Hhheeeelllpppp!!!!!!

[winddawn]

Never been, but 2 words sum it up for me: "No casino". I think I would die of boredom. Not to mention all those kids :eek:

This.

[badcatwhite]

It really depends on what you like to do (and do you have/like kids?). The kids on a Disney cruise are absolutely avoidable (unless you have kids yourself.) Get a late dinner seating and you're good. Otherwise its fun to see them run around in their princess costumes. If the casino is a big part of your trip, don't do Disney. Do you like Disney (the parks, movies etc...?) then its an awesome cruise.

 

Cost is the big killer for Disney.

 

 

"Boat Drinks" are readily available on a Disney ship. Free soda's a big plus for us since we don't drink.

 

One other big difference is that the spaces on a Disney ship are very inward focused. The ship is childproofed to the nines. All rails are plexiglassed at a minimum. If you like to sit by the rail and look out at the sea, Carnival is way better. I would suggest a verandah cabin on Disney if that is important to you.

[megansdad1]

This is a win win to me.

 

Scenario #1. You go in a Disney cruise and have a great time.

 

Scenario #2. You go and have an OK time. Now anytime DW wants to suggest something new that you don't like, you can say "I don't think that is a good idea. Remember that Disney Cruise we went on?". Hehe

 

But to me a cruise is what you make of it. the lack of a casino, bringing your own booze and free soda, helps offset some of the higher costs.

[jackparts]

Ok, color me guilty. I have done 5 Disney cruises, mostly over Thanksgivings. Loved them all, had my grandkids along. Not much more $$$ since I did not leave it in the casinos. Did not have anyone pestering me to buy drinks, take a picture or try to find a chair. Yes, it did happen, but not like the other cruiselines. Food was a definite plus, taste and service, but set times to be there. If you were late, no big deal to the servers but the table had to wait for the (^$&^% and be late getting out. As far as entertainment, no problem for us adults. Always found something to do at night, the shows were definitely more of a production than other lines, more than 3 people with canned music and an accordion. The service group was even more of a plus and the kids were never a problem. Must have used the underground to get around the ship like in Disney World. We did try NCL this last year, the DARN DAWN, but never again, had terrible embarkation and debarkation that set the enjoyment level back. This year, we will be on the Carnival Glory, trying to get the family to experience it all.

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

I think my wife has lost her mind. Help me she wants to book a Disney cruise. Should I be trying to talk her out of this. Help me out with why we should NOT do this!!:eek::eek::eek:

 

Aside from the cost, I can't give you any reasons to not go.

I love Carnival and 5 out of our 7 cruises have been with Carnival. But...Disney is in a class of it's own. For those w ho mention the ship being over run with kids - on Disney there are Adults Only areas, and they really mean it when they say it. The pool is monitored closely and if kids come to the pool area they are quickly asked to lave (their parent). On Disney's private island - castaway Cay - there in an adults only beach, and again there really are no kids. When we go on Carnival or Norwegian we have noticed that it's really hit and miss whether staff enforce pools being adults only.

The food is OUTSTANDING

As I said the only downside is it's much more expensive than Carnival

[EastTex]

I think my wife has lost her mind. Help me she wants to book a Disney cruise. Should I be trying to talk her out of this. Help me out with why we should NOT do this!!:eek::eek::eek:

 

You should NOT talk her out of this. Short of household finances not permitting it, your wife is your life partner, the love of your life! Do it for her, if you can. That's what I would do.

[SteelerCruiser]

personally we would love to try out a Disney cruise but for the price we can take 3-4 more cruises in some cases.....just not work the money

[Mysticks1]

I would love to go on a Disney cruise. If the price was right I would definitely pick the Disney cruise. I would love to sail on the Dream and do that water slide. Their dining experience also looks awesome with alternating dining rooms for a different experience each night. Unless you can't sail without a casino I would go on the Disney cruise and have a great time. Do some research on what all there is to do there. They also have wonderful looking adult only areas.

 

Happy Wife = Happy Life!

[PortSideCruzan]

 

I think my wife has lost her mind.

 

Help me she wants to book a Disney cruise.

 

Should I be trying to talk her out of this. Help me out with why we should NOT do this!!:eek::eek::eek:

 

 

Hi Cbr929rcr :)

 

My wife & I have not traveled on Disney yet, so far our days at sea have

been on Carnival, Princess, Royal and Celebrity. We rotate our voyages

between cruise lines as much as possible so we never get tired of a particular

product.

