Oh Baby!

As my baby celebrated her 1st birthday this week it got me thinking that I really should sort her passport and more importantly get our own summer cruise holiday booked. This then made me think about choosing the best cruise line and ship and what facilities are offerred for babies under 2 years old.

I have first hand experience that just to leave the house is like a military operation and I have so much ‘stuff’ so anything that will make life easy will be a bonus!

You can pre-book lots of the equipment and it’s all FREE with most cruise lines, for example a travel cot, high chair, baby bath, bottle steriliser and food warmer, infant milk and baby food (usually on request), some even give the option to pre order nappies which means more room in the suitcase for shoes!

I like the idea of cruising from Southampton without the hassle of flying and also means I can take more luggage (and more shoes…!) although I would also consider a short flight to join the cruise in the Med

P&O accept babies from 6 months on most sailings
The Night Nursery is available on all family friendly ships for children aged between 6 months and over it is open from 6pm to 2am nightly

Royal Caribbean have developed age-appropriate interactive playgroup sessions including music, toys and learning activities, developed by early childhood experts at Fisher-Price. Each 45-minute session offers activities that make playtime learning time as well. Royal Babies and Royal Tots, ages 0-3 will enjoy parent supervised activities designed to foster parent/child bonding and development.

Also onboard is the colourful Royal Babies & Tots Nursery. The littlest guests (aged 6-36 months) are cared for by trained professionals, while enjoying specially designed programs. Daytime and evening drop-off is offered; hourly fee of $6 in the daytime and $8 during the evening applies, and you can book onboard. Available on Oasis, Freedom, and Radiance class ships.
Group babysitting is available from 8pm – 2 am $10 per hour / Private babysitting is $19 per hour

Royal Caribbean also offer Babies 2 Go – a convenient service lets you pre-order Huggies® ready-to-go nappy bags, and Gerber® organic baby food to be delivered right to your stateroom when you arrive, and throughout your cruise.

Norwegian Cruise Line and their Freestyle Cruising concept offers an attractive option for family holidays.
Splash Academy – the new program is specifically designed to engage active and creative kids and infants from 6 months
Age Groups Guppies: 6 mo. – 3 yrs.*
*At least one parent must attend with the child.

Whatever cruise I decide to book I am looking forward to some serious ‘me time’, I can well and truly take a break from being a chief cook and housekeeper… I’m dreaming about it already!!