We travel agents get this question a LOT from parents with little ones. Generally the answer to this question is "yes". There are however, several points that you may want to consider when it comes to sleeping like a baby when you're all on vacation together.
Most resorts do offer either cribs or pack n plays for babies and toddlers. Some resorts offer this as a complimentary amenity. Other resorts do charge, either by the week or by the day. Be sure to read the fine print to avoid any surprise fees on your check out bill.
In addition, your resort may indeed offer free cribs but this crib may not be portable. What happens when you want to spend the day at the beach? Will you need to bring baby back to the room for nap time? If they do offer pack n plays that you can take to the beach, do they have a shield for sun protection? Something very important to consider if you're heading to the tropics.
Speaking of fine print, there is an important line that reads "based on availability". Many resorts have a limited inventory of cribs or Pack N Plays available for their guests to use. If you plan to vacation during holiday weeks, spring break or summer vacation along with millions of other families there may not be enough baby gear to go around.
Families traveling overseas and visiting resorts in foreign countries have another point to consider. Child product safety standards WILL be different than what American parents are used to back at home. Some countries may have better quality standards while other countries may have lower standards or no quality standard at all. For example...in the United States, crib slats cannot have openings larger than 2 and 3/8 inches. That's why parents are told to double check when using old, hand me down cribs to prevent choking and entrapment accidents. Your foreign resort may offer cribs but if that country has no child equipment safety standards, do you want your child sleeping in that crib?
Last but not least, you're family might have been blessed with one of those "light sleepers" who is a little creature of habit. Sleeping in their own portable crib is the only way to insure everyone has a good night sleep.
For all these reasons, many parents opt to bring their Pack N Play from home.
If you're doing a road trip, you can simply toss your Pack N Play in the trunk along with everything else baby owns and you're good to go.
If you're flying to your resort destination then you have a couple more things to consider...
1. Will your airline charge you to check your Pack N Play? - Often this will depend on whether your child is flying free as a lapchild or whether you have paid for an airline seat for your child. If you paid for your child's airline seat then you're child is entitled to the luggage allowances set by the airline for any paid ticket. If you're child is flying as a lapchild, you'll most likely need to pay to check your pack n play. Of course every airline and every airline ticket comes with this own luggage allowances, size and weight restrictions. Many of the major airlines will check baby gear for free with a paid full fair ticket. Remember size and weight restrictions may apply. Again be sure to check with your travel agent or specific airline carrier about their baby gear policies to avoid any fee surprises at airport baggage check in.
2. Be sure your Pack N Play is in a protective carrier with Luggage Tags - Aircraft luggage holds are filthy, gross, disgusting! (Did we mention where they store luggage at airports and on airplanes is dirty?) Even if your Pack N Play comes with its own carrying case, consider getting a larger duffle bag to protect it and keep it clean while traveling. Be sure to add a luggage tag with your Name, email and cell phone number in case you and your bag end up going separate ways.
PS....For long distant international flights, many airlines do offer bassinets that are available in bulk head rows that can be used during the flights. Speak to one of our travel agents who can help you plan a memorable vacation experience with your little one while helping you avoid stress and pitfalls every step of the way.
