Convince Me

[bamajenn]

Ok so... since I was a tiny little girl I've been making trips to the world (the fact that my signature ages me isn't lost on me LOL)... When my husband and I met I took him to WDW for the first time and he fell in love. Then, our son was born and that added a whole other reason to love our annual trips (once we left Florida and had to give up our monthly ones).

I am sitting here thinking about the Cruise trips and wondering what's so great about them? Convince me... tell me why me, my husband and my (now) 4 year-old son would love a cruise versus a trip to WDW!

 

[Curtis McCrea]

Disney Cruise Lines is basically a floating Disney World, except it takes you to some of the most exciting places in the world, like the Bahamas, Alaska and even Europe, as well as Disney's own private Island featuring water slides, and multiple beaches. The cabins are one of the largest in the cruising industry. The food, all cruise food, is unlike any other food you've eaten before. And you don't pay for it, it's all included in the cruise price. You and your DH can eat in the specialty restaurants while your DS enjoys playing with other kids his age in the ship's clubs.

Explore HERE to find out more magical things about Disney Cruise Lines.

PS - On the first day of every cruise, Disney has a special Sail away party with Disney characters. There is also Pirates Night which features the only fireworks at sea!

Curtis

 

[Husurdady]

Something different, you sound like my Dw & myself back in 04 [our 1st. cruise] ..........well this Sept it will be our 8th cruise, next May our 9th & Sept 2011 our 10th cruise. Don't get me wrong we still go to D-world,[and love every minute of it], why this past May we spent 14 nights there. If you have the chance to take a cruise then GO FOR IT. You will not be sorry. And maybe get HOOKED on cruises, like we did. HAPPY SAILING

 

[WilliamK99]

If you need convincing, you should just stick with WDW....

If someone truly loves Disney they wouldn't need convincing to take a cruise, just my humble opinion of course...


But if you really need convincing, convince yourself, do a 3 day cruise in conjunction with a WDW trip, it would be a good trial to see if it is something you would enjoy for longer periods later.

 

[bamajenn]

If you need convincing, you should just stick with WDW....

If someone truly loves Disney they wouldn't need convincing to take a cruise, just my humble opinion of course...

Wow... so not applicable in this case trust me. The convincing isn't really "needed" more as I want to see what everyone will say in response to the request to give me ideas of why I should try it. A cruise is a LOT more $$$ than a trip to WDW in a Value Resort during off season so the idea of paying potentialy $1k - $2k more for the experience is something, in this economy, I'd have to seriously consider. My love of Disney is not in question, just my willingness to pay for the experience of a cruise when money is so tight. Trust me, if I had money to burn, there'd be no convincing needed.

 

[VMinick]

My husband needed convincing to try out cruising (and especially to try out DCL at the higher price tag). Now...we're addicted! While we have gone, and continue to go, to WDW too many times to count, cruising is such a relaxed version of a vacation. We have three young children, and with the cruising, there's virtually no fighting over what to do next, where to eat, etc. There's no walks or tram rides to and from the car or getting in and out of the car/carseats over and over again.

On the boat, we still get Disney, but we also get a nice, relaxed feeling that doesn't seem to strike on any other version of vacation that we've had! We try to book our cruise as soon as the dates are released so that we have nearly two years to save for it. That makes it a little easier and allows us to still do our "normal" WDW trips in the meantime!

 

[BeautyFan]

Two words...kids club. Better, kids club Disney Style.

DS doesn't have to spend his entire time in the kids club, but if he's like my DD(3) last Feb, he'll want to be there a lot! It's great you can do your family activities, pool time, meals, and when you want some quiet time, know that he will be having a blast. One of the best things at the clubs is the time that some of the characters spend coming down to see the kids and interact with them (not just standing in line waiting for their turn for a hug & an autograph).

