5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 3

[scuba.mom]

Another suggestion for a girls day would be the spa at the Grand Floridian followed by afternoon tea there.

Good Ideas. I will put them on my list of things to do.

 

[scuba.mom]

Kevin probably already answered this. We use our laptop too. We bought a splitter that allows us to plug three pairs of earphones into it. I guess you could find one for four!

That's how we use the portable DVD player so three of us can enjoy the movie while one drives (that is usually Jim. He can't wait until next year when Matt will be more than willing to share driving duties. Actually I guess he can drive with Jim in the car as soon as he picks up his permit)

 

[scuba.mom]

That's how we use the portable DVD player so three of us can enjoy the movie while one drives (that is usually Jim. He can't wait until next year when Matt will be more than willing to share driving duties. Actually I guess he can drive with Jim in the car as soon as he picks up his permit)

This is Little Gymnast - I am at work with Mom today. It is kinda boring. Thinking of Matt driving is SCARY vision to me

 

[CajunGirl2]

Cruise question - cruise question - cruise question - cruise question

Now that I have your attention --- I have a friend with two small children (sorry about 2 and 5, I think) and she is "worried" that she cannot take her children on a Disney cruise because they get very excited and may "upset" the older adults, example she used, 80 year seniors. She is not sure they will sit through dinner.

Tell your friend to come! My kids (both girls) will need friends. Mine will be 3.5 and almost 6 at the time of the cruise. I think it's ladypoo that has a grand-daughter that will be around 6. And Maria & Amanda have sons that are going to be around that age too. We've never been on a cruise so I can't really answer the other questions but I'm hoping that mine will behave well. I'm going with that attitude that this a family vacation. If someone doesn't like the way children are behaving on a cruiseline such as DCL, then they need to go somewhere else. I'm not saying that my kids are unruly but they do have the occassional meltdown but we promptly remove them from the situation when that happens.

Angie

 

[Dancind]

Hello everyone! Okay, I know I don't officially "belong" here, but every once in awhile I see a friendly name and just have to catch-up on what everyone's been doing. Things here are hot, but good. Sandy stayed in Gainesville for the summer, we're going up to see her later this week and will visit Ginny Springs. Chris and his friend have been going on at least 1 dive a week. I've joined a gym (like Curves) and have been trying to lose the rest of the Christmas weight. Boyd has been working alot and playing some golf. My aunt and I are doing the repo cruise - can't wait. She's packing enough for 4 women to go for 2 months. Last week was her 81st birthday - hope someone takes me on vacations when I'm her age. Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.

Cindy

Hi Cindy! Nice to "see" you! Have a terrific time on that cruise, so very jealous here. What's better than 10 days on the Magic? Two weeks!

 

[scuba.mom]

That's right!!

We need to get Jim and Matt in on our diving opportunities!!

I think Matt is in school thru the Wednesday before the cruise, so Thurs/Fri would be there only open days that I am aware of. Just let Jim know your plans as he is always open for a dive opportunity.

 

[Dancind]

Cruise question - cruise question - cruise question - cruise question

Now that I have your attention --- I have a friend with two small children (sorry about 2 and 5, I think) and she is "worried" that she cannot take her children on a Disney cruise because they get very excited and may "upset" the older adults, example she used, 80 year seniors. She is not sure they will sit through dinner.

Well, for starters, the typical 80 something cruisers avoid DCL like the plague. You will see some older folks, but they are usually extended family members, and have their own little kids along. The adult couples that choose to cruise DCL know very well where the adults only areas are! DCL is pretty good about separating the groups at dinner too. There is one rotation known as the "highchair" rotation. Your friend would be in that group, and would likely be seated at a table with a similar family.



If you're a good friend, I'd also urge them not to cruise until the younger one is 3 and potty trained. I know people do it all the time, but untrained babies can't go to the Club, and they can't swim in the pools. There isn't a lot for them to do, and the nursery charges something like $8 an hour? Mom would be the on board entertainment for the little one, just like at home.



Amanda will no doubt have a different opinion on the above, but that's mine. We didn't even go to WDW until our DD was 8 and didn't need naps or strollers!

