Minimum Age

[3PiratesAndAPrincess]

Does anyone know how strict ABD is about minimum age requirements? We are considering doing ABD in conjunction with our 2015 Med Cruise. However, my son will only be 3.5, not the minimum age of 4...he is already potty trained and has an older brother so is quite advanced. Also. Has anyone done the ABD in conjunction with a DCL? Is it worth the money? Thanks.

 

[sayhello]

Does anyone know how strict ABD is about minimum age requirements? We are considering doing ABD in conjunction with our 2015 Med Cruise. However, my son will only be 3.5, not the minimum age of 4...he is already potty trained and has an older brother so is quite advanced. Also. Has anyone done the ABD in conjunction with a DCL? Is it worth the money? Thanks.

From what I have heard, ABD and DCL are quite strict about the minimum age. But I guess it couldn't hurt to call DCL or your Travel Agent and ask. It would need to be DCL, because DCL makes the policy decisions for the add-ons.

I did the Med cruise add-on in 2010 (the first year they were ever offered). The cost was quite a bit less then. But I found it to be absolutely worth the money. We were able to do the equivalent of 2 or 3 excursions every port, as all of the transportation was handled by ABD. (No having to return to the ship mid-day or anything). The excursions were the equivalent of ABD activities (in some cases, the same activities). Two Guides, smaller groups than the DCL excursions, local experts. And for me, the added bonus was (since I was traveling solo) interacting with the same 40 people each day.

Sayhello

 

[3PiratesAndAPrincess]

From what I have heard, ABD and DCL are quite strict about the minimum age. But I guess it couldn't hurt to call DCL or your Travel Agent and ask. It would need to be DCL, because DCL makes the policy decisions for the add-ons. I did the Med cruise add-on in 2010 (the first year they were ever offered). The cost was quite a bit less then. But I found it to be absolutely worth the money. We were able to do the equivalent of 2 or 3 excursions every port, as all of the transportation was handled by ABD. (No having to return to the ship mid-day or anything). The excursions were the equivalent of ABD activities (in some cases, the same activities). Two Guides, smaller groups than the DCL excursions, local experts. And for me, the added bonus was (since I was traveling solo) interacting with the same 40 people each day. Sayhello

Shoot. That sucks. Ok. Well, it can't hurt to call and ask. Thanks for the info. I would really like to do the add on, but it might not be in the cards if they won't let my son join us

 

[tracyz]

Hey there! Here's my opinion, for what it's worth: we did the med cruise add-on in 2011, and it was my favorite vacation EVER. We loved everything about ABD, and they filled the trip with days full of good times. That said, I would not take a 4-year-old, even an "advanced" 4-year-old, on an ABD. The days were very full, lots of riding on busses, walking, crowds in the cities, and most of the activities were not ones that a child that age would get anything out of. We have now done 4 ABDs, and I think the youngest kid in any of our groups was 8, which I think is a good age. For the most part, the majority of kids in every group have been in the 9-12 age range, and I think a lot of the activities are geared perfectly that way. We just got home from Costa Rica, and all of the kids in our group ranged from 9-12, with one 14 year old. They had a blast together! I would recommend saving your ABD experience for when your kids are a bit older, then by all means go for it! It's worth every penny, but probably not if you're 4...

 

[3PiratesAndAPrincess]

Hey there! Here's my opinion, for what it's worth: we did the med cruise add-on in 2011, and it was my favorite vacation EVER. We loved everything about ABD, and they filled the trip with days full of good times. That said, I would not take a 4-year-old, even an "advanced" 4-year-old, on an ABD. The days were very full, lots of riding on busses, walking, crowds in the cities, and most of the activities were not ones that a child that age would get anything out of. We have now done 4 ABDs, and I think the youngest kid in any of our groups was 8, which I think is a good age. For the most part, the majority of kids in every group have been in the 9-12 age range, and I think a lot of the activities are geared perfectly that way. We just got home from Costa Rica, and all of the kids in our group ranged from 9-12, with one 14 year old. They had a blast together! I would recommend saving your ABD experience for when your kids are a bit older, then by all means go for it! It's worth every penny, but probably not if you're 4...

Thank you very much for you insight. I actually called and they are VERY strict on the 4year rule anyways, so ABD is out for us for a bit yet. I look forward to a few years though when we can start exploring more that this beautiful world has to offer! For now, bring on the Disney cruises

 

[Cousin Orville]

DCL is a great way to see Europe with very young children. You get to tour around in the morning or afternoon, and you come back to the ship which is very familiar and comfortable to them. They have the freedom to play and run around to a level which is not found in European hotels. I think 7-8 is a good age to consider ABD.

 

[DisneyHeather]

Hey there! Here's my opinion, for what it's worth: we did the med cruise add-on in 2011, and it was my favorite vacation EVER. We loved everything about ABD, and they filled the trip with days full of good times. That said, I would not take a 4-year-old, even an "advanced" 4-year-old, on an ABD. The days were very full, lots of riding on busses, walking, crowds in the cities, and most of the activities were not ones that a child that age would get anything out of. We have now done 4 ABDs, and I think the youngest kid in any of our groups was 8, which I think is a good age. For the most part, the majority of kids in every group have been in the 9-12 age range, and I think a lot of the activities are geared perfectly that way. We just got home from Costa Rica, and all of the kids in our group ranged from 9-12, with one 14 year old. They had a blast together! I would recommend saving your ABD experience for when your kids are a bit older, then by all means go for it! It's worth every penny, but probably not if you're 4...

DCL is a great way to see Europe with very young children. You get to tour around in the morning or afternoon, and you come back to the ship which is very familiar and comfortable to them. They have the freedom to play and run around to a level which is not found in European hotels. I think 7-8 is a good age to consider ABD.

I was searching the boards for an answer to what age is a good one for an ABD. Thanks for the info. I'd been thinking of waiting until my son was 10 and this tells me that I shouldn't be looking at doing it when he's much younger than that. At least until then we'll get to do an Alaska on DCL and the Transatlantic next year on DCL so we'll still get to travel and see the world while I save money for an ABD