Just Back...and I really wanted to drink the DCL Kool-Aid

[YayDisney]

Crap we are doing our first cruise on the dream and have stateroom #7682 and I have no idea how any of my family members will handle the sea at all.....now I am worried we are in for sleepless nights possibly? How does one know how they will be affected on a cruise prior to sailing? Maybe aft is no bueno

We sailed aft on the Dream for our first cruise as well. I felt absolutely no different than being in midship. The next cruise was on the magic midship and my DD and DH felt a little sea sick - both of them have trouble reading in cars, riding simulator rides, watching home movies. . . . I don't know if there is a link, but it seems to be if you have trouble with that kind of thing, you might be more prone to sea sickness. Honestly, I wouldn't think too much about it anymore but if you can't put it out of your mind, try taking sea bands just in case. I am bringing some for this cruise to see how they work.

 

[steves100]

There were calm seas, but MAJOR vibration all night and MAJOR noise from the cabinetry in the room. There were points when I thought the ceiling was going to fall in.

Where was your room?

 

[steves100]

I know that speech is coming. The first time they start it, I let them have their say. Then I tell them, "OK, you've given your speech, now, if I hear it again, there will be no excellent rating given". And if they continue to push the issue on a subsequent night, I then escalate to the head server. Only had to do that once. The server stopped.

We have NEVER had anyone EVER tell us to rate them excellent, guess we are just lucky. We did rate some less then good, and know for fact she didn't get promoted because of it. Her boss was the old Palo manager and knew us quite well, he wanted our HONEST opinion....

 

[minnie4ever]

I have been to WDW and DL many times, have stayed Deluxe, moderate and yes the POP(cause sometimes I just need a bed and a shower for a couple of days on property for cheap)
I went on my first ABD solo last year, was a bit apprehensive, but had a great time and made some new Disney friends. Naturally when I decided to do a solo cruise, it would be ...yes...Disney! I am doing the 15 day transatlantic next May on the Magic. I have no expectations (have done 4 cruises on other lines)other than the reports that the Magic is a wonderful ship. But Disney is Disney, sometimes there is pixie dust everywhere and sometimes the Villians show up but all in all the Disney brand is what we all love....right??

 

[Madiaka]

I'm one of those that seems to come up with only small differences in numbers, so maybe I am comparing apples to oranges, as some have suggested. Let's make this simple. If I'm taking an RCCL Caribbean cruise (not sure which ship it is) and I want something that compares to a 4A on Fantasy, what stateroom classification should I be looking at?

Thanks.

The price differences are greater for those that cruise during peak season when school is out.

June 2017 Disney Fantasy deluxe oceanview verandah $6,495 for 2a1k(5) - stateroom 9664 - 7A, I think.

June 2017 Allure of the Seas
$4,171 Superior Oceanview Balcony - D3 or D4 - only 10 sq feet less than Disney.

Note: the Disney Fantasy was discounted 10% for booking onboard the Wonder and includes $100 OBC. And yes, I booked within 8 days of opening day prices, and the price for that category had not changed. No charges that Royal has will make up for that price difference. Same basic itinerary - western. Departure Date - Only 1 day apart.

 

[Shanti]

Crap we are doing our first cruise on the dream and have stateroom #7682 and I have no idea how any of my family members will handle the sea at all.....now I am worried we are in for sleepless nights possibly? How does one know how they will be affected on a cruise prior to sailing? Maybe aft is no bueno

I easily get motion sickness, yet had no problems on my first ever cruise sailing the Bahamas on deck 6 aft of the Magic. Brought Dramamine, expecting to practically OD on it, but never needed it.

I will always bring seasickness medication on a cruise just in case, however.

 

[kickash]

Oh, I get it about the flexing thing. As soon as I figured out that's what all those sounds were, my mind really doesn't fixate on them any more. As I said, I was very pleasantly surprised how quiet our room on the Magic was under calm seas (we've been on ships where the rooms creaked even on calm seas). And when we hit the rough seas, wasn't put out by the noises that ensued.

