traveling with a toddler?!

[new2cruising86]

we are going on a 7 day cruise and we are contemplating taking our 2 year old. my husband really wants to have a romantic and fun 7 day trip with just me, but it just seems like it will be too hard for me to be away from her for that long! I havent gotten the chance to speak to anyone else who has taken that plunge in taking a toddler....should I or not?!:confused:

[Nunu]

I think you should take a shorter cruise with the two of you.

[GOLDENBONNY]

we are going on a 7 day cruise and we are contemplating taking our 2 year old. my husband really wants to have a romantic and fun 7 day trip with just me, but it just seems like it will be too hard for me to be away from her for that long! I havent gotten the chance to speak to anyone else who has taken that plunge in taking a toddler....should I or not?!:confused:

 

One thing I can say,there is no romantic when you go with kid,no matter what age.I take my 2 year old with me ,I cannot lieave her in winter ,when I go to beach:(.I just recomend to book a balcony cabin,so when kid go to sleep you can enjoy the sea.:)

[jam82]

We are getting ready to take our two year old on his 8th cruise. Romantic?, not so much, but we do have fun or we wouldn't keep doing it. Camp Carnival is GREAT and he loves going. I take care of him if we are cruising or if we are at home. I'd rather be crusing. Cruising with kids isn't the same as having an adult vacation, but due to Camp Carnival we still get more adult time than we would if we stayed home. Check out Camp Carnival info on the Family Board.

[cruiseaholic76]

we are going on a 7 day cruise and we are contemplating taking our 2 year old. my husband really wants to have a romantic and fun 7 day trip with just me, but it just seems like it will be too hard for me to be away from her for that long! I havent gotten the chance to speak to anyone else who has taken that plunge in taking a toddler....should I or not?!:confused:

 

 

We took my son on his first cruise in Jan when he was 2 1/2 he loved Camp Carnival and always asked to go. He's now 3 and we are going on his second cruise the end of this month. If you take advantage of the camp you'll have plenty of alone time. They also offer babysitting after 10 at the camp for $6 an hour. My son would go for a few hours in the morning and then he'd go at night after we ate dinner. He's excited about going again and all he talks about is playing with the toys at the camp lol.

[Nunu]

We are getting ready to take our two year old on his 8th cruise. Romantic?, not so much, but we do have fun or we wouldn't keep doing it. Camp Carnival is GREAT and he loves going. I take care of him if we are cruising or if we are at home. I'd rather be crusing. Cruising with kids isn't the same as having an adult vacation, but due to Camp Carnival we still get more adult time than we would if we stayed home. Check out Camp Carnival info on the Family Board.

 

Can a 2 yr old go to Camp Carnival?

[cascole]

I took my, now 5yo on a cruise when he was 2 - we had fun, but it was far from relaxing. After that trip, I waited until he was 4 to take him again... that one was a blast! IMHO, 2 is just slightly too young.

 

I agree with the other poster, that maybe a shorter cruise for just you & your DH is the best comprimise.

[candigirl41]

Yes 2 years is the age they start accepting them. If they cry when you take them they will have you come back right away to get them. They will not try to calm them down. Just wanted to let you know that in case your two year old has separation anxiety.

 

Candi

[cascole]

Can a 2 yr old go to Camp Carnival?

 

Yes, as long as they don't have separation issues & play pretty well with others. Camp Carnival will even change diapers.

[jam82]

Yes, Camp Carnival lets 2 year olds attend. They even change diapers. They are GREAT! It is why we choose to cruise Carnival. Many lines do not allow kids under 3 in the children's program, but Carnival does. Carnival also provides group babysitting for those under two years old.

[kzulpo]

We took both our girls--ages 3 and 1, on our last cruise. I'm like you, I couldn't be away from my kids that long.

We also took my mom who acted as our Nanny when we wanted to go to the casino or whatever. It worked out great, although there was definitely good and bad in cruising with the kiddos. Dinner in the MDR was difficult.

[LemurCat]

Didn't your husband get the memo that fun, romantic vacations were pretty much out until your kid is in college?

[jam82]

We took both our girls--ages 3 and 1, on our last cruise. I'm like you, I couldn't be away from my kids that long.

We also took my mom who acted as our Nanny when we wanted to go to the casino or whatever. It worked out great, although there was definitely good and bad in cruising with the kiddos. Dinner in the MDR was difficult.

 

As for the MDR, we always get late seating, so we can send DS to Camp Carnival while we eat.

[new2cruising86]

I did read on the camp carnival and it did look like a lot of fun but unfortunately my daughter DOES suffer from separation anxiety. she cries and throws a fit EVERY morning when I bring her to daycare, of course it IS a daycare and they are able to take her and console her and get her mind off of things and she is fine after that. I am in the understanding that the "camp carnival" will not take them if they cry....so i KNOW we would be with her the entire trip which wouldnt be a problem with me, but I also want to make my husband happy. we are 24 and we dont ever get out alone because in a way, I have separation anxiety from her. lol I was hoping that his parents (they cruise often) would come along with us so that way they would be able to watch her for a couple of hours and she will be there when I need to see her too. my husband has already made a deposit as a "surprise" for me but was was surprised himself when he noticed I have been on edge about bringing my daughter. thank you all for your help!

