Never underestimate a toddler’s ability to create chaos. This is never more true than when on vacation. We recently returned from a family cruise aboard the Carnival Pride. This was our first substantial family vacation since joining the “with kids” club, and we learned a lot about our daughter, our family and what really defines a great vacation.
I have a few broad tips for cruising, or traveling in general, with your toddler. First, keep your expectations really low. I know this sounds lame, but it really does work. Decide ahead of time what you want out of your vacation and communicate this to your spouse. I wanted to rejuvenate my mind and body (do a lot of sitting on the balcony and spend some time in the spa), and my husband wanted to fully experience the culinary options of the ship (eat as much as he could). We decided that if this was all we got to to then we would be happy. In all honesty, being a work at home mom, I was just happy to get out of the house for a week.
Things you cannot expect from a toddler on a cruise ship:
- waiting patiently in a hot terminal to board (bring easily accessible toys, snacks and a light weight stroller)
- sleeping like she does at home (bring items to help make nite-nite time familiar and have a flexible nap schedule)
- sitting like an angel through dinner (let your waiter know to bring finger foods like cheese or fruit out quickly and keep them included in dinner activities and conversation)
- going on long adventurous shore excursions (Either leave the little one with family or forgo the three wheeling, kaiaking, tree swinging dolphin encounter. Just remember how much fun these excursions will be in ten or twelve years.)
Second, bring along willing babysitters. We were thrilled to bring along Nana (my mom), Grandma (my mom-in-law) and Pawpaw (my dad-in-law). There was never a shortage of watchful or adoring eyes. This enabled us to go to diner just the two of us and to slip out in the evenings for a couples massage or a drink at the piano bar. It was also, of course, a wonderful way to spent time as a whole family. Of course this isn’t always an option. Carnival did have babysitting for children under 2, but they were limited to between 12 and 2 in the afternoon on sea days and from 10 to 3 at night. We didn’t take advantage of this option, but we did go to the playroom during the afternoon time to have some playtime, and the staff was very friendly and attentive.
Third, be prepared. From our luggage you would have thought we were sailing to Australia instead of just down to the Mexican Riviera. But, when you have a baby there are a few things you REALLY don’t want to run out of. We brought extra clothes, toys and supplies. We brought extra sheets, the baby monitor, the noise maker, the bath toys, all varieties of diaper cream, a bottle or tube of every imaginable baby medication, a whole bag full of diapers and wipes and enough oatmeal and jars of Gerber meat sticks to feed her for a year if we got stranded somewhere. We used less than half of the diapers, none of the medication and only little of the food. But, the extra suitcases were worth the peace of mind.
Things I was glad we brought:
- portable snacks (fruit cups, mini whole wheat bagels, meat sticks, bananas) These were great for in the room or distractions during embarkation and disembarkation.
- Small umbrella stroller (we were able to wheel her around in a couple of the ports, and it toted our carry on bags when she wasn’t in it during embarkation and disembarkation.)
- A small “diaper” bag to carry around the ship. (We didn’t need the whole diaper bag, but I was glad to have a couple of toys, some wipes and her cup with us wherever we went.)
- A white noise maker (to drown out the neighbors and us talking next door or outside on the balcony)
Things you can’t go without:
- Your baby’s passport (and yours too!) If you don’t have a passport for your little ones, get one as soon as you can. Remember BOTH parents have to be present to do the paperwork.
- A week’s supply of diapers, at least. You cannot buy diapers from the ships store. Camp Carnival has a limited supply, but not many for little ones.
- Baby sunscreen (The ship does have some sun screen, but you want the best right? I like to bring one spray on and one especially for baby faces)
- Patience (But you have a toddler so you’ve already got this packed)
Fourth, go with the flow. One of the things that makes cruising such a good vacation to take with your toddler is the flexibility. There is ALWAYS food somewhere if they are hungry. There is ALWAYS a new place they haven’t fully explored. And, if they need to nap, your stateroom is always just an elevator ride away. If you spend the whole time enforcing a pre-made schedule, you’ll just end up with a frustrated, fussy child. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make a schedule, just don’t expect to follow it.
And finally, upgrade when possible. We booked a suite for this trip, and it turned out to be money well spent. Since we had a group of six (the grandparents had two rooms a few doors down) we could all meet in the suit instead of cramming into someone’s stateroom or always having to find a pubic place to congregate. We stayed in room 7298 which is a room on the aft corner with a large balcony, a separate living area, bedroom, dressing room and bathroom. There is also a large closet, a bathtub with jets and a lighted dressing mirror. We were very happy with the room and the balcony. Our daughter had room to play and we had space to socialize.
After all of the food, sights and entertainment the very best part of our trip was watching our little one experience new things. From squishing her fingers into watermelon for the first time or dismembering the towel animals made by the steward each day, she was never at a lack for something new. And that is just how she likes it.
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