To let grandparents take 9yo on cruise

Absolutely no way. She'd need to be watched like a hawk in the swimming pools and many grandparents just aren't up to it. Many are, obviously, but you've said your MIL isn't. I'd also be worried about her falling over the side into the sea or getting taken into someone's cabin in the blink of an eye. Not worth it, no way.

Why can’t MIL be trusted?
What is it exactly that is the problem.

Personally I’d have a number of issues with my 9yo DD going abroad with relatives, especially a cruise. But your exact concerns are probably what matters.

Say no. If you can't guarantee that she will be properly supervised on the ship, it isn't safe to let her go.

Have you actually been on a cruise.do you think it is only octogenarians who go on Disney cruises.
There are 2000 lbq on a virgin cruise in Turkey at the moment.why do cruises have kids clubs.i hate massive generalisations

Tell me you've never been on a cruise ...

Have you seen some of the cruise ships? Children love them as there are kids clubs with activities all day not to mention the pool, waterpark, climbing ropes, go karting, tenpin bowling, unlimited snacks, drinks, ice cream etc.

🤣😆🤣😆🤣😆🤣

How to say you’ve never been on a family friendly cruise without actually saying it.

Yabu to let her go.

Yanbu to keep her with you...

Go with them, 9 is the absolute perfect age for Royal Caribbean.

Yeah totally, the water slides, free kids club, Lego pop ups, mascots, kids competitions and special kids buffet areas, arcades and cinema screenings were RAMMED with…..kids…. Not old people. I’ve always seen LOADS of kids on cruises because oddly, plenty of them are aimed at kids and families. And they might not be up your street but plenty of people love it.

Now look, I have never been on a cruise. So I am no authority. But this description doesn’t fit the accounts I have had from a good friend who LOVES cruising. It doesn’t sound oppressive.
but hey - I have never been because the prices when I can go (peak times) are sky high. My friend cruises outside of peak times on great deals. Someone who knows more than me may jump in here.

At 9 I wouldn't be so worried about her safety, presuming she is sensible she shouldn't need eyes on her every second. Even in the water park most kids that age are usually allowed freedom to go on the slides themselves and so on. Some people are answering as if she's 5 or 6 not 9!

The dynamics are more problematic though, if your husband isn't keen I don't think I'd be trying to persuade him, it's undermining.

Believe me, you’re so wrong 🤣🤣🤣

Because you'd be trapped on a boat in the middle of the ocean for days, with some weird, sad, horrible people, with no escape 🤣🤣🤣

Why not?

Have you even seen what facilities there are for children on Royal Caribbean ships? It’s a child’s paradise!

No I wouldn't be seen dead on a Cruise 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Disney ship???? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@irishchick93
We too DSS on a cruise years ago with MIL and FIL, so four adults and an 8 yr old.

It was a nightmare, trying to keep an eye on him, he was obsessed with climbing on the rails to look over, I had visions of him toppling into the water, it wasn't a holiday, it was literally "all hands on deck" watching DSS.

There was plenty to do for him but the boat was huge, even him skipping ahead was giving me heart palpitations 😉

MIL/FIL couldn't be left to watch him as they weren't quick enough to keep up with him, I recall DSS saying he was going to the toilet and taking off with FIL in hot pursuit, I'd given up at this point, DSS came back but FIL was still looking for him 30 mins later😀

Tbh DSS wasn't naughty, just a regular 8 yr old boy interested in everything, enjoying exploring his new environment with the gusto of a little boy.

If other DC are joining your In laws on the cruise do you think your DD will be allowed to go off with them, if so, I definitely wouldn't be happy with that.

It would be a no from me in your position

You clearly haven't checked out the facilities on cruise ships recently. Some of them have so much for kids to do

Absolutely this. It would be a hard no from me.

Has your daughter ever stayed at her grandparents house for a full weekend alone? If not she might struggle being away from home for a week? Will she even like being on a cruise ship? (I have one who hates being on ferries or ships of any kind and one who's quite happy on water!) I agree with PPs that as parents you need to be united in your decisions.

‘Old persons holiday’? Maybe they’re booking a Disney ship or Celebrity Cruiseline. You’ve never been on a cruise?

Given the family dynamic I would say no. It's fine for DD to wait until you can all afford to go together as a family, before she travels abroad.

You do not trust that your ILs will do their absolute best to keep her safe - so she doesn’t go . It’s really no more complicated than that - follow your gut

A friend had let her in laws take her two boys on an annual cruise since they were younger than nine. They loved it. But they all get on well and I think the PILs both do the care together. I don’t think they do things separately they all did activities together.
What dyes your DD think or have you not told her?

When it comes to things like this, if both parents don’t agree, the child doesn’t go.

Letting your child go away with family for a week is a pretty big deal to most people and both parents have to be in agreement.

From what you have said, I wouldn’t feel safe sending my child.