Conference moira::parenting

    RCCL has an excelent program for young children.  The program is set up
    in such away that parents can have time to see the shows while the kids
    are being handled by the childrens programs.
    
    My daughter, at the time only 6, had a wonderful time on the RCCL ship
    SoS.  If memory is correct the kids programs had morning, afternoon,
    and evening sessions.  Did everything from arts and crafts to ice cream
    social.

    Is RCCL, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines?
    
    Also, has anyone taken a child on a cruise who has problems with motion
    sickness?  Last week we vacationed in the local California mountains.
    We traveled one evening between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear which is a
    25 mile mountain route.  Our almost 5 year old son, threw up 4 times.
    I had given him a half tablet of Dramamine (recommended dose) and it 
    still didn't seem to help.  That was an evening drive.  The next day we
    had to travel the same road (with meds) and he was nauseated but never
    got sick.
    
    We really want to take the kids on a cruise next year but the thought
    of a spending the week with a sick boy doesn't appeal to me at all.
    
    Jodi-
     

    We took our twin boys (aged 22 mos. at time of cruise) and our 4 1/2
    year old daughter on the Premier Cruise Lines Big Red Boat.  It's
    associated with DisneyWorld and goes from Cape Canaveral to Nassau for
    3 or 4 days.  You can get a package (which we did) that includes
    DisneyWorld passes and accommodations for the remaining 4 or 3 days
    (total of one week).
    
    They had a full-day's day camp on board, and they did things with the
    kids at night.  Our two youngest were too young for the program, but
    our older one enjoyed it.  However, I think the program is more geared
    to the 6 - pre-teen than to even four year olds.
    
    Others I know have taken the same cruise more than once because the
    kids enjoyed it so much.

I suffered SEVERELY from motion sickness as a child.  Everytime we went for 
more than an hour in the car I got sick, no matter how much Dramamine I took.
It always resulted in several days in bed assuring that I missed the entire
vacation.

However, I never had any problems on boats (except on a hydrofoil once when I
was pregnant).  My brother, on the other hand, who never got car sick, was in
the navy on a wooden minesweeper which didn't have stabilizers.  He was sick
the whole time.

One hint that wouldn't work over here but worked very well in the U.S. is to 
have the person who gets ill ride in the front seat of the car.  They should 
look out the front of the car and not out of the sides.  Once my parents put me
in the front seat, I had very little problem.  Of course my seven brothers and
sisters who had to ride in the back seat weren't too happy but it's better than
riding in a smelly car :-)

Cheryl

    We took Kat on a regular cruise when she was 6 -- there were only
    a couple of kids on board, but she had a great time anyway.  In
    fact, we all had such a good time that we went again a year later.  
    
    --bonnie

    
    
    Try KOALA::CRUISE_TRAVEL for more information.
    
    Also I have seen advertised wrist bands for 
    children used to prevent motion sickness on
    pressure points. 
    
    The cruise we took last year there were 
    several people using them and said they worked.
    Dramamine (sp) causes drowsiness and a very dry
    mouth.    
    
    Jeanne
    

    I agree with .3
    
    I personally would do a 3 or 4 day cruise with a side trip to Disney.
    My wife and I went on a cruise for a honeymoon, back a few moons ago.
    We had no kid at the time, but they (Carnival) had plenty of activities
    for the kids. Kite flying off the back of the boat, Roger Rabbit
    playing in the theatre, ect...
    
    You'll have a great time!!!!!
    
                                            Jeff
    

    Just a quick question on this, *if* we considered a cruise with my
    non-stop hurricane, is there any provisions for sitters?
    
    The idea, and prices sound apealing, however I want a break, and even a
    meal without my "charmin'child", and even the opportunity to stay up
    late for a show or dancing.  Do they provide services after the "kids'
    day camp" thing?
    
    Lyn

    Some do and some don't.  I think "do" is the norm, but sometimes
    you have to make the appointment for the sitter almost as soon as 
    you get on board, or take your chances.  And it costs quite a bit. 
    Cruise lines do differ, so ask specifically before you put down
    any deposits.  
    
    Also, ask about special activities on a particular cruise.  If
    you're going during a school vacation week, they may have kids'
    activities when they ordinarily don't. 
    
    The second cruise we took Kat on had a couple of special evening
    events that ran concurrently with some of the adult events, so we
    delivered her to the kids' party and then we went to the adult
    party.  And since the movie theater was just down the hall, we'd
    let her go to the movie without us while we stayed in the cabin,
    and, uh, took a nap, yeah, that's it, caught up on our, uh, 
    sleep. :)
    
    --bonnie

    I mentioned this note to my sister who recently took a vacation in 
    Florida, 3 day cruise etc.  Her children are 4, 6 and 7.  The 4 year
    old is not yet in school nor has ever attended day care which may be 
    the reason why she cried the entire time my sister left her in the care
    of others aboard the ship.  She absolutely refused to go to the daycare
    after that.  It may have been a combination of being left with others,
    out on the ocean and the excitement of everything else.  They had many
    activities for the older kids and my sister felt that they were
    constantly on the go trying to keep up with everything.
    
    In other words it was not a very good vacation and she believes it
    would be best to wait till they are a little older.
    
    the first night.
    
    old has never been to any daycare before which may have caused the pro so after the first night on 
    board the ship she refused to go to the