CruisinUngs

Patience is not really my thing.  ?

Quick update if anyone is curious: had a rush this AM due to clocks being put ahead and us not setting an alarm. Had North Star at 10 (rescheduled for day 2 due to winds) so we had to drop him in AO and run. Not ideal. My risky decision was to show him the small bag of toys I brought and let him pick what he got if he went. Worked like a charm! He was dropped off with limited whining and was pretty good the whole 45 min we were gone.
AO staff members Cherry, who has been there almost every time, got him to color. She seemed to take 10 min just for him and it helped a lot. Her and Bubbles have been fantastic. 
@Matt telling him he could do what he wanted I think helped. He didn’t feel forced to do the activities and ended up coloring. Thanks!

Nothing to advise, just hope it's getting better for you. My 6 years old did not want to be in AO either and had been like that since he was 3 years old on his first cruise. I just came back from Anthem. We were lucky enough that my in-laws went with us and took care of him 2 nights so we could go to the shows. However, he does like to listen to music at the music hall and dance so all of us stay late one night. 

I'd also recommend telling your son he doesn't have to participate in what the other kids are doing. As an example, he can read quietly or perhaps draw.  The staff is usually pretty good about not forcing all the kids to do the same thing.
Also, during port days, there will be far fewer kids in AO.  That can mean a lot more attention for him by the counselors.

I've had really good AO experiences and not so good AO experiences.  
My biggest suggestion is to take a look at the kids cruise compass and ask him if he would rather do the activities in the am or pm session.  Sometimes having a choice makes him feel like he will be in control and can be more accepting of it. The pirate, face painting and carnivals themes have always been a hit with my child.  Tell him that you will take him there for an hour and if he doesn't cry, you will take him to buy ice cream or whatever positive reward (aka bribe) would work for him.  If that works, then maybe you can build it up to a longer time being gone.  I would keep it to the daytime activities right now as there are less kids in there.  Evening activities can be overwhelming with so many kids and the staff can't quite spend as much time with them.
You have a great attitude.  Good luck!
 

@gabling Glen - can't thank you enough! And absolutely agree about the lengths people will go to on this site to help complete strangers! I can't imagine what cruising would be like without all the hints and tips I've received here.
For all out there - if I can pay Glen's help forward by picking up ornaments, models, etc. on my upcoming cruises (list below) just let me know!

Just to close this post out - ornaments were shipped out and on their way to OP.  Gotta love when strangers connect out of the blue to help one another! This what cruising is all about, making new friends! ?
Glen

@RCVoyager Of course I googled- how could I not lol. The picture is hysterical. It’s such a large group that you really can’t see much but you can definitely tell. 
I think I would do this- but NOT be in the front lol.

“Minute to Win It” was one of my favorite game shows.  So when I found out the Serenade had a version of it called “In 60 Seconds or Less”, I made sure I took part in it.  
They needed two volunteers for the first game so I was was quick to raise my hand to play.  At almost the same time as I did, two kids volunteered too.  I almost backed out to let them play but the game master did not want then playing against each other.  So there I was, lined up against an 11 year old kid. (I felt like a big bully)
The game was knocking cups off a table in 60 seconds or less with air from a balloon we’d inflated.
I was first to play. I managed to knock off 4 of 8 balloons before the time was up.
The boy was down to five cups at about 30-40 seconds on the clock. (I was thinking, “He’s not gonna do it... I don’t want a rematch... I’m gonna win—yeah!!!(with matching fist pump in my mind)”.  But he knocks off one more cup before his time was up.
No rematch ... it was declared a tie!
Here’s the funny thing... it turned out the boy was @bcarney‘s son.

@WAAAYTOOO knows her stuff and liked my post so I am confident I am right. ??

@WAAAYTOOO knows her stuff and liked my post so I am confident I am right. ??

Sailing on her tomorrow for 11 nights. People have told me the 1st full sea day (day 2 for me) and the second to last sea day (day 10 for me).
I can confirm when I am off if others more experienced on here don’t get back to you. 

Ummm, if someone needs to buy luggage when they're already at the airport then I kind of feel like they're doing it wrong. ?
Have a blast! Remember, no matter where you are, it's 5 o'clock somewhere! ?

After 24hrs of travel finally arrived in San juan, hotel is great with a fantastic view, bar right on beach which is great, less distance to travel.
1st drink of the day ( not sure what day it is though lol ) 

Sounds better than my wife so thats a positive straight away lol 
 

Happy belated birthday, PG !!  Dan and I were tricked by a general Kilo drill once.  We did not hear the prior announcement to let everyone know that it was a drill so when the alert went off, we scurried out of our cabin.  It was too funny when we saw everyone casually seated at the Next Cruise desk.  We felt pretty silly.

DAY 6 - Castries, St Lucia

“Dancing Under the Stars” by the Pool

I’m pretending this is MY party

MOUNT LIAMUIGA VOLCANO HIKE on Basseterre, St Kitts

This was a fun extreme way to celebrate a birthday.

Sure thing, glad to share (as the saying goes, there is no point in reinventing the wheel or cruise list ? ? )
I will send you a message - Lynn

BTW, Dan was also a Marine A4 pilot.  Who says girls don’t marry their fathers ?

Thanks!  Looking forward to your blog. Have a great cruise!

What a great, unique blog. Loved your review and feedback. Kudos on completing your trip with it being “almost too much”. Having a young kid “almost” is def a win.
Sitting in the Doubletree in Newark now to embark on an 11 day cruise in Anthem with our four year old (YAY!). I’ll be doing a “not-live” review when I’m back and can hopefully pay it forward with some tips for little ones on that ship.
Welcome home!!

Tony, even though we were on NAV, our cruise experience with The Thanksgiving meal was the same as yours.  Absolutely inedible.  Dan NEVER complains about food.  He will basically eat anything and be happy about it but even he wouldn’t eat it.  There wasn’t one decent bite. Including the nasty pumpkin pie.  Truly dreadful. 

My father was a pilot and he used to tell me that landings are nothing more than controlled crashes.  That is always a reassuring flashback when I am flying...