1st time alone or with kids?

[MAGICX2]

My DH and I would like to go on a Disney cruise but we aren't sure whether to take DS4 and DD1 with us. We think it might be a better idea to go alone the first time(it's not like we couldn't use the time together anyway) to get the feel of it. We have never cruised before. But we don't want the kids to miss the magic either. Advice Please!

 

[princssdisnygina]

Go alone! DOn't get me wrong, it is fun with kids, but much more fun when you can be a kid yourself!!! Plus, since they are so young they probably wouldn't remember it anyway. My husband and I have been on 3 disney cruises alone (we don't have kids) and had a blast!!!! It is nice to break away from being the grown up to being the big kid! Definitely alone! There is so much more you can do if you are alone anyway, you don't have to worry about them. Have fun!

Gina

 

[Evans Family]

Just know that there will be LOTS of kids aboard and it may make you miss your own. Whenever my DH and I go on a trip alone we purposely pick places w/out kids so we don't miss ours!

 

[4ltlTinks]

DH and I went on a cruise alone first...then took 3DD on the Magic a few months later. I wanted to experience what it was like and be prepared before taking the girls. That's what I was comfortable with...I'm an obsessive planner!

Another note...DH and I are going on the Magic alone again in Oct. Guess I can't say "I'm seeing what it's like" this time! To be fair, we have another one booked for Oct. 2006 with the girls. My dad always tells me that there's a difference between "trips" and "vacations." When you take the kids it's a trip...when you go alone it's a vacation. Nothing wrong with trips...we just like to balance them out!

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

My DH and I would like to go on a Disney cruise but we aren't sure whether to take DS4 and DD1 with us. We think it might be a better idea to go alone the first time(it's not like we couldn't use the time together anyway) to get the feel of it. We have never cruised before. But we don't want the kids to miss the magic either. Advice Please!

I know my opinion will be much different than most but I have to share...
Our first Disney cruise was without my DD(then 8) - it was our honeymoon so we didn't bring her (don't feel bad for her, though - she was with her grandparents at the WDW parks!). I missed her so much that I couldn't bring myself to really enjoy the cruise. We just went on our 2nd Disney cruise (2/5/05) and this time we brought DD (now10, almost 11) -- we had such an incredible time! A day hasn't gone by now that I'm not dreaming of our next family disney cruise! Now I also have to admit, our first cruise was also over Mother's Day and it was the first time I didn't have her with me for Mother's Day so that may have added to my misery. I just remember crying a lot and feeling very guilty about not having her with me. Good luck with your choice!

Stacy

 

[depomas]

I think this is a loaded question... I have been away on a vacation once without my children (vegas) I missed them like crazy, but it was a nice reprieve. Now, in retrospect I would not go to Disneyworld or on the Disneycruise without them, regardless of their ages.

So, In my opinion, there is no right or wrong, just what one would do or not do.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Forget your kids and husband. Go with your best friend!

 

[logan1_2000]

Mama always said there were two ways to travel...First Class...and With Children.

That said, our first cruise was a 4 nighter, RCCL, w/o our DS, with another couple who also left their children w/ grandparents. And now 3 1/2 weeks away from 4th DCL cruise w/ DS. We have another cruise booked with the same couple, again w/o kids, next year on RCCL. I would feel guilty going on DCL w/o DS.

I think the most moving part of your post was that you could use the time to yoourselves! And cruising is a wonderful way to vacation. Go on a cruise w/o your children, treat yourself right (first class). If it is DCL, you have to be prepared for the possibility of feeling guilty. Unless you consider it as advance scouting to know the ropes for when they are old enough to enjoy.

So put the do not disturb sin on the outside doorknob and have a Wonderful, Magical, time.

 

[Rachie0507]

DH and I went on the Wonder last month without our kids (ages 2 & 4). We felt really guilty at first but we had such a wonderful time together that it was okay. We used the Internet Cafe to e-mail home and keep in touch (we only did the 3 night though). I think the best part about going alone the first time is getting a feel for the place--knowing where things are and how things run. We are bringing them to WDW in the fall, and DH keeps asking if we can bring them on a cruise!! I think we'll wait a couple more years.....

 

[briarroseALS]

Go with your children! You will miss them so much everytime you see any characters. Disney was made for your family. Enjoy that moment. The first time well....It only comes around once!!!

