Danny Saesim
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2015
- Messages
- 1
This was our first cruise ever. I have relied on this forum to prepare myself. Instead of posting a straight foward review, I will just try to capture my thoughts and tips in bullet format. We had 32 people in our group (14 adults and 18 kids).
Cons
- Disney's website and pre cruise information sucks. I expected more from Disney. I couldn't book a group reservation for Palo via the website (you have to call). Some how, another 5 families got linked to our group and I couldn't get rid of them. So our dining got kind of mixed up.
- The change in EtOH policy sucks. We ended up spending an arm and a leg for drinks.
- The pool is pretty darn small. Good think I wasn't expecting to do a lot of swimming on board.
- The sports deck was pretty much useless. They had a basketball hoop, but the netting (to keep the ball from going in to the ocean) was so low that it was impossible to shoot.
- Kids clubs were great. Except I think they should have broken up the age ranges into smaller groups to be more age specific (ie 3-7, 8-10yr). My boys 9 and 10 thought the programs were all a little too kiddish.
- Buffet and restaurant coffee sucks. Very watered down.
Pros:
- Service was amazing. Especially our waiters (JoJo and Vipan). I can't imagine having to serve our crazy families. But they all did it with a smile. No matter what I curveballs I threw at them, they were able to meet it. I asked for shrimp cocktails (off menu) and they found a way to bring it to me every night. I asked to mix and matched the main entrees (no problems). I asked for desserts that were not on the menu (no problem). They were fantastic.
- Room Attendees were also amazing. I would leave dirty plates, cups, and trash outside our room...and they would get picked up in minutes. Our rooms were always clean.
- Palo. If you have a large group, ask for the private room. We had it all night and it was amazing. Service was wonderful. We were loud and obnoxious, but no one complained or batted an eye. They brought out everything we asked for and then some. They were able to give us the pastas as a family portion so we could try a little of everything. I would highly recommend it.
- The shows were very good. We always waited before the doors opened so that we could get the best seats in the house. Front middle. But you can pretty much see it from any seat.
- I love the wavephones and DL apps. We could not have lived without them. We mostly used the messaging app to communicate. You would have to close and reopen the app sometimes, but otherwise it worked well.
- Although the boat was filled to capacity, food lines moved fairly fast
- Favorite foods/treat: Cream cheese pretzel (ran out on the last day), soft serve, Chicken wings at Diversion, any lamb dish, shrimp cocktails, prime rib, creme brulee, and the sorbet at Palo.
- We did two tasting (Scotch and Cognac). Miroslav was nice, but spoke too much. We would have preferred more tasting.
Tips:
- Download DL app
- Go ahead and make request during dinner. They will try to fulfill your every desire
- Watch the fire work from the upper deck on the right side. Better view
- Take showers in the fitness room lockers. More space.
- Bring your own coffee. Or get it at the Cove (you have to pay).
- Book your excursions off site. Much Cheaper. IF you have a large group and want to enjoy Cabo, check out La Isla boat at Cabo San Lucas Tours...Great experience.
- Comedy show was great. Get there early.
- bring your own snacks (ie candy, popcorn, etc) for the shows. You can just bring it on in.
- When you go on excursion, order the PBJ sandwiches (smuckers) from room service to take ashore. Makes for a great snack/lunch for your kids.
- On disembarkation day, take your family and wait at the Studio Sea. They have cartoons for the kids. Then when you are called, head down the middle stairway in the atrium and you are there.
I hope this helps all of you. If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Cons
- Disney's website and pre cruise information sucks. I expected more from Disney. I couldn't book a group reservation for Palo via the website (you have to call). Some how, another 5 families got linked to our group and I couldn't get rid of them. So our dining got kind of mixed up.
- The change in EtOH policy sucks. We ended up spending an arm and a leg for drinks.
- The pool is pretty darn small. Good think I wasn't expecting to do a lot of swimming on board.
- The sports deck was pretty much useless. They had a basketball hoop, but the netting (to keep the ball from going in to the ocean) was so low that it was impossible to shoot.
- Kids clubs were great. Except I think they should have broken up the age ranges into smaller groups to be more age specific (ie 3-7, 8-10yr). My boys 9 and 10 thought the programs were all a little too kiddish.
- Buffet and restaurant coffee sucks. Very watered down.
Pros:
- Service was amazing. Especially our waiters (JoJo and Vipan). I can't imagine having to serve our crazy families. But they all did it with a smile. No matter what I curveballs I threw at them, they were able to meet it. I asked for shrimp cocktails (off menu) and they found a way to bring it to me every night. I asked to mix and matched the main entrees (no problems). I asked for desserts that were not on the menu (no problem). They were fantastic.
- Room Attendees were also amazing. I would leave dirty plates, cups, and trash outside our room...and they would get picked up in minutes. Our rooms were always clean.
- Palo. If you have a large group, ask for the private room. We had it all night and it was amazing. Service was wonderful. We were loud and obnoxious, but no one complained or batted an eye. They brought out everything we asked for and then some. They were able to give us the pastas as a family portion so we could try a little of everything. I would highly recommend it.
- The shows were very good. We always waited before the doors opened so that we could get the best seats in the house. Front middle. But you can pretty much see it from any seat.
- I love the wavephones and DL apps. We could not have lived without them. We mostly used the messaging app to communicate. You would have to close and reopen the app sometimes, but otherwise it worked well.
- Although the boat was filled to capacity, food lines moved fairly fast
- Favorite foods/treat: Cream cheese pretzel (ran out on the last day), soft serve, Chicken wings at Diversion, any lamb dish, shrimp cocktails, prime rib, creme brulee, and the sorbet at Palo.
- We did two tasting (Scotch and Cognac). Miroslav was nice, but spoke too much. We would have preferred more tasting.
Tips:
- Download DL app
- Go ahead and make request during dinner. They will try to fulfill your every desire
- Watch the fire work from the upper deck on the right side. Better view
- Take showers in the fitness room lockers. More space.
- Bring your own coffee. Or get it at the Cove (you have to pay).
- Book your excursions off site. Much Cheaper. IF you have a large group and want to enjoy Cabo, check out La Isla boat at Cabo San Lucas Tours...Great experience.
- Comedy show was great. Get there early.
- bring your own snacks (ie candy, popcorn, etc) for the shows. You can just bring it on in.
- When you go on excursion, order the PBJ sandwiches (smuckers) from room service to take ashore. Makes for a great snack/lunch for your kids.
- On disembarkation day, take your family and wait at the Studio Sea. They have cartoons for the kids. Then when you are called, head down the middle stairway in the atrium and you are there.
I hope this helps all of you. If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask.
