I feel so bad- about to make plans other than DCL

[Reese'smom]

We have been on our only two Disney cruises in the past two years. Once for 2016 spring break and one two weeks ago. We loved them and are trying to make a decision about next spring break. Our options:
1. Disney fantasy Star Wars cruise. Two other families that we are close to will be on board. Tons of fun for our kiddos (10 and 8).
Or!
2. We will go to the beach for spring break. It's pretty close to free because it's a family house. No one going with us but we may be able to squeeze in two days at Universal. Then DH and I could afford to go on a European cruise alone in late April. We have never left the kids that long. We hardly ever go anywhere without the kids.

I'm so torn. I know we would all have fun with option1. It would be the 10 yrs last opportunity for the kids club. But it's expensive and we have done it twice already on the same ship. I feel really bad about going somewhere without the kids if we choose option 2. But DH has never been to Europe. It's cheaper than Disney including flights. It would be on Royal Caribbeans new ship. Don't know which to choose!

 

[FigmentSpark]

Only you can say what you want, but I would choose the first option, mostly because you have friends on that sailing. If you didn't, I'd say the beach and Europe. I'm assuming your kids are friends with their kids. I think the chance for them to vacation together is a great opportunity. You may be on the same ship, but you'll experience it differently because you're with people.

Europe will still be there when the kids are older and you're more comfortable leaving them.... or taking them, too.

 

[cruiser21]

I'd take the Disney cruise. My dh always say she we can do the stuff we want to do when they're gone. Trust me it goes fast. Mine are 13 and 15 and I can't believe in 5 years they'll both be adults. Your kids are at the best age IMHO. I would take advantage of it. Teenagers are no cakewalk. You may be more inclined to take that adult vacation then. Your teens may not even care when you leave. LOL

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Take your kids to Europe! They will love it.

 

[Reese'smom]

Take your kids to Europe! They will love it.

Hahaha. No way! We have NEVER been away from them for more than 2 days. If we go to Europe it will be just us. This momma needs a break!

 

[cruiser21]

Take your kids to Europe! They will love it.

I agree, but I think in OPs case it may be out of the budget. It is possible to get really cheap flights to Europe on some of the non US carriers. Something to consider.

 

[bumbershoot]

It would be the 10 yrs last opportunity for the kids club.

Kids can go to the club/lab right up until their 13th birthday.

t is possible to get really cheap flights to Europe on some of the non US carriers.

And for international flights, until they are 12, I believe, you can get kid discounts. My son's airfare was HALF mine when we went to Ireland 3 summers ago.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Option one.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We're basically doing your Option #2 and don't feel guilty in the slightest (okay, that's not true lol). But that's bc we're taking the kids on DCL cruises 4 and 5 this summer. We did cancel DCL cruise #6 next winter and are cruising to Europe next Spring break, just my husband and I. I feel super bad especially bc my one daughter really wants to go but my husband and i barely get to travel alone, and we both certainly as children never had one fancy vacay, let alone the amount our kids have had. So, if for you the price is right and you know you have years to take them fun places, maybe you could consider #2! They still will have several years to enjoy the kids clubs, if that makes your decision any easier. Good luck, I know it's tough.

 

[Shanti]

We have been on our only two Disney cruises in the past two years. Once for 2016 spring break and one two weeks ago. We loved them and are trying to make a decision about next spring break. Our options:
1. Disney fantasy Star Wars cruise. Two other families that we are close to will be on board. Tons of fun for our kiddos (10 and 8).
Or!
2. We will go to the beach for spring break. It's pretty close to free because it's a family house. No one going with us but we may be able to squeeze in two days at Universal. Then DH and I could afford to go on a European cruise alone in late April. We have never left the kids that long. We hardly ever go anywhere without the kids.

I'm so torn. I know we would all have fun with option1. It would be the 10 yrs last opportunity for the kids club. But it's expensive and we have done it twice already on the same ship. I feel really bad about going somewhere without the kids if we choose option 2. But DH has never been to Europe. It's cheaper than Disney including flights. It would be on Royal Caribbeans new ship. Don't know which to choose!

I guess a big question is, what would the kids be doing while you are in Europe? Being babysat in one form or another? Or being somewhere they're truly happy to be?

 

[Westcoastwild]

Well, you said you needed a break. So I'd say option 2 if your DH is excited about Europe. I think a lot of it hinges on him. The kids have been on a cruise on that ship twice, and I think the beach house would be fine.

The fact that the other families are on that cruise is nice but there may be another time you can all travel together- I wouldn't base a decision on that.

But on the other hand, I kind of agree with the idea of option 3. Take the kids to Europe. Consider not doing it on a cruise- for one thing, it would be cheaper: and for another, the kids would probably love the trains and seeing the new places.

 

[aggiedog]

I totally get your angst. I love to travel. I really love to travel with my kids, and when I'm not with my kids I find myself thinking "oh, they'd really love that..." That said, it's important to spend alone time with your dh. Every relationship needs periodic maintenance, especially marriages. Dh and I rarely get away together but I've never regretted when we do. We are, in fact, doing a European river cruise this fall for our 25th anniversary, no kids.

Also, as I have two kids going off to college this fall, smart money choices are also larger on my priority list. You've done two presumably pricey vacations last year. There's nothing wrong with a free beach house. Travel with family, at best, is about making good memories. That can happen on a cruise, or at the beach.

