Help?! Best sea day "agenda" on Fantasy for whole family?

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Ok, I'm looking forward to your suggestions, veteran cruisers! I've sailed several times and love the days at sea with my husband and 4 teens; we enjoy doing a wide variety of things, from towel folding to pool time. But this time my mother is sailing with us and she is NO fan of relaxation so I need help taking a new perspective on this trip. She wants to be busy at all times - no lounging by the pool! She's cruised DCL several times but only 3 night sailings, so she is really worried about being bored on a 7 night trip (3 sea days), and I want to keep her entertained. I'll be scouring recent Navigators in hopes of forming some daily plans in advance, but I'd love your best suggestions for a sea day "schedule" of activities/events that have kept YOUR whole family together and happy during the longer cruises with a large group. Thanks for tips and suggestions!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Breakfast.
Shops
Bingo
Film
Lunch.
Mixology.
Film.
Bingo.
Dinner.
Show.
Bar with music.

Through in Remy and or Palo brunch and dinner.
Add a little bit of room service.
Top off with a walk around the track on deck 4.

Note things like Palo, Remy, mixology are adults only.

 

[lbgraves]

Maybe letting each family member select their favorite activity to do with your mother during a set time would work better? She would get one-on-one time with each of you that way. The idea of the entire family being together all day seems a bit much. Your mother may be the only one having fun.

 

[sambycat]

i would hand her the navigator the night before and say "pick all the things you want to do". to a certain degree, you can't make full on plans until you are there? but she should kinda know that all the typical activities are there and she can be as relaxed or rushed as she would like. book brunch somewhere for y'all, that'll burn a couple of hours (if you know it's not your character breakfast day?).

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Maybe letting each family member select their favorite activity to do with your mother during a set time would work better? She would get one-on-one time with each of you that way. The idea of the entire family being together all day seems a bit much. Your mother may be the only one having fun.

Hmmm, I hadn't thought of that! I know she wants to spend as much time with us as a family as possible, since this will likely be our last big trip together before kids start scattering to colleges next year. But your suggestion is very helpful - maybe I could at least suggest that for one or two of the sea days. Thanks!

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

i would hand her the navigator the night before and say "pick all the things you want to do". to a certain degree, you can't make full on plans until you are there? but she should kinda know that all the typical activities are there and she can be as relaxed or rushed as she would like. book brunch somewhere for y'all, that'll burn a couple of hours (if you know it's not your character breakfast day?).

Yes, you're right of course that I can't make solid plans in advance but hoping to at least have a few options ready in my head so as not to be scrambling if I see her getting bored! And YES - we made a brunch res on Day 2. Burning 2 hours was my thought, as well! Great minds.

 

[KristiMc]

I agree with a few activities to do as a family but having 3 full days together may be a bit much. Don't your teens want to hang out in the clubs a bit - or by the pool? Are you planning on spending your port days together? We always make sure to be together for dinner and the shows but then the kids do their own thing and sometimes will meet up with us for a movie/bingo or other activity.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

I agree with a few activities to do as a family but having 3 full days together may be a bit much. Don't your teens want to hang out in the clubs a bit - or by the pool? Are you planning on spending your port days together? We always make sure to be together for dinner and the shows but then the kids do their own thing and sometimes will meet up with us for a movie/bingo or other activity.

Yes, we essentially operate the same way when it's just the 6 of us without my mother. And you're right of course - I will definitely need to make sure the kids get plenty of time to do what they like, as well. Luckily they are content to spend more family time together than usual on this particular trip since Grandma is pretty cool It looks like the trick will be finding the right balance of "family" time vs. "me" time on days at sea.

 

[KristiMc]

Yes, we essentially operate the same way when it's just the 6 of us without my mother. And you're right of course - I will definitely need to make sure the kids get plenty of time to do what they like, as well. Luckily they are content to spend more family time together than usual on this particular trip since Grandma is pretty cool It looks like the trick will be finding the right balance of "family" time vs. "me" time on days at sea.

I don't think I could get any of our remaining grandparents on a cruise so that is awesome that grandma is going. Sounds like you will have a great time - Enjoy!

 

[ldo]

Forced togetherness is not fun for teens. We just cruised with grandma, here's what we did-worked well:
Meet up at X time for putt-putt or another activity and then everyone together at dinner. Then, let her pick what she is interested in each night--and let others see what she circles, then have people odd-man-out for those activities. Talk with kids before and let them know expectations, such as "you can do whatever you want on the sea days, except we will meet at 3pm for putt-putt and will all eat together for dinner---I would also like you each to do at least one other activity with Grandma during the day/night, but you can sleep as late as you want and do whatever for the rest of the day." DH and I then picked up the slack for activities for which there were no takers.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Maybe letting each family member select their favorite activity to do with your mother during a set time would work better? She would get one-on-one time with each of you that way. The idea of the entire family being together all day seems a bit much. Your mother may be the only one having fun.

I think this is an absolutely awesome idea! Definitely do this!