Elderly Cruisers - Ship Activity Recommendations?

[Lumee23]

Hey everyone! We are a four generation group cruising on the Fantasy in Dec of this year on the western itinerary. My grandparents are tentatively booked to go with us on the cruise. They recently went on a non-DCL cruise with us for our vow renewal and unfortunately did not have a great time. They have done very little traveling and this is in part to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary so I would like to ensure that they will have things to do this time around. They are in their early 80's and are mobile but while my grandmother is pretty active for her age my grandfather can move pretty slow. I had a few specific questions:

(Please pardon my ignorance if I ask a dumb question since I am new to DCL)
1. We are hoping to snag a Cabana at Castaway Cay but being new to DCL I understand that this is incredibly unlikely. Are there covered areas where they can enjoy seeing their great grandchildren enjoy the beach? Any favorite spots that would be good for that? My grandma does not "do" the sun so she definitely needs somewhere with a lot of shade.

2. My grandma loves to cook and I saw they had a "Anyone Can Cook" series. I think she will really like that experience. Is that only once per cruise on the seven nighters or do they do that more than once?

3. What free but not super active activities would you recommend to the older set both on sea days and on port days? I know they plan to get off the ship on some of the ports (Cozumel and CC but not Jamaica and Grand Cayman). This was one of the issues on our past cruise that almost all of the scheduled activities were extra money (Bingo, Deal or No Deal) or trying to sell you something (Spa, Shopping). They do not need to be occupied all the time as they are content to also relax, read and listen to the live music, but I was hoping to offer up some examples on what they could do.

I appreciate your thoughts Thanks!

 

[SeaNana]

We are seniors and often cruise DCL without the family, and we enjoy reading and listening to the live music in the adult-only areas. There is endless entertainment throughout the ship. We also enjoy the tastings, but they usually cost $15 per person. Trivia times are fun and free and the other generations add advantage to your team. There is never a shortage of stuff to do or just relax. As for Castaway Cay - good luck! There are picnic places to sit, but not very comfortable. We are not sun lovers, but always find an umbrella and chairs that are in the shade. Each umbrella has two lounge chairs and two beach chairs that can be moved (no charge). People often ask us why we cruise Disney without the family and I answer because I don't want to be around "old" people!

 

[lklgoodman]

Hey everyone! We are a four generation group cruising on the Fantasy in Dec of this year on the western itinerary. My grandparents are tentatively booked to go with us on the cruise. They recently went on a non-DCL cruise with us for our vow renewal and unfortunately did not have a great time. They have done very little traveling and this is in part to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary so I would like to ensure that they will have things to do this time around. They are in their early 80's and are mobile but while my grandmother is pretty active for her age my grandfather can move pretty slow. I had a few specific questions:

(Please pardon my ignorance if I ask a dumb question since I am new to DCL)
1. We are hoping to snag a Cabana at Castaway Cay but being new to DCL I understand that this is incredibly unlikely. Are there covered areas where they can enjoy seeing their great grandchildren enjoy the beach? Any favorite spots that would be good for that? My grandma does not "do" the sun so she definitely needs somewhere with a lot of shade.

2. My grandma loves to cook and I saw they had a "Anyone Can Cook" series. I think she will really like that experience. Is that only once per cruise on the seven nighters or do they do that more than once?

3. What free but not super active activities would you recommend to the older set both on sea days and on port days? I know they plan to get off the ship on some of the ports (Cozumel and CC but not Jamaica and Grand Cayman). This was one of the issues on our past cruise that almost all of the scheduled activities were extra money (Bingo, Deal or No Deal) or trying to sell you something (Spa, Shopping). They do not need to be occupied all the time as they are content to also relax, read and listen to the live music, but I was hoping to offer up some examples on what they could do.

I appreciate your thoughts Thanks!

Several years ago I attended a program in one of the lounges. A pastry chef showed us how to make an apple pastry. At the end we were given a plate of the pastry and a glass of wine. There was no cost, which was surprising since we were served wine. It was probably part of the anyone can cook program you mentioned. I believe there was another in which a chef cooked sea bass. I don't remember how often the classes were offered. It was a lot of fun. The different liquor tasting are fun, but cost extra, so does the bingo. They have a lot of different trivia games that are fun and free in the lounges. My dh won a nice disney keychain at a trivia game. They can go to movies at the buena vista theater. Live music at the lounges will be offered throughout the cruise. Also some of the different entertainers do shows during the days, not the disney theatric shows-those only happen at night. If your cruise is a merry time Christmas cruise they will probably have some fun holiday activities, I'm guessing, I haven't been on one yet.

 

[Mommb]

In addition to the activities mentioned above, your grandparents might enjoy learning about the ship. The Art of the Theme Ship tour will probably be offered a few times. (At least, it has been on my cruises on the Dream and Magic.) It is a walking tour, but when I have taken it, the cast member leading it has always accommodated people who move slower than the rest of group by waiting for them to catch up or encouraging them to use it he elevated if the stairs would be difficult.

On the Dream, there was also a sit-down program in the pub with a video and presentation about the building of the ship. I would guess there is a similar program on the Fantasy.

