I'm looking for some advice, or maybe it's actually validation...
My ILs want to take the entire family on a cruise right before Christmas, so LO would be 19 months old. It's not a Disney cruise, just your average run of the mill Carnival cruise. I have politely declined twice now, but MIL keeps pressing the issue. I do not think this would be an enjoyable experience for DH and I at all, and I'm wondering, am I crazy in thinking that?
I see it this way--DD still will be taking 1 daily nap, and will still have an early bedtime (between 7-8). She won't be able to be in the room by herself, so one of us will need to be in there with her for naps and nighttime sleep. There really aren't any age appropriate activities on a cruise ship for a 19 month old, so my luggage would be packed to the brim with toys/activities to entertain her. Don't even get me started on the safety of having a small child who is barely walking on a cruise ship with tons of stairs, railings, etc. on which she could hurt herself. I just think this is an all-around terrible idea, and I can't seem to get that through to my MIL. What would you all do in my situation?
Re: Cruise?
1) you get into ports usually early like 7-9am and you need to be back on the ship at 5pm. During that time you're all over that port or doing beach/water activities
2) bring a stroller and she can sleep in that and you can have lunch at the port or go back the ship and have lunch at the free restaurants on board.
3) after being in the sun all day, you're pooped too and alcohol isn't included. You can pick up some great local rum or beer and have a much cheaper cocktail in your room
4) it's a free vacation and make sure the ILs take the baby a few nights.
You can always see if maybe they'll do a family all inclusive like Beaches, Atlantis, Disney Resort. There they have dedicated babysitting. I know Beaches resorts have a whole Sesame St section for kids and babysitting
I also researched the ship tonight and learned that DD won't be allowed in any of the pools because all kids have to be potty trained, even just to go in their splash pad. This really bums me out because the 2 other children going are both older and potty trained, and DD is NOT going to like being left out
Totally trying not to sound ungrateful, but I just wish they would wait a year to do this when all of their grandkids are old enough to get something out of it.