Vacation?

I'm 8 and 1/2 months pregnant but crashing to ask a question about going on a cruise.

Would you take a 9 month old on an 8 day caribbean cruise or leave him/her home with grandparents?

My husband and I have opposite opinions.

Thanks!!

Vacation?

It would depend on the baby. If the baby is easy going and likes water, yes. If the baby doesn't like water and is a crankier baby, no. Since you don't know how your baby is yet, I would wait to book.

Re: Vacation?

I am looking into booking a cruise for myself, DH, dd, and my parents for dd's 1st bday. I don't see anything wrong with it. I've taken dd on 2 week long Vacations already. Granted they were only to the Catskills when dd was 2 and 3 months old but there were really no issues with her. But every kid is different.

Re: Vacation?

I have traveled everywhere pre and post kids. I would a million times take the baby. I personally would not want to leave my child - especially b/c I leave them everyday for work. We always travel to places that have kids clubs for our age group so kids can nap there - and we get a little break, and they can go to kids club for dinner also.
My son was 6mths the first trip - Melia resort in Puerto Vallarta was great. We usually do beaches resort also..so great for kids. We did a cruise last year with our 2 and 3 year old..not the best trip..but my friend went with her 9 mth old..and had a blast..

Re: Vacation?

I would leave baby home with the grandparents! But my DH and I are big believers in vacations for just mommy and daddy—that alone time is very important to us.

Re: Vacation?

It depends on the baby, and I believe you may have to pay for the baby on the cruise.

I would defiantely not pay for an infant.

Re: Vacation?

I have taken a 9 month old on a cruise & it was great. I think a cruise is an ideal vacation for a young kid. We just booked another... We have 2 kids now! I'd take one tomorrow if I had the vacation time.

It is a different vacation and you can't do as much.
Cruise line will charge for an infant... But not much.

Re: Vacation?

I don't think I would unless there are other people going who will be willing to babysit here and there to give you and DH a break/alone time. I found that when DH and I have been away with DD it's work. She is out of her normal environment and we have to get creative to keep her happy. Meals are not at all enjoyable, one of us is constantly trying to keep her from having a meltdown and disturbing other diners. If my parents were also going and said they were willing to help out I would consider it, otherwise it would be more work than fun for us. Our DD might just be especially high needs though, she isn't the sit back and take everything in type of kid.

Re: Vacation?

I would not go or go without dc. We cruised with a 1 yr old (with 20 other family members) and hated it.just too much work!

Re: Vacation?

I had a friend who took at baby on a cruise and said it was an absolute nightmare. The baby was too young for the cruise childcare and they didn't allow diapers in the pool. Her baby was crawling and there was no real safe space because the railings aren't baby proof. I don't have any personal experience, but that story always stuck with me.

Vacation?

Thanks so much. I appreciate all of your responses. The cruise would be for over 20 family members so Gina and Jes, you definitely make me think about skipping it.
Typically I wouldn't have a problem leaving a child behind and just going with my husband but 8 days seems like a really long time to leave a 9 month old.

Re: Vacation?

Is the cruise from NY? If so... it's a hell of a lot easier walking onto a boat with a kid than flying. I've done both & flying was a nightmare. If you DO take a vacation... a cruise is a good one.

I actually have to add my 2 cents about babyproofing. Our DS was crawling & pulling up to stand when we went. The whole ship is essentially babyproofed (we went on Carnival)... it was totally rounded for old people. We would put socks on him, put him on the floor & let him loose. We had a balcony & he would crawl out there too.

No, the kid can't go into a pool & no... you won't necessarily have "alone" time to nap by the pool... but if you go on any vacation with the kids... this is not a possibility unless you get a sitter. We took advantage of nap times & would distract him with puffs while we ate (we eat out a lot in restaurants... so this was easy for us). We ended up taking him to the shows & sitting by the exits. He ended up falling asleep during the shows.

Find out when the cancellation date would be if you book the cruise. Think about it. Then you can consider it when you have your baby. I wouldn't be able to leave my kids & go alone on a cruise.