Cruise with Kids

The Disney Cruises I think are over rated. We had more fun at Disney World. Some people got sea sick and there were people getting sick at the dinner table on the first night. Wasn't fun or pretty to see!

We went on a 3-nt Disney cruise last year when our boys were 2-1/2 and 13mos, had a wonderful time and will be going on a 4-nt next year. Try and get your little one potty trained because they have to be potty trained to go into Mickey's Pool (2-feet deep). Otherwise, the only option for her will be the splash fountains, which are right next to the pool, and it will be torture for her and you trying to keep her out of the pool. (Truthfully, we thought about a cruise this fall but decided against it because we wouldn't have our younger son potty trained.) We had the early dinner seating (6p) and used the daycare to have dinner at Palo, the adults-only restaurant, and in the evenings after dinner. They put the baby to bed and he slept in the nursery crib without any problems. Your younger daughter will have to go to the nursery (up to age 3) if you use the daycare. I was worried that my older son wouldn't want to go to the nursery, but he had a lot of fun because there's more space to play and toys, and the staff is really wonderful.

The cruise itself is expensive, but if you can swing it, visit Disney World as well so that you can cover it all in one trip. If you do a land/sea combo, definitely do the cruise first. If you end with the cruise, they advise booking an early afternoon flight just in case there are any delays with disembarking. The reality is that you're off the boat so early that you end up sitting at the airport for several hours, so you're better off heading to Orlando and having the entire day at Magic Kingdom. (We arrived early enough for a 9:30 flight but it was so expensive to change our flight that we waited for our 1:30.)

My husband was anti-Disney before that trip, but is now a convert. On the cruise as well as Magic Kingdom, they make everything so easy for families, and nothing beats the wonder and delight in your kids' faces. There are plenty of people who think you should hold off on that kind of trip until your kids are older and will remember, but we feel it's all about watching them enjoy the experience...and they will love it. My older son definitely remembers the trip and says he wants to go back on the "mickey mouse boat."

The flight is 2-1/2 hours, which isn't terribly long. There are so many families on the flight to Orlando that everyone is very sympathetic (and empathetic) if your child is crying or having a meltdown. Have fun!!

I took my girls on their first Disney cruise at 1 and 3, and it worked out well. Though I didn't want to leave them alone at the "daycare", the toys and staff there were amazing, so I brought my kids there to play and get out of the sun several times. They still rave about the "Mickey" pool (now they're 10 & 12!), and fresh fruit & soft-serve pool-side. It's great, too, that milk (and coffee for the adults) is available at all times at the beverage stations. I provided motion sickness meds for both flights, and start/end of cruise, but our only issue was teething, so pain-reliever helped there. Having extended family along, especially for impromptu trips to the nearest bathroom, should be helpful, and there are endless activities. Having a little one potty-training may not be a good match for shore excursions, but with a larger group, you could split up. I'm assuming you're looking at 3- or 4-day cruise options, which would be best for your first trip. I highly recommend the online check-in (airline & Disney Cruiseline) and anything you can do ahead of time to make travel days smoother. I also would suggest getting a stateroom with a balcony (or at least port-hole) for outside view/fresh air if anyone does feel sick. Blessings on your voyage!

There will be plenty for you all to do and the ship will be kid friendly........as for the flight have snacks and things for their ears just in case.....and you might talk to the doctor about sea sickness for all of you...........I was raised on boats but got sea sick.....go figure.........

You'll have a great time......

We went on a Disney cruise when my daughter was 4. She did not like the club much because she is shy and didn't want to leave mom and dad. The kids have to be 3 and potty trained to be left there. The best part is seeing their faces when they see the princesses and other Disney characters in person. It is priceless. Make sure you get an autograph book for them to sign. You will stand in line to get pictures with them. It is a treasure! Be sure to go to all the shows daily. They are like seeing Broadway shows! Fabulous! It was the best trip we went on as a family.

just be sure to drink BOTTLED water at all times as the water from the boat tanks are well known for giving diarrhea...make sure you also brush your teeth what bottled water and peel the fruit...bring medicines for high fever and diarrhea, it's the only warning I can give you...have fun!!!

My experience was years ago........but we had a great time with the kids, they were older, like 8 and 10 but they didn't even want to have dinner with us because they were having so much fun with the other kids!!! For sea sickness......we took those wrist bands........they worked great, got them at Walgreens and I think our travel agent even gave us some!!! They work on the plane too. I will say that I changed the package so that we went to Disneyworld first......then went on the cruise, so I could relax before we went home....... it worked out great!!! We had a wonderful time, I know you will too!