Taking Baby on Cruise

Hello,

I wanted to ask about going on a cruise with my soon to be 9 month old. My husband, myself, baby, and 7 other family members are going on a Carnival cruise.

Your post was the only one I saw that was similar to what I will be doing. How did your cruise go? Any tips for me? The only worry I have is naps. I guess when I put him down I will just have to lay down with him? And his bedtime is around 7-7:30. I hate to think I'll have to go to bed at that time as well, but it may be my only option!?

Thanks for any info!

A.

I just returned from a Carnival Cruise last month. I took my 20 Year old daughter, 16 y. son, 9 y. son and my 23 month old daughter. Unfortunately my husband had to cancel two days prior to us leaving. My children were having such a great time they did not want to babysit and Camp Carnival starts at age 2. You will have a great time if you are cruising with other relatives. There are definitely high chairs in all of the restaurants. On the first night of the cruise they had a kids party. I encourage you to attend. The crew danced and they had a ship character that also danced with the kids. To my surprise they had taped the event and it played in all the rooms through out the trip and was available for purchase. I am not sure if you will want to take the baby to the fine dining dinner in the evening. It was not very kid friendly. The only place I can think of you using the walker is on the pool deck, unless you are staying in a suite. The cabins are small. You all will have a great time!

Make sure your room is in the middle of your relatives. The walls are thin! :)

When you arrive at the terminal your bags will be taken and you won't see them again until later. For us, we had ours by the time we left Galveston but some people didn't get their bags until late at night (after 10pm). Anything you will need (xtra clothes, diapers, toys, etc) you will need to have in a carry on type bag. Also on the night before your trip is over your bags will need to be out in the hall by midnight. Again, make sure you have everything you need for that last day. I have heard though that one of the cruise lines has a new program where you can carry your own bags onto the ship, not sure if it's Carnival though.

Other tips...I would say do not take the walker, the rooms are way to small and you will want all the extra space you can get. When you get out to sea the water in the swimming pools is actually the sea water. Watch your little one getting it into her eyes as it is salt water and might sting.

Enjoy - our cruise was the best trip we've ever had.

E.:

I can't wait to see your responses! We are taking our daughter on a Carnival cruise leaving on Thanksgiving. She will be 16 months when we go.

You might want to check out http://www.cruisecritic.com/ftc/index.cfm for some good information. Look around on the message boards too!

M.