Anonymous
Post 12/31/2025 08:09     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am the OP of the Christmas in the Sun thread , and just read the Disney Cruise thread, and wondering if we should consider a cruise. But I am not sure of the logistics for excursions for the youngest. We will have a 1, 3 and 5 year old. What happens at ports? Are people bringing car seats? Is there a lot of waiting around for transportation?

I know the kids club is a big hit, and I think that’s not for us this trip.


Did a Disney Alaska cruise with our daughter's family in June: grandsons 3 and 1. I stayed behind to watch the boys during one adult only excursion (tickets were sold out for the family version). Otherwise, the little guys went on all of the excursions and had fun. Train ride, salmon hatchery, panning for gold, lumberjack show, etc. During at sea days, the one year old went to the nursery and 3 year old to the kids club for a couple of hours so that my daughter and her son could have a break. We chose this trip specifically because littles are accommodated.

The one place where we had a bit of trouble was at some of the dinners. The restaurants were very noisy with entertainment, etc. and the 3 year old had a hard time waiting through multiple courses. I might utilize the burger place more, or do more room service (included in price) if they were my kids. Or put them in the nursery and enjoy a more adult dinner. But he got used to it by the end of the cruise and The Animator's Palette was amazing for him.


The 1 yr old went to a nursery?! Geez.


Yes, it is really cute and they took him to nap and to have one hour of play time. Gave them 3 hours of adult time, you know, so they could relax on vacation.

You do know that many, many children in the US go to daycare during the day?



Yes, a daycare that parents research carefully and allow their children to get used to. Not dumping their kids in some random nursery on a cruise ship where they’re already out of their routine and element.


And you never use babysitters? Your child must be very tender indeed.
Anonymous
Post 12/31/2025 08:08     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:FYI---most cruises do not allow kids in the pool with swim diapers. There will be a splash pad area that they can play in. Parents are often surprised by this rule.


cruise ships are floating petri dishes. I wouldn't take an unvaxxed kid on one.


Again, folks were exposed to measles in both Newark and Boston airports this holiday. Anywhere where people congregate has the same potential, just like resorts, malls, museums on land. And the hand washing is probably much better on a cruise ship where staff are pestering you every time you walk into a restaurant.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 20:29     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am the OP of the Christmas in the Sun thread , and just read the Disney Cruise thread, and wondering if we should consider a cruise. But I am not sure of the logistics for excursions for the youngest. We will have a 1, 3 and 5 year old. What happens at ports? Are people bringing car seats? Is there a lot of waiting around for transportation?

I know the kids club is a big hit, and I think that’s not for us this trip.


Did a Disney Alaska cruise with our daughter's family in June: grandsons 3 and 1. I stayed behind to watch the boys during one adult only excursion (tickets were sold out for the family version). Otherwise, the little guys went on all of the excursions and had fun. Train ride, salmon hatchery, panning for gold, lumberjack show, etc. During at sea days, the one year old went to the nursery and 3 year old to the kids club for a couple of hours so that my daughter and her son could have a break. We chose this trip specifically because littles are accommodated.

The one place where we had a bit of trouble was at some of the dinners. The restaurants were very noisy with entertainment, etc. and the 3 year old had a hard time waiting through multiple courses. I might utilize the burger place more, or do more room service (included in price) if they were my kids. Or put them in the nursery and enjoy a more adult dinner. But he got used to it by the end of the cruise and The Animator's Palette was amazing for him.


The 1 yr old went to a nursery?! Geez.


Yes, it is really cute and they took him to nap and to have one hour of play time. Gave them 3 hours of adult time, you know, so they could relax on vacation.

You do know that many, many children in the US go to daycare during the day?



Yes, a daycare that parents research carefully and allow their children to get used to. Not dumping their kids in some random nursery on a cruise ship where they’re already out of their routine and element.


Since I said up thread that we probably wouldn’t use the kids club or nursery, I wanted to come back and be clear this wasn’t me.

We would be vacationing with grandparents who want lots of grand baby time, so we don’t need childcare this trip. But I don’t judge anyone who uses it!

— OP
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 16:18     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am the OP of the Christmas in the Sun thread , and just read the Disney Cruise thread, and wondering if we should consider a cruise. But I am not sure of the logistics for excursions for the youngest. We will have a 1, 3 and 5 year old. What happens at ports? Are people bringing car seats? Is there a lot of waiting around for transportation?

I know the kids club is a big hit, and I think that’s not for us this trip.


Did a Disney Alaska cruise with our daughter's family in June: grandsons 3 and 1. I stayed behind to watch the boys during one adult only excursion (tickets were sold out for the family version). Otherwise, the little guys went on all of the excursions and had fun. Train ride, salmon hatchery, panning for gold, lumberjack show, etc. During at sea days, the one year old went to the nursery and 3 year old to the kids club for a couple of hours so that my daughter and her son could have a break. We chose this trip specifically because littles are accommodated.

The one place where we had a bit of trouble was at some of the dinners. The restaurants were very noisy with entertainment, etc. and the 3 year old had a hard time waiting through multiple courses. I might utilize the burger place more, or do more room service (included in price) if they were my kids. Or put them in the nursery and enjoy a more adult dinner. But he got used to it by the end of the cruise and The Animator's Palette was amazing for him.


The 1 yr old went to a nursery?! Geez.


Yes, it is really cute and they took him to nap and to have one hour of play time. Gave them 3 hours of adult time, you know, so they could relax on vacation.

You do know that many, many children in the US go to daycare during the day?



