Cruise with a toddler - advice

[HolyMoly24]

We are going on a week long cruise in the summer with extended family. We have two children who will be 7 and close to 2 when we go.

We have never cruised before (never even taken either kids abroad before either come to think of it) so would really appreciate any tips as not really sure what to expect.

thanks!

Stay off the top highest most open decks. Don’t get a balcony run with a tidier as if you do, keep it locked 24/7. They are larger than typical interior rooms so can still be worth it. Most family friendly lines do “kiddy sections” in the buffets. Kids clubs can be an absolute god send if your kids enjoy them. Folding/compact buggy for the 2yo as the rooms aren’t huge and you can’t leaner a pram in the corridor so an umberella topper is perfect as you will likely be doing a hide amount of walking both on the ship and on shore.

What ports are you doing?

Do you need to book anything before you go? Childcare? Excursions? Restaurants? Spa? Are you all in one room? Think about how that will function, we had a child on a bunk and one on the sofa bed, worked well and the steward put bed out/away every day. Take some toys to have downtime in room, and swim toys for the pool.

cruise is awesome for kids, lots of entertainment, food for all and lots to do. Is little one out of nappies? Will help swimming if so. A lightweight buggy for use on the ship will help, and for excursions!

Which cruise line?

There are tons of cruise vlogs on you tube - have a search of the exact ship / cruise line you’ll be on and you will find tons. Amy Hart from Love Island has done a lot of great p and o blogs with her toddler and they may be useful to you.

@GreenGodiva We have a cabin room with a balcony.

great shout on the umbrella buggy thanks

We are stopping at Getxo (Spain), La Caruna, Vigo, and Cherbourg.

@samlovesdilysah definitely need to consider sleeping arrangements, thank you. I can’t imagine youngest will be out of nappies at 22 months but we can hope!

@Sirzy It’s the P&O Arvia

@Pepperedpicklesgreat suggestion I’ll have a watch thank you

P&O are great for kids, the security in kids club is brilliant and lots of activities. There is lots to do across the entire ship. Plenty of sports like archery, ball games, plus pools and deck games. The cinemas are great too! The buffet is very much uk orientated with a typical Sunday roast dinner type meal every day as well as 4-6 other main selections. Lots of starters/salads and puddings. They do a kids tea about 5-5.30 with your typical nuggets fish finger things. The pizza and grill are great for through the day too.

if you want privacy or to have the tv on of an evening while the kids are sleeping I can highly recommend getting heavy duty magnetic hooks and taking a curtain with you so you can partition off their part of the room to keep it darker. Hooks also come in great for storing lanyards/hats/sunglasses.

you don’t need to pack too heavily as p and o have free laundrettes on every deck and they are absolutely brilliant. 48 minutes for a wash and 40 minutes to dry, they also have irons and boards etc.

take your own snacks and soft drinks as there is surprisingly little available on board, just Pringles, chocolate and haribo basically. We take the little squirt bottles of concentrated juice from Aldi.

i think p and o is brilliant value for families and I’m sure you will have a great time. I’m taking my 4 grandkids on a 2 week canary cruise next year and I’m so excited to introduce them to cruising.

Check the policy on toddlers in the pools. A lot of cruise lines don’t allow kids still in nappies in any pool onboard. That includes swim nappy.

Take a small padding pool if the 2 year old won’t stand in the shower. You can use it as a small bath.

@GreenGodiva this is brilliant thank you! I hope you have a fabulous time with your grandchildren when you go.

@stolenpromisesoh no really?! I’ll double check thanks

I was going to say little paddling pool - for deck or balcony, the stewards will bring you water for it if needed. They are strict about swim nappies and there is nothing worse than having to close pools du to ‘accidents’.
And P&O washing facilities are fabulous (other lines don’t have free washing and I miss it!).
magnetic hooks are amazing, I love the curtain idea!!!