To Crusie with Baby?!?!?!?

My opinion would be I would leave my baby just because i feel you would have a better time and that the baby could catch germs or something,but that is just my opinion.
If you decide I know of someone could watch if you live in Ohio.
C.
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I think it might be a little too early for the cruises... Unless maybe you find a parent & kid friendly one, but even then, you two will not really be able to do much other than what you do at home.

If you do decide to go on the cruise, make sure you check with the cruise line about a ticket for your son. There are several cruise lines that still make you pay for the child, no matter what age.

I would advise to take your 5 mo. old with you is you are nursing. Wouldn't want to interrupt a great thing -- I nursed our children and took them everywhere - the only thing that was bad was when we had to take a flight back home and our 1 year old was sick. I have never been on a cruise but worry about motionsickness. I think you should ask your doctor to see what a medical professional thinks and if there is anything that you can give your baby for motionsickness.

I can't wait to get on a cruise!

I think you haven't seen babies on cruises because most people take them to get away from their kids. If you've already been on them, your no rookie. Just check with the cruiseline to see if they have any babysitting service available so that you and your husband can have some alone time. Keep in mind you may get some sour looks if he starts to get fussy during dinner. You also may want to check which restaurants have high chairs, they are the kid friendliest even if he doesn't use one. Get him used to arrowroot cookies or something that might entertain him during times he needs to be happy and quiet. Make sure you bring every available medicine that you might need, ear drops, teething tablets, tylenol, ect. Trying to get these things once your there can be difficult and pricey. I also suggest bringing a baby bjorn, most places allow strollers but a flight of stairs or a short hike can stop any stroller in it's tracks. Bringing a baby on vacation can be rough, but it makes the best memories. The harder the challenge, the better. Have fun!

I would trust your gut feeling on this one and would start searching for someone to care for him while you take a break. Any relatives nearby? I know it's not easy to leave him, but he will be fine. If you are nursing you can store up and freeze some of your milk, then take a pump with you for relief and to keep the supply up. If you don't think you can find someone to care for him, just be sure to pack for any/everything including meds should he catch a cold. Bring his doctor's phone number with you too! I traveled with my 6 month old and she picked up a bug of some sort which landed us at a the hospital. It wasn't the best vacation. It was good to have her doctors number just to get their advice. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will work out fine, as long as you are prepared for anything/everything.

I have been on tons of cruises. Just make sure you bring a stoller and stuff for the baby. I took our 7 month old and I was 6 months pregs on one of our cruises. Another one we had a 11 month old, 4 yr old and 3 yr old. They have all done great. Love waking up some where new all the time. Be prepared to change your schedual though. Oh a lot of times you can get a head with the baby too! The staff miss their kids and will love your baby. At least that happened on our cruises. Sometimes got a table faster or front of line at something.. lol
GOOD Luck.. we have always had a blast!!!
K.

I used to be a travel agent and booked many families that brought along their little ones. Many cruise lines offer fun centers for children and place them in their age groups..even babies. They also offer personal nannies to come and care for your little one while maybe Mom and Dad go have some alone time for dinner, dancing or catch a show. Their will be additional charges for this service, but I think it would be well worth it. This way you baby can stay on some sort of schedule and not be disturbed by having to wake him up from the fun center to take him back to the cabin. There are phones available all around the ships and you can call your cabin to check up whenever you want. Also, many cruise ships offer where you would be given a pager and the Nanny would page you if she ever needed to contact you as well. So I say take your son and have a wonderful family vacation, but also enjoy some one on one time with your husband. Bon Voyage!!!!!!

I have not seen one either. My concern would be that you will not get a vacation because you will be with him all day, no breaks, and eating, bottles, etc. will be extra hard. You would have to wash bottles (if you are not breastfeeding), make cereal, worry about the sun, the possibility of him getting seasick, gear and toys to bring, and many other concerns. Is there someone who could watch him while you go? You will miss him, but you will be able to relax and recharge your batteries.

i don't think taking your baby with you will be a concern for him, but what about you. you won't really be getting a vacay for yourself. i might would try to find someone to keep him while you are gone so you get some R&R for your self and some reconnect time with your hubby. save the family criuse for when he is older and then go on a disney cruise. i've been on one and the are really fun...food & drinks are included, the ship is divided into age appriate groups/actvities and they even provide child care if mom & dad want to partake in some grown activities.

C. I would absolutely cruise with my baby. We are cruisers as well. Since our last cruise we too have had a baby. So I have researched the matter a lot. Disney and Royal both offer baby sitting services for newborns as young as 3 months. I have also read that during the summer these cruise lines also employ teachers that are off for the summer to do just that. They offer pager systems and everything. Even if you go on an excusion!!! And even if you travel with Disney there are plenty of ADULT only beaches and even pools. GO FOR IT!

I have been on many cruises and can assure lots of babies have cruised. The baby is to young to go to the children's center,however, you can hire a baby sitter to come to the cabin if you want to go out to enjoy the shows in the evening. I will suggest that you don't bring the baby to the shows in case of crying - that's up to you.

smooth sailing!
E. Anna

Hi C.. I am a travel agent and have cruised with my baby! He was one went we went on our first cruise. It was a little rocky because he came onboard sick, but even at his worst, we made it through. Here are some things that I would suggest.

1. It is nice to have a balcony. Once caleb went to sleep, we were able to go out on the balcony and enjoy each other's company and we didn't have to feel like we were stuck in a dark room whispering at 8pm!
2. Don't be afraid of the ship's doctor. We traveled on Norweigan and the ship doctor was great and very attentive.
3. If you have to choose a seating for dinner, choose the early dinner. Sometimes dinners on cruises can run long. We went late a few times and Caleb fell asleep with his head right on the table.
4. Wash those hands!
5. Bring lots of swimmies!
6. Talk with your doctor about suntan lotion. We took our son on vaca at 3 months and she said it was fine, just to obviously not to leave him out in the sun for too long.
7. Talk with the cruise line about babysitting services and then Mommy and Me play times. Alot of the cruise lines that cater to little ones have all that kind of stuff.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!