Mexican Riviera August 6th-13th: Observations, Criticisms, and Praise

[joksten2000]

The wife does remember you, small world. Maybe we'll catch you on another cruise Looks like July 22nd 2006 and Oct. 28, 2006

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i thank you for your report adn its honesty
my dh just pointed me its direction

i wanna cruise and he istn sure we have a DS6 and DS1.5
after reading your report we will not be cruising til the baby is older
at least 4 we wanna enjoy our vacation as a family adn Dh doesnt wann deal with all the issues

we thank you for your report and how frank you were

 

[newfamilyman]

I've heard from others that you will have more success with a three-year-old. In any case, I think you will find it less stressful to wait; after all, there's a reason they're free under 3! Thanks for the comments.

 

[Lisa0503]

Thanks for posting this honest review. I will be sailing very soon with a baby and toddler and am worried about dining and sleeping away from home (I am sure the baby will do and can still sleep anywhere but the toddler is VERY used to her routine. We are only going on a 4 day cruise just for this reason. Hopefully sleep & naps will go well so we all will not be overtired!!! We may have to forgo dinning in the main dining rooms as we have late seating and I just don't think the kiddos are going to make it. Hopefully when we get on the ship we can get changed to early seating but I am not going to hold my breath!

 

[newfamilyman]

Thanks for posting this honest review. I will be sailing very soon with a baby and toddler and am worried about dining and sleeping away from home (I am sure the baby will do and can still sleep anywhere but the toddler is VERY used to her routine. We are only going on a 4 day cruise just for this reason. Hopefully sleep & naps will go well so we all will not be overtired!!! We may have to forgo dinning in the main dining rooms as we have late seating and I just don't think the kiddos are going to make it. Hopefully when we get on the ship we can get changed to early seating but I am not going to hold my breath!

In retrospect, late seating might have worked better for us in that DS1 would have been asleep by then, I don't know. If you're prepared not to eat in the main dining rooms, that's probably a good idea. Since we didn't know if we would ever take another cruise again, I guess we were trying to get the most out of the experience, but as we said, it's hard to force a baby's routines into the ships fairly rigid schedule. Enjoy!

 

[Donna]

I know it's hard to imagine LAUGHING about this someday, but you will look back when the kids are grown and think it's actually funny. I would print what you typed up and put it away somewhere to be read before your next cruise, when the kids are older. I could very much relate to everything you both said. I can still see me dragging my then 3 yr. old down main street because he wanted to just ride pirates over and over. we had a plane to catch and what 3 yr old understands that. when i say drag, i mean each of us had an arm and his heels dragged down main street all the while wailing like he was being tortured! he refused to walk so what were we to do. Now we laugh at that each time we ride pirates, lol.

 

[Dreamer04]

Great trip reports! Well written and honest. I very much appreciate you taking the time to write them. I especially loved the two views yours and your partners's.

My DD did not separate easily from me, either. I can identify completely with your concerna nd frustration. Traveling with a baby is hard. We didn't do much traveling until DD was 4. I applaud your bravery!

 

[Meagan]

Interesting trip reports...
Welcome to the world of being parents of multiple children. Knowing that your children don't like to be parted from their "care givers" should have probably given you a clue that this wasn't going to be idealic for you.
The suggestion of taking along a grandparent, or someone that could assist with the kids probably is the best.
Day trips to DLR look to be a good idea for a while.

 

[newfamilyman]

Interesting trip reports...
Welcome to the world of being parents of multiple children. Knowing that your children don't like to be parted from their "care givers" should have probably given you a clue that this wasn't going to be idealic for you.
The suggestion of taking along a grandparent, or someone that could assist with the kids probably is the best.
Day trips to DLR look to be a good idea for a while.

Are you volunteering?

 

[bstsuda]

We were on the Aug 13th cruise - just DS14 and myself - also on 7th floor - had an absolute wonderful time - the cabin (and storage space) was way more than we needed for just the two of us, enjoyed our meals - and what we didn't like, servers were wonderful about exchanging or taking away...But i'm really glad i waited till he was this age for our first cruise....it's definitely something he'll always remember (anyone under 3 probably won't) - he could come & go to the Stack - pool - or whatever - i knew he was "safe" - he never cried or needed a 'nap' or threw a temper tantrum. But joking aside it was just the greatest time for the two of us (DH refuses to cruise)....with absolutely NO complaints about anything....and looking forward to our next one in 2007!! I do hope you will try a DCL trip again in the future....

 

[Meagan]

Are you volunteering?

No.
As your nick says you're "new" at it. Welcome to reality. Life has changed. Your holidays have changed too. I've done holidays over the years with three children at varying ages. Enjoy

 

[Catnip0113]

I am just getting around to looking at trip reports from our August 6th cruise now. I remember you Newfamilyman from our Cruise thread before the cruise. We are still posting there occasionally.

I too enjoyed the two reports from you, I can't imagine traveling with a baby. When DD14 was 18 months we rented a cabin on Cape Cod for a week and my parents came with us. That was good because we had a screen porch and lots of sand to play in. It was relaxing and slow paced. When she was 2 we went to Lake George, NY and I do remember a meltdown where we had to drive around until she calmed down before we could go to an Olive Garden for dinner. A waiter dropped a large tray of food near us and DD didn't want to go to an Olive Garden for years. Even now when we go she mentions the time the waiter dropped the tray. It all does make for great memories and stories later on. Even though they won't remember, you'll tell the stories and they will tell their kids one day. You are providing a wonderful childhood for them so don't be afraid to keep trying.

Thanks again,

Cathy

 

[newfamilyman]

Thanks, Cathy, for the supportive words. As you say, we will keep trying!