What is wrong with children?

[PrincessBelle39]

Just a whinge from me. We aren't travelling for a couple of years yet but as its a big trip from here (Australia) we are already starting to work out what we would like to do. After our cruise on the Magic, naturally we want to do another. We all had a fabulous time.
What I've seen of the Dream so far looks amazing and I imagine the Fantasy is going to follow along the same lines. I have my heart set on one of them. But my dd's who are currently 5 and 7 (nearly 8) want to go on the Oasis of the Seas. Nothing I am saying or showing them is changing their minds. I'm sure the Oasis of the Seas would be a fantastic trip and I'd love to see it myself but feel that its not going to be the magical 'experience' that the Dream would be. Dinner on the Oasis would just be dinner as opposed to an experience in Animators Palate or Enchanted Garden. I guess I haven't done my job properly with them afterall.

 

[JanyJan]

Have you tried showing your DD any of the videos from the Dream? My DS is only 3, but he always gets so excited when he sees videos of the "Mickey boat".

 

[PizzieDuster]

Well, having sailed on the Freedom and Liberty - the Oasis just doesn't appeal to me. It's almost as if Disneyworld and Epcot and all the other parks joined up and made ONE park. I don't like the split of the upper pool deck. I've looked at many pictures - hundreds - and it looks like the upper deck space is cut in half. There is so much to do - why get off?

They are at the perfect age for Disney now. !!

When my kids pay rent, the can tell me where we vacation But...they are very excited no matter where we cruise. My DS20 just told me he wanted to go to our DCL Mex. Rivera cruise in 2011 !!! I just budgeted DH, DD12 and I because I didn't think he'd even be remotely interested in a Disney cruise after RCL. He was 13 on our first DCL cruise. He wants to go! See, they'll go anywhere

 

[PrincessBelle39]

It doesn't appeal to me either. But I really want to work as a family planning this trip. Its such a huge trip for us. We are coming back via Europe and cruising there also. I think having the kids assist with the planning is a great opportunity for them to learn about the places we are going to as well as letting them feel like they have contributed. I don't want to make all the decisions. I don't think thats fair. Its not like we are away for just a week.
We have seen the online video of the Dream. But I made the mistake of showing them the Oasis aswell. And the Oasis is on TV here on Thursday night and they have seen the ads for it. Disney is not something we ever see advertised here. Its never mentioned. Most people don't realise that there are Disney Cruise ships. So I guess the kids are going for what they see the most of.

 

[croppincolburn]

They must have inherited some genes from their grandparents or great grandparents. LOL I find that not talking about something for a while works. It can be hard though. Luckily my 6 year-old inherited my Disney gene.

 

[dallastxcpa]

I agree with PP's. Children shouldn't be the ones making the major decisions on travel plans. Now, if you want to let them be involved in planning you could let them each pick the shore excursion in certain ports or what the activities for the day will be. But, even at their ages I would still preview the options and only give them certain choices (which of these three things would you prefer to do).

 

[Rogillio]

Well, having sailed on the Freedom and Liberty - the Oasis just doesn't appeal to me. It's almost as if Disneyworld and Epcot and all the other parks joined up and made ONE park. I don't like the split of the upper pool deck. I've looked at many pictures - hundreds - and it looks like the upper deck space is cut in half. There is so much to do - why get off?

They are at the perfect age for Disney now. !!

When my kids pay rent, the can tell me where we vacation But...they are very excited no matter where we cruise. My DS20 just told me he wanted to go to our DCL Mex. Rivera cruise in 2011 !!! I just budgeted DH, DD12 and I because I didn't think he'd even be remotely interested in a Disney cruise after RCL. He was 13 on our first DCL cruise. He wants to go! See, they'll go anywhere

x2 Kids do not always know what they want. Not that I don't solicit their opinons but I know my kids better than they know themsevles.

~Mike

 

[B9erSteve]

x2 Kids do not always know what they want. Not that I don't solicit their opinons but I know my kids better than they know themsevles.

~Mike

Amen to that!

The Oasis of the Seas holds some sort of fascination for kids. My son talks about it alot. I don't even know where he learned about the ship. However at the ripe old age of 8 he has been on two Disney Cruises and he knows that he's going to have a blast on "The Mickey Ship."

 

[abdmom]

I only ask my kids opinions on trips if I'm willing to listen to them. If I have my heart set on something in particular, the kids are told not asked.

 

[MrsScooby]

I have a hard time getting my kids to weigh in on vacation plans

Princess Belle I can understand why you want to keep the kids happy and involved with such a huge investment of time and money...but I also agree with the others as far as who should have the final say on where you go.

They will probably have a great time regardless which ship you choose-but they are the perfect age for a Disney cruise and if they like the Disney princesses especially I would opt for DCL.

