Which cruise for Toddler & Baby

[Dailymeel]

I was hoping to book a cruise this year in July but unfortunately can’t afford Disney (as I already booked one for 2024, yay! Can’t wait) and Royal Caribbean had a price that fit our budget & date but no more room.

I don’t know anything about the cruise world! I’ve only sailed Disney cruise once before so it’s the only cruise I know. But for those of you who have sailed other cruises, what is good for families with a baby and toddler? Baby will be 6 month old in July and toddler will have just tuned 3. Thanks for any advice!

 

[OpieDoodle]

To be brutally honest - I'd just wait and save the money for the Disney cruise or do something else like a couple nights at Great Wolf Lodge or maybe a couple WDW days or something instead.

Hear me out.

I've been on a few different cruise lines as my mother and I do girls getaway cruises. The kid friendly areas are very bleh on other cruise lines. Kids clubs are tiny and not really worth it, I didn't check out the nurseries tho. Most other cruise lines are very focused on adults. So most excursions are adult focused, the whole ship having multiple shows and areas of the ship kids can't be in. But then they don't have good options for kids clubs so not even something you would really want to drop your kid off so you could go to the show or something.

We did a carnival cruise a couple months ago and my 9 year old son came. It wasn't as bad for him since he's older but he didn't use the kids clubs or anything like that and I ended up not going to any of the shows and such because I didn't really have an option for him. Younger kids it'll be even worse. We did the Dr. Suess breakfast they offer and even that was bleh. Instead of characters coming to the table everyone had to get up and get in line, quick picture and go sit back down.....but you had to do that for like 4 characters so lots of up and down waiting while your food was getting cold.

My youngest is 5 and honestly after seeing the different cruise lines I don't think I'll take him on a different cruise line for quite a while just because most really aren't kid friendly. Its Disney or the kids stay at home with family for my kids, like the carnival cruise I talked about above. My two younger sons both stayed home.

I will say tho, my husband and I finally decided to go on a cruise just us. We booked the magic for a halloween party cruise leaving the kids with their grandparents. Its going to be so much fun, we have been married for 10 years and have never done something just for us. Could be another option!

 

[sponica]

I'd be inclined to wait, mainly because I wouldn't want to trek with that many diapers. If you're land based, you can get them shipped to you or if you miscounted, easily get more delivered or pop over to a target, what have you, if you have a car with you. And that's not even detailing the formula/breast milk bottles and cleaning the bottles, etc.

 

[Dailymeel]

Thank you @sponica and @OpieDoodle for your input and advice. It’s so hard to think of a holiday that’s easy for almost-3 year old and 6 month old! Actually the idea of packing for a holiday with a baby is giving me palpitations!!! But my husband really wants an all-inclusive holiday for our family. I’m sure it will be fun! But I do all the care and packing for the babies and he gets to relax

 

[auntlynne]

I think it’s called a staycation when your kids are that little.

How do you have any energy?

 

[OpieDoodle]

Thank you @sponica and @OpieDoodle for your input and advice. It’s so hard to think of a holiday that’s easy for almost-3 year old and 6 month old! Actually the idea of packing for a holiday with a baby is giving me palpitations!!! But my husband really wants an all-inclusive holiday for our family. I’m sure it will be fun! But I do all the care and packing for the babies and he gets to relax

I feel that, I'm a mom of 3 and my husband can be the same way sometimes lol. He doesn't always realize the stress I go to getting something planned.

We loved with ours when they were really little was rent a beach condo for the week somewhere with a family friendly beach. It was awesome getting to watch them grow up but we still got our relaxation without spending too much and having to miss out because the kids were so young.

 

[sponica]

Thank you @sponica and @OpieDoodle for your input and advice. It’s so hard to think of a holiday that’s easy for almost-3 year old and 6 month old! Actually the idea of packing for a holiday with a baby is giving me palpitations!!! But my husband really wants an all-inclusive holiday for our family. I’m sure it will be fun! But I do all the care and packing for the babies and he gets to relax

They won't be able to go in any pools on any cruise line. So you'd be sitting on a floating pool with drink service with kids who can't go in the pool. The older one would have to be fully potty trained and over 3 to use the kids club or you'd have to pay to put them both in the nursery.

With the 6 month old, you'd probably also have to bring food if you're starting on solids.

I'd find something land based. We never really traveled when my kids were that young (we didn't have a ton of money available TO travel) so I have no recommendations.

 

[Marthasor]

I agree with PP's - I would look for a land-based all-inclusive that caters to young families.

 

[lscrivan18]

I was hoping to book a cruise this year in July but unfortunately can’t afford Disney (as I already booked one for 2024, yay! Can’t wait) and Royal Caribbean had a price that fit our budget & date but no more room.

I don’t know anything about the cruise world! I’ve only sailed Disney cruise once before so it’s the only cruise I know. But for those of you who have sailed other cruises, what is good for families with a baby and toddler? Baby will be 6 month old in July and toddler will have just tuned 3. Thanks for any advice!

In the same boat (literally) lol. We have a Disney cruise later this year and are doing an all inclusive in Mexico that seems like a perfect fit for us. We have a 3 yo. The hotel has so many amenities for young children I think it's going to be fantastic! I've stayed at the their sister adult only property countless times and it has been incredible, so I have high expectations for the family friendly property.