Disney Cruise has healing powers

[tampaguys]

My partner and I just got home yesterday, and he and I both agree that (1) we have never had a vacation that good before and (2) we have never been more relaxed than we are now.

Whether you can afford the Walt Disney Suite for 15 nights or an inside stateroom for 3 nights, I highly recommend that you save your pennies and go. It's absolute magic.

 

[nordkin]

I agree 100% and that is why we go on at least one Disney cruise a year. We tend to go on their special cruises to have some variety, but every one has been wonderful. We have also met several gay couples from all over the country over the years that we have become friends with.

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise.

 

[OrlandoMike]

I agree 100% !

For some odd reason, the ships seem to be the most magical division of the company lately. Maybe because they are a small division and can manage things better? Who knows? All I know is the food, service, and accommodations are all top notch!

 

[PghLybrt]

Ok now I mean no harm by this question ...but

Can you really avoid children on these cruises? I know not in the dinning room and such but can we actually have adult time with adult conversation and not worry about little ears listening?


My family wants to take a cruise and we are debating what cruise line to take. The adults far outnumber the children……8 adults to 2 children (that group includes 2 gay couples). So we didn’t know if it would be all child centered. It does not look like it from the video and such but I know they portray what they want you to see. I want to know how it really is.


thanks!

 

[hematite153]

Ok now I mean no harm by this question ...but

Can you really avoid children on these cruises? I know not in the dinning room and such but can we actually have adult time with adult conversation and not worry about little ears listening?


My family wants to take a cruise and we are debating what cruise line to take. The adults far outnumber the children……8 adults to 2 children (that group includes 2 gay couples). So we didn’t know if it would be all child centered. It does not look like it from the video and such but I know they portray what they want you to see. I want to know how it really is.


thanks!

Well, if SEEING children is going to be a problem then I probably wouldn't take any cruise. On the other hand, I think I saw fewer children in the way and participating in "adult" activities on our Disney cruise than on our Carnival cruise.

How things work out for your family will likely depend on how your family manages your planning. The children's programming seems to be great--they even have options for kids without parents when you are on-shore (at least at Castaway Cay). There is an adult-only beach and eating area at Castaway Cay which seems to be mostly respected (although I saw one family getting drinks and others have talked about seeing families who insisted on swimming there). The pools split up with an age focus (adults aren't allowed on the slide and kids aren't allowed in an adult pool). The shows will be attended by both kids and adults but seem to be geared for all ages. The movies shown in the theatre seems to have varied age appeal and some will have more kids than others.

All of this to say, we went with adults only and had a good time. But, some people really don't like kids at all and I have no idea what their experience would be.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Disney does a wonderful job of keeping the adults happy on the ships. Children are not allowed in the adult pool area, or the nightclub district. When I have cruised with children in my party, I rarely even saw them! The kids have their own areas, as do the adults, and it is very respected! They NEVER wanted to leave the childrens activity area. The lobbys of the restaurants are the only time I get nervous. For example, when you eat in the main dining room they take a lot of character photos before the restaurant opens. BUT they are also passing adult beverages, so I usually grab one of those and go to the balcony to enjoy the view. It is great traveling as an adult on the Disney ships!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Thanks for posing the question, PghLybrt. I read one trip report that recorded over a thousand children on board, and that does give me great pause.

I think for us, the DC would be a good idea when the entire family (with children) wants to go together, but still am having a difficult time deciding if we want to do it alone, as a couple.

DCL has the dining seating that we don't care for as well. We've been really spoiled by the Freestyle Cruising where we can have our own table for every meal.

Neither one of us go on vacation to have each meal with strangers.

To that end, we'll keep reading about DCL and listening to opinions and maybe someday finally make up our minds! LOL!

 

[tampaguys]

It's a shame that you're hesitant to go. We went just as a couple, no kids, and had a blast. When we booked, we specified that we wanted the latest dinner seating (8:30 pm) and that we wanted to be paired with people close to our age as dining partners.

It was perfect. The 8:30 seating had very few kids and we got paired up with two women our age who were taking a vacation together without their husbands or kids. It was a blast. Every night, we looked forward to dinner with our new friends. The last morning, when we considered leaving the ship early and not going to breakfast, we changed our minds because we would have missed a chance to say goodbye to Deb and Dawn (not to mention our assistant server, a total cutie from Chile named Leonardo).

 

[PghLybrt]

Thanks everyone! Sorry to hijack the thread but you all helped!

I do not think that as a couple we would ever go alone….we love Olivia Cruises to much! But as a family it sounded like a good choice . I know how….ummm boisterous we are as a family, and did not want to cause problems. But seeing that there really is in fact down time that we can act as , …….well lets face it the immature adults we are, the cruise does sound appealing.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Tampaguy you are giving me much food for thought. I like the sounds of the late dinner (we eat at that hour give or take anyway) and two others we may be able to handle. We just get really jumpy at the thoughts of being at table with "too many" strangers. Defining too many is the key, I guess. I know my partner's Mother wants to do a Disney cruise, and maybe if we had enough family to take up one table it would be easier.

Olivia! Tell me about them please? We've had any number of flyers and always "say" we are going but then never do. (Starting to sound familiar). They are pricey, too. Anything you'd care to share about them, I'd love to hear!