Disappointedmom

80% disaster, would never do it again even if I was paid. We were looking for a fun family vacation to bond together with shared family memories through fun activities and there was very little that my entire family could do together within the sleep schedule kids naturally require. The needs of the young children were more than difficult to fulfill with the many restrictions and lack of proper accomodations. The trip was exhausting because of how complicated the ships many different schedules, rules, hidden rules, regulations, physical restrictions, waivers, lines, lines, and more lines. There were blockages for a wheel chair or stroller everywhere we went which slowed us down horribly. With how many lawn chairs and cleaning carts we had to move, we should have worked for the boat. Everything I paid for in advance was either broken or poorly managed with hidden problems like food, drinks, soda, Jamaica excursion timeline and the endless lines and last minute restrictions on 80% of everything we tried. However if I made a mistake like: want to swim with my toddlers from 7-9pm or in the same place as my other children, do an activity or show with all 6 of us without waiting 60+ minutes, turn my towel into housekeeping instead of on the pool deck at two specific places, keep alcoholic beverages away from my kids at the pool and hot tub, get help at guest services before waiting 40 min in line, find a place outside our room all four kids could play together for 30 minutes that didnt require 100% of my attention to keep them from violating ANOTHER silly rule or running into alcohol or tobacco use, find 2 diapers the last evening of the trip (I actually had to beg random parents to get 2 diapers, done at the request of guest services, and shop keepers), get my stroller with two sleeping babies through the hall to my room, get help learning how the ship works and where to go for what my family needs, let my 3 year old who is professionally trained at rock climbing, climb with her brothers, checking babies and toddlers in and out of child care in under 40 minutes, Then I was treated strictly and unforgivingly and turned away. It was more than frustrating, and overwhelming trying to care for the basic needs of my family which made it very difficult to have fun. The ship is not for families because it is unforgiving, and unaccomodating to the basic nerds of little ones. 7 different families complained to me about there concerns as well when they struggled with the same concerns I did. The ship is Unacceptable for families 80% of the time and I was extreemly disappointed is how I would describe this experience. While on the ship, I felt more like I was cattle being herded and pushed in the direction they wanted rather than a family on a trip to build lasting memories together. Of our entire 3 week family vacation in Orlando, including the cruise, the 6 days on the ship were by far the least memory building/ bonding, or fun experience for my family. Sad because I had wanted to try a cruise since I was young and my hubby and I worked overtime many many weekends to try this cruise but after this experience I have absolutely no desire to go on another cruise ever again. The kids liked the endless pizza and ice cream they could have had if I had let them have more than 3 ice cream cones or pizza slices a day. We paid for surf lessons which were really fun and went as described and expected, the zip line, pool, and minigolf were great for my hubby and older kids. The toddlers enjoyed the ever after on ice, glass elevators, and the carousel. The rest had potential to be fun but was thwarted by rules, restrictions, and lines. Wish I would have known in advance this cruise is not for families with young children they want to spend time with, not drop at child care or split apart 80% of the time.