Look to cruise for the first time

[meachell13]

My DH and I are wanting to try cruising for the first time. I think that a 3 night would be nice to just see if we like it or get a nice get away from the kids next spring. DCL is more expensive than the other companies so is it worth it to pay the extra to have a Disney Cruise for adults only? Or has someone found that another company works well? When you are on the boat does it cost extra to do other things on the ship? (I know that spa things and drinks, etc are going to be extra but are the activiites?)

 

[GuardMusic]

Welcome to our craziness!

Things that cost extra:
- Bingo
- Alcoholic drinks
- All drinks w/ room service
- Snacks outside evening shows & movie theatre
- Adult-only restaurant ($20pp is an absolute bargain!)
- Spa
- Photos
- Shopping
- Coffee shop

Other cruise lines may be cheaper, but they typically charge for more extras, such as all sodas. Disney has a free drink station & free in dining rooms.

I've only ever done DCL as adult only. It's a great "secret" for us - adult only pool, restaurant(s), beach, etc. You will also hear the 3 night is too short for anyone. Check out the links to my trip reports below, especially the Land/Sea.

Gayle

 

[Donald_Quackers]

I agree with the PP, but would strongly recommend a 4/5 night cruise. 3 nights just seems too short to really get a feel for the ship and before you're into the groove, you gotta get off. I started with a 4 night and didn't regret it.

I visited the spa for the first time my last trip, 7 nights to the eastern caribbean, and the rainforest room was awesome! I loved just laying there on one of the heated loungers and snoozing away.

 

[kthomas618]

I have only cruised with Disney but my DH has been on another cruiseline. He says he would never cruise anything but Disney now. The ships are beautiful and the crew exceptional. There is no casino or crazy drinking going on (that we've seen anyways). This only improves the atmosphere, IMHO. It's a very relaxing vacation.

Go for it!!!

BTW - those heated loungers in the Rainforest are wonderful!!!

 

[Cordelia.Turpchinoff]

My DH and I did a 4 day cruise for part of our honeymoon in November aboard the Disney Wonder and then my mom joined us on a 3 day Disney Dream cruise a couple weeks ago. So I definitely would recommend a DCL trip for anyone- including adults only. There is plenty of adult only areas where you aren't bothered by kids running around.

As for the extras- spa treatments, photos, alcohol, Palo and Remy, excursions, snacks outside of theaters (although you are welcome to bring snacks from room service or a buffet into the shows), internet usage, and select items offered for room service (such as soda and candy) come at an added cost.

And I agree 100% that a 3 day cruise is just not enough time, so I would suggest a 4 day cruise so you have more time to fit in all the activities you may want to participate in.

 

[Princess Bette]

Welcome to our craziness!

Things that cost extra:
- Bingo
- Alcoholic drinks
- All drinks w/ room service
- Snacks outside evening shows & movie theatre
- Adult-only restaurant ($20pp is an absolute bargain!)
- Spa
- Photos
- Shopping
- Coffee shop

Other cruise lines may be cheaper, but they typically charge for more extras, such as all sodas. Disney has a free drink station & free in dining rooms.

I've only ever done DCL as adult only. It's a great "secret" for us - adult only pool, restaurant(s), beach, etc. You will also hear the 3 night is too short for anyone. Check out the links to my trip reports below, especially the Land/Sea.

Gayle

Coffee, juice, and milk were not extra when we ordered from room service.

 

[maw5089]

I just got off a 3 night dream cruise with my boyfriend and it was the first cruise for both of us (23 and 24). We both like Disney and I have wanted to go on a Disney cruise since they came out when I was in grade school, although now I don't ever think I ever want to consider another cruise line. It was magical, even with just adults. The adult areas were never as crowded as the family areas and we loved Palo and the Rainforest room...so relaxing.

Although is it more expensive, we felt like that cost was paid ahead of time and we weren't being nickel and dimed on the ship for everything. We brought our own alcohol for the room (some wine, champagne, liqour and beer) which other cruise lines do not let you do, and so we did not buy a lot of drinks. We did pay for palo, and the reinforest room, and Atlantis but our bill was not as much as we expected. We liked feeling relaxed in a fun and highly entertained atmosphere without having the feeling we were always adding more to our room bill.

