Cruising with an 18 month old...info plz

[fllcruiser78]

We live in Florida and are looking to book a cruise from Ft. Laud. or Miami with my husband and my 18 month old daughter. But I am apprehensive about booking and need some convincing. All the cruises that go to the good places are 7 days but 7 days with an 18 month old seems kind of long. Also, she is not potty trained and I think its a bummer she wont be able to go into the pool bc my husband loves to play in the pool with her. Can someone suggest a cruise that has some type of pool play area for her age group? One that will be toddler friendly? Also, and I know this questioned has been asked before isnt it a pain too when you get to the port and have to lug a car seat along with you. That seems like alot to lug around. What ports are good to choose where you can get off the boat and walk places ie beaches shopping? And one more thing to anyone that has used the babysitting for a child my daughters age how was it? I was thinking mainly at night so me and the hubby can go to the casino. Thanks ahead of time.

[cb at sea]

Disney has water spots for the "untrained"...They are probably the most "child-friendly"--but no casino...!

Carseats---personally, I wouldn't bother--but I grew up BEFORE carseats were invented---(and here I am, safe and sound!!!) Buses and shuttles don't have any way to attach them--and for a short cab ride, I'd risk it...but that's just me. Other's won't let the child breathe without a mask....or touch the ground without disinfectant.....

[lolakat]

Some of the larger RCL ships have a Baby spash zone for the un-potty trained. I think it is the Independance class ships but I'm not sure. If you can find Cruisin' Mamma's blog she has them all listed out there.

 

The car seat issue is often discussed on here. I think it is somewhat a matter of opinion. If you are taking a tour by bus chances are you could not install are carseat anyway. I live in a city and people routinely ride on buses with their babies and no car seats. If you want to use a car seat you can hire a taxi and install your own seat. There are travel car seats that are compact (check out Eddie Baur's) And there are car seats that convert into strollers. You could also arrange for a taxi or car service that comes with a car seat.

I thought Bermuda was very easy to do with no car seat. There are water taxi's and public buses easily accessable from the pier. You can also walk to a small beach area.

[jlbl4902]

We always see babies in the kid pool on Carnival - and they do seem to always have swim diapers on. I don't really know the policy for the kid pool however I have never seen anyone get upset about a baby with a swim diaper on there. The pool is only like 1 foot deep.

[decoste45]

We have taken our little guy on 2 cruises and have booked a third. His first he was 6 months, second he was 16 months and his third will be when he is 2 years old.

We did 7 nights, 11 nights and now 14 nights with another week in Orlando. Travelling with a toddler is very different than travelling alone, but so much fun! We bring a car seat because we fly to the pier and need taxi's and rental cars. In the Caribbean ports I have not ever used the seat for excursions.

We have always been in a luxury type bus, taxi with no seat belts or an open air bus.

Good Ports (my opinion)

Turks is a great port as you just walk off and they have a great beach and also have a Jimmy Buffets with a pool that you can use.

St.Martin - walk off and take a water taxi to a wonderful beach

St.Thomas - walk off- can take an open air taxi to a beach

Tortola - same as above

In fact... almost all the Caribeban ports are awesome with a toddler.

Make sure you bring a smaller type stroller (bigger than an umbrella) so your little one can be comfy and won't have to walk.

 

I think cruising is wonderful for families. The staff love kids and will go the extra mile to make your trip easy as possible. The fact that you won't have to cook and clean is another plus. A 7 night is really not that long considering the first day is kind of a waste.

 

Check out CruisnMomma's posts as she keeps the kid friendly ship list very updated and will also be able to provide more insight.

Happy travels

[cantwait2cruise]

We are cruising in less than 2 weeks on Carnival Liberty with our 17 month old.

 

We are flying to MIA and have arranged for a shuttle with a carseat. As far as a carseat in ports (we are going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ochos Rios), we are just going to play it by ear and hopefully only take short cab rides.

 

Also, I've heard that swim diaper thing is not that big of an issue with them toddling around the kiddie pool. So I guess we are just going to play that by ear too. We just got her two bathing suits that have the built in diaper, so it won't be totally obvious that she's not potty trained. It's pretty obvious when she has pooped so it's not like I'm going to put her down in the 1 foot kiddie pool with a diaper filled with poo.

 

I'm still debating about bringing an inflatable pool/tub for use on the deck and for in the shower, but I know that is an alternative.

 

This is our first cruise travelling with a child, so we'll see how it goes!

[lolakat]

On NCL I can say that having swim diapers on was a "big deal" even in the "kiddie pool." I did see a staff member inform parents and had the children removed on 2 occasions. There were also promenant signs posted all over around the kiddie pool that expained the rule. I just brought an inflatable pool for DD and it worked out well. I will bring one again for our next trip.

 

I've read stories on here about pools having to to be closed for cleaning after a baby had an accident. Apparently the helath code is very strict for the ships. I'd hate to ruin the fun for the other kids so I would not risk having my non-potty trained 18mo in the pool.

[crusinmama06]

Some of the larger RCL ships have a Baby spash zone for the un-potty trained. I think it is the Independance class ships but I'm not sure. If you can find Cruisin' Mamma's blog she has them all listed out there.

 

Currently it's Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas, Liberty fo the Seas, Independence of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.

 

Then with the launch of Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas in Dec...there will be another option added.

