Disney Cruise Line is AMAZING, and everyone should go on one.
I know, crazy and obvious statement. We have gone on more than one Disney Cruise, as a family and just my husband and I, and are set to go on another next year.
They are some of the best family vacations we have ever gone on. Once you go on one, you will be hooked and want to go on them again and again.
But what if you have a baby or a toddler? Should you wait?
No! Don’t wait! If your child is at least 6 months old go now. You will have an amazing time.
I know firsthand that cruising with a toddler is not only doable but fun. My daughter was only 2 when we went on our first Disney Cruise.
Here are my 5 reasons you should go on a Disney Cruise with a baby or a toddler:
High Quality Childcare is Available
Disney Cruise Line has an amazing staff that will care for you child when you want to have adult time. You can even leave them there while you go ashore to experience a port excursion!
It does cost extra at this age, at $9 an hour last I checked. But they do more than just sit and watch your child play. It is almost pre-school level, quality care. There are so many activities, movies, books, and toys your young ones can explore on their own pace and at their own time. They can even eat and take a nap in there if that is what they choose.
My daughter came home from the cruise with souvenirs she had made with the cast members. Fun little artwork they helped her make, which they packaged up nicely for us and delivered to our stateroom without us even asking.
She made friends with the other children her age in the nursery and we got full reports on their antics when we came to pick her up. She always went in and left with a smile, so we knew she was having a great time.
There is an open house for all the kid’s clubs on the first day of your voyage, the nursery included. So, if you are unsure you can head there, meet the cast members who would be caring for your child, ask a million questions, and check out the space before you leave him or her there.
Oh, and PS, be sure to head over to the other kids’ clubs to check them out as well during the open house. My daughter had a blast dancing on the dance floor and exploring Andy’s Room on the Disney Fantasy. Even though she wasn’t old enough to be left in there, she was still able to check it out and explore!
The Food is Kid Friendly for Any Age
No need to worry about your kid eating on this cruise, because everywhere you go for a meal there will be kid friendly options alongside yours. And it is all included in the price of the cruise.
If your kid will only eat mac-n-cheese and chicken nuggets, no worries! Even if its not on the kid’s menu, the amazing kitchen staff will happily make it for your child each night of your voyage.
There are healthier kid options as well, but sometimes you’d rather not have that battle when you are on vacation. A week of cheesy goodness never hurt anybody.
Oh, and you know those amazing Mickey Ice Cream bars that are so popular at the theme parks? You can order one every night as well. It is even served in a bowl with Mickey shaped sprinkles on top. Talk about a toddler’s dream!
The Fun Themed Splash Pads
For public health reasons kids who are not toilet trained and need to wear swim diapers are not allowed to swim in the cruise ship pools. And they are most likely not tall enough to go on the big water slides or Aqua Duck.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t get in on the on-board water activities action. There are fun themed splash pads geared specifically to this age set. The one on the Disney Fantasy was called Nemo’s Reef and had a water slide, curtains of water, fun fish to climb around and on, and bubbly spouts all over. My daughter spent a lot time going down that slide over and over and over.
My daughter didn’t miss not being able to be in the pool. She was perfectly content in the splash pad. My older kids even had a blast playing in there with her.
Best part, its fully contained so you don’t have to worry about your child escaping while they are playing in there. You can station yourself with a beverage of choice near the entrance, chat and get to know the other parents, and know that your child is safe and content splashing away.
Ship Activities are Baby and Toddler Friendly
There are a TON of activities on the ship. It is impossible to do everything you want, and that includes with your baby or toddler.
There is the always fun diaper dash for the littlest voyagers. And the toddlers can dance, play, and laugh along with you at any of the family activities. That includes going to see any of the Broadway caliber shows, meeting up with their favorite Disney characters, and watching their favorite Disney movies in the theater or on Funnel Vision.
They can also tag along with you and the rest of your family while you do the ship Detective Agency game on the Disney Fantasy or Disney Dream. (I could do a whole post on how awesome that game is.)
One of my favorite cruise memories is watching my kids get down and boogie with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Chip and Dale in the ship’s atrium. And I don’t mean dance on the floor while they dance up on the stage. They come down and dance with you in the crowd! You can’t do that at Disney World. My daughter had a blast dancing with her cousins and favorite Disney friends.
Baby Gear
One of the downsides of traveling with babies and toddlers is all the gear you need to lug around with you.
Great news! You can leave all that stuff at home on this trip because the cruise ship has most everything you could possibly need for your little ones. That includes diaper disposal units, bottle warmers, cribs, playpens, and even a stroller. All are complimentary and available from Guest Services or upon request from your stateroom host or hostess.
So, as you can see there are a bunch of reasons why you should go on that cruise with your baby or toddler, and not very many to why you should not.
So, what are waiting for? Let’s book that cruise!
I am a travel agent with Magical Vacation Planner and can help you plan an unforgettable vacation with your family. Email me, head to my Facebook page, or set up time to chat if you’d like to start planning your magical vacation.
Or head here to download your copy of my free Disney Vacation planning worksheets.