Repost from Parenting... Advise

I'm due May 19th w/ my first. My sister has 5 (Yes, that's right)... 5 kids. Anyway, the last couple of summers DH and I went away on little vacations w/ them and my parents to get away. Last year we got a house in NC for a few days. THis year they want to go on a cruise in Aug. I told them I'm not 100% sure about taking a 3 month old on a cruise... of course my sister can't remember how crazy she was with her first about taking her out... now she's got 5 so the youngest (5 months) goes everywhere b/c of her older brothers and sisters.

Do you think I'm being wrong for not wanting to go on this vacation with the fam b/c it seems so early and my baby is still so little. My mom and sister keep saying... oh, it's the end of the summer so it's ok. I still think the baby is too little and cruises have so much germs... Plus, he or she won't get to go in water or the sun at all.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

That's a little young for cruise, IMO. God fordbid anything goes worong, it's not the same as getting medical help on land. I wouldn't go.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

I think it's too young as well. I went on a cruise recently, and honestly, I think the youngest kids were probably around 2. Infants can get sick pretty quickly so personally, I wouldn't want to risk it.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

i wouldnt go... even though its a vacation with a 3 month old, it probably wont feel so relaxing... you will have to bring soo much for the baby too...

i think its just this vacation is a family thing you do each summer, so maybe thats why your mom and sister are bummed if you dont go.. and def after 5, its so easy and natural for your sister, so she's prob like no big deal but doesnt remember how the first baby was...

take your summer to enjoy your baby and go on a great vacation next summer with your family ... and that little baby will be soo fun to play in the sun and sand with after being over 1 yr..

good luck!!

Message edited 1/19/2009 9:14:56 AM.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

Thanks All! My mom and sister were making me feel like I'm going to be the crazy, protective mother when I told them I don't think we're gonna go this year.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

I think that u should do what you feel is right for you.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

I probably wouldn't bring our child until they were at least 5 yrs. old, the same with Disneyworld or anywhere like that. I have never been on a cruise, but as someone else posted..god forbid something happened...it would just not be worth the risk in my opinion. And, as you had said, I would also be afraid of the germs.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

i wouldnt take a 3 month old on a cruise. half the time you're in the middle of the ocean, & as previous posters wrote God forbid something happens, you just don't want to risk anything with a newborn.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

I just posted a question about traveling with an infant on Parenting too! But I do/did have a similar issue than you do (other than what I posted about).

Every year my mom takes our whole family (about 16 including kids) on a summer vacation. The past few years have been to Woodloch Pines in PA. Love the place, have a great time. However this year was booked for week of July 7ish. I'm due July 4th with our first. Trip was booked last summer, obviously before we were pg. Even though I'm thinking I'll go late June if my mom and two sisters being 10-15 days early on all kids has anything to do with it... I was still unsure about being ready to travel that soon after. We are a family who travels with children at most any age with no problem but you never really know until you're there in the moment. Anywho, short story long, my mom just cancelled the trip and we'll figure something else out a little later. She made the official announcement just yesterday and my siblings did not really seem to mind.

To answer your question, no, I don't think you're crazy about not wanting to bring a 3 month old on a cruise. I know there is a handful of people who love cruises. I'm mixed on them and yes I kind of agree with you on the germs. Plus that fact that yes, there is tons to do on the ships these days but with an infant? The house in NC again sounds like a better idea. If we do travel with our newborn, I'd at least want to be on solid ground. I don't think you're asking for too much. Since you do different things each year, you can do a cruise next year. If they want to go without you then you, DH and LO can take a nice little local trip with your new little family.

Good luck!

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

Posted by BnBdreamin

I just posted a question about traveling with an infant on Parenting too! But I do/did have a similar issue than you do (other than what I posted about).

Every year my mom takes our whole family (about 16 including kids) on a summer vacation. The past few years have been to Woodloch Pines in PA. Love the place, have a great time. However this year was booked for week of July 7ish. I'm due July 4th with our first. Trip was booked last summer, obviously before we were pg. Even though I'm thinking I'll go late June if my mom and two sisters being 10-15 days early on all kids has anything to do with it... I was still unsure about being ready to travel that soon after. We are a family who travels with children at most any age with no problem but you never really know until you're there in the moment. Anywho, short story long, my mom just cancelled the trip and we'll figure something else out a little later. She made the official announcement just yesterday and my siblings did not really seem to mind.

To answer your question, no, I don't think you're crazy about not wanting to bring a 3 month old on a cruise. I know there is a handful of people who love cruises. I'm mixed on them and yes I kind of agree with you on the germs. Plus that fact that yes, there is tons to do on the ships these days but with an infant? The house in NC again sounds like a better idea. If we do travel with our newborn, I'd at least want to be on solid ground. I don't think you're asking for too much. Since you do different things each year, you can do a cruise next year. If they want to go without you then you, DH and LO can take a nice little local trip with your new little family.

Good luck!

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

I would be nervous too. Babies that young shouldn't be in the sun plus there have got to be tons of germs with so many people around. I would tell them you're not opposed to joining a family vacation, but you'd rather it not be something with so many people this summer. So go hang out in NC or something.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

I have never been on a cruise, so I don't really know what to expect-- but your family should respect the fact that you are concerned. Why don't you suggest a different kind of vacation-- like renting a house again?

I too get "overly" concerned and worried about situations in the future. And I HATE it when people tell me to relax, and it's no big deal.

You are entitled to your feelings, and you have no idea what to expect with the baby-- and don't want to be locked into doing something that when the time comes, you may not feel is the right thing to do.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

NO I don't think you are wrong. You will be miserable on a cruise with a 3 month old!

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

Bottom line is that if you feel uncomfortable going regardless of someone else in your family doing something, your wishes/concerns/fears should be respected by your family.

While it is wonderful that you all do this - I think an exception can be made for you in this case having such a little one to bring with you. I don't think I would bring a 3 month old on a cruise either.

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

I didn't think they permitted babies under 6 months on cruises. It may have changed but it was that way a few years ago. You should look into it. But I wouldn't take a baby that young on a cruise. Think of all the cr ap you would have to bring

Re: Repost from Parenting... Advise

I personally would not want to take a 3 month old on a cruise (and depending on the cruise line some have age restrictions - so you might want to check I think it is 6 months for some lines). Honestly between Norwalk that can go around and foreign ports I wouldn't want to risk it. I have take about 14 cruises and I love to cruise but I don't think I would want to go on one before at least 10 month or 1 year. There are so many land vacations that are better suited for 3 month olds.

Also keep in mind they can't go in the sun (most peds don't recommend sunscreen for under 6 months) and for most lines they can't go into the pool if they are still in diapers, there is often no baby sitting if you want a night off and they can't partake in the children's activities so you will be significantly limited in what you can do.

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No, I wouldn't want to go. Besides the part about being nervous about the baby's health, it is an expensive trip that you won't really get to enjoy. You aren't going to go on any excursions, you aren't going to really lay out in the sun, and you are not going to be able to go to many of the shows. I honestly don't see the point.