Help me pick a vacation :)

Summerly2

DH and I are wanting to do a nice vacation later this year (probably Oct or Nov) and we're stuck At first we wanted to do a cruise, just the two of us. Neither of us have been on a cruise (or any kind of "tropical" vaca) and it would be a great getaway for us. However, the more I've thought about it, the more I think I'm not sure I'd be comfy leaving the kids for a week and being basically inaccessable, kwim? The kids would be with my parents, who I trust 100%, but I still would prefer to be able to talk to them daily/nightly and get back fairly quickly if I absolutely needed to.

So then we tossed around the idea of a Disney cruise which I thought sounded like a fab compromise, but DH has concerns about the safety aspect (?) and not sure he'd feel comfortable leaving our DD in their kids club type childcare for periods of time.

Next, we could just do Disney. No real negatives necessarily, although DH thinks they might enjoy it more in another year or two. I personally think they'd love it now.

I'd say I'm 50/50 on doing something with just DH and I, and he'd probably prefer a kid-free getaway, considering we're celebrating our 9th anniversary tomorrow and have only gotten away for a night or two at a time a handful of times in that time. I'd say it's long overdue

So, if you've made it this far, WWYD? Help us decide!

Summerly2

PS: If you have another suggestion altogether, I'd love to hear it!

MissyOlivePants

Come to DisneyWorld!!!  We can have an EFFer GTG - and then we can take care of your kids for a day or two while you & your DH have some time alone together!

papagena

I'm kind of itching to get away at the moment with just DH & I, so I say go for that - if not a cruise than maybe just a nice, but land bound vacation so you can feel like you can get back easier?  (FWIW, while I'd love time away with DH, I am definitely not ready to leave #2, but I still would love to live vicariously!)

And great to see you, Summerly!  Your LO's are so big!!

Summerly2

papagena:

I'm kind of itching to get away at the moment with just DH & I, so I say go for that - if not a cruise than maybe just a nice, but land bound vacation so you can feel like you can get back easier?  (FWIW, while I'd love time away with DH, I am definitely not ready to leave #2, but I still would love to live vicariously!)

And great to see you, Summerly!  Your LO's are so big!!

papa: I know it's been too long Yes, the kids are huge and that pic was nearly a year ago. This is recent :

How are you?!

papagena

So cute! : )

 

I'm doing well - can't complain!  

emathis2

I personally hate cruises.  You wouldn't be able to be in touch with your kids and you would be crammed in a cheesy boat with TONS of people.  Not my idea of fun.  I'm way more into enjoying a nice luxury boutique hotel.  I don't like planned activities while on vacay and have no interest in doing the cheesy cruise activities.  Plus the time where you stop at the locations is so limited and its always somewhere ubber touristy. 

I think you need a vacay away with your hubby.  9 years and only a weeknd or two away and you are more than overdue.  Go somewhere nice and enjoy yourselves!

Ris1127

If you wanted something tropical and real relaxing, how about a bungalo in the FL Keys? Its real nice there. You could just relax one day then drive to another Key and shop or site see. The water is always nice and clear. I don't know where you're at but if you stay in the country you'll be able to get back home easier. I say enjoy your time with just your DH. Happy Anniversary !!

Summerly2

emathis2:

I personally hate cruises.  You wouldn't be able to be in touch with your kids and you would be crammed in a cheesy boat with TONS of people.  Not my idea of fun.  I'm way more into enjoying a nice luxury boutique hotel.  I don't like planned activities while on vacay and have no interest in doing the cheesy cruise activities.  Plus the time where you stop at the locations is so limited and its always somewhere ubber touristy. 

I think you need a vacay away with your hubby.  9 years and only a weeknd or two away and you are more than overdue.  Go somewhere nice and enjoy yourselves!

Thanks for the input. I guess I just have always heard good things about cruises and wouldn't mind trying one out. I just don't think I'm going to be comfortable with it at this point while the kids are small.

I should also clarify that DH and I have done several weekends away; we're not total hermits We did a weekend away in March and did 3 weekends away in 2010. I think it's just in the last year or two that we're really starting to see the need for it and trying to make it a priority.

crackerjackprinter

As for the concern about whether the kids would enjoy Disneyland/world, they TOTALLY would...DD went the first time at just over 2 and LOVED it...we're going again next week and she's already talking about it.  DS even loved it at 4 months...so it would be fun I bet!

SWBs Wifey

I think your hubs is on drugs if he thinks your kids are too young for Disney World!!!  They are THE PERFECT age for Disney! 

I totally understand your concern about not leaving your kids for a week-long cruise.  Would there be any way for you to take a small getaway WITH DH and then join back up with your kids for some family fun? 

*WE* are doing Disney this summer... and DS won't even be two yet, but I know he'll have a great time.  We are already thinking about going again next year for his birthday and our anniversary. We are lucky that DH's family lives close to Orlando, so we will get a night or two to ourselves while we're on vacation.  (MIL is going to spend the night with us in the hotel one night so that we can go out to a fancy grown up dinner and then head to the parks for some of the grown up rides that we'd otherwise have missed or had to ride separately).  I will warn you though that a chunk of Fantasyland inside the Magic Kingdom is going to be closed until 2012 for them to add new rides and move a few things around, so it would be something to consider in your planning.  If you have any Disney questions, I'd try to answer them for you or find someone that can.  I've become obsessed with planning for our trip!

chillyupnorth

I think you should do something just the two of you, but if a cruise doesn't sound good, what about a resort vacation? I think there are probably some good package deals out there!

proudarmywife08

We considered doing a Disney cruise next year and I looked into their Kids Clubs and they get very good reviews and I've heard nothing but great things about them. We're not doing it because it is way beyond our budget for the next few years. We are going to Disney World in September though. I'd say your kids are at the perfect age for Disney But then, my kids have been multiple times already. However, if its been 9 years since you've had a solo vacation, maybe its time. Your kids are old enough to stay with your parents, IMO. I think my kids are too young but your youngest is the same as my oldest. Maybe do a tropical vacay that isn't a cruise, that way you can call and talk to them and be more accessible? I'm not sure which coast you're closer to but Hawaii is our all time favorite destination...but we've never been to the Caribbean either so I'm sure its awesome there too. Good luck planning!

white318

If you want you can do a regular cruise... like carnival ...and try a kids camp there too.  I have heard wonderful things.  Also, you can do what a friend did... offer a college or high school student you know a little money and a free vacation if they watch the kids.   I loved all of our cruises and all of the kids seemed to have a blast.  An extra helper would give you time alone without a stranger watching your children.    There are plenty of things for kids to do...from activities to sports... to games... to just playing in the pool.