when to cruise with kids question

[mikewdw]

we have 3 kids (DD 5 and twin DS 3) and have really begun thinking the cruise would be great. we have never been on any cruise at all so we were wondering what age would be the best to take our kids? i know they have tons of activities for all ages but what do you experienced travellers think is the best ages where the kids would enjoy it the most? our kids love DW we would want to cruise the be a really super experience for them. we have just been talking about it and i knew y'all could help us with some great info and tips.
thanks,
mikewdw

 

[Phonedave]

we have 3 kids (DD 5 and twin DS 3) and have really begun thinking the cruise would be great. we have never been on any cruise at all so we were wondering what age would be the best to take our kids? i know they have tons of activities for all ages but what do you experienced travellers think is the best ages where the kids would enjoy it the most? our kids love DW we would want to cruise the be a really super experience for them. we have just been talking about it and i knew y'all could help us with some great info and tips.
thanks,
mikewdw

I cruised with my two kids when they were 6 and 8 and am going again this August when they will be 8 and 10.

Disney does a great job with on-board activites for the kids. A lot of it though depends on your kids. My kids want to hang out with me Even though they said that the kids activites were fun, they allways wondered what dad was doing, and was it more fun, so they would page me after about half an hour to come get them.

Our table mates at dinner had a 10 year old boy. They said they just about never saw him the whole cruise. When he would wake up he wanted to go to the Oceaneers club. They had to drag him out for dinner, and he would wolf down his food and then ask them to take him back.

Right now your kids are a little young for most "active" shore excursions, so if there is something you and your wife want to do together, that may be a problem.

I have a problem with mine because I am a single parent. Both are old enough to do things like jet ski, with an adult, but are not old enough to solo. You can't put three people on a jet ski or kayak, so I have to either wait until my oldest is 16 and she can use her own kayak. That or I have to find a "companion"


-dave

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Mikewdw we just returned from our fourth Disney cruise. We've had kids of all ages with us on them.

For me the biggest issue was waiting until the kids were 3 and potty trained. If they are under three or not potty trained, they can't go in the kid's clubs, only Flounders nursery where you are charged. You seem to have cleared that hurdle.

Even if you don't use the kid's clubs all the time, it's nice to have them as an option when you want to go to an adult dinner, an adult show, etc.

Having said that, there were two 18 month olds on our last cruise with us and they really had a great time. Their parents had to sit out some of the activities while the kids napped, or if it was after bedtime, but overall their parents will have some wonderful memories of the cruise. The kids won't remember it, but the parents will.

Phonedave is right, Disney does an incredible job of entertaining the kids. We really don't see them much onboard. There were times we made them come out of the clubs to do something with us.:lol:

Every night you'll get a list of the next days activities. My dd11's favorite thing was to sit down with a highlighter before bed and plan her next day.

I have a trip report going right now in the trip report section if you're interested in some more details or pictures.

Just ask if you have any more questions!