a few first timer questions

[dalt01]

im sure these have been asked many times before but i have never given a thought to this board untill a couple days ago. first a little history 10 days POR aug '03, 6 days AKL, over christmas and 11 days POR just last week, 3 trips in 11 mos so you know im nuts. now its time to change things up a bit DW says, and go somewhere else. OK we'll go to sea! now, are cruise cabins really claustrafobic crackerboxes? do a lot of people puke over the side? are all of the resorts in play for the land part of the package? and will 11 year old DD be walking around saying "are we back yet?". i have to sell this idea to a couple of skeptics so any help would be great.

 

[natdencro]

Just check-out the link regarding repeat cruisers! You will see that any worries you have are completely unfounded!We have had 4 weeks on the Magic, and hopefully another 2 next year. Best vacation ever! Nat

 

[mickeyboat]

Good luck with your sales pitch. You will find thousands of cruise fans to back you up here.

The cabins are comfortable. I did not feel claustrophobic in our Deck 1 cat 9 (oceanview) room. If felt like a small hotel room. Besides, how much time will you want to spend there, anyway. One of the nice things about DCL is that rooms cat 10 or higher come with a split bath. That means a shower/tub and sink in one room and the stool and another sink in the other. Makes getting ready a breeze.

I didn't see anyone puking over the sides. LOL! My DD3 is prone to motion sickness and she didn't even feel the ship moving. I felt the motion mostly in the theaters and the dining rooms. I didn't have to take anything, only take a couple of deep breaths or move get some fresh air to feel better. Really not a problem at all. Let's put it this way, I didn't miss a meal.

But there are some very effective motion sickness remedies available, both natural and medical. A word of caution, make sure you try them out at home to test for any side effects. I tried Bonnine one time and I broke out in an itchy rash.

There are a lot of things for an 11 year old to do on board. If she makes friends easily, she will love the clubs. They plan a lot of great activities for the kids to enjoy. Gives Mom and Dad a break, too. If she would rather spend time with you, there are plenty of things to do together - shows, games, swimming, etc. Plus there are great ports of call to explore.

BTW - selling point for your DW. There is an adults only restaurant, adults only pool and adults only entertainment and seminars.

Castaway Cay is the most amazing place I have ever been.

If you like Disney, you will love DCL. The Disney touch at sea is unbeatable. Characters are very accessible.

Good luck!

Denae

 

[jrabbit]

At the parks I HAVE to take dramimine to survive the day(s) On the ship I take a pill in the morning and have been fine. After a couple of days I forget to take the meds and I am still fine (CANNOT do that at the parks!! ) In January a few years ago we had 22+ foot waves. I still was not bothered - the stabilzers on the ship work Great Never have seen anyone hanging over the rail "feeding the fish"

The rooms are smaller than those at the All Star resorts. BUT you only need the room to go potty, change clothes and to take a short nap late at night (you know in the 1am to 6am timeframe). Even on our 7 night cruises we didn't spend much time in the room.

Not all of the resorts are a part of the Land/Sea package. BUT since you've "done Disney" pretty well over the last year or so you could "easily" skip the parks and just do a 7 night cruise. East or West, doesn't matter - both cruises are great and have their pluses and minuses. Lots for everyone to do - together or appart! DD may have the "are we done yet" attitude on the eastern because you start off with 2 1/2 sea days before hitting the first island.

The Disney touch is evedent on the ships. The shows are great. The food very good and the service outstanding.

Go and have fun. Relax and enjoy!

 

[music777.com]

My DW and I have done several different cats on Disney as well as RCCL. The rooms are much larger on Disney for the lower cat. We have had an 11, 9, and 6. 11 & 9 were the same just the 9 had a port hole which was very nice to have. But the category 11 is still comfortable. We do not have kids so that probably makes a difference but the rooms were very nice compared to RCCL. If you think you might get sea sick just take some bonine about 45 to 60 mins before you sail. It seems to help me and my DW since we are both prone to motion sickness.

