sm3ds

Thanks. Were in a family harbor room. I may upgrade if there is no seating area.

Do the interior rooms have a couch or is it just the beds. I cant tell from the pictures if they do. Thanks.

See post number 7. June and September rates quoted.

Yeah I saw that. I was pointing out the price difference for my family. :confused:

You're correct. You won't save hundreds. You'll save THOUSANDS going off-peak times.

I think pp poster needs to price out a July cruise on the Fantasy vs a Sept cruise. For my family it would be a 3k difference. The Wonder or Magic in Dec would be a 4k difference.

I'm sure it does. I feel fortunate for it.

 

I've read all your posts on the history of DCL and Galveston. The point is that a deal can be had if sailing from Galveston. The Wonder will be back in Galveston in November 2016. I can't say that the deals will be the same, but I still feel that I got a great DCL experience, even if not on the signature ship.

 

Steve

I've sailed all four ships. The Magic and Wonder are my favorites. I loved sailing out of Galveston. We'll be on the Wonder to Alaska this Summer, and we have another cruise this Spring out of Miami. Hotels prices in Miami are shocking to say the least I'd rather be sailing out of Galveston again.

I think the deals will be the same this year especially on the cruises that don't stop at CC that's a deal breaker for some people. I like the fact that some of the Galveston cruises will be heading down South I prefer that. We sailed for around 3k in an Ocean view 2 adults and 2 kids. We got similar deals on the Fantasy in 2014, but I don't expect to see that again for a while.

Sept- Feb and end of April and May excluding holiday weeks will have the best rates. If your looking for last minute discounts GT, MTO, FLR or interline mid Oct- mid to mid Nov, and the first 2 weeks of Dec are almost always a guarantee. The rest of the year is random.

Cruises out of Galveston, San Juan and repo cruises don't sell I would always wait to the last minute for those.

I think we'll see some discounts in Europe this Summer.

I am thinking of booking a 3 night on the Wonder. My concern is that is an older boat and maybe not long enough. I will have 2 boys 12 and 11 who have never been on a ship before so I was thinking of a shorter one for their first. Anyone been on the Wonder lately?

I would do a longer cruise. Your boys are going to have so much fun. I have two kids 11 and 13 the Wonder is my 13 year olds favorite, the Fantasy my 11 year olds. The Wonder is also my favorite. We were on the Wonder twice last year, and have two coming up this Spring on the Wonder. She's in great shape I wouldn't worry about the condition of the ship.

My kids have grown up on DCL. They are entering their teen years, and I think they enjoy it more now than when they were younger. They have never been into the characters, shows etc. The enjoy the clubs especially since they've gotten into the teen club. They have more independence now plus they love making new friends. As prices go up I've considered trying other cruise lines, but DCL is like our second home. I really don't think their is a "magic age". I think it really depends on the kid.

When we first started cruising I asked the "worth it" question. I think i stopped needing validation after about the 5th cruise. The prices do keep going up, but you can still find some deals offseason. Im happy with DCL, but I have nothing to compare it to. At the present its the best cruieline for us.

Haha! Regarding hanging our on message boards all day! Very funny!

You managed to answer the other points in my post just fine though!

 

So your kids wouldn't mind their age appropriate space being invaded by younger kids and that wouldn't diminish their experience of that space?

And if it did, you could care less about it as long as they don't tell you or complain. Sorry, that is sad for them.

 

I do understand your view on them complaining unnecessarily though, but if they wanted to just hand with you instead, maybe you would feel different?

 

Each to their own.

 

ex techie

My kids would never want to hang out with me and watch me read a book. LOL If they ever complained about being bored on a cruise or complaining about a 10 year old in the Edge they can stay home with Grandma and find out what boring is really like.Ha. My kids are privileged to get to travel as much as they, but if they ever start acting like privledged spoiled brats complaining about trivial things on a Disney cruise than I have failed as a parent. I do not indulge that kind of behavior. If you find that sad Im sorry.

I've not singled you out at all!