I was not happy, much like the OP here, with the vibration issue on the Fantasy when we were on her.

I hope they can fix it ---- soon.

We just got off of the Fantasy on Saturday and we were deck 6 aft and holy cow the vibrations! It was insane! We eventually got used to it, but the first half of our trip was really moving!

 

[blondietink]

We feel the same way after our first DCL cruise. It was horrible and I actually wanted to kiss the ground when we finally got off the ship in home port. We are seasoned cruisers from other lines and thought on DCL the food was mediocre, the crew was just so-so, the noise was over the top and it was way too crowded. I will give it props for the shows, though. Not worth more than double the price and in the case of the upcoming DVC member cruise, triple the price of other lines for the same itinerary. We will only consider going on another DCL ship if it is a double dip at Castaway Cay, but it will have to be at a very competitive price.

 

[kimberwee]

Where was your room?

It was on deck 8, midship

 

[mevelandry]

We feel the same way after our first DCL cruise. It was horrible and I actually wanted to kiss the ground when we finally got off the ship in home port. We are seasoned cruisers from other lines and thought on DCL the food was mediocre, the crew was just so-so, the noise was over the top and it was way too crowded. I will give it props for the shows, though. Not worth more than double the price and in the case of the upcoming DVC member cruise, triple the price of other lines for the same itinerary. We will only consider going on another DCL ship if it is a double dip at Castaway Cay, but it will have to be at a very competitive price.

I'm curious, what other cruise lines have you been on? (That you enjoyed more than DCL?)

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

I don't think the size of the room and the placement on the ship makes the comparison apples to apples. Just today someone asked me when we sail with Disney is it the same "magic" that the parks have. . . I said YES. Absolutely. For me at least. There is just a "feel" that isn't there with other cruise lines, in the same way that there is a feel in Disney parks that isn't there in other theme parks (which are also fun, but just different). On DCL, aside from the Disney touches everywhere, I love that there is no casino and that the main focus on a DCL cruise is kids/family. That is the differentiating factor for me. The entertainment is mainly family oriented, the games and activities incorporate kids and parents all the time - like the game shows with the parent and child playing together. Generally speaking, the Crew go out of their way to recognize the kids at every opportunity. They just make kids feel so special.

I may be totally off on this because I have not cruised with kids on other lines and wasn't watching out for kid stuff. Maybe if I had cruised with kids I would more easily see some of the "kid" friendly stuff on other lines, but objectively speaking, I never felt on other lines that kids were the focus at all. You can't escape that "feel" on DCL.

If we were just looking for a cruise or a vacation or a certain type of room or itinerary, then money maybe would be the most determinative factor and the comparisons would be more apples to apples. But when we do a cruise with DCL, we do it for the whole experience - not just for a cruise. Just my two cents.

THIS! Yes. I totally agree. There is just something incredibly magical about a DCL Cruise. I have priced out the other cruise lines and there is no question that I could save hand over fist if I was willing to sacrifice the Disney "magic", and I am sure once my kids are grown, I undoubtedly will take some cruises on lines that not Disney because of this. It is the cost that prohibits us from taking a cruise often. We took the Magic in Feb. 2015, our next one is booked for Sept. 2017 and the one after that is planned for April of 2021. That will likely be the last DCL cruise with a kid under 18. We supplement our family vacations with other trips on the years in between, but because we love DCL so much with our kids, we want them to have that while they are kids. They will have their whole lives to try other things, but you can only be a kid on Disney for a short period of your life...so I pay the piper to give them that. Everyone has their own priorities though, and their own opinions of what has "worth" and what doesn't.
I'm sure many people think we are crazy for spending the money we are on this cruise (my DH included...LOL), but many also think we are strange because we are driving to the Port (only an hour from home) on September 10th to have dinner at Fishlips and watch the Fantasy leave port exactly one year to our departure. It makes us happy though. And that is what matters. We will know that next year, that will be us.

