Cruising with a 3 year old

[aimb]

We are considering a 4 night cruise, and our ds will be just over 3 years old when/if we go. I've read so much conflicting info on cruising with children this age... Those of you who have done it, what was your experience? He is completely potty-trained, so he would be able to stay at the kids club, but I doubt he will do that anyway unless we are there with him. My mother will be with us too, and if DH and I want any adult time, she will gladly hang out with ds.

I guess I'd just like to hear your thoughts on cruising with a 3 year old...

 

[iluvtink]

I have not cruised with a 3-yr old, but we went last time on a 4-nighter with a recently-turned 4 yr. old. She was a little leary of the kids' club at first, but her mom stayed and played with her there on the first day when you sign in, and she wanted to go back. The good news is that they give you a beeper, so even if you drop him off and he changes his mind after 20 minutes, they will page you to come check on him. They have so much to do there, and the CM's are great.

Besides the kids club, the Mickey pool can be crowded, but it would be a fun time for your little guy, especially if you can go at not peak times. He will have non-threatening character interactions in the kids club, as well as character meets on other spots on the ship. It is such a wonderful family environment ... if I were you, I wouldn't miss it for anything!

Be aware: I know someone who couldn't get the main (6:00 seating) on the 4 night anytime this fall (from August through December) for her family of 6... all the main seatings were already taken. If you are thinking about this year... HURRY! If you are considering next year, HURRY! The prices are still "early bird specials" for 2005, except at Spring break. DU is offering a special right now. Check out their offer. That's who we are using, and we are very pleased.

Good luck... go for it!

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_2_117.gif' alt='Cruising' border=0></a> iluvtink

 

[juliadan]

I just recently cruised on the 4 night with my just over 3yo girl and 5yo girl. The 3 year old loved it-Especially the Mickey pool, the characters, the icecream and the evening shows. We did make sure to give her a nap every day to avoid her bottoming out
Also castaway cay is great-very calm water for kids-my 3yo played in the water all day. She went to the kids club 2 times and did well. We loved it!

 

[Kadorto]

We went with our DS who at the time was 27 months old. Spent a day at the Magic Kingdom and then went on the 4 day cruise. Without a doubt, one of the best vacations we've ever had! Heading back in December 2005 and now our DS has a little brother who will be 3 1/2 then. I know they will both enjoy it greatly. I'm very glad that I didn't put too much thought into some of the posts on this board that advised against taking small children. However, one word of caution...For a three yoa who has probably just mastered or trying to master potty training the toliets in the state rooms flush loudly. This may cause an anxious moment if it happens unexpectedly.

 

[CruisingCA2005]

On our last cruise, DS was 3 1/2. He didn't spend too much time in the club because he's fairly shy and my mother, who cruised with us, wanted to spend time with him. He did go to the club while we were in Nassau for a few hours. He really enjoyed himself & he liked the arts & crafts that they did there. He loved going to the movies, playing in the sand at Castaway Cay, the sailaway party, our fabulous servers, and Mickey ice cream bars.

On our next cruise, DD will be 3 1/2. She's a lot more outgoing than DS so I'm sure she'll be spending more time in the clubs and in the pool. She's a girly girl so I know she'll love dressing up for dinner and being a "pretty princess".

BTW - he was afraid of the loud flush. We'd have to wait until he had finished his business & was out of the bathroom before flushing the toilet.

 

[iluvtink]

Heck, I'm 49 and the loud flush <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_100.gif' alt='Afraid' border=0></a> me!

 

[dletz]

My daughter was 3 when we went. She absolutely loved it. Froma kid who never spent hardly anytime away from mom or dad (hadn't been in preschool or anything) she would not leave the kids clubs. She just wanted to stay as long as possible. She had so much fun and can't wait to go back. She doesn't know it yet, but we're going on the 14 day repositioning cruise, and I'm sure she'll have just as much fun as she did 2 years ago.

 

[CM_Mom]

FYI, shy children may respond better to the kids clubs if they skip the first night when "everyone" goes and check out the club the next morning when things are quieter.

 

[Masonpips]

My DD was 3.5 on our first cruise - she and DS were separated (he was in the 5-7 group) and I was worried in advance about how she'd react to being alone - I work full-time and both of my kids have always been in daycare, but I was still worried about her transition / not liking the clubs.

She did AWESOME. She loved the clubs and wanted to be there a lot of the time (more than we expected her to be there for Palo, spa-time, etc.). We always read the navigators in advance and kind of planned out the day and let her pick and choose what she wanted to do.

On our 2nd cruise, she loved it even more - there were 2 times she cried when we "made" her leave and twice when DS was picked up, came back to the room for night-time snacks (room service) and she demanded to stay longer. Of course, she is a movie gal and they show movies every night so she was all over that.