[gerif]

Also, I've heard that swim diaper thing is not that big of an issue with them toddling around the kiddie pool. So I guess we are just going to play that by ear too. We just got her two bathing suits that have the built in diaper, so it won't be totally obvious that she's not potty trained. It's pretty obvious when she has pooped so it's not like I'm going to put her down in the 1 foot kiddie pool with a diaper filled with poo.

 

OK - here's the thing. Yes, maybe you can "sneak" your child into a pool - but, if she has an accident, you are putting the other children in that pool at serious risk. Ecoli may only make an adult sick, but it can and has killed a small child. Please be a little less concerned with your own child and consider others - bring a small blow-up pool for your own use and have fun at the beaches. Rules are there for a reason. My grandkids are past that stage, but if I were a mom with a child in the pool and saw your unpotty trained child in there, I would call security immediately.

[jam82]

OK - here's the thing. Yes, maybe you can "sneak" your child into a pool - but, if she has an accident, you are putting the other children in that pool at serious risk. Ecoli may only make an adult sick, but it can and has killed a small child. Please be a little less concerned with your own child and consider others - bring a small blow-up pool for your own use and have fun at the beaches. Rules are there for a reason. My grandkids are past that stage, but if I were a mom with a child in the pool and saw your unpotty trained child in there, I would call security immediately.

 

 

Even if you don't think about the other kids, think about your own. If you are 'sneaking' them in without being potty trained, then others are too. I have a little one who I swim with every week. However, when we are on cruise, he does not get to swim on the ship. He does get to swim in hotel swimming pools and the ocean. It just doesn't seem like that big of a deal. Of course, I don't understand the blow up pool thing either.

[ANGlady]

We are cruising in less than 2 weeks on Carnival Liberty with our 17 month old.

 

We are flying to MIA and have arranged for a shuttle with a carseat. As far as a carseat in ports (we are going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ochos Rios), we are just going to play it by ear and hopefully only take short cab rides.

 

Also, I've heard that swim diaper thing is not that big of an issue with them toddling around the kiddie pool. So I guess we are just going to play that by ear too. We just got her two bathing suits that have the built in diaper, so it won't be totally obvious that she's not potty trained. It's pretty obvious when she has pooped so it's not like I'm going to put her down in the 1 foot kiddie pool with a diaper filled with poo.

 

I'm still debating about bringing an inflatable pool/tub for use on the deck and for in the shower, but I know that is an alternative.

 

This is our first cruise travelling with a child, so we'll see how it goes!

cantwait2cruise,

 

What shuttle service are you using? I need one for April.

[red lobster]

I went on the Crown last October and I went with the knowledge that we would not be able to use any pools with our grandson, but on the first sea day a crew member told us to go to the pool on the 17th deck located behind the kids club and they allowed children in swim diapers. I do know the pool was clorinated so maybe that was why they allowed it, also it is covered and only about 18" deep. Us and about three other families with toddlers used it every afternoon.

[deputymama]

"Of course, I don't understand the blow up pool thing either. "

 

What do you mean you don't understand this? It's seems like a GREAT idea to me. If they can't go in the ship pool... bring your own.

[cantwait2cruise]

OK - here's the thing. Yes, maybe you can "sneak" your child into a pool - but, if she has an accident, you are putting the other children in that pool at serious risk. Ecoli may only make an adult sick, but it can and has killed a small child. Please be a little less concerned with your own child and consider others - bring a small blow-up pool for your own use and have fun at the beaches. Rules are there for a reason. My grandkids are past that stage, but if I were a mom with a child in the pool and saw your unpotty trained child in there, I would call security immediately.

 

Calm down, I didn't say I was for sure going to "sneak" my child un-potty trained into the pool. This is our first cruise with a child, so I don't really have any idea of the ins and outs of what is available to her. Our plan at the moment is to go to the beach in Cozumel and Grand Cayman and do our swimming there. I honestly don't know what is available on the ship for her as far as the water. I asked a friend that went on a cruise with her twins about the same age about their Carnival ship and she said there was a pool with 1 foot of water and that they saw no signs about swim diapers.

 

I'm not planning to go an try to go and be an inconsiderate passenger. I just honestly don't know what the rules are with the pools until I get there. That is why I said I was playing it by ear!!!!

[cantwait2cruise]

cantwait2cruise,

 

What shuttle service are you using? I need one for April.

 

http://www.qualitylimoservice.com/default.aspx?pageid=1

 

They had the best rates that I could find and were super helpful while I was booking. I asked about them on the Florida board and there were several good reviews from others.

[FRMommy]

decoste45,

 

i am taking my 11 month old on a cruise and wondered about the car seat. We are going to Western Caribbean. This may be a silly question...but is it legal to hold the baby on your lap on buses, in taxis, etc?

[lolakat]

decoste45,

 

i am taking my 11 month old on a cruise and wondered about the car seat. We are going to Western Caribbean. This may be a silly question...but is it legal to hold the baby on your lap on buses, in taxis, etc?

 

 

In my experience, (I live in Philadelphia and have lived in NYC) you are not supposed to told a baby on your lab in a taxi. I have heard of/seen people do it especially in Manhattan but personally I do not do it. I've also heard that other cities, including Miami, are more strict about needing a car seat in taxis. I've also seen this to be the case in Bermuda. Buses are a different story. In general you cannot install are car seat in a bus and they are not required.

 

In the Caribbean as far as I have seen a car seat is optional. In some ports "taxis" are open air buses that could not accomidate a car seat. If you would rather use a car seat (like me) then plan ahead to arrange a taxi with seat belts. If you are taking ship excursions they will usually involve a bus and it won't be an issue.