Travelling to the Carribean with a 4 year old

[Black Noir]

I am sitting on the fence about booking a holiday next year as this would involve a 10 hour flight with my 4 year old son, I also have 3 older girls 9, 11 & 12 and have put off going to the carribean until they were all a bit older. Has anyone got any travel advice taking a child this young??

[funnygirl]

Years ago, I took my son aged 3 at the time to Jamaica and no problem. He behaved himself on the flight, I took plenty of books and actitivies for him to do.

He was a little boisterous, but he soon went to sleep for most of the flight.

[divegirl]

I took my 10 year old to Borneo this year.....total flight time 15 hours!!!!! She slept for about 13 and a half!!!!! The kids will have their own tv's to keep them amused....and will sleep alot...it's not as bad as you think!!!!

Go for it and have a lovely time!!!!

lisa x

[ojread2]

Try and book a nighttime/late flight so as so coincide with sleep time
Lots of things to do, colouring, books etc and you'll be fine
have fun!

[banned-dot]

I cannot believe you would take your family all that way and spend all that money when you could do the holiday for half the price in a european destination. I am a very selfish holiday maker, and if i have paid alot of money for a holiday, I would be furious if i arrived and found a large number of children around the pool every day, and lets face it in the all inclusives it is not like you can get away from the complex on tours with 4 children to pay for aswell.
I have been to the caribean 4 times and only once encountered a large number of children, which was in Cuba, and we hardly had a quiet relaxing day by the pool and they got noisier and noisier. i am a grumpy so and so i know, but I don't spend my money on a holiday and then spend it avoiding children splashing and yelping in the pool. I would hope you have very very well mannered and well behaved children if i were to find you in my complex. : )))
On several flights we have encountered hysyerical, loud, restless rude children, I can't abide it when they walk up and down the wholoe flight, this happens alot on long haul through boredom and mischief, we paid for extra leg room seats to Antigua and a constant stream of children walking across the front of us and obscuring our TV screen was infuriating!!! The parents were sending the kids up and down the gangway constantly.
Yes I know I sound very very ciritical and bad tempered and intolerant, but I am when i am when I am irritated .

On a positive note my negativity may have given you the heads up and you will have a good flight and geat holiday because your children are properly brought up and will do as they are told and not cause a nuisance to other travellers. : ))

[Black Noir]

Thanks all for your comments, I do strangely see where Dot is coming from, hence my initial reluctance to book it and go.

I wanted to wait until they were all old enough and responsible enough to appreciate this sort of holiday, and not annoy people on the plane and tear around like idiots when we get there!

Again thanks to all x

[auntiebertie]

It is tricky (aka impossible) to book USA bound flights at night - they don't exist. Keep them occupied during the flight, and then a light meal and straight to bed to avoid the jet lag. Have you looked at taking them on a cruise - activities will keep them occupied all day and night and they will make lots of American chums. You may make friends with the parents - et voila - cheap american holidays forever more! Check out Royal Caribbean. Way back is a night flight -get on board and eat and go to sleep. (BTW it is CaRiBBean - one r and two b's..)

[Dee Sa]

dont listen to the baa humbug comments, I also think Dot should get a life, would hate to sit next to her long haul !
you go and dont worry, usually the things you dread the most dont happen, there are four of you to help with the youngster and keep him occupied.
Are you going back to your homeland ? you are entitled to go on holiday anywhere you want- the old saying " you pays your money and you takes youe choice" comes to mind.
Book the holiday and enjoy it.

[funnygirl]

I am too surprised at Dot!!!

After all kids are entitled to enjoy themselves on holiday and this is what they do!! They get excited.

The phrase children should be seen and not heard springs to mind.

[Black Noir]

No we are all british, my husband and I have been out to Tobago a handful of times and I always wanted to take the kids when they were old enough as a one off ( it isnt cheap as you can imagine)
I was unfortunately brought up with old traditions and am really concious that they behave themselves and not cause a nusiance to other people, so i was kind of putting the feelers out to see if anyone on here had taken children of a similar age.
I really do appreciate all your comments...sadly a cruise is slightly outside the budget :(

[divegirl]

Do you know what would p!ss me off?
Paying all that money....flying all that way and finding you had booked into the same hotel as a miserable cow like Dot!!!!!

Try Broadstairs Dot.....sounds much more like your sort of thing!

[ojread2]

LOL Dive girl

Dot, if you're that sour faced you cant stand children around you when you are on your hols, try an over 5's holiday resort - plenty of peace and quiet there

you don't have children/grandchildren I take it?