Is anyone cruising with me on the August 27th 2011 Meditteranean Cruise? Hellooooo?

[austraveler]

Welcome

You do not have to pe book the kids club. You can check them in and out as you please (they are too young to check themselves out). I don't know about the specal needs concern but I'm sure someone will be able to help you out with that.

Two of my boys are not particularly friendly (not shy, just not interested) and I too am wondering about how they will go if there is table sharing. They will barely speak to adults who are strangers so a heads up now for all you cruisers - 2 of the 3 Starrett boys will stare at you blankly if you speak to them and mutter a one word response. The third will talk your ear off so you ight have to watch out for that too!

I think you can request a table on your own - speak to your travel agent or give DCL a call.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi everyone I'm new on here, although my kids have posted a few messages over on the teen thread. Suddenly we have just over a month to go, and I think I'm more excited than the boys! I have a little one who will be four by the cruise date, and another who will be nearly seven. Both are diagnosed with autism, although the youngest is only mildly affected. The older one however, has decided he no longer likes disney characters!! He might have informed me of that fact BEFORE i booked! Although we have cruised before, this is our first DCL so could I please ask a few questions?! (Sorry if the answers have already come up, I started to read the thread from the beginning, but ended up skipping 50 or so pages!)

The fact that the boys are special needs, will it mean they won't be able to be left in kids club? (Both are extremely well behaved, but have their individual needs.)

Do you have to pre book kids club, or can you come and go as you please?

Will we be able to get a dining table just for our family, as meal times with my children are always stressful, and the boys won't want to have to talk to new people at their worst part of the day (actually neither will I which is such a shame!)

What's the on board store like? My boys are already planning what they want to buy (based on what you can get at the Disney store at the mo) is it similar to the stores in Disneyland?

Thanks
Angela

HI, and welcome to the adult board My daughter has been telling me about you from the kids' thread--I hear you are a Girl Guide leader

As Austraveler said--you do not need to prereserve the kids' club (except for kids udner 3 which does not apply to you anyway).

My understanding is that the clubs do not promise they can accommodate children with special needs, but if they can make it work they do--MANY children with autism do especially well on DCL--so it is very possible they will be good to go and enjoy the clubs.
What you should do is fill out your cruise paperwork online and there is a medical needs form that is optional to print out and fill out and fax in. Fill that in as soon as you can and tell them about your children--it gives them a headsup and chance to accomidate you as best they can. Right on that form you could also request a table for just your family (no guarantees) and explain why you need it, which would really up your chances I think. Even without the form, you can request a table for only your family (either through your travel agent, or if you booked yourself then call DCL directly) and the request is honored fairly often though with a sold out ship they may not have the flexibility to honor as many requests--especially so close to the sale date).

Welcome

You do not have to pe book the kids club. You can check them in and out as you please (they are too young to check themselves out). I don't know about the specal needs concern but I'm sure someone will be able to help you out with that.

Two of my boys are not particularly friendly (not shy, just not interested) and I too am wondering about how they will go if there is table sharing. They will barely speak to adults who are strangers so a heads up now for all you cruisers - 2 of the 3 Starrett boys will stare at you blankly if you speak to them and mutter a one word response. The third will talk your ear off so you ight have to watch out for that too!

I think you can request a table on your own - speak to your travel agent or give DCL a call.

Based on what my kids tell me of the kids' thread--I am going to guess that would be Josh? Or is he just better able to be friendly online? Rio is not much for typing, but he is a social butterfly in reality. Marika will talk the ear off of anyone she clikcs with, but that is not so many people and she is otherwise very shy. It is rare for her to go into the clubs at all--but you would never know it from all her posting online

 

[BWV Dreamin]

My boys were the same way at that age! I really do think it's a "boy" thing! We requested a table just for my DH and myself. Don't know if that will happen, but if anyone on this thread is on the second seating let me know so we can request to sit with you!

Welcome

You do not have to pe book the kids club. You can check them in and out as you please (they are too young to check themselves out). I don't know about the specal needs concern but I'm sure someone will be able to help you out with that.

Two of my boys are not particularly friendly (not shy, just not interested) and I too am wondering about how they will go if there is table sharing. They will barely speak to adults who are strangers so a heads up now for all you cruisers - 2 of the 3 Starrett boys will stare at you blankly if you speak to them and mutter a one word response. The third will talk your ear off so you ight have to watch out for that too!

I think you can request a table on your own - speak to your travel agent or give DCL a call.