 

[newfamilyman]

Just know that there will be LOTS of kids aboard and it may make you miss your own. Whenever my DH and I go on a trip alone we purposely pick places w/out kids so we don't miss ours!

That was my thought exactly; sort of like trying to start a diet by going to McDonalds.

 

[rsjj]

and here's my opinion/observations, regarding my family, anyways...

we went with our DSs (2 & 4 at the time), on our very first cruise last year. we all had a blast! and they DO remember their experiences. and
maybe it's because i'm constantly going over the scrapbook i made, looking at the dvd my DH made of our cruise pix, even looking at the dcl dvd! (just to get a dcl fix!) and we were able to have "alone" time, as well as "together" time. granted the alone times weren't that long, but it was still great. we enjoyed just sending off our DSs to the club/nursery, and just heading back to our cabin, whether it was getting dressed for brunch, dinner, strolling along the decks, exploring the ship, holding hands, having our dinner by ourselves, etc. and then, the together time was also memorable & great, laughing with the kids, getting excited seeing the characters, cuz our DSs are excited, exploring the nooks & crannies of the ship together, having our meals together, swimming, etc.

and we are looking forward to another one, creating other memeories both together as a family, as well as just us. this time, i'm looking forward to more "alone" time, now that both our DSs will be old enough to go to the club together. part of me will feel a bit guilty...but we are with our DSs practically 24/7! so what's a little hours of separations here & there? right? right!

anyways, i think everyone is comfortable with their own limits (maybe that's not a good choice of word, but can't think of any other word), whatever they may be. that this was just how i saw it, and as for me, i wouldn't have traded our "first time experience" for anything else! just my thoughts...

 

[lbgraves]

We went on our first 7 day cruise with 3 yo DD & 5 yo DS. Their first experiences with the characters made the trip for us. Kids grow up too fast these days IMO & loose the innocence that lets them enjoy the Magic of Disney too soon. Your youngest may not remember the trip, but your 4 yo definitely will! My now 4 1/2 yo DD talks about the Mickey boat all the time! When we went on our 2nd cruise she talked about so much stuff that we had seen & done. Her face when Cinderella called her by name every time we saw her was just priceless. We last cruised 12/4/04 but she is always singing bits & pieces from the shows and dancing around. It is surprising how much kids actually remember.

LOL! Just tonight the kids were talking & DS said that he was an "animini"(sp bad I know). I asked him what he was talking about & he said he was just like Nemo. LOL! They haven't seen that movie for over 6 months if not more & he remembers that word out of nowhere.

 

[cristit14]

I have no problem going on vacation without the kids from time to time, but I think I would have a hard time doing WDW or Disney cruise without the kids. But I also personally never would have thought about taking the kids on a cruise when they were as young as yours. For me it wouldn't have been that relaxing. To each his own....

 

[briarroseALS]

My daughter and neice were 10 when they went on their first cruise. I would of taken them earlier in age if I had realized how much fun they were going to experience. My only regret is that I did not take her when she was 5! We were too busy going to Disney World every other month!

 

[KKB]

We are SOOOOOO glad we did--what an amazing experience. I feel ready to do this w/ kids now. But my children are old enough to be in kid's club all day--and they are the type that want to be the LAST ones picked up as they are usually having a blast. Gee, I'd like to take them to the beach, the pool and some activities, too!
You will NOT regret going alone first, and as young as yours are, you will have little one w/ you all the time unless you pay for babysitting. I'd do one alone, then take kids when youngest is 3 (and potty-trained).
You will get many opinions. Some are not willing to leave young ones. DH and I have taken many long weekends w/ children happily and safely w/ grandmas, this was a first LONG trip for us.(10 years--10 days!) Strong, happy marriage and children who are very close to their grandparents are our payoffs!
Good luck!
Happy cruising!
Kristin

 

[briarroseALS]

I do have to agree..Your little ones may have more fun when their older. Grandparents are always willing to spoil them for a few days..Take advantage!

 

[MAGICX2]

Forget your kids and husband. Go with your best friend!

She says this because she is my best friend! I have been asking for years to do a girl trip or even a co-family trip and she just won't do it. It might have something to do with the fact that her husband and I hate each other! Just kidding, but it's like putting two ocd people who each want it all their way in a room together for a week. Like THAT is a vacation!