 

[meachell13]

Thank you guys for all the awesome answers! I do understand that with the 3 night it wouldn't seem like a long time and longer would be nice but with the 4 nights we would be missing 4 days of work and my mom (who would be watching the kiddies would also missing those days too.) With the 3 night we are only missing two. I haven't looked to seen when the 5 nights leave..... I don't know if I could leave my babies behind that long. If we went next year my youngest would be only two and I'm scared that she wouldn't understand?

I just would feel safer on a DCL... Does that sound weird? I have tried to research other cruise lines and I have noticed that they charge extra for things like the rock wall or the surfing thing on some of the boats.

On DCL you can still do what you want right? Like eat whenever go to the main seating or not? Shows, etc? I mainly want to enjoy the warm weather, sun, and relax on CC in the sand. I'm not sure I would even get off in Nassau so I can enjoy the boat more.

 

[NancyIL]

Thank you guys for all the awesome answers! I do understand that with the 3 night it wouldn't seem like a long time and longer would be nice but with the 4 nights we would be missing 4 days of work and my mom (who would be watching the kiddies would also missing those days too.) With the 3 night we are only missing two. I haven't looked to seen when the 5 nights leave..... I don't know if I could leave my babies behind that long. If we went next year my youngest would be only two and I'm scared that she wouldn't understand?

I just would feel safer on a DCL... Does that sound weird? I have tried to research other cruise lines and I have noticed that they charge extra for things like the rock wall or the surfing thing on some of the boats.

On DCL you can still do what you want right? Like eat whenever go to the main seating or not? Shows, etc? I mainly want to enjoy the warm weather, sun, and relax on CC in the sand. I'm not sure I would even get off in Nassau so I can enjoy the boat more.

There is no charge on Royal Caribbean for the rock climbing wall or the Flow Rider (available on Freedom and Oasis-class ships). There is a charge if you want private instruction.

On DCL you have an assigned dining time - either early or late. You don't HAVE to eat in the dining room for dinner, but you can't show up whenever. Most other cruise lines have some sort of "anytime dining."

I have enjoyed three 4-night Disney cruises to the Bahamas. All were with one other adult (my mom or a friend). However, the majority of my cruises have been on other cruise lines (RCI, Princess, HAL, and Celebrity), and I have upcoming cruises booked on all of them. I prefer to go somewhere special when I cruise, rather than lounge by the pool and beach.

 

[kcashner]

A few comments to the above replies--
Canned sodas cost extra from bars and room service. Other beverages are free (coffee, tea, milk, juice). Fountain service sodas are free at the beverage station and in all dining rooms.

"Most other lines have some sort of anytime dining." DCL has "anytime dining" also; it just isn't in the main dining rooms. You can choose to go to the restaurant on the pool deck (name depends on ship) for a sit down dinner most evenings during the hours they are open. No reservation, no advance planning. That restaurant is a buffet at breakfast and lunch, but sit down at dinner. Another lovely thing--the only "upcharge" restaurants are the adult only restaurants. Some other lines have 14 restaurants on their ship but only 3 are available without a surcharge!

DCL takes safety VERY seriously. If you want to see the results of that, look on u-tube for the films of the Wonder crew rescuing the guy who jumped overboard from a Carnival ship. Carnival got their lifeboat tangled in the rigging, had inadequate search lights, etc. Captain Guus can be heard giving orders to the Wonder crew who smoothly executed the rescue just as they had done many times in their drills. The best films are from the Wonder passengers, but the best reports are from Carnival passengers who could see the Wonder in action. I know, all lines have required drills. But there was no question as to who could get the job done in real life.

 

[NancyIL]

A few comments to the above replies--
Canned sodas cost extra from bars and room service. Other beverages are free (coffee, tea, milk, juice). Fountain service sodas are free at the beverage station and in all dining rooms.

