Kid friendly AI? Help me avoid Disney Cruise

[FastHands]

Ok, my mother fell head-first down a rabbit hole and wants us all (her, dad, my bro, and me/H/2 kids 6&10yo) to take a Disney Cruise. I... have absolutely no interest in cruising. I do not like crowds, I am mildly prone to motion sickness, the germ-spread-factor plays in...

That said, I'm sure my kids would have a BLAST, and my mom's fabulous heart wants to give us a fun time. So I'm thinking of proposing an alternate of a kid-friendly AI. (Going to actual Disney is a no-go because my dad's circulation issues mean he can't spend forever on his feet.)

So! Do any of you have recommendations for an all-inclusive resort with fun stuff for kids that might be a decent alternative?? Kids will be 6 and 10, thinking late April/early May (probably 2025 since we'd need to get passports etc.).

[livinitup]

We did an all-inclusive in Jamaica with grandparents and it was a big hit and not as expensive as some other countries.

Beaches, Negril

We didn’t get the most expensive rooms and it was great. There was also a ton to do without extra excursions expenses (7 day trip). Friendly, engaged staff. Many, many restaurants on the grounds.

[pandora89]

We did the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana in DR, it was great. Food was amazing, great pools and a fun waterpark area. The resort was at full occupancy when we went and it never felt crowed.

[jamaicam]

Jamaica options, depending on your budget..

Most expensive but 100% amazing is Beaches.
Middle is Hyatt Ziva
More affordable is probably Ocean Coral Springs

These are all nice with decent food, good drinks and lots for the kids to do.

[fivechickens]

I am no help. Just wanted to offer solidarity, I have zero interest in Cruise’s either. My aunt was always bringing it up and I was like nope sorry.

[NewGirlNic]

We stayed at the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana in 2021. There is a family side and adult side (Zilara), so bonus if your parents are going, you and H could sneak over to the adults only side for dinner. 
There is a waterpark on site that we had a blast at. It's not huge, but I'm sure a 6 and 10 year old would love it. There is also a kids club, but DS was 12 at the time, so he wasn't interested. 
It wasn't crowded at all, but it was still Covid restrictions, so I think they were only operating at like 50% or something. But the resort is fairly large, so even at full capacity I don't think it would feel crowded. 
They have a couple locations in Mexico and one in Jamaica as well.  

A friend of mine loves the Dreams resorts (owned by Sandals) and goes with her sister and all their kids once a year. I looked at the one in Turks and Caicos, but it was $$$.

[FastHands]

Feb 8, 2024 14:37:57 GMT -5 fivechickens said:

I am no help. Just wanted to offer solidarity, I have zero interest in Cruise’s either. My aunt was always bringing it up and I was like nope sorry.

Just like... zero interest,lol. My H feels the same, but my mom is just the best and I hate raining on her super delightful and generous parade. I just learned my bro is equally unexcited, so we're doing more recon, lol.

[thebreakfastclub]

Affordable, lots of options, and great kids club = Club Med.

If I win the lottery, I'll go to whichever one in Turks & Caicos that takes 15 hours for me to get to and costs $12,000 for a week lol.

[waverly]

My friend just came back from Jamaica. Partly maybe because they were at an adult only resport she said everyone just got drunk and didn't do anything else, and they were offered drugs repeatedly. She said they also got really sick. Check out country travel advisories as some have been recently updated with more warnings than the countries had before. www.courier-journal.com/story/travel/2024/02/05/amid-jamaicas-travel-advisory-what-are-the-safest-caribbean-islands/72477679007/

[mccallister84]

We have done Beaches Ocho Rios (first) and then Beaches Turks and Caicos. I wish I could say Turks was not worth the extra money but it was so beautiful. We are going back in 2025. That being said we did have an amazing time in Ocho Rios as well but our kids were on the younger side.

[Roc A Bee]

I’d send the kids with their grandparents and go on a couple trip with DH. Win win!

