[caedmyn]

My DH is getting deployed in a few months and we are thinking about going on a cruise to Hawaii before he goes (with DD of course who will be 9-10 months old then). I'm debating about whether it would be worth it to go with a baby. On the one hand, we'd mostly do sight-seeing stuff on land so that should be okay to do with DD. On the other hand, we've gone on cruises before and done a lot of water stuff, which we wouldn't be able to do with DD. I MIGHT (big might) think about leaving her on the daycare on the cruise ship for a few hours one day so we can go snorkeling or jet skiing, if I feel comfortable with the daycare and think she'll be okay there.

So...would you go on a cruise with a baby? Anyone done it?

 

[spughy]

I would go if your DH agrees that you get to alternate doing fun things and looking after your baby. And if the ship has a safe area for baby to crawl around and explore - this will become VERY important at around 9 months! You won't be able to hold DD all the time like you can now. If she's anything like mine, she'll want to be either travelling around in a sling or backpack or down on the floor, examining lint and dead spiders and things. A mobile baby is a pain in the butt in many ways (and a joy in many other) and you'll have to take that into consideration. And I personally wouldn't trust the daycare on the ship. But I wouldn't dismiss the cruise idea altogether - just make sure you both have the right expectations about it.

 

[fromscatteredtribe]

search the archives...about a month ago there were two really long cross-posted threads about this one with dozens of responses....then the server closed. reviving that might give more info

 

[krizty]

It's too bad she won't remember the cruise. I think it would be a great experience for her. I definately would take my baby with me! I probably would take advantage of the daycare on board. You dont have to snorkel or jet ski for a long time, you could get ready, put her to sleep at the daycare. You shouldnt need more than 2 hours to snorkel. By the time you get back it will be time for her to wake up from her nap.

 

[BlueStateMama]

We've done a bunch of cruises with the kids at different ages, including an Alaska trip when DS was 10 months. We had a great time! He was napping two times a day and DH and I traded those off (he watched a movie or read while I worked out during DS's morning nap and I napped too or read while DS took his afternoon nap.) FYI, most kids' programs on cruises don't take kids under 3 or ones in diapers. I got friendly with our housekeepers and found out that the florist on board was a mother of three (kids back at home) and set up babysitting through the concierge (requesting her.) A few nights while we ate dinner she "walked" him around the public areas and let him explore under her watchful eye while we ate (other nights he ate with us.) Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[chiro_kristin]

yeah that was my thread. I chose not to go, and ds will be 15 months at the time we thought about going. I'll try to find the link

 

[chiro_kristin]

ok I don't have time right now, will try to find it later, but the reasons I chose not to go were this:

1) I don't let strangers watch my son. If others do, that's totally cool, but I'm just not comfortable with it.

2) I don't want to trade off doing fun things with dh while ds is sleeping. I want to do things with dh.

3) MIL (who was going to pay for the trip) isn't maternal at all (she chose not to raise dh), and she wouldn't go for doing kid-friendly stuff.

4) Although I know most places you can't just fall through the rails off the ship, the thought of it still freaks me out.

5) If I'm going on a cruise, I'd rather not be stuck in a tiny room with my sleeping baby while everybody else has fun. And I know I'd end up being the one stuck in there

i'd have to take off work to go do this, and I want it to be worth my time. The cruise was to be a week long.

So, those are my reasons. If you are cool with some of this stuff then go for it! I think it is really great that you are trying to plan some very special family time together before deployment, even if ds won't remember the trip per se.

 

[Maggie'sMomma]

When thinking of this idea for ourselves, the thing that worried me is what if something happens on the cruise and one of the girls needed medical attention? I know the cruise ship has an infirmary, but what if it was something serious and we were in the middle of the ocean? I know we can't live our lives for what ifs. I think while my girls are still so little, though, we're going to stick closer to land.

 

[babygrant]

nak
i would go

 

[katt]

I would go too.

 

[nighten]

I wouldn't. I think chiro_kristen covered all my concerns (esp. the one about strangers watching my child).

ETA: Though we have talked about taking Winnie on a Disney cruise when she's older....but that'd be at least age 3 or so.

 

[Faithful Mommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiro_kristin 5) If I'm going on a cruise, I'd rather not be stuck in a tiny room with my sleeping baby while everybody else has fun. And I know I'd end up being the one stuck in there i'd have to take off work to go do this, and I want it to be worth my time. The cruise was to be a week long.

Call me boring.... but that was the best part for me!!

Staying in my room, resting while dh and ds' played in the pool. To answer your question... I would "without a doubt" go on this cruise! I went on a disney cruise 2 years ago with dh, ds 1 and ds 2... and was trying to get on again right after ds 3 was born (3/28/06). This didn't work because they have to be atleast 12 weeks to get on

and we couldn't go any later because we already had a trip planned to see my mom in MD in June, then kids start school in Aug... you know! But once next year comes along.... we're on the boat! I think it'll be great! You should do it!

 

[TwinMom]

One thing that is keeping us from taking a cruise is that babies can't go in the pool unless they're toilet-trained. (At least on Disney cruises, maybe others are different.) IMO, it would be senseless to go to a confined space that has a pool, where all of our other kids are going to want to swim, and not be able to take the baby in. I guess since this is your only kid, it wouldn't be a big deal, but it was a deal-breaker for us.

 

[BlueStateMama]

We've been on Crystal, Holland America and Princess and they've all allowed swim diapers in the pool. I agree that I'd be uncomfortable with stranger watching my children in private (like in the cabin/behind closed doors) but we just specified that the sitter was to play with DS in the public area - a big, multi-level lobby/atrium right outside the dining room. We had snacks and things for him, but basically he was content to explore and creep around the couches and tables while we ate. We were able to check in between courses, etc, which was nice for peace of mind. One thing I really liked about a cruise was that it was much easier to unpack and settle in once, but go someplace different every day - a big plus with a little one (or two) in tow!

 

[Zach'smom]

Go and have tons of fun!!! We have been cruising with DS since he was 6 months old. You just have to adjust your ideas of what you can do. We wouldn't leave DS with anyone.

Get a suite or a room with a balcony. While DS napped I would sit out on the balcony and read and watch the world go by. Room service would bring me beverages and snacks.

Get a room with a DVD player in it and bring some movies you have been wanting to watch for in the evenings.

Make sure you have an early seating for dinner. Tell them you NEED a table with other little ones. DS would socialize with the other kids while the adults finished dinner. they kind of had us in a corner so the kids could get up and not be in anyones way.

We had lots of fun sight seeing and going to beaches with DS. Just make sure to bring tons of sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat.

If you want to go to the evening shows have DD fall asleep in the sling and take her with you. Sit near the exit in the back in case you need to make a quick exit.

All the staff loved DS!! They catered to his every wim. They always made sure to have his whole milk and a snack for him (when he was 15 months) when we came to get it before bed. We also had some hostesses that loved him. They would entertain him while we ate in the casual dining area. It was fantastic!

It is just a different cruise experience. We can't dance until dawn or drink and gamble all night. But we really don't want to.

Go and have a great time!

 

[chiro_kristin]

Here and here are the other threads I had on the subject

Once again, because of my fears and a lot because of the dynamics with how I know traveling goes with my dh and my MIL and her bf, I said no. But if none of these concerns are yours as well, then have a great time!

 

[leximom]

I would go!