I'm thinking you will all have a great time regardless of the ship

 

[Inkmahm]

I don't remember my parents EVER asking our opinion on where to go for vacation. We went where they went, period.

 

[Gigi22]

Agreed with Inkmahm--parents made all the decisions, and you went wherever they decided to go. If that involved a cottage, a trip to Kennebunkport (spelling ?), a trip so my Dad could attend business conferences, a drive to Ft. Lauderdale in the summer (which was really interesting--all 5 members of our family in an un-airconditioned car)--that was the deal.

 

[Madamx]

Agreed. When a kid is old enough to pay for it themselves as well as be responsible for things that may happen then they can have a say, but until that time they need to follow the parent's wishes. As one person put it, they can always help you select certain shore excursions or even family-oriented activities on board, but the choice of cruise lines should be up to you.

Besides, I can guarantee you that as soon as they are onboard they'll forget all about the Oasis and love their Disney experience.

To answer your question as to what is wrong with your children. Nothing is wrong with them other than you're giving them a bit too much power in this particular situation.

 

[tvguy]

I'm with your kids, only because you probably can get 2 cruises on the Oasis for what 1 would cost on Disney.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

They must have inherited some genes from their grandparents or great grandparents. LOL I find that not talking about something for a while works. It can be hard though. Luckily my 6 year-old inherited my Disney gene.

I think that must be it. I'm thinking they got it from my husbands side of the family. Its funny, they are huge Disney fans. But this ship has really caught their attention.

I respect everyones opinion but its important to us that this be a joint effort. The family meetings, the discussions, the research into the trip. If they are willing to spend time to responsibly discuss and research the trip, I'm willing to consider their opinions. We haven't decided exactly what we are doing yet but I want them (and dh and I) to be able to consider the options. I just wish they hadn't come across this. The constant ads on TV nor DH wanting to go to Fort Lauderdale don't help either.

 

[JanyJan]

I think that must be it. I'm thinking they got it from my husbands side of the family. Its funny, they are huge Disney fans. But this ship has really caught their attention.

I respect everyones opinion but its important to us that this be a joint effort. The family meetings, the discussions, the research into the trip. If they are willing to spend time to responsibly discuss and research the trip, I'm willing to consider their opinions. We haven't decided exactly what we are doing yet but I want them (and dh and I) to be able to consider the options. I just wish they hadn't come across this. The constant ads on TV nor DH wanting to go to Fort Lauderdale don't help either.

I'm with you on this. I don't see why the kids shouldn't have some input on a vacation. We're not taking about buying a house or moving to a new town. The vacation is for everyone to enjoy themselves, not for one person to hand down edicts!

 

[strawberryblonde]

I value my kids' opinions and factor them in on our vacation decisions. My kids have sailed NCL, Princess and DCL and they prefer DCL (they each have different reasons for it being their top choice).

I haven't seen ads for the Oasis, but I've looked at photos and reviews....it has my attention! The reviews have pointed out to me some things that may make it a deal breaker for me though. For now, DCL is still my cruise of choice.

I suggest you look through some of those reviews together (the high and low ones) and discuss them with your kids. How do they envision the cruise on Oasis will be like? Cupcakes are 2.50 each (not free), ice cream is not free, Johny Rockets is not free, the zipline is heavily booked, shows are hard to make sure you see. Once you have told them the $ amount you are willing for them to spend as they wish....it may be just what they want...or maybe it might not be quite what they thought. Once they have a realistic vision, you all will have a better idea of the best vacation fit for your entire family. That might be the Oasis, and it may be your best vacation yet!

 

[ibela]

I'm sure the kids would have a blast on either cruise, go where you want to go. I ask my kids input if I'll listen. Ex. I let my daughter pick what color her room gets painted but she's not picking our vacation spot. Although we've definitely brainwashed her to always want to go to Disney and on DCL.

 

[eeyoremommy]

Good luck with your dilemma. I have the opposite problem. For different reasons, we are taking a Carnival cruise this May. We had a hard time convincing my DS6 that it would be fun to try something new and different. He kept wanting to know what characters the CCL ship had and then why it didn't have characters. After we showed him the waterslide and mini golf, he warmed up slightly to the idea. Maybe you need to look at the ship from your children's vantage point and tackle the problem from there. Bribes always work well in times of desperation too.

 

[Rogillio]

I'm with your kids, only because you probably can get 2 cruises on the Oasis for what 1 would cost on Disney.

Just for grins, I checked:

7 day Oasis cruise, 18 Jul 2011, 2A/2C, balcony room: $6,565.44

5 day DCL, Dream, 18 Jul 2011, 2A/2C, balcony room: $5,224.68

I did Oasis first and DCL did not offer a 7 day Carribean for the same time period.

Obviously there are many variables that can drive the price up or down based on what is inclued in those prices, the number of days, time of year, etc....but I think your comment about DCL being 2x a DCL cruise is kind of a stretch.


~Mike