That time I took a 2-year-old on a Royal Caribbean Cruise!!!
We decided to go on a Royal Caribbean Cruise when my son was 2 years old. When I told my friends we were going, I heard two responses. “Who is watching him while you are away?” and “why in the world would you take him with you?” But for us, it was never a question. We wanted him to experience the world too, even at a young age.
As we were planning our trip, we talked about it a lot. We told him fun things like “we are going on a giant boat!” and “we are going to swim in warm blue water and play in white sand beaches!” Leading up to our trip, he would tell us that “me going on da-cation at da-hamas” translating to “I’m going on vacation in the Bahamas.” He was so excited!
We live in the Northeast, so we decided to leave from New Jersey and cruise to Nassau, CocoCay, and Orlando! We swam with dolphins, went to Sea World, and played in the ocean! While it took a little more planning (and packing) on mom’s part, it was a trip we will always treasure!
Traveling with a 2-year-old can be amazing but let’s be real, it can be tricky too. They need naps but don’t want to take them, they need to wear pull-ups but don’t want to wear them, and they want to be independent while also being fully dependent on you. So, here are the things I learned during our trip!
1. Travel with extended family!
We went with grandparents and an aunt & uncle. So, there was always someone willing to lend a lap for snuggling and a hand for holding! This was super helpful for us as parents! Sometimes, he took a nap with grammy while we went for a swim. There were evenings when my son was so sleepy, dinner was not happening. So, we fed him early and put him to bed, then he stayed with grandparents while we went for dinner.
2. Be patient.
Full transparency, this one is hard for me. My husband and I want to go, go go. But we had to learn that when traveling with a kiddo, it’s not a bad thing to slow down. It’s actually a good thing. We slowed down and enjoyed the simple things like playing in the sand and taking a walk around the ship. We rested and took naps under the shade of a palm tree. It was different than what we were used to, but it was great! And remember, don’t be afraid to take advantage of the kids’ clubs on the ship! It is a great way for mom and dad to get a little break!
3. Pick the right ship, itinerary, and cabin for you!
For us, we wanted an itinerary that had lots of beaches so we could plan some down time, and we wanted a ship that embarked closer to home. I also knew that a balcony made me nervous with a little boy, while they are very safe and the locks are sturdy and high, I didn’t trust my 2-year-old. So, we chose an inside cabin.
4. Pick the right excursions.
We tend to pick adventurous excursions, the ones that involve a lot of walking, diving into the ocean, or scaling the treetops. On this trip, we needed to pick the right ones for our kiddo. We didn’t want him to just attend, we wanted everyone to enjoy themselves. That meant something more chill (insert – petting dolphins!)
5. TAKE THE TRIP!
Yup, my biggest tip is take the trip! Don’t wait until they get older. They are only little once and you will only experience this age one time with them. So, take in every moment and enjoy it! They may not remember it, but you will. And your memories are just as important as theirs. You will experience all the firsts with them. Seeing the ocean for the first time, touching a dolphin, sleeping under a palm tree, or walking in the sand for the first time. You’re right, it isn’t always the easiest. But nothing can replace experiencing those firsts with your baby.
Still have questions? You can get in touch with Amber to let her start planning your next cruise today!