Mom & Son Trip Question

[Tink03477]

I posted this over at the Cruise Board, but I guess there were no Mother/Son combo's over there that can help me.
Are there any here at the DVC Board that went on a cruise???
Thanks for any assistance!!!
Kim

Here's what I wrote earlier:
Hi helpful fellow DISner's! As you can see from my signature listing WDW vacations, we have never been on a cruise. I'd like to try it out with my 15yr old son next year. Actually he'll be 16 in Jan. Just me and him, 42 yr old mom. He thinks he'd be bored. Me too! Neither one of us are the sit at the pool type people. We are go, go, go!
I'm wondering if there are any other mom's who went with their 16 yr old son on a cruise, just the 2 of them and was it entertaining enough???? I'm planning on going to WDW first for 4-5 days then the cruise. If anything since we are always so busy at the parks and the rest of the "World", maybe we will actually relax and chill a little. I'm figuring we will go to Atlantis because we both REALLY want to see that. I won't pay for the day trip though, we don't need to use the pool. We'll check out the rest of the place though and then go over to Wyndham to swim. I think we will enjoy CC as well for the day. Maybe. I can't sit still for more than hour at a time! I'm pathetic like that. Worse than a little kid sometimes If I bring some snorkling stuff from home, that would be fun since neither of us have ever done that.

Any other Mother/teenage Son combo's have any helpful hints or suggestions for us about cruising???

Thanks for your help!!!
Kim

 

[LoveToDisney]

Our son is 17 and personally, I would NEVER do a cruise with just him. We don't even like to go to WDW with just him...we try to always invite another teen along. At that age, they want friends, not a mom. You may both be miserable!

I would wait for him to go to college and then choose a girl friend to cruise with!

 

[Tink03477]

Well, it's just me & him. If he brought a friend, I'd be off on my own. While at home that's ok, but not on vacation. We always go just him & I and we have a blast! We like it that way. One time we did invite his friend and his friends mother. It was ok, but they liked to do things alot differently than us. So, we went back to just him & I.
The question wasn't if he & I would be ok with just us 2 on a cruise, but if the cruise itself would be boring for us since we like to do so much while on vacation. We have a great time together, thank goodness!
Thank you!!
Kim

 

[barb45]

Last Dec. my son and I went to WDW by ourselves (he was 14 and I was 45). We had a blast together. I was worried because I depend a lot on my husband for luggage carrying and little errand running and stuff because I have a bad back. My son was wonderful. He carried all the heavy stuff and ran to the little store when we needed a nighttime snack or whatever. I'd do it again in a minute!

On the other hand, we have been on the Disney Cruise with my husband along also and we were all bored to tears. The problem was that we wanted to spend time together and the ship is so divided it's pathetic (please don't flame me here it's just my opinion after being on several different cruises). They try to please everyone so if you want to be together it's very difficult. There is a kids only section, a teens only section, an adult only section which leaves only a small section for families. Since he is only 16 he is not allowed in the adult section. Even the pool in the family section is tiny. Now as far as activities for the family, we didn't really find any that appealed to us - maybe they have more now. Also the ship couldn't dock at Castaway Cay because of the wind or something so we had another half day at sea and then a short stop at Freeport.

I think this cruise is great for families that want to put their kids into the programs and head to the adult sections but I don't think thats what you are after this time.

I recommend that you either do WDW for the whole trip or try one of the other cruiselines like Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Just a few of my thoughts - sorry about the length. Everyone please don't flame me - I love Disney just like you do.

 

[mikesmom]

We've never been on a cruise but DS and I have done the mom & son thing and had a great time. We went when he was 17 in early January one year. Split the stay between OKW and BWV. Toured the parks, shopped in orlando, checked out PI, ate out and had lots of talks. Amazing how good a time we had when there are no buddies, girls or other distractions . He had some time to himself - seemed to like the pool at midnight, or the arcade while I'd rather read a book, but we spent the majority of time together.

I've not done a cruise but I've heard there's plenty to do. You might be surprised what a good time you'll have.

Now that being said, it never occurred to my DS to think he might be bored - he was definitley up for it. You know what they say about self fulfilling prophecies!

 

[Tink03477]

Originally posted by barb45
They try to please everyone so if you want to be together it's very difficult. There is a kids only section, a teens only section, an adult only section which leaves only a small section for families. Since he is only 16 he is not allowed in the adult section. Even the pool in the family section is tiny.

I think this cruise is great for families that want to put their kids into the programs and head to the adult sections but I don't think thats what you are after this time.

Barb: Thank you very much for your insightful response. I noticed the different sections too, pools, clubs and beaches. It'd be ok if we went with alot of people in those different age groups, but not with just us two. I think. You're right, that's not what I'm after this time. =) I'd never flame you either!!! Just thank you for taking the time to let me know about your cruise!!
Mikesmom: I'm glad you two had a great time! I do love the time we spend together at WDW. I think I may just have to book it and not even tell him until we're on the way to Port C!! =) That'd knock his socks off! I'll just plan it and do it! I like that idea the more I think about it. Thanks ladies!!
Kim

 

[buzz5985]

My Ds is a lot younger than yours (he is 7), but I am older (45). And having been on the cruise - There really is a lot to do. I am also the type that does not like to sit and do nothing. We were on the 4 day Wonder Cruise.

I could be wrong but I don't think anyone would complain that your son was at the adult only section pool. I think the idea was for no young children like mine running around screaming. And when I did walk by this pool during the day - I saw about 5 people around the adult only pool.

There is also a club onboard for teenagers. But - if you and your son wanted to go out at night there is the ESPN lounge - you could have a few drinks - he could watch his favorite teams. Last year The Red Sox were playing the Yankees, LOL, and we watched the games in the lounge with our son. Plus there are movies playing, dance parties at night. Tons of stuff to do.

On Castaway Cay - you could get a massage, etc, right on the beach. There are websites that list the daily navigators for the activities here is a link. http://**********************/

As for Atlantis - we rented rooms at the Day Inn accross the street and had complete access to all the pools/aquariums etc. We paid about $140. Where as the excursion from the ship would have cost us about $125 with no access to the pools. And just for your info - you can't just go and walk around Atlantis. If you don't have a wristband you are stopped. I think you can look in the lobby and casino and that's it. They have security at every entrance checking.

But I think if you check the navigators you will find plenty to do. Janis

 

[Tink03477]

Wow Janis, thanks for all that good info! Especially the Atlantis part. It sure would be embarassing since I didn't know that we couldn't just walk around. Thanks! I did think it would be ok if he hung out with me in the adult pool/beach section, he's pretty mild and doesn't look or behave like a little kid.
Thank you again!
Kim