V-Flyer

I wrote this almost a year ago (for another forum), but am posting it here in case this is useful to Nibbs or anyone else.

This was our third trip with Jnr: he had previously been to LA (at 5.5 months old) and to LA and Colorado (at 12 months old). Things are getting slightly easier, since we know a bit more about what to expect and have learnt from previous mistakes....

After our last trip to the US (and because we were going on a cruise the following day – which would provide few opportunities to stock up on things that we needed), I ensured that we took ALL I needed for Jnr (nappies, wipes, toddler formula, healthy snacks etc). This more than doubled our normal luggage.


(two suitcases, two holdalls full of Jnr’s things, one stroller packed in a bag, one nappy bag to carry on, my carry on, one LittleLife infant backpack carrier)

We drive up to Heathrow the morning of departure. This means less packing/unpacking/organisation and fits well with Jnr’s routine. Jnr is down to one nap a day (after lunch) and so I endeavoured to “keep him awake” during the trip to Heathrow: “The wheels on the bus” and “Old McDonald’s farm” got sung quite a few times along the way (much to my husband’s amusement!).

We met the in-laws at Heathrow: they were travelling with us and cruising with us, flying back the day the cruise ended (so that we could have 3 nights alone in a hotel at Fort Lauderdale). This worked out very well for us.

Official Valet Parking at Terminal 3 was excellent and very little hassle. A quick check-in (flying Upper Class) and up to the private security channel. With everything going on (trying to hold onto a toddler whilst removing my shoes etc), I failed to remember to take off my shoulder handbag (before going through the scanner carrying Jnr) and so set myself up for a secondary search... Security also insisted that I tasted one of the sealed bottles of pre-mixed toddler formula (I have learnt from BA – that it may not be possible to get milk onboard). I got my husband to do it. The security woman then tried to hand it back to me, but I asked her to dispose of it – she seemed very surprised that it had to be used or discarded within an hour of opening (it was useless to me once opened).

Heathrow Clubhouse is excellent for toddlers – good little kids room with lots of toys in it. We all had breakfast, although Jnr started his “holiday food fussiness” and only ate toast and fruit...


(Kids room in Virgin Clubhouse – rather better than BA’s offerings)


{Admiring the view)

Flight went as expected really... hard work, but everyone survived. There was some very serious fussing before take-off: Jnr is a very active child and doesn’t like being “restrained” (despite trying toys, books and snacks). I think that the rest of the cabin were getting rather worried! However, Jnr passed out straight after we started taxi-ing, slept for 3 hours, then we managed to keep him entertained during the rest of the flight and even through descent and landing – so not another peep out of him! The Upper Class Purser offered (and I excepted) a spare suite to nap in: gave me an hour and a half nap and a bit more space. One of my criticisms about Virgin is the “inconsistency” of their cabin crew: they are either excellent or really very poor (in both service and attitude). On this flight they were incredibly good.

Virgin Upper Class worked very well for us. We were looking for Business Class (not First Class) and Virgin had several advantages over British Airways (and a few others). These included excellent Clubhouse at Heathrow - good breakfast and a really good kids room with lots of toys. The Upper Class suite also has more “room for two” than the BA Club World seat. There was no way that we were going to get Jnr into a bassinet (at 17 months and 25lbs) and, even at 12.5 months, it was fairly “cosy” for the both of us in a Club World seat... Also the A346 offered us a couple of areas to distract Jnr (away from the main cabin and its slumbering occupants): both the bar area and also the forward galley (which wasn’t in use during the second half of the flight). Unless you are incredibly lucky (or drug them unconscious) a toddler boy will not sit in a seat for 9+ hours...


(Jnr in Upper Class Suite. Sleeping like a baby....)


(Trying to keep Jnr busy with books and kids TV)

Arrival at Miami was pretty straightforward and not too bad at all.

Rental car was a bit of a nightmare: we booked an Escalade – should have been big enough, but they now only use Escalades with “two completely separate back seats” (not a bench seat that seats three). We just couldn’t get this to work with the 5 of us (including infant carseat and LOADS of luggage) and ended up trading it for a mini-van. The mini-van was ok, but it was the hassle of changing it all...

First night was at the Hilton Marina, Fort Lauderdale and was good. Rooms (in the main building) small but good. Proper (metal) cot provided by hotel. Breakfast was good. The staff were very accommodating and friendly.