klr6773 ==>

Go for it. We travelled extensively with our son from infancy on up. The experience was invaluable to all of us.

From what I read, my guess is that you'll be returning to Alaska more than once...too many fantastic experiences to see it all in one trip. You'll find more than enough things to share with your child...and then ten times more things to share on the next trip...and the next...and the next.

Alaska is magical...go and enjoy!

I think for a once in a lifetime trip, she ought to wait til her child is older so she can remember it.

I wouldn't just assume that a single mother has such a large bankroll that she can keep returning to Alaska.

If this is a once in a lifetime trip for klr6773, then my guess will be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time (lol).

Our first cruise to Alaska was to be a once in a lifetime trip. But it turned out to be just the first. There's just too many wonderful experiences to share...too many variations of a very grand and glorious theme.

I've never revisited any destination I've been to...During my"pre baby" days I've done about 8 islands,CUN, and Hawaii.(Wouldn't mind Hawaii again,actually.)Alaska is the trip that I've wanted to do for a long time...never found a friend with the money to go with me.So,I'd be happy just to be able to do it once! I'll wait until she's older so she has a few memories of the trip.(The only memories I have of traveling when I was little was the 8 hour car trek to the middle of nowhere for a family reunion.Yikes!)No, without sounding snobby,money is not the issue.Just think middle class who busts her butt running a Costco bakery 50 hours a week! ;) Shameless plug!!!

Trust your instincts. I have taken my kids on most trips and left them at home for others. I took my 20 month old to China. Did she remember it??? . Now almost 11, she watches the video of our trip on occasion (and has watched it atleast once or twice a year since we went in 1994) and she "remembers" from the seeing her experience.

Bringing children is an instant ice breaker for meeting new people. But be sure to excuse yourself (and your baby) when/if she starts "acting up." While occasional fussing is normal for the age, remember that some people have paid for vacation and would consider this a nuissance.

I would also check with your tour if they (hotel/cruise) offer baby sitting services on board, have a "kids club" or anything comparable.

Another idea is to bring grandparents along if you can afford it. They get a free trip in exchange for child minding on a few evenings.

Bring your daughter and don't worry if she will get "anything" out of it. Just make sure she won't detract from your trip.
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My husband and I struggled with this very same question however we were cruising the caribbean. We have a 4 year that we had cruised with when he was 2 1/2 but 18months seemed so young.
We decided to go for it and bring both of our kids. Our trouble began on the flight to Miami when the 18 mth old started running a fever. To make a very long story short we visited the ship doctor several times. Called our pediatrician from port so often we could have flown home less expensively only to find out the ship doctor misdiagnosed by son all 4 times he saw him. Upon our landing back home we immediately rushed him to our local hospital. He had pnuemonia and needed to be hospitalized. While I understand the chances of this happening to you are slim, keep in mind the shipboard doctors are not familiar with treating children. Should you need medical attentin onboard the ship I would say it is less than adequate. Again, this is just my experience and other doctors may be better than the one we encountered but we spent 7 miserable days with a very sick toddler. In hindsight we wish we would have left him at home.