quick clicks

babies today articles

babies today q&a

toddlers today articles

toddlers today q&a

breastfeed.com articles

breastfeed.com q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Over Land, Sea and Rail

Exploring the World With Your Newborn in Tow

By Jamie Moore

Families represent one of the fastest growing segments of the cruise market, with nearly one million children cruising in 2002, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. That's double the number of kids who cruised just four years earlier. Although many cruise lines have introduced new activities, menus and camp programs for kids (generally for ages 3 and up), not all lines welcome newborns.

You'll find that minimum age requirements vary by cruise line, but Disney Cruise Line welcomes newborns as young as 12 weeks. The onboard Flounder's Reef Nursery offers babysitting for infants through age 3 and is outfitted with bouncy seats, Disney movies and a separate sleeping room with eight cribs. Princess, Celebrity and other lines provide either private or group babysitting services, but specially designated nursery facilities on any ship are rare.

Not wanting to sacrifice formal dinners on the ship, adventurous shore excursions at port or other activities that have become synonymous with cruising, some parents opt out of cruising with their baby. If you go, Stacy DeBroff, author of The Mom Book: 4,278 of Mom Central's Tips (Free Press, 2002), suggests these tips:

• Ask in advance about babysitting services or a nursery.
• Travel on a new ship, which usually offers the best child-friendly services.
• Attend the onboard orientation meeting on the first day to learn about activities or services for infants.

Want to see more?

• Parents' Essential Packing Guide: What to Pack When Traveling With Children
• Safety First: At Home and on the Road
• Flying With Babies and Toddlers
• Immuniz ing Children for International Travel: Exploring the World Safely With Your Children
• A Safe Ride: 10 Tips for Keeping Baby Secure in the Car Seat
• A Baby Abroad: International Travel With Infants Series
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.