Past cruisers with little ones....

[indymom1]

OK since my 11.5 month old can not get into any of the pools and since I have never cruised before with a little one I am looking to the pros. Could anyone who has cruised with a little one who is not potty trained give me and my DH some insight as to what you did on the ship for 7 days especially if you didn't swim. Please keep in mind that we do have a 6 yr old who can and will want to swim. Basically I am trying to look at the glass as half full and see if maybe there are things to do with a little one that we haven't thought of. Your help will really be appreciated it could help us to make the decision to still go or to cancel

PS.. If this rule would have been in place when you went would you still have gone or would you have waited until your little one was potty trained?? Just thought I would pick your brains a little more

Thanks in advance!!
Kathy

 

[wovenwonder]

Ask DCL if you can accompany your non potty trained child in to the kids clubs to enjoy some fun there -- I DO believe this is permitted.

 

[CamColt]

We only did the 3 day, but it was with our 8 month old. We did the sail away party, the shows, dinner, the deck party, Castaway Cay, and family karaoke. Other than those things, we were glued to that Mickey pool.
The 8 month old is now 2.5 and on the way to being potty trained. However, with the new rule in effect, I would not cruise until he is fully potty trained. We all would be miserble if he couldnt swim. We got a pool this summer and he is a total fish! In fact my whole family is looking into another cruise line for next summer, that also has that rule. I have told my family I will not go on the cruise if he cant go swimming. No way!

 

[disney6]

I'm sure this is NOT what you want to hear BUT.... last time we cruised our two youngest were 2 and 18mo. We spent ALL our time in the Mickey pool (we had no accidents and only ONCE was the pool closed for a couple of hours because of an accident the whole 7 day trip). All those two talk about - even today - two years later - is the Mickey pool. They did nap, we saw EVERY character but other than that...... we even stayed on the ship in St. Thomas. I did say then I wouldn't go again until the youngest could go in the clubs and when we go in October she will be 3 1/2.

My then 2 year old was 6 weeks shy of 3 and fully trained and still was not allowed in the clubs without me. They were BOTH allowed in the clubs IF an adult stayed with them so that was an option then (don't know if it still is).

I feel for all of you with under three and/or non potty trained kids - no way I could have done with out that pool (guess I COULD have but would not have been the same). Good luck in your decision and remember -- it is YOUR decision whether to still go on the cruise or not!

 

[indymom1]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. Basically what everyone is saying is what I am afraid of. I guess you have to know your little one and what kind of pool time they will enjoy. I think my little one would want to be in it all of the time too. I appreciate your honesty and opinions
Kathy

 

[aprilgail2]

We were only on the 4 day cruise but during the whole 4 days I only took my 2 1/2 year old in the pool one morning, very early (like 7am!) before the other kids got there. She really didn't miss anything other than being pushed, shoved and trampled by not going in the other times. We got off in Freport and did a pool/beach excursion. the in Castaway Cay she was swimming so that was enough withough having to hang out in the pool all day. We did movies, character greetings, shows etc....she loved all the shows. I don't take her into public kiddie pools any other place either due to bacteria ect...just the thought of it...yuk LOL!!