Just Back from 1st Disney Cruise -- Details & You Won't Believe This!

[DiznEeyore]

WARNING: Long post ahead!!

Dh, ds (9) and I are just home today from the 3-night cruise & 4 nights at OKW. We all agreed that the cruise was *perfect*.

I was concerned about seasickness, but we really were untroubled by it, except for a sort of oppressive, disoriented feeling as we crossed the Gulf Stream both times (this same thing had happened to me on our one previous cruise 6 years ago).

Ds loved the Oceaneer's Lab and dh and I enjoyed the entertainment on board, although we didn't spend any time in the clubs. We both liked Hollywood in the Promenade Lounge quite a bit. We also saw "Tuck Everlasting" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (LOVED it!) at the theaters.

"Disney Dreams" was a bit slow getting started. I was sitting there thinking, "What about this show makes people cry at the end????" But of course, those of you who've seen it know that it CAN make you cry, and I did!

The sit-down meals were excellent, and we all loved the buffet breakfast at Parrot Cay (we did that twice). It turned into a character breakfast, one of the best we've been to! The "fast food" was exactly what is served at WDW, and is only okay IMHO.

Dh and I were celebrating our 11th anniversary and bought gifts for one another on board -- he received a beautiful Mickey watch and he gave me a pretty diamond band ring. I also managed to pick up a few loose gemstones. DCL gave us buttons, a card and a cake to celebrate.

The one thing we didn't really care for was the way the staff kept "reminding" us about tipping. On the last night, we must've been told a dozen times how hard the staff had worked over the last few days and we were required to cheer and applaud over and over. And how the envelopes were printed "To thank you for your outstanding service".... I know why they do it; I'm sure there are stupid people who stiff the servers, but we had no intention of doing that and they really did overdo it IMHO.

Now here's the "You Won't Believe This" part of my report:

Three of our dinner companions were a family from Tampa: wife (young and harsh), the husband (at least 25 years older and seemed to adore her), and her daughter, age 5. The wife had tons of hair and nails out to there and wore tight, tight jeans to dinner. She was constantly berating the child for the slightest things. It was really uncomfortable for us and the other people at our table.

The thing that blew my mind was when one of our dining companions asked the little one about her hair braids. She said, "I got them done yesterday [Nassau]. My mommy left me there while she went shopping." Sure enough, Mother of the Year confirmed that she and hubby had left the 5yo with the hair braiders in Nassau for TWO HOURS so they could shop!!!!!"

Anyway, that's the good, bad and ugly from our cruise. We had a wonderful time and dh & ds are ready to go again, but we will more than likely wait a few years before cruising again because we do prefer the parks overall.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Oh my gosh! That is unbelievable! Where is child protective services when you need them! That poor girl!

Thank you for sharing your trip report! We are going to be on our first DCL cruise soon and we can't wait! Glad you had such a great time!

Karen

 

[FOJMO]

I read with enthusiasm about your trip and especially when I saw you had tablemates from Tampa. We live there too. But, when I read what they did with their little girl, I couldn't believe it! Unreal!

That poor thing -- she thinks it's "normal" -- that's the sad part.

 

[bjspalding]

Disneeyore,

I loved your report, but my heart sank when I read the "unbelievable" part. That is so sad!! I hope she has other people (grandparents, aunts, etc.) in her life to show her love and security.

Smiles,
Bonnie

 

[AnnMorin]

When we were in nassau two years ago at the straw market there was a mom frantically screaming and running around looking for her son. She was in a complete panic, we asked what he looked like and helped her call his name, I don't know if she ever found him. I felt so bd for her as the people around the straw market are often not the most "honorable' types, a lot of them gave me the creeps. I can not imagine purposly leaving a child there! WOW

 

[prymsu]

unbelieveable! There is no way in h e double toothpicks i would take off and leave my child unattended, especially in that area!

 

[JiminyMac]

Three of our dinner companions were a family from Tampa: wife (young and harsh), the husband (at least 25 years older and seemed to adore her), and her daughter, age 5. The wife had tons of hair and nails out to there and wore tight, tight jeans to dinner......Sure enough, Mother of the Year confirmed that she and hubby had left the 5yo with the hair braiders in Nassau for TWO HOURS so they could shop!!!!!"
.

Was this description necessary to the story? Do you feel that the way the woman looked and the age of her husband somehow predisposed her to be a bad mother? What if I said "she was 50 pounds overweight and wore a muu muu to dinner. Her husband was 25 years younger and a stud, but he seemed to love her anyway?" How many of you would jump on me?

I agree that what they did showed really bad judgement. And I would not have wanted to be at the table with them while their child was scolded. Maybe they didn't know better. Maybe they did. Who knows. I sure would hate to have my parenting mistakes made public.

 

[Hopkins]

I enjoyed your trip report.

I can't believe she left her kid by herself, but I guess she is a very trusting person. Not that I'm condoning this behavior, but the people that are trying to make a living by hair braiding I'm sure can be trusted, but as they get busy with other clients, they can't be acting like a daycare center. I'm a very trusting person, but I'd never do that. We don't have any kids, but when we took the neighbor kid on the cruise with us (and also WDW another year), I had my eyes on him at all times and he's 12.

Thanks for posting.
Tina

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by JiminyMac

Was this description necessary to the story? Do you feel that the way the woman looked and the age of her husband somehow predisposed her to be a bad mother? What if I said "she was 50 pounds overweight and wore a muu muu to dinner. Her husband was 25 years younger and a stud, but he seemed to love her anyway?" How many of you would jump on me?