 

[mmouse37]

I still never get that some people think the food is just so so. Heck, I am not shopping for it, prepping it, serving it or cleaning it up. It would have to be really bad for me not to enjoy it. This last cruise on the Fantasy had one menu I did not care for but the rest was great. We dine in very nice
places at home but I don't see the food being mediocre onboard. Everyone is different I guess.

I also go to the main stage show all the time. Have seen them all numerous times and still enjoy them!!

This trip ws a sandwich...We did 3 days in the parks and I couldn't wait to get on the ship. We did 3 days in the parks after the ship and wished I was still onboard. I love WDW but think the cruise is much more fun. I hate all the prep work it takes to enjoy WDW now. And again I will never go to WDW in August. It was just too dang hot!

MJ

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I still never get that some people think the food is just so so. Heck, I am not shopping for it, prepping it, serving it or cleaning it up. It would have to be really bad for me not to enjoy it. This last cruise on the Fantasy had no menu I did not care for but the rest was great. We dine in very nice
places at home but I don't see the food being mediocre onboard. Everyone is different I guess.

I also go to the main stage show all the time. Have seen them all numerous times and still enjoy them!!

MJ

My goal on our last cruise was to make it to Cabanas for dinner one night. But, sadly, I'm still not tired of the MDRs and didn't make it.

While there have been individual items on different menus that I didn't like, I feel the food is great. At least it's good enough for me.

Maybe that's why I don't see the wisdom of going to Remy. Spending that much for a dining "experience" when I'm still enjoying the "pedestrian" offerings in the MDRs seems such a waste.

Only show I regularly won't go see is Toy Story, and it's going away. Didn't really care for Believe, but I'd see it again. Villains - I'd have to think about it, I might go again, I might not.

 

[mmouse37]

My goal on our last cruise was to make it to Cabanas for dinner one night. But, sadly, I'm still not tired of the MDRs and didn't make it.

While there have been individual items on different menus that I didn't like, I feel the food is great. At least it's good enough for me.

Maybe that's why I don't see the wisdom of going to Remy. Spending that much for a dining "experience" when I'm still enjoying the "pedestrian" offerings in the MDRs seems such a waste.

Only show I regularly won't go see is Toy Story, and it's going away. Didn't really care for Believe, but I'd see it again. Villains - I'd have to think about it, I might go again, I might not.

Yeah, Villains is out for me (and I love all the Villains but the show is bleh). I hate the screeching in Toy Story. I can't wait to see Tangled on the Magic on the TA next month and then again on the Magic out of NY in October!!! I know I will love it.

We did Cabanas for dinner a few nights on the Panama Canal cruise and enjoyed it, but I still enjoy going to the MDR. Will never do Remy.

MJ

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yeah, Villains is out for me (and I love all the Villains but the show is bleh). I hate the screeching in Toy Story. I can't wait to see Tangled on the Magic on the TA next month and then again on the Magic out of NY in October!!! I know I will love it.

We did Cabanas for dinner a few nights on the Panama Canal cruise and enjoyed it, but I still enjoy going to the MDR. Will never do Remy.

MJ

Loved Tangled. The actress doing Rapunzel is just great. Only issue I have in the theater is that the volume needs to be turned down a little. It's sooooooo loud!

 

[Ofinn]

I'm one of the people that think the food is meh. It doesn't bother me though because I don't cruise for the food. I usually drop a couple of pounds on a cruise.

THIS! Yes. I totally agree. There is just something incredibly magical about a DCL Cruise. I have priced out the other cruise lines and there is no question that I could save hand over fist if I was willing to sacrifice the Disney "magic", and I am sure once my kids are grown, I undoubtedly will take some cruises on lines that not Disney because of this. It is the cost that prohibits us from taking a cruise often. We took the Magic in Feb. 2015, our next one is booked for Sept. 2017 and the one after that is planned for April of 2021. That will likely be the last DCL cruise with a kid under 18. We supplement our family vacations with other trips on the years in between, but because we love DCL so much with our kids, we want them to have that while they are kids. They will have their whole lives to try other things, but you can only be a kid on Disney for a short period of your life...so I pay the piper to give them that. Everyone has their own priorities though, and their own opinions of what has "worth" and what doesn't.
I'm sure many people think we are crazy for spending the money we are on this cruise (my DH included...LOL), but many also think we are strange because we are driving to the Port (only an hour from home) on September 10th to have dinner at Fishlips and watch the Fantasy leave port exactly one year to our departure. It makes us happy though. And that is what matters. We will know that next year, that will be us.

