1st time cruiser - shore excursions and keeping track of kids About This Page:

[disneyrunningmom]

I have another first timer question... thanks for allowing me to ask so many questions! leaving on the Magic March 6th. Can't wait!
1. shore excursions: is it better to book thru DCL or on our own? I see it can be more expensive thru DCL but less hassle. Thoughts?
2. My DD is 9 and my DS is 12. How do other families keep track of their kids? Walk Talkies? I know there is a pager system for the 9yo, but if both my kids are wandering around checking out the ship, what have others done? I've read the walk talkies can get interference with other walkie talkies and there are "dead spots" on the ships. What have others done?

thanks!!!!!!!!

[Mitch409]

You know your children best but I can tell you how it worked for us. Started cruising son and daughter when they were 11 & 12. We didn't do Disney but Carnival & NCL. The children could be relied upon to stay together. The activities for children was so extensive and structured that their just wandering around was not an issue. There is a schedule of their activities and location that basically covers every waking hour. They even had their own Captain's Party. I am sure that Disney is even more so. They would start out with breakfast with us and dressing for dinner with us at our table was obligatory. We might peak in on them during the day and of course they would be with us on all shore excursions. We also set times to meet us during the day on different occasions. Freedom with structured contact worked well for EVERYBODY.
Mitch

[Papa Mouse]

Just for a little basic background on walkie talkies. They are low powered and their range is very low, in general. This low power is one reason that there are many many places on the ship that have dead spots because the "radio waves" will not penerate walls, etc. that are too thick. etc.

With walkie talkies you almost have to have a line of site. Even something like a tree (on land) can affect it. On ship also being close to engines or the engine room can affect it. Actually due to the low power almost anything can affect the sets.

You are advised, depending upon how many channels you have that some channels cannot be used without a license. If yourr kids only have, let's say, 1 to 4 channels you will not have these channels. If you have as an example 10 or more channels they will have restricted channels. Check the instructions that came with the set.

If these sets had more power we would call them C.B. or Citizen Band. Much higher power would be called "ham operators". Higher power would be up in the police and other emergency frequencies and up again into airlines, etc. and up.

I had two C.B. licenses. The U.S. KQX2004 and Canadian XM11-1737 out of the Vancouver British Columbia, Canada area (not the tourist version) both for legal transmission in both countries. Very few C.B.ers in either country had both licenses.

Either way the kids will basically have to be in the open to talk.

For the C.B.ers---YES I did. You know the question. Answer: 150 watts mobile and base with 5 element horizontal beams and a Super Mag.

[belleandmaddysmom]

My girls are younger than your children. So I did the pager system while they were in the clubs. My 8 year old could have had the ability to sign herself in and out. But, personally, I think that is too young to be able to do that. I guess that is a decision you will have to make for yourself. I don't think I would let her do it at 9 years old either. Also, they loved the clubs so much, they never paged me. I had to drag them out of there!

[Dave Marx]

Booking shore excursions on your own can save you money, but be sure to factor in transportation costs if those are not included by the excursion operator.

A potential risk is that, when you're on your own there's always the chance you'll miss the ship's departure. When booked through DCL, while it's not guaranteed, normally they're not going to depart if a DCL-sponsored shore excursion hasn't returned yet. So, if you book on your own, don't cut things too closely to departure time, whether it's a shore excursion, or exploring on your own. A bus break-down or something similar can add an hour or more to your expected return time.

In some cases, you may find that the cruise lines have booked-up all available space on the shore excursion, so in those cases, you may have little choice but to book with the cruise line.

As to two-way radios, most families don't bother with them. There are other ways to keep track of the kids' whereabouts. Many parents require that the kids leave messages in the stateroom (either on voice mail, or on paper) explaining where they will be. You can also choose specific times and places to meet and touch base. Discuss their plans for when they are not with you, and require them to touch base with you (or leave a message) if they change plans (if you know where you'll be, let them know that, so they can find you). Set ground rules, like "no hanging out in other kids' staterooms," and even list those places they're allowed to hang out without permission (such as kids clubs, Wide World of Sports deck, Goofy Pool area, arcade). As you spend time on the ship you'll get a much better feel for this.

The nice thing about ships is that they're pretty small communities (when compared to theme parks, etc.). It's pretty easy to find folks under most circumstances, and there are thousands of watchful eyes.

[moneyhappy]

I have booked shores excursions both through the cruise line and on my own, Below are a few things I ask myself before I book through the cruise line.

1. How comfortable are you booking at the location (City, Country).
2. Are there a lot of tour options available (doing your research online, etc)
3. How close is the port to your finale tour destination (Like Dave said - transportation cost)
4. How much work do you want to do? Booking your own excursions takes time and coordination, but it will save you money.
5. If you plan to book your own excursion - let the tour company know that you are on a cruise ship and need to be back at x time. If they cannot make it in time. You may want to look at another company.

If you are planning to book your own excursions you may need to start looking, because they do book fast because of the cruise ships. If you go through DCL you would also need to book soon on the DCL website.

DCL allows silver castaway club member (people that have been on 5 or less DCL cruise) 90 days prior to sailing, Gold 105 days and Platinum 120 days.

Good luck in your planning

[disneyrunningmom]

Thanks so much! A lot of great info! And thanks for taking the time to respond! Planning this trip is so much fun, and I think the fun we're going to have on the cruise will be more than I can imagine right now!