[StillPooh]

I was hoping that his parents (they cruise often) would come along with us so that way they would be able to watch her for a couple of hours and she will be there when I need to see her too.

So is that out of the question?

[new2cruising86]

we are working on that now... they own a few stores down here and have been going through a lot of employees lately so they wanted to hold off on it. im crossing my fingers!

[SeaPA1]

Our older son (now 6) went on his first cruise when he was about 4 months old. He's been on 7 or 8 cruises now & has always done fine & had a good time.

 

His little brother went on his first cruise at just under a year old. It wasn't so good - he cried a lot, kept us up most of the night a couple of nights. He was so bad, in fact, that he didn't get invited on the next cruise we took - instead he got to spend the 4 days being spoiled by his Aunt. Since then, he's been on a few & did very well & had a great time.

 

Funny thing is, the older boy was generally a fussier baby/toddler, but he did great on the ships.

 

Go on the cruise, bring the kid, and have a great time. The cruises we've been on since having kids have been a little different, but they've all been great times - even the one when the little one was fussy.

[cb at sea]

If you decide NOT to take her, I'm betting grandparents would LOVE the chance to "bond" with her....

You are NOT a bad parent if you leave your kids with loved ones....sometimes, (actually, most times) the marriage is the important thing...you are MORE than Mom....you're also a wife! The kids are happier and healthier if the marriage is strong and the parents are loving to each other....

[new2cruising86]

thank you very much :) my mom always complains about me not letting them watch her and how I just need to take a break for once just to get away for awhile. I work 48 hours a week and the hours im not at work, I spend with my daughter. my family keeps telling me that it is probably best to just go with my husband because I hate to say it, but he is OFTEN on the back burner when it comes to spending time with him. im just afraid that when I get out there, i might let it stop me from having a good time just wondering how she is doing and missing her so much! So, my conclusion is there is any possible way for me to get my husbands parents on that trip, then ill get them there, and if not, she will spend some quality time with all of her grandparents!

[Tbay-eh]

I can understand your separation anxiety but I think for both you and your child a husband and wife cruise will really benefit you. I think you owe it to yourself as a couple to have some alone time and your husband really wants this, a lot of couples let a child rule their life (does not mean he loves his daughter any less than you do). I think you will totally defeat the purpose if you take parents along on the cruise as your child will soon learn that if she kicks up enough of a fuss you will be there - same with going to the CAMP - they will call you to come and get her or not even let you leave. There goes any romantic time your husband so wants with you - a week out of you childs life will not scar her forever and will give some bonding time to the Grandparents. If you do go alone don't call every night to check up on her - she will just fuss after every call - not that you can't call the Grandparents but just don't talk to her every time you call. My children would cry until I walked out the door and then they were fine. So will your child. I really hope you will give this a lot of consideration but in the end it is what you AND your husband are comfortable with.

[LHP]

I just want to highlight one thing...

 

your child must be 2 years of age or older...

 

not 22 months....or 23 months and 2 weeks....

 

Almost two and being two (on Carnival) means the difference between your child being able to go to Camp Carnival.

[mdxter]

My wife and i decided that we have children, we are a family. Families travel and go on vacation together. My 4 year old has been on 2 cruises and my 1.5 has been on 1 cruise. It was a little more work but so worth it with the memories that will stay with me 4ever. Your alone time will come again when your children are grown up.

[gtalum]

2-year-olds can go to Camp Carnival. We have taken our 3-year-old on 3 cruises, and she has fun in the kids clubs.

[jeppster]

thank you very much :) my mom always complains about me not letting them watch her and how I just need to take a break for once just to get away for awhile. I work 48 hours a week and the hours im not at work, I spend with my daughter. my family keeps telling me that it is probably best to just go with my husband because I hate to say it, but he is OFTEN on the back burner when it comes to spending time with him. im just afraid that when I get out there, i might let it stop me from having a good time just wondering how she is doing and missing her so much! So, my conclusion is there is any possible way for me to get my husbands parents on that trip, then ill get them there, and if not, she will spend some quality time with all of her grandparents!

Sounds like a great idea to me! My wife and I are sailing in 10 days (!) and leaving our only son (1yr) with the grandparents. We've taken little 3-day weekends without him so far, but nothing like this. We are so excited!

[cantwait06]

We took our daughter on a cruise with us a few months ago, she was 2 at the time. While it wasn't exactly "romantic" we did send her to camp a few times and she loved it! We had a blast and I would definitely recommend doing it with a 2 year old-just remember to schedule things similiar to your child's routines at home so they don't get too crabby! Otherwise, have a great trip!