 

[When I Grow Up]

We stumbled onto DCL back in Jan 2008 and head out on Cruise # 9 this November. Cruising never appealed to us and now we are hooked. We live 45minutes from the Port and an hour from WDW. We first went to WDW in 1975 and took our kids. Pow! The Magic hit us. The happy smiles of the CMs wer magic. Over the years we made the Park (there was only the MK and a few stores at what is now Downtown) a regular visit. And of course there were just 2 hotels.
Over the years the parks went down in service, cleanliness and the whole thing just turned us off. By the Early 90's we were done. No Magic anymore just a bunch of sweaty jabbering people and rides with lines a mile long. Fast forward 15 years and here we are as Grandparents in our Mid 60's raising a 10 year old grandson.
For 5 years we have been doing the Parks again and must say that Disney cleaned up their act. As Premium Passholders we hit just specific "bits of all of the parks in a weekend. But Still no Magic.
Then We Stepped on Board The Wonder. It was Truly a "WOW" Moment. You are instantly wrapped in a time warp back to the days of what Disney was back then and the first visit we made to WDW. The Magic struck us again. From the Captain to the Cleaners you will never find a nicer and more Customer Focused Team. Walt would be proud. If only WDW could emulate what DCL have done... I guess Tink did a number on us with the Pixie Dust. Maybe with age comes some clarity of vision. Sitting in the "Golden Mickeys" show I realized just how positive and motivating the Disney songs are.
Just do it... The Parks will never be the same again after that first cruise. This is Disney service and care how Walt envisioned it. We love it. I have no desire or motivation to go on any other cruise line than DCL. I just want to go to all the places they go.
You do it. Life is too short

 

[cmclaura]

I'm the one who needed convincing. This, despite having grown up with the original Mickey Mouse Club (okay, in reruns), having visited Disneyland and WDW in that order, and having lived in Orlando for 8 years.

I just didn't think I would ever cruise. But I did allow that if I did, it would only be with Disney.

When we finally did, we did a 3 day and booked our next, 7 day cruise on our second day out.

On that cruise, we then joined DVC -- I'd also said I'd never buy timeshare (but allowed that DVC might be the only one to make me change my mind) -- but only after our rep was able to show us how we could cruise just about every year on points.

Really, it's that good.

 

[bbn1122]

My DH and I never ever thought we would like cruising. (Family DH 50, Me 48, DS's 16,12 and 10). When we got married 20 years ago, it seemed liked something for only retirees. Also, my DH does not like crowds, despite growing up in NYC. We did not want to eat at a big table every not with strangers etc. No appeal.

Then last August, my husbands siblings planned a cruise for their parents
80th birthdays. A 4 day cruise out of NY to Canada (St. John, NB) on Carnival Triumph. Well, it was an hour away to the port. We would be with 25 family members and it was relatively inexpensive. So, we thought, "Let's do it". Plus, we would get to see what cruising all about. We upgraded two cabins with balconies.

I am a planners, so I found the Carnival discussion boards and learned all that I could.

Well, we had a lot of fun. I was not crazy about the casinos and it seemed a little smokey. But, it intrigued me enough to begin looking into a second cruise. I was looking into another Carnival trip on a new larger ship out of NY for a 10 day Caribbean when I received a Kids Cruise free e-mail from Disney.

I had looked at the DCL cruises before, so I should say I did consider cruisng in the past 5 years, but just Disney. I guess because it was Disney, no casino, and all about family and fun.

Well, after a little investigation and made the call. We went Easter week which would have been 11K- 14K for a family of 5 (depending on which category). We were able to be in a family suite for under 8K for a 7 day Western. It was absolutely fantastic. The ship was so much better than Carnival, the atmosphere was elegant, not cheap/glitzy. Of course, family fun glore. Castaway Cay, was unbelievable. We had a blast at Cozumel and Grand Cayman. I loved the rotational dining rooms. The service of unbelievable, so friendly and accomodating, as only Disney can do.

Well, we came home and joined DCL. We had started the process on the ship late and finished up at home. To my surprise, my DH is the one who start it. He is no a Disney lover, but he enjoys their attention to detail and service. He felt he could depend on Disney to give him the best. And he had spoken to so many people using points to help pay for their cruises. He was intrigued. We now like to travel with two rooms or a suite and that gets expensive so the DVC was out answer. Plus, I loved the cruise and we can use points for our cruises.

