Leaving tomorrow!

We don't sail until Sunday, but since we are driving, and Baltimore is ~12 hours away, we are leaving after my husband gets off work tomorrow.  We plan to stop a few hours from Baltimore and spend the night at a hotel.

Let me tell you, when you are trying to pack so that everything fits into 2 suitcases, it's stressful! Not that we can't take more luggage. We definitely can. We just don't want to. We plan to do self-disembark, and with the kids, I'm pretty sure we can only handle 2 suitcases.  So we are taking 2 large suitcases. We were packed into 1 large and 1 medium, but I decided that a large suitcase weighing over 50 pounds is mean (and dangerous) for the porters at port. So now we have 2 large cases that aren't packed super full, and neither weighs over 50 pounds. Even so, those porters will be getting a hefty tip from us.

I've packed and repacked probably 10 times. I've added clothes for the boys, taken them out, started over, etc. We are taking more than intended, only because the forecast in Baltimore is calling for chilly temps this weekend, so we have to pack pants, long sleeves, socks, and actual shoes instead of sandals. Shoes alone add a ton of weight to suitcases, and take up SO much room!  I refuse to take more shoes (I'm weird, I know) so I will be wearing my ugly, yet comfy, sandals and have a pair of dress sandals packed. Other than watershoes, that's it for my shoes. So we all have 3 pairs of shoes--2 pairs packed. So that's 16 shoes taking up space and adding weigh. Ugh.

Of course, we have diapers. Which don't add too much weight, but take up so much space. So those are in a carry-on duffel. I had them in the suitcases, but...ugh. 

It's pretty bad when you are obsessing so much about the little stuff that you just want the vacation to be over.  Not that I'm not excited. I am!  But until we get on the ship and have our luggage unpacked, I will not be able to relax. It's such a stressful thing for me.  Thankfully, I don't have to worry so much coming home--who cares if it's all wrinkled after vacation?

Anyway, enough whining!  I don't think I will be updating this at all while gone. In fact, I plan to not have any social media contact after we sail.  But this will definitely have my review and tons of pictures after we get back!

What to pack when you cruise with Infants/Toddlers (Part 2)

This is a continuation of my post here

More things to pack when cruising with toddlers/babies!

•  Temporary tattoos that you can write on--while most cruise lines use wrist bands to identify the muster station for children, it's not a bad idea to buy some of these tattoos. You can write your cabin #, muster #, or allergies that your child might have. These are waterproof, and last 3-4 days before they start to peel. We've used them at waterparks before, and they really stay in place.

•  Comfort items--this includes a wide range of items. Pacifiers (if used) are easily lost at home, imagine losing them on a ship. Or overboard! Pack extras if they are used, and maybe a tether for them! Blankets that they sleep with. Both of my boys have a blanket they have to have. Thankfully, they aren't full-sized blankets! Does your child insist on sleeping with a bear? Dog? Monkey? Bring it! Or look for a duplicate, and bring that one. Even though you may find that your child falls asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow, it's nice to have something familiar and loved in a new, overwhelming place.

• Snacks--okay, yes, there's a ton of food on cruise ships. So much that if you aren't careful, you'll gain 10 pounds. However, sometimes your kid just cannot live without a Goldfish cracker. Or raisins. Buy the individual serving packs (food brought on must be sealed) of their favorite snacks if possible. They won't take up a lot of room, and will really come in handy when you are waiting for a tender, sitting on the beach with only a BBQ shack/bar nearby, waiting to embark, etc.  Also included in this category would be baby food if you have an infant that eats it.  Some cruise lines do make baby food from menu items (Disney does!), but many do not. And finding it in the gift shop on board is probably unlikely.

•  Crayons/paper/toys--I'll be honest and say that I have no idea if any lines provide crayons and paper. But there will be times that you don't want to be going, going, going. There will be down time, especially when you have youngsters. And the TV choices are limited (and who really wants to watch TV on a cruise?) so bringing a small box of crayons and a bad or 2 of paper might just save you from a whining toddler! This may come in handy especially during dinner! Also, new small toys. I say "new" because you want them to be a distraction, something to stave off whining. (I have 2 professional whiners, so this is a really good one for us!) We have stocked up a small bag that has new Matchbox cars, some happy meal toys, small robots, etc. (We have boys, adjust accordingly) And just think of the silence that new toys or crayons can induce so that you can spend 5 quiet minutes in the morning sipping coffee on your balcony.

• Sand toys--We are packing a small set of sand toys that we plan to leave behind. Going to 2 beach ports and our boys love to build in the sand. These will take up a chunk of luggage, so this is something to bring is you definitely know it will be used, and you have the space for it.

• Baby powder--this is a good one for adults too. No, not for your bum, for your hands and feet! Great for absorbing moisture of sweaty feet! But also (and the reason we have it packed) is because a quick dash of baby powder will get sand off of your hands and feet. Sand is weirdly sticky, and if you want a snack on the beach, you tend to end up with a sandy mouth. So, baby powder to the rescue!
  

