How do I tell the kids? I will feel guilty!!

[scottygirl]

My husband and I will be celebrating our 15th anniversary in Oct 2004. We are thinking about a 3 or 4 night cruise without the kids. Now, I don't feel guilty about leaving them for four days as they will be in good hands (SIL). However, I do feel guilty about going on a "Disney Cruise" without them. We are planning to go on a 7 night Disney Cruise in 2005. Anyone else cruised without the kids on Disney and felt this way? Should we just go on RCCL instead? We are doing Hilton Head summer 2004 so they won't be missing a vacation!!

 

[saturday97]

Go, have a great time, don't feel guilty!! You have the BIG cruise planned w/ the kids, this is just the "test cruise!"

 

[BethC1952]

We celebrated our 30th anniversary without the kids on a DCL cruise, and it was great! No guilt whatsoever...then. Of course, our kid is 28 and has a wife and kid of his own LOL!!

This time, we'll have no guilt again...we're taking the whole clan with us, along with a SIL and her family. It's a "group anniversary" trip--SIL is Oct., DS is Nov, and we're Dec.! Should be great fun.

Beth

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

We've done 3 cruises, two of them anniversary cruises - 15 & 20 - with the kids! We so rarely saw them that it was like not having them.

But we did seriously contemplate not taking them this last time. Ultimately we couldn't do it. The time we did have with them, at dinner and on a few excursions, is too precious. With one in high school and the other soon to be we decided we'd have plenty of time in the not too distant future to travel as a couple.

Sorry, that doesn't help your dilemma of how to tell them too much.

Deb

 

[disney6]

I feel your guilt! We are cruising this Nov. without the kids. They have been two times before and we will take them in Oct. 2004 so they are certainly not deprived! My parents asked us to go (we took them last time and now they're hooked!) and wanted to do the Western kids free so....... what were we to do? We couldn't not go as my Dad was diagnosed with metastisized liver cancer two weeks after returning from cruise with us last Oct. so we really don't want to miss any opportunities (and we are the only ones out of six kids he asked) so...........

we've almost decided NOT to tell the kids we are going on the Disney Cruise (just that we are going on a cruise).

 

[CamColt]

Our first cruise was with our kids and my whole family. We didnt get to do any of the adult stuff, so as my 30th birthday gift, DH took me back alone. Of course we were taking the kids to WDW 2 months later, but still I didnt feel guilty. Im a firm believe that a couple needs alone time. Where they plan to do that is up to them, not the kids.
Go and enjoy yourself! The cruise without kids is a totally different experience.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

When I was a young teenager (13 or so) my parents went to WDW with my grandmother - and left us kids behind! Let me tell you at first I was a bit upset, but I did get over it. And so will your kids! - My mother later did admit that WDW was not the same with us at home though!!

 

[fredms]

Agreed Favorite Auntie!
My parents went away when we were younger every year for two weeks including Disney and trust me the scars and therapy as a result have been minimal.

Serioulsy though scottygirl, I am sure you are a great mom (which is why you feel so guilty) but as Favorite Auntie said you are entitled to your alone time wherever you choose. So go! - guilt free and have a fabulous time!

 

[disny4ever]

bringing them back a T-shirt. My DW and I celebrated our 25th anniversary w/ a 7 day cruise with out the boys. Go and have fun !!

 

[scottygirl]

Thank you everyone for the words of encouragement. I think the idea of the 3 nighter being a test cruise before the 7 day with the kids is a great idea. We have cruised once before on NCL before kids and we had a great time. I am sure DCL will be better! disney6, so sorry about your Father, enjoy your time with him.

 

[disneystyle]

I couldn't help myself but to reply......
Our family took our first Disney cruise this past May on the Magic. Loved it..

Loved it so much my wonderful parents are keeping our 4 and 6 year old in two weeks so Mommy and Daddy can go to "meetings". (Cruise #2 no kids) Our "MEETINGS" will be on the 3 night Wonder and we will "meet" at Palo and "meet" at the Pool and hold "meetings" in lots of other places too!!!

It may come out where we went after the fact, that's fine. If it does they will be happy we have one booked for everyone next year.
I'm hooked on DCL.

Saying that this was still the best family experience and vacation we've taken. I think a three day just the two of will be wonderful but I would want to have the kids on the seven day for sure.....