[jamaicam]

Feb 8, 2024 15:02:50 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

We have done Beaches Ocho Rios (first) and then Beaches Turks and Caicos. I wish I could say Turks was not worth the extra money but it was so beautiful. We are going back in 2025. That being said we did have an amazing time in Ocho Rios as well but our kids were on the younger side.

Beaches Negril is way nicer than Beaches Ocho Rios - Negril has a much nicer setting, loads of ground space and the perfect beach.  

[majesty318]

Two of my friends have raved about Finest in Punta Cana with their kids

[jamaicam]

Feb 8, 2024 15:02:09 GMT -5 waverly said:

My friend just came back from Jamaica. Partly maybe because they were at an adult only resport she said everyone just got drunk and didn't do anything else, and they were offered drugs repeatedly. She said they also got really sick. Check out country travel advisories as some have been recently updated with more warnings than the countries had before. www.courier-journal.com/story/travel/2024/02/05/amid-jamaicas-travel-advisory-what-are-the-safest-caribbean-islands/72477679007/

Jamaica and Bahamas both have warnings. Tourist areas are very safe. Going on any excursion planned through your hotel is also incredibly safe.  

Our Prime Minister stated in response to the advisory - "Like any country, like any state, there are places where even the citizens of that country would be best advised to avoid," he continued. "The United States, I'm sure, has many communities that its own citizens would avoid. And of course, if you're a traveler, you would want to pay keen attention and stay in the areas that are for touristic purposes."

[dish2501]

Iberostar in Riveria Maya. www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/riviera-maya/iberostar-paraiso-maya/

There are 5 different levels, but Lindo and Maya have water park access. We went on a family trip with 11 of us (6 adults, 5 kids aged 13 through 2). It is a huge resort and never felt crowded. Lots of food options. I thought the food was acceptable. AI food isn’t always great. My kids loved getting virgin drinks from the swim up bar and having a stocked fridge in the room.

We had a family room, which was 2 connected rooms. Loved having 2 bathrooms and being able to mostly close the door between rooms.

We did a full day tour of Tulum and cenotes. The cenotes were amazing.

We stayed 6 nights, which was just enough.

[waverly]

Feb 8, 2024 15:28:14 GMT -5 jamaicam said:

Feb 8, 2024 15:02:09 GMT -5 waverly said:

My friend just came back from Jamaica. Partly maybe because they were at an adult only resport she said everyone just got drunk and didn't do anything else, and they were offered drugs repeatedly. She said they also got really sick. Check out country travel advisories as some have been recently updated with more warnings than the countries had before. www.courier-journal.com/story/travel/2024/02/05/amid-jamaicas-travel-advisory-what-are-the-safest-caribbean-islands/72477679007/

Jamaica and Bahamas both have warnings. Tourist areas are very safe. Going on any excursion planned through your hotel is also incredibly safe.  

Our Prime Minister stated in response to the advisory - "Like any country, like any state, there are places where even the citizens of that country would be best advised to avoid," he continued. "The United States, I'm sure, has many communities that its own citizens would avoid. And of course, if you're a traveler, you would want to pay keen attention and stay in the areas that are for touristic purposes."

Yeah I noticed the Bahamas was on there too which was interesting because friend said I should have gone to the Bahamas.   Don't know how they got sick, but that will put a damper on any vacation.  

[gummybear]

Beaches T&C is beautiful. We got the cheapest room. It is SO BEAUTIFUL and the water is unlike anywhere else, nothing can compare. Our kids were 14 and 10 and we had to BEG the younger one to hang out with us instead of doing the kids club/activities. There is so much for them to do, you could literally not see them all day.

