Asking Parents of Early Risers.....

[R&J]

Hello Everyone,

We are leaving for our first cruise tomorrow (1/29 - Western Caribbean) and we're excited, but a bit unsure what to expect.

We are travelling with DD4 1/2 and DS19 months. DS is an early riser (doesn't get it from DH or myself) and is often up before 6 AM

For those of you with young children who get up early, how do you keep them occupied until it's a more civilized hour?? DS is not interested in TV and reading books will only keep him busy for maybe 10 minutes. He is a VERY busy, always-on-the go little boy...he really needs to be able to explore and wander around, otherwise he gets cranky (we have our hands full whenever we get on a plane with him & simply hope that he'll nap for at least a little bit.)

On the other hand, DD likes to snuggle up and watch TV. At her age, it's easy to engage her in some quiet activities like colouring, reading, etc. Besides, she usually sleeps until at least 8 AM, so we're not worried about her disturbing everyone.

What's open on the Disney Magic at 6 AM? Any of the restaurants? Will DH I meet other parents strolling around the ship at that hour??

Thanks for any advice!!

 

[christinou]

Boy, I remember those days, the restaurants will not be open that early, but there will be a table with pastries on Deck 9 near topsider, I would just go on Deck 3, 4 and 5 with him and let him explore, that also would be a good time to "play" shuffle board or table tennis, there should not be too many people around
It will be a good time to let him run around.....
Enjoy your cruise.

 

[dwkwootton]

Hi R&J, your post made me laugh remembering the good ol' days! When mine were small, I had a split with one early riser & one later sleeper too. Anyway, the restaurants don't open till 7 or 8 depending on the day but the outside deck 9 area is always up & about. Pools open at 6 and the area is well lit and you can make all the noise you want. The atrium lobby on deck 3 would be a good inside alternative area for not-having-to-be-quiet playtime. You will run into other early risers, though not many. By the end of the week, the early risers usually know each other quite well!

 

[MarkLem]

Get him up on the decks! Lots to look at for a tike that size!

 

[MrsMork]

Rising early is not a problem we have , but I checked recent navigators and they have pastries and coffee at 6:30 and breakfast at topsiders begins at 7:30. The drink station is also available on deck 9, so you could get juice or milk for him there. It is always fun to walk around deck 9 or 10 no matter what the time and I think you will find folks walking deck 4 at that time.

 

[tkd lisa]

One note on playing shuffleboard that early, is that many people use that early morning time to walk/run on the track on deck 4. So that may not be a great option.

I was always up very early, but my kids were big time snoozers, so I used the time to get in my 2-3 mile walk, get an early morning coffee and pastry, pull up a quiet chair and read my book, etc.

Once you're on the ship, the child's schedule may change, since you're likely to be up later than you normally are at home.

 

[mickeyboat]

My kids are generally early risers too. But on our trip, they were so exhausted from the night before, and we kept the shades tightly closed, they konked out until at least 7:30 almost every morning.

Have a great time. And good luck.

Denae

 

[wide awake]

We hit the pools and hot tubs at that hour. Not crowded and a great way to work up an appetite for breakfast. Also very nice to look at the rising sun and ocean.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Get some food from room service the night before and store it in the fridge. Keep him in the crib as long as possible.
Hope that you will wear him out at night!

 

[R&J]

Thanks for all the great replies!

I think we will try the different suggestions and take DS around to various places on the ship...it will be a good way to explore & hopefully burn off at least SOME of that energy. Our son has a way of getting into all kinds of things that other people would never even think of. Our DD's preschool teacher said our boy is the busiest little fellow she's ever seen, and to warn her when the time comes to register him for preschool, so she can "prepare herself"

DS seems to be one of those people with an internal clock that wakes him up early every morning (for him, 7 AM is sleeping in) despite how tired he is or how late he was up the night before...he's just crabby when he doesn't get enough sleep. But kids are always changing, so you never know what'll happen.

Thank you again, and Happy Cruising!

 

[mamalle]

how dark is the room may I ask? I know at the resorts the kids will semi sleep in some days until 7:30 because the room is so dark.

 

[lbgraves]

If you have an inside room, it is quite dark. However, we have been in both a category 8 & a 10 and both early risers (5:30-6 am at home) slept in in both staterooms. There is so much activity on the ship that they are worn out.