Pidge
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2004
- Messages
- 189
Just back from our 3-day cruise (12/2 - 12/5). This trip was a nice surprise from my DH who isn't able to take time off from work between Nov. and Jan. every year, so I took DD (13), who seemed more than eager to go. The cruise was absolutely wonderful, fabulous, everything I expected and more; the only bummer was DD, a normally good spirited kid, who apparently decided the cruise was a good opportunity to try out her moody teenager act for long stretches of time.
We arrived into Orlando airport the day of the our sailing. I had a bit of trouble locating the DCL rep in Orlando airport; basically all they have is a podium with the DCL emblem on it and are wearing light blue jackets. I would have never spotted them, but DD did. We boarded the DCL bus and off we went. Check-in at the port went well, it really helps to have your cruise documents filled out in advance. We just had to fill out one other form and I was through the check-in line in less than a few minutes. The terminal looked so festive with the holiday decorations, I loved cruising this time of year. DD was not in a good mood, she didn't want her picture taken, hated having to wait to board the ship, kept her nose in her book..oh well, this will pass...or so I thought.
Lunch was wonderful at Parrot Cay, loved the peel and eat shrimp. I was sitting at the table checking out my Passporters Guide to the DCL and one of the servers asked me where I got my book, apparently he had never seen one! After lunch we went off to check out our room, it was great (category 11, deck 6 midship). My DD loved the fact she could watch music videos in our stateroom, and basically that is what she did the next three days. (Except for an occasional visit to the internet cafe, Scoops and the arcade.) I kept trying to include her and invited her to do things, but she wasn't buying it. She wasn't nasty, just not interested in anything on the ship. Apparently she missed her friends, her phone calls with her friends, shopping at the mall and the cruise was not a good substitute for any of the above (who knew?). I was floored, this was a trip of a lifetime for me, but then again I'm not 13. So after my futile attempts at some quality mother/daughter time, I finally decided to go off on my own and enjoy the trip. I'd give DD a rundown of what I planned to do and times (telling her she was more than welcome to join me) and then did it. I had a wonderful time, read two books on the deck in the sun (usually it takes me months to read just one with my work schedule), saw National Treasure and the Incredibles, worked out every day (loved the fitness room!); had my first massage and just thoroughly enjoyed the ship. The crew was friendly everywhere I went. We did manage to squeeze in a few meals together, mostly room service, which she liked.
We stayed onboard for Nassau day (my choice) since I've been there before and really had no interest in visiting again, but did venture off the ship to Castaway Cay. DD came along, although grudgingly. What a beautiful island, the weather was slightly overcast and a tad chilly, but still comfortable. DD sat in her beach chair with her headphones on and her eyes closed (is there anything on this trip she likes?). About an hour after arriving, she ventured out into the water and finally seemed to be having some fun. After a bit, she headed back to her chair and was just starting to read her book when a young boy came running by her sand chair and pelted a floating bird with a wad of sand or something, killing the bird right in front of us. You should have seen her face drop. I have to say, the parents of this boy were right on top of him and handled the situation probably better than I would have, eventually sending him back to the ship. However, the bird's untimely demise apparently was the final straw for DD, who reverted back to a grumpy state of mind and asked to head back to the ship. I escorted her back and then enjoyed the rest of the day, the island, the ship and the food. We went to Shutters and checked out our pictures. She has a miserable expression in every one, kind of like "can we go now????"
Debarkation went smoothly and before we knew it, we were heading back to the airport. It turns out the Orlando airport was the highlight of the trip for DD because of all the shops, "it's just like a mall!!!"
So guess who isn't coming along when we go cruising with Disney in April? Yup, you guessed right. DD will spend some quality time with her grandparents.
We arrived into Orlando airport the day of the our sailing. I had a bit of trouble locating the DCL rep in Orlando airport; basically all they have is a podium with the DCL emblem on it and are wearing light blue jackets. I would have never spotted them, but DD did. We boarded the DCL bus and off we went. Check-in at the port went well, it really helps to have your cruise documents filled out in advance. We just had to fill out one other form and I was through the check-in line in less than a few minutes. The terminal looked so festive with the holiday decorations, I loved cruising this time of year. DD was not in a good mood, she didn't want her picture taken, hated having to wait to board the ship, kept her nose in her book..oh well, this will pass...or so I thought.
Lunch was wonderful at Parrot Cay, loved the peel and eat shrimp. I was sitting at the table checking out my Passporters Guide to the DCL and one of the servers asked me where I got my book, apparently he had never seen one! After lunch we went off to check out our room, it was great (category 11, deck 6 midship). My DD loved the fact she could watch music videos in our stateroom, and basically that is what she did the next three days. (Except for an occasional visit to the internet cafe, Scoops and the arcade.) I kept trying to include her and invited her to do things, but she wasn't buying it. She wasn't nasty, just not interested in anything on the ship. Apparently she missed her friends, her phone calls with her friends, shopping at the mall and the cruise was not a good substitute for any of the above (who knew?). I was floored, this was a trip of a lifetime for me, but then again I'm not 13. So after my futile attempts at some quality mother/daughter time, I finally decided to go off on my own and enjoy the trip. I'd give DD a rundown of what I planned to do and times (telling her she was more than welcome to join me) and then did it. I had a wonderful time, read two books on the deck in the sun (usually it takes me months to read just one with my work schedule), saw National Treasure and the Incredibles, worked out every day (loved the fitness room!); had my first massage and just thoroughly enjoyed the ship. The crew was friendly everywhere I went. We did manage to squeeze in a few meals together, mostly room service, which she liked.
We stayed onboard for Nassau day (my choice) since I've been there before and really had no interest in visiting again, but did venture off the ship to Castaway Cay. DD came along, although grudgingly. What a beautiful island, the weather was slightly overcast and a tad chilly, but still comfortable. DD sat in her beach chair with her headphones on and her eyes closed (is there anything on this trip she likes?). About an hour after arriving, she ventured out into the water and finally seemed to be having some fun. After a bit, she headed back to her chair and was just starting to read her book when a young boy came running by her sand chair and pelted a floating bird with a wad of sand or something, killing the bird right in front of us. You should have seen her face drop. I have to say, the parents of this boy were right on top of him and handled the situation probably better than I would have, eventually sending him back to the ship. However, the bird's untimely demise apparently was the final straw for DD, who reverted back to a grumpy state of mind and asked to head back to the ship. I escorted her back and then enjoyed the rest of the day, the island, the ship and the food. We went to Shutters and checked out our pictures. She has a miserable expression in every one, kind of like "can we go now????"
Debarkation went smoothly and before we knew it, we were heading back to the airport. It turns out the Orlando airport was the highlight of the trip for DD because of all the shops, "it's just like a mall!!!"
So guess who isn't coming along when we go cruising with Disney in April? Yup, you guessed right. DD will spend some quality time with her grandparents.
I had primed the kids that they would have to join us every night for dinner and the post-dinner show, and that worked well. I think that next time I have to prime them for required picture taking times/clothes/facial expressions! 
