DDs bringing friends? Who's done it? Yes or no?

[LAMPSKIES]

We have sailed 4 times already on DCL and have or 5th (7 night Thanksgiving Western) and 6th (10 night x-mas 06). We have 2 staterooms already booked.....DDs are 15 and 13 and each want to bring a friend....what happens with permissions from parents etc....And those of you who have done it.....would ya again?

 

[jel0511]

Well, first off you'd need to have the form that DCL gives you signed and notorized by the children's parents. Second, I'd recommend those kids getting passports, MUCH easier to travel with even if before the deadline. Also, get a form authorizing you to authorize medical care in the event of an emergency.

 

[clh2]

I would also clearly identify, in advance, which expenses the friends will be responsible for, as well as which expenses you are picking up.

 

[lzj21428]

We are taking DD (17) friend w/ us on this trip. This is the 3rd time we are taking one of her friends on vacation with us. The first trip was to Egypt and I would take that friend anytime. The 2nd time was a 4 day DCL trip and I wouldn't take that girl anywhere with us again. I'm thinking that this trip will work out as well as the first time we took a friend.

Yes, and make sure you get that form that comes with the docs signed and notorized by both parents. Also, a notorized letter for medical emergency is a good idea.

I think it's important to really know the kid you are bringing and to really know the family also. I mean, do they have a similar parenting style as you. I think that's important.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[icartjetta]

I agree as to knowing the family of the child you are taking on vacation with you. I have a DD17, DS10 and DD19months, I have "only children, lol" but my kids usually have friends with them it makes it easier for me and them. But the friends that we take with us are family friends kids, and I have known there parents since high school and we are all familiar with each others parenting skills. That makes a huge difference, if everyone is on the same page it makes for a great vacation.

 

[natsmom125]

Lampy...

How can you take more kids.....girls even....there won't be any room for anything except..........

SHOES




Phyllis

PS We just got back from ORL.....we left Thursday night..just got home...DD took every pair of shoes she owned....she wore one pair of tennis shoes to the parks, and her flip flops the rest of the time!!!!! I, on the other hand, have no shoes....she has them all!!!!!!!!!! lol

 

[Alicia87]

We took DD's friend with us on our seven day cruise three years ago (they were both 11 at the time). I will NEVER do this again! I thought we were safe taking this child because I had grown up with her mother, and she and DD had been friends since infancy, HOWEVER, it turned out to be a total nightmare. Friend was not satisfied with any of the food the whole cruise, whined about not wanting to do any of the excursions we had planned, wanted to stay in the room and watch tv the whole time....UUUGGHHH, it was a nightmare!!!!

 

[hopelea]

We also took our dd's friend with us, both 11 at the time. It was different. She was not a problem. She was really good and would take her anywhere with us BUT......I think because she didn't enjoy the clubs, my two dd's didn't want to stay in there either. Our first DC my two dd's loved the clubs and this last trip with the friend they wanted to do things in the clubs, but the friend didn't so they just hung out by the pool, got ice cream or watched movies. They spent very little time in the lab. All in all it was a great trip.

One thing I will suggest is........make sure you keep all your documents that DCL mails you in your hand when you are getting off the ship at PC on your last day. (the ones that the parents notarize) The customs man asked my daughters if I was there mom, they said yes, they asked the friend, she said NO, he asked her if my DH was her dad and she said NO. He said, "I NEED DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT YOU TAKING HER OFF THE SHIP". I had to fumble in my bag that the porter had on a cart. So, have those in your hand because things move so fast in there. HTH

 

[wide awake]

I would never, never do this after going on a family vacation where my cousin took her boyfriend. They fought the first hour and didn't speak until about 10 min from home...it was a VERY LONG week. Besides, who wants to deal w/ someone else's kid on vacation...they could get sick, hate the food, get into a snit about who knows what. But then I've never babysat for anyone other than my nephews (my sister's boys...have no intention of watching inlaw's kids, not ever !)...I've always found it easy to say "no" to any extra responsibility.

 

[BethA]

We have taken a friend for my 16 yr old son on most of our vacations. It makes it so much easier on all of us, except now my 9 yr old thinks he needs to bring a friend as well--not for several years.

Most of his friends have been a pleasure to have along, but not all of them.

 

[jgalecpa]

We (and our children) have many, many dear friends.

Some friends, like some wines, travel better than others.

If possible, i would try a test weekend somewhere, first.

See how you do in restaurants, at bed time, etc.

My DD has a BFF, who I would love to show Europe, but I know we could never do it.

She is an incredibly picky eater, and is not able to just "go with the flow" as circusmstances sometimes warrant, especially traveling.

Jim

PS Our bestest travel friends, we met here on the DIS boards. Since our original DCL cruise, we have done a reunion in Ocean city, Have another cruise in Dec., British Isles trip next year, hawaii cruise the year after, and a Greek vacation after that.

They travel like we do. Easy going, try anything and "go with the flow"

 

[pppiglet]

I had thought about taking my niece(16) for a treat, but she doesn't like any food but pizza and chicken strips, and doesn't like to do anything but listen to music. She would have been bored on the excursions, and would not have liked anything about the dinners (or the cruise for that matter) and then I would have felt miserable because she wasn't having a good time.