Anyone care to share tips for cruising with a baby? We have a son who'll be 8-months-old when our (possible) cruise departs. I'm searching every day for a suite in our budget aboard Celebrity or Royal Caribbean. Hubby wants to experience a first time cruise. With these two factors, first timer and a baby, I'm looking for four nights max, preferably 2-3. Anywho, if you have traveled with little ones, I'd love to hear your tips and/or advice on any aspect of cruising from selecting a stateroom to packing and things to consider once we're on board, please?
TIA,
cdg

It wouldn't be a vacation for me, having to share small quarters with a baby, being confined to the room at nap times and spending the evening in the room because he needs to go to bed, taking a baby to what is supposed to be a fine dining experience (or eating in the buffet)--but, maybe that's just me.

The Family Board at www.cruisecritic.com is full of people who love to cruise with children.

Have done shorties with a balcony

with my son it was not bad....

Carnival Princess best for families

I did Princess it was great...

babysitters and childrens rooms worked well for us

cruisecritic.com for ship reviews.

[email protected] or similar cruise pro can help a lot.

Disney Dream or similar may be the very best but not cheap.

Might consider that but no personal experience.

Disney Cruise Line The fully equipped nurseries are a dead giveaway: Disney's ships outperform every other major cruise line in offering services for children who are at least 12 weeks old and less than 3 years old. It's the little details that count. Each Disney stateroom has a bathroom with a bathtub, for instance. And, as every parent knows, a bathtub is easier to use than a shower when caring for infants and toddlers. Yet most other cruise ships only offer showers in their rooms, unless you purchase one of their costly suites. Topping it all off, Disney's Magic and Wonder each have pools with separate filtration systems that allow diapered tots to swim. Disney stands out in this regard from most rival cruise lines, which generally prohibit diapers in all of their pools. (The fine print: Disney's nurseries charge a fee of $6 per hour per child. A tip: Reserve the hours when you'd like to leave your little one in the nursery as soon as you embark.)

I just ran across this article about cruising with young children. Might be of use:

http://allthingscruise.com/cruising-...oung-children/

qwovadis - thanks, again, for the wealth of info and being helpful! Appreciate the contact and link.

triathlete - going to read the article now. thanks!

triathlete, that was a helpful link, indeed. it may also be good for folks wishing to enjoy an adult-only cruise.

Glad to help any time!

Disney cruises are fairly expensive. A cheaper option is Carnival, which has the advantage of being the only big-ship cruise line that will change diapers in its kids program if you want to have some time alone.

But I'd caution you about the shorter cruises. These are typically done on older ships, offering less interesting itineraries and a more raucous party atmosphere (except for Disney of course). I think they are not really the kind of cruise you'll want. I'd go for a one-week cruise and skip the suite, perhaps booking a nicer balcony cabin (or if you were to with a line that offers them, a mini-suite, which is effectively just a large outside cabin with balcony).

NCL has good minisuite options and is also a good family cruise line.

I see this post every day and have resisted replying, so fsr. But I just can't imagine cruising with a baby. Who benefits? Certainly not the infant, who simply not developed to the point of having any reaction to a cruise except maybe sensing the disruption to his (her) life. Certainly not the parents who will be doing the things they do at home, except much more inconveniently. And certainly not the other passengers who will be expected to admire the heir apparent and who have spent a lot of money on rare pleasure which is being ruined by a screaming kid. Sign me old codger this time.

Pools for tots in diapers? Bleaughhh.

Thanks Doug, we are looking at shorter cruises because my husband has never cruised and simply wants the experience. Also, with the addition of our son, we'd like to be aboard fewer days. Will keep Disney in mind for a cruise when our little one is older.

Until now I've resisted responding to the negativity, but I'd like to ask that any comments obviously intended to bash parents wishing to travel with their children be kept to yourselves. My OP asked for tips on traveling with a child, not share all your b-ing and moaning about how inconvenienced you'd be to cruise with families. Go complain elsewhere.

Due to the nature of the business model of the cruise industry, almsot all shorter cruises are "party" boats and may not be suitable for young families.

The exception would be Disney short cruises. They offer a 3 or 4 night cruise espereince, and they typically bundled them with a theme park adventure, or you can book them stand alone. Doug is right, they are not the cheapest but they offers the most unique experience and the most kid friendly.

I wouldn't discount Disney crusies so quickly or wait till the kids are older. They maybe the most viable alternative for a family, on a shorter 3-4 night cruises.

First thing to check out is diaper service. Second thing to check out would be baby sitting service. You may want to take a bit of personal time to relax and enjoy, without the baby in tow.

Other things to cosnider is baby carrier while travelling to / from the ship (air / car etc). A folding umbrella style of stroller would be a necessity. Also make sure you have access (or they will do it for you) to warm up baby food, milk etc. However sterilising the soothers and baby chew toys?

Never underestimate the need for medical attention, just in case. What if the baby has motion sickness? What happens if the baby by chance come across a virus (you are with over 2,000 people in a confined area) or any type of germ? Make sure you consult your family doctor before the trip. Maybe they can prescribe some medication for the baby to make thme "travel better" and less restless.

Always carry a bottle of hand sanitiser. The ship provides them at "key locations" but we always carry our own. Be careful on what you touch on board as other passengers and crew members may not have the same sanitising or cleaniness standard as you. Be mindfull that you are at a very public area, coming into contact with a boat laod (no pun intended) of people.

I ceratinly wouldn't put my baby at risk (health wise) by putting them in a wading pool or swimming pool (private, public, on land or on a boat). There is simply too much risk with the "other" babies or people not abiding by the general health code.

I can certainly underaatnd the sentiment of others on the forum moaning about baby on board. No one would like to have a crying baby sitting next to you on an airplane, or in a quiet dining room, or in a movie theatre etc.

I can also understand that you are looking for tips and advises and not comaplaints. Unfortunately, on a public forum, you are going to get a bit of both.

I do have a question for you. What do you look for when you go on a vacation? and since this is the first trip with the 8 month old, what would be your expectation?