Considering Disney for our next cruise

[emmacruises00]

We are considering cruising Disney for our next cruise. What can you tell me about it? Pros and cons? What's your favorite part? How is their infant care? We would be travelling with 2 adults and three kids (13, 8, and 4 months).

[DISNEY FANTASY]

We are considering cruising Disney for our next cruise. What can you tell me about it? Pros and cons? What's your favorite part? How is their infant care? We would be travelling with 2 adults and three kids (13, 8, and 4 months).

 

Best thing first is to read the current forum posts there are a number of recent threads here which are very very good. Disney is good with kids, and entertainment, what ship are you interested in where do you wish to go?

[Gardeneroflove]

We didn't use the nursery. But we did talk with some of the staff. One left toys in the splash pad for dd to play with. She was super nice. I haven't heard any complaints about the childcare, other than do have a tv in the nursery (and in the club).

 

The stuff in the club was great! Friendly, helpful, watching the kids, and seemed to enjoy their job. We went to the open house hours, as dd was/is too young for the club. They welcome under 3, no issues, during open house.

 

On the Magic, the club or lab a room off to the side with books, and toys. Perfect for the 4 month old to get some play time.

 

My favorite part was honestly spending time with my family. I know I can get that with any line though... One of my favorite memories is dd meeting mickey mouse, no clue who he is (working on it!) and she pinched his nose!

 

She had a blast with a ball at the splash pad. She had moving chairs around and even got to 'play' basketball one evening while I was having dessert.

 

Disney is going to be the only line, I think, that will allow a 4 month old. The nursery does have open house hours the first night or day, so you can get a feel or just take 4 month old to play. You should be able to book some time once on board, if you want (though peak hours might be gone).

[moki'smommy]

Strengths of DCL--kid programming including nursery, entertainment, much more "all inclusive" than most lines. You'll pay an upcharge for adult dining and some adult programs (like liquor tastings), bingo, and a very few items from room service (packaged candy/popcorn like for movies). You can truly cruise on DCL with kids and pay next to nothing beyond the cruise price and tips. The soda included is a great plus with kids! Service is top quality.

 

Weaknesses of DCL--we've had better food on other lines. Room hosts are generally good, but it isn't 100% great. Some other lines have more "teen type" activities like rock climbing, zip lines, ice skating, etc. Cost is generally higher than other lines, but cabins are generally bigger too.

[CC Help Jenn]

We are considering cruising Disney for our next cruise. What can you tell me about it? Pros and cons? What's your favorite part? How is their infant care? We would be travelling with 2 adults and three kids (13, 8, and 4 months).

 

Have sailed Disney 3 times with my family. Son was 2 and 4 on our sailings. Daughter was 11 and 13.

 

Pros: Kids clubs/nursery probably the best at sea. Open every day, even port days - morning until midnight - no extra charges. Plenty of choices for family friendly activities throughout the ship. Disney does well to keep adult only areas kid free. Great shoes, great food, magical etc. can carry on your own alcohol if you choose. split bathrooms are nice. rooms are spacious compared to some other lines. great fireworks at sea / pirate themed night.

 

Cons: price compared to other lines can be a deterrent. If you can travel off season this can become a non-issue as they seem to have some price breaks at that time. no casino is a con for some.

[meatloafsfan]

Have sailed Disney 3 times with my family. Son was 2 and 4 on our sailings. Daughter was 11 and 13.

 

Pros: Kids clubs/nursery probably the best at sea. Open every day, even port days - morning until midnight - no extra charges. Plenty of choices for family friendly activities throughout the ship. Disney does well to keep adult only areas kid free. Great shoes, great food, magical etc. can carry on your own alcohol if you choose. split bathrooms are nice. rooms are spacious compared to some other lines. great fireworks at sea / pirate themed night.

 

Cons: price compared to other lines can be a deterrent. If you can travel off season this can become a non-issue as they seem to have some price breaks at that time. no casino is a con for some.

 

That's not true for the 4 month old - every hour you leave your 4 month old in the nursery - there is a charge. And you can only book a limited # of hours ahead of time. On the ship, there may be additional hours available for the nursery but it depends on how many under 3's there are.

[CI66774]

I was skeptical about going on Disney. I like my own kid but didn't relish the idea of being surrounded by a mass of little people. However, my kid wanted to go and so I took her - begrudgingly. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed myself on the Fantasy. In fact, dare I say, I had a marvelous time! Lots of things for big people to do and never felt overrun by the little people. Would I go again? You betcha!

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I was skeptical about going on Disney. I like my own kid but didn't relish the idea of being surrounded by a mass of little people. However, my kid wanted to go and so I took her - begrudgingly. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed myself on the Fantasy. In fact, dare I say, I had a marvelous time! Lots of things for big people to do and never felt overrun by the little people. Would I go again? You betcha!

 

Yes you get Disneyed quickly!

[purplethorn]

I was skeptical about going on Disney. I like my own kid but didn't relish the idea of being surrounded by a mass of little people. However, my kid wanted to go and so I took her - begrudgingly. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed myself on the Fantasy. In fact, dare I say, I had a marvelous time! Lots of things for big people to do and never felt overrun by the little people. Would I go again? You betcha!

 

LOL that is how i feel too .. love my child, but not thrilled being trapped in a small space with hundred others LOL , but the more I lurk on here and read about the cruise line the better I feel

 

I am planning on booking Nov 6th from Miami on the Magic , but will wait until the last minute. Since we live in the area I don't need to worry about air travel etc and I am also hoping price will drop a lil' bit?

[CC Help Jenn]

LOL that is how i feel too .. love my child, but not thrilled being trapped in a small space with hundred others LOL , but the more I lurk on here and read about the cruise line the better I feel

 

I am planning on booking Nov 6th from Miami on the Magic , but will wait until the last minute. Since we live in the area I don't need to worry about air travel etc and I am also hoping price will drop a lil' bit?

 

If you can move your dates - Nov 1 on the Magic is on sale right now! You can book *GT rates at a pretty deep discount - and they have FL resident rates for the Nov 1 cruise as well.

[purplethorn]

My dates are flexible really we can go at any time .

I did see the FL resident Western Caribbean for Nov 1st but I am not thrilled with the ports (not really toddler friendly :) ). I really would like to see Castaway Cay

[CC Help Jenn]

Keep watching then :) I checked my Nov 1 cruise every single day - I was actually booked, then noticed that on the website they still had major availability across all room categories. I took a chance and cancelled before my PIF date. About 2 weeks later the VGT rates came out and I pounced on it! I'm glad my instincts paid off. I don't know about the Nov 6 sailing - lots of category availability but only a few rooms in each category. I doubt prices will go up though, so can't hurt to watch/wait.

 

If you are willing to drive to PC - the Dream is "on sale" for Nov 3 and Nov 7 and Nov 10 - all go to Castaway.

 

FWIW, if you change your mind regarding the ports - my 4 year old has been to both Grand Cayman and Cozumel (when he was 3) and will be going again this Nov. to these ports. We did the turtle farm in GC and he LOVED it.

[purplethorn]

Thank you! Yes I will keep watching.. PC is also an option , but I read such awesome things about the Magic and especially since is being redone I want to try her first.

 

How/Where do you see how much is available in each category?

[CC Help Jenn]

I just keep looking on DCL's website - act like I am booking a cruise

[purplethorn]

gotcha ;) ... that's what I do :P