"Most other lines have some sort of anytime dining." DCL has "anytime dining" also; it just isn't in the main dining rooms. You can choose to go to the restaurant on the pool deck (name depends on ship) for a sit down dinner most evenings during the hours they are open. No reservation, no advance planning. That restaurant is a buffet at breakfast and lunch, but sit down at dinner. Another lovely thing--the only "upcharge" restaurants are the adult only restaurants. Some other lines have 14 restaurants on their ship but only 3 are available without a surcharge!

I was referring to anytime dining in the main dining room. You can't show up when you please in your assigned dining room on DCL.

 

[bellaprincess98]

As a first cruise without the kids I personally would not do Disney. Dont get me wrong its is an awesome cruise, however, I would be feeling guilty the whole time thinking about what my kids would be missing. Although there are many Adults only activities to get involved in, there are also many things geared towards kids and families and you'd be wishing you had your kids with you. If I were to do a cruise for just my husband and I, I'd probably pick Royal Carribean or Carnival.

 

[sabrecmc]

I would check out some of the personal navigators from prior cruises and see if they appeal to you. I would definitely do a Disney cruise as adults-only if the opportunity presented itself. My brother and his soon-to-be wife are doing one for their honeymoon. The ships are gorgeous, the crew is fantastic and CC is nothing short of amazing. I think you'll have a blast.

 

[DiSnEyFrEaK22]

We celebrated our honeymoon on the Wonder last September and we are going on a 7 night eastern for our one year anniversary in September. Although, if I had kids I would also feel guilty not bringing them on the cruise.

 

[NWgoofyfamily]

I agree that the 3 day is a lot easier to manage since you only miss 2 work days and if you can only swing the 3 day do it. You will still have fun and you will get a good idea whether you like cruising or not. We did a 3 day first and we loved it and did a 7 day after that. The 3 day was short, but we still had fun, sometimes I love the idea of a weekend getaway. Short, sweet, and easy to plan. We have only taken the kids with us, but my DH and I would still cruise Disney if the kids weren't with us. Good luck with your decisions and planning!

 

[meachell13]

It wouldn't matter where I go or what I do. I would feel guilty not taking my kids. I love the way that they see things and makes the trip so much more different when they come along. We rarely do anything without them. Some times though I do have to make myself just say no and go by ourselves. I can see going on the boat more than the World by ourselves for sure because that would seem totally unfair! I do feel like the quality of Disney should be there so it should be an awesome time...

I don't mind with the time to eat dinner...that doesn't bother me at all. I was just curious about food in general.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

DH and I are taking our first cruise this Oct and it is on the Dream!! We have two DD's aged 10 and 6 and we are NOT taking them with us. First of all, after 10 years of family vacations only, it's our time! And secondly, our children are definitely not deprived when it comes to Disney. We just got back from our 4th Disney vacation in 4 years...I think it's high time Mommy and Daddy get to try it ourselves!! And we figure this cruise will be good recon for possible future family cruising!! We added one day before and one day after to stay at Disney hotels and go to two parks...and no I won't feel guilty going to Epcot during F&W without my kids...they would be bored to tears and wouldn't want to try new foods...so as far as I can see it, it's a win/win situation!

 

[meachell13]

DH and I are taking our first cruise this Oct and it is on the Dream!! We have two DD's aged 10 and 6 and we are NOT taking them with us. First of all, after 10 years of family vacations only, it's our time! And secondly, our children are definitely not deprived when it comes to Disney. We just got back from our 4th Disney vacation in 4 years...I think it's high time Mommy and Daddy get to try it ourselves!! And we figure this cruise will be good recon for possible future family cruising!! We added one day before and one day after to stay at Disney hotels and go to two parks...and no I won't feel guilty going to Epcot during F&W without my kids...they would be bored to tears and wouldn't want to try new foods...so as far as I can see it, it's a win/win situation!

I was thinking the same thing about trying it out and doing a trial for future family plans! We normally take them everywhere we go... even out to dinner! I feel like we would were enjoy a small getaway and then hurry back and hug them tight!