Disney Cruise - invited by in-laws before I say no I wanted a little advice
Oct 27th, 2006, 10:12 AM
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Disney Cruise - invited by in-laws before I say no I wanted a little advice
Hello-
This is my first time posting under cruises- we just returned from our honeymoon in Italy and I received alot of advice from this site in that section. I hoping to get some words of wisdom here too.
It has been mentioned that my father-in law wants to take the entire family on a Disney Cruise in 2008. Yes, this sounds wondeful and generous which in many ways it is but there is more to the story. Who would go- My mother in law and father in law who are wondeful and we love spending time with, my two sister in laws plus brother in law and 2 nephews- ages 4 and 6 ( they will be in 2008) please note: sugar is a main ingredient in their diet. For ex, the last flight we took with them, right before the flight they were given Cinnabuns!
Also know that both my new husband and I love children and do plan on having a family one day in the future. What I am getting at is I do not think this is the kind of vacation we should say yes to....free or not---its still time off....My husband has never been on a cruise and I not sure this is the best 1st cruise for him to take.
If there is more to do for adults only- please let me know---truth be told I am not a huge cruise lover but do not want to make more of this than needed. Sometimes it easier to say yes---but at what cost.
Thanks,
Robyn
This is my first time posting under cruises- we just returned from our honeymoon in Italy and I received alot of advice from this site in that section. I hoping to get some words of wisdom here too.
It has been mentioned that my father-in law wants to take the entire family on a Disney Cruise in 2008. Yes, this sounds wondeful and generous which in many ways it is but there is more to the story. Who would go- My mother in law and father in law who are wondeful and we love spending time with, my two sister in laws plus brother in law and 2 nephews- ages 4 and 6 ( they will be in 2008) please note: sugar is a main ingredient in their diet. For ex, the last flight we took with them, right before the flight they were given Cinnabuns!
Also know that both my new husband and I love children and do plan on having a family one day in the future. What I am getting at is I do not think this is the kind of vacation we should say yes to....free or not---its still time off....My husband has never been on a cruise and I not sure this is the best 1st cruise for him to take.
If there is more to do for adults only- please let me know---truth be told I am not a huge cruise lover but do not want to make more of this than needed. Sometimes it easier to say yes---but at what cost.
Thanks,
Robyn
Oct 27th, 2006, 01:40 PM
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Go - I overload on Disney really quickly, but their cruises are not all kid stuff, big mouses, and noise - they are fine for adults as well.
Re sugar diet of nephews. While I do not endorse bad food for anyone, I had much stricter ideas about what my kids would and would not eat until I actually had some kids of my own. while Cinnabons are not exactly health food, they are not really poisonous. A perfectly good and reasonable parent might buy a treat such as this for their kid as a reward/bribe prior to flight. Tofu and veggies do not usually have that effect on kids that age.
So go, have a good time, ignore parenting techniques of in-laws and diet of their kids. If the kids turn out to be annoying brats on the cruise, do not vacation with them again.
Re sugar diet of nephews. While I do not endorse bad food for anyone, I had much stricter ideas about what my kids would and would not eat until I actually had some kids of my own. while Cinnabons are not exactly health food, they are not really poisonous. A perfectly good and reasonable parent might buy a treat such as this for their kid as a reward/bribe prior to flight. Tofu and veggies do not usually have that effect on kids that age.
So go, have a good time, ignore parenting techniques of in-laws and diet of their kids. If the kids turn out to be annoying brats on the cruise, do not vacation with them again.
Oct 27th, 2006, 03:14 PM
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I have been on around 60 cruises. River, mass-market, luxury, you name it. Disney was one of my favorites for the ship/cruise experience itself.
They have much to do for adults only. A whole deck including adults only pool, restaurant, bars/entertainment etc. Other cruise lines do not do that. You will probably have a much harder time being "adults only" on other cruise lines. I think I had more fun than my son. Food when we went (this was a few years back) was on par with Celebrity, probably better. We did the 7 night cruise and I have heard that the food is not as good on the 3/4 nighters.
The entertainment was the best I have seen at sea. I wanted to go twice and skip dinner one night, but it was my husband's birthday and out of the question. Even on the private island they have an adults only beach.
And cruising in general is good for families. Some together time at dinner and such, but good alone time for couples and families as well. They are pricey. Good one to go on with someone else paying
. They also sell out very early. I just read a statistic today the 33% of passengers who sail Disney do so without children. That says a lot. The kids are kept VERY busy. You probably won't see much of them at all.
I think it is funny what Gail said. I was never going to bribe my kids. Then...it became a way of life.