[/B]

I enjoyed the description. That is all it was, a description. I wouldn't have been one of the ones to jump on you for your example description either.

Peggy

 

[AnnMorin]

What if I said "she was 50 pounds overweight and wore a muu muu to dinner. Her husband was 25 years younger and a stud, but he seemed to love her anyway?" How many of you would jump on me?



My husband is gorgeous and studlike and loves me, and as someone who was 50 pounds overweight at one time I could care less if that description was made. It was factual and to the people who stared I laughed at their jelousy and astonishment. Yes fat woman can be beautiful!

 

[JiminyMac]

Yes fat woman can be beautiful!

As can women in tight jeans with big hair and older husbands. My point precisely. I don't think the description was "factual" I think it was intended to conjure up a less than flattering image.

 

[alexandrew]

The quid pro quo of this board...great information about DCL... but don't try and disagree with the holier-than-thous. Why someone would feel compelled to post someones poor parenting choice for everyone to read is beyond comprehension...

 

[bemily]

<< Was this description necessary to the story? Do you feel that the way the woman looked and the age of her husband somehow predisposed her to be a bad mother? What if I said "she was 50 pounds overweight and wore a muu muu to dinner. Her husband was 25 years younger and a stud, but he seemed to love her anyway?" How many of you would jump on me?>>

WOW...you seem to be on the offensive. I believe DiznEeyore was only giving us a description to enhance the story, and dont think she needs to be jumped on for that...

Sorry, but i took offense to your harsh reply to her after such a nice trip report. She was only telling a story.

 

[mrsltg]

Hard to believe that this thread could turn into something besides what it was intended to be, informative and interesting, but oh well!

My opinion of the woman is "Hey you! Out of the gene pool!" DiznEeyore had it right... this is pretty astonishing. I think that the description that she gave was just to illustrate the poor judgement of the person in question (except for the older husband part). She wasn't being holier than thou ... unless you believe that someone who finds it appalling that a child was left alone for 2 hours in the middle of the Nassau Straw Market with a complete stranger while the mother went off and shopped is "holier than thou", in which case, throw a halo on me... I'm holier than thou, too!

Thanks for the trip report, Diz. Glad you're family had a nice time!

Erin

 

[ruvidu]

I thought the description was on the mark. I visualized what this woman looked like before I ever made up my mind what type person she is. My wife is a Day Care (K4) teacher and we know that type well. First kids there and last ones to leave. They sometimes forget to pick them up. "Oh, I thought it was hubby's turn."
Keep writting Diz.

Russ

 

[JiminyMac]

I don't think anyone thinks what these people did was a good idea.... It was a terrible thing, foolish at best and dngerous at worst, but since none of us knows these people, we'll never know if they do this all the time or not, will we?

As for visualizing "what this woman looked like before I ever made up my mind what type person she is" I guess all I can say is that if you can pick these "types" out so easily, maybe your wife needs to stop providing day care to them? Seems like they're easy to spot and she could just avoid the trouble they cause her.

 

[alexandrew]

Holier than thou is passing judgement on someone whom you do not know...or knowing all the facts...

...to make that a main focal point of a trip report for the sole purpose of gaining the usual non- confrontational feedback from this board is , in my opinion, unnecessary...

I'm sure at least some would agree that they would rather hear about the shows, the food, the entertainment, the CM's, the weather, et al.

oops, sorry if I offended anyone (squeak squeak)

 

[ruvidu]

I just went back and read my post again.

#1 - I said we know the type well, not that we could pick them out from a line up. No where in my post did it say that all people who look like the lady described treat their children as she did.

#2 - My wife is a teacher at a professional daycare and does not keeep kids in our home. She like a lot of us work for someone else and takes what they are given to work with. She does her best to provide love for kids who do not get it anywhere else while teaching them to read and write.

Russ

 

[Gina]

Wow, I think there are people who hang out on these boards just waiting to jump on something -- anything!! -- in a post that they might disagree with. Talk about holier-than-thou.

Amy, I loved your report, and definitely your descriptiveness.

I agree with you about the tipping -- I do think they push it a lot. I'm sure it's for the benefit, like you said, of people who might not realize that it does mean a lot to the staff, but it does seem like a strong sell sometimes. But I guess I would rather put up with that than think about the people who might not tip enough otherwise, and the staff who so deserve it. That's what amazes me about the DCL staff -- they always seem to me to truly love what they are doing... not once did I ever encounter anyone who seemed to just be "working for the tip." That really impressed me.

As for that family... well, they're lucky I wasn't there. I don't care if that's the first, last and only time they ever did something like that -- it's inexcusable. Berating a child at a dinner table is one thing, and is bad enough, but child endangerment is a thousand levels beyond that. *shudder*

Anyways, I'm glad y'all had such a good time! I can't imagine not going again for years.

-gina-

 

[Wishing on a star]

Amy, LOVED your post!!!!!
You go girl!!! What is Holier-than-thou are those (who I happen to notice are new to the board ) Deciding that they can pass judgment on another poster, not based on having seen the given situation in person, but based on some kind of holier-than-thou negativity! Perhaps they have not let learned that, unless it is a post where opinions are asked for and offered, in a nice way, that these boards are NOT for berating others.

And, as a very descriptive person myself, LOVED your descriptions... Many know that the welfare of unattended children has been well discussed here on the boards. And, I stand by my original opinion the DCL should probably have a stronger stand on this onboard. We have all heard the horror stories. God forbid something happens one day! That poor little girl!!!