Ahoy Melissa!
Welcome to planDisney! I'm so glad you cruised by with a great question about
sailing with a little Mouseketeer. As a mom of three, I often feel like packing for vacation becomes a full-time job in the days leading up to our trip. I'm happy to share a few tips and tricks that can hopefully help you prepare for your upcoming cruise!
Before you start to pack, I recommend reviewing the
current list of Prohibited and Restricted Items on the Disney Cruise Line website as there are a few items that are specific to traveling with infants and toddlers that may be of interest to you. On the list, you'll notice that baby monitors must be inspected by the Chief Electrician before boarding. I suggest keeping your baby monitor in your carry-on luggage to help facilitate this process. The Cast Member I spoke with tonight also shared that due to the metallic construction of the ship, Disney Cruise Line cannot guarantee that baby monitors will work effectively. I feel that even within my house we sometimes have issues with connectivity between monitors and receivers, so I'm not sure how well it would work when on the ship. At nighttime, you can arrange your stateroom to keep the portable crib right next to your bed if you'd like to keep an extra close eye and ear on your tiny sailor while they're sleeping.
When we've sailed with little ones, I've found
"it's a small world" nursery! to be the perfect place for our boys to laugh, play, and rest. I like making a reservation for each of our "at sea" days during nap time so we can enjoy some of the adult areas of the ships such as the
Quiet Cove Pool and
Senes Spa. We also usually plan a date night on each cruise when we check the kids into their respective
Youth Clubs and head upstairs to
Palo for a special dinner. I can relax and enjoy the evening knowing that they are also having fun and being well cared for by Disney's specially-trained Youth Counselors.
Melissa, you may also be interested to know that you can request a portable crib and other essential items like a diaper pail and bottle warmer for your room. These requests can be made ahead of your cruise by clicking "My Reservations" from the Disney Cruise Line website and selecting "Special Requests." You can also find highchairs available at dining locations around the ship and even request freshly pureed vegetables at the main restaurants or through room service. If you are planning to bring any formula or baby food on the ship, it must be in original, factory-sealed containers. Breast milk can also be brought on the ship in your carry-on luggage. Don't forget to keep an eye on your
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App for special activities just for little ones as well as open house times in the nursery and Oceaneer's Club when you can explore and play together in these fun spaces!
You've got a friend in me, Melissa, and I hope you stop by planDisney again if you have any other questions!
Bon Voyage!
Kristi