They have much to do for adults only. A whole deck including adults only pool, restaurant, bars/entertainment etc. Other cruise lines do not do that. You will probably have a much harder time being "adults only" on other cruise lines. I think I had more fun than my son. Food when we went (this was a few years back) was on par with Celebrity, probably better. We did the 7 night cruise and I have heard that the food is not as good on the 3/4 nighters.
The entertainment was the best I have seen at sea. I wanted to go twice and skip dinner one night, but it was my husband's birthday and out of the question. Even on the private island they have an adults only beach.
And cruising in general is good for families. Some together time at dinner and such, but good alone time for couples and families as well. They are pricey. Good one to go on with someone else paying
. They also sell out very early. I just read a statistic today the 33% of passengers who sail Disney do so without children. That says a lot. The kids are kept VERY busy. You probably won't see much of them at all.I think it is funny what Gail said. I was never going to bribe my kids. Then...it became a way of life.
Oct 27th, 2006, 07:27 PM
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We have been on six cruises, including one which we took our family and another is this Christmas and we're taking the family. We have not yet done the Disney line, but I can tell you, from our experience, you will not even see the children, they will be busy, morning to night and will love every moment. Also, there is really not much you can do about their diet, as awful as it is. The children will be two years older and maybe things will improve. I would also say the in-laws would be very disappointed if you chose to not go with them. From our experience, we rarely ran into each other during the day, sometimes saw them at breakfast/lunch, but we ordinarily went on our way and all met for dinner each night. From the in-laws view point, we were very disappointed when our son-in-law said he couldn't take off enough time for a Christmas cruise(another time), so I would imagine your in-laws might feel the same way.
Oct 27th, 2006, 10:30 PM
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Of the 80 or so cruises I've taken, the one-week Disney Magic cruise I sailed on earlier this month was one of the best!
While the food wasn't gourmet, it was much, much better than I expected (I even ordered items from the kids' menus--the mac 'n cheese is the tastiest on land or sea). The adults-only Palo restaurant is simply exquisite (requires reservations--make them the minute you step aboard--and the $20/per person charge is well worth it).
The service throughout the ship was as good or better than on all but the most expensive luxury lines. The ships are stunning in an authentic ocean liner fashion.
The spa has exclusive Spa Villas with private veradahs where you can have a couples treatment... including time in the hot tub, foot exfoliation, your choice of massages, and tea with fruit afterward while you relax on a lounger for two (you can also add champagne and strawberries to enjoy in the hot tub). You will be totally pampered and no other spa session will ever live up to it. Seriously! I've been to Canyon Ranch and it doesn't come close.
And, Disney ships are the only ones at sea that are allowed to present a fireworks show FROM the ship! You'll want to go to the sailaway party and the late-night deck party.
It's certainly not all-Disney-all-the-time and there were plenty of other couples sailing without children, as we were. Plus, kids were respectful of the adults-only spaces, which is almost unheard of on other cruise lines. You are likely to only see your nephews during breaks from the children's program.
Disney characters make scheduled appearances and even I caught the excitement of getting a hug from Mickey Mouse. Seriously, Disney Cruise Line isn't just for kids, or couples with kids and grandkids. My husband LOVED that cruise.
Castaway Cay, the private island, has a gorgeous, secluded beach reserved for only adults. There is even a more deluxe luncheon buffet served there than at the family part of the island.
Connette has described the experience well, especially the entertainment. My review (in blog form) is here, should you want to read it...
http://cruisediva.com/cruisedivablog.htm
Best, Linda
Author, Fodor's The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises
While the food wasn't gourmet, it was much, much better than I expected (I even ordered items from the kids' menus--the mac 'n cheese is the tastiest on land or sea). The adults-only Palo restaurant is simply exquisite (requires reservations--make them the minute you step aboard--and the $20/per person charge is well worth it).
The service throughout the ship was as good or better than on all but the most expensive luxury lines. The ships are stunning in an authentic ocean liner fashion.
The spa has exclusive Spa Villas with private veradahs where you can have a couples treatment... including time in the hot tub, foot exfoliation, your choice of massages, and tea with fruit afterward while you relax on a lounger for two (you can also add champagne and strawberries to enjoy in the hot tub). You will be totally pampered and no other spa session will ever live up to it. Seriously! I've been to Canyon Ranch and it doesn't come close.
And, Disney ships are the only ones at sea that are allowed to present a fireworks show FROM the ship! You'll want to go to the sailaway party and the late-night deck party.
It's certainly not all-Disney-all-the-time and there were plenty of other couples sailing without children, as we were. Plus, kids were respectful of the adults-only spaces, which is almost unheard of on other cruise lines. You are likely to only see your nephews during breaks from the children's program.
