Disney Cruise questions

[CloudBee]

Highlight of the trip: The absolutely amazing Mary Poppins style childcare. We checked on DS multiple times and he was SO happy and SO well cared for. I would suggest you reconsider. I was originally against onboard childcare, but heck, they got my 12 month old to nap while we swam with sting rays on their private island! The nursery (up to age 3, I think?) is fully visible to anyone poking their head in. There's full accountability. AND every stateroom comes with at least 2 cell phones, so you have 24/7 contact.

No flames. But seriously, reconsider. I was blown away by the quality of the care and how comfortable we felt.

There's really no other play area for kids unless you check them into childcare.

ETA: Every time we picked him up we were given artwork he had done, and photographs they took of him doing "stuff". Seriously, our experience was amazing. The place seemed to be staffed by college educated British nannies in full uniform.

[mrssandro]

There is a bunch info on Disney Cruises on Cruise Critic. I like reading all the reviews.

The childcare from what I read is exceptional but I get what you are saying. There seems to be a ton of things to do together though.

[CloudBee]

Sept 1, 2015 12:00:23 GMT -5 @bluesky said:

I should add my child is 6

I really think you need to cruise on another line. I couldn't imagine taking a 6 year old on a Disney Cruise and not letting them participate in the club activities. Seriously.

[mrssandro]

I think a six year old would love the kids club. They have really figured out what makes the kid happy.

I agree with the inflated prices of Disney you are paying for the exceptional service they give to cater the kid. I would go with another cruise line if you didn't plan to use it.

[CloudBee]

Sept 1, 2015 12:08:13 GMT -5 @bluesky said:

Sept 1, 2015 12:02:22 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

I really think you need to cruise on another line. I couldn't imagine taking a 6 year old on a Disney Cruise and not letting them participate in the club activities. Seriously.

So they don't have activities where a parent can be nearby watching or participating?  

They do, but the bulk of the kid activities are in the clubs. Your 6 year old will see other kids running around the ship with crafts, and all sorts of things they're doing "behind the scenes" that they won't have access to. (They will be walking around with logo items, lanyards, Disney bracelets, etc., that will scream "we are doing something fun back here" and your kid will wonder what they are missing out on.)

It's also advertised all over and really "in your face", so you can't pretend like this huge fun area doesn't exist. The entrance looks like an amusement park or arcade. They talk about all of the fun "just for kids" stuff on the TV. You just can't avoid knowing about it, and I can see a kiddo being pretty sad if they aren't allowed to join in. (Assuming it looks fun and they want to.)

[CloudBee]

Sept 1, 2015 12:21:50 GMT -5 @bluesky said:

Sept 1, 2015 12:18:01 GMT -5 h said:

yeah, I can't do that to her.  She's totally independent and would want to go.  How long do you typically leave your kids there?  How many kids are in the club?  Seems like it would be chaos!

Someone with older kids will have to answer this. But it is SO organized. The kids might even be able to take a cabin issued cell phone with them? Anyone know?

I did see camp caregivers picking kids up from dinner and dropping them off to dinner to meet with their parents. Even if you are checked into camp it looked like they have an organized system for bringing you to your parents for meals IF you wish. They also feed your kids for you if you want that.

Everything was efficient and seemed well managed.