Taking a Cruise with baby?

rubybeach

Hi,

We just moved to Australia and have yet to explore the country and surrounding areas.......there's lots of cruises to choose from and I was wondering if anyone has taking a cruise with a baby? Did you use the daycare? What did you think?

I've been on cruises before and just found them ok.....but with a baby, it's seems it would be an easier way to get around than flying. We're only here for 2 years max.......Thoughts?

Rebecca, I think you mentioned you went on one?

RBXChas

Hi,

We just moved to Australia and have yet to explore the country and surrounding areas.......there's lots of cruises to choose from and I was wondering if anyone has taking a cruise with a baby? Did you use the daycare? What did you think?

I've been on cruises before and just found them ok.....but with a baby, it's seems it would be an easier way to get around than flying. We're only here for 2 years max.......Thoughts?

Rebecca, I think you mentioned you went on one?

Hey there - we have gone on cruises, but not with our child. Our son is almost 22 months, and a couple of months ago we were thisclose to putting down a deposit on a cruise in early December. At the last second we changed our minds because we knew it wouldn't be very much fun trying to wrangle a toddler on a ship/in our stateroom. We knew we wouldn't get to enjoy any of the games or shows (or even likely dinner in the dining room - we don't want to disturb other passengers), and we'd either end up ordering room service or eating at the buffet for every meal. The ships we were considering don't have regular activities for kids as young as he is, and the babysitting services are for-pay and by the hour. (This is Royal Caribbean; I'm not sure what other cruises have to offer.) Also, very few of the in-port excursions are kid-friendly, at least for babies and toddlers.

I know someone who did a Princess cruise a couple of years ago with their son, who was about six months old at the time, and they had a pack 'n play for him to sleep in, which she lamented took up most of the free space in the cabin (though I suppose you could collapse it when not in use). Otherwise he was not really that mobile yet, so they just had to carry him everywhere or have him in a stroller, and they never ate in the dining room.

I love cruises, but we ended up agreeing that we'd either need to go sans kids or wait until our youngest is at least three before we can go on one again. When I think about what I enjoy doing the most on cruises, I just can't imagine it being very enjoyable with an infant or a toddler (sorry).

Hopefully someone else has gone on a cruise with a baby and had a good time!

rubybeach

Thank you! I want honest opinions, so I appreciate it