We are cruising in November with our 4 month old and I was looking for advice on what to expect and things to make our lives easier. I have cruised with a two year old, but not a baby. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
I cruised with a 5 month old years ago and my most helpful item was my peg perego Venezia stroller that fully reclined...I was able to take the baby everywhere and she could nap. It also had a big basket underneath so I had everything I'd need with me. I also requested formula from the cruise line and baby food (not sure if disney does this but I know celebrity and princess do) to not have to pack it all myself. The stroller also have me shade for the baby because of the big hood. I also brought a baby carrier (baby Bjorn) for times when I didn't want the stroller (not often). I did notice on our Disney cruise this summer that even a sleeping baby in a stroller was not allowed in adult areas...including adult pool, etc.
You can order supplies from Babies Travel Lite which will deliver them to the ship (they'll be in your cabin when you arrive) if you don't want to bring them with you. The cruise line does not supply gratis formula or baby food. There is a very limited supply for purchase in the gift shops. If you use a car service or rental car to get to the airport, it is easy to make a Wal-mart stop to pick up what you didn't want to pack rather than depending on it being available on board. Actually, unless you are on an airline that charges for bags, packing one case with formula and diapers is not a bad idea--you'll have it empty for goodies on the way home! If there is a chance that you'll choose to do baby laundry on board, bring whatever detergent you use for your child. On board they will have All or Tide..no other choices. As noted above, adult areas are adults only. Infants--sleeping, nursing, or otherwise are not permitted.
We were just having the same discussion tonight at home. This is our first cruise - with a 10 month-old and 9 y/o old, no less. Not sure what to expect! Still sorting out how to handle dinner, nursery time and all things related to scheduling.
Cruising with a baby is way easier than with a toddler! We took my youngest at 6 months which is the youngest you can take them on Carnival, he was most likely the youngest on the ship. I hated pushing the stroller around the ship, it made it such slow going. My advice is a good sling or other baby carrier.
