Cruise with a Baby?

[diz_princess]

I tried to use the search but didn't have much luck.
I'd like to hear experiences of taking a baby (7 m.o.) on a Disney Cruise. We're going to Disney and we're going back and forth if we should cruise our second week or spend it at the parks.

 

[wdwdclfan]

Back in 1999 we took our then 6 mo old and had a great time. We also took along her grandparents which gave some extra hands. Go for it.

 

[FlavioRJ]

I'm interested in this thread too, because my wife is trying to convince me in take DD when she gets 5 mo on a trip to WDW and a cruise, but I'm a little bit worried, because I think we won't be able to enjoy it very much specially because it'll be just the two of us to take care of her as there wouldn't be any extra hands to help us... any thoughts

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

it'll be just the two of us to take care of her as there wouldn't be any extra hands to help us... any thoughts

FlavioRJ - isn't it ironic how such a tiny person can bring two adults to their wits end???...

 

[dis4me]

We did both when my son was 6 mos. The cruise IMHO was much easier than the parks. We could go back to our room without waiting for a bus etc. The waitstaff was fabulous and tried to entertain the baby so we could eat.I only used Flounders once but they were phenomenal. We didn't have anyone with us that could help out but it would be ideal if you could.
All in all I thnk it was well worth it. My ds is 16 mos and has been to WDW 2x DCl once and DL once and will take his 2nd DCL in Nov
He loved the characters all of our trips.
I would just be flexible -Don't plan on marathon days and sit back and enjoy the baby. My son actually slept through the night for the first time on the cruise. Nothing like sea air and the movement of the ocean, Now if we could just bottle that and sell it LOL
Have a great time .

 

[DVCLady]

delete

 

[WeRHappy]

LOL... how true BD.. it is totally amazing how something so little can consume you completely

That being said... we took our then 6 mo old and 3 yr old on a Princess cruise this last April from LA to Mexico. They both did great! Even though we had "extra hands" from grandparents... they were actually having too good a time themselves to be of much "help" (not that we expected it of them! it just would have been nice!)

One thing I would highly suggest! We ordered room service every night for our 3 yr old to eat in the cabin while we got ready for dinner and bathed the baby. Then DH took our DS3 to the kids program and we could push the baby in the stroller to dinner (by which time he had luckily fallen asleep and slept through dinner ... every night!!). Unbelievable, but true!!
We are hoping to be as lucky on this Disney cruise. But I know DS3 will want to see AP. Anyhow, hope this info helps you!

 

[moinab]

Here's a link to my trip report on our July cruise on the Wonder with DS (almost 3 at the time) and DD (5 1/2 months at the time.) Feel free to post or PM any questions.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=417172

 

[gassmandy]

diz_princess--when we cruise in Nov. our little girl will be 7 1/2 months--I'll let you know how it goes. Granted--it's my whole immediate family going---parents, 2 brothers and their spouses, 4 sisters and spouses, and all of the kids (6 total--ages 6, 5, 2, 15 months, 8 1/2 months, 7 1/2 months)--so we won't be "alone"!! Should be wild!!!

 

[lrmillen]

i really wish the search function was working!!!!!!!! keep trying though maybe you'll hit the jackpot or something. there are many, many threads about cruising with a baby. i relied on them a lot before we cruised.

anyway, my son was around 9 mos. when we cruised in june on the magic eastern. our extended family went with us so we had some help. therefore, didn't use flounder's but we did stop in to see the place and they were definately well equipped if anything came up that we would have to leave him there. the crew members are extremely accomadating, in your state room as well as at dinner. rest assured that you will enjoy yourself if you stay open minded. there were some things we had to sacrifice because of the baby, which were the shows (right during the time he needed us to put him to sleep) and the beaches (sand, sun, and ocean just isn't relaxing with a crawler). but i would no doubt about it choose a cruise over the parks...it's more baby friendly (wait for the parks til the baby's older and will enjoy it more) and you won't have to miss a lot of the cool rides because one of you is holding the baby. if you have any specific questions just let me know.

 

[HundredAcreWoods]

I am also very interested in this thread...

My wife is expecting, the baby will be born in Feb and he/she will be approximately 6 months old when we go on our 2nd Magic Eastern Caribbean in August.

We can't wait, but are kind of curious what experiences people have had.

 

[grlzmom]

We had a great time cruising on the Magic when our youngest dd was 8 months. I thought it was much easier than dragging her around wdw.

One suggestion though, dont count on being able to use Flounders as our dd just didnt like it at all. The counselors were very attentive and tried to make her happy, but she wanted no part of the nursery (except at playtime with mommy and daddy there). She was used to going to our church nursery so I was a little surprised, but we had a wonderful time anyway. We ran her around and wore her out before dinner (early seating) and she pretty much slept through dinner most nights (in her stroller). We were sad that we didnt get to experience Palos but we are cruising next week without the kiddos (thank you grandparents) and will get our chance then.

If you can splurge on a veranda room when you have a little one I think its nice since you inevitably end up spending a little more time in the room when you have little ones. I suggest bringing your own blankie for the pack n play since theirs is very thin. We also brought our own stroller which worked out great because some of theirs that we saw were pretty grimy.

She loved the beaches and especially enjoyed Castaway Cay.

We are looking forward to taking our kiddos again in June (waiting for the twins to be a year old since they are double trouble).

Jeanne
mom to seven incredible kiddos

 

[TiggerPU88]

Our son was 1 y.o. when we brought him. We loved Flounders and had a great time in Castaway Cay. It was a fabulous vacation. I would recommend, though, that you make sure your baby is used to being left with someone. An expensive cruise is definitely not the time to test separation anxiety for the first time! <g>

I would be happy to answer any questions I can. We are going back next January, when DS will be 2.5.

-- Adrienne : )

 

[Favorite Auntie]

My sister and her hubby cruised with their daughter when she was 6 months old and they all had a great time. that was the first Disney Cruise for them, and they have since going back after adding another DD to the mix! I think it is not as hard to cruise with an infant as it may be to cruise with a toddler....

 

[DWEBBNY]

We cruised this past may with our 3 1/2 year old and our 8 month old. It was an awesome vacation. The baby is not used to daycare so flounders didn't work out during the day. We had late seating for dinner so we fed her and got her in her pj's and put her in the stroller and took her to dinner with us. She either fell asleep before we got in to dinner or while we there. She slept through all of the noise of the dining room Then after we ate we brought her to flounders and she slept in her stroller. Our son loved the club. So we had our evenings to our self. The only thing I found difficult about bringing the baby was all the extra stuff you need to pack ( diapers, wipes, formula, bottles and food) It took up alot of space. I would say take baby and enjoy.