15-month old too young?

[LokisMom]

My DH and I were planning a trip to the world in December this year, but surprise! Our first child is due to arrive in September! We are sooo excited, but I miss Disney! So we were thinking about a cruise in December of '06. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions about taking a child on a cruise? Neither of us have ever been before, but it seems like she would have fun splashing in the kiddie pools and on the beaches. And I know Mom and Dad would! Thanks in advance!

 

[shefor24]

BUMPING THIS UP! We have a 9 month old right now and I would love to cruise either Oct of this year or Jan of 06. I'm looking for "how is it on board with a baby?"

 

[flexsmom]

Our 20-month old loved it. He did well in Flounders many times - probably was there three times (7-night) during our dinner and 2 or 3 times in the morning so we could have some pool time. He liked Mickey's Ear, the secret Deck 7 space to run around, and ate with gusto by the pool and in the dining rooms. We usually did breakfast in our room, which worked well at his age. The servers are wonderful with kids his age, too. Sometimes we'd drop him off at Flounders after dinner (in PJs) so we could hit the shows, and we'd pick him up sleeping in a crib. We went to two beaches and that was great, too - since most 15 month olds are walking, I'd think that would be a hit, too!

 

[kcromley]

It really depends upon the baby's temperament and your situation. Some babies adapt well to sleeping in the same room as the parents; others do not at all, leading to serious sleep deprivation for all concerned. my eldest went at 13 mos, and though she liked flounder's, we wouldn't do it again until all the kids were over 3. the cabins are somewhat confining for active toddlers, and the activities are geared to children at least 3.

 

[encmerk]

Just to let you know that I took our DD for the first time to WDW when she was 12 months, and did great and loved it. Then when she was 16 months we did a 3 night cruise. She loved it also. She did really well with the staff. At night in our room we had a queen bed and the couch folded out to a double (we were on RCL). She slept against the wall with her big brother (who was 5 at the time) and slept thru the night and was out like a light by the end of the day. The only struggle we had was on the first night when we had dinner. That was a long time to have a little one sit. But the wait staff went above and beyond. The trick was that they had a snack waiting every night for her when we arrived to dinner (example crackers), and then she was able to hold off until the main meal arrived. Also the only thing I can stress is that make time for nap time, and carry an umbrella stroller with you for onboard and shore excursions (we ended up doing our own thing, so we could go back to the ship incase she was tired). Sorry to ramble on and on. I hope this helps.

 

[Anastasia]

Congratulations on your new addition!

The one thing that we have learned about travelling with children is that you have to have realistic expectations. When it is just the two of you, you can schedule things out and hope to do everything you want to do. With a 15 month along, you have to realize that you will have to be flexible. We have travelled with our children from the time they were babies, and they are very adaptable. You have to understand and respect the child's limits. If you get to do everything you want to do, that's great. But you have to be prepared to take breaks when the child is getting tired, cranky or hungry. We have always gone into trips with the expectation that we will go at the child's pace, and we have always been pleasantly surprised at how much we have gotten to do, and how much we have all enjoyed the trip.

That being said, I think that a cruise would probably work out great with a 15 month old. You can really go at your own pace, and you are never far from your room if you need to take the baby back to nap or just to get a break. And I love the fact that you can get some adult time too.

Best of Luck with the pregnancy and your decision on the cruise.

 

[nucpharm29]

Hi! We just got back from a land/sea trip (4 days land/3 days sea) with our 16 month old. And by the time we got to the cruise she was exhausted and cranky. I think if we had just done one or the other it would have gone much better. But that being said, she did have a good time. Flounders was great. She spent 1 morning and 2 evening there. The CM were outstanding. And our servers at dinner really did everything they could to entertain DD during dinner, since it lasted so long. good luck with your preg. and the decision about the cruise. We are expecting in November, but have decided that our next cruise will be when the new baby is at least 2 and DD is 4.

 

[LokisMom]

Thank you all for your great input! We are so excited and just can't wait to share the magic with our new little one!

 

[becky7953]

We sailed with our 18 month old. He loved it. We all enjoyed ourselves. As long as you understand that you will not get to do some things you will be fine. Naps, and early bedtime. We put him in the flounders reef 2 times, 1 time in the evening and 1 time during the day. When he was there at night he lasted until 9:30pm, he wouldn't go to sleep (and was getting cranky) there so they paged us to come and get him.

 

[tvguy]

You're all braver than I was when my 2 were little. We traveled twice a year halfway across country to Grandma and Grandpa and Great-Grandma and Great-Grampa's house from the time each kid was 6 months old, but it was a full time job to care for them until they got to be 3.
We waited until age 4 before either went to Disneyland. First cruise DD was 11 and DS was 15, and DD was terrified of "going on a ship" until she saw the ship (HAL'S Amsterdam) in person and saw how big it was.
I'm sorry, I can't see spending what a cruise costs until a kid is at least school age, and maybe a few years older.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

We took our 10 month old on her First Disney Cruise in April of 2003. We also traveled with good friends and their 15 month old Daughter. Both of the kids had a GREAT time and did very well. There was plenty for us to do with them and they even did great at dinner!

We are going back this year. Our daughters will be three years old, and our friends have another child that will be 16 months.

I'd say go for it! You do need to go in with the knowledge that you probably can't do 'everything' that you may want to on the cruise, but we got to do a whole lot and it was totally worth it to us.

 

[debm]

Go! I say it is a bit harder with a walking toddler. Our youngest is 2 1/2 and I'm afraid to say he's been on 4 cruises. We found we liked cruising! He was 12 1/2 weeks the first time, then 8 months, then 20 months and then just over 2 the last time. DON"T wait until they are school age. Go while the MAGIC is with them. I treasure the memories of him on the ship with the characters or riding the rides at WDW. I bet he talks about WDW at least once a day. So kids definitely remember. If you are taking only ONE trip to Disney ever than maybe you want to wait until they are 3 or 4 but I see so many kids that want to meet the princesses so bad or Mickey and their parents tell me they are waiting until they can really enjoy WDW at about 9 or 10 years old! I want to jump up and down! Don't wait! Take them now! We are so thankful we took our oldest when he was just 3 and it has been WDW ever since with the next three kids. It is a very enjoyable vacation for us. Let me know if you have any other questions. I still say it was easier when my son was an infant in arms on the ship. But once he was walking and talking he was able to actually enjoy it. Happy Pregnancy!

 

[DBinMV]

Not to hijack the thread - but what is the policy on pool usage for little ones, specifically those that aren't potty-trained? I see that at least one cruiser had a child in "Mickey's Ear". Is that allowed with a swim diaper, or do they have to be potty trained to use the pool?

We're taking my 2 year old in June on the West Coast, but would like to take him to the pool, since he loves the water.

Thanks in advance.

DBinMV
Magic Cruise to Mexico, 6/18/2005

 

[tvguy]

You can't go into the pools until you are potty trained. But Mickey's ear is open to all, it's more of a wading pool with running water in it.

 

[jlima]

When we cruised in July 01 our DS5 was DS16mos. I would not do it again. You have to work around naptimes and bedtimes and deal with strollers, diapers, highchairs and cribs and still try to have a vacation. It was more than a challenge. I am looking forward to our cruise this June - he is 5 now and we can have a normal cruise.