Clothes / meds for the duration of the cruise (and some extra) as you will not be able to purchase any on board

Note: Given that you are doing Alaska you maybe able to stop into store fairly easily and get some supplies but don't depend on it.

 

2) There is a changing table in the restroom by the kids club

 

3) Magnetic Hooks - hang from ceiling & cloth shower curtain to put around the pack-n-play

 

4) ArmNHammer disposable diaper bags - helpful for changes done in the cabin

 

5) Our guy was mobile so we bought this little backup with a tether (amazon) - We also had a small umbrella stroller (Cosco Brand) so it didn't take up alot of room in the cabin - we have since upgraded to a J is for Jeep umbrella stroller - a little more heavy duty but still not too large

 

6) Babysitting is $20/hr and must be done reserved a day in advance - that is for 2 staff members - assumes that there are staff who have volunteered to babysit - usually the kids club staff

 

7) Just go with the flow - your normal schedule will probably be off on the ship - just go with it

 

8) No issue with little one eating in the MDR or the buffet - just be kind to others that if little one gets fussy take her out

[cruisestitch]

cruise critic has a "special interest cruising" area and within that there is Family cruising -- head over to that board and you will find tons of advice and information.

[cb at sea]

You child is welcome almost ANYWHERE on the ship....the dining room LOVES kids! So much easier than juggling kid AND food in a buffet. Use the dining room!

 

You will have to check babysitting prices...there is no "nursery" service onboard, but sometimes, crew members will "babysit" in cabin for a fee. Check when you board and make arrangements.

 

You will want to bring any and all "baby" stuff...medications that MIGHT be needed...bring them. Diapers, wipes, etc....the ship sells NOTHING for babies...you must bring all you need. They will provide crib or P&P, so you don't need to bring a bed!

 

Alaska is a "layer" destination....so pack accordingly. It could be 30's or 80's...you never can tell! Bring clothing you can layer, so you'll be ready for anything!

[melsdt]

We did Alaska on Solstice with my son at just over 2 years old on an intergenerational trip. It was his second cruise, first was Bermuda at 14 months. My son was pretty entertained just walking around the ship, watching and dancing to live music, eating gelato, trying new foods, watching karaoke and even checking out the artwork from the auctions Because we had grandparents, we didn't make use of the babysitting on either trip, but I have heard good things. The staff all over the ship were really excellent in their interactions with him (he and the captain were on first name basis!) If you are looking for suggestions for port excursions, let me know. We had a GREAT time with our stops on that trip.

 

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[Cruising Princess]

We traveled with our daughter and son in law with 8 month old baby. The monitor worked between our cabin and theirs a few apart.

We had a blow up pool since they can’t go in regular pool although Alaska is a bit cold.

Bring dish soap to wash baby spoons, etc in bath sink.

Bring collapsible cubes that you can use to store things on counter or shelves. We got ours at target.

[ldubs]

You child is welcome almost ANYWHERE on the ship....the dining room LOVES kids! So much easier than juggling kid AND food in a buffet. Use the dining room!

 

 

(y)(y)(y)

[phoenix_dream]

I second the idea to bring whatever you think you will need and don't rely on shopping on the ship or in port. Yes, it is Alaska, but these are small towns and they do not always have the variety of items you may be used to. They also sometimes run out of things. One year we all caught colds onboard and wanted to pick up some cold meds in Skagway. Went to the one grocery/drug store combo in town and their shelves were literally wiped clean of all their cold medications. I had a choice of one type of one item to help us out, and that was it.

[phoenix_dream]

We traveled with our daughter and son in law with 8 month old baby. The monitor worked between our cabin and theirs a few apart.

We had a blow up pool since they can’t go in regular pool although Alaska is a bit cold.

Bring dish soap to wash baby spoons, etc in bath sink.

Bring collapsible cubes that you can use to store things on counter or shelves. We got ours at target.

"Alaska is a bit cold"? I would say so. You might get an 80 degree day in mid-summer if you are lucky but even that is too cold for an infant to swim. I have heard of people bringing the blow-up pools but I would never bother doing that for an Alaska cruise.