Cruise with 13/14 month old or resort?

[Katkincake]

We want to book a holiday for sept / oct time. We've cruised before but this will be 1st time with DS, who'll be 13/14 months when we go. We've found a 2 week on P&O Azura (a ship we've done) from Southampton round the med. Our other option would be a resort in Egypt or Canaries, but we get a bit bored on resort holidays - however this was before DS, so we might enjoy a more chilled out time, playing in pool or on beach.

Our preference is for a cruise, but my concerns are: anti-child feelings on ship as it's out of school holidays - feeling pressure to make sure he's quiet at all times (not that I'd let him run riot). Space in cabin for cot (we'd have a balcony - is that wise?), how to entertain him on sea days (given we won't be on the deck catching the sun on the bay of biscay in Oct!) DS just getting used to walking (assuming he does) at that time, on a ship. On the plus side the free sitting in the evening really appeals

Has anyone got any experience of taking babies on a cruise that can put my mind at ease, any thoughts on what would be best for DS at that age? thanks

Cunard has nannies for babies.

I did a transatlantic when my son was about 2 I think. He may have been three as I would leave him with the nannies when I went to "work" at the spa.

The main dining room was very good at having his food on the table when we arrived at 6pm -- crudities and some fresh fruit. His order would come quickly. I would then take him to the nannies around 7 and come back and eat my main course.

No hostility from other passengers. My son loved taking the glass lifts & walking around. Took him to the shows -- including the one at the planeterium. I did not feel that I had to keep him quiet all the time. He has one meltdown and that evening we did not go to dinner in the main dining room and stayed in the cabin.

I also took him to an all inclusive resort in Mexico -- very toddler friendly.

the azure do children tea at 5 pm. they also do nite nursery.

went with grandsons 12 n 19 month's in march. it was good. sea days in nursery with them loads to do. staff were great. I've always found the elderly guests to be worse than kids. at the end of the day the azura is a family ship?

I think with a lot of ships they can't go into a pool if they need swim nappies as the water isn't chlorinated so you can't take then into the pools. I may be wrong as I heard that a long time ago.

We went on oceana with 3 children aged at the time 2-5 and they all loved it, certainly no pressure to keep them quiet infact the staff couldn't do enough for them!

We are going on azura in may with children aged 6 months to 6 and can't wait! Personally I think cruising is great for children

We did a P&O cruise when DD was about 16 months old. It was not in the school holiday season, so there weren't many children on the ship and most were pre-schoolers. We had a great time. The staff went out of their way to ensure that DD was content (extra portions at breakfast, for example).

As you'll know as you've been before, the demographic on cruises is older, but I didn't detect any anti-child feeling - quite the opposite, as a lot of our fellow passengers seemed to enjoy seeing the children around the place (although maybe not the woman who sat with her fingers in her ears when we were on the coach to an excursion and nothing would stop DD from wailing (I think she was in pain from the change in air pressure as we went up a mountain)). Anyone who is vehemently opposed to sharing their cruise with children would book onto one of the adults only ships.

Thanks all for your responses, good to hear experiences of people who've done it.

We've chickened out and booked 10 days in a resort in Paphos Cyprus that has a crèche and there are things to see in walking distance so we won't feel trapped in the resort.

We're getting married next year and we will definitely do a cruise for our honeymoon, thinking of the Far East. DS will be able to use crèche during day by then (alas I don't think my mum and dad will have him for 2weeks)