1st cruise with 3 kids! Help!!

[gpgirl]

I have booked a cruise for myself, DH, and 3 kids (ages 15, 11, 7) on Royal Caribbean Independence of Seas for 6 nights. None of us have been on a cruise before.

 

I get seasick which is why I have never cruised!! Not major but once it starts...never goes away until I hit land!!

 

Our cabin is midship on Deck 8. Is this a better place for seasickness?

 

Also, for those that have been on Independence or similar Royal cruises were there plenty of activities on board? I ask this because there are not waterslides on Independence....there is a splash park.....but no slides. I know this sounds trivial but my kids (and DH) love waterslides.

 

Any other tips? Any positives or negatives regarding this class of ship with Royal Caribbean?

 

Thank you so much for your help!

[Cruising Golfer]

Find some ginger candy for your seasickness. Good location for less motion.

Not to worry you will be fine... Enjoy!!!:cool:

[Essiesmom]

If yu have never been of a cruise, how do you know about seasickness? A huge cruise ship is nothing like a small sailboat or motorboat, if that is your point of reference.

The six day itinerary of Indy calls at Grand Cayman, which is a tender port. this means that the ship does not dock, but ferries you ashore in smaller boats, or tenders. If your point of reference is small boats, this might be the only time you would experience seasickness. but the ride is only 10-20 minutes. EM

Edited February 6, 2015 by Essiesmom

[gpgirl]

If yu have never been of a cruise, how do you know about seasickness? A huge cruise ship is nothing like a small sailboat or motorboat, if that is your point of reference. EM

 

I have heard that a huge cruise ship is nothing like a small boat or motorboat. I am fine on jet skis (because they are open and moving most of the time). I went on a "casino" cruise in GA many years ago....was incredibly sick the entire time....lost my dinner over the side of the ship!! Yes, much smaller than huge cruise ship, however, being enclosed is what is making me most nervous.

[KKB]

But you could ask your doc for a seasickness patch to wear preventatively. I used it the first couple cruises, but decided to forget it after that.

There are seabands you wear (accupuncture points), you can buy bonine over the counter if it hits--but green apples, ginger ale, fresh air & looking right at the horizon will help.

Mid ship, lower rooms feel the least movement. You are mid ship, but about mid level--you won't feel much.

I agree tendering runs you the biggest chance of actual seasickness.

I noticed that having a few cocktails always helped!:rolleyes:(not TOO many...)

There is always plenty to do on a cruise. Our kids always like the pool, the beach & the kids club best. They also loved dinner--they liked dressing up (ONLY for dinner-they always change right after!:p), the attentive service, being able to try new things (or get EXACTLY the same thing every night as my oldest is so picky).

[RSLeesburg]

Indy has flow rider, rock climbing wall, sports court, ice skating ring, and H2O zone. I think there will be plenty to keep them busy.

 

 

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[dolita22]

We cruised the Indy last year for 8 nights. There's lots to do on the ship - Flowrider, pools (there are separate kids' and adults' pools, IIRC), shows, etc. We really enjoyed the ice skating show. Your kids won't be bored!

 

If you get any adult-only time, we so enjoyed the hot tubs in the Solarium that hang over the side of the ship. Missed those on our NCL Epic cruise in January!

 

For seasickness, we take along a small bag of seasick remedies, but have yet to use them.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Cruisin' Chick]

I'm the one in this family that suffers from motion sickness (I have trouble even trying to read a map in a moving car) so I bring a ton of ginger -- Altoids, candied ginger, ginger chews. But if you are on any medication, you should ask your doctor for recommendations for remedies as you don't want to take something that is contraindicated (for example, if you are on blood thinners, don't take ginger).

 

Try out various remedies ahead of time on land to make sure you don't get side effects (many OTC will make me drowsy even if the box says non-sedating). Take along a few types of remedies, just in case one doesn't take care of the problem, but it could be possible you won't even be bothered. Midship cabins are best, definitely avoid far forward cabins.

[GUT2407]

My wife gets a tad seasick, she swears by Ginger and ginger tea, but your doctor can give you even stronger remedies.

 

Do you have a balcony, OV or inside cabin, from what you have said you mght be better off with at least a Balcony.

[KKB]

My wife gets a tad seasick, she swears by Ginger and ginger tea, but your doctor can give you even stronger remedies.

 

Do you have a balcony, OV or inside cabin, from what you have said you mght be better off with at least a Balcony.

 

DH & I found we were not seasick unless we tried looking out at the ocean!

 

Actually, balcony rooms are nearly always higher & always on the exterior of a ship where movement is felt the most.

 

That being said, fresh air can be helpful if one is seasick.

 

One thing I like better about balconies is that the bed is nearly always set up head/foot aft/bow (or reverse)--so the natural side to side movement of the ship (barely noticeable when you are awake) is similar to the movements of a cradle. Rocks me right to sleep. Interior/OV often have the beds lined up port/starboard, so you rock head to toe...NOT quite the same!:rolleyes: