Grown Children on Disney Cruise?

[galangford]

We have a 27, 22 and a 20 year old. Think they will enjoy? Any particular cruise and length of time recommended?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We have a 27, 22 and a 20 year old. Think they will enjoy? Any particular cruise and length of time recommended?

Well, we took our "kids" on their first DCL cruise (actually, first cruise) when they were 19, 24 & 25. Along with daughter's boyfriend (28).

They say they enjoyed it.

As for what itinerary, you'd have to poll everyone to see what their interests are and chose an itinerary that fit.

Length - how long can you stand traveling with them?

 

[galangford]

Length - Good question! I can probably stand it longer than them.

 

[Grumpymom73]

We are sailing the 11 night Southern Caribbean this June with my sons who are 23 and 18. They love Disney Cruises. My 23 year old just came back from a Royal Caribbean cruise with his GF. He said it was okay but it wasn't Disney! LOL

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

We have a 27, 22 and a 20 year old. Think they will enjoy? Any particular cruise and length of time recommended?

My very fist cruise was a dcl cruise in 2002, when I was 23. It was to celebrate my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. My brother was 17 at the time. We all had an amazing time, and I remember all the details like it was yesterday.

ETA: it was a 7 day western Caribbean. Stops slightly different from current itineraries. I would say that at that age, we enjoyed the stops and excursions a little more than days at sea.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Our adult kids still love the cruise as does our 15 year old and 20 year old grandchildren. As long as we are paying, they will always love it!

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I cruised a lot on Carnival growing up, but I went on my first DCL cruise the summer of 2015. I was 22 then. I have been on 3 more since then, and I have been on all four Disney ships (Grand Slam)! I don't want to go back to any other cruise line unless price is an issue. Now, I grew up a Disney fan. So, I would say it depends on if your kids really like Disney or not. There are areas and things to do for adults, so they can easily find something fun to do.

 

[mmouse37]

Our adult kids LOVE DCL!!!! We had a fantastic extended family cruise last August on the Fantasy and everyone had a blast!!!! They practically grew up on DCL and they are all Platinum cruisers so maybe that has something to do with it but even their significant others and cousins who came with us had a fantastic time!!!

MJ

 

[cmph]

My grandparents took our entire family on 2 cruises - one when I was in college (eastern Caribbean - Royal), second when I was 24 (southern Caribbean - HAL) and married. I sure wish they had taken us on DCL instead of that HAL one! We enjoyed the ports but were bored to tears on HAL. We're in our 30s now and I can definitely say we'd have enjoyed DCL in our 20s. We do like Disney, though.

I would have LOVED it if they had taken us on a European cruise, b/c that was so far out of our poor, young married kids' reach. However, mid-winter, the Caribbean was great for weather reasons. You know your kids best, though; maybe they are intrigued by Alaska, too. Cold weather, warm weather, culture vs laying in the sun - find out what they like.

The one other thing to think about before you figure this out would be how much you're paying for. I am assuming you're paying for some of it? (No way I could have fully funded any costly vacation on my own dime at 20.) We "kids" paid for our shore excursions, trips, alcohol, and I guess miscellaneous extras like souvenirs. We seriously had no spare funds as we were buying a house, and ended up having to pick which ports to do excursions, after gulping at the cost of them. The itinerary may need to be partially decided based on that kind of thing - how much nearby stuff is cheap/free to do at the various ports.

 

[Geomom]

As far as length of time, I'd suggest a 7 nt cruise with a good port/sea day ratio. 3/4 night are just too short.

Where is up to your group--what ports interest you, which cruises/timeframe are in your price range, etc.

 

[lanejudy]

Aren't we all just grown children?

If your young adults like Disney and "family" events, I think they'll enjoy DCL regardless of age. Many adults (of a broad age range) cruise DCL without young children. If they're more interested in casinos and/or a party scene, then they won't enjoy DCL. But there are plenty of "adult only" activities onboard -- spa and fitness center, nightclubs, alcohol tasting sessions, seminars, adult pool, etc. As well as the family-style activities like stage shows, character greets, deck parties, etc.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[nancipants]

My husband and I are 28 and 36, respectively, and don't have any kids (yet). We've cruised DCL four times and are going on our fifth in a few weeks. We've done two cruises with his family, and they were great. We love DCL and refuse to even think about going on another line. We're not big into partying and just enjoy good food, relaxing times, and the shows. We're also WDW annual passholders so we love all the Disney touches like the characters.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

One thing about going on dcl without kids is that you are subsidizing their enormous kids clubs. I personally cannot see myself paying double for cruise tickets when we are no longer using the kids clubs. Our older kids prefer non dcl cruises and they are disney fanatics/go to wdw pretty much every year. Our under ten kids prefer dcl.

 

[Main Street Matilda]

My children are a little younger but we are going on our second cruise next year and my 19 year old son is thrilled to be going again. Keep in mind that these ships are still considered among the best ships in the cruise industry. They may not have casinos or night clubs, but the bar scene is still very nice and the service all over the ship is exceptional.

