I have been on two cruises with my kids, one when she was 16 months old, and one when my younger daughter was 12 months old. We absolutely loved both cruises and definatley did not feel bogged down. Our first cruise was with Grandpa and Grandma and Aunt and Uncle and she was the only child. Everyone was really nervous as to how she would do but it was awesome. Both cruises we hung out on the lido deck a lot as we could sit relax, have some good food and drinks while our little ones sat at the table with us and had snack or wandered on the deck in front of us dancing to the music etc. On the shore excursions we took our kids with us, we did swimming with the stingrays, beaches, rum tours, plantation tours. My advice, bring a heavy duty stroller, not the umbrella one so you have a place to store things, you have the ability to let your child lay down and keep going, also an umbrella stroller is not good on the islands when trying to go over less than perfect sidewalks, or no sidewalks etc. Carnival has a wonderful kids pool area also for the little ones with deck chairs around it as well. We would order room service in the morning for milk and fresh fruit for our little ones to eat while we got ready. One con we had with our first cruise is that with the four hour time difference she did not want to go to the babysitting at night since they try to get the kids calmed down watching movies and eating milk and cookies, it was only 6pm back home but ten on the ship and she wanted to play not relax. While in port they also offer babysitting, as mom I took advantage of it and got my massage. I think it is all about your attitude, and yes realizing that you may not be able to go to the club or show each night but that you can still have fun. We did the deck party at midnight, danced on deck holding our little ones, how fun for them, swam in the hot tub with them, sat in the sportbar during the day (no one is in there) playing the slots at the counter while having a shirley temple with our daughters. Be creative, you have a lot more leeway to take your kids places on the ship vs a land vacation. They really are only not allowed in the casino and the dance club at night. My one year old even went to the shows with us and watched enthralled, and we ate the late dinner so that we could play on the lido deck after each port. Our 16 month old again due to time change, late dinner was great, and she loved the waiters and they in turn. Our one year old like clock work would fall asleep right after the first course, the waiter would push two chairs together and she would sleep and then wake up for dessert. I went on a cruise without my kids and didn't have as much fun. Please feel free to email me with any questions. We are planning our next one for next April and the girls will be 4 and 9. email me at
steever@rainierconnect.com
