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Boston to Maui with 2 kids under 2: Should I do it?

Boston to Maui with 2 kids under 2: Should I do it?

Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 01:07 PM
  #21  
kealalani
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If I were to do this, I would only fly with 4 seats. Have have experienced some good old fashioned turbulence over that pacific, and really don't think a lapbaby is a wise choice.

Good luck with your decisionmaking. Lots of great opinions on both side of the fence onthis one.
 
Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 01:23 PM
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I'm with highflyer. Being a parent to an infant and toddler is a lot of work whether you stay at home in Boston or vacation in Hawaii. I vote to go. I think if you stay home you will probably regret not taking this opportunity. By April, you'll be tired of the winter and ready for the Hawaiian sunshine.

I don't understand the warnings about eating out. I'm sure you know your children and what they can handle. At the infant and toddler stage my children were happy as long as they had yogurt, fruit and milk available. We never ate 3 meals out when we travelled with small children - in fact we still don't. It just takes a little planning, to make sure you always have a snack available. I'm sure you are not expecting fine dining and the pool side restaurant is an easy, casual option, if you are eating alone with the kids.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 01:44 PM
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Seriously, any mother of a baby or toddler knows that this endeavor will be no picnic. First question is, have you traveled by plane since having the baby? If so how far did you travel and how did it go?

Equipment wise, I am sure that the Ritz has pack and play cribs and maybe even strollers. Of course there are websites that you can order basics like formula, diapers, etc to be shipped to your desination so you aren't traveling with everything but the sink.

But the reality is, your boys are going to want to move around alot! The eight month old whether crawling or not will probably not want to remain in Mommy's arms for 8-10 hours. And then there is the time zone, factor. It sounds like a great opportunity if kids were older or it was you and your husband. However, given the circumstances I would liken it to an ice pick in my head. Just my opinion.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 01:52 PM
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Another vote for flying in a grandparent(s) and you go alone with your husband. You will have a wonderful time and a much needed break, and your parents and kids will bond. It's a win win situation. Have fun!
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Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 01:57 PM
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GO.
A free hotel room in Maui?
Husband has afternoons free?
Alternative is home alone with two babies and snowsuits?
GO.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 04:40 PM
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OK - my 2 cents...we're regulars to Hawaii, mostly Maui. We have two kids so we've been there, done that.

Flying from the east coast with two little boys:
1. Book four seats
2. Book only in first class if you're sure they won't disturb anybody else.
3. Stop in San Francisco or Los Angeles, spending at least one night, preferably two. Your boys will need a break and so will you.
4. Bring them to Maui, it will be so much fun! You may even want to book two rooms and bring a sitter to give all of you a break, on the plane and at the hotel.
5. Get a club level room so you can take advantage of all the Ritz has to offer. If that's not part of your package, call the hotel and ask how you can get it.

Aloooooooha! 8-)
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Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 07:09 PM
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Another vote for flying in a grandparent/ relative to watch the boys. If you were on the west coast, it would be more doable.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 08:21 PM
  #28  
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Tess, Melissa said they would not be able to afford the hotel themselves (her husband's company is paying) so I think adding a room or upgrading to the Club floor probably isn't an option.
 
Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 08:34 PM
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I say go! If you stay home you have to watch two boys by yourself, so you might as well do that in Maui! This only works if you are willing to have the kind of trip they will let you have, i.e. going to the kid museum or whatever will entertain them not what you would do if they weren't there. But I would see if you could maybe get a condo, or a suite with a separate room so you don't have to turn off the lights at 8:00 when it's their bedtime, that's a real drag.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2008, 08:36 PM
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I like TTess's suggestion of spending a night enroute in Los Angeles or San Francisco to break up the trip if that's possible.

We haven't flown that far with little ones, but other passengers had babies and toddlers on our flights from LAX to Auckland and LAX to Heathrow, and the kids did fine.

If you think you can handle it, I'd go for it.

Lee Ann
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Old Jan 3rd, 2008, 10:34 AM
  #31  
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Wow, such great advice here- many, many thank yous to all!

The family member babysitting thing is not an option. There is no one suitable who would be able or willing to do this.

I guess I didn't really think about the room itself...I can see the point about how a condo/suite room would be better than an average room how ever nice it may be.

Staying longer is an option, and I like the idea of a night or 2 in CA.

LOL about looking like refugees. As I have travled with my oldest son I am aware of all the "gear" needed. Never once did I have to pay for the extra luggage fee when I travled myself or with my husband, yet I have paid it twice since having kids. How is it little kids require so much "stuff"?

Thank you again to all.
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Old Jan 3rd, 2008, 12:46 PM
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"Go.

We mostly regret the things we don't do rather than the things we do."

This is my response also...speaking as a mother of a 1-year-old who's been no problem on the plane.

If others "hate" you, so be it...you'll never see them again.
Be honest with yourself about your children's temperament at this stage, and do your best to be prepared - toys, books, snacks, etc. The rest is anyone's guess.

