First Cruise Ever!! But I have concerns.

[Mickey13]

We just booked our Alaska Disney Cruise for July 4, 2016 and we are excited!! The kids don't know yet and we don't plan on telling them until one day before departure.

My family and I are Disneyland Vets. We always enjoy ourselves and usually spend 4 days there. We have never been on a cruise of any kind nor have we ever been to Alaska. So there will be a lot of unknowns for us. Truth be told, I'm having a lot of anxiety because of this and I'll admit, I felt more comfortable deploying to Iraq.

My main concern is this. Since we as a family are used to being together when we go to Disneyland, how will this work on a cruise? I have watched several youtube videos and have seen all the different areas for kids and adults. I have also been reading some of the threads here on the Dis. I get the impression that families are not together often. Is this true? All of your experience, knowledge and wisdom is welcome.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

You choose you can be together when you want and go your own ways if you wish.

Now the kids have their clubs and they will enjoy them, and may want to spend a lot of time there, its up to you, but that time can be for you to go to Palo adults only or the spa or gym, you do as much together as you wish, ie stay by the pools or watch a movie, or choose to do things separately the ship actually isn't big and you can keep in touch by wave phone or drop in, or on the navigator app.
You all will love Alaska.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We just booked our Alaska Disney Cruise for July 4, 2016 and we are excited!! The kids don't know yet and we don't plan on telling them until one day before departure.

My family and I are Disneyland Vets. We always enjoy ourselves and usually spend 4 days there. We have never been on a cruise of any kind nor have we ever been to Alaska. So there will be a lot of unknowns for us. Truth be told, I'm having a lot of anxiety because of this and I'll admit, I felt more comfortable deploying to Iraq.

My main concern is this. Since we as a family are used to being together when we go to Disneyland, how will this work on a cruise? I have watched several youtube videos and have seen all the different areas for kids and adults. I have also been reading some of the threads here on the Dis. I get the impression that families are not together often. Is this true? All of your experience, knowledge and wisdom is welcome.

Families can stay together, or not. There are many different activities/venues available to specific age levels. As well as many family activities.

It's up to each family to figure out how much "together" time they want.

 

[squirk]

^ This. No one forces you to use the kids clubs or adults-only areas. Plenty of common areas for the entire family to enjoy.

 

[dcassetta]

You can even choose to go to the kids club areas as a family, if you go during an open house time.

 

[jeffbear]

My main concern is this. Since we as a family are used to being together when we go to Disneyland, how will this work on a cruise? I have watched several youtube videos and have seen all the different areas for kids and adults. I have also been reading some of the threads here on the Dis. I get the impression that families are not together often. Is this true? All of your experience, knowledge and wisdom is welcome.

My wife and I are back from the Alaska sailing a couple of weeks ago. We observed plenty of families getting their fun time together ... loads of "creative" shuffleboard games (with creative meaning everybody making up their own scoring rules), lots of ping pong and foosball on the sports deck, taking in movies, quiz games and shows together. And many families going together on the various excursions.

Honestly ... if you are a family that's used to doing stuff together, you'll have plenty of chances to do that and have a great time.

 

[SoozCruise]

As everybody else has said, you can tailor it to your family's preferences! We've done three cruises and our older girl (now 12) spends most of her time in the clubs, while our younger one loved the Lab when she was 7 and 8 but did not care so much for it at 9. She went to movies and craft time with me and game shows/Bingo/AquaDuck with her dad and was allowed to go back to the cabin to watch Disney tv when she didn't care to do an activity.

 

[Chernabog1940]

You didn't say how old your kids are. But many of the shore excursions are 'kid friendly' - including the train in Skagway, and whale watching n Juneau. These excursions can be booked either through Disney or privately.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

Our kids were 8 and 5 when we took a 4-day cruise with them. We booked with Disney especially for the kids clubs, thinking that they would go and have their fun and my husband and I could enjoy our time together as well. What I discovered, when we got on the ship, is that I didn't want to miss sharing ANY of the experiences with them. I wanted them to snorkel with their dad at Castaway Cay. I wanted them to experience the dining rooms with us (plus, by coming with us, my kids got the opportunity to try things like escargot for the first time, something they wouldn't find in the kid's dining areas). I really wanted to be there to see their faces and take their photos throughout our vacation...so we did. Our family rarely separated during our trip...and that was okay for us. We did make use of the clubs one afternoon so that my husband and I could go and watch a movie, and we used them one other evening when we went to dinner. That was about it. The clubs are there for you to use as much or as little as you wish. It is up to you (and your kids) to decide what things you would like to experience together and which times you would like to explore individual interests. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Mickey13]

You didn't say how old your kids are. But many of the shore excursions are 'kid friendly' - including the train in Skagway, and whale watching n Juneau. These excursions can be booked either through Disney or privately.

Thanks everyone for the tips, keep them coming. I'm thinking we are going to tell the kids they will have their time in the kid areas, but we will also have some fun family time as well.

Chernabog1940, my kids will be 13 and 16 during the cruise date.

