Time for a nap before drill?

[mketting]

We arrive 2 days before the cruise and visiit MK. I do not want want my 6 year old DD to start the cruise off tired.

If we board the ship ASAP, will we have time to eat lunch, have a swim and then lay down for a nap before the drill so she is refreshed for the rest of the cruise? Can part of our group skip the drill?

Any suggestion for a schedule that day to fit in a rest would be helpful.

 

[Rikersmom]

Sure there is enough time for a nap--but I wish you luck--everyone I've ever seen is pretty excited about being onboard, so settling down for a nap is going to be rough.

EVERY passenger must participate in the safety drill. This is a vital activity. Of course the odds of a real emergency are very slim, but it is mandatory that you and your entire party know your emergency location.

 

[clh2]

I agree that there would be too much excitement to take a nap on the ship prior to the lifeboat drill.

Maybe try to get a good night sleep the night before, and let her sleep in a little on the morning of the cruise. She may also fall asleep on the ride to the port.

 

[plutospup]

When DD was 4 she took a short nap prior to the safety drill. Unfortunately, she didn't want to get awake and wear her life vest for the drill. It wasn't pretty. None the less, we still insist upon short afternoon naps each day. That way she can join Daddy for the Mexicalifragilistic party, pizza at 1030pm, and other evening activities! Short afternoon naps make a much more pleasant evening.

 

[lbgraves]

There was so much to see & do on our first cruise in November. There was no way that I could have gotten the kids down for a nap that first day. By Monday we had a routine that worked for us & the kids had much more fun. They even made it until 11 pm at the Tropical party! Sunday night DS fell asleep the early seating & slept right thru dinner. He was awake for pictures with Mickey & Minnie afterwards though & a movie.

 

[jrabbit]

First, I assume that you are NOT going to a park on embarkation day. If this is your first cruise, you will want to be at the port around 11 am which means you should be leaving WDW around 9:30/10:00am. Use this time to let you DD sleep in. Then grab a bite for her to eat in the car ride over to the port and encourage her to rest on the way over. Once at the port terminal there are many things to do: explore the beautiful building, see the map of the Bahammas on the floor, look at the model of the ship, see the ship outside, watch Disney cartoons while waiting to board.

Once on board, everyone will be to excited for a nap (most likely). You may want to make Palo and Spa ressies, get DD signed into the club/lab and have lunch. After lunch you may want to spend some time in the pool and start getting your bags unpacked so your are organized for your cruise. Then there is the Safety drill, sail away party and then getting ready for dinner and the rest of the evenings activities.

Bring a highlighter so you can mark the activities you want to do on the daily navigator and on the childrens navigator.

Have Fun. Naps may come later in the trip.

 

[kcashner]

Yes, every passenger must attend the safety drill, and they do take attendance.

The halls are rather noisy on the first day as there is luggage being delivered, kids being excited, etc. I really don't think anyone other than a totally exhausted child could sleep. I agree with the others here--sleep late in the morning and rest on the hour drive to the port. Once she sees the "main mouse" in the terminal, it's probably hopeless.

 

[din]

If I recalll correctly, the loudspeaker were going on and off in the room too. I remeber unpacking and hearing the all sorts of annoucments going on.

 

[Jiffymom]

You must be kidding. I can't wait to get on the ship and explore with my Granddaughter, I won't let her take a nap we have too many places to go and see. She is 4 yrs old. I won't want her to miss the sail away or the drill this is all a experience. She can go to bed after dinner or sleep in the morning.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by din
If I recalll correctly, the loudspeaker were going on and off in the room too. I remeber unpacking and hearing the all sorts of annoucments going on.

I recall announcements too...and also the cabin stewart knocking on the door each time he was bringing a bag inside to drop off.