Strollers?

[coconutty]

First, I should express my thanks to all of the regular posters on this board. We're taking our first cruise on September 13 (Magic) and we can't wait. I've read the entire board (whew!) and lurked for a while, but I have two unanswered questions.

First, we are a family of 5 (kids are 4,3, and 6 months at sailing.) If you travelled with an infant, did you bring a stroller? We'd like to pack as lightly as possible (ha!), but I'm wondering if we'll need it. Are strollers still available on Castaway Cay? We have a front carrier that we could use on excursions, but I don't want to have to wear it constantly on board. Any thoughts?

Second, we have booked one excursion (the Discovery semi-submarine, if anyone has any experience with this, I'd love to hear about it.) We'd like to do the Chankanaab tour in Cozumel, but the CM at DCL said that the trip over is in a taxi. What do people do about carseats? Hope for the best? Rent a car and carseats? I've been in a Mexican taxi before, and the idea of my kids rattling around unsecured leaves me feeling a little anxious. I don't want to sound paranoid, but these are my kids and, well, I love 'em! (Even though they're arguing right now about who gets to feed their PB&J to the dog.) Any suggestions here (short of taking our carseats on board!) would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help. We're SO excited, and this board has been a big part of the build-up!

Dana

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I would bring the stroller. A small baby like that I think you will need it. There are plenty of strollers on board and people seem to get lots of use out of them....

I don't know about the Mexican taxi....never had to deal with that.

 

[ducklite]

I would also bring the stroller. If nothing else, the boarding line at the port gets HUGE, and I wouldn't want to be standing in line holding a six month for what can be an hour or longer!

If you have a lightweight umbrellas stroller that folds intoalmost nothing that would be my advice, easy to store in the closet in your cabin.

Anne

 

[Mr. Ed]

Welcome coconutty!

We are sailing with you on the 9/13 Western. There is a separate thread here for those who will be going on this cruise if you would like to jump in.

Anyway, I am in the same predicament as you. My youngest is 3 and we are also contemplating whether to bring an umbrella stroller and/or the car seat. The Passporter guide says that strollers are available on the ship and at Castaway Cay free of charge, first come first serve basis. However, I think that it will be useful to have our own so we can use it at the airport, the days at WDW prior to the cruise, and at the port prior to boarding.

I would hate to lug around a stroller and a car seat along with the rest of our luggages and carry-ons, but it''s still the safest way for my kids to travel even if it's a burden on the adults.

I am interested in what others have to say based on their experiences.

 

[4nana]

We traveled w/a one yo and an 18 mo old.
Brought our umbrella strollers and carries for the airport and waiting in line to board. Once on ship we hung them in the closet, then went to Guest Service and got 2 of the ships Graco strollers. They were GREAT, as they were large, would recline, had a huge basket for diaper bags, souvies, etc., a huge canopy for all that Caribbean sunshine and even a bottle/cup holder if needed. Also used them on CC and the islands. They fold for storage in cabin or some left them in the hall w/no probs. Deposit is $100 ~ refundable when returned.
Sorry, can't help you with the excursion.

* Yes, most car seats fit in the closet.

* Remember to pre-request a playpack for sleeping.
Dis furnishes sheets ~
but, we brought our own sheets and favorite blankies.

 

[gulley5]

Coconutty-

We are in the same boat as you. And I was wondering the same things. But we aren't traveling until March, so thought that I still had time. We will be going with a 5,4,2,and1 year old. When you get back will you please post something telling us how you made out. I want to do the Stingray City excursion, but am a little nervous about taking all of the kids. I heard it is cheaper and easier to do it on your own. But I am worried about the whole car seat thing. And 4 carseats is alot to bring. Thanks!

 

[pennylane]

This thread has answered my stroller ?, but I am still wondering about the car seat too. My baby will be 4 1/2 mo. and we decided not to put him in a car seat on the plane because he will hate being in it and it is not worth buying a plane ticket for a empty car seat. I was wondering if they are required to be in car seats on the shuttle van. I am thinking I want him in a car seat on the shuttle even if it is not required, but I don't know what the rule is. Are there seat belts on the shuttle to hook a car seat up?
Thanks,
Jennifer

BTW this is my first cruise in Oct.