I've replied to your posts as you have to mine?

 

You said

So is it really an assumption the kids don't see their father?

 

If i've been rude to you, I'm sorry.

But I've not said anything offensive. And maybe you prefer fluffy answers and comments.

 

Enjoy your future cruises too.

 

ex techie

Yes I guess I should have said my husband is home 4 days a week while I'm working. The point of this thread was about Disney rules which has seem to got derailed. I disagreed with OP about people breaking rules when there really are no rules. I don't know how I let myself get off track onto family life. Totally my bad.

The way you respond and address people is unsettling to say the least. The whole tone of your posts is just something I'm not used to seeing on a message board. It's hard for me to believe you were ever a DCL CM. No you don't have to be"fluffy", but you could try not to be so snarky. Anyway I'm not going to let you chase me off the boards I have some questions I'm going to need to ask about a future cruise. I shouldn't not have let you bring out my snarky side in my previous post that is not the way I want to respond to people. I'll just try to ignore you in the future.

I don't see that I was judging you in any way. I commented that a poster's attitude mirrored mine. I didn't mention you at all.

 

FWIW' date=' I educated my daughter until she reached 8th grade. I actually quit my job years before that in order to be a mother--the 24/7 on call situation was not conducive to family life. So no, we do not cruise in order to have time together. But we do enjoy our time together while cruising.[/quote']

Sorry, I probably misintrepreted your post.

From an outside perspective at least, sm3ds's post seem to have an element of joy that the kids are happy to be away from her so she may spend time with her husband who she doesn't see very often.

But tainted with a little guilt that they are not spending time with one and another as a family, hence the aggression to anyone even mentioning spending time as a whole family unit.

One would think their kids would want to see their father as well?

 

ex techie

We work opposite shifts so my kids see their father a lot. We cruise 4 or more times a year. You dont know me so you, but you like to make a lot of assumptions. No guilt here we have a wonderful family. 23 years married and going strong. Very presumptuous of you to assume otherwise. Im happy my kids are having fun with other kids. Im happy we get to spend dinner as a family, and go on cool excursions. Im happy I can afford to this 4 times a year. Im happy I get to spend time with husband. Im not happy I posted on these boards. I find you rather irritating to say the least, and Im not sure why youre singling me out to be rude too. I have a feeling thats just you just being you a rude person.I think Il just stick to the dis boards where people are a little friendlier. I hope you, and everyone else on these boards enjoys thier upcoming cruises.I will not be back on these boards.

Your attitude mirrors mine. I was on a family vacation. I didn't make a Palo reservation until my daughter's 18th birthday cruise when she could go with me. The trip was FAMILY time. I did have the requirement that she chose 1 activity per day in the programming (these were typically 45 minutes long) so that I could have a little break and she would get the opportunity to see whether she liked the CMs and the kids in the programming on that cruise. If she liked it' date=' fine--she was free to go to as much as she wished. If it didn't "click" that time, she did her one activity. We also made a point of always having family dinner together; if she wanted to be in the programming, we'd reconnect at dinner.

 

She just shakes her head now at the kids in the adult area by the Cove Cafe and Quiet Cove pool...and commented that she remembers when she "wasn't allowed to walk thru those doors." That's right...the poor baby was emotionally scarred for life by the fact that her mom enforced the "18 and older" rules and made her use the midship elevators rather than the forward elevators to access the pool deck.

 

What I saw on our last cruise (not DCL) was that parents or grands were with their kids; that they were having a family vacation. There were a few older teens on the ship, but honestly I didn't see them much with or without parents.

When I saw the "under 14" crowd, I was always able to identify a parent nearby. Yes, the ship had a child care program--obviously I couldn't see kids when they were in the programming. But I did see them around the ship with their parents. It seemed a lot more like the way I used to do things on DCL.[/quote']

 

I barely see my kids on a cruise, and that's ok. We have lots of family time at home. I am their mother, and teacher. I feel sorry for families that don't get to spend time at home together and feel they need to make up for on vacation. I think you have to understand that not all families are the same. I see my kids a lot since they are homeschooled, but I also work Fri- Sun. I barely see my husband since he travels for work. Don't be so quick to judge other people when you don't know their situation.