 

[cmph]

There are lots of free things to do on-board, truly! I think alcohol tastings are the only things that cost us anything as we don't do bingo either (kids, DH and me, and my parents, no one in their 80s though). We did a lot of stuff mentioned above, so I won't repeat PPs suggestions, but there is even more! My daughter was always dragging one of us to craft activities, which a person will either love or not - we did some little puppet sort of things, Mardis Gras masks, origami, buttons, and I also did an adults-only tile coaster. There are a couple of entertainers like you have in the evening shows who will do afternoon shows as well - magicians, comedians, that sort of thing. Plenty of game-show types of things to watch that don't cost anything, for families or some times adults-only. I think my grandma would have gotten a kick out of watching all the characters greeting kids, too, especially the little girls meeting the princesses... lots of great people-watching on-board!

 

[jenpink]

My parents are in their early 80s and cruise with us on DCL every couple years. They really enjoy the guest speakers and go to all of those. A couple years ago on the Fantasy there was a producer from the Broadway musical Mary Poppins on board and they attended all of his talks. I think that was my Mom's favorite part of the cruise.

 

[rochmom4]

The "Anyone Can Cook" series is great and without any extra charge. There were three classes during our last one week cruise on the Fantasy.

 

[mmouse37]

Anyone can cook is usually held on sea days.

We love attending the demonstrations...they usually do an appetizer one day, an entree another day and a dessert on a third day (if they have 3 sea days).

MJ

 

[Flossbolna]

On most port days you will find very little activities going on on the ship. If they do not get off the ship the main activities would be to watch Disney movies on the on demand program on the TV in their stateroom or catch a movie in the Buena Vista Theater (there they usually show recent releases that are distributed by Disney).

There are a number of craft activities throughout the days that might be fun, especially if they might be interested to do that with the great grandchildren.

The Anyone Can Cook series is usually offered on the sea days.

Have you considered booking a private tour for your group in the ports? In Jamaica we had a great driver and I think a private tour can be a great excursion for people who are a little less active as you can decide as to how much effort you want to put into it. I am afraid that they might get bored a bit on those port days.

 

[Geomom]

I'd suggest taking a look at past Personal Navigators for activities on board. Scott at Disney Cruise Line Blog has tons of info on his site. Here is a link to a December Western Fantasy cruise from last year: http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...ytime-cruise-port-canaveral-december-24-2016/

 

[GPaLarry]

Also, during cruise days, look into the atrium from time to time. There are random (although most mentioned in the Navigators) activities like chip it golf and diaper dash that are a hoot. We are in our mid 70s who have cruised with DCL seven times (three without kids) on the Magic and Fantasy. Last trip was b2b Med/Trans for 18 nights with loads of stuff on longer cruises that are added to keep you active/interested/not bored. Also, check in at guest services for scavenger hunts and other pop-up activities that might not be widely advertised. Repeating what was posted above, check Navigators already recorded on the web for Fantasy activities you might expect on your cruise. There are also many "pixie dust" moments when Captain Hook might come up behind you and tap you on the shoulder or if you tell Guest Services about a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) you might get a treat during dinner or on your bed at night. Who knows, your grandparents might wind up with Star Wars sheets!!

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I don't think anyone mentioned the various Animation classes. My mother (age 70) loved all of those. They teach different little techniques and of course they have a Disney flair, but you don't have to be skilled at art to participate and have fun with it!

Also, the art and decor etc on the ship is wonderful to see also, as part of a tour, or just by yourselves.

On the Fantasy, the Satellite falls Adult pool area has a lot of covered space, where you can see the ocean and the pool, and feel the breeze, but stay under cover.

 

[clten]

I've traveled several times with my elderly parents (in their 80's). On Castaway Cay if we didn't have a cabana, we would go to the family beach (right across from Cookies and behind the DJ hut there is an entrance). We have always been able to get seats in that area (close to the tree line so there is shade from the trees in addition to the umbrellas available). This is a good spot as it is close to lunch and bathrooms and the beach is not too wide so they would be able to watch the kids playing in the water.

Other posters have given a lot of great advice on activities onboard the ship. One I would like to point out is Jack Jack's Diaper Dash. The description may not suggest that this is a not to be missed activity (usually in the atrium) but my mother never missed one and no matter how many babies they had "competing" it was funny every time.

 

[Lumee23]

Thank you so much everyone! This has been very helpful! Definitely sounds like there will be plenty for them to do.

 

[Debby7]

Not sure what your plans for Grand Cayman are, but I have a suggestion if your budget allows. We recently got a day room at the Westin Resort on Grand Cayman. It gave us a room for the day as well as access to their gorgeous beach, restaurants etc. Your elders could watch the grand kids on the beach from under the umbrellas and chairs/ lounges, but have a pleasant room to go to if they wanted to take a break or they can have a beverage and or a bite to eat at one of the beachside restaurants, not to mention the privacy of your own bathroom. We loved being able to shower and change before heading back to the ship.

 

[brnc014]

They may also enjoy the Midship Detective Agency since you can spread it out over the cruise and do it at your leisure. First run 3D movies are also a lot of fun.