 

[scuba.mom]

Cruise question - cruise question - cruise question - cruise question

Now that I have your attention --- I have a friend with two small children (sorry about 2 and 5, I think) and she is "worried" that she cannot take her children on a Disney cruise because they get very excited and may "upset" the older adults, example she used, 80 year seniors. She is not sure they will sit through dinner.

Tell her the kids will have an excellent time and Disney does a great job separating everyone into the type of environment they want to be in. The younger kids hang out at the Mickey Pool, Kids Club, etc and with so many activities just for them they don't interfere with the "adult" areas of the adult only pool, the spa, beat street, etc. The kids can be in programming from 9am until midnight or 1pm. The younger my kids were the more they wanted to stay in their programs, they would even even eat lunch and/or dinner with their group. As they have gotten older, they are in the programs less, but they know where they can and cannot be and how to behave themselves. Encourage your friend to try it for a weekend cruise to see if it works for them.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

This is Little Gymnast - I am at work with Mom today. It is kinda boring. Thinking of Matt driving is SCARY vision to me

Hi Little Lisa - cannot wait to met you and your family. Don't let your Mom know that work is boring - she has to be there most of the week....Take care.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

CRUISE HINTS ABOUT KIDS

Thanks - keep 'em coming....The more hints the better.

Now, back to fluff...

 

[WDWLVR]

Well if you don't mind someone without kids chiming in here is my 2 cents.

I think DCL does a great job of having something for everyone. The kids clubs i think are the best afloat (at least from what i've heard from friends who have cruised with kids). The adult areas are kept just for the adults - something that doesn't happen on other ships.

On our May '03 cruise we actually asked to be on the highchair rotation (based on where we wanted to be for Formal and Tropical night) and enjoyed it. On our Dec. '04 cruise we had both a pre-teen and a toddler at our table and enjoyed the experience greatly.

I agree with Diana about waiting to cruise until the younger one is potty trained. On that May '03 cruise we saw a Mother and Father with a toddler (I would say maybe 3 tops) and 3 infants! They had no one else with them. I honestly don't see what they got out of the cruise, but to each their own.

 

[WDWLVR]

Oh yes! I have cruise talk! Our tentative plan is to stay at Disney's Vero Beach Resort for a few nights before the cruise. Anyone else thinking of staying there? Seems like a good time to try it, our WDW APs will have expired!

Diana - we stayed there the night before the 10 day and loved it! I think we will most likely be working the day before the cruise so will probably stay at the airport Hyatt, but you never know!

 

[Dancind]

.

I agree with Diana about waiting to cruise until the younger one is potty trained. On that May '03 cruise we saw a Mother and Father with a toddler (I would say maybe 3 tops) and 3 infants! They had no one else with them. I honestly don't see what they got out of the cruise, but to each their own.

That would be sort of a cruise nightmare. Well, they must have had a big account at Flounder's Reef. Maybe they don't even get that opportunity at home!

 

[WDWLVR]

That would be sort of a cruise nightmare. Well, they must have had a big account at Flounder's Reef. Maybe they don't even get that opportunity at home!

You would think - but we never saw them without all the children. Every meal was in the dining room and they spent all their time feeding the 4 children and themselves. I would hope they had some time alone.

 

[kikipug]

You would think - but we never saw them without all the children. Every meal was in the dining room and they spent all their time feeding the 4 children and themselves. I would hope they had some time alone.

From the looks of their family makeup, they've had enough time alone to last them for awhile...

 

[ladypoo]

We are taking my granddaughter on the cruise. She will turn 6 right after we get back. We waited until she was potty trained to take her on the cruise. Misti and I took a 3 day cruise in Sept '03 with out her to "test" the waters. We loved it, so booked a 4 night the following Sept for her. The first cruise we were at a table with 3 couples. The 2nd cruise we had the "high chair" rotation. We were at the table with another family that had 2 children, (about 3 &5) if I'm not mistaken. This last cruise, we were seated with an extended family of 4. The child was about 8-9. This was May 05. Our next cruise is in August, when we Bring the Magic Home. She will be with us on this cruise also. She is forever asking us when she gets to go back on the boat with the bedrooms.