Yes, a daycare that parents research carefully and allow their children to get used to. Not dumping their kids in some random nursery on a cruise ship where they’re already out of their routine and element.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 16:12     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
We brought car seats but at some ports there are car rental places and you can easily rent a car I would not do a paid excursion with kids that age
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 16:10     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:FYI---most cruises do not allow kids in the pool with swim diapers. There will be a splash pad area that they can play in. Parents are often surprised by this rule.


cruise ships are floating petri dishes. I wouldn't take an unvaxxed kid on one.


All the kids are vaxxed as is appropriate for their age.

— OP
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 16:05     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:FYI---most cruises do not allow kids in the pool with swim diapers. There will be a splash pad area that they can play in. Parents are often surprised by this rule.


cruise ships are floating petri dishes. I wouldn't take an unvaxxed kid on one.


Eh. It’s the only restaurant I’ve ever seen where hand washing is mandatory at entry. There’s a lot of fresh air and you really only spend as much time with other people as you want. We’ve never gotten sick on a cruise. There are downsides but that one is over stated. Hotels and airplanes also have lots of germs and potentially less oppprtunity to avoid them.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 15:57     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We started cruising when our youngest was 2.

We didn’t bring a car seat.

While we did some excursions through the cruise line on our first cruise, we quickly began arranging our own day trips using private drivers, taxis, or boats.

Tell me the cruise line and ports, and I’ll happily share my two cents (based on cruisin annually with a handful of kids for the last 10+ years in the Caribbean and Mediterranean).


We are just at the beginning stage. The trip would be a couple active grandparents, their children and spouses and grandchildren ranging from 13 months to 26 years. Next Christmas in the Caribbean.


You’ll have a blast!

You should try to book soon since Christmas cruises sell out quickly.

Lots of families cruise over Christmas and it’s an easy way for extended families to vacation together. We cruised over Christmas and saw lots of young babies and toddlers.


Any suggestions for which cruises?


Disney or Royal Caribbean would be my top choices.

We prefer smaller ships as opposed to the newer mega-ships.

Smaller the ship, less people (less crowds, less lines, less hassle).

Leave from Florida (not NY/NJ, Baltimore or Philly).

Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 15:40     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:FYI---most cruises do not allow kids in the pool with swim diapers. There will be a splash pad area that they can play in. Parents are often surprised by this rule.


cruise ships are floating petri dishes. I wouldn't take an unvaxxed kid on one.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 15:38     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
FYI---most cruises do not allow kids in the pool with swim diapers. There will be a splash pad area that they can play in. Parents are often surprised by this rule.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 15:10     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We started cruising when our youngest was 2.

We didn’t bring a car seat.

While we did some excursions through the cruise line on our first cruise, we quickly began arranging our own day trips using private drivers, taxis, or boats.

Tell me the cruise line and ports, and I’ll happily share my two cents (based on cruisin annually with a handful of kids for the last 10+ years in the Caribbean and Mediterranean).


We are just at the beginning stage. The trip would be a couple active grandparents, their children and spouses and grandchildren ranging from 13 months to 26 years. Next Christmas in the Caribbean.


You’ll have a blast!

You should try to book soon since Christmas cruises sell out quickly.

Lots of families cruise over Christmas and it’s an easy way for extended families to vacation together. We cruised over Christmas and saw lots of young babies and toddlers.


Any suggestions for which cruises?
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 15:06     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We started cruising when our youngest was 2.

We didn’t bring a car seat.

While we did some excursions through the cruise line on our first cruise, we quickly began arranging our own day trips using private drivers, taxis, or boats.

Tell me the cruise line and ports, and I’ll happily share my two cents (based on cruisin annually with a handful of kids for the last 10+ years in the Caribbean and Mediterranean).


We are just at the beginning stage. The trip would be a couple active grandparents, their children and spouses and grandchildren ranging from 13 months to 26 years. Next Christmas in the Caribbean.


You’ll have a blast!

You should try to book soon since Christmas cruises sell out quickly.

Lots of families cruise over Christmas and it’s an easy way for extended families to vacation together. We cruised over Christmas and saw lots of young babies and toddlers.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 14:29     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It can be done (and Disney is perhaps the best about accommodation— not just of little ones but also of different abilities) but I will say that we used resorts at a young age instead, just because I didn’t want to deal with many travel logistics. Resorts for the <8 crowd are fantastic and I was one of those people who swore I’d never do something like an all inclusive resort.


Do you have a specific one to suggest?


Club Med. We’ve tried two different destinations and had a wonderful time in each. It felt like a real vacation for us, as parents, for the first time ever, due to their kids club. And my kids also declared them their favorite vacations ever.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 14:19     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
Anonymous wrote:If you get off and explore on your own, does the boat stop where you can walk to things? Do people find a local taxi?

I am just trying to figure out what a vacation might look like for our family.


This all totally depends on the cruise port and who you book an excursion with. In some course ports, there are vendors who can provide a car seat. In some ports (Juneau for instance or Skagway), you can walk off the boat and do lots of fun stuff. I did multiple cruises with kids under 3. I did but one of those car seat vests and a bumble butt (is that what it’s called?) packable car seat booster. Do you take your toddler on a bus? Many of the excursions use buses to get to places. The only one I distinctly remember is st Thomas because I had the car seat thing and they were trying to move the taxi line so forced us to take a van with another family and just hold the toddler in my lap. I should have just told the guy to f— off and walked away. He was a jerk. We went to coral world though and it was a lot of fun with little kids.
In Cozumel I remember we went to Chakanaab and it was great for little kids.
There are lots of Reddit threads or cruise critic forums with more specific advice.
Anonymous
Post 12/30/2025 14:17     Subject: How do cruise excursions work with toddlers?
OP do not do this.

Really do not do this.

Parent brain cells need to be better.

Wait til all are potty trained.