Tips for first time cruisers

PSUDisney77

PSUDisney77

Active Member
Original Poster
Looking at taking a Disney cruise next year with wife and son, who will be 8. I went on the Wonder many years ago as a teenager but this would be their first ever cruise. My wife is a little bit leery of the thought but willing to give it a try. My son says he is terrified of the boat. The activities look fun he says but the boat and ocean is scary to him. Any tips from folks who have been with kids and how to ease them into a cruise?
 
ChuckElias

ChuckElias

Well-Known Member
If your child is terrified of the boat and the water, I would absolutely NOT take him on a cruise. The last thing you want is for your child to be terrorized by an experience that should be fun and joyful. I can't tell you what's best for your child -- only you know that. But if it were MY child, I would find a way to give him the experience of a boat on the water on a smaller scale as a "test cruise". Something maybe just like a 3 hour whale watch or something like that.

I wish you luck because if your son can get beyond that fear, your family will have a wonderful time.
 
RememberWhen

RememberWhen

Well-Known Member
ChuckElias said:
If your child is terrified of the boat and the water, I would absolutely NOT take him on a cruise. The last thing you want is for your child to be terrorized by an experience that should be fun and joyful. I can't tell you what's best for your child -- only you know that. But if it were MY child, I would find a way to give him the experience of a boat on the water on a smaller scale as a "test cruise". Something maybe just like a 3 hour whale watch or something like that.

I wish you luck because if your son can get beyond that fear, your family will have a wonderful time.
Click to expand...
I don’t disagree, BUT, a 3 hour whale watch is so different from a cruise that I’m not sure I would use it as a test.

That being said, if kiddo is really terrified it probably isn’t a great idea. Maybe you and DW could go alone and then report back about how awesome it is? Take lots of pictures of the kid club and the fun restaurants and next time kiddo might be more inclined?

Though it might just be that I wish I had multiple cruises on the horizon.

For what it’s worth, my DD7 gets very car sick but had no trouble on our Disney cruise in 2022. She loved the kids club and can’t wait for our upcoming cruise in June!
 
Phonedave

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
Yeah, a whale watch is not so much like a cruise. Try a short ferry trip, or short sightseeing trip. Whale watching can be pretty rough as well as far from shore.

My youngest hates boats. She will suck it up, deal with the anxiety, and get on board if it is short and semi-necessary. Like a 10 min ferry trip vs. a 3 hour drive, but a cruise is entirely out of the question. Some people just do not like it.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom