Would you cruise with a Toddler? Age 3.5

[devotedchristian]

I welcome good and bad.

Bottom Line-We are tired parents who want to vacation with our Toddler. My comfort level for DS's (he is 2) first vacation is age 3. I would love to take him NOW, but I can't imagine it...as he is quite busy

DH's position is a cruise so we can *relax* a bit and take things in stride and if DS gets cranky, go back to the cabin.

In Disney World, we would stay Offsite in a Villa (can't afford Disney's Villas) so we can have "date night" with each other, but we can't get back quick enough for DS's nap.

His biggest gripe is he isn't up for "all that walking"....neither am I, BUT I'm open to it and have not completely discarded. I just want the best for DS since it's about *him*.

I know people say "you know your child best" BUT I can't possibly know what he will be like on vacation as I haven't tried it yet.

If you won't, don't hesitate to be honest but please share with me WHY you won't.

 

[alikat99]

Ok, I'll give you my opinion. GO FOR IT!!! I took my DD when she had just turned 2 and we had a BLAST!! She loved seeing the characters on the ship. She loved the shows!! She loved just walking around on deck 4.

We even book Palo for dinner & brunch and just put her in Flounders and she loved that too. So, we got a little "just the 2 of us" time also.

And, we're taking both girls on a cruise in a little over a month. Emily will be almost 4 and Madison will be 16 months. And, I also expect it to be a great time.

For me, the key is not to plan too much and just enjoy the experience.

 

[dletz]

We took my daughter on her first cruise at the age of 3 1/2. Though she had been on many vacations before, and Disneyland many many times. If you're worried about walking at Disney World would a stroller work? I find they are lots of help, someplace to put your stuff, and for me it's easier walking pushing a stroller, cause you have something to hang onto.

As for the cruise. We loved it. My daughter had never been in daycare of any sort. We signed up for the kids clubs, and she couldn't wait to go back. Took her the first night and she was there a long time. She loved them so much we couldn't get her to leave to go in the pool or anything. She had a wonderful time on the cruise spending time with us, but mostly with her "friends". I've heard some kids don't really like the clubs but mine did. There is plenty for the kids to do even if they don't go to them.

If you think you may want to use the kids clubs my suggestions is to make sure he is potty trained. We planned our trip over a year in advance, but we made the plans with the understanding that if our daughter was not potty trained by the time final payments were due we would cancel the trip. I just new she would love the kids clubs, and didn't want her to feel left out. I didn't realize you could go and stay with them in the clubs. Had we know that I'm not sure if we would have still canceled if she was still in diapers, probably though.

Donna

 

[minniemouse1]

We have been on 3 disney cruises. Our 1st cruise I was 5 months pregnant and our DD was 10 months old, our second cruise we had 2 DDs 2 1/2 and 1 1/2. On our 3rd cruise we had 3 DDs 4, 3, and 7 months. So yes I would bring a 3.5 yo on a cruise and it was wonderful even with all 3 DDs. We had some together time although it wasn't much but it was more than we would of had if we would of gone to WDW instead. Go use the kids club and make the best of it. Our kids loved the OC and it was hard for us to get them out to see the shows in the evening.

 

[lindakmonty]

yes most definately! my first cruise was while I was 2 months pregnant, and then 3 cruises from the time he turned 18 months to current and he's now 4 1/2. It is a great time!! They are also a big help with the little ones which is very nice. if you need help carrying trays, cutting food... they're right there and that to me was such a big help! the cruise will be much more relaxing and you can take your child to the clubs and be comfortable. that is where my child was left for the first time that it wasn't family!! he loves it and we'll definately go on many more. I don't think you'd regret it whatsever..I wish I would have went ahead and took him before instead of waiting til he was 18 months it was so much fun and so relaxing. they meet buddies to play with... it is a blast! go and enjoy! then you and hubby might get some well deserved adult time as well!

 

[mickeyboat]

Our cruise was when Emily was 3 1/2 and Hannah 4 1/2. It was a great age!

Here are a few things to think about:

DS must be fully potty trained to be able to use the pools and to stay in the Club (for the Club he must be able to do all of his business on his own).

Emily did not like being left in the Club alone. We spent a lot of time in the Club with the girls, which was absolutely fine with the counselors.

Remember your children are the same kids on the cruise as they are at home. My kids got worn out, needed naps every day, and went to bed early. They fell asleep in all the shows and several nights at dinner.

They were afraid of the characters at first. But the characters do really well anticipating a shy child. By the time they got to the front of the line to see Pinnochio, they were just fine. Emily ended up falling in love with Pluto and Catain Hook. Some kids didn't like to stand in line to wait, but mine actuallsy enjoyed it.

