Did you need/want a stroller for your pre-school age child?

[jac1976]

DD will be 3 when we cruise in March. I wasn't planning on bringing a stroller- she really doesn't use one now unless we are going on long day trips (to the zoo, etc.) Do you think I will need one?

 

[golfermike35]

I was wondering the same thing. We too are cruising in March - March 5th Western and our little guy will turn 3 April 2nd. We were thinking of bringing it just in case he falls asleep during a not so opportune time

 

[HallsofVA]

We used one of the DCL strollers for our excursions with DD was newly 2, and she napped in it on CC. We cruised 3 times this past year when she was 3, and didn't use a stroller on the ship or on our excursions, though we do get the wagons on Castaway Cay to help with carrying stuff around during the day. They also have strollers available at Castaway Cay if you really need one for a nap, but DD just used a beach chair at that point.

 

[jac1976]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Fatima1922]

My daughter is 4 now and I contemplating taking a stroller. We have taken one on our past two cruises and was very happy we did because 1. she got tired of walking, 2. she fell sleep several times as we rolled her around. Never used on the ship but definitely took it off the ship.

 

[smb6]

I've been contemplating this also.

My ds is 4 and will be turning 5 just before the trip.... He does not really use a stroller any more, but we did take our umbrella stroller to WDW and even though he walked most of the time, it was nice to have when we needed it....

I actually think we will use it zero on the cruise.... But I'm mainly thinking about the airport- we have a long 8 hour flight and we leave crazy early in the morning going there and arrive crazy late at night on our return flight. Plus we have layover's each way. I'm worried he will fall asleep and be too cranky/tired to wake up and walk- having to carry him across the airport would be horrible! So, for that reason I am seriously considering taking our umbrella stroller....

 

[Fatima1922]

I've been contemplating this also.

My ds is 4 and will be turning 5 just before the trip.... He does not really use a stroller any more, but we did take our umbrella stroller to WDW and even though he walked most of the time, it was nice to have when we needed it....

I actually think we will use it zero on the cruise.... But I'm mainly thinking about the airport- we have a long 8 hour flight and we leave crazy early in the morning going there and arrive crazy late at night on our return flight. Plus we have layover's each way. I'm worried he will fall asleep and be too cranky/tired to wake up and walk- having to carry him across the airport would be horrible! So, for that reason I am seriously considering taking our umbrella stroller....

I completely forgot about the airport. We are flying the night before, I know she will be asleep by the time we land. That pretty much solidifies it for me, stroller it is.

 

[jac1976]

I think I'll pack our carrier for the airport and the excursions just in case. It folds up into my purse, so will be much easier to manage than a stroller. We lucked out with our flights. We were originally booked with a connecting flight, but our travel agent talked Disney into switching us to non-stop, which will be much easier for us.

 

[MrsMinease]

DS will be 2.5 when we cruise in May and we will definitely be bringing our Graco Ipo (cheap version of a MacLaren). For us, managing DS in the Airport is sooooo much easier when we have the stroller.

As an aside... our neighbours did Disney in August with their 4 yr old twin girls and a big part of the reason they didn't enjoy the trip was the lack of strollers for when their girls were tired. The airport was a nightmare for them, and getting around the resorts wasn't much fun either.

 

[Tarabra]

My kids were 2 and 5 on our last cruise and I wondered the same thing, but mostly about the 5 year old. Obviously she never uses it in "real life" but can get tired on long walks. We decided on only bringing one and were glad we did. Although she did get in it on and off at Disney World. On the cruise, we took it into port. It is also nice to put stuff in since our hands are usually full. We have an el cheapo umbrella stroller that has a basket underneath and a visor. It is great! I think we may even take it when we go in May. They will be 3 and 6. We're doing the Eastern and will probably be doing walking around at the ports.

 

[jac1976]

We're skipping the resorts. I thought it was just going to be me and DS and DD (my DH is military and is deployed) and I couldn't deal with resorts and kids by myself. Then my mom surprised me by offering to come along and help with the kids, which will be nice.

Is there a good place to store an umbrella stroller in the room?

 

[5lilfish]

We have twin 3 yr olds and have cruised many times with preschoolers. We are bringing umbrella strollers to use while in port. The main reason is safety. When you get off the ship there is pretty open access to a nice drop into the ocean (plus just going down the ramp to get off the ship). I feel MUCH better having my preschoolers locked into a stroller...esp with twins. I doubt we will use the strollers on the ship. The strollers will be stored in the bath tub.

Jess