taking friends along???

[hopelea]

I am debating on whether or not to take a friend for my dd to hang out with. We have never taken a friend on any vacations with us. This will be different. I have two dd's 11 & 8. My 11 year old is shy and doesn't make friends easliy. The 8 year old on the other hand, has never met a stranger. So, I was thinking that my 11 year old would have a better time if we took a friend along for her.

Okay, getting to my question....if we do take a child that does not belong to us, how do we handle cruise documents? Do we have to have something signed by her parents???

Thanks, Hope

 

[Cruisin]

Yes there will be a form in your document package that has to be signed by the child's parents. It might have to be notarized also.

You should also make sure that you get a letter signed by the parents stating that the child is allowed to travel with you, leave the country with you and that you are allowed to make medical decisions for that child if it should become necessary.

We have travelled with my niece before and we always take those letters along. We have never needed to use them but it is better to have them if you need them.

 

[tkrules]

The docs come with the form you need. Extra notarized letters are a good idea in addition to the docs, as mentioned above.
My DS 11 had a buddy that was with us on the trip and he had a blast. I also felt much more comfortable allowing him sign in/out priv. for the kids club knowing that he would be wandering the ship with a friend. He hardly ever used the kids club and roamed with his buddy most of the cruise, they did meet other friends on the boat, but again I was way more comfortable knowing he was not alone, trying to make friends, etc. I knew he had a buddy and was having a great time.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

hopelea, what a great idea. I'm envious, as I'd love to take a 'buddy' for my 9-year old DD on vacations with us, but most of her friends still get too 'homesick'. (As would my DD.)

When she's 11 or 12, we're definitely going to do it. (What wonderful memories that will make, for a friend to do a cruise w/your daughter!)

 

[2tinksmom]

This doesn't really answer your question, but...last Spring Break, we asked a very dear and long time friend of my DD(10) to go with us to WDW. Next thing we knew, the whole family was going. It was NOT a magical experience by any stretch of the imagination. Her two little brothers were so bad they were scary. You know the people you always see who have a kid on the ground pitchin' a major scream fest fit and you think "I am so glad that's not me"? That was us!!! My two DDs were wide-eyed with mouths hangin' open and we couldn't walk away because they always followed us! We can look back now and laugh (sort of) but at the time, it was bad, real bad.

 

[hopelea]

That is a scary thought, their whole family going with us. I love my dd's friend.......they have been friends for a long time & have the same bdays, I love her mother, she and I are great friends. But the thought her DH & other kids joining us, that would be a NIGHTMARE.

I don't know why I am having such a hard time committing to taking a friend. It will change the dynamics of everything, BUT CHANGE IS GOOD, RIGHT??

I can add her to our room at any time, so I will probably wait to ask until closer to cruise!

 

[disneygal58]

Hello,
About six years ago, my daughters and I decided to do a Best Friend trip to Disney World (after a disastrous attempt at a family reunion there the year previous). We each invited our best friends, came up with a budget and allowed 9 months for our little "fundraisers" for the girls' friends. My daughters' friends had never flown (they were 12 and 13 at the time) and we had a great time with planning pj parties etc... I know that this is very different from what you are asking/planning, but I wanted to shared that we created memories that will definitely last a lifetime. Because the girls had to "earn" their trip, they appreciated all aspects. Good luck with your decision and happy planning.

Dawn

 

[outahere]

hopelea wrote...........

I can add her to our room at any time, so I will probably wait to ask until closer to cruise!

Not necessarily...........

Even though your cabin may sleep one more person than you currently have reserved, if the limit for that age group has been reached, they will not allow another child to be added to the reservation. If there is any chance you may want to take her, I would add her now and pay the deposit. If you decide later not to do it, you will get a full refund of the deposit (prior to the 60 day full payment date).

 

[magic cruiser]

My son and dil took their babysitter with them !

 

[hopelea]

Is there really a limit on how many children they will take? I thought that was just another rumor I read.

 

[outahere]

Sorry to say it.............. but it is not a rumor. They have a limit for each age group so that every child is guaranteed a spot in the kid's program. Once an age group fills up, they won't allow any more kids, in that group, to make a reservation.

 

[hopelea]

Six months ahead should be okay, wouldn't you think? We aren't going until April 2005. If we added her around November, I think we should be fine. BUT.....I will ask the TA right now to make sure.

I guess I am just nervous about taking someone else's child. What if they get sick. What if they get homesick. She will be 11, she should be able to handle being away from her parents that long, you would think.

 

[figment52]

Originally posted by hopelea
That is a scary thought, their whole family going with us. I love my dd's friend.......they have been friends for a long time & have the same bdays, I love her mother, she and I are great friends. But the thought her DH & other kids joining us, that would be a NIGHTMARE.

I don't know why I am having such a hard time committing to taking a friend. It will change the dynamics of everything, BUT CHANGE IS GOOD, RIGHT??

I can add her to our room at any time, so I will probably wait to ask until closer to cruise!

If that would make five in the room you may have to upgrade your cabin becasue most only sleep 4 - that could be more expense that you (or her parents) bargained for.

 

[hopelea]

Actually, I am really lucky with the room situation because I have two Cat. 10's booked, connecting. My parents are going along with us. Both rooms sleep four. I will put my DD, 8 in there and keep the two 11's in my room.

I guess I am talking myself into this. It will just take some adjustments. I don't adjust to change well. Take a deep breath and ask her family. Her family would NEVER do this type of a trip. It will be good for my dd's friend!

 

[outahere]

Just have to add another $.02 worth here...........

When my DD was 12, we took her best friend along with us for a week long vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They were fine for the first 3 days, but after that they were suddenly mortal enemies! They refused to do anything together, other than argue. We ended up leaving a day early, because I couldn't take it anymore.

Three weeks later, they were best buddies again!

Moral of the story.......... be certain they can stand to be around each other almost 24 hours a day for a week. At least on the ship, they will have other kids around to make friends with.

 

[hopelea]

I know, that is what I am dreading........what if they fight. It may upset my peaceful vacation!!! This is the kind of change I dread!


I remember that my parents took along one friend of mine for vacation every year. We had a wonderful time, we did fight. But, we are still the best of friends and enjoy looking back on our trips together. Seems like a lifetime ago (20 + years!)

 

[mmouse37]

We have often brought friends along on DCL...at the friends' request so we did not pay for their cruise...but to help them out I did pick up airfare....they paid their own cruise fare. They were older and had jobs so this was doable. It always worked out great!! My kids were happy, the friends were happy and I did not have to listen to "we are bored"...they always found something to do!!!



MJ

 

[crisi]

I'm sure you've asked, but, are your parents OK with sharing their room? They may not be up for an eight year old in their room with them and may not be aware that this is part of the deal.

 

[hopelea]

That was the first phone call I made. They are pretty cool about sharing their room. This is their youngest grandchild and she is spoiled rotten by them !

She shared a room with them on the first cruise. They had a balcony and we had in inside room. She thought she was really cool, because mom and dad didn't have even a window.

But, yes, I called them first. Wouldn't want to do anything to upset the grandparents!!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i went on a cruise in jan with my family (not disney) but we were allowed to bring friends..even though im 19 and my bro is 17, it was much better that we each had a friend and our own rooms...but no matter what age, im sure having a friend would be great