Roll Call

[misty]

Hi was wondering if anyone is cruising on Jan19/08 Eastern Caribbean and if so are you Traveling with Children/
We are Going on this Cruise with our 3 kids they are 10,12,13 . We are really excited. This is my third Cruise but first with Carnival and with my kids.

 

[sunrise]

Re: Roll Call/carnival Jan 19

Hi,
We have done 3 Carnival cruises with a kid. Absolutely loved every one of them. Camp Carnival is tops and much loved. We take the tip off the kid's ticket at the beginning since she doesn't want to eat in the dining area with us, and give it to the camp counselors at the end of the trip.
We love the security with no one being able to sign them out that didn't sign them in, the beeper they give you to signal you to come quick if they need anything, etc. Your 13 year old will be able to sign him/herself out with your permission. Your kids won't want to get off the ship. Being preteen and teen, they will have their own groups and bond quickly and easily. They will have so much to do, you will be lucky to drag them away. Unlike a lot of elderly (I'm nearly 70), I love seeing kids on a cruise. Yes, they get rowdy away from the home structure, but so does any kid at camp. They are testing their wings and they are LIVING. They are testing out behaviors and GROWING in knowledge. Just give the standard lecture about the ship being only as safe as they make it, the same rules about strangers, going anywhere alone with crew or anyone else is a no-no. I have seen security rein in some rowdies from time to time who were dashing around making scenes and being annoying, but as soon as they got on the intercoms to the parents they were a little less puffed up. One of my fav. memories on a cruise was seeing 4 kids about the age of yours sitting with their backs to the cabin corridor walls and hearing them say things like "So, what's it like in Germany?"

Have a great trip!

 

[misty]

Thanks for your advice and I like your outlook on kids on cruises because my Dad thinks were nuts for taking our kids with us.

 

[Cruzman]

Just curious, how did you manage to get the kids excused from school in January?

 

[misty]

LOL I haven't managed anything I will just call the school the week priorand let them know they will be away for a week . We don't need to get any kind of permissions for our schools here . I just arrange homework and stuff for before and after our return.My hubby and I view this as educational. Actually one of kids teacher has said the homework for her is to take pictures to show the class about the different areas we are visiting.

 

[sunrise]

(Excerpted) "Thanks for your advice and I like your outlook on kids on cruises because my Dad thinks were nuts for taking our kids with us."
Posted by: misty (Explore, Dream, Discover) October 06, 07:46PM

Maybe he knows your kids better than we do. Take my wife....please do, joke.

We can't imagine a cruise without them. I can lie around a deck and drink only so long (like five minutes), prance around to show off my new clothes, strike poses at the pool and take over an hour to get ready for formal night, but it's all blah, blah, blah. That's all me, me, me. They will keep you out of your room (thank God), make each moment fresh and memorable since the trip won't just be a big blur; EX: Remember when baby girl made us get her pizza at 2AM? If your aim for a cruise is still to have a "shipboard" romance, drink until you can't stand up any more, just lay on a chair and get a tan, show off your new clothes, unwind from the work grind by vegetating, I say get off the duff mate (or pay more for a real luxury cruise), and recharge your batteries with kids. Most people are so focused on themselves and their own needs they miss it. I think most people go through life as if they were the ones in the playpen and they use it to keep everything at a distance. That's why they don't like kids around. It takes their focus off themselves. (Go away, I want to relax on this lounge chair). Kids are in your face. Kids are, kids are, well, your eyes, ears and a fresh mind. They're a hell of a lot of trouble and it's that trouble that keeps you on your feet in life. Sure they run around the ship and create rudeness from time to time. But they aren't even aware you're there, they'e too into it. They're passionate! Look and listen the next time you're near kids on a cruise, they are always plotting their next move and trying to drag their friends into it. They'll beg, plead and try to bribe their buddies to go along.

I work only with seriously handicapped children who usually can't even sit up, move their limbs, or use language, and I think it's a grave offense when we act the same way. To see a child laugh and run around is a great, great joy. That lounge chair and latest novel can wait. This cruise let someone ahead of you in line, you won't miss a meal; pick up a piece of trash; smile; don't keep getting annoyed. This cruise focus on other people instead of yourself. Watch them, listen to them. Be generous. Clap for the piano players.It will be the best cruise of your life.

I guess that's why kids love their grannies and pop-pops. They make time for them.

If I didn't have a kid, I'd pay their ticket to take one with me.

Sunrise in Louisiana