 

[Halo]

If kids,why not consider marineland on own,see www.marineland.es (mallorca)
It is approx 20 mins bus ride?

Just to warn you and anyone else thinking about Marineland, here is our Tripadvisor review on the place from 2005:

“An awful place, best avoided.”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 November 2005

Buoyed up by the reviews below, we went to Marineland during the October '06 schools half-term break. It cost €50+ for a family of 4 (after a €6 discount from Hertz car rental). The place is small, cramped and oppressive - Sea World it isn't. The dolphins and sea lions are kept in appalling conditions. I would never go back there and would recommend to everyone that it should be avoided.

Of course YMMV.....

 

[NHdisneylover]

Just to warn you and anyone else thinking about Marineland, here is our Tripadvisor review on the place from 2005:



Of course YMMV.....

Thanks. Yeah, we looked it up on tripadvisor yesterday and nixed the idea

I think we will just take the bus into town and visit the cathedral and wander and maybe hit a beach in the afternoon. Just get a feel for the area.

 

[NHdisneylover]

My boys were the same way at that age! I really do think it's a "boy" thing! We requested a table just for my DH and myself. Don't know if that will happen, but if anyone on this thread is on the second seating let me know so we can request to sit with you!

If it were just the four of us we would invite you in a heartbeat (we are late dining). We have my in laws and 2 friends though so that fills a big tale already. I am sure you will do fine though--seriously, in all the cruises we have taken we have only once not enjoyed our table mates. In the unlikely event that that happens, talk to the head waiter after the first meal and they will find a way to move you elsewhere.

 

[DisneyBrits]

Thanks for the info. Going on hoilday for us can be stressful and all those questions which you wish you knew the answer to when you go on holiday, can add to the pressure!
This is a cool site, and is helping me a lot!
ps yes I,m the Guide Leader! I hope you don't mind that I've been chatting to your daughter on the teen thread, I came across this discussion board totally by accident, and found the kids bit first. You should be proud of her, she is so mature and has been sooooo helpful at answering my questions. I have been collecting some of our centenary badges for her. Ill bring the boys along to the little meeting that they are having at the ice cream parlour, so Matthew can give them to her, as it doesn't seem quite right, a stranger approaching a kid and giving them a gift!
She would love our rangers (older girls in Guiding) they do so many fab things. Last week they were painting their own pottery pieces at the pottery factory, this weekend they are off to London to do the centenary challenge at Crystal Palace, then onto the theatre to see 'Wicked' and also they are going on the London eye. The week after that, they are going kayaking!!

Angela

 

[NHdisneylover]

Thanks for the info. Going on hoilday for us can be stressful and all those questions which you wish you knew the answer to when you go on holiday, can add to the pressure!
This is a cool site, and is helping me a lot!
ps yes I,m the Guide Leader! I hope you don't mind that I've been chatting to your daughter on the teen thread, I came across this discussion board totally by accident, and found the kids bit first. You should be proud of her, she is so mature and has been sooooo helpful at answering my questions. I have been collecting some of our centenary badges for her. Ill bring the boys along to the little meeting that they are having at the ice cream parlour, so Matthew can give them to her, as it doesn't seem quite right, a stranger approaching a kid and giving them a gift!
She would love our rangers (older girls in Guiding) they do so many fab things. Last week they were painting their own pottery pieces at the pottery factory, this weekend they are off to London to do the centenary challenge at Crystal Palace, then onto the theatre to see 'Wicked' and also they are going on the London eye. The week after that, they are going kayaking!!

Angela

Oh, I don't mind at all that you have been talking to her--it is an open forum after all and I let her have an account. Marika is pretty trustworthy and (obviously) tells me about whoever she is talking with. Thanks for saying nice things about her, I know she has enjoyed talking with you and she will be THRILLED to get the patches I am sure. Yes, I am sure she would adore Rangers if we lived in England she would certainly be in a troop (group? what do you call it?).

Feel free to ask any questions you have. Does it help your boys to know what to expect (like the boarding procedures, etc)?

