To take or not to take a cruise with a 21-month old?

[Anonymous]

DH and I are thinking of taking a cruise to New England/Canada out of Baltimore next fall to celebrate my birthday. We (used to) like to travel a lot but have never been on a cruise before and so we're unsure how taking a 20-21 month-old baby on one will be. I do not want to go on a vacation without the baby. I do not want to take a kiddie/family/Disney-type cruise this time but maybe when DC is older. Do cruise ships charge for kids this young to sleep in our room? Are there special safety concerns? Has anyone done this? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

If you search both the forums and the DCUM archives you will find several threads on this. I have posted in them repeatedly - my advice is don't do it - but please search so you can see the details of my and others' experiences.

[Anonymous]

I've posted on the referenced threads and have also recommended against it BUT, with a 21 month old, if you're going to do a cruise, I think a Canada/N.England cruise could work...

yes, most cruise lines charge the 3rd passenger rate for the baby in your room and I don't think there are any particular safety concerns

the good thing about the Canada cruise I think is no worries about having baby out in excessive heat all day, access to decent medical care in the ports and also, I expect, access to modern cars/vehicles for excursions where you should be able to install a carseat

downside of cruising with a toddler -- the rooms are small, so really no separate sleeping area for the little one...so, unless you have a fantastic sleeper, when they go to bed, you pretty much have to also - I think this might not be so bad, though, with a 21 month old if they can make it until about 9 pm or so

my son, who is now almost 3, is very outgoing, loves new places and is great in restaurants and he would have done well on a cruise at that age

[Anonymous]

We went on a cruise with our daughter about the same age and when we came back I said I would not go on vacation with her ever again until she was much older. It was no vacation at all for me, or my husband, to go with her. We could not go out and do anything after she went to sleep so we did not get to do dinner together ever. Basically, we took turns doing something alone while the other stayed with our daughter. We had thought we would use the kids club service on the ship, but they call you if your kid won't settle down and is crying. She had been in daycare and preschool since she was six months with no problem so we had thought she would do well in the playroom. Wrong!! My advice would be not to go unless you took someone with you to look after your child in another room.

[Anonymous]

I have also posted on prior threads but I am a PROPONENT of cruising. I absolutely love it. Depending on your needs, you should carefully research cruise lines. Some lines have significantly reduced fees or no fees for kids. NCL comes to mind - only pay taxes for kids under 2. (but the majority of cruise lines will charge the 3rd passenger rate) Also, some cruise lines will provide babysitting in your room (for a fee).

I have a 10 day cruise to planned for the upcoming x-mas holidays - we will be a party of 4 adults and 2 kids (a 16-month old and a 2 1/2 year old). This will be the 2 1/2 year old's third cruise.