A 7 day with pre-schoolers

[Popovich]

The DH and I are considering taking a cruise next year with our 5 1/2 yr old DD and 4 yr. old DS. It will be our first cruise with the kids.

We would like to do the 7 day cruise but are concerned that their will not be enough for the kids to keep them occupied. Also, which 7 day would you recommend? The Eastern itinerary has 3 days at sea and the Western has 2 days. We are thinking the Eastern because the kids love the pool and would be content with a day of swimming.

We would appreciate hearing about your experiences and any advice you may have. Thanks!!!!

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

Our twins have been on 3 DCL at the ages of 3 and 4. Your kids will be so occupied you have to pry them away from the kids clubs. I saw more than my fair share of kids crying because their parents came to pick them up from the clubs. As far as which itinerary-we preferred the Western to the Eastern-we thought the Western ports were nicer. The pools on the ship are small and get pretty crowded on sea days. I don't think you'd end up spending an entire day at the pool. We did a 7 day cruise 1st then did a 4 day. We thought the 4 day was too short and did another 7 day. Now I don't think I'd consider a 4 day unless money or days off were tight. Either way you'll have a great time!

 

[TootyJane]

I think your kids will find plenty to do while on the 7-day cruise. You're right, the Eastern has 3 days at sea but be advised that the pools are very crowded on these days -- my kids did not spend a lot of time at the pools this last cruise. I can't comment on the Western since we haven't gone yet, but we're going to book as soon as reservations open up for the summer of 2004. HTH.

 

[Popovich]

Thanks for your input. What were some of your family's favorite things to do on the boat during the at sea days?

Did you do excursions at the ports or do your own thing?

Thanks!!

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

Our twins wanted to be in the clubs for most of the sea days. We would go over the navigator in the morning and they would decide what they wanted to participate in, then DH and I would plan our time around picking up the kids-bingo, hot tub, spa, etc. We would go to the movies-saw Monsters, Inc.-go swimming, game room, wander around, etc. as a family. We've done all DCL excursions except stingray city on Grand Cayman-DCL requires the kids to be 6-so we did Capt Marvins. I'm kind of leary about wandering too far off the beaten path in a foreign country, so I feel safe doing a planned excursion. I know people rent cars and pay taxi's to take them on a tour of the island-but I'm too chicken for that. If you go to Barb's web site www.castawayclub.com, you can take a look at the adult and kids navigators for both the eastern and western cruises.

 

[PiperG]

I agree with the previous posters, in that the Mickey pool was always packed, except on port days. We headed back from both Nassau and CC early and enjoyed some very quiet hours in the pool.

Regarding other activities, the Club was a major favorite for DS 5. We are the parents that had to drag our child out of there. We were on a short 3 day cruise (spent 4 days at the park previously), and enjoyed it so much we booked a 7-day before we even got off!!!

 

[Popovich]

Thanks for Barb's website! I think we will do the trip with less at sea days and add excursions. There seems to be a lot to choose from.

I'm glad to know that your kids enjoyed the kid's club.

What kind of things do they do there? If you want to have an adult dinner (imagine that!) Can the kids eat at the club??? Are they grouped by age?

Thanks again for the input! We really appreciate it.

 

[candleonwater]

Keep in mind that results may vary! My daughter was 5 at the time of our cruise, and she is a try anything type child... that said, she HATED the pools on board, and refused to eat meals with the club. Other than that, she had a blast... there was plenty to keep her occupied. We were on the eastern and are doing that trip again this year.

 

[Popovich]

Erika,

Thanks for your reply. Have fun on your upcoming cruise!! Just curious, what did you like so much about the Eastern cruise route to make you decide to do that one again????

 

[candleonwater]

I can't say it was so much what we found so great... but more that we feel we only scratched the surface of things to do, both on the ship and on each of the islands. Since it was my first big trip alone with my daughter, I stuck to excursions (I felt safer) and didn't snorkel until CC... this trip I want to snorkel maybe at both St. Maarten and St. Thomas/John... I definitely want to do more exciting excursions than the See and Sea and Coral World.

Of course the fact that the eastern fit into her school schedule the best... allowing us to be home for Christmas and in the Caribbean for New Years.

 

[Popovich]

Erika,

Have a great trip with your daughter. I think that sounds like the perfect schedule, home for Christmas and cruising for New Years!!