Taking 8 month old on a cruise

[moamhelp]

Hi all

In June we have a huge family holiday booked, 15 of us going on a Mediterranean cruise

I have two kids one is 6, so not worried about him having a blast! However my second will be 8 months

I've never taken a baby abroad, never mind on a cruise

Any tips/hacks/advice please?! For during and also airport / plane, and with her routine (which I imagine is going to be down the pan)

I'm a single mum but obviously will have lots of family there to help me out.

Just to add we are flying UK to Majorca, then boarding ship for 7 nights before coming back to Majorca for 4 nights in hotel. Then flying home to UK

Thanks!

What cruise line are you with?
Unless you book a suite or family cabin, your cabin probably won’t have a bath. The showers in ship cabins are extremely tight so you will want to think in advance how you plan on bathing your 8mo. I used to take an inflatable bath.
Take a little bottle of detergent to wash clothing if needed.
There are loads of dining options on board so you can work meal times around your baby’s schedule, not the other way around. It might be tempting to throw the sleep schedule out the window to take advantage of all the activities, but the last thing you want it a grumpy baby!
Baby carriers are particularly handy when flying.
It’s a good idea to bring your own plastic crockery and cutlery. It was the one thing we forgot last time and they didn’t have any on board.

Thanks for replying! We are going with TUI marella discovery
We've booked a junior suite with a bath so I'm hoping that will help and we will have plenty of space. (However we have no Bath at home so I really like the inflatable tip!!)
Thank you those are super helpful ideas will keep them in mind!

Hi, just wondering if you were bottle feeding - how did you make up the bottles on the ship? Is the tap water safe?

Thanks!

Hi! Not been on a cruise but have camped, roadtripped, moved continents and been on holiday with our baby whose now 8 months old. We are going to Jordan next month for 5 days tooa. Honestly it's never usually that bad. The cruise will be pretty easy. If things get rough you have a cabin to hide in!

The aeroplane - bring a snack for them to chew or suck on during take off - it helps their ears to not pop. Bring a few toys for entertainment and get them to nap after take off if you can - they'll wake up during take off ... harder to get back to sleep. if they are a mover like mine you can "walk" them down the aisle. If you're going long haul, I'd chin off any screen time restrictions and embrace them as a one off. Bring calpol, books and baby toys and more nappies and clothes than you think! I had a small crib toy that has rings, a monkey, flap and different materials (was from lidl) and that worked well to keep my 7 month old entertained. Mine was in a carrier but we checked a car seat. If you have a stroller with pockets. fill them with baby stuff - extra allowance😉

I don't know how long the flight Majorca is... but if babies on your lap be prepared to be a little uncomfortable!

And... if your baby cries on the aeroplane. They cry on the aeroplane. Sure people might be annoyed but most of the time they are sympathetic and its one day out of the rest of your life.

Have an amazing trip!

Hi, I know this is quite old post now but wondering how you got on on the cruise? We are going on a marella cruise with our baby who will be 10 mo. Any tips? I’m panicking!