Back from our NYC Magic cruise

[Disney1fan2002]

I was hoping to come back and tell you all that my sister had a great time, and the cruise really helped her in her grief. We had a good time, but I'm glad I didn't have any expectations that this cruise would magically help my sister deal with her loss.

She did have a good time, but she made it clear that it was not a vacation, it was a get-away-from-it-all, and she stated numerous times it was not working. When she was left alone, the grief hit her just as hard, if not a little harder. The good thing is when she was with us, she did laugh and enjoy what ever it was we were doing. She saw dolphins off her verandah the 1st morning of the cruise. That was a great start. All her excursions on CC ere cancelled due to high winds, that was not good. She enjoyed the shows, but they were too long, she has restless leg syndrome. I learned very quickly not to try to plan her days for her. I took her cues. It ended up being a good balance of her having things to do, and being left alone. My niece had a great time. All in all, I'm glad they went. 3 months is not very long after losing your husband and son 2 weeks apart. When she can look back at it all, I think she is going to look at the cruise as a comfort. She did mention..."If I do this again...." I knew she would not go on a Disney cruise and have it be "one and done" like she said.

As for me and my family, my husband surprised me and purchased the couple unlimited rainforest pass. What a treat that was! I have determined that my kids have officially outgrown DCL. They all told me they were having fun, but they did not do much but get an ice cream cone and come back to the room to watch on demand Disney movies. Maybe I miss the days they were entertained in the kids clubs. On the 2nd sea day, when we got into warmer air, I hit the hot tub and met MJ. I was excited to meet her in person, she has been so helpful on the boards. It was nice to have a face to go with the name. The moment she mentioned it was her 42nd cruise, I knew who she was!!!

I am not in any rush to book my next cruise. I think my next vacation will be in the parks. It's going to be weird, not having to save up and pay for the 3 kids to cruise. It will be nice to pay a fraction of what I am used to paying.

This cruise really showed me how much DCL has changed over the past 14 years, since we've been cruising.

 

[ForMyBoys]

Nice report and I'm so sorry for your sister's loss.

If you don't mind me asking how old are you kids? I'm trying to gauge how old is too old for my 3 kids.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I was hoping to come back and tell you all that my sister had a great time, and the cruise really helped her in her grief. We had a good time, but I'm glad I didn't have any expectations that this cruise would magically help my sister deal with her loss.

She did have a good time, but she made it clear that it was not a vacation, it was a get-away-from-it-all, and she stated numerous times it was not working. When she was left alone, the grief hit her just as hard, if not a little harder. The good thing is when she was with us, she did laugh and enjoy what ever it was we were doing. She saw dolphins off her verandah the 1st morning of the cruise. That was a great start. All her excursions on CC ere cancelled due to high winds, that was not good. She enjoyed the shows, but they were too long, she has restless leg syndrome. I learned very quickly not to try to plan her days for her. I took her cues. It ended up being a good balance of her having things to do, and being left alone. My niece had a great time. All in all, I'm glad they went. 3 months is not very long after losing your husband and son 2 weeks apart. When she can look back at it all, I think she is going to look at the cruise as a comfort. She did mention..."If I do this again...." I knew she would not go on a Disney cruise and have it be "one and done" like she said.

As for me and my family, my husband surprised me and purchased the couple unlimited rainforest pass. What a treat that was! I have determined that my kids have officially outgrown DCL. They all told me they were having fun, but they did not do much but get an ice cream cone and come back to the room to watch on demand Disney movies. Maybe I miss the days they were entertained in the kids clubs. On the 2nd sea day, when we got into warmer air, I hit the hot tub and met MJ. I was excited to meet her in person, she has been so helpful on the boards. It was nice to have a face to go with the name. The moment she mentioned it was her 42nd cruise, I knew who she was!!!

I am not in any rush to book my next cruise. I think my next vacation will be in the parks. It's going to be weird, not having to save up and pay for the 3 kids to cruise. It will be nice to pay a fraction of what I am used to paying.

This cruise really showed me how much DCL has changed over the past 14 years, since we've been cruising.

