Cruising with a Toddler? - Newport Beach,CA

Congrats on your decision. We cruised with our son when he was 27 months old and had an amazing time. Two years later, he still remembers it and talks about it fondly!

Cruises can give you a pack and play for your son to sleep in, so no issues there. You don't have to bring a carseat for the plane ride. They do recommend it, but it's not required. Onbaord babysitting services are available for a fee, as other moms have said. I would NOT rely on they kid's activities, as kids under 3 have to be accompanied by a parent, particularly if they are not fully potty trained.

I'd consider why you are bringing your stroller. We brought our McClaren but only used it at the airport. We never took it out on the cruise or islands because our son walked everywhere. We left the beach each day around 1 pm so we could have lunch, a shower, and nap on the boat. It was too much of a hassle to take towels, water bottles, snacks, sandtoys, swimgear for our son, and a stroller to the beach, so we never bothered with it.

I was most nervous about dinner, so I brought lots of toys to keep our son entertained and pre-ordered some of his favorite veggies (brocoli, carrots, etc.) so that it would be waiting for him at teh table. This way, he could play/eat it, while we tried to make our dinner selections.

Feel free to message me privately with any questions. We've cruised with our son twice and absolutely loved it!!!

We just did a Disney cruise with our 3 year old this past Feb and had an amazing phenomenal time. They did provide a pack-and-play for sleeping. I don't know if you have to have a car seat for the plane or if this is optional but I would check with the airline. Flying with her, we just kept her occupied with books, coloring and snacks and water. We brought our laptop to try to play a movie for her but the battery had crapped out and we didn't realize it until we tried to use it. Our daughter LOVED the kids club that they had on the ship - she had so much fun there she didn't even care about swimming with us in the pool.

One thing to be aware of - unless your child happens to be potty trained, they may not be allowed in the swimming pools, even with a swim diaper. The ships have to be super careful about any possible fecal contamination so swimming with swim diapers may not be allowed. Also make sure you guys wash your hands a lot and use the antibacterial wipes they hand out before entering restaurants and buffet areas.

I've never been on a cruise with a toddler but I would take the big stroller. Most big strollers have the compartment underneath to store things. You can use it when going on excursions to store your bag, towels, water and whatever else you need. You can call Carnival and ask about the pack and play. I went on a cruise out of Galveston but we went on Royal Caribbean. We were stuck in traffic for a while trying to get to the ship so it took longer than an hour. I would suggest taking a snack and something that will entertain him while on the bus. You may not experience the delay we did but just in case be prepared.

You don't need a carseat on the plane, and if you don't plan on using it on the shuttle from Houston to Galveston, I wouldn't bring it. We fly almost everywhere as opposed to driving long distances, so my daughter doesn't like to be in her carseat for long periods of time so on an airplane, it wouldn't work for her and she does just fine in the seat. However, a lot of parents believe that their kids behave better in a carseat because it reminds them of the car and they aren't wanting to move around as much because they think they can't. Also, it is better for sleeping on the plane. If you plan on using the carseat on the shuttle and taking it on the boat, then yes I would bring it on the plane, but it's not necessary if you are trying not to bring it.

As for on board baby services, there is a changing table in the bathroom, but that's about it. My 2 year old is so long, I change her in our seats unless it's a poopie diaper and then take the dirty diaper to the bathroom. It's easier for us. They have juice. I've gotten animal crackers on some flights, but most of the time just pretzels if anything. I bring my own snacks, cups and entertainment. My 2 year old loves her etch-a-sketch with a pen, her DVD player and crayons and coloring book. She also really likes stickers. These will all be good on the cruise as well.

Check with Carnival and see how old you have to be to go to Kids Camp. You maybe able to put your son in camp for a couple of hours for him to play with other kids, and I know they have babysitting services at a fee if you and your husband want a night alone. Carnival has a lot of good information on their website. It's always answered every question I've had.

I have cruised 17 times, either by ourselves or with our kids or grand kids.

Carnival is one of the top 4 cruise lines for good kids programs. My kids could hardly wait to get done with breakfast so they could go into the kids program. The same with my grandkids. My kids and grandkids didn't want to leave the kids program when it was time for dinner. They had a wonderful time in the kids program. IMO, The cruise lines want the kids to LOVE their kids programs so they will bring the parents back to cruise again and so the kids will have fun so they will want to come back as adults.

I've seen all kinds of strollers parked at the gate to be put on board the plane. Call the airline, but you can pack something more substantial than a cheap umbrella stroller. Call the airline for the car seat question. But I've never seen a child in a car seat on an airplane in the passenger compartment.

Hope you have a wonderful time. Good luck to you and yours.