Anyone else disappointed with 2006 ports?

[tap & dap]

I personally would like to see all the new ports on one cruise:

Anitigua
St. Lucia
Puerto Rico

It is not much fun to keep going back to the same ports, that's why we booked the May repositioning cruise for next year to see something new.

 

[allears]

I guess this all depends on the focus of your cruise experience. If you're mostly drawn by ports of call, repeated Disney cruises probably aren't going to be your thing. After all they only have two ships and can't change itineraries every week. So some body isn't going to be happy no matter what schedule they come up with.

As for us, our focus is being on board the Magic and we could care less where she goes (other than Cast Away Cay). We always choose to stay on board at one of the ports anyway, gives us the ship almost to ourselves. It is cool to go to new and interesting places (makes justifying taking the kids out of shcool easier too) but the best part about the ports is that many of the other passengers get off the ship!

 

[js]

cindy, I haven't booked the air yet and havn't checked the prices. We will be leaving from either JFK or EWR.
We usually sail out of Miami and always do our own transfers (or have our own car).
If you were to sail out of PR, I would suggest flying into PR and getting a hotel close to the pier and taking a cab to the pier. It will probably be cheaper than what you would pay a cruise line for a transfer and you don't have to wait for others.
If you really are interested in finding out more about different cruises with different itineraries, I would really suggest going to cruisecritic
You will find a wealth of information there (even about DCL). Go to forums and then go to a specific cruise line.
Also go to the rccl web site to find out about their itineraries.
Have fun whatever you decide

 

[jrp]

Hi all
I have to agree with Allears as it is about the ship and not about the ports if you have done more than one cruise with DCL.

James

 

[cindy21494]

js, thanks for the info. I went on RCCL website and it looks like we are booking a cruise next 10/23/05. We will be doing the Adventurer of the seas. I also priced airfare for around that time, and Continental has a good price flying out of Newark non-stop for $276.00 pp.

For us it is not just about the ship. We have gone on four DCL cruises, and are just looking for new places to see. I love the ship and the people, but we need more than repeat ports. Hopefully Disney will be building more ships soon and we can look forward to new destinations. Until then, DH refuses to do DCL for quite awhile.

I am also surprised at how much cheaper RCCL is. For basically the same type of room, RCCL is $2500.00 verses $4600.00 for a seven day cruise (not including airfare). While I do believe DCL is worth the money, I am curious as to whether RCCL is just as good. BTW, I am not trying to start a debate. I am a huge Disney fan and we have been to Disney three times and taken two cruises this year. We are also headed back this February. I'm just looking for other options right now for cruising.

Cindy

 

[js]

Cindy, we have done the 2 sister ships to the Aventure (one of them twice) and can promise you will NOT be dissapointed.
Yes, Disney is higher than RCI. Although the DCL is great, I do believe you are paying for the name.
IMO, RCI programs are absolutely wonderful and can never get my kids out of the clubs. But there is a difference with the clubs.
The kids on RCI, have set times when you pick them up. For instance, the Navigtor will say pick up your kids at 12, return at 2. Pick up at 5 return at 7.
There are 2 nights the kids can have dinner with the kids clubs and you sign them up for it the morning of the dinner. They take the kids to Johnny Rockets.
Go to the site I mentioned above and you will get any and all info. you need about Adventure It is like the disboards but regarding cruising.

 

[invaderzim]

AnnaS . . .

We have settled on taking Princess Cruises for two reasons. I have been told by several people and a couple of TAs that Holland American and Princess were the best choices (only because RCCL does not have the "inside track" to the glacier tours as much as HA and Princess). Also, I was told that HA is a little more stuffy than Princess, so we settled on Princess. Another reason was because they offer an amazing land tour that can be added which takes you from the ship for four days and you stay at three of their own lodges. You can either start with the land tour and then board the ship, or vice versa. They transport you by their own bus and train to and from the port.

We are planning on going probably in June -- maybe end of May in 2006. Our scheduling will be made a little easier by the fact that my daughter will be in college by then and their classes end in May.

While it was a very tough decision to leave the comfort of DCL and venture to another cruise line, we really felt the timing was right -- especially when we saw the 2006 prices and the new itineraries. However, after four DCL cruises, it will be a little "scary" to board another ship that we know nothing about. It is comforting and relaxing when we board the Magic to know all the ins and outs and good staterooms and dining selections, and secrets about timing, etc.

Our AAA agent has said they have very good package deals with Princess and HA so we will probably book through them. We may spend a day or two in Vancouver before the cruise -- or in Fairbanks if we start the land portion first. We will probably let the cruise line book our air portion since we have to arrive and leave from different cities.