Alone Time with Children??

[NorthernON_MOM]

My husband and I really want to do a cruise for our 10th anniversary in Nov. but it is looking more and more like it won't happen unless we take our children with us. We are just wondering realistically how much alone time we can expect to have? Thanks

 

[Cruisin]

It depends entirely on your children.

If they enjoy the kids clubs and want to hang out there you may never see them except for dinner and sleeping.

If they don't like the kids clubs then you will probably have them hanging out with you the entire time.

 

[CM_Mom]

Depends some on how old your kids are and how comfortable they are away from you.

My DD the CM says that some parents leave their kids in the Club all day and some kids are there occasionally. She says the problem they usually have is the kids pestering the parents to take them to the club and then not wanting to leave when the parents come to pick them up.

Her recommendation is that you take your kids to the Club and/or Lab depending on ages on the first night so they can get to know the other kids and get comfortable with the counselors. I've also seen that suggested on other posts.

One thing I would do before you sail is get the DCL vacation planning DVD and let the kids see the activities and spaces that are available for them. Also check out the kids navigators on http://www.dcltribute.com. Then you'll be better able to plan time together when there is something really special for the kids to be involved in.

If you have specific questions about the clubs, you can PM me and I'll try to remember to ask when I talk to DD next Saturday.

Reine

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I agree with the posts which say it depends on your children. You know your children best.

As for the kid's clubs, my family's in the minority as our (then 8 year-old) DD had no desire to go there. She was cooperative when DH and I went to the shows after late dinner, but was bored the rest of the time. (She was happier when she had someone to buddy-up with.)

 

[MARSDM]

MY DW AND I ARE CELEBRATING OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN SEPT 2004. WE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO A CRUISE BUT NEVER MADE THE OPPORTUNITY. SO WE ALONG W/ DS 8 AND DS 4 ARE DOING A 4 DAY LAND/ 3 DAY SEA CRUISE IN JUNE. THE BOYS DON'T KNOW IT YET, BUT THE FIRST 4 DAYS IN DW ARE GOING TO BE A FAMILY VACATION. THE 3 DAY CRUISE IS GOING TO BE OUR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. WHEN WE ARE ON OUR LAST DAY OF DISNEY, I AM GOING TO EXPLAIN TO THE BOYS THAT THEY CAN EITHER GO HOME (NOT REALLY AN OPTION) OR COME ON THE CRUISE WITH US WHERE THEY WILL SPEND LOTS OF TIME IN THE CRUISE DAY CAMP. I'M PRETTY SURE THEY WILL CHOOSE THIS OPTION. ( I HOPE)..

 

[tkrules]

Just got back and thought our kids would always want to be in the kids clubs....they didn't. But, it was soooo not a problem for us. DS 11 wandered with friends and had a great time, really enjoyed the freedom that he doesn't have at home. DS 8 played in the pool all day and basically left us alone, same for DD 6. We sat by the pool and watched them, flipped through magazines, chatted with our friends, etc. We did put them in the clubs after dinner (we had early seating) and they really liked it then, and it gave us our "alone time". They have great activities during the day also, but it seemed our kids wanted to be outside by the pool, enjoying the beautiful weather. I can't say I blame them. i thought it was a perfect blend of family and couple time!

 

[clh2]

Originally posted by Mickeyhugger
I agree with the posts which say it depends on your children. You know your children best.

As for the kid's clubs, my family's in the minority as our (then 8 year-old) DD had no desire to go there. She was cooperative when DH and I went to the shows after late dinner, but was bored the rest of the time. (She was happier when she had someone to buddy-up with.)

I totally agree. Our DD, who was 9 1/2 when we cruised, didn't enjoy the clubs nearly as much as we thought she would. She went to them the night we went to Palo, after having room service for dinner. She went to the clubs (or was it the labs??) when there was an activity she really wanted to do. But - she much prefered not being in them. Too much like summer day camp (BTDT) for her.