Would you cruise with 8 month old?

[miraclegro]

We are booked for a cruise in 9/06 for our 10th anniversary and we're bringing our daughter (who will be 7½ by then).

I am newly pregnant and wondering if it's worth going on the cruise with what will be an 8 month old. Obviously the fun will be different knowing it would be my DD having fun with other kids while we got some alone time, but now I'm not sure it's really worth it with an infant.

Any experience? advice?

Thank you!

 

[hygienejean]

I would do it! When my DD (now 3) was 10 months and DS was 2 3/4 (now 5), we did WDW and we had a blast. IMHO a cruise is going to be much more relaxing for you than trudging around at the parks.... Have fun!

 

[StuartMI]

No, but the again I don't have kids. Even if I did, though, still probably no.

 

[michamato]

I cruised in Feb 2005, with a 4 year old, 2 1/2 year old and 8 month old.
It was alot of work, but we had a great time. The 8 month old was the best out of all of us. I pushed him around in a carseat stroller, and after I felt comfortable, I did leave him in the nursery for an hour or two.
We went to a beach in Mexico, and that was tough, he wanted to play, and it was hard with the other two.
For the most part it was a great experience, and I had two adjoining rooms, so the girls slept in one room, and myself, husband and baby slept in the other room. (with the interior door open) That worked out great.
I had to take all my own formula, they do not have any on the cruise, and own baby food. (They don't have a drop of jarred baby food.)
SO...with all the extra packing, it was worth it. We are actually booking for 2007 as soon as the prices come up.
I hope I helped a little!!

 

[Disney with Triplets]

Eight months old might not be the *ideal* age to cruise, but with more than one child, there's always going to be different experiences to be had by all. In 2 1/2 to three years when the baby would be ready for the clubs, your older child will be a pre-teen and you could have enjoyed a couple of cruises between now and then.

Yes, I'd go! You and DH will be playing "rock, paper, scissors" to see who gets to take afternoon naps with the baby!

 

[KarenP99]

DD3's 1st cruise was at 15mos, DD2's was at 8 months, and we're going this September and and DS will be 8 months.

It's a great age, and for us it's a vacation. You can nap when necessary, eat whenever/whatever you want. They are little...but can sit up but can't get far so it makes it easier.

Life's short...go for it.

Karen

 

[lbgraves]

I say go & enjoy. You should be able to relax since you will be getting a break from everyday life/chores. You & your DH will be able to focus on your 8 mo & create wonderful memories for all of you. It will be the easiest vacation you ever take with your children.

 

[PrincessHaleysMom]

Go! We went with our then 4 month old. For the most part it was a nice relaxing family vacation. Everything was right there - no riding in cars going back and forth to restaurants! Going again in November and she'll be 26 months!

 

[TexasGirl]

We are going in a few days with our 4 month old and big sister who is 5. I'd say go and have fun...but I'll be able to talk with more experience when we come back it it works out well.

 

[tcmata]

We cruised when our son was 5 months and then went to WDW for Christmas at 7 months. We just got back from WDW where we celebrated his first bday and our 10th anniversary. He'll be 16 months on our next cruise.

Family and friends gave us grief in the beginning telling us that "he won't remember it", "you won't enjoy it", etc, etc. Well, we weren't going on this trip for him to "remember it"... we went on this trip to have a memorable vacation for US and to have some quality time as a family! And that was definitely achieved!! Now had we looked at this as being a great trip for HIM, we probably would have been disappointed. He was happy being with Mom and Dad- but would have been just as happy with us at home.

We had a great time on the cruise and found it very relaxing! Of course we didn't set up high expectations either. We're pretty laid back people and went with the flow. It was great to be able to go back to the room and take a nap when he was tired. We didn't keep a rigid schedule, but we listened to him and let him take a nap when he was tired, etc. I'm just trying to say that alot of it will depend on your expectations for the trip.

I am so glad that we took the cruise and each time we go to WDW or on a cruise with him, the experience is totally different. Seeing it all through your child's eyes is very magical!! Go on the trip- you'll have a great time!!

 

[MrsMork]

I would cruise with an 8 month old, or an 8 year old, or an 80 year old. Just get me on that ship!

 

[the kabuki]

I would cruise with an 8 month old, or an 8 year old, or an 80 year old. Just get me on that ship!

Right on!!!!

other than having to pack a bit extra, I think you'll be fine

 

[CamColt]

We did a 3 day cruise with our then 8 month old and 3 1/2 yo. The 8 month old was easier than the older one.
He loved the pool, the music, and especially our waiters!

 

[HeelMD]

My daughter was 5 and our son was 11 months on our first cruise and we had a blast. He loved the Mickey pool and the restaurants. Your shore excursions are a bit more limited, but we were still able to find fun things. We used Flounder's Reef some like when we went to Palo and wanted to time for us and were very pleased. I think the difficult time for kids is when they are a little to young for organized activities but would be quite old in Flounder's Reef, i.e. 2 to 2 1/2 years old.

 

[CM_Mom]

And just think how much easier it will be to pack your bags at the end of the cruise after using all the "consumables".

You also might want to consider a verandah since you might be in the cabin more to accomodate naps....but as previous poster has said, you and/or DH can always fight for the right to nap too. And 7 1/2 is such a perfect age for DCL.

 

[logan1_2000]

I wouldn't. Momma always said there are there are two ways to travel--First Class, and With Children. We do not regret having waited until DS was a mature 6 yr old to go on DCL cruises.

 

[tcmata]

I forgot to mention... we had one suitcase that had the diapers, food and bottled water. At the end of the trip, that suitcase was pretty much empty and the perfect place for all those extra souvenirs we bought!!

 

[NoWorriesMate]

we took our DS on the Magic when he was 10mths and it was great. it was a far more secure and relaxing environment for him than the parks and naps, food etc were easy. this year we go again with DS2 1/2 and DD 6 mths.

 

[miraclegro]

I really appreciate all of the input. We were so excited to plan this cruise and after experiencing 3 years of not being able to have another child, we are blessed (so far so good!). So, I'm leaning toward going because I'm sure it would be a long time before we would plan it again. When our DD was 9 months old, we went to the beach and it was one of the best vacations we ever took.

Thanks again everyone!!