 

[aprilgail2]

Please reconsider not strapping your child in the car seat on the plane. Would you ever drive around town with your baby not in a car seat? I have watched a few shows about what can happen to a unsecured baby/toddler in an airplane with even just hitting turbulance....in one instance the plane dropped in turbulance and came out of the parents hands and the child smashed up into the ceiling. Its not a matter of if they hate being strapped in or not, its a matter of safety....to me the cost of one plane ticket is very little compared to the saftey of my child. I also will not go on any excursions which are not walking distance from the ship if the means of transportation does not have seat belts to strap the car seat in.

 

[pennylane]

I had not thought about terbulence. I don't know if I will buy another ticket, but I will talk to my husband about it. I know he probably will say don't worry about it. I have to be very insistant to keep him in his car seat in the car. My husband is very laid back about safety things, but I guess that's why it's good to have a mommy around.

 

[ducklite]

Many carriers offer highly reduced fares for tickets for children under two--I'd inquire about that, might make the thought of bringing along the car seat a little more attractive.

Anne

 

[lbgraves]

When I traveled with the kids the ticket for my 1 yo was 1/2 price but it was worth it to have both of them in car seats. They don't get to move in the car without one, so that goes for everywhere else. DH is slack as well as far as putting the seat in tight enough & having the straps on right. I just make sure that I go behind him & check them.

I have looked in to the rental cars for our excursions on the Eastern & found that the companies have car seats for rent as well. They were actually required on one of the islands, but I can't remember which...sorry.

 

[Y2KMOM]

We flew to WDW when my DD was 7 mo. We did not purchase her a seat because the plane was not sold out. We were able to buckle her in her car seat for free. Check and see if you can get the same deal. We flew on Southwest.

I will be traveling with my DD3 and DS 10 mo. All of us with babies on the sept. 13 cruise should get together

 

[ducklite]

I wouldn't count on being able to have a free seat for the car seat. With the cut backs in flights, planes are flying very full these days, especially to destinations like FL and Las Vegas.

Anne

 

[coconutty]

Thanks for your help everyone! I have decided to take a stroller; I'm sure we'll need it!

As to car seats, I agree with those who posted that car seats on a plane are necessary. We have always bought our little ones their own tickets and strapped them into their seats. My philosophy is that if tray tables need to be locked down, my child sure does! But as we live only a short distance from port, we'll be driving. Not sure I want to lug all three car seats with us onto the boat and excursions, so we've decided to skip the excursions that require a taxi drive. There will be plenty of time to do these when the kids are bigger and can sit in a regular seat.

I will definitely write my experiences when we return......now if only we could leave already!!!

 

[justcruisin]

Most of the taxis and vans in the Caribbean and Mexico don't even have seatbelts in the back! We gave the driver $10 as soon as we entered the van, and told him there's more if he drives slow! Read that on a rcl board and that seemed to work for us.

 

[coconutty]

Just did a little research and noticed that One Step Ahead has portable car seats (although without seatbelts, this wouldn't work) and I saw that there are portable airplane vests. The vests are approved by the FAA for infant air travel and don't require the purchase of another seat. They look something like front carriers which the parent wears and the baby is strapped into. They're called Baby B'Air, if anyone is interested. I forget what they sold for, but about $20, I think. Sure cheaper than buying another seat!

Hope this helps someone.

Dana

 

[moinab]

We were on the July 17 Wonder with DS-almost three, and DD-5 months. We brought an umbrella stroller, Baby Bjorn, and a MayaWrap sling. I checked out a Graco stroller from guest services, but it was disgustingly filthy--grimy, and full of crumbs, etc. I saw others using them, and they looked to be in the same condition. We did use it at dinner. We had the late seating, so DD was asleep for dinner every night. We put her in the Graco stoller (after putting down a quilt, first!) and rolled her into the dining room every night. She never woke up. It was a little bulky, but we had several empty chairs at our table, so it worked out ok.

It was nice being able to switch between the Baby Bjorn and the Maya Wrap. I did carry DD most of the time, but we also put her in the umbrella stroller when DS wanted to walk.

We requested a pack and play and a diaper genie when we got into our stateroom. It took 4 calls, but we did receive both by bedtime the first night. They don't have baby sized blankets, so be sure to bring your own. Actually, I put DD in footed sleepers, and covered her with a thin, flannel receiving blanket, and that was more than warm enough.

DD wakes up at 5 AM every day, so I spent a lot of time strolling the ship while DH and DS slept in. Had a great time chatting with Baxter at Guest Services. It was wonderful to go up to Deck 10 and watch the sunrise every morning. If you have an early riser, be prepared--there's no food available until 6:30 AM. You can order room service anytime, but if, like me, your trying to let others sleep in, be sure to order something the night before that you can take out with you.