• Duct tape/painters tape--you'll see duct tape on many, if not most, cruise necessities lists. When you have small kids, they get into everything! Tape the drawers and cabinets shut in your room.Then you don't have to worry about pinched fingers, banging cabinets, etc. You can always find a use for duct tape.

• Inflatable pool--on most cruise lines, diapered children cannot go into the pools. Bummer, right? So what do you do? Blow up pool. Little pools take up very little space in luggage. You can ask for a bucket form the bar and fill it with water from the big pool, then use the deck drains to dump it. Or! The duck bathtub (most parents will know what I'm talking about here...). This one can pull double duty, as most cabins do not have bathtubs (not counting Disney), and unless your child takes showers, it is nice to have a tub.

• Stroller--leave it home. No! Leave it home. Seriously. They are cumbersome. they are bulky, they are heavy. They take up precious space in the hallways, the cabin, etc. Even the umbrella strollers. And have you ever dealt with one on a beach? Just leave it home. So...what do you use then? 

• Baby/toddler carrier--even if your child can walk, cruise ships are huge. Ginormous. Massive. Especially when you are 3 feet tall.  And strollers get in everyone's way. Enter the baby carrier. If you have never worn your baby, now is the time to start. Well, preferably a few months before your cruise, as most carriers have a bit of a learning curve. There are carriers that you can use from birth to 50 pounds. 50 pounds! Well, the 50 pounds is pushing it. But I have an OnyaBaby, and I have put my 4 year old in it. Comfortably. My 2 year old loves it. I have also used ring slings, pouch carriers (Hotslings), wraps, etc. Wraps probably have the biggest learning curve, but they are the most versatile. (I do not recommend the Baby Bjorn carriers. Those things dangle your child by their crotch, so not comfortable or good for their developing bodies) Seriously, you can go anywhere with a baby carrier. No worries about sidewalks in foreign countries (sometimes roads/sidewalks are treacherous, if not nonexistent). You don't have to take up tons of space in your room/closet, you don't have to worry about checking it if you are flying. Most fold up into pretty much nothing, weigh less than a pound. And you have your child right next to you. You don't need to worry about them being bumped, knocked over, have something spilled on them, cigarette ashes flicked on them (I've seen that many times). It's a great bonding experience (for mom or dad!) and is comforting to your child--very important when they are being overwhelmed by new experiences and this huge ship full of strangers. I recommend finding a babywearing group nearby and trying some different carriers.  There are forums (thebabywearer.com) that have lists of groups, or if you know a midwife/doula in your area, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Or you can contact me, and I will try to help you find a group near you.Also, you can rent some kinds of baby carriers on PaxBaby.com, which is a good idea if you want to try some (or even just rent one for vacation if you don't want to invest in one!).

Like I said, every family cruising with infants/toddlers does not need all of this stuff. But these are just some things that you might want to consider or something you may have not even though about! Regardless, you'll probably have too much stuff. But when it comes to my kids, I'd rather have something and not need it, than need it and not have it.

What to pack when you cruise with Infants/Toddlers (Part 1)

I see these posts/articles all over. And they are NEVER complete. Okay, it's impossible to ever be complete when it comes to packing for travel with infants/toddlers, but other lists never include anything that I have on my lists!  So here's what I think that (some) parents may be missing from their suitcases, and an little explanation as to why you (may) need it! Like all lists, this is neither all inclusive, nor do you need all of these. Use your own judgment!

• Diapers/wipes: May seem like a no brainer, but diapers are not available for purchase on most cruise lines. I do know that Disney Cruises carries some, but they don't have an unlimited stock. And you may want to pack twice as many as you think you may need. You never know when something might not agree with your child's stomach, and running around an unfamiliar country with a limited amount of time looking for diapers/wipes? Not my idea of vacation.

• Sting-free/tearless shampoo. My kids get their hair washed maybe every 2 weeks or so unless they are filthy. But on a cruise? Salty air, salt water, ice cream, who knows what will be in their hair at the end of the day? And shampoo can hurt! Even the tearless shampoos sting a little! So you might want to pack a travel bottle of baby shampoo so you don't have to deal with a screaming, squirmy wet bundle.

• If you use them--bottles and formula. You won't find these on most ships. You shouldn't need to pack a bunch of bottles, I would think that 2 would be enough--just wash immediately after use. If you use powdered formula, some brands now have those packets so you don't have to carry around a can. Or, you can pick up one of the travel powder containers. The less you have to carry around the ship/in port the better!

• Children meds--With infants/toddlers a fever can pop up out of no where. I'm sure you can get children's Tylenol on ship somewhere, but who wants to spend $35 on a bottle? (I'm probably exaggerating the price...) Also, children's Benedryl can help with the sniffles (if your child is old enough!) and with seasickness to a certain degree. I'm a fan of the Benedryl Pre-Filled Spoons, (don't pay that price that Amazon is asking, that's gouging), that way you don't have to worry about an open bottle breaking all over your clothes!  Also, make sure that if your child is prescribed any meds, you take those as well!

