Looking for TR to Alaska with toddlers

[AuntieKels]

Hi DISers,

I'm looking for trip reports from people who did an Alaska cruise with young children - especially babies/toddlers.

I've never cruised before but since my MIL offered to take us on a Disney cruise and our trip to Disneyland with my family went so well this summer I think we're ready to take her up on it.

Our daughter will be about 2.5 when we cruise assuming it will be next summer. Any tips or links to TR's would be appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

No trip report here as we have only done Alaska as solo adults, but I just wanted to say that I think you will have a blast! There was definitely stuff in most of the ports I think our two year old would like. Have a great trip!

 

[beccawes7471]

Our daughter turned 2 when we went on our Alaskan cruise in 2011. We weren't on Disney though we were on Holland. She did great, slept wonderfully, staff was super with her. We had 3 cabins total for our group,my inlaws had a balcony, we had an inside cabin, ours was dh, dd and myself, and next door was my sil and our son who was 11 at the time. We really enjoyed it and I can only imagine on Disney there would be so much more to do for a little one. There was really nothing for our daughter to do per say, but an Alaska cruise is more about the destination and not so much about the boat. Since we celebrated her birthday on the boat, she got a few toy presents which kept her busy. On port days we always went into the town and did something. I wouldnt hesitate to do it again, we all had a great time and there was never a moment like, "Oh my gosh why didnt we wait" or "this is awful" We are going on the Magic over spring break next year, she will be 6 and a half and cant wait!

 

[AuntieKels]

Thank you for your reply's! I have a few questions if you don't mind.

When you travel with a 2.5 year old can they go into the Oceaneer Club with a parent or are they prohibited from playing in there because they're under 3 years old? What if they're potty trained?

I've seen some things about open hours at the kids clubs, do those happen every day? I can't imagine our daughter seeing a playground on the ship but not being allowed into it at all.

She is a seasoned daycare kiddo who loves playing with the big kids. We are happy to be with her the whole trip (we miss her so much at daycare!) but it might be hard if all the activities are just outside her reach. Any tips on how you spend sea days with 2.5 year olds?

THANK YOU!

 

[genki3]

The Kids Clubs on DCL are very strict with the age requirements so your 2.5 year old won't be able to go into the club/lab space UNLESS it is during Open House in which you can go in with her. Being potty-trained doesn't matter. You can put her in the Nursery for $9 an hour.

I'm going with my toddler in a couple weeks and she will be almost 23 months. I've also taken her when she was 14months so I know what to expect.

Things to do for a toddler:

• Toddler Time (toys that are age-appropriate will be available for the under 3s to play with)
• Open House at Oceaneer Club/Lab
• Taking pics with characters at set times or sometimes even just roaming around the ship
• Movie theater; we saw a Frozen Fever short just before the Cinderella movie
• Snack on frozen yogurt cones
• Roam all over the ship; my toddler just loved walking around
• Watch a movie in the stateroom
• For warm-weather sailings on Fantasy/Dream, there is the Nemo's Reef water play area that toddlers can go (be aware that there may be other older kids playing here as well)

That's all I can think of right now but I'm sure there are other things I forgot to list. Your 2.5 yo will have a great time...she just may not remember it.

 

[AuntieKels]

Wow, thank you genki3!

I hadn't seen anything about toddler time. That sounds cool.

 

[michellekcm]

Other things my 2 1/2 year old loved on our last cruise:

• Dancing to the musicians in the lounges
• Seeing the shows - he cried every time one finished, saying "again, again@
• Dancing on stage during the day when the clubs were empty
• Wake Up With Disney Jr - on a sea day, dancing to Disney Jr songs with special people

Open house at the club was every day - including some scheduled activities, not just free play (though that was fun too). Toddler time was every day as well.

The ships are also currently investigating putting in place a permanent toddler play area. The Magic was recently trialling this in the Promenade Lounge, I know I read someone report a different location on the Dream, I think. The CD on our last cruise told us that they are looking to install one on every ship, so that may be in by the time you sail.

 

[michellekcm]

Oh - and I know you said you're happy to be with her the whole trip, but if she is happy at day care she might like a little time in the nursery. Other kids to play with, attention from someone other than mum and dad and grandma while you eat at Palo or relax by the pool or something

 

[AuntieKels]

We will definitely use the nursery - we just don't want to rely on it for her only source of toddler focused play. She will probably be desperate to get away from us.

I really appreciate your feedback @genki3 and @michellekcm - It's so nice of you to spend time sharing your knowledge!

 

[jtba]

my DS8 and DD4 aren't as young but we just got off the wonder from our Alaskan cruise exactly two weeks ago:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/an...l-cruise-it-was-7-6-7-13-2015-alaska.3430303/

haven't finished days 4-8 but will do so in the next few weeks!

 

[jtba]

my DS8 and DD4 aren't as young but we just got off the wonder from our Alaskan cruise exactly two weeks ago:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/an...l-cruise-it-was-7-6-7-13-2015-alaska.3430303/

haven't finished days 4-8 but will do so in the next few weeks!

btw for a sense of the open house hours, follow the link in the first post of the TR to the Personal Navigators from that trip.

 

[genki3]

Other things my 2 1/2 year old loved on our last cruise:

• Dancing to the musicians in the lounges
• Seeing the shows - he cried every time one finished, saying "again, again@
• Dancing on stage during the day when the clubs were empty
• Wake Up With Disney Jr - on a sea day, dancing to Disney Jr songs with special people

Open house at the club was every day - including some scheduled activities, not just free play (though that was fun too). Toddler time was every day as well.

The ships are also currently investigating putting in place a permanent toddler play area. The Magic was recently trialling this in the Promenade Lounge, I know I read someone report a different location on the Dream, I think. The CD on our last cruise told us that they are looking to install one on every ship, so that may be in by the time you sail.

I knew I'd forget some things! Thanks for listing! Yes, there were a few scheduled events like Wake Up with Disney Jr. that were available for all ages. However it was always early, around 8a, and unfortunately my toddler always slept in and we never were able to make it to this event, as well as any of the Open House in the Nursery events which was 8a as well.

Having a permanent toddler play area would be wonderful for parents of young ones. But I feel that, although not permanent, the offerings of Toddler Time many times during the sailing was sufficient. My toddler enjoyed playing with toys for a while and then we left and she was okay with it. But this is just from our experience, not necessarily what others will experience as well.

 

[SwimMom2]

On our cruise, there were character dance parties around noon and before main dining that my 3 year old adored. They will be listed in your personal navigator. There are also Disney Junior meet and greets. So much to do. Enjoy!