How Young Is Too Young?

[2timecruiser]

I have to say, for out 1st cruise, we had a 7ds & a 5-month ds. We had a great time. Our 5 month old slept alot, which worked out great, but he also seemed to enjoy all the activites around him when not asleep. We had a great tent that we carried with us, that he slept in when we were by the pool or on the beach.

Our 2nd cruise, our sons were 8 & 1.5. Again, it was great. We had late dinner both cruises & loved it. I would not consider cruising without them. We are heading on our 3rd cruise in May, & they will be 9 & 2.5. They are both excited, even the 2.5 year old. I believe he remembers his past cruises.

I hope this helps. I say, take them, whatever age, & just enjoy yourselves & your kids!

 

[tvguy]

We didn't take our kids to Disneyland until they were 4.
For me, a cruise is just too expensive a trip to take an infant or toddler on.
I want them to remember the trip, and both my kids really don't remember their first trip to Disneyland. I was 7 the first time I went, and my wife was 11.
DD was 11 and DS 15 (years in both cases) before we took them on a cruise. DD was a little concerned about the ship......of course everytime she turned on the TV at home after we told them we were going, the Poseden Adventure or some special on the Titanic was on!!!!
She even shed a few tears when told we were going, but grew a bit more comforatable with it in the months before the trip. Every concern she had melted away when we got out of the bus and she saw the ship for the first time (this was an Alaska cruise, on HAL's Amsterdam). Nothing like a 12 story high ship, hovering over a 3 story cruise terminal building to ease your concerns.
So our Disney cruise, 18 months later, was a piece of cake.

 

[kcromley]

you may wish to carefully consider your toddler's temperament as well. We cruised with our active, alert, then 13-month old dd, who had been to disneyworld four times at that point, and found the cruise considerably more stressful than a land vacation. Some children nap/sleep well with their parents in the same room; others don't. Flounders was helpful, but overall, the confined quarters and details of toddler life onboard were a challenge. We are finally cruising again next month, five years after our first cruise, as the youngest is now 3. good luck.

 

[llsdance]

WOW! So many mixed thoughts! I will take every one into consideration! I appreciate all of your responses and honesty!