I'd also mention that since my children were busy at the kid's clubs on our last cruise, my husband and I had plenty of time on our own. My instinct was that we would be putting up with small children wherever we went, that really wasn't the case. If I were a young adult, I think that would be my biggest concern but Disney does a nice job of spreading things out.

 

[cadien]

An amazing number of child-free friends are jealous of our Marvel Day at Sea cruise next year. Star Wars is a huge all-ages draw as well.

 

[JWG]

One thing about going on dcl without kids is that you are subsidizing their enormous kids clubs. I personally cannot see myself paying double for cruise tickets when we are no longer using the kids clubs. Our older kids prefer non dcl cruises and they are disney fanatics/go to wdw pretty much every year. Our under ten kids prefer dcl.

We look at it a bit differently. While, yes, we are helping pay for the cost of all cruise related activities including kids clubs (even with kids, our daughter won't go) we also see it as paying for the true tranquility of adult only options and spaces. Whether the Cove area or the bars/lounges and adult entertainment later in the evening, by having such strong kids programming, we feel we're getting a better adult experience as well.

Our first two cruises were pre-child. We had a blast and never felt like we were dealing with kids or stereotypical "Disney" (characters and such). Understand the cost difference and that adult trips on Disney aren't for all, but we're not big gamblers, don't miss the casinos, and appreciate the ability to have true adult spaces and activities.

Those with kids are subsidizing the lounge entertainment and crew members who are serving me drinks at 10pm each evening.

 

[wilkeliza]

I took my first Disney cruise when I was 24 or 25 and have done 4 in total now. I love them. There is a lot to do for adults. The 20 year old can join the 18-20 group where those underage but still adults get together. If they are single each cruise usually has a singles group as well that my friends had fun with. Besides that there are a lot of events and activities for adults.

 

[Luv2CDisney]

We are going with our 22 and 18 yr old daughters on the 11 night Southern Caribbean this June. They have been before and used the kid's activities but this time they get to use the adult only. They are excited to finally eat at Palo's and see the different ports the Fantasy will be docking at.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

We look at it a bit differently. While, yes, we are helping pay for the cost of all cruise related activities including kids clubs (even with kids, our daughter won't go) we also see it as paying for the true tranquility of adult only options and spaces. Whether the Cove area or the bars/lounges and adult entertainment later in the evening, by having such strong kids programming, we feel we're getting a better adult experience as well.

Our first two cruises were pre-child. We had a blast and never felt like we were dealing with kids or stereotypical "Disney" (characters and such). Understand the cost difference and that adult trips on Disney aren't for all, but we're not big gamblers, don't miss the casinos, and appreciate the ability to have true adult spaces and activities.

Those with kids are subsidizing the lounge entertainment and crew members who are serving me drinks at 10pm each evening.

I see what you are saying, and I guess the difference for us is that we do not like dcl enough to pay their prices-- except for our "spoiled" kids. The only reason we do dcl occasionally is to satisfy our younger kids. We are just as if not more happy on other cruise lines as are our older kids. But when we are on other lines, the younger ones (>10) say things like, "We should have done disney cruise." So for us, the extra cost is just for the kids club. We do think the kids club for the under 10 group is superior and that Disney does put aside a lot of square footage for the club. Other lines do sometimes close the club when the numbers get high but Disney never does this. We have been on the Dream where there were so many kids the line was down the hall to the atrium and the club was literally a madhouse, but they never say they have reached capacity.

 

[GPaLarry]

Wife and I are in our 70's. We lived in LA for seven years and went to DL multiple times...and, since our son still lives there, still go at least once a year. Our first visit to DW was during its first year with two of our four kids...long story of planes (took it there), trains (took it home to Syracuse, NY) and automobiles (gas rationing). Have been back at least five times since. We have been on seven DCL cruises, three without kids or gkids. Taking another to Alaska in June with the whole clan.
Can you be too old for the mouse? I can see teens losing some interest, maybe a lot. It is not always cool to like "kid" stuff or be around grandparents...we have experienced it. However, speaking for myself, I find everything "Disney" lots of fun, unique, creative and often unexpected. Who would think of virtual portholes in inside staterooms? Change the dull sound of your ship's horn? Etc.! Etc.! The two of us did a B2B on the Magic last September (Med./Trans) for 19 days without kids. Only 200 kids on the ship for the Trans. We had an awesome time with loads of on-ship activities and watching other folks' kids having fun and extra time with Mickey and Minnie. I also do door decorations, changed every day. For the Alaska cruise I have four doors to work on...yikes! My 50-year-old son and I are truly bummed that there will not be a Pirates' Night. I dress up for it and have a parrot. He goes into such detail, with makeup, hair, etc. that he was stopped twice during his last cruise by guests who wanted pictures taken with "Captain Jack." Perhaps we are reverting to our childhood, maybe we are getting too Goofy (not a bad thing). When on vacation you can certainly do what you like/enjoy, that's what they are for. If teenagers are trying Disney for the first time, especially a cruise, try a short one first...the Dream is waiting. Have them watch some of the many YouTube videos family's have posted about their cruise experiences and the DCL web site. Good luck!