Disney characters make scheduled appearances and even I caught the excitement of getting a hug from Mickey Mouse. Seriously, Disney Cruise Line isn't just for kids, or couples with kids and grandkids. My husband LOVED that cruise.
Castaway Cay, the private island, has a gorgeous, secluded beach reserved for only adults. There is even a more deluxe luncheon buffet served there than at the family part of the island.
Connette has described the experience well, especially the entertainment. My review (in blog form) is here, should you want to read it...
http://cruisediva.com/cruisedivablog.htm
Best, Linda
Author, Fodor's The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises
Oct 29th, 2006, 03:37 AM
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From the title of your post, I doubt that I'll be able to make much impact.... however, it might be helpful if you would try to look at this decision from your husband's point of view. Imagine for a moment that your family had extended the invite and he was balking at going for the reasons you stated. Please try to look at this cruise as an exercise in family bonding in a setting that might not be your first choice, but one that will offer a variety of activities for all family members. You and your husband will certainly have ample opportunity to get some time alone each day and you might ask that your cabin be located away from the rest of the group. LOL, by the time you sail you might even have a fussy baby of your own and then you will come to value the support systems that family can offer. Afterall accidents do happen.... 
Oct 29th, 2006, 07:20 AM
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The responses have been great and not what I expected. My DH and I are still on the fence, you have to realize we both feel the same way about his nephews. We were both happy to read that there is a balance between adult time and together time. We both come from families that are very close and spending time together is never an issue. DH sometimes just sees it as its free we should go w/o really looking at all sides. Since it is 2 years away and of course you never know what can happen in that time frame we are going to be open minded. We may have even convinced our friends to come along with their daughter----they too didn't realize she'd be busy and they could hang out and relax. I have to say the comment about bribing your kids made me laugh-----I know that I think I will be super strict with my future children's diet.....as my best friend says...sometimes its just easier to give in...depending on the situation of course..not before a 3 hour flight though!
Thanks again,
Robyn
Thanks again,
Robyn
Oct 30th, 2006, 01:52 PM
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All this talk about Cinnabon's has me craving one - and I think I have only eaten part of one in my entire life.
I truly believe you are entitled to feed your kids anyway you want - and that there is a huge variation in what equally responsible and loving parents may feed their own kids, just as there is in every aspect of parenting. People tend to get a little defensive about how they choose to raise their kids, and no one with kids takes kindly to being judged on that, especially by those without kids. If you choose to have kids, you will get what I mean the first time someone makes a snide comment to you about lack of sugar, meat or whatever in your kids diets.
I still think you should reconsider going on the cruise - if all else fails take a book and read, catch up on sleep, try the spa or exercise facilities.
Welcome to the annoying world of in-laws, even the most well-intentioned ones. I often wished I had married an orphan.
I truly believe you are entitled to feed your kids anyway you want - and that there is a huge variation in what equally responsible and loving parents may feed their own kids, just as there is in every aspect of parenting. People tend to get a little defensive about how they choose to raise their kids, and no one with kids takes kindly to being judged on that, especially by those without kids. If you choose to have kids, you will get what I mean the first time someone makes a snide comment to you about lack of sugar, meat or whatever in your kids diets.
I still think you should reconsider going on the cruise - if all else fails take a book and read, catch up on sleep, try the spa or exercise facilities.
Welcome to the annoying world of in-laws, even the most well-intentioned ones. I often wished I had married an orphan.
Oct 30th, 2006, 03:45 PM
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Two years is a LONG way off and no doubt plans are very much in the talking/wishing stage with your in-laws leading the band wagon for something they'd like to do. I do agree with Joan that I wouldn't invite friends to go on what is to be a family-type trip, even though they'd pay for themselves and wouldn't be with the family. We are taking our family at Christmas and would be shocked if my daughter mentioned to friends that they might consider taking them same cruise, though we, no doubt, very much like their friends, I would feel like this might be one of the few times that is strictly family....call me goofy, but that's what I'm thinking at this point....but I don't think there is much use getting worked up on something that will not come off for two years and won't be reserved for a year or so.....
Oct 30th, 2006, 04:31 PM
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I would jump at the chance to go on a family cruise like this. One of the best cruises we've ever been on was with our entire family...great fun. I wouldn't consider thinking about bringing friends along though, that sounds insulting to your in-laws who are planning all this IMO.
Both my parents (as well as my husband's parents) are now deceased, thank goodness I have such wonderful memories with them, such as our family cruise together!! GO, if you don't you may some day regret it. I bet it will be a great time for all of you.
Both my parents (as well as my husband's parents) are now deceased, thank goodness I have such wonderful memories with them, such as our family cruise together!! GO, if you don't you may some day regret it. I bet it will be a great time for all of you.
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