How do you avoid someone onboard

[wdwoldtimer]

Since you mentioned Titanic...you'll recall the riff-raff down in the bildge cabins had one heck of a better time than the stuffy snobs on the upper decks.

How about your entire family learn another language or make one up? If you run into them, you can all start talking to them and each other really fast and loudly in this language, pretending not to know them. Then walk away leaving them scratching their heads.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Jump off. j/k

Don't jump!!! Just push them overboard. Then you'll never have to deal with them again>>>

 

[KAR3600]

Don't let someone ruin your vacation, the longer she waits to book the chances are the rooms she wants will already be booked, and like you said she won't stay in cat. 11. I'm cruising July 24 and my ship is all sold out, I can't believe it.

Like others have said if her room is not near yours the chance of running into her will be slim, but if you do be nice, and be on your way..."Sorry, we have to run, promised to be at "-----" take care, have fun, see ya when we get home!!!", she'll get the idea.

 

[epjenk]

I definately wouldn't let them run your kids out of the clubs. If you take the lead counselor aside and explain that these kids have a "history" from before the cruise and that your child really doesn't want to play with theirs, I'm sure they will make every effort to monitor their interaction and keep them from getting into it. The counselors really are great.

And if she asks you to watch her kids, I'd say "Normally I wouldn't mind, but with so many kids running around here, I just don't feel comfortable being
responsible for more than my own." If your kids are in the club- stay at the adult side where its not an issue.

 

[maymlee]

How about your entire family learn another language or make one up? If you run into them, you can all start talking to them and each other really fast and loudly in this language, pretending not to know them. Then walk away leaving them scratching their heads.

Hummmm!!! Not a bad idea. We can speak Chinese fluently.

 

[cwf1028]

I agree with the previous post, I often use the "normally I would love to but I don't feel comfortable I can make sure they are safe with so many kids around, I'm having a hard time watching my own." That makes it where you're not saying no, and if they try at that point to talk you into it, it would seem like they are bad parents if they did not care whether you felt you could keep them safe so they should back off. Just continue to be insistant that you would not be comfortable. Suggest if they are just "going to the bathroom, or getting a drink" or whatever that they bring the kids with them, after all that's the only way to "make sure they are safe in this mad house". I would tell your child that does not want to go to the clubs that you are going to speak to the CMs and they will try to keep them apart and keep the other child in line, hopefully it will work and your child can let you know if it did not work. I have a feeling these folks are more talk than anything and will most likely not be on that boat. I wouldn't worry until your past the cancellation date!

 

[smchan]

Not only would I say "no" to any babysitting requests, but I'd leave their kids and go elsewhere if I were pushed into it. If the parents have a inkling of responsibility, they won't ask you again.

Failing that, order up a bunch of room service and have it delivered to their cabin at 4:00 AM on a sea day.

Sam

 

[Rence]

You said she is thinking of booking the same week as you are. I may have missed it but I didn't see which boat you are on.

If you are on the Wonder, just let it slip that you could only afford the 3/4 day budget economy cruises and how you wish you could afford the luxurious week long curise. If you are on the Magic, just say how nice it would be to sail on the Wonder because it is a much newer ship and just got out of dry dock etc etc.

 

[JanDave]

I just have to put my 2 cents worth of opinion on this thread. Great ideas on how to handle this rude person. Maintain a good offense, keep her on the defensive. When she's at the Mickey or Goofy pool with her kids, that would be a good time for your kids to go to the kids club. From what you've said about her son, your DD will be more than happy to leave the pool if he shows up. His bully-like behavior will not be tolerated at the kids club. Activities abound on the ship -- meet and greets, stroll around the ship, have a snack, order room service, see a movie. Also, if you do get the same dining rotation, switch dining times and/or tables by talking to the maitre d. He/she will be more than happy to accommodate your request. If you and your DH go to Palo for dinner or brunch, do not let them know that information. My instinct is that this woman wants people to think she can afford to buy/do things just as others do. I'm guessing she won't cruise this year with you as she'll come up with one of her usual top 10 excuses. Does she have a husband as obnoxious as she is? I'm guessing he may have the final say on a cruise since he may be the decision maker in the family. I've met plenty of those types over my many decades of life. Enjoy your cruise!

Jan

 

[RickW]

Unfortunately we are planning to stay in the neighborhood for many years and if I am overly rude to them it may make situation awkward.

Personally, I think that the best way to avoid situations with them, while not actually being rude, is with "intentional misunderstandings". In other words, act completely clueless, misunderstanding anything they ask of you.
Neighbor:
"I am going to get a drink from the bar, can you watch my kids while I'm there?"
You:
"Well, I'm not really thirsty right now, but thanks for the offer."

 

[debm]

If anything comes up about you being in the "bildge of the ship" you could just mention how you "have to be on the lower decks of the boat because it is much more stable down there. One of your kids gets seasick if you sleep on a Deck higher than 2. And you can't have any light in the room or let them see the water when they are in the room. It just makes things worse. And you certainly don't want them throwing up around the ship."

