Cruising with 3 year old

[NicsMom1500]

Hi.
I'm in the very beginning stages of planning a cruise (some time in 2003) for our family.

We have been on Carnival twice during our pre-parenthood years. But we were dreaming of the Disney cruise line even before we became parents. Now it just seems like it'll be even more fun.

So, is it a good age for a 3 or 4 year old? Our son is now a bit over 2.

We would be taking the cruise only portion as we are going to Disney this December.

Any tips on planning this vacation would be helpful.

I'm thinking of asking grandparents and/or my son's godparents to join us!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Yes, 3 or 4 would be a perfect age for cruising on Disney (as long as he's potty trained... that's a requirement to participate in the kids' programming).

The best way to start is to go to EntropyM's web site (hometown.aol.com/entropym) and download his "Magical Disney Cruise Guide". This is the most comprehensive compilation of unbiased DCL information in a single document. It's available in HTML, Microsoft Word, and plain ASCII text. We downloaded it and read it cover-to-cover. This is a great way to answer the questions you don't even know you have.

I also have a web site with a fair amount of useful reference material:

www.dcltribute.com

Barb and Tony, who post on this board as Inkkognito and atigeg also have a web site with a wealth of useful reference material:

www.castawayclub.com

Between Entropy's guide and these two web sites, you'll have a lot of your questions answered and will come up with more focused questions. This board is the place for them. We can usually help you out.

 

[AgentMommy]

We were on the Magic in Aug with my DS who was 3 years 10 months, and baby DS who was 17 months. They both loved the cruise. I have to warn you though, my older DS HATED the club. It's very dark and they don't do any introductions so that the kids get to know each other. It was fine, we didn't plan on him going there too often anyway. It was a family vacation and we wanted to spend time together. We just hung out by the pool and relaxed. Saw the shows at night and walked around deck. I think you'll enjoy yourselves.

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

We took our twins on the 7 day cruise last year for their 3rd birthday's. DD who's outgoing loved the kids club, but DS who's shyer didn't. We had to take him to the shows with us, but it was sure a lot easier than having two kids in tow. We went again last year on the 4 day cruise in Sept and DS did stay a few times-so we were finally able to have a meal alone (but Palo's ressies had to be cancelled on both cruises-boo hoo!!!). I would say just be prepared that your child may not like the clubs and will spend more time with you, but you'll still have a great time. Everyone kept telling us our kids were too young and wouldn't enjoy themselves. Boy were they wrong! They still talk about the big boat, swimming in the Big Pool (the ocean), and all the characters. We're going again on the Inaguaral Western Cruise in little over a month. Go and have a great time!!!

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

We took our twins on the 7 day cruise last year for their 3rd birthday's. DD who's outgoing loved the kids club, but DS who's shyer didn't. We had to take him to the shows with us, but it was sure a lot easier than having two kids in tow. We went again last year on the 4 day cruise in Sept and DS did stay a few times-so we were finally able to have a meal alone (but Palo's ressies had to be cancelled on both cruises-boo hoo!!!). I would say just be prepared that your child may not like the clubs and will spend more time with you, but you'll still have a great time. Everyone kept telling us our kids were too young and wouldn't enjoy themselves. Boy were they wrong! They still talk about the big boat, swimming in the Big Pool (the ocean), and all the characters. We're going again on the Inaguaral Western Cruise in little over two month. Go and have a great time!!!