Family vacation suggestions for February?

charmcitygirl · December 2010

We're thinking about going away for a week with Jacob in February. We're thinking that the Caribbean is the way to go since its probably going to be the only place we can go that is warm. (We're not skiers, snowboarders, etc.)

Has anyone been away with your LO to a beach vacation? We've been with my family to a "local" beach over the summer. But this would just be Adam, Jacob and me. Should we go all inclusive? What do we do about nap time and his early bed time (usually around 7:30, but could push him an hour or so)? Adam sent me a link to this place in Jamaica that comes with your own nanny!

Does anyone have suggestions of specific islands/resorts?

sommerrayne · December 2010

I would never pay for all inclusive again - EVER. Its too expensive for what you really get and you have to eat on their schedule which is hard enough but with a toddler? You're going to drop a lot on snacks that are not included because he'll want to eat on HIS schedule, not theirs. Furthermore, All Inclusive assumes you'll be drinking a fair amount which, I'm not sure about you, but being buzzed around my kid isn't my gig really and without a babysitter its not like you can go out.

I'd look for deals online and through a travel agent (usually not my suggestion but travel agents are hungry these days, sometimes you can get a killer deal!).

Are you bent on going out of country? Do you all have passports?

There are tons of nice warm beaches in the US in Feb. Just a thought.

charmcitygirl · December 2010

sommerrayne:

Are you bent on going out of country? Do you all have passports?

There are tons of nice warm beaches in the US in Feb. Just a thought.

We're not set on going out of the country, but we want to make sure that there is going to warm sun and a beach in February. Where are the warm beaches in the US in Feb? (FL isn't guaranteed to be warm - its only 60 in Miami right now). And since we're East Coasters - the Caribbean is pretty darn close!

Adam and I have passports. We'd have to get one for Jacob.

AlissaCell701 · December 2010

I live in Fla Fort lauderdale and it's been cold for us this winter so of you want warmth it Might not be the best place! What abt a cruise??! I am not super into cruising bit there are some great deals lately out of fla and tones to do for kids and adults.

madhatter2003 · December 2010

We plan to do the Turks and Cacaos 'Beaches' resort once we save up enough....who can argue with breakfast with Elmo and beach time!!

madhatter2003 · December 2010

I'd apply for the passport ASAP though, you are getting close to Feb already. It took about 3 weeks to get DS's when we got his.

PrincessShay80 · December 2010

We are going to Cabo in March, we always go in March, the weather is always beauitful, most places Mexico, Caribbean, Jamaica- all warm pretty much year round. We have taken DD on several beach vacations, she has been to CA beaches, SC beaches, and we went to the Bahamas in October- she loves the water, we mostly stuck to the pool at the resort, because she liked to eat the sand.

I am not a fan of all inclusive, I never eat or drink enough to make it worth while. We never travel alone, so we always have help with DD, but I know that a lot of resorts have kids clubs (not sure on the age requirements) I know all Hyatt's have Camp Hyatt- and they do a lot with kids. I also know that most resorts have baby sitting services, but that would make me a little nervous. Have you thought about a cruise? They have excellent kids clubs, Disney cruises are the best.

PrincessShay80 · December 2010

Just FYI you better apply for Jacob's passport now- they are running about 4-8 weeks without a rush.

brideinOC · December 2010

Can I be your nanny?? I'd just have to bring Claire with me. You're good with that right? lol

Am&Pm · December 2010

I work in the travel business and theres so many great choices and so many not so great choices..... Jamaica is great, but you really cant leave the resort, you pretty much stuck there unless you go on a guided tour. Same for the Dominican. I can give you some suggestions of you like...PM me!!

DavezWife · December 2010

I have a great place outside Cancun (Puerto Morelos) that I can recommend - A.I. and so pleasant with kids, lots of tips why & how, lemme know if interested.

I had a really hard time finding any caribbean places that had childcare for kids under 4-5 yrs. Sure you can hire someone for $10 an hour, whatevs, but most don't have kids stuff for that young. You either want an A.I. or something with a kitchen, because going out to breakfast every morning with a kid gets tired, REAL quick.

We opted for a cruise to get away and just chill, since I'm in no mood for stress. Carnival, Disney, NCL and RCCL have programs for kids, some for your age, some age 2+.... and we scored a KILLER deal on vacations to go dot com, a balcony happened to be $100 more for the whole trip b/c the other cats were almost sold out. We're going to just take the ship's bus to the beach in each port, Davez will dive, and Ava and I will sit there and read smut novels and play in the sand.

ps - bedtime? we put Ava down with the same routine at night, and 10 minutes later she was out COLD, and we'd scoop her into her reclined stroller and go out for the night. (bug net?) we had a few cocktails, relaxed by the beach or music... loved it.

KYRN · December 2010

I second (or 3rd?) a cruise. We went when DS was 11 months with my parents and had a blast, and we're thinking of going again in the spring just the 3 of us. We went on a 5 day carnival in mid-march and it was perfect, plenty warm in Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We were in the ocean at both places.

If you're going before DS' 2nd birthday, I would go disney or maybe RC. Look for one that has a toddler splash area, he won't be able to get into the ships pool unless he's potty trained. There is a lot of adults only stuff on Disney (it's what DH and I did for our honeymoon) and you can pay for him to go to the nursery. I believe that you can also take him into the kids play area as long as you or DH stays with him.

On carnival he can go into the kids club and stay by himself (no charge) if he's 2 so you and DH could get some time alone. If you decide to go on a cruise or want to look into it more check out cruisecritic.com they have a family board as well as boards for all the different cruise lines and ports of call, and their search function actually works.

The staff were all great with DS they would always come up and talk to him, everyone made a fuss over him. Food for him was a breeze because there's always something available.

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