What would you do?

[MissMet]

Just decided to cruise in May 2017 and the ship already has very limited cabins. We've sailed many times and stayed in all kinds of cabins, but this time we'll be traveling with our then 2.5 year old DS and our then 1 year old DD. Since it's just my husband and I we are planning to put them in the nursery a bunch. Probably pick late dining, feed them before, and drop them off so we can have nice dinners together each evening. We'll be on the magic. Also take into account we'll have at least one stroller if not two, so we'll be dependent on the elevators.

A) Would you pick an inside cabin one floor away from the nursery on deck 6 so we could just carry them to & from the nursery and leave the stroller(s) behind, BUT not have the split bath.

or

B) Would you pick an inside stateroom with a split bath BUT be on deck 2, so be more dependent on the elevators since it's three floors from the nursery & we'll have to use our stroller(s)?

Opinions?

In a dream world I'd pick deck 5 but there's no availability.

 

[com_op_2000]

IMHO, pick Deck 2 and not use the elevators. Carry the kids up the stairs to get in your exercise before dinner. Also, you only have to go down one deck to get off the ship.

 

[wombat_5606]

My opinion, your 2.5 year old will be walking the decks like an adult. My granddaughter did. So, you are only having to carry the 1 year old. So I think whichever cabin you like will be fine.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I'd pick deck 6 because I like being midway up the ship so I can take stairs everywhere. I personally, don't like the split baths, they feel way too small for me and I like to use the restroom and immediately get in the shower in the morning, not zip up and go next door to shower. I know that's probably TMI, but you asked and I answered. Either way, I'm sure you won't regret whichever decision you make and you'll have a great time!

 

[dhardawa]

I don't see why using the elevators would require a stroller. Your son will walk and someone can carry your daughter to the nursery. Not to mention, at a year old, she might be walking too.

 

[Ofinn]

Deck 2 larger room. Better location. Can't you carry your kids? Doesn't your 2 year old walk? I rarely see anyone using a stroller on the ship.

 

[MissMet]

We cruised on the Fantasy when my son was one & having the stroller was handy for nap times and times when we were walking the length of the ship. There were many strollers onboard. They also are needed for going on port. My son will be able to walk & the Magic is much smaller than the Fantasy, I'm just thinking that my husband would probably bring the kids by himself while I'm getting ready for dinner. Taking both kids and their stuff up three flights of stairs to the nursery may be a bit much.

 

[FigmentSpark]

At that age, the only thing you have to worry about with the bath is if you're potty training and your 2.5 year old has to go when someone's in the shower. If you foresee that, go with the split bath room. It will really be only you and your husband who need private bathroom time, and for two, you could probably manage it. For the kids, one of you will likely be assisting them at all times and you might appreciate the single, bigger bath for that reason. Also, you seem like you do want the 6th floor anyway, so go for that.

 

[Hundredacre]

Whatever you do, strollers are a hassle on the ship. The magic is small. I would carry/walk them.

 

[Macprincess]

Since your going to have two toddlers and more then likely times when only one adult is handling/transporting them around the ship I would bring a stroller. My kids are teens now, but my first two are 17 months apart and I recall all too well that my stroller was a god sent when they were younger. I was able to buckle them in and keep them safe. Especially in an environment like a ship. It's one thing to walk a ship with one toddler or preschooler, but it's a whole other ballgame when your trying to walk that toddler/preschooler alone while holding a one year old and diaper bag.

As far as cabin choice pick whichever is the better choice for your family and bring the stroller.

 

[Jennifer777]

I like staying in the middle so deck 6 would be appealing for that reason. You can pretty much skip the elevator no matter where you're going, up or down, if they are too busy. On the flip side, the split bath is really important to me because every time I want to take a shower, one of my kids has to poop. Every. single. time. For this reason, I would consider deck 2. Yours are young though so unless you think they absolutely need a split bath, I would go with deck 6 for the central location and the close proximity to the nursery.

 

[MissMet]

I totally agree @Macprincess!! My two are 17 months apart as well and there is no way I'd dream of going on this trip without at least one stroller, possibly two. There will definitely be times where one of us will have both kids on our own. We want a relaxing vacation too... or as relaxing as we can get!

Thanks for all the info. I think we'll go with deck 6 since some have brought up good points with the larger, single bathroom being the better option for my family with the kids the ages they will be. The only time I've not had the split bath was when I cruised solo so trying to picture it with a family of four was hard. Also, being only one deck from the nursery and closer to the higher decks will be great too. Again, I sailed on the Fantasy with my son when he was one and our stroller was a godsend. Being able to stroll him around the pool deck to get him to take a nap was great, especially because we were free to move around while he napped. My DD will be the same age my son was, so while she naps in her stroller, my husband will be able to enjoy the pool area with my son while I watch. There's no way we won't be taking at least one stroller, if not for any other reason but the ports/airports alone & of course nap time. We're not the type to stay in the room for our kids to nap- IMO, that's a waste of a trip. We bring our travel stroller(s) on the ships, not our massive ones. Small, umbrella strollers that recline, are lightweight and also have a carry strap for easy transport. Strollers on the elevator are a pain and I will try to limit those experiences as much as possible, but not having the stroller would be far worse. The only time it's a real hassle is in the evenings, but if we're one deck away from the nursery and that's where our kids will be in the evenings, then we shouldn't have much of an issue.

Thanks again!

 

[mmouse37]

I have seen plenty of strollers onboard each time we cruise. We are going to travel with 2 one-year old granddaughters next month and strollers are a top priority!!! We like Deck 2 Oceanview rooms but pick what you think is best for your family.

MJ

 

[bumbershoot]

Especially in an environment like a ship. It's one thing to walk a ship with one toddler or preschooler, but it's a whole other ballgame when your trying to walk that toddler/preschooler alone while holding a one year old and diaper bag.

Baby wearing. Get an ergo or beco and you are good to go. I still used the ergo at Disneyland when DS was nearly three so they could get two, one for each parent/kid.

Strollers always look like such a pain on ships. But they look like a pain anywhere to me. Only place we used a stroller (other than the jogger for jogging) was at Disneyland. And that was mainly because I could not convince myself to go at his pace. If I'd been more patient and kid-trip-focused it wouldn't have been needed.

And my mom, with kids two years apart, baby wore my brother and used a chest harness for me until my brother was walking more. She was a goddess!

 

[MissMet]

I'm not a baby wearer. It just doesn't work for me. I'm only 5'2" (and very "blessed" in the upper region) so more weight on my upper body is rough on me and far too uncomfortable for me to carry my kids as well...not to mention in nice clothes for dinner or in the hot Caribbean. I give you credit, and I have no clue how your mom did two! Strollers for me, no question!! If you have the right stroller, for the right occasion they're not bad at all. To each his own though.