Entertaining Seniors

[Elastagirl]

We are going to be taking my mom and dad on the 7 night western in sept. They are not very adventurous folks. I was wondering if anybody has brought their parents or IL's and what you did to entertain them if they were reluctant or clingy on the cruise.

 

[surftrish]

I'd be interested to hear that too. My mother is trying to hijack my 03/08 cruise w/ my son and i've been gently trying to discourage her. I told her that we don't plan on doing "historic tours" at ports, rather jetskiing, parasailing etc. I'm worried that she'd be clingy and just end up getting hurt feelings.

 

[joksten2000]

We cruise with our family (I'm 63 & DW is 64) We are not clingy as kids are in the clubs all day & night and our kids are off the boat doing things. We enjoy relaxing by the adult pool and sometimes go off ship to shop. We do look forward to dinner as a family though.

They will be very dissapointed if they expect tobe the center of things or try to entertain they GK's. This is really a chance for everyone to do there own thing.

 

[eva]

We took my DMIL on our second cruise. She shared a cabin with our DD who was 22 at the time. We had a great time. But I must admit that she went everywhere with us. The only alone time we had was when we went back to the room. Since we had a verandah, we usually went back an hour early in the evening just to sit on the verandah with a glass of wine. By the end of the week I think we all had enough of togetherness. Another thing I should mention is that my DMIL and I are best of friends. I don't think that I could have done that trip with my own mother.

 

[outahere]

We did the Thanksgiving western last year with my parents who are in their early 70's, and didn't really have a problem. Our DS12 went with them on a couple of excursions (one in Cozumel and one at CC) and they all had a great time. While they were off on their excursion in Cozumel, DW and I did some shopping and then just relaxed on the ship. At CC, we met up with them at the entrance to Serenity Bay (where their excursion ended) and all went back to the family beach for lunch and playing in the water. All in all, it was a good trip and I would consider doing it again.

As long as your parents understand, up front, that you are not going to be "joined at the hip" and doing everything together, you'll be fine.

 

[JOANNEL]

We went in 2004 with my mother 83 and sister 63,and our friends took their grandmother 92. We had no problems. They went on their own excursions in St Thomas- the island tour while the rest of us went snorkling. We met them for dinner every night and the shows. I played bingo a few times with my mother & sister. They went to all the art of entertainment and other things. We had a great time. On the beach the grandma needed the beach wheel chair wich you can push right into the water. It was really great. I would do it again any time. It's very nice for the kids to share these vacation with their grandparents.

 

[poconoboatniks]

We did it on the Calif trip and are doing it again in Barcelona, Spain. Our kids will never forget the time they have had with their grandparents and aunts. In the Med, we doing some excursions together and some separately.

The photos are priceless. DDad doesn't like posing for photos, but never said no on the trip.

Enjoy!

 

[eva]

After thinking about it, you should be fine. The main problem we had was that DMIL really didn't have anyone else to do anything with. So she was pretty much glued to us the entire trip. But I must admit that she is a very fun womand and we still did have a great time. Most of the people posting had groups or couples that went along with them and everyone seemed to get some alone time. As long as your parents like to do things on their own, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Floridagram]

We have been on several family cruises and always say leading up to it that everyone will do their own thing and we'll compare notes at dinner. Sometimes we do things together, sometimes not. My parents enjoy the cruise part the most and like just sitting on the deck and watching the sea go by!
I guess we are fortunate. There will lots of activities so try getting them used to reviewing the daily activities and choosing what they are interested in. If they go on a city tour, they won't be "alone" so they should feel safe to go without you and hopefully they will meet someone else with their activity level and interests.

If they are clingy and needy at home they will be on the cruise too, but if they are fairly independent at home they should be OK. Hopefully they will just be grateful for the time you do get to share together.

Good luck and happy sailing!

 

[J&C'sGrandmom]

We always cruise as a family. Our first cruise was with two grown daughters. It was planned with only one, but as soon as the other heard about it she tagged along. The next cruise included a SIL and 6 month old granddaughter, the third added a six month old grandson and now on our fourth the grandchildren are 4 and almost 2. We can't wait. Only 24 days to go. We usually do most things together - the whole idea of the trip for us is the family vacationing together but there are times we split up. There's enough to do for everyone to find something they can enjoy. Almost as good as the trip itself are the memories we bring home with us. It never fails - no matter how grey, cold, wet the days are, just talking about our last cruise (or WDW trip) brings the sunshine right into our hearts. Don't worry, just enjoy the trip. Your parents may enjoy a little alone time themselves. Why not bring along a pair of binoculars. Your parents may enjoy surveying the ports from the deck of the ship or they may enjoy a leisurely stroll while you are on more adventurous excursions. But whatever you each like, there's no place like the Magic. It was named perfectly. Each day is full of magic.

 

[mattmommy]

We travelled with a group of 14 with ages from 5 (ds) - my Dad 66. We told everybody what our itinerary was and if they wanted to join us, that would be great. If they wanted to just hang back and do their own thing, that was great too. Like another poster stated we thought we'd do our own thing and meet up at dinner. Most times were did the excursions together, stingrays and dolphins, but most of the down time we all met up here and there. They might think they're expected to run around or sit. Let them know they have options too.

 

[flexsmom]

We cruised with my parents who were 70 at the time and had a great time. They are experienced cruisers, which may have helped. They went ashore to Key West, we did not. They went on the Tulum Ruins tour while we headed to a beach break. We spent most of the day together at Castaway Cay, although they headed back to the ship early. I think the key was that none of us expected to do everything together - we ended up dining together every night, including our Palo night, but we had planned on being open to having one group choose to do room service or something else some night.

Grandpa loved taking the kids to a matinee show one day - and playing shuffleboard, too. I think they wanted some alone-time as much as our kids, did!

This Christmas, we are going with my parents and adding DH's parents to the mix. They have cruised before, but not with us. I think as long as all of us continue to be flexible on spending some time together and some time apart, we'll be good to go!

 

[Inlovew/dis]

Our family of 10 (all adults) cruised together two years ago for our parents' 50th anniversary. Our parents were the only experienced cruisers. It was the first cruise for the rest of us. We spent the first day's shore excursion together, and did our own thing the rest of the trip. Funny thing was, we somehow ended up with some members of the family by mid day! Similar interests, I guess. We always ate our evening meal together, and those turned out to be the most memorable times. After dinner we went to the shows, and then parted ways. Some went to clubs, some called it a night. It was the most enjoyable trip I've ever taken! Wouldn't trade it for anything!

 

[Elastagirl]

Wow, thanks for all the great posts! We are looking forward to having the vacation together, and these suggestions should make it less stressful to find things for them to do or let them know that they don't have to do anything at all if they don't want.