Help! Need to convince my Uncle!

[DisneyDiva4ever]

This is a tough one. However, I know that Disers are the best people to go to for creative solutions to all Disney-related travel issues....please read on....

I am a Disney nut that spends every last penny on vacations with the Big Cheese, land and sea. I've been on 6 Disney cruises with the 7th and 8th booked. I have organized all of my family/friends cruises blah blah blah, you get the picture. Sounds great right? Well, I'm up for the biggest challenge of my cruising career....the dreaded crabby uncle!

I have an uncle who hates the fact that the family doesn't go on "normal" cruises (as he calls them). He doesn't care for Disney. The guy has never flown, AND never been on a ship. He's quick to tell us that he would NEVER do a DISNEY cruise. His own mother, my 75yo Granny, went on a Western caribbean cruise with us in Feb. She LOVED it! She had never flown or been on a vacation in her life and she adapted very well.

I'm trying to convince my uncle to join us on our next family cruise. His new wife has two girls, 12 & 6 and they all want to go. His mother wants to go again too. (the 75yo Granny). Everyone seems to think it's a great idea.....just not uncle crabby pants! He used to love traveling around the U.S., but hasn't gone on a trip in years. I have a feeling he's afraid of flying too.

This trip would be very special if I could manage to get everyone to go. Has anyone ever had a tough situation like this to deal with? I feel that the memories that my uncle would create would last him a lifetime. He's a great person, just really stubborn about vacation issues. Any suggestions? Have any of you ever made a hard sell to someone in your family? Did it ever backfire? I can't imagine anything would go wrong, if we could just get him on that ship!

Sorry to be such a windbag, I'm just desperate for any/all of your great ideas and tips.

Thanks in advance.....Now, let's her your stories!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

If your uncle is afraid to fly, maybe he would enjoy a train ride to Florida. It is relaxing and a nice trip. I dont like to fly so sometimes I do my traveling on Amtrak. I have to admit it is spendy, but can be very nice. The food is great in the dining room on the train.
I dont have any suggestions on how to talk him into going, maybe just level with him and say the family would really love to have you along to share in our vacation. Some people wont change their minds no matter what. If he is that way I would just say, OK then we are all going without you, wish you would come along to, then it would be a perfect trip for all of us.
Maybe a comprimise, he would go with you this time on DCL and then next year you would do a vacation of his choosing. then everyone can be happy.
Good Luck,
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[lindakmonty]

Well I know how you feel. After leaving my abusive piece of you know what ex... I NEEDED a little R&R... of coarse the cruise is perfect for that! I had already been on the Disney cruise twice and knew the drill. I wanted to take my cousin and my mom to help with my toddler, and so they could have a nice vacation as well. Well my mother is DEATHLY afraid of water/boats etc. she doesn't know how to swim or anything. Actually she watched her cousin drown at a young age and it haunted her forever! Well, I needed this cruise, but how was I going to get her on that ship??? I showed her all the pix. I had from our previous cruises and trips, showed her all the books etc. and she finally agreed, but we weren't on the ship yet... we drove down from Ohio. we boarded the Magic and she fell in love! The ship is so beautiful. The staff is so wonderful and friendly. She made buddies w/the guy that cleaned our room and he'd leave like 20 or 30 chocolates for us every night !!! ever since that trip that is all she has talked about! she wouldn't get off at any of the ports, she just wanted to lay by the pool, EAT, and enjoy the shows... now she tells everyone that they need to go and wants to go again!! it's been almost 2 years, my divorce still isn't final..but when it is...I'll be Magic bound again to celebrate! We went again in Dec.04 but ... there will always be more to come!!! good luck!!!