Thanks so much for coming to share your experience. Hugs to all of you.

On a happy note, I, too, met MJ on our cruise last October! She is truly beautiful inside and out - LOVED meeting her, her DH and her Princess Granddaughter!

I am glad you are looking forward to and mentally planning your next Disney vacation in the parks! Again, hugs to all of you. The holidays are especially hard, your sister is very blessed to have your loving support.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Nice report and I'm so sorry for your sister's loss.

If you don't mind me asking how old are you kids? I'm trying to gauge how old is too old for my 3 kids.

22, 20 and 18

 

[GPaLarry]

For your sister, recovery from such a loss is done with small steps. The cruise was a distraction that gave her a few minutes here and there to experience being happy and "normal" again. However, memories often come back in waves that seem to crush any progress made. I believe each hour, day and week provides a bit of healing. Holidays and birthdays bring it all back...we have been there. I certainly wish her well. See if she suggests going on a future cruise.
Now, about the "kids." As they grow older, perhaps get married and have their own kids, listen for them to mention the fun times they have way back in 2018 on a Disney cruise...maybe just the fact that they were together to enjoy it. For them, now is not the cool time to show much excitement over a "kids/family" trip/cruise. However, the fun memories have been imbedded and will resurface over time. Cruise on...

 

[lilsonicfan]

the grief for all of you must be so overwhelming at times and most particularly for your sister. i'm glad that you enjoyed cruising with your family and that your sister and niece both had moments of enjoyment. may the days ahead bring more healing!

 

[AnnaS]

Nice report - Sorry for your sister's loss.

Don't be surprised if your kids will love DCL all over again. My "kids" (DS33 w/family, DS30 w/family on the way and DD/26 DCL Honeymoon next year) still love it~!!! The outgrowing period was so brief, it barely happened.

We met MJ also on our Med. cruise. She is awesome!!

 

[mmouse37]

Wow...thank you all for the nice comments!!! I was happy to meet everyone and I love meeting new people!!! Disney1fan I did not put two and two together about your family's loss when I we chatted in the hot tub. I read your posts about it pre cruise and how hard your sister was taking it but did not realize or connect screen name and story when I saw you. Glad she had a good time but I am sure it will take lots of time to heal. What a double whammy she had. Happy to hear she was distracted at least for a little while. We had a great time on the cruise. I was with four friends and we all had a fantastic time. Saw 4 movies onboard, ate a ton, hit 3 parks on our WDW day (it was hot!), enjoyed the perfect weather on CC (still don't understans why they cancelled all the excursions as it did not seem windy at all). We had an easy debarkation. We left the ship about 8:20 am with only a short line in the atrium.

Hope to run into all of you on another cruise!

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

Nice report - Sorry for your sister's loss.

Don't be surprised if your kids will love DCL all over again. My "kids" (DS33 w/family, DS30 w/family on the way and DD/26 DCL Honeymoon next year) still love it~!!! The outgrowing period was so brief, it barely happened.

We met MJ also on our Med. cruise. She is awesome!!

Maybe another MJ or a different cruise LOL.....I have not cruised the Med yet with DCL. I have done two Transatlantics though....but i'll take the compliment!.

MJ

 

[mevelandry]

You said: This cruise really showed me how much DCL has changed over the past 14 years, since we've been cruising.

What do you mean? What changed? (For the better or for the worst?)

 

[AnnaS]

Maybe another MJ or a different cruise LOL.....I have not cruised the Med yet with DCL. I have done two Transatlantics though....but i'll take the compliment!.

MJ

After your reply thanking all for the nice comments, I saw your signature and realized it was not you that I met .......maybe we will meet someday

 

[darnheather]

I'm very glad to hear you had a good trip even though it wasn't a fantastic one. As for spending less by going to the parks, unless you are planning to stay off property I wouldn't plan on it being much cheaper. Prices have really risen in the past five years. For example, our next cruise is the two week Panama Canal for three people. We could stay in a moderate and do the parks for 5 nights 6 days for the same price.