Our family has planned a Disney vaction, staying at Port Orleans-French Quarters, followed by a cruise on the Disney Cruise Line. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for the cruise that would help. Our children are 9 and 6.

Only that you are going to have a great time! We went when my boys were those exact ages and they cried when we left. As soon as you board go sign them up for the kids programs. They are the absolute best! The facilities are outstanding. They do science projects (they make them fun, really), plays, games, etc. At night in the kids area they have a huge screen where they show the latest Disney movies and they bring out little cots for the kids to sit on and warm, freshly baked cookies and milk! They think of everything. We had to drag our kids out of there.

Try to get them to leave to see the shows though. They are really fantastic productions. Also you probably want the early dinner seating for those ages. Also, make sure when you go to Castaway Cay to walk to the far end of the beach (nicer and more secluded) or let the kids stay with the counselors (they'll probably want to anyway), and you and your husband go to the adults only beach. It's very beautiful and you can walk far out and have the beach to yourselves. Have a great time!

do not miss the show disney dreams. it's awesome. if you want to eat at adult only restaurant. ... make sure you make reservations the second you get on the boat. we waited until after the emergency drill...and it was booked. same goes for the spa.

Check out www.disboards.com

Why don't you visit Fodor's CRUISE forum?
From the page listing all the forums, you have to scroll down till it appears and click on it.
Lots of cruise info, Disney included, is there for your reading pleasure.

Took the 4-day vacation at Port Orleans/3-day cruise last November with our daughter and two grandsons, aged 7 and 5. Here's the best tip: Relax and leave everything to Disney! This will be the most hassle-free vacation you've ever taken with kids! The ship has something for everyone and, like the earlier poster said, the kids clubs are incredible. You'll have to beg the kids to spend time with you--really! And DO have dinner one night in the adult restaurant, Palo's. The lamb chops are wonderful and the chocolate souffle is famous for good reason!

About Port Orleans: Ask your travel agent to put in a request that your room be near the main hotel. The rooms are nice and the grounds are lovely, but it is huge and you could end up a long walk from the action (food court, characters in the lobby, restaurants, buses going to the theme parks, etc.)

Have a great time!!