[VacayVaca]

Feb 8, 2024 15:30:07 GMT -5 dish2501 said:

Iberostar in Riveria Maya. www.iberostar.com/en/hotels/riviera-maya/iberostar-paraiso-maya/

We went to the Iberostar in 2017 on a big group trip and then read reports once we got home that they were reportedly serving ethanol alcohol unknowingly to guests


www.jsonline.com/story/news/2017/07/20/all-inclusive-resorts-mexico-suspected-drugging-tourists/490429001/

On the last day we were there, the bartender made all of our group's drinks, but I saw him specifically go in the back to make my alcoholic beverage.  I was ordering the same beverage all week from that specific bartender and it had always been made in front of me before.  When I tried the drink that last day, it tasted terrible and was undrinkable and I discarded it.  In hindsight after reading the news stories, I absolutely think it was tainted alcohol.


Obviously it's many years later, but I would caution anyone looking at that resort to read the specific allegations and lots of current reviews prior to their vacation.

[Susie]

Feb 8, 2024 14:28:35 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Kids will be 6 and 10, thinking late April/early May (probably 2025 since we'd need to get passports etc.).

I haven't done any AI trips so I can't help with that, but I did just get passports for my kids this fall.  They were really fast.  We had our appointment at the post office on 10/6, and we had passports in hand in November, no expediting or rush fees.  It was probably 5-6 weeks, about half the published estimate at the time.  Both kids' were first time passports.  

[expectantsteelerfan]

We went to Beaches Negril this past summer, and it was lovely. The resort was small enough that I could let my kids (12 and 14) go off with the friends they made to other pools/areas and then come back and check in with us. The food was decent (better than the last place we went in Mexico, where I got food poisoning). But I hated that we spent $$$ just to get a room with 2 double beds. I'll usually spring for a slightly bigger room, but I feel like going up categories didn't even get us bigger beds, so it wasn't worth it for me.

[cville]

Feb 8, 2024 14:40:32 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Feb 8, 2024 14:37:57 GMT -5 fivechickens said:

I am no help. Just wanted to offer solidarity, I have zero interest in Cruise’s either. My aunt was always bringing it up and I was like nope sorry.

Just like... zero interest,lol. My H feels the same, but my mom is just the best and I hate raining on her super delightful and generous parade. I just learned my bro is equally unexcited, so we're doing more recon, lol.

Cruises are floating cesspools with lots of walking. Emphasize the walking.

[FastHands]

Feb 8, 2024 15:04:19 GMT -5 Roc A Bee said:

I’d send the kids with their grandparents and go on a couple trip with DH. Win win!

Mom's generous -- she ain't THAT generous. Lol! After an overnight with my kids she and my dad look like they're a little dead inside (and I absolutely understand haha).

[FastHands]

Feb 8, 2024 16:07:38 GMT -5 Susie said:

Feb 8, 2024 14:28:35 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Kids will be 6 and 10, thinking late April/early May (probably 2025 since we'd need to get passports etc.).

I haven't done any AI trips so I can't help with that, but I did just get passports for my kids this fall.  They were really fast.  We had our appointment at the post office on 10/6, and we had passports in hand in November, no expediting or rush fees.  It was probably 5-6 weeks, about half the published estimate at the time.  Both kids' were first time passports.  

Oh marvelous! Thx.

[FastHands]

Feb 8, 2024 16:17:12 GMT -5 cville said:

Feb 8, 2024 14:40:32 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Just like... zero interest,lol. My H feels the same, but my mom is just the best and I hate raining on her super delightful and generous parade. I just learned my bro is equally unexcited, so we're doing more recon, lol.

Cruises are floating cesspools with lots of walking. Emphasize the walking.

Oooooh bless you. Will add to the powerpoint.

[jinkies]

Feb 8, 2024 15:04:19 GMT -5 Roc A Bee said:

I’d send the kids with their grandparents and go on a couple trip with DH. Win win!

Best suggestion. Way to think outside the box!

Honestly I've stayed at 3 AIs, one of those with my kids who were 5/8 at the time. All of them had plenty to keep most kids busy. With the kids we went to Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana. There was a kids club that they weren't very interested in, but they were perfectly content with the enormous pool and beach. The resort gathered up all the kids on the beach for some low key games every day. There were regular activities in the pool. There was really fun evening entertainment every night. We did one excursion, but could have definitely done more. 

