Advice/suggestions for Cruise Travel with Small Children

Carnival is GREAT for kids! When we planned our 25th anniversary trip, I specifically chose Carnival because our daughter was 2-1/2...old enough for Camp Carnival where they only need to be 2, whereas most other cruise line programs were for age 3 and up. (We also went when she was 16 months and could leave her inthe late-night babysitting, but not the daytime program). My daughter loved it and had a great time. The employees are wonderful...all over the ship. The staff in the dining areas were wonderful with her and made the trip so special. Also, in case it's a factor, I called before I booked and asked if the kids had to be toilet trained, and they do not. Have a wonderful time! No need to pack extra toys if you have them in Camp Carnival....wonderful play areas inside of the facility.

Alaska is great with kids. We've been on 3 Alaska cruises and recently took our 4 yr old. The Kids Club was great. We went not expecting our son to use the Kids Club. He went once and had so much fun, he wanted to go back. We made sure our excursions were something our son would also enjoy. The dog sled and Lumberjack Show were great for the little ones. Be sure to dress in layers, as temperatures can fluctuate. Take a light-weight stroller, so it's easy to take on and off the ship. We also brought a portable DVD player with our son's favorite shows. It was nice to use on the airplane and during some of our relaxing time. Good luck and Enjoy!.

Alaska is AWESOME, we just went on our second cruise there, first time was with the kids -ages 10 and 15. Go the website for Carnival and read their suggestions for what to pack, etc. Be sure to pack a coat, hat and gloves for everyone; we went in August and the temps are usually in the 60's because you are on the water. When (if) you go to Glacier Bay and College Fjord you are outside on the decks for several hours, and you will absoutely need warm clothing. It's not the 'sit-around-the-pool-and-sunbathe' kind of cruise; but you won't find any better scenery.
For daytime just dress casually, t'shirts and jeans. For dinner they suggest "resort casual", or what I would call Business Casual, slacks (not jeans) or a casual dress. You will have one or two formal nights, which are more dressy; for men a sport coat/suit (not many wear a tux) and for women a dressy suit/dress or evening gown (avoid the prom dress look). Those are the nights you will want to have famiy pictures taken (they will have several different photographers set up with different backgrounds, check them all out and then pick which background you want). Warning -- they will take your pictures everywhere -- the first is on arrival, then at dinner several nights, around the decks and often as you leave the ship for your shore excursions, etc. (you have NO obligation to buy any of them, but you will want to buy them all, so set up a budget). Speaking of shore excursions -- go on-line and book your shore excursions well in advance, the popular ones sell out quickly. You can always cancel or change them when you get on board. You will want to pick excursions that are appropriate for your kids ages. For instance, the horseback rides have a minimum age requirement which is 9 or 10. Also remember that even though you are going in a group, you don't need to joined at the hip and do absoutlely everything together -- it's ok to do separate shore excursions. On one cruise, my daughter & I kissed the dolphins, and my son and husband went racing on one of the America's Cup sailboats. I can't remember if Carnival (we usually do Princess or Royal Caribbean) has the anytime seating, if they do you can go to dinner at any time you want. If they do 1st & 2nd seating, pick the first seating and then go to the shows. The second seating makes dinner quite late for the younger kids. Every night you will receive your "Carnival Capers" newsletter that lists everything going on around the ship the next day so you can plan out what activities you want to do. Make sure you check out the Kid's Clubs -- special programs set up for the kids (the 2 year old may be too young) so you can drop them off, they have fun playing games/crafts, etc. and you can play bingo or do whatever you want, and they have their own newsletter. One of the cruise lines gives the parents a pager in case they need you. You might also want to take walkie talkies to make staying in touch a little easier if everyone is doing different things on the ship. Our cell phones worked when we were close to the shore, but didn't work in College Fjord (check with your cell carrier to see if you will have roaming charges or not). There is a lot to do, but you'll need to plan down-time for the kids also so you don't overtire them. Finally, make sure you fill out the registration stuff on-line so that check-in at the ship will be quick & easy. Have fun and enjoy all that Alaska has to offer!!!

We took a carnival cruise. Don't know if your children have allergies. We feed ours soy milk. Make sure you clal customer service and tell them about special dietary needs. I called, and they said we could simply call room service for soy milk but that turned out to be incorrect.

Other than that, we had a really good time, just pack what you'd expect to pack on any trip.

Well,
I've never been on a cruise WITH kids, but I will tell you at least from my experience, it's just like being in a little city of your own. Anything you need or want will be there. During the day, no problem, kids will be entertained by the pool, activities, etc. My opinion will be in the evening it may be harder to entertain them cause mostly everything is geared towards adults... the shows, casinos, etc. There might be G rated movies?? You may want to get an activities pamphlet from the cruise line so you can be prepared. I would pack favorite toys, games, etc in a little backpack for them. With such huge ships you shouldn't have to worry about getting sea-sick, but take some dramamine just in case!

