Cruising with 2 under 2?

[Velkoor]

Is this wise? I see a lot of posts about cruising with infants or toddlers. But what about with 2 infants? We're in the early planning stages of a July or August 2017 cruise. Our DS will be 1½ years at the time of the cruise. My wife is still prego with DD. She is due in January 2017. So DD would be old enough at the time of the cruise.

We would only be able to get an inside stateroom. Which turns out is better for my wife's sea sickness anyways. We're traveling with my parents, sister and BIL.

Is there enough room to sleep two adults and two infants in an inside stateroom? Does the onboard day care take infants 7 months old? Has anyone done this and wants to share their story?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

As a parent it's your decision, you know your children, many parents do.

Note, normally an inside room is one of the worst places fir seasickness, you can't see out but move. But if it's good for you, then that is what matters.

A room can accommodate you, thry use pack and play if you gave two it will be tight, onboard nursery has limited pre bookable times, when they look after your children.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Will your extended family help with the kids? If so, go for it. But if they're the type that disavow themselves of your kids (you had 'em, you raise 'em) then it might be more of a burden to have the kids and not be able to do the things the others want to do.

Could you put your older one on the sofa bed with a railing? You actually won't know that until next year, but that might be a solution for you.

 

[jenc842]

Is this wise? I see a lot of posts about cruising with infants or toddlers. But what about with 2 infants? We're in the early planning stages of a July or August 2017 cruise. Our DS will be 1½ years at the time of the cruise. My wife is still prego with DD. She is due in January 2017. So DD would be old enough at the time of the cruise.

We would only be able to get an inside stateroom. Which turns out is better for my wife's sea sickness anyways. We're traveling with my parents, sister and BIL.

Is there enough room to sleep two adults and two infants in an inside stateroom? Does the onboard day care take infants 7 months old? Has anyone done this and wants to share their story?

Our first cruise was with a 1.5 year old and it was kind of nightmarish for us. But, DCL was probably the best place to have a vacation nightmare--the service was phenomenal and very kid friendly, and I never felt bad for my kid's meltdowns. The hardest thing at 1.5 for us was that she couldn't walk yet, but was crawling around and needed that time to do that. She did NOT want to sit still -- so on the flight and on the 45 min shuttle from MCO > Port Canaveral was a very longgggg 45 minutes. Also, the meals take a while even if we got the kids meal in immediately. She couldn't sit through them and we ended up doing room service most nights.

Also, a good tip is to stay at the MCO airport the night before. It gave us a chance to settle down from flights, explore a little bit, and have a good night's rest before the next morning of port travel.

However, that being said, you could have a totally mellow 1.5 year old. Ours is very spirited and just always on the go. You know your kids better than anyone! I'm actually pregnant with a second and we are planning another cruise but leaving the first daughter @ home with grandparents. The nursery had plenty of availability when we went, and the infant will be a lot more portable, so we figure it will be much easier going this second time around.

PS: it's a squeeze, but i think it's doable for two pack n plays. Just won't have as much room to really walk around the room.

 

[Dug720]

Just a note... If the baby is due in January, I would definitely aim for August for the cruise as the kid will not be allowed to cruise until at least 6 months old.

 

[Velkoor]

Will your extended family help with the kids? If so, go for it. But if they're the type that disavow themselves of your kids (you had 'em, you raise 'em) then it might be more of a burden to have the kids and not be able to do the things the others want to do.

Thankfully yes! They have been very helpful, when we are with the group. On our last cruise however we weren't always in a group. So we probably need to plan our activities to make sure we have assistance when needed.

Could you put your older one on the sofa bed with a railing? You actually won't know that until next year, but that might be a solution for you.

Probably not, but we'll see as we get closer. Right now at 8 months DS rolls and wiggles in his sleep. It's very common to find him on the other side of the crib from where I put him down. Occasionally he'll bump his head while moving in his sleep and that'll wake him up. I'm not sure what you mean by railings, do the DCL couch beds come with them or do you mean to pick up something from walmart that'll work with a fold down bed?

so on the flight and on the 45 min shuttle from MCO > Port Canaveral was a very longgggg 45 minutes. Also, the meals take a while even if we got the kids meal in immediately. She couldn't sit through them and we ended up doing room service most nights.

We have been very blessed in that DS is very laid back. He hardly ever cries unless he is hungry or in pain. He plays by himself just fine. We flew from east coast up to Alaska, ~24 hours in planes and airports. And he did great. So at least right now I'm not worries about him. But everyone warns us that is 1 child is easy, then next will be a terror.

PS: it's a squeeze, but i think it's doable for two pack n plays. Just won't have as much room to really walk around the room.

Looking at the floor plan. I guess if you put the table on the couch it'll fit.

Just a note... If the baby is due in January, I would definitely aim for August for the cruise as the kid will not be allowed to cruise until at least 6 months old.

Yes, that was the plan. My father travels about 275 days out of the year, my sister is a teacher, and my BIL is in seminary. So our window for family vacation is very small. So we're hoping she'll come early so that this restriction won't be an issue. Probably going to have to choose one of the cruises late July or early August.

 

[jenc842]

Thankfully yes! They have been very helpful, when we are with the group. On our last cruise however we weren't always in a group. So we probably need to plan our activities to make sure we have assistance when needed.


Probably not, but we'll see as we get closer. Right now at 8 months DS rolls and wiggles in his sleep. It's very common to find him on the other side of the crib from where I put him down. Occasionally he'll bump his head while moving in his sleep and that'll wake him up. I'm not sure what you mean by railings, do the DCL couch beds come with them or do you mean to pick up something from walmart that'll work with a fold down bed?


We have been very blessed in that DS is very laid back. He hardly ever cries unless he is hungry or in pain. He plays by himself just fine. We flew from east coast up to Alaska, ~24 hours in planes and airports. And he did great. So at least right now I'm not worries about him. But everyone warns us that is 1 child is easy, then next will be a terror.


Looking at the floor plan. I guess if you put the table on the couch it'll fit.

Yes, that was the plan. My father travels about 275 days out of the year, my sister is a teacher, and my BIL is in seminary. So our window for family vacation is very small. So we're hoping she'll come early so that this restriction won't be an issue. Probably going to have to choose one of the cruises late July or early August.

you could always squeeze the second pack and play by the bed too--i think it could fit! or stick baby in the bathroom. LOL

 

[michellekcm]

DCL provide the side rails for the beds - nice long ones too.