Do you think it is worth cruising with a one year old?

[SandraLee]

Well . . . I fall into the category of leaving the baby at home. It is a very expensive trip to not be able to take advantage of everything. Yes, Flounders is nice, but . . . I never felt great about that.

I would leave the baby at home, have a great time, and save money for when they are old enough to REALLY enjoy the club onboard the ship at age 3 and over. This could be a great trip for just you and DH.

When I brought my 2 1/2 year old, I brought my sister to help and I *still* didn't think I enjoyed the ship as much as I did when my kids were old enough to be in the club and have memories.

That really is the biggie for me... will the child come home with memories??

 

[OJulie67]

We are set to go on the May 6th land and sea package. We are taking our 5 YO and our 10 month (at time of sail)old DD's. We threw around the idea of not taking the baby...but for us, we just felt that it wouldn't be the same. Plus, I would be worrying about her the whole time.
We are going with NO EXPECTATIONS...so everything we do get to do will be fun and a pleasure. An escape from the normalcy of home and the everyday grind. Yes...we are paying alot of money, but my DH got us a verandah room, and if we have to spend some time in our room, so be it. Our 5yo will have the time of her life, DH and I can take turns going to the spa etc...and if dinner doesn't work out for us (because of her not wanting to go to flounders) then we will eat at the buffet, or order room service. I am not going to be dissappointed if I don't get to eat a fancy meal everynight.
Take your baby, enjoy your trip, and know that it is ONLY GOING TO BE WHAT YOU MAKE IT!

 

[SueEllen]

Just to add in my .02--we cruised with my son when I was pregnant, again when he was 13 months and again at 25 months.

We had a great time with him at 13 months (it was easier than at 25 months because dinner was easier ) He enjoyed walking around and looking at different sights. We used Flounders in the evenings so we would have some "adult" time out. We also put him in Flounders for a shore excursion. All in all it was a great time. We enjoyed alone time and family time. I would recommend it.

Sue Ellen

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Cruising with a one-year-old will not be as much fun as cruising with a child old enough for the kid clubs, that's a given. There will be things you won't get to do because you have the responsibilities of your little one. It will still be fun, though! Just make sure you have some appointments set up at Flounders. Initially they give you three slots, but if you ask every day if they have extra slots open, they usually do. We ended up taking my daughter there probably 5 times throughout the cruise. You can rent strollers on board the ship, too, which I wish I would have known.

I would go ahead and do it. After all, you're going to be the mommy of a one-year-old during those four days anyway--why not be the mommy of a one-year-old who is on a cruise?

 

[aprilgail2]

I would take the baby.....I wold never take a vacation and leave my child home. Mine was only 2 when I took her, I didn't go to any of the evening activities, we were in bed by 930 most nights but I loved the cruise and so did she. She loved the dinners, loved the excursions and beach time and had a blast seeing all the characters. We have penty of pictures and portraits that were done on the cruise so even if she doesn't remember it all she can see the pictures and see herself having fun. She actually does remember more than I thought she would about the cruise.

 

[deebs]

we did the Disney cruise when my DD was 7 months, then when my son was 3 months and we're doing it again when my son is 10 months. We've done it 3 times and have had a great time!

At 7 months my DD loved the characters and watching the shows. She loved the pool and the beaches when we were in port. We only used babysitting once for an evening in Flounders and it was great. Alot of people don't think its a vacation traveling w/ little ones, but I love it. These are memories that I'll have forever and the looks on their faces makes it worth it.

Its not always easy, but its wonderful.

 

[lillygator]

now I can definitely answer this.....ABSOLUTELY....would do it again in a heartbeat.
Our DD had such a great time. Upon arrival, she was greated by a *perfect gift* basket, which she loved. We took her to lunch, to the sail away party and then she went to the nursery for an hour while we had a massage.
We had the late seating for dinner, we chose to only take her to one dinner. She had naps (one, sometimes two) everyday which helped.
We took her to Bingo, to the movies, ESPN club, all over the ship, the pool, on the Garden tour in Nassau, shopping with us....breakfast and lunch....pretty much everywhere.
The only thing that was a slight hassle was the pool.....trying to keep her in that ear which only has less than a 1/4 inch of water in was pretty tough. She wanted to join the kids in the big girl pool.

So definitely take your toddler and go on their schedule.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

We took my daughter on the cruise when she was 10 months, and our friends sailed with us with a 15 month old. They both had a blast! I think our friends had it a little easier since their Daughter was not on formula and no jar food to carry on, but it wasn't even so bad doing that with our Daughter. She barely ate any of the jar food because she discovered the wonders of table food on that trip and decided she was done with the mush.

That was great too because the wait staff was awesome and they were always willing to bring small portions of different things for the kids to try!

We used Flounders and found them VERY organized and on the ball (I am a paranoid first time Mom too!) My Daughter loved them and we never had any problems at all. The place is so clean and there is a lot for them to do.

I say go for it! You'll have a blast.

 

[Lori00789]

I can't imagine going on a disney cruise with out my kids. If I had to look around at all the families with children and not have my 1 year old with it would break my heart. But if you are asking the question, maybe you want time away from the child. Only you can decide.