 

[mkmommy]

Looks like DCL has started assigning cabins. I went from an assigned CAT 7 to a 5. ( I was looking forward to my secret navigators rooms though)

Good Luck to all the GTY

 

[NHdisneylover]

Looks like DCL has started assigning cabins. I went from an assigned CAT 7 to a 5. ( I was looking forward to my secret navigators rooms though)

Good Luck to all the GTY

Congratulations on the upgrade

 

[austraveler]

Based on what my kids tell me of the kids' thread--I am going to guess that would be Josh? Or is he just better able to be friendly online? Rio is not much for typing, but he is a social butterfly in reality. Marika will talk the ear off of anyone she clikcs with, but that is not so many people and she is otherwise very shy. It is rare for her to go into the clubs at all--but you would never know it from all her posting online

It is actually Campbell who is friendly but Josh has really taken to the computer and is able to be surprisingly social online. Marika has been fabulous on the the kids board, keeping it fresh and interesting despite getting few responses.

While we are on the topic of fabulous - I would also like to give YOU a huge thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights with us all. It has been so helpful to have the benefit of your experience and you are always so positive. Looking forward to saying hello in person!

Cheers
Anna

 

[NHdisneylover]

It is actually Campbell who is friendly but Josh has really taken to the computer and is able to be surprisingly social online. Marika has been fabulous on the the kids board, keeping it fresh and interesting despite getting few responses.

While we are on the topic of fabulous - I would also like to give YOU a huge thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights with us all. It has been so helpful to have the benefit of your experience and you are always so positive. Looking forward to saying hello in person!

Cheers
Anna

Anna,
You are so sweet. Thanking you for saying that--I am always so afraid that I come across as a bossy, know it all, which really isn't my intention

I am glad Josh is finding the kids' thread (and other online things I take it) a good place to exercise a little social muscle

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hadley... You won't believe what our special friend has mailed me!! I can't stop laughing! I can't wait to talk to you about her!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I am still GTY! It's driving me crazy. So hoping for an upgrade. Congrats Mkmommy!!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hadley... You won't believe what our special friend has mailed me!! I can't stop laughing! I can't wait to talk to you about her!!

I think I might know Too bad she is not sailing with us, eh?

Good luck on an upgrade--we are still sitting in the same cabins. Pixie dust for an upgrade never happens to us

 

[JoyB-UK]

Hi everyone

Just been on the DCL website to see if there was any changes as everyones talking about staterooms being given out and we have also received an upgrade but not too sure if this is a good thing as we were not GTY. We chose and paid for a aft cat 6A starboard side which had a larger than average balcony we now have 5A midship port side which is a connecting room.

Do you get more noise from the other rooms through the connecting door? I don't want to sound ungrateful, on the one hand its like YAY we've got more than we paid for but on the other I can't help wanting our quiet out of the way aft cabin back. Still on deck 7 though which is good. mmm

Congrats to those who have also got an upgrade and I would suggest everyone checks on their room now even if your not GTY.

Joy

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi everyone

Just been on the DCL website to see if there was any changes as everyones talking about staterooms being given out and we have also received an upgrade but not too sure if this is a good thing as we were not GTY. We chose and paid for a aft cat 6A starboard side which had a larger than average balcony we now have 5A midship port side which is a connecting room.

Do you get more noise from the other rooms through the connecting door? I don't want to sound ungrateful, on the one hand its like YAY we've got more than we paid for but on the other I can't help wanting our quiet out of the way aft cabin back. Still on deck 7 though which is good. mmm

Congrats to those who have also got an upgrade and I would suggest everyone checks on their room now even if your not GTY.

Joy

I can't really answer your question, but if you really want your old cabin, and assuming it is not handicapped accessible (I am thinking a lot of the aft ones are) then you could call and ask for it back. I have heard of people being able to get them back if they call ASAP.

 

[floridahippy]

just checked but we are still showing as GTY

fingers crossed - not so much for us but would love the honeymoon couple (youngest dd) to have an outside room! We shall all be more that happy with our inside rooms though as we are just so thrilled to be going together

 

[NHdisneylover]

Generally DCL does not give anyone BIG upgrades. You see that fairly high category cabins (already balcony rooms) are being upgraded into higher grades now. Probably tonight or so they will fill in those newly vacated rooms by upgrading some outside cabins to balconies and THEN they will either also upgrade some inside cabins to outside (yes, I am still hoping against hope we get this--but I am not expecting anything) and fill gtys in as insides or just put gtys in as outsides and insides with whatever is left. It could take them a day or three to get through everybody (from what I have seen in the past) starting with the higher categories and working down and ending with gtys.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I got an upgrade!! My new cabin # 6146. I was upgraded from a 10C GTY. I'm trying to find the Magic deck plans now. I have no idea about this location or type of room.