I think the main thing would be changing your dining times. That will put your entire evening schedule off from theirs. If you like early dinner than talk up the late or vice versa.

I had similar worries to yours when we cruised with both sets of grandparents. I wondered how we would manage 4 children and doing what everyone wanted to do without upsetting anyone. There was so much for old and young to do that everyone was happy. many times we didn't even see the one set of grandparents until dinner time. It all worked out fine.

I hope it goes well for you.

PS And if she does book and you find out what dining time she got ---wait until right before you cruise before you tell her that you are booked at the other one ---if you "talked up" her choice. Plus you can just say that you couldn't get in to the early/late.

 

[alexandrew]

Great question !!!!!

Never in all the years I've hung out on these boards have i ever read such a unique question....I agree with some of the other posters....we seem to see the same 50 or so folks constantly on a particular cruise....I guess like minded folks like to do the same things....good luck....

 

[simba928]

I deff. can relate to you. My mom's side of the family is goin on a Royal Carribean Cruise this summer. That includes my aunt and little 5 year old cousin. My aunt has a habit of pushing my cousin onto my other aunt. I know that she will ask me and my cousin to watch my 5 year old cousin. She even wants us to drive with her (from Pittsburgh to NYC) to get to the cruise. I am not babysitting my little cousin the whole trip. It's my vacation too. Just tell your neighbor that you are not watching her kids because they are HER kids, not yours.

 

[232271]

hey by the way when are you cruising.
find out who from the DISboards will be there with you and make new friends
that way you are occupied anytime they come around.
We have this same problem and actually have to keep our cruise this summer a complete secret, my dad and my SIL would want to come.
IN fact my SIL booked a disney trip for her spring break this year just because we are going to be there!!

I feel for you because at least I can lose her at WDW.

Let us know if we can help if we are on the same cruise, 6/5/05

 

[ann-e-mator]

Here's a nice solution to your problem... Borrow the characters costumes!! Then they'll never know where you are! No seriously... Don't let it bother you. If they start to get on your nerves, tell them you are trying to enjoy some time with your family and maybe you will come find them later (not)

 

[moocow35]

This is such a great thread that I can totally relate to! I'm facing the same situation, and I have been focusing on the dining rotation aspect as my main weapon for avoidance. The party in question in my situation has late dining, which I prefer. However my reservation was originally placed with early dining, and I do not think I will change it just for this reason! I figure on port days, if I want to stay late onshore, I'll just eat at topsiders. (of course I would never miss lobster night) LOL

Robin (aka Brunhilda Pink Toes )

 

[maymlee]

hey by the way when are you cruising.

Let us know if we can help if we are on the same cruise, 6/5/05

We will be on the 5 Nov 05 Magic. Thanks for the offer for help.

We saw our "lovely" neighbors this weekend, she was asking us a whole bunch of questions about booking a DCL cruise, e.g. Where did you book your last trip? How much did you paid? etc. etc. Now I am really nervous.

{DedM quote} If anything comes up about you being in the "bildge of the ship" you could just mention how you "have to be on the lower decks of the boat because it is much more stable down there.

We actually have a CAT11 room on deck 6 assigned, "bildge of the ship" does not bother us, we will enjoy our room no matter what deck it is on. we (DH & I) actually laughs about how someone can be so clueless at this day and age. It also proves that she has never been on a cruise before. However, their "snobish attitude" has carried over to their kids and they always tease my DD about how "upper-class" they are. How do you explain to your 6 yo to ignore silly comments like that.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Here's a nice solution to your problem... Borrow the characters costumes!! Then they'll never know where you are!

 

[ericamanda01]

I have a couple of nice tatics and a couple naughty tatics:
1. Say your in the wonder not the magic
2. If she does go in your cruise and you run into her, tell you have to go because DD is being bad (plan this with DD ahead of time)
3. If she asks you to sit her kids, say no your on vacation.
4. If she is for sure going, ask for her reservation number so that you can link your dinners together, then tell her that you couldn't get into her dinning time because it was full. That way you can make sure that you have the oppisit time and place as her.
5. Give her the wrong date of your cruise, tell her the week before or after.
6 Don't let her get to you and have a fantastic time!

 

[JJsmama]

I'm sure someone has already said this, but: It is actually very difficult to find someone onboard. Our extended family went together. We wanted to spend a lot of time together, but we still spent a great deal of the time looking for others, not seeing anyone else in our famly, as small family groups. Unless we had a prior plan about where and when to meet, we would not have been together.

Even at the Mickey pool oyu mentioned. In our experience, it was so crowded, two families could definitely be there at the same time and no intermingle. If you see them, just don't call out and wave and chances are, they'll go on by.

If she asks what your plans are for the day, just be vague. "Oh, I don't know...We'll go with the flow..." You'll be fine.