So you have avoided what I asked of you.

 

Would YOU have a problem (regardless of if your kids have aged up before) IF OTHER PEOPLES kids aged up and spoilt YOUR KIDS time in the Club/Lab?Edge/Vibe?

Would you have a problem if YOUR kids enjoyment of those paid for spaces were interfered with because younger kids invaded them?

Would that be a problem to YOU?

 

You don't have to have time to worry about it, just spend 10 seconds, and reply?

 

ex techie

I'm sorry but I have been working. I'm a nurse I work 12 hours shifts on the weekends I don't have time to hang out on message boards all day. To answer your question my kids would not have their vacation ruined by a kids aging up. They aged up after all. If they complained about something like that it would be their last vacation. In fact if they complained about anything on a vacation I worked overtime and paid thousands for it would be their last. How would a 10 year old getting into the Edge or a 13 year old getting into the Vibe ruin my vacation? I'm a fun person. I like people, and so does my husband. We're going to have a good time no matter what other people do or how they dress. My kids are 12 and 13, and they would never dare complain about a 10 year old in the Edge. They've been in the Edge since they were 10. They know how lucky and blessed they are to be able to go on as many cruises as they have. We have 2 cruises coming up in the next 6 months and we're as excited as usual.

What irritated me about this thread and inspired me to post on these boards was the suggestion that people were breaking rules. There is no breaking of rules if DCL policy allows shorts in MDR's and kids aging up. I think OP has some issues.

I don't know your cruising history with DCL and how far back it goes, but I think you may be looking at Moki'smommy's post from a different view point or misunderstanding it.

I *think* Moki'smommy was pointing out how many previous rules on DCL have not been enforced all the time and have been relaxed due to Guests having a "It's my vacation, I paid a lot for this cruise" attitude, along with being ignorant of the requests made regarding dining attire in the MDR's.

 

Previously, and not so long ago (Aug, 2013) I believe was when shorts were permitted in the MDR's. Mostly due to non adherence, and attitude towards the CM's when Guests were asked to change. Disney always tries to be non confrontational, but some Guests were screaming and shouting at CM's if asked to change.

Also writing letters of complaint, along with the complaint that with air fair's rising they can't afford the $50 baggage fee for an extra bag despite spending thousands of $$$ on a cruise, so really, it's I don't want to pay.

 

I believe Formal Nights have always been optional, but some Guests do really drag the atmosphere down as low as really possible with as mentioned ripped jeans, scruffy t shirts ball caps and the like.

Whilst you may no find that a problem, many people do if they are seated either with, or next to others who are, whilst they and the waiters are dressed in very nice dressy clothes.

I won't debate that, so please don't bother either as it is flogging a dead horse.

 

Regarding aging up, again, just another example of Guests demanding, screaming, shouting, having adult meltdowns, and even trying to bribe YAC CM's!

If you don't believe me, here is a link to a thread on the DIS:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/why-does-everyone-want-their-kids-to-move-up.3472539/

 

You said:

 

 

I do wonder if you would feel differently if one of the spaces designated for your child was invaded by younger children aging up, and it was detrimental to your child's enjoyment of that space. If they then thought it was full of young kids and babyish because so many younger kids were in there that they did not enjoy it so much?

Because as you can read in the link, that is what a lot of the protestors there think about their child's experience with non separated Club and Lab spaces.

What are your thoughts?

 

The point I think Moki'smommy was trying to make was Princess seem to have held fairly steadfast in their rules, and enforcement to maintain a certain level of atmosphere and attitude towards the lines rules.

DCL have changed their rules several times in some cases trying to suit and please everyone, and still ended up in a situation where not everyone is happy> Some Guests want even more, DCL's original requests are long gone, and neither party is particularly happy.

