What to book when cruising with a 4yo?

[DisneyFan1003]

Ok....so for some reason I thought our activity booking window for our September cruise opened next weekend, but it's tomorrow! First time cruising with our daughter who will be almost 4 when we sail. Suggestions from anyone out there on things we must book, etc?.

Thanks!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm not sure because I haven't cruised with a 4 yro. Wish I could help.

 

[wdwstateofmind]

What do you mean by booking? You don't really book things on the ship if they aren't port excursions or Remy / Palo or a massage...most things are just show up (child acivities or care) or first come first serve as far as seats (shows)...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I think maybe the OP was looking for suggestions of excursions or any extra activities. Without knowing what itinerary it's hard to say. I was thinking about Castaway Cay since a large number of itineraries include that stop. The things that come to my mind for Castaway Cay aren't really condusive to a 4 yro. I think of the things we have done or would do like parasailing, waverunners, kayak tours, snorkeling, etc. None of those things would work with a little one. The only thing that really jumps out at me is the family beach cabanas but if the booking window just opened for a September cruise it's likely the OP is a first timer and booking at the 75 day window. It's highly unlikely for any cabanas to be available any longer.

 

[ChuckElias]

If your daughter likes Alice in Wonderland, some of the itineraries have a "Tea with Alice" where the Alice characters join you for tea and sandwiches. It's very cute. You would book that once you were onboard, however. As sweetpee stated, I honestly can't think of too many things (other than a shore excursion) that you would book ahead of time for a 4 year old.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

On the Fantasy you could book BBB or Pirate's League.

 

[ChuckElias]

On the Fantasy you could book BBB or Pirate's League.

Duh, I was just on the Fantasy!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Duh, I was just on the Fantasy!

Me, too, and I didn't think of it because we didn't go there. It's another thing I wanted to see but didn't. LOL!

 

[Kerby626]

We just crusied with 4 yr old twins. The only thing at Castaway Cay they would do were the bikes everything else they were too young for. They were of height to do Pelican Plunge but unable to because of the requirement to swim out to it.

My daughter loved the kids club and we had to drag her out each night. My son went the first night and had a horrible experience and did not go back unless it was an open time where we could go in with him.

 

[princessmommy]

If your daughter likes Alice in Wonderland, some of the itineraries have a "Tea with Alice" where the Alice characters join you for tea and sandwiches. It's very cute. You would book that once you were onboard, however. As sweetpee stated, I honestly can't think of too many things (other than a shore excursion) that you would book ahead of time for a 4 year old.

Love this, I hadn't heard of it. How can I find out if it is offered on my itinerary?

 

[ChuckElias]

I just got off the phone with DCL and they told me that it's currently only offered on the Alaskan itinerary on the Wonder. That sounds kind of odd to me; I have no idea why they would limit it to an itinerary that only runs for 4 months out of the year on one ship. But the agent I spoke to seemed pretty sure of it. You could call them to double-check it, but that's the best answer I have for you. Sorry.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We just crusied with 4 yr old twins. The only thing at Castaway Cay they would do were the bikes everything else they were too young for. They were of height to do Pelican Plunge but unable to because of the requirement to swim out to it.

My daughter loved the kids club and we had to drag her out each night. My son went the first night and had a horrible experience and did not go back unless it was an open time where we could go in with him.

OMG! Poor little guy!

 

[disneyfan1995]

Nothing really you could book on the ship other than what has been mentioned. Definitely sign her up for the kids club when you get to the cruise terminal/on board. My siblings never wanted to leave from it since they loved it so much!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I just got off the phone with DCL and they told me that it's currently only offered on the Alaskan itinerary on the Wonder. That sounds kind of odd to me; I have no idea why they would limit it to an itinerary that only runs for 4 months out of the year on one ship. But the agent I spoke to seemed pretty sure of it. You could call them to double-check it, but that's the best answer I have for you. Sorry.

I had heard it was mostly discontinued but I wasn't sure.

 

[Kerby626]

I know it is not offered on the Dream

 

[DisneyFan1003]

Thanks all - I guess I failed to mention that my wife and I have sailed with DCL several times. This is just the first time since our daughter was born! We ended up just booking BBB and one shore excursion on St. Maarten for a glass boat trip. We just weren't sure if there was anything out there that you had one with little ones that was a "don't miss" attraction!

 

[5thGenTexan]

I just got off the phone with DCL and they told me that it's currently only offered on the Alaskan itinerary on the Wonder. That sounds kind of odd to me; I have no idea why they would limit it to an itinerary that only runs for 4 months out of the year on one ship. But the agent I spoke to seemed pretty sure of it. You could call them to double-check it, but that's the best answer I have for you. Sorry.

Well thats new. My wife and 4 1/2 year old did Tea With Alice on the Magic in April/May of this year.

 

[ChuckElias]

Well thats new. My wife and 4 1/2 year old did Tea With Alice on the Magic in April/May of this year.

I had a hunch this person was not 100% "in the know", but I thought I should just report what she told me. Maybe it would be better to call and ask about a particular sailing?

 

[5thGenTexan]

I had a hunch this person was not 100% "in the know", but I thought I should just report what she told me. Maybe it would be better to call and ask about a particular sailing?

I am not sure that calling would even be necesary since it can't be booked till on he ship anyway. The very FIRST thing I did after boarding was to go to the Guest Services desk to take care of my stolen credit card, request a diaper genie, and get Tea With Alice tickets.

 

[ChuckElias]

I am not sure that calling would even be necesary since it can't be booked till on he ship anyway.

Very true. I guess I was just thinking about finding out if it was actually offered on a particular sailing. But you're right, you can't book it ahead of time. So you might as well just ask when you get onboard.