On the other hand, we started taking Dom to WDW when she was 15 months old. She loved it then and still loves it. Our next trip is next week, actually. She has always been a fairly easy going child. We just have to make sure we take her "princess" dresses with us.

 

[CajunGirl2]

Well if you don't mind someone without kids chiming in here is my 2 cents.

I agree with Diana about waiting to cruise until the younger one is potty trained. On that May '03 cruise we saw a Mother and Father with a toddler (I would say maybe 3 tops) and 3 infants! They had no one else with them. I honestly don't see what they got out of the cruise, but to each their own.

I thought I had to chime in again but don't want to start a debate. Each family has a different situation that they are comfortable with. For us, vacations mean vacation with our children. DH & I have never had the luxury to be able to vacation without them. In fact, I can think of only 1 time that we've been able to spend the night out. We don't have familiy or friends around that we can leave our children with. Because of the expense of sitters, we rarely go out on dates. So, for us, dealing with kids on vacation is just a given and not a headache. To be honest, dealing with a kid that is not potty trained playing in a water play area is a lot easier on a parent than dealing with a potty-trained toddler that is not a self-sufficient swimmer.

To be honest, I don't see us having much alone time on this cruise. Yes, it will be nice if we go to Palo's one night. But, beyond that I don't see us having much alone time; unless DDs decide they just love the clubs. We won't push it. There is also something about seeing thing through a childs eyes that is just priceless & bring such happiness to my heart!

We made our first family trip to DW when Emily was 21 months old. Let's just say she was easier to handle at 21 months than she was at 4! There were less melt-downs and less attitude.

I'll pipe down now. I really didn't want to start a debate.

Angie

 

[mickeymo]

Cruise question - cruise question - cruise question - cruise question

Now that I have your attention --- I have a friend with two small children (sorry about 2 and 5, I think) and she is "worried" that she cannot take her children on a Disney cruise because they get very excited and may "upset" the older adults, example she used, 80 year seniors. She is not sure they will sit through dinner.

Short Answer: Disney = Families...

We cruised Royal Carribbean 2x w/o kids and Disney 1x as a family. Right now, for family cruising - we will stick with Disney. Disney, it's staff and the guests, understand family cruising. So, if the kids act up - chances are she will get more understanding and support on a DCL cruise - Don't think there's many famlies who haven't had tired and over stimulated children on a Disney Vacation.

Dinner times, the kids were brought their meals first. Each kids menu had little activities to keep them busy. My kids loved the kids programs so, 1/2 the time they ate in a hurry and one of us ran them up to the clubs and we finished our meals at a more leasurely pace. Our guideline was to eat with us the 1st three nights for the rotation themes, and then after that it was up to them. The last nights, they chose to eat with their groups or order room service. We are blessed occasionally with flying grandma down for a mom & Dad vacation. We figured the cruise was just as much their vacation as ours so, gave them plenty of opportunities to make their own decisions for family time or "on their own" time.

 

[tinksdad]

Hello everyone! Okay, I know I don't officially "belong" here, but every once in awhile I see a friendly name and just have to catch-up on what everyone's been doing. Things here are hot, but good. Sandy stayed in Gainesville for the summer, we're going up to see her later this week and will visit Ginny Springs. Chris and his friend have been going on at least 1 dive a week. I've joined a gym (like Curves) and have been trying to lose the rest of the Christmas weight. Boyd has been working alot and playing some golf. My aunt and I are doing the repo cruise - can't wait. She's packing enough for 4 women to go for 2 months. Last week was her 81st birthday - hope someone takes me on vacations when I'm her age. Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.

Cindy

I love Ginny Springs, except this time of year on the weekends. You can get all those goofy redneck, beer drinking inner tubers (or is that goobers?) clogging up everything. It can make diving interesting. Sometimes you find some "interesting things".

Dive Safe!

 

[tinksdad]

I think Matt is in school thru the Wednesday before the cruise, so Thurs/Fri would be there only open days that I am aware of. Just let Jim know your plans as he is always open for a dive opportunity.

That much, you can count on!! All I have to do is mention it and the planning begins!!