I am not saying that the flight can't be stressful, but I think flying to Hawaii for free as a family of four is a great opportunity.

Ultimately, you decide.
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Old Jan 3rd, 2008, 01:00 PM
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The first flight we took with our first kid my husband and I looked at each and just the carry on stuff we had for our son and said "remember when we could go away for 2 weeks with less stuff than this"
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Old Jan 3rd, 2008, 01:45 PM
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I took my small ones all over the place and the worst thing we had to deal with was ears hurting when landing..
of course, this was in the days when flight attendants were really helpful and people didn't slap you around if your child whimpered ( joking joking) but I think you can do it..look at the treat at the end of that plane ride

Sooo much good advice here from travelers with children..I had to take all of my advice from my Mother!! she had me in an airplane at the age of 10 days..sigh
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Old Jan 3rd, 2008, 02:42 PM
  #35  
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Just adding one thing as no one is addressing this:

The beach at the Ritz in Kapalua (unless they are building a different Ritz on Maui), is not suitable for swimming - not even for adults.

The closest beach would be Kapalua Bay, which will be a car ride away, but still on the property. Kapalua is more adult friendly, but still no place for a baby unless an adult is holding him full time.

As they are constructing there at the moment, you may want to inquire at the hotel as to how guests might get there (they may have a shuttle during construction).

There are "keiki" pools somewhere...but you'll have to drive to them from the Ritz Carlton. It's a question you did not ask, but one you might want to have answers to...unless you just want to hang by the pool all day.

Aloha!
 
Old Jan 3rd, 2008, 02:43 PM
  #36  
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By "keiki" pools, I mean naturally occuring pools. Not swimming pools, which are obviously at the resort.

 
Old Jan 3rd, 2008, 11:12 PM
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Gotravel: <<Tess, Melissa said they would not be able to afford the hotel themselves (her husband's company is paying) so I think adding a room or upgrading to the Club floor probably isn't an option.>>

GoTravel,I wouldn't presume to speculate about what another poster is or is not able to pay. My suggestion of the Club Floor, IMHO, is a good one. In May, for instance, the upgraded cost is only $100 per night. The Ritz's lounge has a Continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, caviar presentation and evening desserts. It's a nice thing to have for families. When our kids were younger, we always stayed on the club floor of hotels to take advantage of these ammenities. Having them available for families makes traveling so much easier.

Melissa, the 8th floor of the Ritz is where the lounge is located. It has the best views of the hotel. The pools are really nice and there are canopies to keep the kids protected from the sun. Don't forget their hats! Yes, the idea of breaking up your trip for a night or two in CA will really make the trip more bearable. We live in CA but having traveled out of the country, I understand what it's like for these long treks with kids. Let us know if you need more tips.

Aloooooooha! 8-)
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Old Jan 4th, 2008, 07:29 AM
  #38  
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Tess, not trying to pick a fight with you but the price difference at the Ritz-Carlton Maui for a club level room is $1000 per night not $100.

https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Prope...4&co=4:10:2008

I just punched in random April dates for 2008.
 
Old Jan 4th, 2008, 12:56 PM
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Here's a vote for GO!!

I'm a single mom and I've been "schlepping" my son around everywhere since he was a month old (he's now 9.) With a little planning, it's really not that hard. The key, for me, has been to be flexible with plans and to always carry food.

I would do whatever you need to do to have an airplane seat for both kids. Everybody will be happier.

The Ritz is a customer service oriented organization, so use it to your advantage. I'm sure they can arrange cribs and even strollers. (Although, I would probably opt for a lightweight stroller with a basket underneath that can hold a big diaper bag and a backpack carrier combo.)

As for food, room service works great for little kids. If the room only has a mini-bar fridge, you can request the Ritz to empty out the contents for you so that you can use it as a fridge.

Also, if you're comfortable with the idea, I'm sure the hotel has a list of screened babysitters/nannies (often staff members of the hotel) so that you can get out for an adult evening or take a couple of hours for yourself during the day.

One thing I would make sure to have before you go are good inflatable pool seats/riders designed for very young kids. (Hotel gift shops usually only have those cheap flimsy inflatable rings.) They're great for the pool -- my son loved those when he was about 6 months old. I also usually packed a small plastic bucket and shovel for the beach.

In the end, when it's cold and raw in Boston in April, you will absolutely kill yourself if you pass up this opportunity!
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Old Jan 4th, 2008, 01:26 PM
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I am REALLY glad you asked this question, and I look forward to going back and reading all the replies now! We live on the North Shore of Mass., and have traveled to Hawaii for the past 4 summers. We had booked our FF tickets for next summer, but surprise! I'm pregnant and due in August. We were thinking about just pushing the tickets back several months and taking the baby. People in our lives think we're nuts, but we want to do it!
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