I told this story recently in another thread, so forgive me if you read it. An older friend told me a while back about how his two boys always talked about their family vacation to the Hershey Park in PA they took when the boys were little. It was a great time, best vacation ever, etc, etc. When the boys were teens, he finally broke down and told them the "park" was the visitor's center only. Moral of the story - it's not about where you take them, its about being with them. I've never forgotten that (though I still love to travel!)

 

[cadien]

Ironically, our planned just the two of us Europe getaway somehow turned into our first Disney cruise, with our son. But that's because he's suddenly going through a separation anxiety phase that we never had to deal with when he was young, and grandma said no thanks... But it is very important to get your own trips periodically. And they won't be miserable wherever they are.

Have you already done the Star Wars cruise or just the Fantasy in general?

 

[Bethany10]

I guess a big question is, what would the kids be doing while you are in Europe? Being babysat in one form or another? Or being somewhere they're truly happy to be?

I would agree with this, and I've got kids close in age to yours (11 and 8). Sometimes you need a break, and as was pointed out to me very early in my marriage, when the kids are grown and out of the house you're back to living with just each other. If you haven't maintained the communication/connection with your spouse during the years you're raising kids it's not going to be there when they're gone.

Do what works for you and your family. if it were me I'd be on the plane to Europe. I'd feel guilty, but I'd still be on the plane.

Arg, I started out with a point and lost the plot there a bit. I think you also need to take into consideration what they're going to be doing while you're in Europe. In our family, staying with one set of family is a true treat for them, they don't get to see them very often and are spoiled as a result. They'd pick that side every time, even over Europe at their current ages. If they're going to grandma's house (who doesn't know how to work the wifi) then there would be grumbling. Just depends.

 

[Reese'smom]

I would agree with this, and I've got kids close in age to yours (11 and 8). Sometimes you need a break, and as was pointed out to me very early in my marriage, when the kids are grown and out of the house you're back to living with just each other. If you haven't maintained the communication/connection with your spouse during the years you're raising kids it's not going to be there when they're gone.

Do what works for you and your family. if it were me I'd be on the plane to Europe. I'd feel guilty, but I'd still be on the plane.

Arg, I started out with a point and lost the plot there a bit. I think you also need to take into consideration what they're going to be doing while you're in Europe. In our family, staying with one set of family is a true treat for them, they don't get to see them very often and are spoiled as a result. They'd pick that side every time, even over Europe at their current ages. If they're going to grandma's house (who doesn't know how to work the wifi) then there would be grumbling. Just depends.

They would be with my parents who live five minutes from us. My parents are youngish and very active. They are pretty good with technology too! The kids adore them and are very much spoiled there.

Ironically, our planned just the two of us Europe getaway somehow turned into our first Disney cruise, with our son. But that's because he's suddenly going through a separation anxiety phase that we never had to deal with when he was young, and grandma said no thanks... But it is very important to get your own trips periodically. And they won't be miserable wherever they are.

Have you already done the Star Wars cruise or just the Fantasy in general?

Our very first cruise on the Fantasy was a Star Wars cruise. If we go on this one it will be nice that we have done a lot of it and won't feel pressured to go to everything. It will truly be a relax cruise not running nonstop.

 

[cadien]

Our very first cruise on the Fantasy was a Star Wars cruise. If we go on this one it will be nice that we have done a lot of it and won't feel pressured to go to everything. It will truly be a relax cruise not running nonstop.

If you'd also be able to relax at the beach, I'd call the less expensive option a no-brainer then.

 

[SteveMP]

I've been to quite a few places in Europe for work, all very cool. But I would pick time and memories with my kids every time. They grow so fast and I will have decades to go places after they are out of the house.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Option 2. In my opinion it is really important for couples to get a chance to have time away and take advantage of having some watch them while you can. I agree that they grow fast but it in my opinion it is important to keep the connection with my husband now and not just after they are out of the house.

 

[mevelandry]

We have been on our only two Disney cruises in the past two years. Once for 2016 spring break and one two weeks ago. We loved them and are trying to make a decision about next spring break. Our options:
1. Disney fantasy Star Wars cruise. Two other families that we are close to will be on board. Tons of fun for our kiddos (10 and 8).
Or!
2. We will go to the beach for spring break. It's pretty close to free because it's a family house. No one going with us but we may be able to squeeze in two days at Universal. Then DH and I could afford to go on a European cruise alone in late April. We have never left the kids that long. We hardly ever go anywhere without the kids.

I'm so torn. I know we would all have fun with option1. It would be the 10 yrs last opportunity for the kids club. But it's expensive and we have done it twice already on the same ship. I feel really bad about going somewhere without the kids if we choose option 2. But DH has never been to Europe. It's cheaper than Disney including flights. It would be on Royal Caribbeans new ship. Don't know which to choose!

No 2 gives you two vacations...

On a ship or on the beach, you are going to be spending time with your family and this is what really counts. My favorite memories with my mother happened when she was poor. A luxurious vacation is nice but it's not what is going to bring you real joy.

And according to my friends who are parents, a couples vacation is usually very good for a relationship.

 

[vakamalua]

It's a big, fantastic world out there--see it as a couple and also are the kids. Don't get stuck in a DCL rut...