Cruise with baby and toddler questions?

So DH and I have a 4 day business cruise that we're planning to attend. One day will have conferences but the other 3 will be free days. The cruise goes to Mexico. DS will be just under 1 and DD will be close to 3.

My first conern is using the cruise line's childcare on the day we'll have conferences. Has anyone every used them? I am super nervous about anyone watching my kids, so complete strangers on a cruise ship makes me very uneasy.

Second, I just realized that DS will not have his MMR yet. In fact, I was planning to try to give it as late as possible sine that vaccine scares me. I don't know if I should be more concerned about him traveling internationally and being on a huge crowded ship without the vaccine. Has anyone done this?

The only person I would be comfortable leaving one or both of the kids with would be my mom. I feel really bad asking her though because she works full time and would have to take off 3 days from work. She only gets 2 weeks vacation a year as it is and does use some of her days to help us out.

Re: Cruise with baby and toddler questions?

Make sure you check your cruise lines policies. We went on Carnival w/DS when he was 1 and they do not have a child care program for kids that young. I think the kids had to be 3 and potty trained. I had to be with him the entire time.

Talk to your doctor about the cruise and the vaccine. They'll be better at telling you whether you should be worried.

Re: Cruise with baby and toddler questions?

Re: Cruise with baby and toddler questions?

We went on a cruise with DD and DS.

They only become eligible for a kids program on Norwegian if they are 3. No babysitting was offered on the boat. They had kiddie programs, but it was more so mommy and me stuff.

As for the MMR, that's a personal decision. We went without DD having it at cruise time (1 year, a few months). We went with DS on a cruise when he was 8 months, also no vaccine.

Re: Cruise with baby and toddler questions?

I agree that I think the biggest thing would be if your kids could even go to the kiddie program without you while you're at the conference. most cruise lines only let them stay alone once they're 3 (or close to 3) and potty trained. otherwise, a parent has to stay. Also a lot of cruise lines don't let the kids go in the pools if they're in swim diapers... so that might make it a little tougher to keep them entertained on the free days at sea.
it sounds like a great excuse for a little family vacation.... but just some things to think about