Worried by 'Just Didn't Like the Cruise' Post

[jmf32966]

I will be cruising with my family in May (two kids 7 and 5), and the post "Just Didn't Like the Cruise" really has me worried. Will the pools and kids' clubs be too crowded for my kids to enjoy? I thought booking when most kids are in school would help, but I wonder if that really makes much of a difference. We are on the inaugural Western and I know it is sold out, but does any one know what percentage is kids or how to find out? I obviously expect some crowds and now from these boards the pools are small, but I just want my kids to be able to enjoy themselves. Any thoughts from previous May cruisers?

Thanks,
JMF

 

[ucralum]

Everyone is different, with different values, expectations, and experiences. Obviously no vacation is right for everyone. My family had the time of our lives on our cruise in October of 2000 and are scheduled to sail again this October. I can say unequivocally that on our particular cruise I did not notice out-of-control kids--quite the contrary, in fact. I am very sensitive to misbehaving children, having been an elementary teacher for 19 years. My son was one of those we had to drag from the kids' club. You will notice that there are many, many multiple-time cruisers with Disney. Believe me, for the price we paid, we would not be going again if it hadn't been wonderful.

 

[Michelle]

Please don't worry. As I stated on the other thread, the VAST majority of people have a wonderful time on the cruise. Yes, there are problems from time to time and there are those who do not enjoy the cruise, but that is definitely not the norm. Most people are very happy they went and are ready to go again the second they get off the ship.

You are VERY LUCKY to be on the inagural Western cruise! I'm sure there will be some special activities and/or merchandise just for you lucky cruisers -- what a special experience you'll have. The pools are definitely less crowded on the 7-night cruises, except on sea days too, as you have more time to enjoy them spread out over several days.

Have a great time!

 

[gonna go cruising]

is this gonna be a rough one or does anyone know? got me kinda concerned too here about the seasickness and I hadnt earlier.

thanks.

 

[vicnmickey]

I have never been on a Disney Cruise personally but have been to WDW several times. You make your own vacation. If you go into the vacation believing your going to have a great time no matter what happens than you will. If you let every little thing bother you than your whole vacation will be ruined. Disney does everything possible to make everything wonderful. For instance my mom tripped over a small child not watching were they were going when we were at Magic Kingdom last time and hurt her knee pretty bad. The staff at the Magic Kingdom had a wheelchair for her immediately and first aid staff was wonderful. We could have taken this little instance and let it ruin the rest of our trip, but we did not because we were their to have a good time. So go into your cruise with a positive outlook and I am sure you will have a wonderful time.

Don't sweat the small stuff

 

[kidzmom3]

Go and have fun! I try to not let the small things bother me on vacation, but just focus on my family and having a good time. You Lucky Duck! I wanted to go on that cruise

 

[prymsu]

I don't think this post was to intentionally turn anyone away from cruising. It just makes you informed about what can happen at times. No one should let these things spoil their vacation.

 

[Sauunders]

I'm getting ready for my 3rd Disney cruise & TRUST ME...it's the very best thing you can EVER DO IN YOUR WHOLE LIFE. (That is... if you go in May or June)... Seas are calmer in May and June than they are in March or April.

Our first cruise was in Feb/March 2000. Very rough seas. Boat was rocking... I was snoring (from the dramamine!!!) By the 2nd day I was better. 3rd day, wishing it would never end - all better !!!

In June 2001, we went on a 7 day. NEVER FELT A THING !!! It was absolutely perfect. Great weather. Warm water. Fun fun fun.....

Only 5 weeks till our next one... (who's counting???)

 

[jennifersmith23]

Hi JMF....

I will be on the 5/11 cruise as well, and you can bet that my daughter will be behaving herself. Like ucralum my daughter will probably have to be dragged from the kids club kicking and screaming (figuratively speaking of course), but she will be respecful of other people and her teachers. She knows all the rules, and she knows what happens if she breaks those rules.

Don't worry about it. You will have a GREAT time on the ship. Pop onto the Inaugural Western board and say hi. It will be that much more fun to know people on the ship. We are planning various meets and stuff to say hi.

Ka Sura Sura (Spelling yikes...) What will be will be. Just set your mind to have a good time and you will. Don't let someone else ruin YOUR vacation.

Hope my info helps ya out or at least gives you a little peace of mind...

 

[Mjasp]

I am also real worried about seasickness now. I've NEVER cruised before and now I'm getting real apprehensive when I hear all this. Everyone says you don't feel anything, now I'm hearing different.

Has anyone here ever been on a sold out cruise. I am on the Inaugural Western also and it is a sold out cruise, I have 2 children 6 &10 yrs old. Will the pools be that crowded on a sold out cruise, that you trip over people?

 

[din]

We were recently on a "sold out" cruise, Easter week, four day cruise.

There were plenty of kids, in fact according to the kids club counselor, there were over 900 kids not counting teens on the ship.

I too saw the posting about kids and as kidzmom3 mentioned:

Go and have fun! I try to not let the small things bother me on vacation, but just focus on my family and having a good time.

We when to have a family vacation to spend time together. Was the pool full? Absolutely on sea days, but we knew that going to the cruise. Instead we planned on movies, ping pong, etc..

Were the kids running around, well let's not get on that discussion again!!!!

