Renee Chou: Cruising into family vacation memories

About nine months ago, a couple with whom we're good friends booked a seven-day cruise in the Eastern Caribbean for July 2018. They were taking their two young daughters with them. As they told us about their trip, they said, “You should come with us!”

My husband had never been on a cruise and is prone to motion sickness. I hadn’t been on a cruise in 20-plus years. And we had a (then) three-year-old. So imagine my surprise and shock when I suggested to my husband that we try a cruise with our friends, and he said, “OK, let’s do it!”

Elsa's no stranger to travel.

She first traveled on a plane to Montana with us when she was seven months old to visit her grandparents. We've also taken several flights to Michigan to visit family, and even to Seattle to attend a family wedding.

But the cruise would be our first family trip that requires a passport. We explained to her how the passport was a little booklet to collect stamps... and how it would lead to new adventures by allowing her to visit different places around the world.

In the spring, we applied for her passport. We went to the local office to take her passport picture and submit the paperwork. The officials made her take her signature bow out for the picture, but she made sure to flash her signature smile. A few weeks later, Elsa's passport arrived in the mail, signaling our "crazy idea" was about to become reality.

Elsa also told us she wanted her own suitcase. For past trips, I would throw her stuff in along with mine in a large suitcase. But our four-year-old now wants to do everything by herself and really, really wanted a “big girl” suitcase. And of course, it had to have princesses on it.

I was able to find a Disney princess roller suitcase for her that’s just the right size. She was so excited to pack it. After telling her how many dresses, shirts, shorts, swimsuits and underwear to pack-- she picked out her clothes, FOLDED them, and put them all in herself! I did go back later to make a few adjustments to the wardrobe, but it certainly made my job easier!

Finally it was cruise time. Our port was in Fort Lauderdale. We chose to drive the 800 miles to Florida. (Another first—the longest road trip we’ve ever taken!) She did great, sleeping for a stretch, drawing in her “journal,” and watching movies on the iPad (OK, a LOT of watching movies on the iPad. It's vacation!)

When we parked and walked toward the massive ship that awaited us, Elsa remarked, "That's the biggest boat I've ever seen!"

You and me both.

I loved the cruise for its range of options -- so much to do, but you could pick and choose to do some… or none at all. The ship had a lovely open air space with gorgeous greenery called "Central Park" and a bustling boardwalk, which featured a carousel that Elsa loved.

We spent the most time at the kids aqua park with slides, water cannons, and an enormous drench bucket high above that fills up and then pours onto everyone below. She was soaking up the sun and loving every minute of it.

The ship also offered a “kids camp” (complimentary childcare) in the morning, afternoon and evening. They’d have face painting, crafts, and play time. Elsa enjoyed it so much, she would ASK to go. A win-win: My husband and I actually got to squeeze in some “grownup time!”

Other perks: I also loved having the bed made every day, and not having to prepare ANY meals! Of course, traveling with our friends and their two kids made the trip even more fun.

One time we went to eat breakfast in the main dining room. We chose a table right next to a window. I asked Elsa if she wanted to sit in a chair that faced the window so she could see the water. She chose the chair with the back to the window, saying, "I don't want to see the water. I want to see YOU, Mommy!" She always has a way of melting my heart.

Because of Elsa’s age, we didn’t do any of the off-shore excursions that involved snorkeling, hiking, or historical tours. Those will have to wait until she’s older… or for an adults-only vacation (which we still have yet to take!).

On the cruise, I wound up making small talk with another couple in a hot tub. They said they hadn’t seen their teenagers for much of the trip because they were always off doing their own thing. I’m grateful for this stage in life when Elsa wants to hang out with us — by necessity and by choice.

And we love vacationing with her! There’s a small part of me that wishes I had a crazy story to tell about the frustrations of traveling with a toddler, but honestly I don’t.

Elsa stayed up well past her normal bedtime every night on the trip - one or two nights she was rather grumpy and moody trying to go to bed. Other than that, she enjoyed the trip in the way we hoped she would. (My husband as well—with NO seasickness! We stocked up on Dramamine, but didn’t even have to touch it.)

​After seven days of sailing on the ocean, Elsa says she’s happy to be back home. Of all things, she told me she missed her piggy bank the most! I told her we’ll have to start saving money for our next big adventure. Our passports are ready!