First Time Cruiser - Just back

[DipsyDoodles]

This was our first cruise. We were on the Dream for 4 nights from February 20 - 24. First, the ship is beautiful. Second, the ship is CROWDED! I wondered if I would be one of those people who would love cruising and want to do it again and again. Well, I am not. I'm kinda upset about this too. I did enjoy our cruise, the kids had a great time. I just didn't like the crowd level. The pools were mobbed, chairs all taken at the crack of dawn. I was also surprised at how small the pools were - is this typical on all cruise ships? Kids were jumping in the pool and landing on other kids. The hot tub was literally filled to capacity the entire time I was there. Kids would go in and just sit there...forever! The line for the Aquaduck was LONG. Our Dinners were pretty messed up as well, they would bring our children's dinner out about 20 minutes before ours. They would be done eating by the time we got our meals. They apologized twice about this and finally got it right on the last night. There was plenty to do though, if you want to be busy every second of your trip. We did really enjoy the shows though, they were wonderful and the seating was great.

 

[HowdyHeidi]

This was our first cruise. We were on the Dream for 4 nights from February 20 - 24. First, the ship is beautiful. Second, the ship is CROWDED! I wondered if I would be one of those people who would love cruising and want to do it again and again. Well, I am not. I'm kinda upset about this too. I did enjoy our cruise, the kids had a great time. I just didn't like the crowd level. The pools were mobbed, chairs all taken at the crack of dawn. I was also surprised at how small the pools were - is this typical on all cruise ships? Kids were jumping in the pool and landing on other kids. The hot tub was literally filled to capacity the entire time I was there. Kids would go in and just sit there...forever! The line for the Aquaduck was LONG. Our Dinners were pretty messed up as well, they would bring our children's dinner out about 20 minutes before ours. They would be done eating by the time we got our meals. They apologized twice about this and finally got it right on the last night. There was plenty to do though, if you want to be busy every second of your trip. We did really enjoy the shows though, they were wonderful and the seating was great.

Thanks for your review. I will be a first time cruiser and I may feel the same way about the crowds. I think I need to keep my expectations realistic and I'm sure I will enjoy it, as you said. Any advice on shortest aquaduck waits?

 

[Selket]

It certainly wasn't like that when I sailed on the Magic twice. Is the Dream this bad? I don't want to pay that much $$$$ to feel like I'm always waiting in line and can never find a seat.

 

[Cmbar]

I don't know if this will be the standard for the Dream because it holds more people. You did travel on a the busiest Holiday weekend in the winter. If you had been at Disney world it would have been over the top crowded too, especially with kids.

I would say try to cruise on DCL in an off season (not summer or holidays) to see if you feel differently. We sailed both times in October and the ships were completely sold out, but not crazy. And certainly consider trying the Magic or Wonder. They hold 1500 people less!! The pools are actually a bit bigger. They definitely planned this wrong with the Dream. Hope they change some things for the Fantasy. Also, going on a 7 day lets you feel more relaxed than the four night Dream. This may have contributed to your feelings.

 

[blondietink]

Just got back from a 5 night Carnival cruise (yes, I know, not Disney ..... can't afford it). However, we were first time cruisers, too and we had a blast! We are already booking another cruise for later this year, again on Carnival. We couldn't have had better service anywhere, and commented on how the service was so much better than we have ever had at Disney World. Our ship had 3100 cruisers on it, so it was big, but minimal wait times, ate with the On Your Own Time dinners, and never had a problem getting a meal for all of us at the same time. Not that I am bashing Disney Cruises or anything (we are Disney freaks), but perhaps you need to try a smaller ship or another cruise line before you decide if you like cruising or not.

 

[MTmomma]

Based on what I have read on this board, many times the servers are ASKED to bring Childrens food out first. This would make sence if the parents requested it. This would ALSO make sence in the whole "anticipate your customers needs" aspect of being a member of the waitstaff. Unfortunatly you cant please EVERYONE.

