Cruising with twins, or more??

[sandytoes03]

Hi There!

 

DH and I just found out two days ago that we're expecting twins!

 

YAY!:D:p

 

Just wondering if any of you parents of multiples out there could share some bits of wisdom about your traveling/cruising.

 

We are thinking about a 2011 cruise, when the babies are at least a year old. What age were your kids when you frist went cruising? How did it go?

 

Just trying to gather general information.

 

Thanks!

[MOMtoTwins]

first of all a hearty congrats. with a little planning and patience we have not had to change our travel plans much since our girls were born. at the age of 19 months they will have been to

 

cleveland

vegas

tuscon

myrtle beach

back to tucson*

a cruise

all inclusive to mexico*

 

* happens in the next month

 

we took them on the cruise when they were 10 months old.

 

my hints on the cruise were get extra room, we got a minisuite on NCL and that worked fairly well but this next time we decided to opt for connecting cabins. I think this will work even better.

 

second, we felt like we tried to do too many excursions on ours with 2 babies and it became a little overwhelming

 

third, all our excursions were private excursions so we had control over timing

 

fourth, everyone gave them a ton of attention and they loved it. they went to the dining rooms for dinners most night and we would order off the regular menu for them, they are adventurous eaters.

 

I am happy to answer any specific questions you have

[sandytoes03]

first of all a hearty congrats. with a little planning and patience we have not had to change our travel plans much since our girls were born. at the age of 19 months they will have been to

 

cleveland

vegas

tuscon

myrtle beach

back to tucson*

a cruise

all inclusive to mexico*

 

* happens in the next month

 

we took them on the cruise when they were 10 months old.

 

my hints on the cruise were get extra room, we got a minisuite on NCL and that worked fairly well but this next time we decided to opt for connecting cabins. I think this will work even better.

 

second, we felt like we tried to do too many excursions on ours with 2 babies and it became a little overwhelming

 

third, all our excursions were private excursions so we had control over timing

 

fourth, everyone gave them a ton of attention and they loved it. they went to the dining rooms for dinners most night and we would order off the regular menu for them, they are adventurous eaters.

 

I am happy to answer any specific questions you have

 

Thanks!!

 

We are happy, but a little scared too. :o

 

We are thinking that we'll take a Carnival cruise out of Baltimore. No flying and more affordable since our family is doubling.

 

The stops we're looking at are Grand Turk, Nassau, and Carinval's private island, is it Half Moon Cay? We were thinking these would be good stops since we could head to the beach--my favorite thing anyway--and maybe wouldn't even need car seats. ;)

 

We have soooo much planning to do, but thinking about traveling is a really fun diversion!

[A&Jfamily]

Thanks!!

 

We are happy, but a little scared too. :o

 

We are thinking that we'll take a Carnival cruise out of Baltimore. No flying and more affordable since our family is doubling.

 

The stops we're looking at are Grand Turk, Nassau, and Carinval's private island, is it Half Moon Cay? We were thinking these would be good stops since we could head to the beach--my favorite thing anyway--and maybe wouldn't even need car seats. ;)

 

We have soooo much planning to do, but thinking about traveling is a really fun diversion!

 

I don't have twins, but have traveled with young kids. Nassau has a great little zoo - Adastra Gardens - if that interests you; you can ride the bus or take a cab - I doubt they even have seat belts to put them in. Or, if you are up for a walk with the stroller, it is less than a mile away. Also, in Nassau we have done Blackbeards Caye and it is a nice little 1/2 day beach get-away. No car seats needed for that one - just a walk to the boat and a ride over to the caye.

 

I haven't done HMC, but it is supposed to be fantasitic - I would look into a Cabana to keep the babies out of the sun. I do know that you tender ashore right to the beach, so no transportation needed.

 

Grand Turk has a nice little port where you can get some souveniers - and then if you walk to the right a ways, you can have some beautiful beach all to yourselves. I would take the baby backpacks if you plan on trecking out there, though. We didn't go into town, so I can't comment about that. Next trip we will head out and explore.

 

When they are 2, you will really love CCL as they can start camp - it gives you a lot of relaxing time and they can burn off all that excess toddler energy!

[boulders]

When they are 2, you will really love CCL as they can start camp - it gives you a lot of relaxing time and they can burn off all that excess toddler energy!

