https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:45:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814256 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 13:14:29 +0000 Adira 2814256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Instead of bringing a surge protector, you could bring a multi-USB charger I think:</p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/RAVPower-Charger-Desktop-Charging-Technology/dp/B00OQ19QYA/" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/RAVPower-Charger-Desktop-Charging-Technology/dp/B00OQ19QYA/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814227 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:41:40 +0000 ShootingStar 2814227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Yeah, I always travel with one of these: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-SurgePlus-Protector-Charger-rotating/dp/B00ATZJ5YS/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1522860015&#038;sr=8-11&#038;keywords=surge+protector+with+usb" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-SurgePlus-Protector-Charger-rotating/dp/B00ATZJ5YS/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1522860015&#038;sr=8-11&#038;keywords=surge+protector+with+usb</a></p> <p>I love it because it's so useful but I was scared to bring it on our vacation because I didn't want it to get confiscated. But it was annoying because as part of our trip we spent a few days in Puerto Rico before the cruise and in Orlando afterwards and it would have been nice to have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814225 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:38:00 +0000 looch 2814225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: ok, that makes sense! I always have a surge protector in my suitcase when we travel, so that is good information. I haven't been on a cruise in something like 15 years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814223 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 11:33:36 +0000 ShootingStar 2814223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: The bags go through a metal detector when you go through security. So I think they tend to find them then. I really wouldn't use it and hide it though. Surge protectors can be dangerous on cruise ships because unlike your house, they don't have any grounding. So if one of your devices had an issue it could overheat and cause a fire or cause electrical issues on the boat. Personally, I don't want to be responsible for that :silly: . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814209 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 10:32:58 +0000 looch 2814209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: Just out of curiosity, how do they control the power strips on a Disney cruise? If I use it only at night, and I put it away in my locked suitcase, they wouldn't know anything about it.</p> <p>Do they check every suitcase before you board the boat? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814160 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 08:03:12 +0000 ShootingStar 2814160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: People used to use them and they got the doors all scratched up, so they banned them. A lot of things you see listed as suggestions for cruises don’t apply to Disney, lol. You can’t bring power strips on them either. </p> <p>We spent nearly a year getting my son ready for the kids club doing drop off care at our grocery stor and the Y. He does not do well with new people. DD was 18m when we went and she cried at drop off and then was fine. I can’t recommend enough to just hand your LO over to the nursery and walk away. You can have them call you if they don’t settle down but they probably will. They can play, eat a snack, and the time away is priceless. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814158 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 07:55:31 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2814158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: No, I wish we were doing Disney, but at like triple the price we couldn't justify it. I wonder why they dont allow the door organizers? </p> <p>I think for Nassau we will stay on the ship or maybe just get off to venture around briefly. But I think nap and lunch on ship will be nice that day. </p> <p>I dont know how my kids will feel about the kid club. I think the oldest two we can maybe use the pick up from dinner so they can eat and then go play for a bit while we relax. But the baby doesn't go well to anyone (she will be almost 2). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814156 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 07:47:03 +0000 ShootingStar 2814156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Are you going on Disney or a different cruise line? We did Disney in February. If it’s disney you can’t bring the over the door organizer, they don’t allow it. Or at least, they don’t allow you to put it over the door. Not all Disney cabins have tubs, but most do have the split bathroom with it. And our cruise did not provide a beach bag, I brought my own. Disney also doesn’t have in room baby sitting they have a nursery which is $9/hour and you can reserve ahead of time. </p> <p>I highly suggest putting all the kids in the club/nursery for part of the day and go enjoy the adult pool or whatever else you would find relaxing. The cruise was our first vacation that truly felt like a vacation because we got to take some time for ourselves. </p> <p>On a three day cruises lots of people like to stay on the ships while it’s in port, I’m assuming you’ll be in Nassau. The ships are generally less crowded on port days so the pool and everything else will be quieter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814149 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 07:05:50 +0000 babycanuck 2814149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Keeping an eye on this. We are taking our three year old on a cruise in December and definitely need tips. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-on-a-cruise-with-a-toddler#post-2814148 Wed, 04 Apr 2018 07:05:07 +0000 babycanuck 2814148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <br /><p><i>This comment has been deleted by the original poster.</i></p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814015 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 14:04:29 +0000 JMOM 2814015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also bring kids OTC medicine in case of sickness. My kids have been susceptible to croup so I always carry a couple croup tablets with me and I bought chewable Tylenol just in case. I bought fun Dollar store lanyards to attach to the cruise cards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814014 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 14:03:00 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2814014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thankfully our kids are a bit older and they all are good with showers! </p> <p>@snarkybiochemist: Thanks! Also adding a sound machine and night light to my list! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814013 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 14:01:28 +0000 iluvboba637 2814013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also idk about Disney but for the other cruise lines, if your younger one needs a booster chair still you might want to consider bringing a portable one because it was hard to find a high chair/booster at the buffet and dining room. Other cruise lines also don’t allow swim diapers in the pool, water slides so if your Lo is still in diapers the inflatable tub will come in handy here too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814011 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 13:56:51 +0000 iluvboba637 2814011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: yes to @JMOM: about showering or bring a small inflatable tub. The showers have handheld shower heads so you won’t have a problem rinsing them off but the inflatable tubs will allow them to sit down </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814010 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 13:53:54 +0000 JMOM 2814010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: Yeah, you're right that Disney does, but I've been on Carnival and Holland America and they didn't. My kids hate showers and if I had realized about the shower situation I could have prepped them more. But hopefully other people's kids aren't as sensitive as mine about those things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814006 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 13:31:20 +0000 Adira 2814006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JMOM: If it's Disney, I think they all have tubs.