 

I would certainly suggest, without a doubt, to explore other cruise lines.

 

When I clicked on your name and took a peek at your profile, I saw a photo

which appears (correct me if I'm wrong) that you have two small kids.

 

Its a no brainier... Go for it!!

 

:)

 

[tonic67]

1st Off if you have kids that are younger than 6 or 7 - wait until they are that age before doing anything Disney.

 

2nd If you have no kids --- OMG no Way.

 

3rd You could get a suite on Carnival for the price of an inside stateroom on Disney.

 

4th. Do a spreadsheet with price comparison and tell her you will take her on two cruises this year for the price of one. You could go on back to back cruises if you're in Florida.

 

5th. Show her pictures and videos of the cruise you do want to go on - compare the staterooms especially.

 

That being said == Disney's entertainment for the kids and adults is always top notch, and I would imagine it's no different on a ship.

 

Whatever you do, DO NOT show her videos of Disney's horn battles, they are kinda cute and if she likes Disney, you won't sway her.

 

What you are really paying for is the Disney Brand name and the Characters. If you don't have kids - I say F the Mouse. He gets enough of my money already.

[SAM527]

OMG, a week trapped on a Chuck E. Cheese cruise...I can't even begin to imagine it LOL. Sometimes the kids on a ship can be annoying, along with the costs that are involved on a Disney cruise as well. I do like the ships horn, but I can hear that from another ship.

[ManyMore]

I wouldn't talk you out of it for sure lol. I have done the Disney cruise and loved it!! There were 12 adults and none of us had kids. As far as the kids... we saw less kids on the Disney cruise then other cruises just because they can keep them much busier with all the kid stuff they have going on. Disney also has an 18 and over pool and other areas where you don't have to worry about kids. I would go again in a heartbeat if I could afford it.

[firstcruise92]

I loved the Disney cruises we've done. Cost is the only thing that has prevented us from cruising Disney more.

[tapdancemom]

Well I'm a Disney girl anyway so we decided to take our 10 yr old grandson on a Disney cruise during spring break two years ago this March. I was worried that it may be overrun with screaming kids but if youdidn't want to be around them stay away from the kids pool, arcade and early dining.

 

We had late dining and of course their were children their but not the screaming toddler variety. Our cabin was around the corner from the tween kids club and only once during the entire seven days did I hear them from inside our cabin.

 

Yes there is no casino, but that saved us money, no problem there. Also there is plenty of bingo if you are interested.

 

You can bring on your own alcohol, way different from other linesl

 

We even enjoyed fireworks from the Lido deck on pirate night. It was great.

 

The customer service is the best of all lines we've cruised, RCCL, Carnival, NCL, HAL and Celebrity.

 

The food is very good and their are three themed restaurants you go to during the cruise, your wait staff follows you.

 

If you do go check out "Fish Extenders" on Disboards. Our grandson had a great time receiving and giving little gifts throught the cruise.

 

We plan on taking our granddaughter next year, she still loves the characters and princesses. Unlike her brother she'll want to do all the photo ops with them.

 

It is spendy but we found a kids sail free promotion that made it much more doable than their regular prices.

Edited February 8, 2014 by tapdancemom
addition

[It's a Ship!!!]

I wouldn't talk you out of it for sure lol. I have done the Disney cruise and loved it!! There were 12 adults and none of us had kids. As far as the kids... we saw less kids on the Disney cruise then other cruises just because they can keep them much busier with all the kid stuff they have going on. Disney also has an 18 and over pool and other areas where you don't have to worry about kids. I would go again in a heartbeat if I could afford it.

Exactly. I've been on a Disney Cruise as a kid and as an adult, and I can tell you that the kids are having so much fun, and are so occupied, that you might not even see your own kids all cruise.

 

There are adult areas for both pools and bars. The Fantasy has an awesome Irish pub that has all kinds of sports trivia, and plenty of TVs to watch sporting events. If you like Guinness, they have the real version (non pasteurized) that they have in Ireland.

 

There are a lot of great things about a Disney Cruise, but as others have said, they can be pretty pricey. They are definitely geared toward kids in that way that Disney always is. If you have kids, or just like Disney, and you can afford it, then you will love it.