So, now I have already booked a short 3 day on the Dream for next summer. We are alreday going in April to BLT for a week. We did not use points for the cruise, but will stay at DVC resort again before the cruise.

Next, I am looking at a 10/11 night Med cruise in 2012 for my 50th. I also, would like to go on a double dipper, eastern caribbean and maybe Panama Canal.

So, do we like cruising, I like DCL cruising. I love the ship, atmosphere, service and pixie dust, that I think you can only get from DCL. And I have only been on 1 cruise.

Try a 3/4 day cruise, tied into a few days at WDW. I think you will enjoy it.
Even if it is a one time trip.

 

[tjbaggott]

Well, for me, It's a cruise over Disney World Any day now that I've experienced DCL! My boys now ages 7 and 13, if given the choice between WDW and (closer to home) Canada'a Wonderland, or Marine land, or Camping for a Week, or going to the East Cost, or checking out the Calgary Stampede, they WILL choose WDW. BUT...... If given the choice between WDW and a Disney Cruise (which I've now given them the choice of), they choose THE CRUISE!!!

 

[NJMermaid]

get up close with so many characters, photo ops galore, lines not too long

service all over the ship is excellent, Quiet Cove for adults and adult clubs are wonderful spots. Rooms are nice, they really do a great job

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I don't think you'd like a Disney Cruise.......we really need to keep everyone thinking that WDW is better so that DCL has to offer more discounts.

Personally, WDW and DCL is not an either or proposition for us. We enjoy both for different reasons. WDW is huge, busy, very crowded but a lot of fun! DCL is more intimate, less crowded even when the ship is sold out and still a lot of fun! It's a more relaxing fun though. We find that our cruises are a great way to take a Disney vacation and truly relax. As other posters have said, the kids clubs are great. Or as your kids get older, let them explore on their own. There is time on a cruise for just Mom and Dad while still having plenty of family time. We enjoy the entertainment, the amenities, the staterooms, the meals, Castaway Cay and doing different shore excursions. Plus, being completely landlocked in the middle of the country, we love visiting the ocean.

Again, don't cruise unless you want to find yourself shelling out a lot of cash to become Gold or Platinum Castaway Club members!! We will be gold members after our next cruise in a month.

 

[LAWalz23]

There is a price difference but DCL does offer discounts during the off season. DCL is also like going to the deluxe resorts, you get pampered no matter what cabin you are in. Food and drinks are all paid for except for alcohol. And then there is 24 hour room service, free of charge except for packaged food or cans of soda with plently else like milk, cookies, Mickey bars, sandwiches, pizza and cheese and crackers.

I will also add that my sister regrets not taking her kids when they were younger, they were 9 our first DCL cruise, loved it anyway but it is even more magical for the younger set.

 

[Petraman]

In 2007, we were asking the very same question. Was it worth it? Why not just stick with what we already love and save the $$. I personally was never that excited about cruising myself. Then we bought into DVC!.. We got a bonus of a bunch of extra points and decided "since we have the points for free, why not try a cruise?" My wife and I took our kids on 3 day cruise for our 20th anniversary....
We were hooked! Completely! I would cruise every year if I could. Now We will never give up on our WDW/DLC trips and replace them with cruises.... they are a very different experience.

Here are the key things that we loved
-- Unpack once, wake up in exotic place every day
-- Relaxing, relaxing, relaxing
-- Great shows, great food, fun activities (especially for young kids) & no crowds
-- Disney just has a way of doing customer service amazingly. Well take your best Disney experience and multiply times 5! They pamper you, the waiters know your names and your kids fav food drinks by 2nd night. Service, housekeeping, everything absolutely impeccable.

We can't cruise all the time, it's just not in the budget, but we going to find ways to squeeze it in, it now has become our fav Disney trip to dream about. Headed to the new ship Dream in Nov2011.... can't wait!