Have fun!
C.~

www.HelpUstayHome.com

I have done the Alaska cruise four time. On our last cruise to Alaska, we did the 10 day with our one year old(almost two at the time.) For Alaska, you never know what the weather will be. I have been there when it has been in the 90's, and I have also been there when it has been in the 50's during the summer months. What you want to do is take clothes that you can layer, a waterproof windbreaker, hat, and an umbrella. You also want to take comfortable walking shoes. You may also want to bring your stroller for your little one.
You should definately check out the kids program for your older daughter. On our last cruise to Hawaii, our son loved it. We were on Princess for that cruise, and at the time, he was three. I believe that Carnival's program begins at age 3, but check with them as some cruise lines begin at age two. I know that Norwegian is one of those.
If you let me know what ports you are visiting, I can give you some great suggestions on where to go, and what to do. Just respond to me soon as we are leaving at the end of this month on a 14 night Caribbean cruise on Holland America with our 5 year old son, and one year old daughter.
If this is your first cruise, I can guarantee that it won't be your last as they are so much fun. Our next cruise is our 16th! Happy cruising!
PS- I just read through the other responses, and I wanted to let you know that Carnival heats the pools on their Alaska voyages, so swimming is an option.

Hi L., Last summer my husband's family did a family reunion on Carnival cruiseline to Mexico. We took ouor girls and had a blast. Carnival has a kids club so during the day while at sea we took our girls to this and they did arts and crafts, played games and other kid activities. The cruise mascat even came and visited the kids. For an extra fee at night they had babysitting so the parents could go enjoy the shows. Good luck and have fun.

I am a mom of 2, my kids and I have been on 3 crusies (this last one was with Carnival). My girls were 3 and 6 on the first one. Every cruise has a kids club. This last Carnival crusie we were on had supervised activites from 9-12, 1-5 and 7-9 for the kids. They even did a "party night" for the 6-12 year olds until three in the morning!

The 2 year old might be a challenge as there is not a lot of space for them to "be 2". Depending on what ship you are on. I will tell you, the pools have always been quite cold (and going to Alaska the air will not be swimming friendly). Bring some of their fav things, but know the spaces in the cabins (even the suites) are not "family friendly" if the kids need their "own space".

Be patient, the boat is big, but with children it can seem very small. Know that you will probably be expected to be with them more than you are at home. I am sorry to say this, but know that this will not truly be a vacation for you (unless the grandparents take them for an hour or so). Cruises are great for the "ease" of the room, food and activities, but not so much for the `comfort level`of mom.

Best advice...Relax, expect the unexpected and enjoy the scenery, Alaska is breath taking.

We brought our 11-month-old last year on a mexican cruise, and it was so much fun for her and for us. We had family traveling with us, so we didn't use the ship facilities. If we went on our own, I would've used them.

I say bring a lightweight stroller, a crib (we did... I think they have them on board though), lots of clothes, a "leash" for the 2-year-old and some entertainment for them (books, toys). There's so much food on board that they are bound to like something for nourishment (we actually forgot to bring baby food- it was all on the kitchen counter for when we got home-oops!).

Don't stress, roll with the punches and have a good time. Spend lots of time with the kids, but take some for yourselves. Enjoy your trip!

One idea that works well for us is we have a special bag full of quiet activities to bring to the Dining Room since our kids were usually done eating a lot sooner than their grown-ups (they were not used to leisurely 5 course meals). I usually buy special "cruise gifts" and wrap them so they are excited about opening a present, getting something new, and are encouraged to behave in public so that they will be allowed to choose from the pile of surprises. I usually go to a bookstore or a discount store like 99 Cents Only and get cheap and fun activities that will engage them independently so that I can finish my meal and not have to excuse ourselves from eating in public. Cruising is amazing because it meets each need where you're at, so my 6 year old and my 80 year old father-in-law can all be happy on one vacation. Enjoy!

L., I have never cruised with small children however, all cruises I have taken have been on Cranival. They have a great care center for kids and do keep them active. As far as what to pack, you can go on their website and they will have a list of what to pack for adults and for kids. One thing that sticks out was on our last cruise when we were leaving a little boy ran to one of the ladies on the ship and gave her a big hug and thanked her for playing with him while he was on vacation. I thought that was really sweet because obviously he had a good time. I believe they keep the kids active so parents can have their time too. There are sooooo many things to do on the ship. I doubt your little ones will be bored. Have a great time and what a great gift from the inlaws!

We just went on the same cruise with our baby when she was 11 months old. They will like to play in the children's zone and you can get some time to yourself. Bring a waterproof canapy for your stroller, rain gear and warm clothes. Bring some little toys and books and stuffed animals too. It should be fun!

We took and Alaskan cruise when my son was 17 months old. What really helped was taking a DVD player and videos also, pack a bag of toys and books. I know that our cruise ship had a area for kids to play but they had to be potty trained to leave them. Check on things that kids your age can do can do. We went in Sept. It was really cold at sea but at ports I only wore a sweater. Have a great time and try and do some off the ship activities, that is the only thing I was sorry for not doing more of. If you go to Sagway take the train ride it beautiful and fun for all.

Hi, Have a wonderful time. Expect cool weather.
B. v. O.

we wnt to alaska on royal carribean but it was 2 weeks. we had a great time. I went in may and had to have warm winter clothes. Be sure to pack rain gear and rain outfits.