what age for first cruise?

[Disneymom83]

We have three children; 10, 4, and 3 months. I'd like to take them on a cruise once my youngest is a bit older. At what age did you take your child/ren on their first cruise?

I want them all to be able to enjoy it and though I know the older two would, I'm not sure what age my youngest would. It would be my 4 year olds' first cruise.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Mine were 3 and 10 months for our first. The youngest I'm sure didn't get anything out of it, although we had a lot of fun with him. I won't take a baby any younger though (I breastfeed and any younger than that I will be nursing too much to have any fun myself). My daughter loooooved it.

Sent from me.

 

[Fjobe]

Our kids were 9, 6, and 4 when we went on our first cruise. They all loved it! I think we could have taken our youngest at 3 and enjoyed it just as much. We still would have enjoyed it when they were younger, but it would have been a lot more work.

 

[crisi]

At least 3 and potty trained. Once they are potty trained a lot of options open up for you and them that aren't open before. The worst is being a toddler who can't use the pools because you aren't potty trained.

But that's a long time away for you, and by then your ten year old will be past the age of getting the biggest bang - so I'd go now before the baby is old enough to realize she's missing anything.

 

[traylork]

We did a five yo and 15 mo in May. Under three is much cheaper. She didn't get the full experience, but still had a great time. I did get the full experience. DCL made life easy at every turn and made having a baby feel like a breeze. Plus, we sent her to babysitting in her pjs at dinner. They fed her there, then we'd bring her back down for dessert and hit a dance party for a short bit before heading to bed. She had a great time and I really enjoyed the break. Would she get more out of it if she were older? Sure. But we thought this was a great way to give the five yo the Disney experience without dragging a baby around the parks and running back to the hotel for naptime.

 

[lbgraves]

Our kids were 3 & 5 on their first cruise & trip to MK. I personally wouldn't wait until the baby is "old enough" because then your 10 yo will not be able to enjoy it at a kid level in the clubs. At 10 my kids were past the magical stage. They still enjoy the cruise, but it's different for them now.

 

[modisneychick]

Mine were 7 & 3. I think it will be more enjoyable for you when your youngest is potty trained and able to go into the regular children's programming, however, the kids will love it at any age! I agree about getting your oldest on board sooner rather than later so they can enjoy the kids clubs.

 

[Disneymom83]

I didn't think about my oldest being too old for the kids clubs. Maybe I'll try to plan a cruise for when my youngest is 18 months old. That way, for us, they can all enjoy themselves on some level.

 

[BusyBeesMom]

Our daughter was 1.5 for her first cruise. We all had a great time. She is now 7 and has no idea she is booked for her 3rd cruise.

 

[Apsychmommy]

My oldest was 18 months when we took a Mexican Riviera cruise on Holland America. He was too young to use the pools and the kid's programming, but we knew that ahead of time. We still had a blast and we have some great memories. We did splurge on a verandah room because we knew we would spend a lot of time in our cabin with naps. We would just put our son down and bring our books out on the verandah and chill.

 

[Disneymom83]

Hearing your stories makes me feel a little better about taking my youngest when she's still under 3. A disney cruise would probably be the best option for that age. I know the other two would have a blast! I want to be sure we'll all be able to enjoy the cruise though.

What type of excursions can you do with an 18 month old?

 

[EvaSue]

Here's the thing... Having a young baby is a lot of work no matter WHERE you are. But a cruise is perfect, because then the older kids aren't being denied anything just because there is a new baby, there are people there to give you a break from baby for a very reasonable fee whenever you need, you don't have to cook or clean or do any other of your usual chores, and everything you need is right at your fingertips without needing to use a map, ask for directions, or plan ahead. I say go for it whenever you are ready! Good luck!
Also, you're always going to find people who say their baby soured the experience for them. But you know yourself and your family, so of you think it would work for you, don't let those who couldn't make it work distract you.

 

[Laundress]

Our first Disney cruise DD was 2y and DS was 3 months. They had a wonderful time. They might not remember it but I sure do. Spring break will be our 4th cruise. they will be 12 and 10. They love the baby photos of them on the same ship. There are plenty of ways for every age to enjoy the vacation. Lots of cast members to help out. Don't hold back. Live life today, make memories today.

 

[cruisecrasher]

I'd rather Disney Cruise with a nursing baby than WDW, or any other vacation I can think of for that matter.

 

[adams3880]

DD and DS were 3yrs and 11mos on our first cruise. I loved it. It was so nice having everything to contained and convenient. Being able to say "Hey, I'm going up to the room to nurse." and being gone 20 minutes while DH and DD were able to keep playing or swimming or waiting in line for pictures was so wonderful. I never felt like coordinating or scheduling things was a hassle, never felt like we missed anything.

 

[minniemouse1]

Our first cruise was a 3 day and I was 22 weeks pregnant and our youngest was 10 months old. I learned a lot on that cruise for our next one when we had a 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 yo. It was a 7 day and we had a great time. We took the kids on the Grand Cayman stingray excursion used the nursery for the baby and the oldest went to the oceaneers club. On our 3rd cruise we had a 4 1/2, 3 1/2, and a nursing 9 month old. Nursing on the cruise was way easier than at WDW I never felt "exposed" or had any issues. When I brought her to the nursery I would go into the crib room sit in a rocking chair and nurse her. Then she would fall asleep and I put her in the crib and leave. It was great! I finally got to enjoy some adult activities in the evening. We have always traveled with our kids when they were babies and they love the pictures. They can recall events from the cruise as early as when they were 2 1/2!

 

[Apsychmommy]

Hearing your stories makes me feel a little better about taking my youngest when she's still under 3. A disney cruise would probably be the best option for that age. I know the other two would have a blast! I want to be sure we'll all be able to enjoy the cruise though.

What type of excursions can you do with an 18 month old?

We booked our cruise last minute and we weren't really interested in excursions that the ship offered, so we mostly took taxis to the beaches close to port so we could head back to the ship when we wanted. The cruise ship we went on didn't have a nursery, so that's a big bonus with going with DCL. I think I read somewhere that you can leave your kids in the nursery and go into port? Double check that, but that might be a good option to take a short excursion with your older ones.

 

[Apsychmommy]

Forgot to mention, but we are taking our youngeston his first cruise. He's turning 3 and we chose a beach destination. I thought a glass bottom boat tour or the submarine might be good excursion options since he loves aquariums. Maybe those might be good excursions for your youngest, too.

 

[njdisneylovr]

Well, we are taking a 71 year old on his first cruise in a few weeks. I'll let you know how it goes Seriously, I'm not sure there is a perfect age. I do know, or feel, that a cruise it's a much easier way of vacationing with a small one, because of access to your room.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

Our DD Christina was 10, so she had her pick between Oceaneer's club, or Edge. She chose the Edge and really loved the freedom the older kids had compared to what she would have done in the oceaneers club/lab.