Who likes cruises more – the parents or the kids ?

Just a few minutes ago, I got off the phone with a client, who had cruise last year, that was planning to take their son, with them this year.  Cool !

The mother was wondering, if she dare take a long cruise, such as 7 nights, or should she consider a shorter cruise first ?  I asked why was she debating on the length of time.  She said, what if he got bored ?

Immediately, I began asking these questions:

Is he a loner ?  No.

Is he outgoing ? Somewhat.

Does he like other kids ?  Yes.

Does he have to be with our 24/7 ?  No.

 

I said, I need not ask any more !

I said, understand, though you are thinking , in general, that this vacation is for you ?  WRONG !

This will be all about your son !  I said, you may see him by the end the cruise !  Seemed as though, she was very pleased to here this, due to her concerns.

I said, and once he gets back to school, it’s going to be all about, “My folks took me on a cruise !”

Her son was 13. I said, he will be able to go to activities on his own.  Come and go.  It will be up to you, to tell him what time you want him to meet up with you.

As far as dinner.  Probably one night, the kids will all eat together, and he will not come to dinner.  And on the other nights, Carnival (this was cruise line they are planning), has an “express dining for kids”, in which, your son is served within 45 minutes, so he can then go be with his friends.

I said, they have activities, like till 10pm and some nights, it’s even later.

 

I said, what is real fun about taking your child, on their first cruise, is watching their eyes and their mouth fly wide open, when they see everything !  It will all be exciting for you too, cause you can’t wait to show them around the ship.  Whether it’s all the food at the buffet, and the fact that they can have 2 deserts, or all the lights in the casino, or all the places on the ship where you can go.

Well, that’s all the conversation it took.  Her question back to me was, “Do you think maybe we should choose a longer cruise ” !

Most definitely yes !  Not only do you need the longest you can get.  Your child is going to get all involved with their new friends, and they too, are not going to want to leave !  And when you get home, all they are going to be saying is, “When are we going again !”.

I said, Matter of fact, on Royal Caribbean ships in Fla (and other locations), families are repeating the same ships over and over, because, the kids want to go back !

 

So parents may think they have fun .... But kids have more !