OK,
We just got back from our 3 day Wonder trip, our 1st on Disney Cruise Line, our 8th cruise. Thought I'd give a quick report and a report card of Disney vs. the other lines we have cruised.
The port facilities are the nicest we have cruised from and the ship is very nice. The embarkation process did not seem to go as smoothly as some others we have experienced. We had a Navigator verandah cabin. The verandah was neat with it's seafaring trim. After all of the talk of how Disney cabins are larger than other lines, we were disapointed in the cabin size. The split bathroom was, in our opinion, more trouble than it was worth. It seemd like Disney took a typically small cruise ship bathroom and split it in two, thus resulting in two really, really small bathrooms. Neither my wife or myself are very big people, and it was cramped for us. Not sure how a larger person would function in these. The width of the cabin seemed smaller than other lines we have sailed. If one person is standing at the end of the bed, another has a very difficult time getting past. Cabin service was great. Our steward Dani did a very good job.
Overall ship facilities were on par with other lines, we thought, nothing Disney did was far superior to others. Dining was a big disapointment. The themed dining rooms were neat. Breakfast and lunch buffets were about the same quality as other lines, but we did feel that there were less selections. The navigation of the Beach Blanket buffet area was very difficult compared to the Princess ships we have sailed as well as Celebrity's Century. Dinner selections and quality was nowhere near as good as the other lines.
The kids facilities were very good, but I think our 5 year old had just as much fun in the Princess facility last year. The staff was great with all of the kids. The Mickey pool was really great and was probably the highlite of the ship for our 5 year old.
The access to Characters was a very nice feature, but after a day of running into them at every turn, our daughter thought it was old news.
Cast Away Cay is by far the best private beach of all the lines we have sailed. Disney has done a great job in this department. The ready supply of chairs and umbrellas was a VERY nice touch.
I have to agree with other posters, Disney Dreams is probably the best ship show we have seen.
Another very nice Disney touch, they did a fireworks show on the 4th, off shore of Nassau. After passing out champagne in keepsake glasses, they played patriotic music and did a 10 min fireworks show.
Debarkation, I only have one question here - why doesn't the other cruise lines follow Disney's lead on this one. What a breeze getting off the ship. I think I was actually in shock as I walked out of breakfast in Tritons and right off the ship. NO waiting for someone to call out "those of you with blue tags may exit now".
In summary, we had a great time. Even a so-so cruise is better than being at home. Disney does a good job. Is the "Disney Difference" worth the extra cost of a Disney cruise? We don't think so. Unless we stumble onto a really, really good deal, we'll probably stick with Princess or Celebrity.
If anyone has any specific questions about the 3 day tour, feel free to ask.
We just got back from our 3 day Wonder trip, our 1st on Disney Cruise Line, our 8th cruise. Thought I'd give a quick report and a report card of Disney vs. the other lines we have cruised.
The port facilities are the nicest we have cruised from and the ship is very nice. The embarkation process did not seem to go as smoothly as some others we have experienced. We had a Navigator verandah cabin. The verandah was neat with it's seafaring trim. After all of the talk of how Disney cabins are larger than other lines, we were disapointed in the cabin size. The split bathroom was, in our opinion, more trouble than it was worth. It seemd like Disney took a typically small cruise ship bathroom and split it in two, thus resulting in two really, really small bathrooms. Neither my wife or myself are very big people, and it was cramped for us. Not sure how a larger person would function in these. The width of the cabin seemed smaller than other lines we have sailed. If one person is standing at the end of the bed, another has a very difficult time getting past. Cabin service was great. Our steward Dani did a very good job.
Overall ship facilities were on par with other lines, we thought, nothing Disney did was far superior to others. Dining was a big disapointment. The themed dining rooms were neat. Breakfast and lunch buffets were about the same quality as other lines, but we did feel that there were less selections. The navigation of the Beach Blanket buffet area was very difficult compared to the Princess ships we have sailed as well as Celebrity's Century. Dinner selections and quality was nowhere near as good as the other lines.
The kids facilities were very good, but I think our 5 year old had just as much fun in the Princess facility last year. The staff was great with all of the kids. The Mickey pool was really great and was probably the highlite of the ship for our 5 year old.
The access to Characters was a very nice feature, but after a day of running into them at every turn, our daughter thought it was old news.
Cast Away Cay is by far the best private beach of all the lines we have sailed. Disney has done a great job in this department. The ready supply of chairs and umbrellas was a VERY nice touch.
I have to agree with other posters, Disney Dreams is probably the best ship show we have seen.
Another very nice Disney touch, they did a fireworks show on the 4th, off shore of Nassau. After passing out champagne in keepsake glasses, they played patriotic music and did a 10 min fireworks show.
Debarkation, I only have one question here - why doesn't the other cruise lines follow Disney's lead on this one. What a breeze getting off the ship. I think I was actually in shock as I walked out of breakfast in Tritons and right off the ship. NO waiting for someone to call out "those of you with blue tags may exit now".
In summary, we had a great time. Even a so-so cruise is better than being at home. Disney does a good job. Is the "Disney Difference" worth the extra cost of a Disney cruise? We don't think so. Unless we stumble onto a really, really good deal, we'll probably stick with Princess or Celebrity.
If anyone has any specific questions about the 3 day tour, feel free to ask.
