Please tell me about cruising with a 3 year-old...

[Johnnaoo7]

My now 4 year old remembers her first cruise on the Dream, 2 months before she turned 3. Last time we went, 2 months before she turned 4 she most definitely remembers. She talks about it every dang day.

How did your now 4 year old like the first cruise? We are looking at taking a cruise early next year right before my daughter's 3rd birthday. We've been to Disney World and she really enjoyed it, so I'm hoping she'll like the cruise too.

 

[gotomu212]

OP- out of curiosity do you (or your mother) spend a lot of time with your niece? Often have her for overnights? Or extended trips?

I only ask because a lot of us are giving you our experiences taking our OWN children. Children we know in and out, can discipline without problem, and kids that are comfortable with us and aren’t homesick. I love spending time with my nieces and nephews but at 3 none of them could have been away from mom and dad for a week unless it was a real emergency and they had to stay with us, I also couldn’t really imagine sending my 3 year old on an international trip without me.

 

[Chrispy97]

We took our daughter on a Caribbean cruise at 3.5. She remembers being on the boat now at 7, but doesn't remember exactly what else happened there vs other trips. For instance: she remembers the "Disney boat" and remembers the dolphin encounter in the Bahamas, but forgot they were the same trip. She does remember the single day at MK we spent before driving to PC for the cruise and that they were the same trip.

The biggest issue we encountered was her bedtime. She was asleep by 7:30 most nights, so we had the first dinner seating and never went to any of the shows on that cruise. One of us would go out in the evening sometimes, but often we were exhausted and ready to recharge for the next day. Had it been just us or us with relatives, we also might have considered the midnight premiere of Big Hero 6.

She liked the kid's club when we would go with her during the open houses, but only did kid's club alone a couple of times. She was used to the kid's club environment from her preschool experience, but didn't get full enjoyment out of it. She wasn't thrilled the day of our Palo brunch, but was perfectly happy to go back alone another day. She definitely wasn't one of the kids insisting on kid's club and refusing to leave. She did love the pool. She also loved the characters and ate most of the food, although she's pickier now than she was then.

Now she's excited for her 2nd trip on the Disney boat next month when we go to Alaska.

 

[hcox31]

How did your now 4 year old like the first cruise? We are looking at taking a cruise early next year right before my daughter's 3rd birthday. We've been to Disney World and she really enjoyed it, so I'm hoping she'll like the cruise too.

She loved it! Seeing how excited she was to meet the princesses, play in the splash area.. everything really... it was awesome. We used the nursery for her a couple of times and she tells us Cinderella came in to see her there. We can't confirm it, but she remembers it

 

[tnd]

We took our three year old on the Fantasy this past February. She absolutely loved every moment of the cruise, especially the kids clubs! My best tip is try to get your niece down for a nap each day if she still naps. We did that as best we could and it worked our well for making the evenings better.

 

[cadien]

Our son’s first cruise was at 3.5 and he loved it. And remembers it, four years later. But it’s such a crapshoot. He loved the kids club. And he’s never needed any sort of routine or familiar surroundings. He’d just dropped naps. We got lucky.

 

[buzzrelly]

OP here...Thanks for all the advice everyone!

My niece actually lives with my mom so no worries about how well we know her

She hasn't napped in a year, except when she falls asleep in the car occasionally, but no formal naps, so that's not really an issue.

The excursions are the one thing that worry me, but really the one I really want to do…The Baths…isn't appropriate for my mom either so I may have to adjust our plans or split up that day so my teens and I could go. It may almost be better if my niece goes because then I would feel less guilty about splitting up because mom would have someone to hang with for the day. The other two excursion days would be beach days and she'd probably enjoy that.

We also aren't real night owls anyway…so I don't think either of us would complain about having to go back to the room early to put her to bed.

I appreciate all the toddler tips, but don't really need advice on whether we should bring her, or not. Thanks

 

[LNMom]

I am going to be totally honest...
As a mom of a 3 yo with 2 other kids who has traveled to Europe, South America and cruised with the little one, so I am a seasoned veteran in this area--don't take her. I know you want to be generous in offering her the experience and you want to share the joy of a little one being excited, but it's so much work for those moments.
Your teens are leaving the nest soon, focus your attention on them. Focus your attention on yourself. A 3 yo changes the entire dynamic of the trip.

in my experience, even with grandparents it's a lot of coordinating care. She will become
The focus bc she needs so much. We cruised with grandma, and my husband and I never got to even take a walk alone. It just wasn't possible. 3 is still such an irrational age.

i worried about my DS getting into the balcony and trying to look over and falling overboard (and he's not that type of kkd, but they're kids and not consistent). I would absolutely not take that responsibility with someone else's child. Every meal has to be given to them first and you have to have entertainment for them too ( there's not entertainment in the dining room to keep them occupied). And If they don't eat then you have to worry if they'll be hangry in two hours and a total mess. If she gets sick it would be terrible for you (DD got a stomach bug from an airplane flight-along with me and other DD-and vommited in the middle of the dining room at the Ritz Carlton South beach and then for 24 hours. It was awful).
The constancy of caring for a little one isexhausting. It will be fun for 2 days and exhausting by day 4. We look back on these years with fondness and forget how difficult each day was.

3 is really too young to be away from parents for more than a night or two. And her parents should experience her joy and her visit to new countries. I am sure they are grateful to you for offering but they must be a little sad not not be able to go. Delicately rescind the invite if it's already been extended -blame the teens saying they want you all to themself.

Plan a big family trip for a couple years from now. Enjoy this trip with your teens and don't take your niece!!!

 

[KashasMom]

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