[evandbob]

Disney food is way better than Carnival's. For the first day lunch we had king crab legs, jumbo shrimp, baby lamb chops, and no lines to wait on......plenty of adult only areas on the ship and on their private island, and the policy is enforced.

 

Disney's two new ships are elegant and state of the art - my cabin had an extra set of curtains for privacy and sun block, as well as two bathrooms.

Edited February 8, 2014 by evandbob

[Island Crazed]

Well having done 2 of them, the only reason we are on CCL is $$$$. FYI on our 2nd DCL it was Spring Break and there were about 400 teens and 800 kids (it was announced one night). Their 100% free (over 3) kids programs 9:00am -1:00am! kept them out if sight. Seriously. Amazingly. Adult only areas/dining, Castaway Cay is incredible- adult only area there too Free soda 24/7. Sorry...

THE ONLY REASON $$$$$

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[boogs]

I'm 57 and I guess you could call me an adult, in years anyway.

 

My wife and i had plenty of fun and would do DCL again in a heartbeat if the price was right.

 

Bill

 

Same with my wife and I. We were in our 50's when we sailed on Disney Magic several years ago. One of the best cruises we have been on. Even though we never had children and were just a married couple old enough to qualify for AARP discounts, and with no kids in tow, the Disney experience was superb. There are plenty of areas that adults can go to get away for the kids, but even in those areas where the kids tended to be, it wasn't a problem at all. Anyone who disses Disney because they cater to kids totally don't get how well Disney deals with all passengers, regardless of age.

 

It must be the curmudgeon in them: "You *@!%^ kids get off my ship!"

Edited February 8, 2014 by boogs

[swscruiser]

Kids, Casino and "It's a small world after all"

[Island Crazed]

Same with my wife and I. We were in our 50's when we sailed on Disney Magic several years ago. One of the best cruises we have been on. Even though we never had children and were just a married couple old enough to qualify for AARP discounts, and with no kids in tow, the Disney experience was superb. There are plenty of areas that adults can go to get away for the kids, but even in those areas where the kids tended to be, it wasn't a problem at all. Anyone who disses Disney because they cater to kids totally don't get how well Disney deals with all passengers, regardless of age.

 

AGREE

 

Think about it . . .if kids were that big a problem on DCL - how could they fill up ships and keep charging the prices they do. I HATE the prices and that they lost me at the start of the recession. Maybe someday we will get to again. In fact it may be when we ARE empty nesters! We are still years behind where we were in 2008 in the $$$ department.

[kitty9]

We belong to the Disney Vacation Club, but there's no way I'd use my points to book a Disney Cruise. At least with our villa, we can get away from the kids and sensory overload. Can't do that much on the ship.

[boogs]

We belong to the Disney Vacation Club, but there's no way I'd use my points to book a Disney Cruise. At least with our villa, we can get away from the kids and sensory overload. Can't do that much on the ship.

 

You obviously haven't been on a Disney ship. I love it when people with zero first hand experience think they know all about how something will be.

[Happy ks]

My first cruise was on Disney Magic in 1998. We've been on more than 20 cruises since then and it still is at the top of my list as far as cruises go. We've cruised on 8 different lines.

 

I think the ships are a lot different than people imagine. The are classy, gorgeous and nothing like an amusement park. The lack of a casino didn't faze us, we rarely go into casinos on any cruise ships, can't stand the cigarette smoke. The kids programs could not be beat and we were comfortable leaving the kids and going to adults only areas at night. There was an adults only pool, Castaway Cay has an adults only beach. You don't have yo hang with kids if you don't want to.

 

Our third cruise was on our one and only Carnival cruise. If that had been our first cruise, I would never have gone on another cruise again. Doesn't matter if they are cheaper or not.

 

I think it's great there are so many different choices.

[tonic67]

Standard Inside Stateroom

 

Category 11CHelp Sleeps:3 or 4Size:169 sq. ft.Deck:2View:Magical Porthole with Real-Time Views

$6,593.56 for 2 adults and 2 children on a

7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Fantasy

 

 

 

You could take a 5 day cruise on Carnival Balcony AND go to Disney for 3 days for that price. Or maybe even more days on each...depending.

[tonic67]

Deluxe Inside Stateroom

 

Category 10BHelp Sleeps:3 or 4Size:214 sq. ft.Deck:2View:No exterior view

$2,633.12

 

5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Disney Wonder - Itinerary A

 

 

 

It's only 5 nights in an inside room - price not too bad.