Have your child wear a bathing suit that is a different color than everyone else will be wearing. It's easier to keep track of them in the pool.

Hope you have a great time.

Denae

 

[dairyou]

Just to add a nostalgic (spelling?) note... I would definitly take a 3 1/2 year old. My sons are 11 and 13 and I miss that magical look on their innocent young faces. Ahh...it brings back such sweet memories for me.

If se will be potty trained that will be even more the better because he can go to the club. You'll get much needed time together along with sharing the experience with your son.

Good luck,
Deb

 

[lbgraves]

We took the kids on our first cruise when they were 3 & 5. We also went to MK for the first time a day before the cruise. I would rather be on that ship handsdown and the park wasn't crowded according to everyone else. We didn't have to stand in many lines but there was alot of walking!!! DD was just getting the PT thing down but she wouldn't stay in the club, which didn't surprise me. We still had a very relaxing vacation and are determined to recharge on The Magic every year that we can. A week with no cooking or cleaning & having people wait on ME for a change was great! DS stayed in the club most of the time unless we took him out to go to the pool. Both kids loved the characters...especially the princesses. It is alot easier when the kids need downtime to just go to your stateroom. If you forget something, it's close by. I don't regret it a bit. It was the perfect family vacation for us.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

One thing I read on this thread wasn't quite correct.
It's true that kid shave to be potty trained to use the pools, however they do have a ear in the Mickey pool that is designated for kids with swim diapers on. So they do have a pool of sorts that they can use. It has water jets coming from the sides and bottom of the ear. They do sell swim diapers on board, but they are spendy and run out fast. So be sure and bring extra. Also bring plenty of sun block as all the pools are in direct sunlight.
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[Vanvmom]

The family pool was closed often on our 7 night cruise (I'm thinking some people ignored that "must be potty trained" rule).

I second the "go for it!" My youngest LOVED the club and like the little girl mentioned above, my DS did not want to leave the club for any reason. He was there on 2 of our 3 port days while we did excursions and did not miss us at all! One night he even fell asleep in the club.

 

[jweiss]

We live in California. Emilie visited WDW at 3 months, 7 day Magic cruise and WDW at 6 months, DL at 15 months, and will sail the 14 day repo cruise next month, at 18 months. Now, that IS a bit excessive, but some of the trips were planned before she came along, and I can't see NOT traveling just cuz she's a baby/toddler. The only accomadation I've made is to make it all DISNEY, as opposed to somewhere not kid friendly. You just need to have realistic expectations and flexibility!!!! Also, I don't know if you should expect "relaxation". At least in my case, that word is still quite a ways off. I have one active strong willed toddler, and that's not gonna change on the ship!!!

 

[Michelle2]

It is good for us to hear everyone's opinions on this subject as well, because our son will be 3 and a half on our first cruise this November. We have always taken our babies young to the parks and they do just fine, so we figured he would be fine on the cruise too. Good to get some reassurance though, because it was always in the back of my mind...

 

[aprilgail2]

I took my daughter at 2 1/2, 4 and 5 and each time was different...2 1/2 she HATED flounders, said they only had baby toys and wouldn't go back....at 4 she loved the clubs and stayed there most of the time, I would pick her up at 11pm adn she would be sleeping on a mat on the floor. This past time at 5 she only went tot he club 3 times (for palo brunch and high tea and to make flubber) otherwise she didn't want to be in there....so you never know whats goin to happen...your son may love the club and want to st ay there all the time, but he may also not like it at all and you have to be prepared to have him with you the whole time then....but I would not hesitiate to go again, I liked her with me and I like the time she was in the club, either way was fine with me.

 

[crisi]

I would cruise with a potty trained toddler or a baby in diapers. I would not cruise with a child older than two that hadn't potty trained. Other people are different, but my kids would have been frustrated not to be able to play in the main parts of the pool and would have found Flounders uninteresting. Plus, the big advantage of cruising for us was the flexibility and availability of the kids clubs. Two hour meals with a toddler doesn't sound like fun.

 

[shmoogrrrl]

I welcome good and bad.

Bottom Line-We are tired parents who want to vacation with our Toddler. My comfort level for DS's (he is 2) first vacation is age 3. I would love to take him NOW, but I can't imagine it...as he is quite busy

DH's position is a cruise so we can *relax* a bit and take things in stride and if DS gets cranky, go back to the cabin.

I took my 10 month old in 2003, and in October, I will be taking her as a 3 year, 4 month old! We had a blast thefirst time, and imagine that it will be just as fun this time!

I say go for it! Just get him potty trained so that he can use the kids club,if you can!