 

[cindy18]

We were on the same 4-night Dream cruise, from the 20th-24th. The ship had 4,080 passengers on it, so it was close to capacity. Having done 2 cruises on the Magic and one on the Wonder (with our 2nd Wonder cruise coming this August), I have to say that the Dream DEFINITELY feels more crowded than the Magic and the Wonder. Of course, it IS more crowded, and obviously a lot bigger, but I don't think it's bigger enough to handle the crowds. Our first Magic cruise was completely sold out, and other than crowds at lunch time, we never really felt like we were constantly surrounded by people. But on the Dream, it was really hard to find peace and quiet, other than on our verandah. The ship is stunningly beautiful -- I truly believe there is no mega ship that even comes close -- but I think we feel that our "sweet spot" in terms of passenger capacity is more like the Magic or Wonder. We're just not mega-ship people. Still 100% committed to DCL -- kids will not tolerate discussing another cruise line, and I'm with them, but I guess we'll be watching for where the Magic and Wonder go for future cruises.

 

[chefbart]

yes the dream was crowded in spots at times, we didnt go with kids so didnt stay at the pools. did sit up front on a cushained chair for 30 mins one day did not see or hear anyone else. lots of seats were empty away from the pool areas.

 

[KingRichard]

Just got off the Dream 2/24 cruise and it never felt crowded!!

Well the kids pool the first few hours was funny, of course it was crowed. It was a beautiful day and I'm sure many of those people haven't seen warm water in a few months. lol

After day one it wasn't to bad(port days of course).

The family hot tub, WOW I wish I took pics. lol

The duck was only 20 minute wait for us and the line was much shorter every time I walked by. It was shorter by the time I reached the top.

Now the adult pool, hot tub and decks were very empty every time I walked by. I think most people didn't even know there was open decks at the front of the ship and they were always empty and yes they are family area's!

We never waited in line for food or drinks.

For the fireworks and pirate party it was crowded of course, but everyone is trying to see them. I don't care how big a ship is, if you try and put 4000 people on the top deck. It is crowded!

 

[Revan]

This my concern too. We are doing our first cruise in April (17th - 22nd) and am wondering if I made a mistake in booking this. Since it is our first cruise, we weren't able to early book anything and so at this point we've been shut out of both Palo and spa - I know that we can try to get them at time of boarding - but it is concerning.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

Just got back from a 5 night Carnival cruise (yes, I know, not Disney ..... can't afford it). However, we were first time cruisers, too and we had a blast! We are already booking another cruise for later this year, again on Carnival. We couldn't have had better service anywhere, and commented on how the service was so much better than we have ever had at Disney World. Our ship had 3100 cruisers on it, so it was big, but minimal wait times, ate with the On Your Own Time dinners, and never had a problem getting a meal for all of us at the same time. Not that I am bashing Disney Cruises or anything (we are Disney freaks), but perhaps you need to try a smaller ship or another cruise line before you decide if you like cruising or not.

Glad you had a good time, what ship were you on, I am thinking of giving Carnival another chance.

 

[catzle]

These reports scare me. We were on the wonder last year, and it was sold out, nothing to upgrade at port just plain old sold out. We never felt it. It was never bad anywhere except pools on the sea day. Kids enjoyed the pools, even though they were crowded they could get into them or a hot tub. We were able to sit in the adult pool for at least 1/2 the day before it became too bad.
But there were never any lines for breakfast, dinner or anything.
We have the dream booked for May, also fully sold out not a cabin to be had. Sounds like the cruise you just came off of. I can't imagine spending 5 days waiting in lines.
We are booked for next year 2012 and we may cancel it if we find the dream too crowded.
Plus I have heard standing room only in the movie theater etc. We walked right into a movie last year with lots of seats to be had.

 

[kmvand1]

Just got back from a 5 night Carnival cruise (yes, I know, not Disney ..... can't afford it). However, we were first time cruisers, too and we had a blast! We are already booking another cruise for later this year, again on Carnival. We couldn't have had better service anywhere, and commented on how the service was so much better than we have ever had at Disney World. Our ship had 3100 cruisers on it, so it was big, but minimal wait times, ate with the On Your Own Time dinners, and never had a problem getting a meal for all of us at the same time. Not that I am bashing Disney Cruises or anything (we are Disney freaks), but perhaps you need to try a smaller ship or another cruise line before you decide if you like cruising or not.