During dinner it was quiet, and I asked the head waiter why are there so many empty tables, and he said that most wanted the early seating, and they tried to accomodate as many as they could, but he said many were upset with the late seating. On the other hand we enjoyed the late seating. We had two DS, 7 and 10, with us and we were not rushed and the waiter actually played with the kids and the head waiter stoped by numerous times to check on us and the kids.

So in a nutshell, as mentioned by numerous posting, we knew what to expect like the Nassau cabs filling up before moving or the the fact that the cab drives at 1000 mph through city streets!!! we took it all in stride and had a tremedous time and planning for the next one.

mjasp: Of the family I was most prone to seasickness, and I had my medication all ready. THe ship did rock on the first night and the last night, something to do with the Gulf Stream, and it was fine. Did not need the medication or anything. I was lucky I guess.

 

[TnRobin]

I know one 7 year old who will definitely be behaving on the May 11th cruise. He is so excited to be going back to the Magic and is counting down the days.

As for sea sickness. I purchased my trusty Bonine tonight at the store. I made the mistake of not taking anything on our first cruise and was SO SICK the first day. No I didn't really feel the ship move, I just swore that I must have drank a few magaritas that I forgot (I staggered alot). After the Bonine kicked in I was fine. On the next two cruises, I took the Bonine at about 2:00 PM and never felt any sickness. Yes every now and then the floor wasn't where I thought it should be, but that went away quickly when we left the gulf stream.

If you plan to take Bonine (or Dramamine) I suggest taking it a few days before the cruise to see how it affects you. A few people indicated that it made them very sleepy.

 

[4nana]

No worries here!
Can't wait for our Family Reunion Cruise in December

 

[Joe & Joanne]

Hi Folks


Just a note to let you know we will be watching.... Santa Claus is VERY REAL and you just know how he knows everything!

If you are on the 5/11/02 Western just stop by our thread and let us know by golly! I have a direct line to the big guy! (Ask my nieces and nephews).

Rumor has it that some very big kids will be taking over the kids pools? So I think you will be safe on that account. Any rough seas...we will straighten em out for sure....love the rockin though as long as it is not side to side. Rolling is ok!

Better watch out..better not pout cause we are already past the refund point

 

[NaturallyMe222]

I have sailed on the Magic and the Wonder.. both in the month of May and the ship was booked but I never noticed any problems with too many kids running around. My kids were older, pre-teen and teen, they weren't near the kiddie pool so I really can't say how crowded that area was.
As far as seasickness... to be honest I only notice the movement when we first leave Port Canaveral.. and that's the exciting part so it would never make me sick..
May is a great month to cruise but the only thing I have to compare it to is a July sailing on The Big Red Boat which was so completely different than the Disney ships. I enjoyed May so much that we are leaving on May 19th for our third 'May' Disney Cruise... Can't wait!!
Enjoy your cruise!
Rhonda

 

[jmf32966]

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone! I am normally not a worrier, but got derailed by too much thinking! I will stay positive knowing that my family always has a good time on vacation and we are lucky to be going on such a wonderful trip! Thanks again.
JMF

 

[SC Minnie]

Cruises are not for everyone. Like others have said if you make up your mind to enjoy yourself and not worry about the little things that happen you will have a great time.

We had a much more relaxing vacation on the cruise than at the parks. (I enjoy the parks too -we are going back in May!) I told DH that the cruise was the best vacation we had ever taken. We were able to sit and do nothing or join in everything and stay busy the whole time. DD7 enjoyed the cruise also and can't wait to go back. She met a freind on the cruise that she has become pen pals with. She didn't stay in the clubs a lot but did the activities that she wanted to do.

 

[KeenHo]

We (DH, DW, DD (12) and DS (7) sailed on the Magic last year ('01) during the week of Memorial Day (May 26- June2). The ship was full but I hardly noticed at all. We had great weather all week except for very brief rain shower while in St. Martin and the seas were relatively calm. No one in my family got seasick, although some of us took Bonine just in case.

The pools were busy, but not what I would call "over crowded". Our DS (7) enjoyed the Mickey Pool and the slide, and we all enjoyed some time, although brief, in the family pool. Throughout the cruise, I personally didn't witness children misbehaving and running wildly about the ship. Most, if not all, of the children we encountered were with other family members or were well behaved and friendly.

Our Disney Cruise was a wonderful experience for our children and family. My DW (Cam) and I are returning for our second Disney Cruise on the Magic on June 22 (Western), this time with no kids! We are counting the days and hours to departure. We are very confident that our cruise experience will be just as wonderful the second time around, if not more.

Vacations are what one makes of them. Relax, enjoy and have a great cruise! No reason to worry about the little things at all.

Howard

 

[mikeymars]

>>You are VERY LUCKY to be on the inagural Western cruise! <<

Maybe, maybe not. Professionals in the industry generally recommend never sailing on inaugural cruises (or the ones the immediately follow within the first month or so), because these sailings inevitably end up being "test flights," where problems in design (and there always are) arise and have to be fixed.

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Oh MIKEY!
It's not a new SHIP! and the ports are well versed in receiving tourists as well.
It will be wonderful, plus have the perk of being the first. The inauguralites appear to be a great group, "test flight" snafu's if any will just be novel adventures. I can't wait to hear about it.
BE HAPPY