First time cruiser, Just back- WOW

[motherhen17404]

We just got back from our first DCL cruise. All I can say is WOW.

It was a great trip. It was me, DH and DS 11. We did the 7 day land/sea package.

Stayed at the Beach Club for 3 days before the cruise. One word of warning. The lady at the cruise check- in desk is a witch! Very pushy and condescending to us. She could not understand why we would choose to take a limo from the airport and than again to the port. Gave us the tsk, tsk sound when we said we did not want the bus transfers. We just laughed about it later.

We upgraded to a 1 bedroom suite when we got to port. DH did this without telling me until it was time to board. The stateroom was wonderful. Lots of room. Now I am going to be spoiled, will want this for every cruise.

The food was good. Wait staff was great. Took extra time with my DS. Brought him food that was not on the menu for that night.

DS did not spend very much time in the lab. Spent a lot of time with us. He was not very impressed with the pools on the ship, so we never went in them.

Castaway Cay was not what I thought is was going to be. I am NOT a beach person. Hate the waves knocking me down, sand everywhere. But I loved Castaway Cay. No waves on the family beach. Almost like a sandy bottom pool.

We even got the impossible, we got a bridge tour! We asked the concierge team if it could be done and they said no, but they would try. Then an hour later they called and said it was all set up. I really wish this was offered to everyone. The bridge was amazing. Really learned a lot.

Sorry this is so long. If anyone has any questions, I will be happy to answer them.

 

[prymsu]

glad you had so much fun, and thanx for sharing the details.

 

[disneylandfamily]

Glad you had a great time on your cruise. Just a question about your upgrade? Did your husband have to pay full price for the upgrade or did they give him a "good deal" because he did it at the port?

 

[motherhen17404]

disneylandfamily-

Sorry, but that is a question that I can't answer. DH will not tell me how much more the upgrade cost. I know it was more than I would have done. But after seeing the room, what ever it cost, it was worth it!

 

[KAMLEM]

disneylandfamily-

Did you have a category 3?

Shari

 

[cmraman]

KAMLEM: Motherhen and I did have a category 3 (Cabin # 8532.)

disneylandfamily: When we originally booked, the Cat 3 was $2500 more than the Cat 5 we went for. The cost to upgrade at the port was considerably less than that. (Less than $1000 is all I told Motherhen, it was a birthday suprise for her after all.)

Motherhen didn't really do the room justice in her description. All of our luggage went into the corner of the walk-in closet so we weren't tripping over it. We had access to the verandah from our room so we could "stargaze" late at night without waking DS10. 2 tv's, 2 showers, full-menu room service from any restaurant, what's not to like?

 

[KAMLEM]

cmraman-

That's the same cabin we have booked for March, 2004! I'm afraid to try and upgrade at the port because these rooms go so fast so I'll just pay the full amount. I certainly have plenty of time to save! Last time we had a category 4 and we had been waitlisted for a category 3 for 6 months but it never came through. I'm really looking forward to the concierge service and being able to order full breakfasts in our room! Did you eat in your room at all?

Shari

 

[cmraman]

We ordered a couple of breakfasts in-room but really took advantage of room service the last night. On the 4-day, the last night is a restaurant repeat so Motherhen and I booked Palo and ordered room service for DS10. The room service menu for concierge on the last night includes the "Master Chef Series" which is a selection of dishes from different Disney restaurants. I think it's the same menu Triton's has on the last night. DS loved the choices and we didn't have to leave him in the restaurant at a table by himself.

I also enjoyed being able to sit down in comfort and tell them when I wanted to do the spa, Palo, and the wine tasting, without having to race around the ship to make reservations. They also had someone come to us and register DS in the lab. We didn't have to wait there either.

I think you'll like the room. When we walked in, Motherhen's jaw dropped in awe. All I could think to say was "Michael Eisner just called and he wants us out of his room." Actually, we were able to get a tour of the Roy suite next door and it is larger but not a lot nicer.