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Multiples
futuremrs.hunt
member
WWYD?
futuremrs.hunt
member
in Multiples
My husband has qualified, through his employment, for us to go on a Mediterranean Cruise this summer! I am so excited & can not wait to go!! The cruise is approximately 1 week before our boys' first birthday. I'm debating whether we should take them or leave them with family. My mom has graciously offered to let them stay with her if we decide not to take them. It is a 7 day cruise & it would be REALLY hard to leave them that long but, I'm afraid the trip might be too much for them and end up being really stressful and hard on us all. There is a 9 hour flight to Spain to just get to the boat (where they would have to be on our laps most of the flight), I'm sure the cabin on the boat will be pretty small, and they will not be allowed in the pools on the ship (even in a swim diaper). Not to mention I have no idea how we would get all of our luggage, everything we need for 2 babies for 7 days, our BJCS, & 1 or 2 PNPs to the airport & back home without a lot of stress. (And, I'm wondering if all of our "stuff" will even fit in the cabin on the ship as I'm sure DH did not qualify for the penthouse suite!) 
We are working on getting their passports just in case we do decide to take them but I wanted to get some insight from you all about what you would do. These are my first babies, and although I have several nieces & nephews, I have no idea what our lives will look like when they are 11 months old. Therefore, I have no idea how hard/easy it will be to travel with them at that time. Thanks for your input!
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Re: WWYD?
I'm only speaking from my experience with my daughter, but I would leave the kids with mom. 11 month olds are very squirmy. They may be walking but might only be crawling at that age. Unless the cruise offers specific programs for infants, they really won't have a place to crawl around and get their energy out. We took DD on a couple of short trips just around her first b-day and I found hotels difficult with kids that age. They are not safety proofed and you're just not sure how clean the floors are to let them crawl around. Like you said, your state room will probably not be very big. That being said, when my daughter was around 11 months I was away from her for 3 days for work and it was difficult.
If just you and your H go, you will have a very relaxing 7 day vacation. If you take the kids with you it could be a lot of fun or it could be very stressful and not relaxing at all.
6 year old daughter
Fraternal boys born on May 11, 2013 at 36 weeks 4 days
That sounds like an amazing trip; congratulations!
From my own experience (with DD - not yet with twins), I would encourage you to go on the trip and leave the kids with family. The child-free trips DH & I have taken since becoming parents have been SOO valuable for our relationship -- and for our general happiness. And, though I had some guilt or uneasiness about leaving her, I really think she enjoyed the time with extended family (as they enjoyed having her). I think it's a win-win-win!
Leave them. The flight alone would be SO HARD - we flew from FL to VA with ours at that age and it was so hard. Plus - you really can't do much with them on the cruise. You can't really enjoy it fully - its a long time, but you (and they) will be fine.
Leave them and enjoy the break!
Olivia and Matilda, 09/10/201 - Graham, 10/01/2013
Lost our first little peanut on 1/17/2012 at 9 weeks and 5 days. We miss you little blessing, but we know you were too perfect for this world.
My multiples/parenting/pregnancy/miscarriage blog
I'm with everyone else. Leave them with family. The logistics are mind boggling.
Can you plan a few sleepovers, between now & then to get them (& you) used to it? This way when it comes times, you'll all be more comfortable. DD has slept at my mom's house a number of times of now and while it was tough in the beginning, I love when my mom offers now.
Best of luck and have a great time!
Life with Blog
It depends on where you are with your LOs in terms of whether or not you're comfortable and it's feasible to leave them for a week. (at 11m, I was still BFing my son so being away for a week and still pumping around the clock and having to freeze/store milk would have been a bigger hassle.) If you can, getting a child-free break would be wonderful! If not, cruising is actually an easy way to travel w/ young children. It won't be the same vacation as traveling without them - you're still on mom duty, but we found it easier than a land vacation.
Pros:
1. contact the cruiseline - they usually have travel cribs/PnPs that can be requested in advance so you don't have to lug yours overseas.
2. you can pretty much wheel them down the hall to breakfast/lunch/dinners/snacks at any time without having to pack them into the car seat, drive around, wait for a table, etc. Mainstrem cruiselines are prepared for families - highchairs are readily available, many will also puree table food on request for the LOs.If your child is fussy, you can always go back to your room and order in, again w/o having to pack up the car.
3. Entertainment - there is plenty to be had, even if they are not allowed in the pools. The major lines are starting to incorporate programs for younger babies so while there isn't full-day babysitting for them (most kids clubs require kid to be 3), there are parent-child programs, some have short-term drop off care, and there are plenty of areas on a ship to explore with your babies. DS was 15m and walking on his first, we sailed last year w/ friends and their 7m old. Ours at 15m (he was also already walking at 11m), loved just toddling on deck and in lounges that weren't being used during the day. Our friend's baby was happy to take stroller rides outside and look around. Our children also got a ton of attention from the cruise staff, always having friendly smiles for the babies and cooing at them.
cons:
Europe is port intensive. We've done lowkey caribbean/bahamas cruises because we didn't want to do the once-in-a-lifetime trips knowing that we need to be flexible in case the kids just weren't up for being out that day. If I miss a port day in the bahamas, I won't be upset. If I miss my excursion in Rome because DS is crabby beyond belief that day or is sick, I will be seriously disappointed. Also, look at whether or not the ports themselves are kid/stroller friendly.
Nightlife will be limited by the matter of one of you needing to stay in the room w/ the kids. DH and I take turns going out in the evening after DS's bedtime, but our nights of going to the bar together for a nightcap together or both getting to enjoy a show aren't happening. Now if you're happy to sit out on your own balcony (we always get one when we sail w/ kid), order a dessert in, or just spend a few hours in bed (ahem!), retiring early to your room may be no big deal...
Kids don't travel light - no PnP needed, but the stroller, the diapers, and all the other paraphernalia they need come with you. And changing tables can be few and far between. And I always bring more than I need, including meds just in case, packaged snacks for off-ship, and am prepared for things like airlines losing my luggage.
Also, you know your children's temperament and how well they adapt to new settings. DS loves traveling. He sleeps well enough no matter where we go, and likes the new sights and stimulation. Some kids prefer their routine.
You're still parents 24/7 with the good and bad that goes with it. Now sometimes, that's perfectly ok and we want a family vacation and the memories for us of seeing the joy and wonder our kids experience in a new place. Sometimes, what we really need is a break from being up half the night, up at the crack of dawn, meltdowns, trying to eat my lukewarm meal one-handed while feeding the kids, etc. So I would totally take advantage of the opportunity to go but there's no right or wrong answer to the w/ or w/o kids question. It's entirely what you and your DH want out of this trip.
Leave the boys with family.
Even if it was a Disney cruise, I would leave the boys behind at that age.
Enjoy your cruise with just your DH.