Babies Travel Lite - What to do?

[maps81]

Our multi-generational group is sailing on the Fantasy at the end of May. We promised our DDIL that she would be able to pre-order everything she would need (diapers, formula, etc...) for her 9-month-old from Babies Travel Lite.

When we went to find that web site last night- we discovered that it has gone "bye-bye"....

So- if anyone who has cruised with an infant.... has any good ideas as to how we can get a week's worth of diapers, formula, baby food... onto this ship- thanks for your help in advance!

We are flying, so we aren't able to load up a car and back it up to the ship...

We've thought of taking a taxi to the nearest Target and shopping (we fly in on Friday and "should" have time... ) But then how do we cart everything onto the ship? Bring an empty suitcase?

And we thought of just ordering from Target and shipping it to the hotel we are staying at - Residence Inn Cape Canaveral- but haven't contact the hotel yet to see if they would accept our shipment. And we would still need a suitcase to bring items onto the ship- correct?

I know that we could also ship items to the Fantasy directly- and it will be delivered to our rooms? How crazy is that idea?

Hoping to hear from anyone who has experience in bringing a baby on board!

Cheers! Pam

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Our multi-generational group is sailing on the Fantasy at the end of May. We promised our DDIL that she would be able to pre-order everything she would need (diapers, formula, etc...) for her 9-month-old from Babies Travel Lite.

When we went to find that web site last night- we discovered that it has gone "bye-bye"....

So- if anyone who has cruised with an infant.... has any good ideas as to how we can get a week's worth of diapers, formula, baby food... onto this ship- thanks for your help in advance!

We are flying, so we aren't able to load up a car and back it up to the ship...

We've thought of taking a taxi to the nearest Target and shopping (we fly in on Friday and "should" have time... ) But then how do we cart everything onto the ship? Bring an empty suitcase?

And we thought of just ordering from Target and shipping it to the hotel we are staying at - Residence Inn Cape Canaveral- but haven't contact the hotel yet to see if they would accept our shipment. And we would still need a suitcase to bring items onto the ship- correct?

I know that we could also ship items to the Fantasy directly- and it will be delivered to our rooms? How crazy is that idea?

Hoping to hear from anyone who has experience in bringing a baby on board!

Cheers! Pam

My suggestion is to mail a box of supplies directly to yourself at the port. One note, you cannot mail liquids, so no formula, unless it's the powered type. Yes, the box will go directly to your room onboard. On the FAQ sticky there are instructions as to box size, when to mail, etc.

If the formula has to be liquid, you could make the Target run and just bring it onboard yourself. Beverages must be carried onboard, not in checked bags.

 

[lanejudy]

Yes, the service is apparently closed as of earlier this spring. I would say your options are 1) purchase at home and ship to the hotel or port; 2) purchase online and ship to the hotel or port; 3) shop Walmart online and set for pick-up at the store near port; or 4) shop locally once in FL.

There are restrictions for shipping to the port/ship, I can't say whether your particular pre-cruise hotel accepts packages (most do) or if there are any restrictions on box size and contents. If you have something shipped to the hotel, you do not need to bring an extra suitcase -- you can simply check or carry-on the box. As stated above, if the formula is liquid it must be carried on, otherwise the supplies can be checked with the porters curbside. I would probably opt to ship a box to the resort, just because I would be sure it arrived but I have not heard reports of people missing items shipped to the port.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[firepuppy]

PrincessShmoo is correct the best thing to do is get the supplies at home and mail it to yourself. The other thing you will need to think about is mailing extras of everything. I would rather have to much then looking for the items you need. Another thing to think about if your baby is eating regular food the head waiter will make sure he/she has something to eat every meal. You will need to let them know what kind of food.

Have a great trip and enjoy your family time.

 

[Starwind]

We also fly but need to bring extra things on board with us (not for a baby, but still extras).

One thing to think of, as I have done it before: If you have a larger suitcase and then your normal suitcase, if the normal suitcase will fit INSIDE the larger one, you can put the smaller one in the empty larger and then it is one checked bag (be careful not to go over weight limits). You then have a second empty bag (the bigger one) at your destination and/or for coming home.


My solutions to needing to haul things:

For bags to put the stuff in:

(1) we lightly pack a wheeled carryon each for flying, and then once on the ground we can put heavier things into it (e.g. ginger ale bottles). The carry-on we like is the eBags EXO 2.0 Hardside Spinner Int'l Carry-on Mobile Office ( http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/exo-20-hardside-spinner-mobile-office/269644?productid=10291919 )

(2) I also have a carry-on tote that has a pouch on the back that lets it slide over the handle of the wheeled carry-on, which makes for easy navigation through airports, ports, etc. The bag I use for this is a RuMe cFold (http://myrume.com/collections/travel-accessories/products/cfold). eBags and others also sell them.

(3) I then bring extra RuMe cFold bags. They pack down very small when not in use. When open, they are easy to use, have a fair bit of space, but are not so large that carrying is impossible. I use the cFolds at home for various purposes, so the bags don't go to waste.

(4) another bag I like is the RuME totes. They have various sizes. The medium and large are particularly useful for hauling things. Each can hold 50 pounds. They are washable. The handles are comfy. The fold down very small. Great for groceries, but great also for bringing bulky things like say diapers onto the ship. http://myrume.com/collections/classic-rume-totes Again, eBags and others sell them.


As for where to purchase from:

Verify with your hotel that they will accept deliveries, what their delivery acceptance fee is, the address to ship to (postal as well as delivery service like FedEx/UPS), and how far in advance of checking in you can have something arrive.

Assuming that they will accept deliveries:

Amazon. Many things are available. If you have an Amazon Prime membership delivery of most things is in 2 days, which is great for timing delivery; one day is available for an extra $3.99 per item. If you have Amazon Prime you also have access to Amazon Prime Pantry -- you will have to check that it delivers to where you need it to. Quite a few items available; it works on the premise of "fill a box and Amazon ships it for a flat fee" which last time I check I think was $5.99.

Costco. Less assurance of specific delivery time.

Staples. One would be surprised about some of what they offer for delivery now !

SHOPRUNNER stores

I got a Shoprunner membership a short while before our last WDW/DCL trip. Similar to Amazon Prime, for a flat yearly fee you get two day shipping (note there are some caveats on that: some retailors have a minimum $ spend, usually around $25; for others the 2 days is once it leaves the warehouse -- check on each site to confirm the details and timeframes); however, Shoprunner has a long list of retailors that participate, such as:
Drugstore.com
Toys R Us
Babies R Us

For our last WDW/DCL trip I placed an order with drugstore.com and had it shipped to the hotel. Worked great.

My original shoprunner membership was a coupel months for free through a retailor promotion, then a reduced fee for the remainder of the year. It has proven very useful for me.

Here for example is Shoprunner's diapering page, which will give you an idea of some of the eligible products their participating retailors have (clicking on an item takes you to the retailors page to place the order; you son't actually place orders through Shoprunnere): https://www.shoprunner.com/search/?...ring#browse_category=kids_and_baby__diapering


SW

 

[Weedy]

How are you getting to your hotel from the airport? Many car services offer a stop at a store.