Cruise with a toddler

Dh and I want to go on a cruise this summer with our 21 month old. We've never cruised before and were wondering where the ship usually docks at each destination. Are there usually things to do in walking distance or does everything require a car ride. We really just want to relax on the beach and not do any excursions because we wont have a carseat. We were thinking either Bermuda or Bahamas. Thanks!

Re: Cruise with a toddler

DH and I got engaged on the Norwiegan Dawn to the Bahamas. We did not have children at that time. If you are taking the Dawn, they have all the tours on line so you can see what they have available for your particular cruise. The brochure has a legend so you can see what is family friendly. We never had to rent a car on any of the island tours. We took the general island tours or did the beach activities. As we just got engaged, we skipped leaving the boat for Miami. We went to Universal and that was a lot of fun too.

Re: Cruise with a toddler

Not exact;y what you were asking but this is from an FM I wrote for Chelle when she had questions about cruising with a toddler.

Cruising with Andrew was the best time of my life!!! We left out of NY which worked out awesome!! We could bring as much as we wanted too because we didn't have to worry about how many suitcases or the weight.

We did use Camp Carnival but he was going to be 2 in a few weeks so he could only go at certain times and we had to pay I think $7. It was worth it. He has so much fun there. In 2011 we are taking another one and by then both will be able to go in full days so it will be great to have that option too.

We went with my parents and they always said they would watch him so we could go out at night but I was always so tired. We had the early sitting, walked around a bit, went to an early show if they had it, checked out our pictures, etc. Then I would go back to the room with Andrew and put on his movies and let him fall asleep in our bed. Then when he fell asleep I would move him to his crib. The first night he woke up a few times but then after that I think the movement of the ship put him to sleep. I would go back to the room during the day at sea and he would take a nap too or fall asleep in the stroller. Twice he fell asleep at Camp Carnival in the counselors arms

The staff and the people on Carnival were great!!!!! I would only go on Carnival for now on. Perfect for kids. We were supposed to go this November but money is tight and the airfare is ridiculous to Florida (we couldn't get on the NY one) so we cancelled.

I am going to search for my pictures now and give you the link. It was such a memorable time.

I also sent a gift ahead of time to the ship and he was sooo excited about that.

My out on the ship was having the balcony. When he would nap or at night I would just sit out there and read or sunbathe. It was fantastic!!!

During the times we didn't use Camp Carnival (which I really highly rec for both you and DS) we just people watched or ate

Did I mention how fantastic it was?

Another thing, what helped at night was I brought his pillow, his blanket, and his thing that attaches to the crib. I also bought a ton of videos and the DVD player.

Any more questions please ask

Allison

I also have a checklist for cruising with a toddler if you want it:) And I have a link that shows what kind of things they have during the day for the kids and for the adults.

In the Islands you don't need a carseat. There are no laws there. And we just held him on our lap. We went on a van tour of PR, in Tortola we went on another tour of the island and then to the beach and in St. Thomas we went to the Aquarium and Beach. There is stuff to do near the ports but mainly just shopping.

Re: Cruise with a toddler

Great Packing List too
Packing List