Taking a Cruise with a 2 Year Old

I just did Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas with my 4 year old and LOVED it. We can't wait to cruise again.

The Adventure Ocean program is fabulous. And, most importantly, it's very safe. When I would pick up my daughter, she would be upset because she was having so much fun. The counselors are all college grads and are so nice and helpful. When you register, you get a cell phone so that they can reach you at all times and so you can call and check in on your child.

I was a bit skeptical at first - but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I tell all my friends with kids 6 months and older to do a RC cruise.

The only drawback is that he will be too young to do most excursions on land (except the beach). Labadee, Haiti has a great water park that he will love (if you go there). You can always just stay on the boat - there is so much to do that you can't do it all.

If you are looking for alone time for your 5 year anniversary, RCL is the way to go! Have fun!!! And look into the Oasis. It's unbelievable!

I just came back from a Carnival cruise, I went with just the spouse, but Ive taken my daughter on one a few years ago - she was 2 at the time. Camp Carnival is GREAT! We left her there and picked her up when we were done - and the beeper thing made it easier to relax. Of course having other family members helps but if that is not do able for you never fear. We find many children of all ages on our Carnival cruise - keep in mind 'baby sitting' is additional if available.

As a travel agent - many cruise lines offer their own type of program that varies by ship/cruise line. Everyone will have a different experience. Do your research and know before you pick a cruise line, sometimes the children's programs are included and sometimes its extra. Some start the program at 2 some start older. Planning is key.

We once left my sons with camp carnival (they were 11 & 12) they held them from sometime after lunch till about 2AM! It was exciting, they have scavenger hunts, made sure they ate, danced at the club and went around the ship. Take a shorter cruise if your not sure how your baby will handle it.

Good Luck!

We took a cruise when our daughter was 2.5 and it was tough (we even did a Disney cruise) but doable. We ended up inviting my husband's parents to come so they could be some extra hands/eyes/ears etc. That was the BEST decision that we could have ever made. Gave us some "free time" and we had their cabin to hang out in during nap time etc. Good luck! M.

I love cruising with my daughter. She went on her first cruise at 2 1/2 and we all had had a great time. The staff was fabulous. When we arrived at dinner they always had a fresh fruit cup waiting for her, so she wouldn't fuss while we reveiwed the menu. She walked around the ship with her baby Elmo and doll stroller. We were even able to see a few shows; we brought the stroller and she slept (we sat in the theater up stairs and near the back). We did tours while in port. All in all it was a great time. You should do it. My daughter is now an old pro and has been on 4 cruises. The only draw back was at 2 1/2 she couldn't use the "Kids Club" but the line provided babysitting services if you wanted them. The cruise line we were on was Celebrity (owned by the RC line).

great idea get him involved with the camp asap they also have sitters
we went from nj LOVED IT

Congrats on your upcoming 5 years! A cruise would be a perfect way to celebrate. With a good planning you'll have a wonderful time! We've cruised several times w/ & w/o a toddler. In fact we just got back from a Sept. cruise on Freedom of the Seas Royal Caribbean. Last year we went on a Carnival cruise. Both times we traveled w/ my toddler son.

For family travel w/ a toddler - I highly recommend the Carnival cruise lines over Royal Caribbean. Camp Carnival was fantastic! You drop off your toddler whenever you want during their open hours. They will change diapers, provide snacks, crafts, activities, there's even a mascot "Fun Ship Freddie" that the kids love to interact with. They provide you with a walkie-talkie in case they need to get in contact w/ you. They stay open very late into the night so you & hubbie can get in a late date night. It was wonderful and my son (3 at the time loved it). He begged to go to Camp Carnival as soon as woke up in the mornings. They treated the kids better and took time to soothe the kids that were crying or were scared. It was also very secure. The kids wore name tags and you had to sign them in & out when ever you dropped them off or picked them up. Overall a wonderful experience. My husband & I were able to really enjoy a romantic vacation and had a lot of time alone.

Now for the Royal Caribbean. We had our son, now 4 in the Aquanauts program; or as my hubbie & call it the AquaNazi program. They were awful. 3 strikes & you're child is out if they have a potty accident. No snacks or drinks, they didn't soothe the crying kids at all. And worse - no walkie-talkie provided. My son didn't enjoy it at all. I spent most of the cruise either w/ my son or worrying about my son. So I didn't get a relaxing vacation and it was very "romantic" either.

Now you will have a 2 year old, so your son would be enrolled in the "Royal Tots" on Royal Caribbean. It's like a 45 minute mommy & me class. You MUST be w/ your child since they don't offer a drop off class for kids under 3.

Basically, you & hubbie need to determine what kind of experience you want for your son. Has your son been in a pre-school or a daycare where he feels comfortable & confident on his own? If yes, the I highly recommend Carnival's Camp Carnival so you can drop him off and enjoy your anniversary w/ your husband. Is he not yet ready to be left alone in a day care setting or would you prefer to spend all your vacation time w/ him? Then Royal Caribbean's Royal Tots would work for you.

As far as food is concerned there is so much food on board that you'll have no problem getting a waiter either in main dining room or the buffet to get what ever kid friendly meal you need, including milk at ANY time. There is also free room service too!! The previous poster mentioned no swim diaper in pools - it's true. There are kiddie pools. Just put a plastic liner over the diaper or get big swim trucks to hide the diaper. Nobody will check or ask.

If you can, spend the extra money to get a balcony room. We always get a balcony suite. Suite rooms have a bath tub, otherwise a regular room has a very small coffin like shower. The baths & showers have adjustable hand held shower heads so you can give your toddler a shower - but it's just hard to do in those tiny showers & you get all wet!

Good luck to you! Feel free to contact me if you want more info, have questions or want to see photos etc. Just plan well and take along treats & toys for your tot's plane ride and pack sand toys for the beach visits! :)

PS. Sorry this post was soooo long!!

Don't do it. He will not be old enough to go into the kids programs. I think
they need to be 3. I would go to someplace like Beaches that is geared
towards families. Cruises are generally not geared towards little ones.
You will not enjoy yourself.

I did when my daughter was 19 months. I had alot of family with me which helped but I think my husband and I would have been fine alone. Take advantage of the cruise camp, even if you don't plan on dropping him off. My daughter was only able to attend on days at sea for 2 hours because she wasn't 2 yet. There is a ton of toys for them to play with. The kid pools say no diapers (even swim diapers) but it wasn't inforced, I've heard other people say that their ship was strict about it. You will only find milk at breakfast. I took a few back to my room and kept it in the fridge. I also asked the waiter for milk the 1st day at dinner, he automatically brought it every other day. As far as food, if you decide to have the formal dinner feel free to ask for something that's not on the menu they will make it. They made my daughter had spaghetti one day, and steak and mash potatoes another day.