• Scented diaper sacks--Unless your child is potty trained, you are going to have to change a stinky diaper once a day (more or less depending on your child!). Where is that diaper going to go? Into a garbage can that might not be changed for a few hours. So where does that smell go? Cruise cabins are teeny! Imagine being in a closet with a stinky diaper. *gag* Buy some scented diaper sacks. Use them for all diapers, not just the stinky ones. Give your steward an extra $ tip on the 1st day and apologize in advance for the horrific smells that come out of your child. Use the bags! Don't torture yourselves or your steward with stinky diapers. (those that I posted are a great deal--the ones you buy in the store are $4 for 35-50. $9 for 200 is fantastic--and they come in a box the same size as a sandwich baggie box)

• Sunscreen--extra. More than you think you will need. One bottle per person is what we are taking, and I feel like that might not be enough. Of course, we are extremely fair-skinned. But a baby/toddler/child with a sunburn is not only dangerous, it's a miserable experience for everyone involved. 

• Along with sunscreen--aloe! Don't buy that green stuff. Buy pure aloe. It'll be clear. Not green. The green stuff has all sorts of gross stuff added. Pure aloe. It'll be heaven on any burned skin, and can work as a great hair gel!

• Sun hats--Unless your child is bald (and some are, my 2 year old hardly has any hair), it's tough to put sunscreen on a head without glooping up the hair. Even spray sunscreen misses spots. So a good sun hat will be great. For infants/toddlers look for one that has straps to Velcro under their chin (Velcro, not snaps--you want it to be able to come undone if it is caught on something!) so it won't blow away in the wind.  Might be a good idea to have your child wear it a little before vacation, hats can be annoying if you never wear them.

• Water shoes--even if your child isn't walking solo yet, water shoes will protect sensitive soles from hot sand, sharp rocks, and the uncertainty of the pool deck. Also, most (if not all) are SPF protected, so you don't have to worry about the tops of their feet getting burned in the sun if the sunscreen gets washed off too soon.

Since this is insanely long already, to be continued tomorrow!!

Coming around to the final stretch

While we are not into the single digits yet, we are at 2 weeks before we leave for Baltimore. And every single day, Max asks "Mommy? We go on vacation?"  So, in order to save my sanity and to help Max to realize how much time we have left, I made a paper chain.

I'm sure you remember these from elementary school--you take construction paper (or in my case, poster board), cut it into strips, and glue/staple the strips into rings, connected to each other.  I wrote numbers on each, #1-15 for how many days we have until we leave.  Each morning, Max will take down one of the links of the chain, and that will show him, and us, how many days are left.

I should have started this sooner. How neat it would have been to have it stretch across the room with over 200 links!  However, I'm glad I didn't, because actually seeing 200 or more links would have been depressing. Now, with a simple 15 (well, 14, he already took today's down) links, it looks like it is just around the corner.  And it truly is.

While I think we have pretty much everything we need other than a few last minute items, I feel woefully unprepared and a little panicked. Eric will, hopefully, be able to pack his own clothes. But I have to pack for me and the boys. And yes, I know I have whined about this several times, but it's just so daunting! Thinking that I will need to pack EVERYTHING that we will possibly need...There are no Wal-Marts on Carnival, and spending $40 on a band aid or Tylenol does not sounds like a good use of vacation funds.

Woo! Refund! And updates.

So, our travel agent got on me about not posting anything about the recent refund we received from Carnival, so here goes!

We booked our cruise at an Early Saver rate--meaning it's non-refundable, but if the price drops, Carnival will refund the difference. So I've been watching the fares like a hawk, and recently Carnival had a great sale. So great, in fact, that the super cheap price that we paid was undercut by $360. So, I contacted Simon (our TA) about it, and he sent in the paperwork. Fast forward several days (couple weeks?) and we still hadn't heard anything. So I poked at Simon and asked him to look into it.  Turns out that Carnival lost our paperwork...Likely story.  Simon sent in the paperwork again and told me that he would fight for this price drop for us. Well, of course he would, he's awesome!  In the end Simon had to be on hold for several hours with Carnival, but he ended up getting us back $360. It's coming to us as OBC (on board credit) but I am very cool with that.

We are sailing THIS MONTH. I am not prepared. I have several boxes of stuff laying around that we need to take with us, a few things still not purchased, and so much money spent already that it is ridiculous. 

Let me tell you, cruising with children adds 3 times the cost, and I'm not talking about the cruise itself. So many things that we take for granted that we have in the house, I now have to worry about having on the ship. Like diaper bags. I'm not talking about bags to carry clean diapers and wipes. I mean scented bags to put the dirty diapers in so the cabin doesn't stink and the steward doesn't gag as soon as he walks in the room. At home we just toss them into the kitchen garbage, which holds all the stinky garbage. So...dirty diaper bags.  Also, tons of sunscreen! Yes, we would take that even without the kids, but we need at least 3 times as much. Sunburns are bad as an adult, even worse as a kid. I've had several over my years. Some 3rd degree. Not good.

On top of that, little things for the kids to play with, so they don't get bored at dinner. First aid kit with kid meds, kid bandaids, etc. Better to have them, blah blah blah.

Now that we have less than a month before we go, I am so stressed out just thinking about packing. I know that we will forget something really important--like our passports. Lists. I need to go back to my lists.

Oh, I can't wait to be on the ship. No more worries.