When you’re a family of five on a grand sea voyage aboard Royal Caribbean’s “Wonder of the Seas,” every day comes with its set of challenges and surprises. Recently, we faced a parenting decision that might raise eyebrows: leaving our 1.5-year-old baby at the ship’s nursery while we explored the ports. Here’s a detailed recount of our experience, the nursery services, and some practical tips for parents considering a similar approach. This choice allowed us and our older children to engage in activities that wouldn’t have been suitable for our toddler, enriching our travel experience without compromising her safety.

Early Decisions and Nursery Limitations

Upon embarking on the cruise, our first stop was the Adventure Ocean nursery. We learned that securing a spot for our baby was crucial, as space was very limited and reservations couldn’t be made in advance. The nursery operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and the availability can be surprisingly restrictive, with slots filling up quickly due to the high demand among cruising families. Understanding this limitation helped us strategize our schedule to ensure our baby could be accommodated when we needed.

Cost and Hours: Planning Around Constraints

The nursery charged $8 per hour, and initially, we were allocated only 12 hours for the entire week, which seemed scant for our needs. However, on the third day, additional hours were unexpectedly made available, allowing us to book a total of 18 hours throughout our journey. This flexibility was a relief but required us to stay alert and adaptable to the nursery’s schedule. We had to carefully plan our port visits and onboard activities around these hours to maximize our time and ensure our baby was cared for without disrupting her routine.

The Concerns and Relief

Our biggest worry was the possibility of not being allowed to leave our baby on the ship while we went ashore, especially since we had booked non-cruise-sponsored tours, complicating potential communication. Fortunately, the nursery staff were accommodating and reassured us that it was completely fine to leave our child in their care. Their professionalism and clear communication helped alleviate our fears, allowing us to enjoy our shore excursions with peace of mind.

A Closer Look at the Nursery Experience

The nursery staff impressed us right from the start. They meticulously took note of our baby’s needs—from diaper changes and food restrictions to nap preferences. With a consistent team of 2-3 caregivers and a maximum capacity of about 6 babies, the environment felt both intimate and well-supervised. The caregivers’ dedication to providing a nurturing environment was evident, as they handled each child’s individual needs with great care and professionalism, ensuring a safe and engaging setting for all.

Room for Improvement

Despite our overall positive experience, we felt the nursery could enhance its offerings. The space primarily featured continuous playings of “Cocomelon” and a selection of toys, which might not suffice for more active or older toddlers. More structured activities could enrich the nursery experience. Introducing age-appropriate educational activities or more interactive play sessions could significantly enhance the engagement levels of the children, making the nursery not just a necessity but a highlight for the little ones.

Concluding Thoughts

Our experience with the ship’s nursery service was overwhelmingly positive, providing us the much-needed flexibility to enjoy our cruise to the fullest. We left the ship reassured that Olivia was in capable hands, receiving personalized care that catered to her comfort and needs. This service not only supported our parenting needs but also enriched our travel experience by allowing us to explore each destination more thoroughly.

Ending on a sweet note, each child received a Royal Caribbean stuffed animal at the end of their stay, and parents were given a detailed report card of their child’s activities and care—testaments to the nursery’s thoroughness and professionalism.

We’d love to hear from other cruising parents. Have you ever faced a similar situation? What are your thoughts on utilizing ship nurseries while exploring ports? Share your opinions in the comments below, and let’s discuss the diverse approaches to parenting while traveling.