Can anyone give me some pointers for a cruise with a 2 year old? I'm interested in doing some of the excursions, too (Key West, Cozumel and Grand Cayman, and of course, Castaway Cay!)

TIA!
Suzie

I'm really not trying to sound cruel but I would leave a 2 year old at home with the Grandparents. A 2 year old will probably be frightened by several things on the cruise such as the characters, loud noises(air horn, music), strangers, brisk winds on deck of the ship, etc. Why put yourself through the stress of an unhappy crying child when you're supposed to be relaxing on vacation? Besides, a 2 year old will not remember anything about the trip.

According to the Disney site:
Is it true that children must be toilet-trained in order to enter the pools?
Yes. The United States Public Health Service requires that only children who are toilet-trained be permitted to enter swimming pools and spas on board cruise ships. Young children, who are not toilet trained, are welcome to enjoy the fountain play area near the Mickey Pool that has been designed exclusively for the enjoyment of children wearing swim diapers.

Is there babysitting?
Group babysitting is available for children 12 weeks to 3 years old in Flounder's Reef Nursery, located on Deck 5, Midship. Guests must sign up their children on embarkation day. There is a fee of $6 per child per hour and $5 per additional child per hour, 2-hour minimum required. The facility is open for select hours every day. Rates and times subject to change. Space is limited. Services are subject to availability.

The nursery is very cute ... but i hope you have other adults going with -- or it won't be a very enjoyable cruise for you.....

Fortunately our 2 year old is very used to the characters (next trip to WDW will be her 7th trip). So crowds, noises (like fireworks, etc) do not scare her. We only do family trips and I would never dream of leaving her with my mother (who works) or my father (who is hanidcapped in a wheelchair). And we take lots of pictures (especially of the characters) and make wonderful photo albums that she loves to sit and look at. She already has 4 complete ones from her Disney trips.

Thank you for your advice, though.

Unfortunately she is not totally potty trained BUT fortunately one of the ears in Mickey's pool is for non PT children. It's only a foot deep and she will love to spend even just a little bit of time there. We don't anticipate having to use the nursery since we will be together (don't want to do Palo's). This is our family trip and we love to spend time together. I know that there are family activities to do and this is what I am looking into. She loves animals and sea life so we are looking forward to seeing some on the excursions - no snorkeling though, more like the glass bottom boats!

Thank you for your post.

Just curious, but how much do toddlers or younger babies cost to take on the cruise? And what kind of accomadations do they get in your room? Will the ship provide cribs?

I'm so glad you would not leave her behind! It all comes down to knowing your kid. I would not have hesitated to take my son on a cruise at 2 (he's that kind of kid), but my daughter, no way! But, we either all go, or nobody goes.

I've been wondering about the excursions myself, as my daughter will be 4 1/2 when we go in August 2006. They specify on the Disney Cruise website what ages are allowed on the different excursions, and she would not be eligible (too young) for most. My plans, so far (and, obviously, far in advance). In Key West, I'm not going to bother with an excursion. I've been there a couple of times, and its a very walkable town (of course, I love to walk). We'd probably just head into town and wander around. You can pick up the conch train if you like. Being from Philly, we'd probably visit Pat Croce's pirate museum.

In Grand Caymen, I believe you could take the island tour, which stops at the butterfly farm.

In Cozumel, I'm not sure. My daughter would be old enough to swim with the dolphins, but I heard the water was kind of deep for the youngsters. But, she takes swimming lessons, and she is tall for her age now. The park you go to to swim with the dolphins sound very nice, maybe it would be a good place to wander around with a toddler (if Disney doesn't offer an excursion just to the park, you could just take a taxi there).

If there is anything you've heard about the excursions for the younger set, I'd like to hear it.

Although we won't need to use it, I hear the nursery is great.

One thing I would wonder about, what do you do about a seasick 2 year old? For that matter, are they prone to seasickness?

Babies under 3 have a minimal cost - 3rd traveling person (must have two others with you or you get charged the adult rate is what I'm told) of $139 for the seven night cruise and the seven night land and sea cruise. Otherwise they are $99. Cribs, highchairs and bedrails are available upon request but free of charge. Once children reach the age of three thre prices jump based on time, availability, etc just like the adult fares but much less expensive. Check out the DCL site and you can get a better picture of the breakdown, etc. Or better yet, go to a travel agency and ask for the NEW DCL guide. The rates are in the back.

Thanks SuzieM. I'll look into that when I get a chance.

We traveled with a family with a toddler and had a great time! He ate the meals with us and was surprisingly well behaved. The servers do such a great job at keeping things moving that there is no time for the children to become bored. Animator's Palate is the best! I would recommend the Black Beard's Cay beach excursion in Nassau. They serve a BBQ lunch that is included with the trip, the beach is nice and not crowded they also have a stingray encounter that even young kids enjoy.