 

[Mickey13]

Our kids were 8 and 5 when we took a 4-day cruise with them. We booked with Disney especially for the kids clubs, thinking that they would go and have their fun and my husband and I could enjoy our time together as well. What I discovered, when we got on the ship, is that I didn't want to miss sharing ANY of the experiences with them. I wanted them to snorkel with their dad at Castaway Cay. I wanted them to experience the dining rooms with us (plus, by coming with us, my kids got the opportunity to try things like escargot for the first time, something they wouldn't find in the kid's dining areas). I really wanted to be there to see their faces and take their photos throughout our vacation...so we did. Our family rarely separated during our trip...and that was okay for us. We did make use of the clubs one afternoon so that my husband and I could go and watch a movie, and we used them one other evening when we went to dinner. That was about it. The clubs are there for you to use as much or as little as you wish. It is up to you (and your kids) to decide what things you would like to experience together and which times you would like to explore individual interests. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks Frozen Canuk! I have no doubt we are going to have a great time!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Full disclosure: I have yet to cruise DCL. I have, however, been an avid cruiser since I was 8.

From what I understand there's tons for you to do as a family on a DCL ship. In fact, if you choose, you can spend all your time together!

Now that being said, why in God's name would you? Trust me, your kids will love time without you in the kids clubs, an no one here will judge you for enjoying your time without them. Cruising with my parents I saw them only at dinner and on excursions, and it was the best thing EVER!

 

[TestingH2O]

We booked with Disney especially for the kids clubs, thinking that they would go and have their fun and my husband and I could enjoy our time together as well. What I discovered, when we got on the ship, is that I didn't want to miss sharing ANY of the experiences with them.

This exactly. We had fully planned to use some child care services but just ended up having a fabulous time spending the whole trip together. It was an incredible thing: DD was fully entertained but we were having a great time too. I don't know how that's possible because weekends sure don't work like that, but we just had an amazing experience.

 

[xlxo]

We have never been on a cruise of any kind nor have we ever been to Alaska. So there will be a lot of unknowns for us. Truth be told, I'm having a lot of anxiety because of this and I'll admit, I felt more comfortable deploying to Iraq.

A little warning to those on the July 4th sailing.... anyone arriving pre-cruise Friday on July 1st should be prepared for massive traffic gridlock downtown, especially near the cruise terminal hotels for a fireworks show that night. The chaos may feel like you are in Iraq.

 

[alice413]

A little warning to those on the July 4th sailing.... anyone arriving pre-cruise Friday on July 1st should be prepared for massive traffic gridlock downtown, especially near the cruise terminal hotels for a fireworks show that night. The chaos may feel like you are in Iraq.

Will this impact the July 1st 3 night cruise? We will be driving from WDW. Will we be okay in the morning of July 1st?

TIA

 

[thumpie's mom]

There are soooo many family activities on board, your family can stay together all day/night if they want to! That is the beauty of the Disney cruises is that there is such variety of activities, you can do as much or as little as you want as a family. You all will work it out once you are on board. The Navigators break down the activities so it is easier to decide what you and your family want to do on that particular day. Have a great time!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Thanks everyone for the tips, keep them coming. I'm thinking we are going to tell the kids they will have their time in the kid areas, but we will also have some fun family time as well.

Chernabog1940, my kids will be 13 and 16 during the cruise date.

Your 13 year old will be in the tween club, called The Edge. Your 16 year old will be in The Vibe, the club for teens 14 and up. It is possible, depending upon how many kids are in each age group, that your 13yo will be allowed to "age up" into The Vibe. If you think the two will want to spend time together, then talk to the youth activities crew members in the Vibe on embarkation day to see if that will be possible. It is important that both kids attend the clubs the first night as that is when they get to know one another and form friendships.

Be forewarned. Most teens enjoy the club so much that parents don't see much of them so you may be working against that in order to have family time.

 

[xlxo]

Will this impact the July 1st 3 night cruise? We will be driving from WDW. Will we be okay in the morning of July 1st?

To clarify... The original poster was discussing the Alaskan cruise departing from Canada on July 4th.

Looking at 2016 itinery, I see the Disney Wonder not in Canada for July 1st celebrations for a 3 night cruise. My warning applies to those in Canada Friday night pre-cruise for July 4th trip.

 

[Plaid Princess]

My main concern is this. Since we as a family are used to being together when we go to Disneyland, how will this work on a cruise? I have watched several youtube videos and have seen all the different areas for kids and adults. I have also been reading some of the threads here on the Dis. I get the impression that families are not together often. Is this true? All of your experience, knowledge and wisdom is welcome.

You can spend as much or as little time as a family as you want! There are great kids programs, and you can certainly have separate kid and adult time... but there are more than enough things to do as a family; including open house time in the kids clubs, so they wouldn't miss out on that fun, and you can join in!

The other thing to remember, is if a member of your family does split off from the group, they're only going to be a few floors away at most.

I am specifically making my immediate family go on a cruise next summer because it almost forces uninterrupted (via cell phone, etc) family time. We are huge Disneyland fans, but I think you will really enjoy your cruise experience... it's a whole other level of relaxation and fun!

 

[alice413]

To clarify... The original poster was discussing the Alaskan cruise departing from Canada on July 4th.

Looking at 2016 itinery, I see the Disney Wonder not in Canada for July 1st celebrations for a 3 night cruise. My warning applies to those in Canada Friday night pre-cruise for July 4th trip.

Thank you!