Ideal age for kids who are cruising.

[missycakes99]

Curious to hear from other parents -- what do you think is the ideal age range to take your kids on a Disney Cruise?

I'm chomping at the bit to go on our first Disney Cruise, but am trying to determine if going next year (with 18mo old & 6 year old) will be enjoyable. We are longtime DL and WDW people and first took our eldest at 18mo - I'm a big advocate of taking kids at any age! Somehow, a cruise feels different. I'd love for it to become another Disney tradition of ours, but just wondering what the rest of you feel is the ideal age range for kids on a cruise. Seems like age 5 to 13?? Note: we took our eldest at 6mo on a RC cruise and apart from him cutting 4 teeth during the cruise (thus making us miserably tired) it was pretty fun.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[asamklove]

Sharing our experience, though every family is different! We have taken our kids twice - at ages 2 & 4 and ages 4 & 6.
We had a ball the first time, but here's what was hard: having to think & plan for nursery hours so my husband & I could enjoy some couple time; the fact that big sis could enjoy all water areas & little bro could only do Nemo's Reef; having to have one parent stay in cabin for nap time; dinner felt long with a 2yo!
Despite those things, we had a great time - just thought I'd offer our experience. We were also coming off a week at WDW, so exhaustion may have been a factor

The ages 4&6 cruise was just incredible for us - they both loved the kids club, no diapers, no naps, lots & lots of water play!

 

[Skiton]

I think it depends on your kids. Our first cruise, our kids were 5 and 6. It was a great age for us because they were old enough to really enjoy the kid's club without any sort of separation anxiety. They also were able to sit through all the shows and loved them. I wouldn't have done DCL with them as toddlers because I wouldn't have wanted to pay for/plan the nursery, and you can't take them in the pools, but that's me. You may feel differently about it.

 

[melwill530]

I would agree with asamklove, I think 4 & 6 was one of the best vacations ever. We were able to have adult time and family time. The kids love the kids clubs so they went agreeably and we enjoyed a little adult time, then we would come together and do things as a family. It was great. Working around the planning and paying for the nursery was not that great on our first cruise.

 

[Hundredacre]

You would have a great time regardless, but ideal for me would be when both kids are potty trained and old enough to go to the kids club (not the nursery).

 

[deanimal]

I have to agree with the above. Any age is great but we found almost 5 and 6 to be more fun than 2 and 4 and 2 and 4 was more fun than 1 and 3. We're going again this summer with a 6 and 7 year old and even the planning is a lot of fun with this age. BUT....my older daughter is no longer keen on the meet and greets now and back when she was 3 she really believed that she was on the boat with Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella, etc. For our next cruise she's already talking about all the fun activities in the clubs and all the new friends she'll meet. When they were little we had a bit of club and nursery time here and there but for the most part we experienced the magic together as a family 24/7. So while cruising with school aged kids is definitely more relaxing than it is with younger kids, there is a certain magic to bringing toddlers that you really can't replace.

 

[Love2Cruz]

My kid started cruising at the age of two. She is 6 now and loves cruising, just like her mama.

 

[arlopop]

On our first cruise our kids were 6, 4, and 3 (the middle on turned 5 on the trip). It was and ideal age. They could all be in the kids club, enjoyed themselves immensely, and all adapted well. We have done more as they've aged and they still love it. We're doing the PC at the end of the summer and their ages will be 11, 9, 7. They are starting to lose interest in some of it but are still excited. My sense is anywhere between 3 and 9 is ideal. No nursery, plenty to explore and experience and a sense of wonder that hasn't gotten too jaded. That said, I could see us doing cruises when the kids are well in to their teens and still having a great family time.

 

[squirk]

Our 6-y.o. has been on a Disney Cruise every year since he has been born. Based on my experience, I would agree that the kids really can get engaged once they are old enough to get into the kids clubs and use the Mickey pool/slide.

The splash pad areas great, but they are not going to occupy a toddler's attention for more than an hour or two per day. The Small World nursery is fine, but it's a bit smallish. Also, sitting through a long MDR dinner with a little one isn't always ideal, especially if said little one is tired, crabby, bored or any combination of the three.

 

[missycakes99]

Sharing our experience, though every family is different! We have taken our kids twice - at ages 2 & 4 and ages 4 & 6.
We had a ball the first time, but here's what was hard: having to think & plan for nursery hours so my husband & I could enjoy some couple time; the fact that big sis could enjoy all water areas & little bro could only do Nemo's Reef; having to have one parent stay in cabin for nap time; dinner felt long with a 2yo!
Despite those things, we had a great time - just thought I'd offer our experience. We were also coming off a week at WDW, so exhaustion may have been a factor

The ages 4&6 cruise was just incredible for us - they both loved the kids club, no diapers, no naps, lots & lots of water play!

This is exactly what I wanted to hear. THANK YOU!

 

[Snowwhyt]

Our first trip was when my daughter was 11. I'm disappointed I did not take her earlier so the magic that you experience as a child was still there for her to enjoy. At age 11 she was no longer into princesses didn't want to hang with Mickey. Literally and figuratively that ship that sailed. Since you have an older child already I'm sure potty training will go as quick or quicker than your first. My advice to you is when your child turns three make your first cruise then. 18 months will give you plenty of time to prepare with early shopping for the best price deal.

 

[tinker&belle]

Our first one was January... Kids were 6.5 and 8.5. It was really nice because with them both being school age they were used to group care. I think it would depend on how well your little ones drop off to strangers in fun environments like preschool or day camp. I think 3 and 5 would have worked since my youngest is particularly brave. My oldest who is shy probably would have had a hard time before that point.

 

[Frozen2014]

You would have a great time regardless, but ideal for me would be when both kids are potty trained and old enough to go to the kids club (not the nursery).

Agree. Our DS was 2.5 years when we went. She couldn't go to the kids club (except during open house time), and she couldn't use the pool
Also the shows were too late for her.