 

Those changes have also been over a period of time that I've seen and known, whilst Moki'smommy and other have cruised on DCL for a lot longer than I have known the company, and once upon a time they very much valued their repeat cruisers and it would seem not so much anymore and they are looking to get new cruisers and only get a couple of cruises out of them before moving onto new clientele.

So I wonder, if they had known then the direction the company would take in the future of "there's always someone else to fill your Stateroom attitude", if they would have relaxed so many of those rules or requests over the years from the atmosphere, tradition, standards and what they believed to be the best programming options with separate age group cut off and no aging up, they obviously wanted?

 

ex techie

 

The Link to the DIS is from a YAC CM asking why?

We've benn on 20 dcl cruises.Probably more thsn most people on this board.I dont have a problem with the dress code. My kids have aged up I dont have a problem with that. If what other people do or dont do or what their kids do or dont do ruins a vacation then i feel sorry for them. I just dont have the time to worry about or police other people. I know all about changes on dcl. The only one that bothered me was the alcohol policy, but I can find my way around that one.

Wow, how odd that you don't remember it at that age. I guess it wasn't that special.

That's what I was thinking? I remember my family vacations as a child and I'm in my 40's.

I took a 7 night cruise last week on another line' date=' and have been reading thru posts here. I've come to the conclusion that people who cruise on DCL have a mindset of "how can I slide the rules" or "this doesn't apply to me" while guests on at least one other line are much more in step with the policies. Of course the fact that the other line actually enforces their policies while DCL seems willing to negotiate everything but price obviously plays a part.

 

Examples:

Formal night attire--other line, we knew in advance that if we did not "dress up," we would be asked to eat elsewhere or go change. NO, formal wear was not required, but something dressy was. On DCL, ripped jeans are fine.

 

Normal night attire--other line the phrase was "smart casual" which was further defined as "what you might wear to a nice restaurant at home. No shorts will be permitted." This was enforced. If you didn't want to dress, you were invited to eat elsewhere.

 

On DCL boards, the posts are "can I wear board shorts?" (swimsuit) Can I wear a swimsuit with a see thru cover up?

 

Other line--NO moving up of kids. Siblings can move DOWN to be together. DCL--most age guidelines are flexible if you talk to the right CM and make your case in a way that appeals to them.

 

Other line--adult only areas means people 18 and older only. Period. End of discussion. DCL--walking/running/skating thru adult only areas is fine regardless of age. Coming in to "just talk to mom" for a "minute" is OK too. Oh yeah, DCL policy is "no heelies," but that's not enforced either.

 

Not sure what my point is here, but I find the different mindset interesting. And I wonder why rules are made and signs/notices are posted if they are all "flexible."[/quote']

 

Disney's formal nights are optional so if you don't dress up what rules are you breaking?

 

Disney's policy is to allow kids to age up if there is room available, and parents sign a waiver. Again what rule is not being followed? That is DCL's policy to allow ageing up.

 

Because of the poor design of the Dream and Fantasy it's almost necessary to walk through adult areas to get to forward staterooms. I've never seen any kids hanging out in the Adult area.

 

If I decide to wear shorts to MDR. I'm not breaking any rules. Shorts are allowed. If you don't like it cruise another line. Like I said no rules being broken.

 

If you don't like DCL's rules and policy's than cruise a line that has rules that you like.

 

I personally could care less what other people do or wear. I can't imagine spending my vacation concerning myself with how others dress or how old someone's kid is that is in one of kid's club. One of the reason's we continue to sail on Disney is the casual dress codes, and the age breakdown for the clubs.

I just go off the disney dream, and honestly I don't think any of the employees care if you walk around with your own styrofoan cup full of booze. If disney changes their alcohol policy. I think they will have some push back. This is the only reason I would even consider paying the extra money for a disney cruise(even though my kids love Mickey) is the fact that I can bring my own alcohol on board. I still buy drinks at the bar because I like the frilly girl drinks, but my dh likes beer, and jack and coke so we save some money if he is not buying anything from the bar. If disney changes their policy they might have to lower there prices to be more in line with other cruise lines.