JJ

 

[kcashner]

We've cruised on the Magic 10 times. DD has ranged in age from 7 - 13. No problems with motion sickness, and I've NEVER seen anyone puking over the side. Motion sickness pills are available free on board if needed. If you are prone to motion sickness, think about a cabin mid-ship and low where the motion is least. The ship has excellent stabilizers and relatively little motion even during our one storm at sea experince. I can't do rides, but have no problem on the ship....and I puke on small boats.

An 11 year old should have tons to do. Kid programming runs from 9 am - midnight. In addition, there are movies, shows, meals, pools, ice cream, etc.

The cabins are larger than industry standards--much larger (about 1/3 more than most lines for the same category.) For 3 people, you have only to decide inside vs. outside, and porthole vs. balcony. Basically, you decide how much you want to spend.

Each cabin category is tied to a certain level of WDW resort. However, it is frequently cheaper to book your land and sea portions separately, and that also gives you the flexibility of choosing any resort you want. If you choose DCL transfers, you will need to get to one of the "cruise resorts" to catch the bus. When we stayed at OKW (before it was a cruise resort), the bellman took us in his van to the nearest cruise resort.

We like the parks....but we LOVE the cruise.

 

[CM_Mom]

I think you're more likely to hear your 11 yo saying " I don't wanna go home" or "no it can't be Friday already" instead of "can we go home yet"

Check out www.dcltribute.com/navigators for the activities available. Look at the Kids/Teens Navigators for each cruise for an idea of the activites for your DD.

Have fun. We always do.

 

[TheWog]

OK we'll go to sea! GOOD CHOICE!

now, are cruise cabins really claustrafobic crackerboxes? no, they are surprisingly spacious and comfy.

do a lot of people puke over the side? don't think so. although you will feel the ship, it depends on your tolerance for motion and as mentioned above you can prepare for it in several ways

are all of the resorts in play for the land part of the package? This depends on the category you book, but yes you can have a huge selection of park resorts to choose from for a land and sea.

and will 11 year old DD be walking around saying "are we back yet?". No, she will have so much fun that she will be saying "are we back already?"

 

[Tinkertoo]

2 words for you BOOK IT!

I've been on 2 Disney Cruises and I can't wait for my next one!

The love the rooms, I don't find them too small at all.

As for motion sickness, I only felt a "little off" once, so I went out on deck to get some fresh air and was fine.

One of my favorite places on the boat is on deck at night looking out into the ocean....it's amazing. And my favorite port.....Castaway Cay, paradise for sure!! Disney knows how to do cruises, wouldn't cruise with anyone else

 

[dalt01]

sorry forgot to ask does the land?sea quote include lengh of stay passes ? thanks for all the other ammo.

 

[thevolcanogod]

Yes, land and sea packages include Ultimate Park Hopper passes for the duration of your land stay.

 

[jrabbit]

does the land?sea quote include lengh of stay passes ?

Yes, therefor you are paying to get into the parks on the first day of your stay through and including the embarkation day. So generally speaking you are paying full price for 2 pretty short days at WDW. (this assumes you are doing the land portion first - but works pretty much the same if you do the cruise first)

 

[mmouse37]

We have also cruised DCL 10 times with number 11 in the works.....I have never seen anyone puke overboard!!!

I was addicted to WDW.....it was a favorite vacation 30 times....since we started cruising with DCL on the Maiden Voyage of the Magic back in 1998 we are hooked and choose to cruise DCL. I will still hit WDW but the cruise is so much more relaxing while still getting my Disney fix.

Keep saying this to your family and they will eventually give in....even if it to just shut you up!!!!! LOL!!!

Choose to Cruise
Choose to Cruise
Choose to Cruise......



jrabbit.....FYI...you can only do the "official" land/sea package with land first....

MJ

 

[kristen821]

Somebody mentioned you can get the motion sickness pill on ship for free. Just in case (I have never been sick on anything before) but where do you pick that up? Also, It is alot cheaper to book the land and sea seperately. You can choose which hotel to stay at and also get a dream maker plan if you choose to do so.

 

[bobcat]

I was just going to pose this question. We too just returned and while we had a great stay WDW itself was feeling a little unsuprising. So the kids and I talked about cruising for our next trip. Now I just need to work out the logistics and $$$. Lots more reading on this board to do.