Although we drove to port, we did fly to MA when DD was almost 3 months. We did not buy her a ticket, and all four flights (we connected in Newark both ways) were full. It was very, very uncomfortable having to hold her the whole time, and I was nervous about turbulence and landing. I would not fly with an infant in my arms again. JMO.

I'm still wiped out because both kids caught bad colds on board, and are just getting over them now, but I will try to post a trip report ASAP. Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

[coconutty]

Thanks Moinab for your observations. I figure if I have to store a stroller in my room anyhow, it might as well be my own. Also, dd is accustomed to it, and it frees up that $100 to spend on something else! I loved the idea of renting a diaper genie, though! I had no idea these would be available! How did you find out, and is there anything else I might want to request? Seriously, the amount of knowledge contained on this board is staggering. Thanks a million everyone!

Dana

 

[pennylane]

Thanks for the info Coconutty! I checked out Baby B'Air. It is not FAA approved for take-off and landing, but it it designed to be worn during flight so babies are not hurt by turbulence. I put a bid in on one on ebay. It is way better than nothing!

Moinab, your DD is soooooo cute. I am glad to hear you had a good time with your 5 mo. old. My DS will be 4 1/2 mo. old on our cruise, and I was a little worried about spending all our time taking care of him. Did you like the babysitting? I have two kids and they have never stayed with anyone not related to me.

Jennifer

 

[moinab]

I loved the idea of renting a diaper genie, though! I had no idea these would be available! How did you find out, and is there anything else I might want to request?

Best of all, they're free, no deposit! We just called once we got in our stateroom and requested it. I don't use a diaper genie at home, so I'm not sure how they work. The one we got did not seem to have the actual diaper genie refill in it. I think it was just a regular bag, so I used it like a diaper pail. We had it stuffed in the closet, so it didn't get emptied (our stateroom host wasn't the greatest). This wasn't a problem for us, because we were on the three day and DD is nursing, so her diapers aren't too whiffy. I'm sure if we had left it out, our had just asked, it would have been emptied twice a day. Can't remember where I read about this, but I think it must have been on this board, somewhere.

Moinab, your DD is soooooo cute.

Thank you! Isn't that the greatest picture. It relaxes me, just looking at it!

My DS will be 4 1/2 mo. old on our cruise, and I was a little worried about spending all our time taking care of him. Did you like the babysitting? I have two kids and they have never stayed with anyone not related to me.

We had a wonderful time on our cruise, but I must mention that we really didn't take advantage of any of the entertainment because of the kids. We walked around a lot and ate a lot. DS was terrified of the characters. We made the mistake of trying to take him to a show, but had to leave because he freaked out when the characters came out. We had wanted to see Finding Nemo, but it was in the same theater, and he freaked out again. He was afraid the characters would come out again.

We had booked a cat 11, but thankfully, were upgraded to a cat 9. We spent a lot of time in the stateroom for naps, etc. DS loved the porthole. He spent all his time in the stateroom playing at it.

I'm a SAHM. DD has never stayed with anyone but me, and close friends have watched DS only a few times for a few hours. We reserved 2 hours in the nursery for them on the second night, from 10 PM to midnight, figuring DD would be asleep and DS would fall asleep from exhaustion. I brought a bag for each of them, with a change of clothes, diapers, teddies, and blankies. DD was asleep when we checked them in. It was kind of chaotic, because a lot of the children were crying. We caught them at a bad time, because one woke up and then woke up all the others. I was able to put DD down in a crib with her pacifier, teddies, and blanket. DS was thrilled to play with the trains, and we were able to leave. DH gave specific instructions to page us as soon as DS got upset. Fifteen minutes later, we got a page, and hurried to the nursery. We saw him being held and rocked by one of the counselors. He was falling asleep. I asked them to give him his teddies and blanket, and he fell asleep without ever knowing we had peeked in. By this time, all the other children were sleeping or quietly watching a video. We had intended to go dancing, but ended up sitting on deck 9, aft, with a drink, and watched Nassau fade away into the night as we sailed off. It was wonderful.

Sorry to ramble on. One last thing I thought of--I brought DS to the Oceaneers' Club one afternoon, just to peek in and see what it was like. We were given "visitor" name tags, and were allowed to enter the club. DS had a great time playing with the trucks. I just had to be there with him.

Please ask more questions. My brain is mush, so I'm having a hard time thinking of anything else to mention.