Thinking about trying out a cruise for thr first time

DisneyMom0709

Mouseketeer
Joined
May 25, 2011
Hi everyone! I am currently thinking about taking a Disney Cruise, I've never done any cruise before. My husband and two kids ages 5 and 4 we always Go to Disney every year, and I am thinking about doing something different, but not sure if my kids are too young. I have been to both Disneyland and world tons of times since a baby, my family are HUGE Disney lovers! I havent yet took my kids to Disneyland or my husband hasn't either.

I'm thinking a 3-4 night cruise. I would like to go around my son's 6 birthday which is Nov 1, but maybe take the Disney Dream on October 15.

What are the differences between the ships?
I learn that Disney fantasy is a sister ship of dream.
Is all there shows and dining a like between Disney wonder and magic?

I'm trying to do some research and would just like people's experience about the cruise lines

Thanks in advance
 
Hi everyone! I am currently thinking about taking a Disney Cruise, I've never done any cruise before. My husband and two kids ages 5 and 4 we always Go to Disney every year, and I am thinking about doing something different, but not sure if my kids are too young. I have been to both Disneyland and world tons of times since a baby, my family are HUGE Disney lovers! I havent yet took my kids to Disneyland or my husband hasn't either.

I'm thinking a 3-4 night cruise. I would like to go around my son's 6 birthday which is Nov 1, but maybe take the Disney Dream on October 15.

What are the differences between the ships?
I learn that Disney fantasy is a sister ship of dream.
Is all there shows and dining a like between Disney wonder and magic?

I'm trying to do some research and would just like people's experience about the cruise lines

Thanks in advance


If you want to go with a short cruise, I'd recommend at least the 4 night. 3 nights is just too short.

The Dream & Fantasy are the newest ships in the fleet. They are larger and have Aquduck (water slide). And the interior rooms have the virtual porthole.

The Wonder & Magic are smaller, more intimate.

Each ship has 3 Disney production shows, but they do vary. On the Dream they have Villians Tonight; Golden Mickeys; and Disney's Believe. On the Fantasy it's Aladdin; Wishes; and Disney's Believe. On the Wonder - Toy Story; Golden Mickeys; and Disney's Dreams. On the Magic - Villians Tonight; Twice Charmed; and Disney's Dreams.

There are 3 dining rooms on each ship that you will "rotate" through during your cruise: Fantasy - Enchanted Garden; Royal Court, Animator's Palatte; Dream - Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace, Animator's Palatte; Wonder - Parrot Cay, Animator's Palatte, Triton's; Magic - Parrot Cay, Animator's Palatte, Lumiere's.

All the ships have a Pirate night one night with a show and fireworks.

:cutie:
 
I was also in the same position. Had been to disney countless times with the family and wanted a change. My kids are slightly older, 14, 13 and 8 when we decided to cruise. We did a four day on the dream and loved it. there is so much for everyone to do. My youngest loved the kids club, although she didn't stay there all day like some I have read about, she went every night after the show allowing my husband and I time for a drink at the clubs.
So when the cruise was over I took a vote as to what our next vacation would be and it and everyone agreed they wanted to cruise. We are going on a 7 day cruise on the fantasy in February.
 
Don't worry about whether the kids are too young. Our kids were 6.5 and 2.5 on our first cruise which was only a 4 day on the Wonder. They had already done WDW a couple of times at that point, but fell in love with cruising. Kids are now 8 and 4 and we head out on cruise number 5 in just over 2 months.

The pace is far slower than the parks which is part of the appeal for us. Up until our last cruise neither daughter spent much time in the clubs, which for us wasn't a bad thing (family vacation after all and we love spending time with them, esp. since they are growing up so quickly). Now that we know they will be spending a lot of time in the clubs we have our first ressie for Palo booked for the upcoming cruise.:cool1:
 


Princessmhoo thanks for all that great info. All ships seem to be all interesting and fun! Deff leaning more towards dream the slide seems like a must. The dining as well of all ships seem to be even. I did notice only on a 7 night cruise you get character dining. But I am not ready for a 7 night cruise for the first time plus it's way more expensive. Maybe in the future. I actually was thinking of a 4 night cruise, so we have 1 day at sea just to be on the ship and explore.
 
momtoleasawav said:
I was also in the same position. Had been to disney countless times with the family and wanted a change. My kids are slightly older, 14, 13 and 8 when we decided to cruise. We did a four day on the dream and loved it. there is so much for everyone to do. My youngest loved the kids club, although she didn't stay there all day like some I have read about, she went every night after the show allowing my husband and I time for a drink at the clubs.
So when the cruise was over I took a vote as to what our next vacation would be and it and everyone agreed they wanted to cruise. We are going on a 7 day cruise on the fantasy in February.

Sounds like me! I need a change! And a relaxing one. I might try for October- November or I might wait for my daughter 5th birthday in March 2014 and add on Disney world with it.
I did notice some activities for the kids but since mine are more younger I'm not sure if they stay alone with out me. Have a wonderful trip
 
darwinsrule said:
Don't worry about whether the kids are too young. Our kids were 6.5 and 2.5 on our first cruise which was only a 4 day on the Wonder. They had already done WDW a couple of times at that point, but fell in love with cruising. Kids are now 8 and 4 and we head out on cruise number 5 in just over 2 months.

The pace is far slower than the parks which is part of the appeal for us. Up until our last cruise neither daughter spent much time in the clubs, which for us wasn't a bad thing (family vacation after all and we love spending time with them, esp. since they are growing up so quickly). Now that we know they will be spending a lot of time in the clubs we have our first ressie for Palo booked for the upcoming cruise.:cool1:

Palo, I hear a lot about that. How are the clubs for younger kids? My daughter 4 and my son will be 6. Have a fun trip. I am excited to start planning, I would like something more slow pace and different and still involve "Disney"
 


Princessmhoo thanks for all that great info. All ships seem to be all interesting and fun! Deff leaning more towards dream the slide seems like a must. The dining as well of all ships seem to be even. I did notice only on a 7 night cruise you get character dining. But I am not ready for a 7 night cruise for the first time plus it's way more expensive. Maybe in the future. I actually was thinking of a 4 night cruise, so we have 1 day at sea just to be on the ship and explore.

I will point out the character dining (Character Breakfast and Tea with....(the Princesses, Alice, Disney Friends, whoever) is only available on the classic ships. On cruises of 7 nights and longer (although there are reports of the Character Breakfast on the 6 night on the Magic out of Galveston right now).

:cutie:
 
PrincessShmoo said:
I will point out the character dining (Character Breakfast and Tea with....(the Princesses, Alice, Disney Friends, whoever) is only available on the classic ships. On cruises of 7 nights and longer (although there are reports of the Character Breakfast on the 6 night on the Magic out of Galveston right now).

:cutie:

That sounds fun, the breakfast and tea I will start looking in to it
 

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