opinions please

[sumfun]

i am interseted in taking a cruise in november. we have done disney 3 times now . my 2 older children did not enjoy the last disney cruise however my 2 younger children loved it . so my options are to fly to florida with 2 younger dds and go with just the 3 of us or save the airfare and try the new norwegian dawn out of new york with all 4 kids and dh. no one else in my family seems to care either way and have left it up to me,what would you do?

 

[dclwdwlover]

Extremely partial to DCL, but I'd do the latter as opposed to splitting up the family vacation. Young ones are easier to please - they'll enjoy any cruise - it's those pre-teens & teens (the opinionated bunch!) that have are the hard ones. Keep the peace - not many more years left.

 

[justmestace]

That depends on a lot of things...how old are your older kids? How does your husband feel about staying home just because the older two don't want to do Disney? If we (Mom & Dad) wanted to do the Disney cruise, we wouldn't ask the older kids what they wanted. Does Norwegian have plenty of activities for the younger two? What does "no one else seems to care" mean? Are they excited about doing another cruise (DH and older kids) or do they really not care? If they really don't care, and you love Disney...then take the little ones to Disney. If the little ones just want to cruise, and don't care where they go, and the older ones get excited about the Norwegian, then do that. I remember when my oldest DD didn't want to go anywhere with the rest of us, no matter where we went. Sometimes we made her go anyway, sometimes she stayed home with friends, but neither my husband & I, nor my younger kids were going to miss out because of her. Now she's getting married on the Disney cruise....she's come back around again! I guess you need to find out if the older ones really want to go anywhere at all. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!

 

[BeanoC]

I honestly feel that your younger kids would be somewhat disappointed with NCL after having been on a Disney Cruise.
And also, in my opinion, if your teens didn't like the Disney cruise, they probably won't rave about NCL either. Like the previous poster, I am partial to DLC, and for a reason! I have cruised on NCL 3 times, and I gotta tell you, it doesn't compare to DCL, in my opinion. I don't know that I would want to leave 2 of my kids and my spouse at home - that wouldn't feel like vacation to me. What is it your teens disliked about the Disney cruise? (Whatever it was, I am not sure they'll find the answer on the Norwegian Dawn...)




'Beano'

 

[markmyboy]

Well, I wish I knew the ages of your kids....but my opinion is to go with NCL...like a previous post stated...younger kids are easier to please. Our first 3 cruises were with DCL & my son LOVED it....last year when he was 4 we went on the Carnival Pride & he loved it too!! We are going to be trying out the Dawn this November.

We all cannot wait to return to DCL....but their prices just need to get a little more competitive for us to do it again. Hopefully that is before our now FIVE year old decides he's too big for Disney!!

HTH

 

[sumfun]

thank you every one for your replies. my 2 older children are 17 yr old dd , last trip spent all her time at the internet cafe talking to friends and bf back home, hated being away from everyone for a "whole week." and just doesn't like cruising.and a 13 yr old ds, last trip he was 12 and in the lab however something happened the first day and he never went back spent most of his time in the arcade, definately does not want to go on another disney cruise but said he would go if we tried a different line , but really wouldn't mind staying home. now dh enjoyed the disney cruise but does not enjoy the trip to florida, we have flown once driven once and taken the auto train, however with a family of 6 all were very expensive except of course for driving and since we would be going during school don't want to add to days missed. also dh owns his own company and is a bit of a workaholic 7 days on a cruise is 7 days he's not getting jobs done.so he is willing to make the sacrifice and stay home.
2 younger dds are 10 and 5, they are willing to go on either but really loved disney and want to go on the magic again,10 year old still hasn't seen island magic and wants a pic of her with favorite character signed (pluto) and we all know how a 5 year old feels about disney.
sorry this was so long .
to markmyboy if we choose the dawn we will be going in november also maybe we'll see you there

 

[rae519]

Worst vacation of our lives was taking our almost 15 year old son to Europe for two weeks. At first he was interested, but as time came closer, he became disinterested and the toll on us really wasn't worth it!

Too bad there wasn't a kennel for kids - I'd have put him there in a heartbeat! (Okay, no flames, just joking......or am I?!)


Rae

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hey Rae!

Too bad there wasn't a kennel for kids

There is. It's called Grandma's!...

 

[rae519]

Somehow I knew...I just knew...I really KNEW that when I saw the e-mail that you had replied to the "opinions please" thread - it would be funny!

It was!

Grandma was still living in NY then and Grandpa had already said "NO WAY!" Smart man, my Pop!!!

Would you be surprised, BD, if I told you that when he was small (early 1980's) I had one of those Kiddie Leashes on him. Got it when we were in Europe and thought it was the neatest idea! Too bad it didn't go over in the USA as well.

HAHAHAH!

Rae

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Grandpa had already said "NO WAY!" Smart man, my Pop!!!

Would you be surprised, BD, if I told you that when he was small (early 1980's) I had one of those Kiddie Leashes on him.

You used a leash on your DAD??? And why was your Dad "small" in the 1980's? Better watch your pronouns, Rae... lol.

 

[rae519]

HAHAHAHAHAHAH!

My Pop was a big man, BD - in many ways. He would have liked you, BD - he always enjoyed a good laugh! I miss him so very much, but the memories are always so sweet!!!

Thanks for the laugh, pal!
Rae

 

[dianedisney]

If your DD's turn 18 before your next cruise they can attend all adult areas. That made all the difference when some friends of ours went with their teenagers. They won't be able to drink in the bars but at least getting to go into them they should have some fun.

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi sumfun. Quite a dilema! Your family has been on 3 Disney cruises. DD17 would prefer to stay home under any condition. DS13 is willing to try a different cruise line. And DH is a business owner who works too much (and probably NEEDS a vacation).

My choice would be The Norwegian Dawn out of New York. This satisfies everyone except DD17, and based upon her hormones, you're not gonna please the dear girl no matter what you choose.

Also, since you are going to cruise while school is still in session, traveling to NYC shouldn't pose extended absences for the kids. No matter which cruise you decide on, enjoy!

 

[markmyboy]

well sumfun, you certainly are in a tough spot...aren't you!!

We are in the "easy" age group now....a 1 year old & 5 year old. They are fairly easy to please. Though I have 17 & 13 year old sisters....so I know how opinionated they can be...not to mention fickle!! I wish you the best of luck in choosing your vacation.