JadedJoJo, IrishCowboy, anyone else who's done a large number of
DCL cruises:
I've wondered this for a long time and ya'll are in the best position to answer.
How do things change when you've been on the exact same cruise multiple times? At that point, I assume you've seen what you wanted to see in the various ports and you've seen all the shows. Do you just sit back and enjoy the cruise experience? Do your wander the ports on your own or enjoy having an empty ship to yourselves? Do you continue to go to the evening shows? I would expect each identical cruise to have diminishing returns from an experience/entertainment value. What do you do to keep things fresh? I've thought of re-booking itineraries that I've already experienced (especially if I can find a can't pass up deal!), but these thoughts hold me back. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
David
I'm so sorry I didn't see this post until now! I have gotten no updates about new posts or messages.
Indeed, most of our cruises have been on the Nassau/
Castaway Cay route. I can tell you that because of that, we've seen a LOT of Nassau, lol. We always switch it up though. On our last B2B, we did exploring of downtown Nassau, and the second leg we just stayed onboard and explored the Dream. On other trips, we've collected the coupons that they give you, and try to get all of the free (or nearly free) stuff. We've been to the straw market (not my cup of tea, but I can say we've done it!), rented water taxis to Atlantis and Cabbage Beach, snuck in to the Atlantis aquarium (free! Twice!! LOL), explored the downtown area near the Hilton, visited other beaches, and of course sometimes we just stay onboard and play. And at CC... well, we can never grow tired of CC
. But we switch it up there too. One trip, we might go to the adult beach and veg out. Another time, we bring snorkel gear and explore as much as possible. Several other times, we've rented bikes and explored the island (huge favorite of ours!). One time we did the scavenger hunt (very fun!
), a few times we went to the family beach and rode on the slides in Pelican Plunge, camped out in the hammocks, and snorkeled in the roped off area. And I am a photographer, so every trip to CC involves me snapping pics. I could very well write a book about all of the things we've seen and done in our trips to CC- we can always find new things to do, people to talk to, and things to try. Overall though, I can say that we are a bit tired of Nassau, so on our last cruise we decided it was our last B2B and our last Bahamas itinerary for a while. We've mostly done that route for the deals and the B2B for double dipping at CC (plus you feel like a celebrity on a B2B
). As for stuff onboard... you may think we are crazy, but we've never done a single stage show on any cruise (as far as the Broadway type productions like "Golden Mickeys" go. We have seen the special acts, like the magic act, ventriloquist, etc). My hubby is not the stage show kind of person at all (in fact, I had to chuckle a little just thinking about him watching a stage show), and even as I may enjoy it, we always do second dinner seating, so the sun is going down as the show is going on. My sunset pics come first LOL.
As far as diminishing returns though... I can tell you that every trip is fantastic, and we've never had a lesser experience. I can say we didn't enjoy the Dream as much as the Wonder, but that is from more of a personal standpoint and not a reflection on Disney or what anyone else may experience (more people meant more rude people in our experience on the Dream, unfortunately). Boy I can ramble on forever can't I!
Well, I hope that answered your Q's!! We just love DCL to bits!
I promise not to give out lame dollar store stuff! I have some really great ideas for some nice gifts.
I'm pretty sure we're going to do this excursion, we're huge fans of the show. I was thinking of booking it directly through their website and not via 
