Recommendations and tips for DC

[AllGone]

Dh and I did several cruises before we had Dc. We both loved the holidays and they worked really well for our circumstances.

Some family would like to do a cruise with us (wouldn't be this year). Dc are currently 3&1, so would be at least a year older if and when we do a cruise.

I don't think they will want to go to kids club as the eldest still gets upset being left at nursery (although apparently as soon as I've gone he's fine and is bouncing off the walls when I pick him up!) and I don't want them to be upset about being left somewhere unfamiliar on our family holiday.

I'm struggling to think of what there is to do to entertain them on board if they don't do kids club.

Can anyone recommend a good cruise line for DC?

Also, what do you do about cabins? I have visions of putting the DC to bed and having to sit in the cabin in the dark for the rest of the evening, although family members have said they would take turns so Dh and I could go off for a few evenings.

Does anyone have any tips or recommendations?

I'm thinking we'd be better off waiting a few more years before we try a cruise.

Thanks in advance.

I have a colleague who swore by cruises for young kids. He had 4 little ones. Said it was great because everything was included so they could go for ice teams anytime they wanted without worrying about cost, the pool was great, kids club, cinema, playground area, everything on hand and free once you'd paid the cruise cost.

If they won't do kids club at all you may need to look at a line such as NCL or Royal Caribbean where they have more obvious activities - such as kids pools, water slides etc.
A friend took her 18 month dd on NCL around Greece and they said it was great for her. They made sure they had a balcony so when she did go to sleep they could sit out there with a drink.
You may well find though that they want to stay up. Certainly on the cruises we have been on we often saw small children up quite late enjoying themselves especially on Med cruises when there are more outdoor activities.

Good for kids,
Disney
NCL
Royal Carribean

Some of the bigger ships have lots of things for kids to do - my children are older, but I seem to remember seeing a playroom for toddlers on the Nioreegian Epic, although parents had to accompany them.

There was also a splash area for small kids, but children had to be potty trained, swim nappies were not allowed.

It's probably worth finding a cruise you like then checking out a site like cruise critic to find reviews, or phoning the company to get details of what's available for children of that age .

If you get a room with a balcony you can sit out there in the evenings? Or kids clubs sometimes have slumber parties that let parents have the evening off.