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

We too travel regularly to WDW and have done DL as well. We had always dreamt of the Disney cruise but thought we could never afford it or that it was too much $ for a vacation. We finally decided to bit the bullet last March and went on the 4 night Wonder--NEEDLESS To say BEST decision EVER! While I still LOVE the parks and WDW resort, the DCL experience was in my mind unsurpassable!! We booked our next one for next March and also planning for the following year as well. What is so great??-
*service!!*cleanliness*great food* great entertainment*KIDS clubs!!!!*relaxing* unpack and no driving/no lines/no crowds/ease of access to everything!! WE LOVED IT!!! I cannot wait til the Dream
If this is something you want to do--I say go for it!! LIFE IS TOO SHORT and you will not regret it!! 100 years from now it won't matter how much $ you had, what car you drove, what house you lived it....what will matter is your experiences....Go for it!!!!!!!

 

[mndisfam]

One thing we never ever counted on was that our kids abs. love it and enjoy it as much as us. I love DW, but it can still be "mom" work...tending fights, bathroom breaks, planning rides...The cruise is as perfect for us as it is for our children. We park ourself around the pools, sip drinks and love life for hours and hours. The kids clubs aren't like you send your kids there to get a few hours, my kids actually want to leave us alone almost all day. A 4 yr old might not stay too long, but if it had been my kids, two 3 hour segments a day - with maybe naps in btwn. would have been very likely.

And, did you know they feed your kids at lunch without you even knowing when their older? AND, that they will, at the wonderful fancy dinners at night, they feed yr kids in 45 minutes while you sip wine and eat appetizers, and then come pick up yr children in the dining room for an hour or two in the kids clubs so you can eat at a leisurely refined pace?

Also, there is almost always something for anyone to eat 24 hour a day. You never have to meal plan ever. Or look for food for a hungry child.

Lastly, even more than the world, the CMs are never fazed by any kid behaviour - spilled drinks, teeth that fall out in the middle of formal night and bleed all over the white tablecloth (that was us...) Nothing is ever too much to help the parents. By the way, they ended sending all of our food, along with an extra bottle wine back to our room for us to all enjoy without anyone asking as we cleaned up that night's biohazard..

My kids even love the kids club on Castaway Key, which allow my DH and I to spend all the day at the amazing adult beach. And despite what some people say, I have never seen a fit or anythign untoward in the Kids Clubs. Lastly, the shows are darling for 4 yr olds. And there is no line EVER practically to see every character you have ever wanted to see.

 

[trekkie518]

DH and I wondered if we would like a cruise. We are huge Disney Fans, go to Disney at least once a year, (three times in the last 12 months) and we drive from MI.

We went with it's more money, when you actually add it up, with food, etc, it isn't that much worse.

We were concerned that there wouldn't be enough to do, we like the rides, etc.

It was the most relaxing, fun, exciting trip we had ever been on. And on our first trip, we did a 4 day, we didn't even get to go to Castaway Cay because of really bad weather. It was great. The one regret we had after getting off was that we hadn't gone on the 7 day cruise

Since then we have been back 6 more times, some with the kids, some without (all 7 days) with the 7th coming up soon we'll be going to Alaska. DH said he wanted to said he wanted to do a non Disney vacation next year. So we were looking at Alaskan Cruises. Imagine my glee when Disney announced they were going to Alaska, best of both worlds. We reserved the day it was opened up.

I have never experienced anything like a cruise, and the water amazing.

 

[MNmomor4]

If you need convincing, you should just stick with WDW....

If someone truly loves Disney they wouldn't need convincing to take a cruise, just my humble opinion of course...


But if you really need convincing, convince yourself, do a 3 day cruise in conjunction with a WDW trip, it would be a good trial to see if it is something you would enjoy for longer periods later.

I guess some people on disboards don't like when you start a thread with convince me ( I got some very negative comments for a similar thread on the camping site.

You obviously want to know what is so special about DCL. I am scheduled for my 4th cruise and everyone is better than the next. It's so relaxing and has the disney quality and service. Your 4yr old is a perfect age for DCL and the characters. You get to visit different ports and not have to deal with the crowds of the parks. You don't have to worry about where to eat and avoiding lunch/dinner rush. Food is great. The rotating dinner is fun, always have the same wait staff.

There is also the kids club that your child will love so you can have some couple time.

It's truly a wonderful vacation.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

The ship's horn plays "When you Wish Upon a Star". When you hear that for the first time, it is the most amazing experience. It is nothing that can be explained.