Enjoy it while you can. My kids are 12 and 13 and they are more interested in the ports and traveling they don't really care which cruise line we sail on.

 

[blondietink]

I'm curious, what other cruise lines have you been on? (That you enjoyed more than DCL?)

Carnival and RCL. More fun, better food, better handicap accessible areas, better prices, friendlier staff on Carnival and larger/better layout of cabins on Carnival. Maybe we just hit a bad cruise on DCL, but unless there is some great sale, never again.

 

[Anna Chassereau]

I just wanted to comment on the kids club portion of your post (OP).
Our DS who is 7 loves the clubs on DCL and I think he will probably still do so in a couple of years at age 9.
We have a DCL cruise booked for when he's 8 and I have no concerns. Even though he is into competitive sports at home, when I showed him the zip lining or rock climbing on the oasis (online) he had no interest. Whereas I can think of some kids my son's age who would definitely thrive more on rci. All kids are different. I think for the most part, what DCL does with the kids programming works. But obviously not for all. If your kids really enjoyed the clubs and never wanted to leave, your cruise experience might have been different.

I completely agree!! The kid clubs were amazing both for our son and for my husband and I...we rarely ever get a break at home so it was so nice to go on vacation and have my son go somewhere I knew was safe and I knew he actually wanted to go and it gave my husband and I a much needed break to go grab a drink or watch a show...he'd beg us to go every day and never wanted to leave!! I was skeptical at first about sending him but it ended up being such a great thing and one of the main reasons we booked with DCL again! He got to have a pajama party with Pluto and Donald hung out with them and had a dance party with the kids one day...I mean how cool is that for a kid?! We love DCL but may try other cruise lines with our son the older he gets...

 

[mevelandry]

Carnival and RCL. More fun, better food, better handicap accessible areas, better prices, friendlier staff on Carnival and larger/better layout of cabins on Carnival. Maybe we just hit a bad cruise on DCL, but unless there is some great sale, never again.

Going on a Carnival cruise in 5 weeks. I like your comments.

 

[deanimal]

I completely agree!! The kid clubs were amazing both for our son and for my husband and I...we rarely ever get a break at home so it was so nice to go on vacation and have my son go somewhere I knew was safe and I knew he actually wanted to go and it gave my husband and I a much needed break to go grab a drink or watch a show...he'd beg us to go every day and never wanted to leave!! I was skeptical at first about sending him but it ended up being such a great thing and one of the main reasons we booked with DCL again! He got to have a pajama party with Pluto and Donald hung out with them and had a dance party with the kids one day...I mean how cool is that for a kid?! We love DCL but may try other cruise lines with our son the older he gets...

We only cruised Disney for a few years when the kids were little (three cruises in five years) and the kids clubs were a big part of our choice. We looked at the decor and the activities and assumed that no one could possibly do kids programming better than Disney. Then we got totally priced out for spring 2016 and decided to go with Norwegian with a 6 and 7 year old. Then we used up our on board booking discount to do a quick cruise last month. So we had two cruises in six months to compare. The kids verdict really surprised us: Norwegian all the way! We thought the kids clubs on NCL didn't look nearly as exciting, but my kids both said Disney was "boring" in comparison. Go figure! They also mentioned all the extras such as the climbing wall, rope course, mini golf, bungy trampoline, water park with multiple slides and all day buffet with sundae bar. Even as we stepped off the ship last month they said it was fun, but next time they wanted the other ship. The only thing they liked better on Disney was the shows. So if you haven't tried other lines, don't make the mistake we did and assume your kids will like Disney best. (My kids still adore the parks). We could have saved a lot of money over the years!