We are currently planning a family vacation for January of 2006. My daughter will be 9 months old and this will be her first real vacation, as well as my husband's and my first time on a cruise. There will be a large group of us on this trip, but my daughter will be the only infant.

Can you please share your experiences onboard with a child under 1 year old? How did you spend your days? Did you leave the ship a lot at ports of call? What recommendations can you make to help us have a wonderful time?

Also, I would like to know anything and everything you can tell me about Flounder's Cove (is that what it's called?), the baby club.

Thanks so much for sharing your insights with me!

-Allie

oohh how exciting!
Flounder's Reef is the nursery for children 12 weeks to 36 months. You can make a reservation online prior to your trip -- which will save you time and guarantee your little one a spot (since space is limited). Kids can sleep in the "quiet room" or play in the activity room surrounded by walls covered with "Little Mermaid" characters. parents get pagers so the staff can reach them. The counselor to child ratio is 1:4 (infant) and 1:6 (toddler).
However, unlike the programs for older children, there is an additional fee of $6 per child with a minimum of two hours.
Hours vary, but it is typically open from 8 a.m-10 p.m. and there is a maximum of 10 hours (not sure if that is per day or per trip).
There is also a fountain play area near the Mickey pool for kids who are not toilet-trained designed for children in swim diapers.

When someone was trying to get me to go on a Disney cruise, she told me that there was a minimum age of 1-year for Disney cruises. It doesn't matter anymore because all my children are one now, but is this not true?

Adrienne

you can have a child under 1 -- when you make the reservation, you can put the age as "infant"

12 weeks is the minimum age on the disney cruises.

Haven't been yet, but researching like crazy for our excursion next year.

We actullay put the trip off for a year, so that the youngest child would be 3 and can participate in the Oceaners club (fingers crossed he is potty trained by that time).

Our son was five months old when we went last year. He loved going into the infant pool and the like. The wait staff was very attentive to his needs during meals too. He loved being toted around the different decks and seeing different people. Overall, a great time.

We did not put him in Flounder's Reef, but there was no reason to not to. Yes, there is an extra cost but it was very reasonable.

My wife was still pregnant with him when we made our reservations. We put him under the name "Rebecca" when we booked because we thought it was a girl. There was no problems changing it to his name once we found that she was going to be a he. :)

I can't speak about the Disney Cruise because when we sailed, all the kids we saw were older than 5. However when we went on another cruise line, we met a couple who had a child that was going to turning one. We would see them with their stroller walking the decks and once in a while, they'd let him walk (he was just starting to walk) on the decks were he was safe- the decks that had glass instead of railing. What only concerned them was the rocking of the boat and how it would make him feel. We were on a west coast cruise so the waters were choppy compared to the the caribbean.

I took my son Aiden for his first birthday on the 3 day Disney Cruise. I was also 4 months pregnant and had my 5 year old with my hubby & I. My 5 year had a blast!! It was the best time for him. My 1 year old only wanted to be with me the whole time. I tried Flounder's Reef so I could get a massage, and within 10 minutes I got a page to come get him. He was crying the whole time. So we canceled the Palo's reservation for that evening, knowing we can't leave him.

It was fun, but a lot of work. Lot's of walking around in his stroller, as too much time in the room got him fussy. Castaway Cay was fun for about 2 hours. Then the heat and sand got him cranky. The sunblock & sand combo kept me constantly wiping his face off. It was actually ok overall on Castaway, since we were the first out there int he AM and first back on the boat. We enjoyed the pool without crowds onboard.

The table servers were great with accommodating him, as we left early from the table every night. Ordering room service later in the evening.

I guess I am not one to just leave my kids in the day care when they aren't happy (as I saw MANY do & heard the attendants complaining about parents who did not come tot he nursery after being paged numerous times over their crying children). So my trip revolved around my 1 year old I guess. I'd do it again for sure. Just be prepared for anything. And remember they are only little once. I tried not to let his crankiness ruint he whole trip and it did not. As long as I was with him he was ok.

Also, the plane ride from Az to Orlando made him constipated and it was terrible. The whole trip his tummy hurt when he'd try to go #2. So bring jars ofbaby food prunes, or a baby laxative. My DR told me about Little Tummy's (I think that is the brand) and also he said mineral oil is good for constipation at that age (like a teaspoon). Ask your DR though. If only I knew this before I left, he may have been happier. OH and bring Orajel!!! My son had teeth coming in and it was great I brought it along!!!!

Our travel companions have a 7 month old daughter with Down Syndrome. We just spent 14 magical days on the repo cruise and they had a wonderful (or I guess I should say MAGICAL time). At first they did not want to leave her with anyone (new mom, and a nurse) but after visiting Flounder's they were so pleased with the quality and professionalism, they went with us to PALO's and Castaway Cay. We had a great time with them and they are ready to sail again! I hope this helps?