Trying to organize a meet-up or group chat for next month's cruise for families with young kids. 1st timer and not sure the best way to do this.

[Duke07]

I'm sailing on my 1st DCL ever on June 5 (The Wish). We're travelling with a 4 year old who will be by herself in the Oceaneer's Club and we'd love her to meet some other kids around her age to play with while there.

I know other families are very interested as I polled them on the FB group, but I'm not sure the best way to organize this. I'd appreciate any tips here - whether we should do a group chat (most ideal but not clear if this works on the ship) or a meet up on the first day (this seems like it could be too hectic to organize).

Any other ideas/recommendations welcome too!

 

[TooBoyz4us]

Here is a link to the cruise meetup board from up above.
https://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-cruise-meets.85/

Maybe check there to see if your specific cruise is listed already for a meetup, and if not you could possibly list it.
Good luck!!! And, I hope you have a wonderful cruise!

 

[mmouse37]

Many people do a meet up the first day. Usually around 3 pm. After lunch but before the Safety Drill. We had a huge turn out for our meet and greet in October on the Magic. We met in Promenade Lounge and must have had at least 40 people attend.

On the Wish there is an area inside on Deck 4 and I think 5 as well across the atrium from Guest Services that has some seating. You could arrange for a possible meet there.

You could also ask in your FB group how people want to organize it. We have had great success with chatting through the iphone onboard. If you set up a group chat on the DCL app it would take longer and it is not always in real time, meaning many times the messages don't show up right away.

Good luck.

MJ

 

[AquaDame]

Yep, you just pick a time and place and let your group know. Depending the number you can choose either a small spot or a larger one. If you know its going to be 30 people for example saying in Cove Cafe wouldn't be good, as that would be tight and they don't allow kids! First day is best as folk still have internet on their phones until you sail away. You can then share your chat ID with others who want to stay in touch throughout the cruise in the app instead of relying on Messages or another chat program.

 

[auntlynne]

Short cruises are notorious for not having as much interaction / connection as the longer sailings.

With new cruisers, expect them to be overwhelmed / enthusiastic about getting oriented to thecship and/or cruising in general.

Even with a lot of sailings, I tend to turn my focus on what is happening in the moment once I am onboard.

You’ve probably already taken the first step by joining a group that is chatting. We used to have great threads here (again, on the 7+ night sailings), but they have pretty much migrated. They were easier to follow and communicate here, too.

My suggestion: find a few families that have similar age kids. Pick a spot on the ship for 3 pm on Boarding Day (as suggested above) and meet. (I was wondering if it would work to meet in the Kids’ Club Open House?). Or just let the kids mingle, naturally, when they are in the clubs.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Set an exact time every morning
Set a time so that any person that goes to breakfast early could meet up with you guys before the late people go to breakfast. Between 9-10

Pick an area just outside the children’s pool area to talk about the day’s events.

If it’s raining, go to the atrium if you’re not allowed outside under the covered areas. On days that you have port, you should pick a time about an hour before all aboard.

 

[Duke07]

The problem with the iPhone group chat is it excludes those without an iPhone. If we do an app (GroupMe, WhatsApp) then there will likely be people who are resistant to downloading/using it. So, despite my reluctance to organize a meet-up the first day, that seems like the best approach.

The open house at Oceaneer's Club would be ideal...does anyone know if those hours are always the same? If I recommend 3 pm at Oceaneer's Club to the group, is it guaranteed to be during open house?