 

I agree with this wholeheartedly. However, between 1 and 2 years of age, there is really nothing to do on Carnival. I would recommend looking into RCCL or even Disney as both of these have babysitting or a nursery. As the parent of twins, you will be exhausted from the day to day stuff. As new parents, Mom and Dad will need time to reconnect. The ability to have the kids looked after will make your vacation much more like a vacation.

[sandytoes03]

Check that--it's Freeport, not Nassau.:p

[MOMtoTwins]

I agree there is nothing for them to do, but they sleep at lot at that age,we sat on our balcony and went to the casino(one at a time) while they slept

 

we were also lucky enough to have grandma and grandpa with us and that helped some. we were able to dinner one night without them and that was nice

 

Iam looking forward to our next cruise. they will be almost 3, camp carnival here they come

[sandytoes03]

I agree with this wholeheartedly. However, between 1 and 2 years of age, there is really nothing to do on Carnival. I would recommend looking into RCCL or even Disney as both of these have babysitting or a nursery. As the parent of twins, you will be exhausted from the day to day stuff. As new parents, Mom and Dad will need time to reconnect. The ability to have the kids looked after will make your vacation much more like a vacation.

 

Well, we were thinking Carnival b/c they are less expensive and we could get a ship with an ititnerary we like out of Baltimore. I know RCCL sails out of Baltimore and NYC, but they are more expensive. I do love RCCL though.

 

But anyway, I thought Carnival offrered babysitting during at-sea days and at night??

[Kerry's Girls]

I took my twins on a Princess cruise at 13 months (picture below) and it was the most relaxing week I'd had since the twins were born - even though Princess had zero programs/babysitting for them. It was bliss just finally getting to enjoy my babies while someone else did all the cooking/cleaning, etc.

 

On Carnival you'll be able to get some alone time with your husband during group babysitting after 10 pm (not sure about sea days).

 

It is nicer to cruise once they can participate in the kid programs, but I do NOT suggest waiting - you'll be ready for a vacation after your first year. And being able to drive to the port does make it much easier.

 

There are lots of us cruising with twin toddlers, so feel free to ask anything.

 

And - Congratulations!!!!

 

Best,

Mia

[CoolTripletMom]

Congrats! I have 2.5 year old triplets and we are taking our first cruise with them next May 2010. I have just as many questions abou cruising with multiples as you do so I'll be interested in answers and share my experience next spring.

[beckyjohns]

We took our twins on their first cruise when they were 20 months old and they had a great time. Just wanted to pass along one thing. Since the boys weren't in beds at that time, we opted for 1 room that slept 4 (1 upper and 1 sofabed). I was greatly concerned about where we were going to put 2 cribs/pack-n-plays in our room and still be able to move. I requested cribs before we cruised, immediately on arrival at both the purser's desk and from the room steward, and still didn't have them until 6 or 7 the 1st night of the cruise (which was way too late for their nap). Well, I learned by necessity that we really didn't need the cribs anyway! I kept the sofabed made as a sofa (not converted to the bed), turned it around so it was facing the wall, and pushed right into the corner of the room. The back and arms of the sofa were plenty high to keep the kids from rolling out. And at that age, they were still small so we just put a pillow in the middle of the couch to separate them and that's where they slept. It worked perfect and kept all the space in the room for walking around!

[sandytoes03]

We took our twins on their first cruise when they were 20 months old and they had a great time. Just wanted to pass along one thing. Since the boys weren't in beds at that time, we opted for 1 room that slept 4 (1 upper and 1 sofabed). I was greatly concerned about where we were going to put 2 cribs/pack-n-plays in our room and still be able to move. I requested cribs before we cruised, immediately on arrival at both the purser's desk and from the room steward, and still didn't have them until 6 or 7 the 1st night of the cruise (which was way too late for their nap). Well, I learned by necessity that we really didn't need the cribs anyway! I kept the sofabed made as a sofa (not converted to the bed), turned it around so it was facing the wall, and pushed right into the corner of the room. The back and arms of the sofa were plenty high to keep the kids from rolling out. And at that age, they were still small so we just put a pillow in the middle of the couch to separate them and that's where they slept. It worked perfect and kept all the space in the room for walking around!

 

That's good advice. We would hopefully get a balcony room, but I'm sure it would still be tight inside.

 

CoolTripletmom--I think that's awesome you are taking your triplets on a cruise! I hope to see some pictures when you return. :D