I think virtually any AI that isn't expressly marketed as adults-only is going to have more than enough to keep the average kid happy. 

Having said that, if you would specifically like one that markets heavily to kids, we had to ride past the Nickolodean resort in Punta Cana and it has strong "this is a kid's resort" vibes.

PS: Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic at work so that's actually the reason I opened this thread. I was wondering what a kid-friendly chap gpt would look like LOL.

[ny96]

I would look at the AI food reviews if you go that route. We went to a Westin AI in Costa Rica a couple years ago and the food was pretty awful and although they had a lot of restaurant options it was the same food served everywhere. It really tainted our whole experience and made that part of our trip feel like Groundhog Day.

Also on the passport front, we just renewed DS2’s passport in preparation for a March trip and paid for expedited service. We got the new passport within a week.

[sparkythelawyer]

What about the Disney Hawaii resort? Maybe it gets Grandma enough of the "Disney experience" without cruising?

[Jalapeñomel]

Feb 8, 2024 15:04:19 GMT -5 Roc A Bee said:

I’d send the kids with their grandparents and go on a couple trip with DH. Win win!

Let grandma take them on the cruise! They can send the kids to the kids club and then hang out by the pool. Walla!

Also, I really dislike cruising, but the Disney cruise is the only one I’d go on again, if I had to. My son fucking loved it.

[bex1973]

Feb 8, 2024 16:29:23 GMT -5 jinkies said:

Feb 8, 2024 15:04:19 GMT -5 Roc A Bee said:

I’d send the kids with their grandparents and go on a couple trip with DH. Win win!

Best suggestion. Way to think outside the box!

Honestly I've stayed at 3 AIs, one of those with my kids who were 5/8 at the time. All of them had plenty to keep most kids busy. With the kids we went to Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana. There was a kids club that they weren't very interested in, but they were perfectly content with the enormous pool and beach. The resort gathered up all the kids on the beach for some low key games every day. There were regular activities in the pool. There was really fun evening entertainment every night. We did one excursion, but could have definitely done more. 

I think virtually any AI that isn't expressly marketed as adults-only is going to have more than enough to keep the average kid happy. 

Having said that, if you would specifically like one that markets heavily to kids, we had to ride past the Nickolodean resort in Punta Cana and it has strong "this is a kid's resort" vibes.

PS: Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic at work so that's actually the reason I opened this thread. I was wondering what a kid-friendly chap gpt would look like LOL.

Glad I'm not the only one because - Same LOL And then the head scratching how that related to Disney. I thought they wanted to use Artificial Intelligence to make an argument to avoid Disney!

[FastHands]

Feb 8, 2024 16:29:23 GMT -5 jinkies said:

Feb 8, 2024 15:04:19 GMT -5 Roc A Bee said:

I’d send the kids with their grandparents and go on a couple trip with DH. Win win!

Best suggestion. Way to think outside the box!

Honestly I've stayed at 3 AIs, one of those with my kids who were 5/8 at the time. All of them had plenty to keep most kids busy. With the kids we went to Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana. There was a kids club that they weren't very interested in, but they were perfectly content with the enormous pool and beach. The resort gathered up all the kids on the beach for some low key games every day. There were regular activities in the pool. There was really fun evening entertainment every night. We did one excursion, but could have definitely done more. 

I think virtually any AI that isn't expressly marketed as adults-only is going to have more than enough to keep the average kid happy. 

Having said that, if you would specifically like one that markets heavily to kids, we had to ride past the Nickolodean resort in Punta Cana and it has strong "this is a kid's resort" vibes.

PS: Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic at work so that's actually the reason I opened this thread. I was wondering what a kid-friendly chap gpt would look like LOL.

I legit snorted at the bolded.