</p> <p>But yeah, the other ones won't... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2814005 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 13:30:23 +0000 NorthStar 2814005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Search the blog posts as someone posted a awesome list once (or check the blog loveandrenovations.com). I know that they like to cruise and have posted awesome tips previously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2813996 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 12:59:38 +0000 JMOM 2813996@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your kids aren’t used to showering, get them used to it now because most cruise lines don’t have bathtubs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2813985 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 12:23:21 +0000 Adira 2813985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you have to travel to the port, arrive a day early so you don't have to stress about making it on time.</p> <p>Have your swim gear in your carry-on so you can use the pools/splash pad immediately if your bags haven't arrived yet or you can't get into your room yet once you board.</p> <p>Don't pack beach bags - they'll have those on the boat for you to use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2813950 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 11:02:21 +0000 snarkybiochemist 2813950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>pack a multi-outlet strip since many cabins only have 1 plug in the main cabin and 1 plus in the bathroom </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/general-cruise-tips-for-families#post-2813938 Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:37:03 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2813938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are doing a quick 3 night cruise with family this summer.</p> <p>Any tips for families that helped? Our youngest will only be 2. </p> <p>A few things I've heard/remember:<br /> - Try to get the early dining seating to avoid meltdowns at dinner<br /> - Book an in-room babysitter early if you want a sitter for a specific night<br /> - Pack an over the door cheap shoe organizer to keep sunscreen and other things handy in the room </p> <p>Any other tips for packing, getting around the ship, and not being tied to the room for too long of time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-on-a-cruise-with-a-toddler#post-1583907 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:47:45 +0000 kml636 1583907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also like advice... We were going to take our 17 month on a cruise with my in laws but that's now on hold due to baby #2 coming. Probably we will go with 2 LOs under 3 next year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-on-a-cruise-with-a-toddler#post-1583403 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 11:46:00 +0000 NBates 1583403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this is 2 years ago but I am hoping for suggestions! Traveling with 20 month old twins. Royal Carribean 5 days. Getting umbrella strollers. Am worried about sleeping arrnagements though. Little girl sleeps in her crib still so we ordered a pac n play. Is there enough room? we got the basic room for 4 people. Little boy started climbing out of crib so trying to figure out waht to do with him. Also, what should I take? What should I anticipate? Thanks so much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cruise-ship-safe-to-leave-toddler-by-himself-in-cabin/page/2#post-1211728 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 16:09:09 +0000 Vegmama 1211728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sorry that some people were so unkind with their responses. Obviously, you were asking earnestly, and you don't deserve to be questioned like that!!</p> <p>FWIW, I would not leave my baby alone ... I'd be way less concerned with someone breaking in, but way more concerned about something happening on the ship (what if it lost power, or a fire) ... It would be chaos, and I'd want to be close. I'm super paranoid about things like that, but I also don't think it's unreasonable.</p> <p>It sounds like this trip will be full of RELAXATION!! :) I hope you have fun!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cruise-ship-safe-to-leave-toddler-by-himself-in-cabin/page/2#post-1207665 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 23:30:58 +0000 Ree723 1207665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: I believe the patio doors, which faced the pool and the restaurant, were closed but unlocked as they couldn't be locked from the outside. From what I recall, the shuttered windows in the bedroom had been closed when the parents left but were found open when they discovered Madeleine missing. It wasn't as though they put a big sign on the door saying 'come on in, free children for the taking!'</p> <p>Also, I think the point of mentioning this story is to bring to light the fact that what can seem like a no big deal act, can sometimes have horrific consequences. I'm sure the McCanns thought that by being only 50 metres away and being able to see the apt, their children were perfectly safe. They weren't reckless or neglectful parents, yet this awful tragedy occurred. Just like I'm sure if someone left a toddler sleeping in a locked room on a cruise ship whilst they were 50 metres down the hall, and that toddler woke up and managed to turn the taps on in the bathtub and drown, they would say that they thought their child was perfectly safe. Things happen and in the end, it comes down to would you rather be safe or sorry? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cruise-ship-safe-to-leave-toddler-by-himself-in-cabin/page/2#post-1207614 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 22:47:47 +0000 sarac 1207614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone mentioning Madeline McCann should remember that her parents literally left the door and windows open. Not just unlocked, but open. If I was in this situation (and my daughter still wasn't able to unlock and open doors), I'd at least consider leaving her in a locked room with a monitor and going to a nearby (within 50 feet, I'd say) room or lounge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cruise-ship-safe-to-leave-toddler-by-himself-in-cabin/page/2#post-1207582 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 22:07:36 +0000 wonderstruck 1207582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Glad this has made you think more about the risks, OP. You're making the right decision in not doing it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cruise-ship-safe-to-leave-toddler-by-himself-in-cabin/page/2#post-1207143 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 15:50:37 +0000 Boogs 1207143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Sure, people do, but I also think being in your backyard or next door (really quickly) is not quite the same as being on the other side of a huge ship. Your response time would be quite different if a situation arose. I also agree about some of the responses, but I don't think mine was one of them. In the end I think it is a good situation to be had, I think it gets people thinking about things maybe they wouldn't have ever thought of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cruise-ship-safe-to-leave-toddler-by-himself-in-cabin/page/2#post-1207112 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 15:29:59 +0000 Mrsjets 1207112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Thenetexan: that was my first fear too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cruise-ship-safe-to-leave-toddler-by-himself-in-cabin/page/2#post-1207094 Sun, 10 Nov 2013 15:03:12 +0000 Thenetexan 1207094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In addition to what has been said, I would worry about being able to get to my LO quickly in the event of a ship emergency. That many people can get chaotic in an emergency and though you may only be 5 minutes away, you might not be able to get back to your room. </p>