Will MIL be bored on Wonder?

[frani]

We may be taking MIL on our 2/6 Wonder cruise - kids are 9 & 12. We will be celebrating my DD's 9th b-day the day we board so we thought it would be memorable for her to have grandma on board. My concern is if the kids are in the clubs all the time & DH & I are doing stuff, will MIL be bored or will there be other grandparents she could mingle with.

It is very expensive for her to go as a single, so I want to make sure it's something she'd enjoy.

Comments from those who cruised with grandparents!

[momofmeg]

I went with my hubby and 20 year old daughter and I had a good time. I did spend some time alone but we did a lot the 3 of us or 2 of us together also. There were 2 nice lounges-the Cadillac a piano bar and route 66 a dance club with band. Both were adults only. There is also a nice pool and hot tub area that is adults only. As far as seeing a lot of older people alone-no I did not see that.

50% of the passengers were like under 15 so there were TONS of kids. The kid's and family pools were super crowded. I actually felt the fact we were 3 adults with no childrens that we had a better time then most. In fact I have read many posts here that those who came with children were disapointed in Disney.

Since your situation is unique from most of those who post here- why don't you go to disboards.com and post this question. That messageboard is just for Disney fanatics and gets a lot more traffic then this board does at cruisecritic.

[Druke I]

You didn't state your MIL's age - but my wife and I, both in our 60s, took a Disney cruise without kids or grandkids, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Unless she is the type who HAS to be entertained, I am sure she will find plenty to do.

Disney has very good separation of age groups for those who want to be separate.

[frani]

MIL is 71 but very fit - she teaches line dancing at her senior center. But she just lost her husband 2 years ago (after 50 yrs. of marriage) & does not like being alone!!!!

[momofmeg]

MIL is 71 but very fit - she teaches line dancing at her senior center. But she just lost her husband 2 years ago (after 50 yrs. of marriage) & does not like being alone!!!!

Frani have you ever thought of her sharing the stateroom with the kiddies and then you and hubby having a stateroom to yourselves? She may would enjoy the cruise more and you and hubby could have more time to yourselves. That way you two could still do things with her but also have some couple time.

We have taken my mother inlaw with us on a cruise nine months after my father inlaw died ( Pacific Princess in 2002 to Bermuda) but we did not leave her to entertain herself all day. We did things together all of us-hubby did a thing or 2- just the 2 of them, my daughter did a couple of things with her and even I and her went shopping together just the 2 of us and we also went to the paino bar together once or twice for a drink and also we saw a movie together on ship, the 2 of us. No we did not stay with her constantly but we made sure she was not left alone all day or evening the whole cruise. She and my daughter shared a stateroom so hubby and I had plenty of time to ourselves.

I am sure your MIL can find things to entertain herself-just be sure that you do plan to do some things with her-especially since your FIL just recently died. This is a rough time for her. My FIL will be dead 3 years the end of this month and it is still hard for my MIL who is 70.

[logan1_2000]

Then she will be able to love DCL. It is for the young at heart, and many of the "princesses" at the character signings are really from a past age of Disney, the classic Cinderella and Snow White icons. I wish I could get my mother, a 69 year old widow, to join us, early 40's, and our soon to be 9 yr old son, but she is a snobby HAL junkie and dislikes beaches, so there goes the DCL itinerary!

I think there is much to enjoy, and the adults only pool, clubs including a peaceful piano bar in the evening, and the new cove cafe (I hope I got the name right--that has been since my last cruise) make for nice experiences, and Disney Dreams production show makes everyone feel good (except for those who have no soul).

And a second recommendation to try the DisBoards.com site--lots of info, and very biased in many cases as the posters are mostly pathological Disney Cruise fans...like me...

[frani]

Thanks everyone for your input - I'm sure she'll have fun!

[kshabare]

My son is 10. I hope I live to be a grandmother and he repays me for the 4 I've already taken him on (and another booked in February). My mother and my MIL have both been. They were in their 60s and had a good time. When we weren't all together laughing and being silly they went on their own and had fun. If nothing else there is enough room on that ship for them to communicate with grown ups their age who enjoy life. Tell her to bring a nice book (or puzzle book) and if she gets overwhelmed to go to deck 4 in the shade or to find the secret balcony on deck 7 that rarely anyone goes.

BTW, the first night I recommend you sneaking a Mickey bar to her at the end of dinner. That should put a smile on her face.

Kim