Disney Cruise Lines has been attempting to perfect the art of allowing parents to cruise with young families since 1998. They seems to be the leader of the pack when it comes to catering to the under-4 set.
Minimum Age: 12 weeks. (This is, by far, the youngest age requirement amongst the cruise lines we have reviewed.)
With a ratio of 1 counselors for every 4 infants and 1 counselor for every 6 toddlers, the Flounder's Reed Nursery on board each Disney ship, is a paradise for little ones. Toys, games, books, swings, and a one-way viewing window for parents are all present and well maintained.
Through Disney's Web site, one may book up to 10 hours of nursery time register for additional hours (if available) once onboard. Each child is capped at 15 hours of nursery time total per cruise. Unfortunately, this service is NOT complimentary and costs $6 per hour for the first child and $5 per hour for each additional child.
There is an Oceaneer's Club for the 3+ crowd. Activities including; a pirate ship playground, children's pools (as long as the little one is toilet trained), and cooking classes for kids are all available.
Lodging has also been specially considered to assist families with young children while aboard a Disney cruise ship. The staterooms, which are all about 25% larger than the industry standard, include privacy curtains so as to be able to divide the rooms and not disturb sleeping babies. Pack n Plays, diaper genies, and cribs are all available, for free, upon request once onboard. Even the bathtubs are bigger, allowing a parent to sit beside their cargo while they get bathed. Oh, and don't forget the Disney Channel in every room....or maybe we should forget that part and get back out on deck and enjoy some activities.
While on board, you may run out of supplies. Have NO fear whatsoever. Disney Cruise Lines offers a wide array of baby items and gear in their shops and stores. As of 2009, parents can even pre-order baby supplies (over 1,000 items to choose from) before they get on the ship and have them delivered to their stateroom.
Drawbacks:
There aren't very many deal-breakers here for family with young children. There are currently only two Disney ships, meaning destinations and berthings are going to be limited. Plan ahead.
Adult entertainment and gambling is sort of non-existent. There is, of course, no gambling on board Disney Cruise Lines and the bars and clubs tend to be empty by midnight. Then again, by midnight, parents of young children don't need dancing and alcohol to feel tired and collapse in preparation of another wonderful day aboard Disney Cruise Lines.
Tim, since Disney is geared to families is their infirmary staffed with a pediatrician?
Medical emergencies for the little ones can come on suddenly and need to be addressed quickly by someone experienced in childhood illnesses.
Great question, Char.
This is straight from the Disney Cruise Lines website:
"For your convenience, a physician and nurse are on call 24 hours a day to provide basic medical services on every cruise. The physician and nurse are employed by a company independent from Disney Cruise Line. Standard prevailing fees will be charged for all physician and nurse services.
If you require any prescription drug, be sure to bring an adequate supply in its original container. You should keep it in your carry-on luggage so it is easily at hand.
Please keep in mind that a child who shows symptoms of physical illness such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained rashes or discharge from the nose or eyes may be excluded from participation in activities as well as from babysitting services in Flounder's Reef Nursery.
For your peace of mind in case of unexpected medical emergencies, we recommend the purchase of the Disney Cruise Vacation Insurance for costs incurred for treatment and medical evaluation/repatriation."
Pretty standard verbiage. Doesn't say if the doctor or nurse is trained in pediatrics.
My personal opinion is that infants should not go on cruises. Their immune systems are not developed. But, that is just my opinion.
You bring up a decent concern, Char, especially in this day and age of new and unique noroviruses.
I realized that the language Disney uses is not exactly clear as to the pediatric qualifications of the doctors and nurses on board Disney ships. I will put in a request for more information immediately and post when I receive clarification.
The decision to bring young children anywhere, let alone on a cruise, should be one made individually by each family unit. Parents, you know your children and their immune systems better than any doctor or nurse. If you have concerns about health and transmission of viruses, then maybe that's your internal supercomputer telling to wait a few more months. Alternately, children who are still nursing and have parents that wash their hands religiously, should have no trouble fending off certain immunological challenges while on board.
Great questions, Char. More information to come, hopefully.
What is most amazing about Disney cruises is that adults can enjoy a cruise and not even see a kid around unless they want to. It is a lot like Disneyland, there are kids everywhere but there are enough adult activities so you can feel like you are in an adult environment.
The NO Casino and other limitations made us know we'd be unlikey to take another Disney Cruise!(Only went because it was part of a sales meeting.)
For Children it seemed good! We saw lots of little ones with BIG SMILES!
Disney Cruises expects to see a few Cruise Line Fans jump ship, so to speak, as a result of their focus on the family cruise atmosphere.
You made a good point, Lulu....No Casinos.
(I wonder how many folks might choose to cruise with Disney as a result of this lack of gambling?) Any Cruise Line fans object to gambling or simply don't like the environment so much so that they choose Disney,a s a result?
We never go into the casinos for several reasons. One, we don't gamble. Two, too much smoking. And three, too many flashing lights that might set off Deb's migraines.
Wish they were not such good money makers for the ships so we could have fewer of them.
Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers
-
Sun Deck
-
Disney Cruise Line
-
Cruising With Kids: Disney Cruise Lines
#
#
The NO Casino and other limitations made us know we'd be unlikey to take another Disney Cruise! (Only went because it was part of a sales meeting.) 
For Children it seemed good! We saw lots of little ones with BIG SMILES! 
Linear Mode
