Its a small world nursery

[tgropp]

We are taking our family....2 children, 2 spouses and 2 grandchildren (3 1/2 and approx. 14 weeks old.) on a Fantasy Eastern Cruise next February.

I would like to take the adults to Palos and was going to recommend to our son and DIL that the infant grandchild could go to "Its a small world Nursery" and the older grandchild to the Oceaneer Club. I am sure that they will be concerned being that their child is so young and leaving it with the nursery. Can anyone give me some first hand accounts of their experiences with leaving a child of similar age with the nursery. I would fully be OK with the Disney Babysitters but am sure that if our DIL reads about good experiences here, that they would feel better about it. Worst case scenario is that my wife and I will babysit and let the kids go. Thanks!

 

[abridgel]

We left our 8 mth old and he was as happy as a clam, they changed his diaper and would have fed him if he was hungry. We left him for about an hour they said he did great. Lots of trained staff and they will page you if there is an issue, I was hesitant at first but you gotta let go a little to have some fun.

 

[sparty7798]

Our son used the nursery several times and he loved it. The workers are very good and we did not have any problems. They took pictures of him while he was in there and made post cards for us. They also gave us a book bag with a certificate and other items.

We loved them!

 

[hardis5]

Our youngest was 18 mos old when he first visited (so maybe not the exact same anxiety experienced with one of few months old). That said, the staff and facilities there are great with the ages they cover (we saw infants through many our DS age) and are well staffed to the numbers they allow (that is why you will see suggested to book early to ensure you have availability when wished - you can always cancel with notice).

Make sure to suggest a visit during the open house the day of embarkation as seeing the facilities and staff in person did more to alleviate any concerns we had prior than reviews of.

 

[VeroBeachGirl]

Worst case scenario is that my wife and I will babysit and let the kids go. Thanks!

Just wanted to say that, that is so nice of you! Your kids are very lucky.

 

[lolainkent]

My DD (21 months on our cruise) loved the nursery on the Dream. She would cry when taken from our arms, but would stop by the time we left the reception room. They take great care of the little ones. She also received a certificate on the last night, delivered to our state room, that awarded her "best giggle on the high seas." Very sweet. The nursery workers were fantastic, and they were actually the ones I highlighted on our comment cards on the last night.

 

[WVURunner]

We traveled with my barely 4 month old niece and my sister loved the nursery! Over the course of a 14 night cruise, my sister ended up having her there for over 40 hrs. She was so comfortable with them she ended up putting her there for every show and dinner and port days so she could enjoy time with her 3 yo. My niece was the only young baby there and got a ton of attention. We got a whole book of art work and photos she did including photos of the characters in the nursery with my niece. She always came back changed, feed and happy. My sister loved all the nursery workers! My sister jokes that it was the best $6 an hr she has ever spent. They also have a window you can peek in through to check in on the little one.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

We have used the nursery at all ages for our 3 children. Every experience has been wonder. Like others they have given us photos so we could see what they were up to as well as artwork. When they were very little it would usually be something simple like handprints. I was amazed the fist time they did it because my daughter did not have a drop of paint on her anytime I picked her up, yet the last night of the cruise there was a beautiful handprint painting waiting for us in our stateroom.

The kids were always changed, fed, and happy as others have reported. We often use the nursery for shows and I would bring along pajamas and they were always changed and ready for bed.

 

[Freesia123]

I took maya when she was 14 weeks old too. I left her in the nursery at dinner on the fourth night and then wondered why I hadn't do e it before?

They love babies in there and don't often see them. She was held almost every second she was in there. One night I came to get her and Minnie Mouse was visiting. It was a great first babysitting experience for her and I. It was great to have the wave phone and I asked for an update half way through. I also knew I was only ever 3-4 minutes away.

It'll depend on your kids feelings about leaving their baby, but it was a great experience for me.

 

[lanejudy]

We are taking our family....2 children, 2 spouses and 2 grandchildren (3 1/2 and approx. 14 weeks old.) on a Fantasy Eastern Cruise next February.

Hopefully you know this already...baby MUST be at least 12 weeks old (not a day shy) when you board the ship. Since you indicate "approx. 14 weeks" I wanted to mention it. If baby is in no hurry to arrive on time, you could end up close. We have a few in our family who were 2+ weeks past the due date.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[tgropp]

Hopefully you know this already...baby MUST be at least 12 weeks old (not a day shy) when you board the ship. Since you indicate "approx. 14 weeks" I wanted to mention it. If baby is in no hurry to arrive on time, you could end up close. We have a few in our family who were 2+ weeks past the due date.

Enjoy your cruise!

Yes, we were very aware of this and if all goes well, baby will be 15 weeks old at time of sailing. When we asked the kids if they wanted to go on a cruise, that was when they told us of their pregnancy. Feb 21 is the last dates of cheaper cruises (since this will be their Christmas presents) so that was the date that we picked. Thanks for all the advice!!!

 

[Krs1300]

My son went a few nights so we could sneak away to the movies. He had just turned 2... so not at all the same situation... but I just wanted to point out that a few times when we went to drop off or pick up, there were itty bitty babies there and I remember commenting to my husband how great the sitters seemed with them. One guy was sitting in the rocker and holding a tiny baby while he/she slept in his arms while he was simultaneously helping a toddler put together floor puzzle next to him. It was a really sweet sight... especially knowing there are cribs available and yet he was holding this baby and rocking it.

 

[Momof2inCT]

While I have had only good experiences with the nursery on DCL and I want to say positive things about the level of care (which IS excellent), it would be prudent to suggest that perhaps for health reasons (i.e. a baby that young wouldn't be vaccinated against most everything yet) you wouldn't want to leave them in there, no matter how good the precautions are. The last place you want an non-vaccinated baby to get the flu or sick is on a cruise ship in the ocean. Flu vaccines don't start until 6 months of age, not to mention RSV, MMR, etc.