TO TRAYCIE2201 -- Please don't let all these naysayers spoil your excitement. Let me explain our view as a family of the
DCL experience.
Our first four day one was in 2000. First cruise for all of us -- husband, me and daughter. We no sooner walked off the ship and my husband booked another one for 2002 -- the 7-day Eastern. I was actually more excited about the extra days at sea than the ports.
After that cruise, I asked my husband if he wanted to do another cruise for a change -- absolutely not, he said. Why? We have all heard some unpleasant stories about other cruise line experiences. I know that some of them have more to offer, bigger ships, better dining, fancier digs, and YES, the almighty casino.
But we don't want any of that. The reason we love DCL so much is that NOTHING is expected of you. You are NOT expected to wear a tux or sequined gown. You are NOT expected to look a certain way or talk a certain way. You are NOT expected to be demure and proper at all times and respect everyone's "space". But best of all, you are NOT looked down upon for who you are.
I know MANY MANY couples who have travelled on DCL and have no children. We will continue on DCL even after our teenager daughter no longer wants to go. Here's why:
1. Staterooms -- they are bigger than most ships (not all, but most). They have a split bathroom -- which no other ship offers. Both times our room stewards were thoughtful, attentive and always remembered our names. My daughter was amazed when Jonathan would call down the hall -- Hi, Emily, how are you today.
2. Food -- Every day you can have your choice of the buffet, or two of three restaurants for breakfast or lunch. Dinner times are fun because you rotate to a different themed restaurant every night and your dining staff follows you. So by the second night, they always know what you like or don't like. Maybe we don't have high RCL or Norweigen or Queen Mary standards, but we have found the food to be amazing. Better than any fine dining I've gotten in expensive restaurants in my area! On Captain's night, they offered lobster tail and it was scrumpious. They have two midnight desert buffets which are not only beautiful to behold, but delicious. Both cruises afforded us amazing waiters and assistants and even the head server remembered our name every time he saw us on or off the ship!
3. Entertainment -- we found the entertainment on both of our previous cruises to be of Broadway quality. AND on our last cruise, we had two adult comedians who both had been on HBO previously. They did the variety show for family hour, but later invited you to join them in the bar for the "adult" version -- and they were side-splitting raunchy and funny. The stage shows are great and the talent priceless. They DO have many, many character appearances -- which are always noted in your daily Navigator. We saw characters on the ship ALL THE TIME. Plus they give you a character breakfast on the 7-day cruise.
4. Activities -- we were NEVER bored. DCL has some of the most amazing spa treatments and saunas that you have ever seen. We always get messages and sign up for the week with the Rainforest sauna, and on and on. They even offer messages on
Castaway Cay in cabanas (we're doing that one next cruise). We took a galley tour and got to see all three kitchens and how food is moved from one restaurant to the other. ALSO, there are several cooking lectures, wine tasting, bridge tour, bingo every day (with great door prizes and cash prizes), exercise/jogging program (where you earn points to cash in later for souvenirs), meet the crew seminar, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game show, a Newlywed Type game show for adults after hours, several piano bars and lounges just to relax and escape. PLUS, yyou could just spend a week walking around the ship deck by deck. It is a magnificent ship. All wood and brass and glass. Very regal for a "family" cruise. Some days we would order room service for breakfast (free) and just sit in our room and chill, then mosey up to the deck or the pool, get a drink, play bingo, walk around, see a movie, etc. There is ALWAYS something to do. You just need to read the Navigator and plan. We never got bored and always felt the cruise wasn't long enough. That's why we're so excited about the 14-day cruise next year.
5. Castaway Cay -- a truly beautiful tropical island. Not all other cruise lines have their own island. And right in the middle, they give you a barbeque lunch with CLOTH napkins. The food is amazing. We rented bikes and rode all around and toured the WWII landing strip that is still there, the adult beach and some of the island where the staff lives.
TOP MOST REASON -- the DCL experience, for us (maybe not for everyone), is everything we have ever wanted from a cruise. We are pampered, respected and treated like royalty and we love it all -- the characters, the kids, the families and the noise. I don't think I could stand a pompous uppity ship like QM2 or Norweigen Cruise Line or even RCL.
Plus, they have a killer sail away party on deck 9. They bring the floor over the pool and ALL the characters are there dressed in sailor garb and they always have a live band that begins playing at 4:30 and plays until 6:00. The ship's horn sounds "When you Wish Upon a Star" and bubbles flow from the stacks (instead of confetti). We always dance, with drinks in hand, and watch the Florida coast slip away. All the fisherman on the docks wave goodbye. (NOTE FOR FIRST TIMERS -- Be sure to be on the dock side of the ship when departing Castaway Cay. All the island staffers come out to wave goodbye with big Mickey Gloves on.)
So, I hope that this isn't toooooo long and boring -- but I hope it took away the edge for those of you who were looking forward to your first cruise. Go with an open mind and heart and just expect to be dazzled. And you'll have a good time.
So excited to find out...
) we would go with them again, or maybe we will try another line. I am shocked that my husband agreed to another cruise!
