My husband and I are first time cruisers and are interested in the Baltic cruise this summer (Regal Princess, Noordam, any others?)

We would like to know if anyone has experience with these or other cruise lines when it comes to bringing a child under 2 along (he is 22 months old). Particularly, is it normal for under 2 to pay the standard 3rd person cabin fare? Princess says yes - Ouch!! Also, how does the babysitting work on board?

Why do people continue to bring their very young children onto cruises? I have to assume that people like you either have no friends/family to watch little Timmy, or else you enjoy spending most of your time taking care of the little one. Let me give you some insight on this, when the littler bugger is cranky and needs a nap or time for bed, then one or both of you will have to go back to the room and miss out on the shows. Not to mention being practically forced to dine at the early seating.

Don?t you people want a break from the little ankle biter?

To anyone with children still in diapers, if you insist on bringing the little tike, then please do not make a fecal teabag out of him./her. Do not put any child wearing diapers into a pool or hot tub.

LisaWorthington, nobody asked you if they should bring their child so MYOB. I'm quite sure she does enjoy taking care of her child, wow, what a concept. Frankly, many of the shows aren't that great and it's no big deal to miss them, besides, you have heard of in cabin babysitting haven't you? Of course not, so don't talk about things you no nothing about. We happen to prefer early seating, that way we avoid childhaters like you. Now get on your broom and go.

Expat, unfortunately it is now standard to pay for everyone, no matter how young. Some lines offer reduced rates for under 2's, some, like RCCL and Celebrity, charge a full 3rd or 4th person fare. For babysitting you simply call guest services and request a sitter, they can always accomodate. The charge is usually between $8-$10/hr, not bad at all.

My mom takes all her grandchildren on cruises. It's her favorite way to take the family on vacation. So far the youngest member has been 14 months, but we're going again with a new nephew who will be 6 month old, and I have to start finding lines that will discount for him, which reminds me, I need to post a new question.

My kids and their cousins are seasoned cruisers, it's a great family vacation, don't let the LisaWorthingtons of the world get to you, just ignore them, sux to be a sourpuss, don't you think?

Just returned from Baltic cruise and there were a few toddlers on board .Parents did O.K. with baby sitters and open dining on our ship, the Norwegian Dream. Great ship with super clean sanitation and great food.
Bundle up the kid and make reservations. You'll do fine. For more info e-mail me at [email protected]

I was sad to see that my guy will have to pay full fare on HAL and RCCL, at least I know he is entitled to a seat at dinner and a meal like the rest of the paying passengers. However, since he is considered a 3rd (even though we bring a crib), we have waited too late to cruise the Baltics this year. But we plan on going next May and have put aside our cruise fears and are considering a Greek Isles one this fall. Thanks for your encouragement nina, good to know cruising is a good family vacation to keep in mind. Do you know which lines will give discounts for children?

Glad to hear the Norweigan Dream is nice, not many ships doing the Baltic, and I didn't want to risk my first cruise on the Nordaam. I'll probably be emailing you, jweishan for details, if you don't mind.

Could it be that the cruiselines that charge standard fares for children are subtly hinting that they prefer not to have them on board?

Happy to give you all the info I can on baltic cruise and don't give up on it cause the sights are wonderfull. Put the little one in the hands of a ship babysitter or pack him on your backpack and show him the world.
I am sure if you e-mailed Norwegian they could send you info on this.
J.J.W.

Have taken the Baltic cruise 2 years ago. Cannot imagine it being either a vacation or pleasant experience with an infant. New port everday. Want to see these cities so must get off early in AM and generally remain out until ship sails to next day's port. This cruise not meant for someone even with a youngster less than 10.

I agree with LisaWorthington. I would not bring a child under the age of two on a cruise. Remember, it's supposed to be a VACATION. And even the cruise line's worst show is more entertaining than being stuck in your cabin with a crying toddler!

Not to mention that many of the sites you will want to see, will not allow a child of that age in. Such as the Hermitage, many museums, theaters (Bolshoi, etc). Of course, I'm sure your little darling is one of the 2 or 3 children on earth, of that age, who are well behaved and quiet ALL the time. right.

Good one, thulewx. Some parents of toddlers are so used to their crying that they turn a deaf ear. They don't care that their noisy kid is ruining other people's vacations.

I think it is a bad idea to take a child of that age on a Baltic cruise. Remember you will be out of the country. If medical help is needed ,about you got is a ship board doctor.

I also can't see dragging a baby around all the museums. Thulewx indicated that children of that age may not be permitted.

As far as babysitting, each line is different.

Personally I don't think babies belong on a cruise. Gotribe made a good point.

If there is a Grandmom available, ask her to keep the baby.

Sorry expatmommy -
But I have to agree with the posters that are recommending leaving a toddler at home.
We have cruised Austrailia/New Zealand, Asia, South America and the Med.
We've left our 2 daughters, currently ages 9 and 7, at home with babysitters/relatives.
The exotic cruises tend to be very grueling..with busy port days, long shore excursions, vastly different cultures and sometimes unusual food.
Many of the shore excursions involve intensive walking..and sidewalks are NOT the norm. There are many places (I'd say most) where a stroller is not an option. There can be temperature extremes and it's very exhausting even for young, fit adults. I believe that all these factors can add up to a miserable time for the toddler.
We've always felt that: not only is this a vacation for us, but that our kids would be much more UNHAPPY with us, than staying at home with family/friends.
We've always positioned with the kids that staying home with grandma was THEIR vacation...they were able to have special time with their grandparents/babysitters, get spoiled rotten and have fun events scheduled that they don't typically do with mom and dad at home. Since we take this attitude, the kids then really look forward to us leaving! They are very happy to have their own special vacation, they don't feel left out, they are not miserable tagging along on a trip not meant for their age group and we don't spend our vacation trying to balance their needs with the structure of the cruise.
Now..I"m not saying that perhaps a Carribean or Disney cruise would fall into our same train of thought...I"m only suggesting that a toddler probably would not be happy on a more exotic cruise.
We do take our kids on other vacations, but they are vacations that the kids would enjoy..camping, Disney etc.
I would leave the kids at home..with family or friends. We have a young couple - mid 20's - that move into the house and stay with the kids..that way their routine is not upset..they sleep at home etc.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

I took my grand son on a Red Sea cruise, a 16 days itinerary when he was 11 months. We were many to watch over him, and had all a great time.

Then, I took him, when he was 2 years old, and my gtand daughter with a year old to a Greek Islands cruise. Same thing.

Don't let these posts intimidate you. Bring a light, sturdy and foldable stroller with you, as well as a back pack, and enjoy your cruise(s).

Regards,

S

There are more people who agree a baby does not belong on this cruise. Who enjoys dealing with diapers, strollers, crying, etc. on a vacation? Vacations are supposed to be fun and relaxing.

Sorry, Expatmommy, I didn't answer your question. Costa, if I recall well, doesn't charge for small children on some cruises, unless for port charges.

RCCL, depending on how well or badly a cruise is selling, might also have specials with the third passenger, regardless the age, paying only for port taxes. This was the case of our Greek Islands cruise.