We took our first cruise last June on the Carnival Sensation, and it was a HUGE disappointment. We were looking forward to lying by the pools all day, and the pool was no bigger than a hot tub, filled beyond capacity all day. We had hoped that the Disney ships had bigger pools if we decided to cruise later this year.

 

[TiggerAllie]

Just got off the Dream 2/24 cruise and it never felt crowded!!

Now the adult pool, hot tub and decks were very empty every time I walked by. I think most people didn't even know there was open decks at the front of the ship and they were always empty and yes they are family area's!

I had heard that the very front of Deck 13 is "open" and not reserved for concierge guests only. How do you get to that area? Do you have to go up to Deck 13 and then walk through the concierge area, or is only the middle the concierge area? TIA!

 

[kplatt]

I remember our first cruise -- a 3-day on the Wonder after 4 days at WDW. I returned home worn out by the crowds and exhausted by trying to do it all! After I had a chance to reflect on it though, I was willing to give it another try. And as you can see by my signature, I'm a dedicated cruiser now!

All ships' pools are small.
There are chair hogs on every ship on every line.
And, yes, people (individuals and large parties of all ages) who treat the hot tubs as their personal Crock Pots.
These are not unique to Disney.

Cruised on the Dream's 5th voyage last month...

I was just a little disappointed that the Disney Parks' expertise in crowd control didn't seem to translate easily to the Dream. There are definitely growing pains. We were told by a cast member that 70% of the crew are new hires. While I don't think they've achieved quite the high level of customer service that has spoiled us in the past, everyone was working hard and trying hard.

Even the Disney frequent cruisers take a while to get acclimated to the changes on board (e.g., the stations at Cabanas), then after just a few days it's time to leave and a new group is on board! There's definitely a different atmosphere on a 7 day cruise.

My first cruise on a 130,000 ton ship (the Carnival Destiny) was a shock. I've been happy on the Magic, and other ships that were even smaller.

Before you write off Disney, please take a look at the Magic and Wonder. While they don't have as many of the high tech bells and whistles as the Dream, they are splendid ships in their own right.

Disney is Disney. The other cruise lines are just big, floating hotels!

 

[DisneyMark]

We were on the 2/20 cruise as well. I expected crowds at the kids pools, so it didn't bother me. I also expected the chair hording, but that did bother me. If people didn't save chairs then there would be plenty of chairs for everybody who needed one. Disney needs to police this a little better. Overall experience was positive - I'd do it again.

 

[NTOFD]

I had heard that the very front of Deck 13 is "open" and not reserved for concierge guests only. How do you get to that area? Do you have to go up to Deck 13 and then walk through the concierge area, or is only the middle the concierge area? TIA!

The concierge area is a glass walled section in the middle of deck 13. You can walk around it. We were on the 17th and 20th sailings and this area was mostly unused except on our sea day, then there were some guests using this chairs here.

 

[ksloane]

Thanks for sharing your trip and everyone else's input. We cruised on the Wonder last June and fell in love with the DCL, but I am also a little concerned about the bigger size (thus more people) of the Dream. I booked us for a 3 night in December and have held off on booking the Fantasy. I had first thought we'd try to do that next June and then we'll have been on every ship, but I think we'll wait to see what our impression of the Dream is and maybe make that Fantasy cruise even later...

We might be trying to stick to the Magic and Wonder for future cruises...

 

[rosiep]

yes the dream was crowded in spots at times, we didnt go with kids so didnt stay at the pools. did sit up front on a cushained chair for 30 mins one day did not see or hear anyone else. lots of seats were empty away from the pool areas.

We traveled Feb. 6th-10th on the Dream without kids as well. I think this made a big difference in the way we experienced the ship. The adult areas as you said were often empty, lots of lounge chairs available at Castaway Cay, and an open sunny deck up top....I only encountered children at dinner and the shows but never found that crowded or unpleasant.

 

[DipsyDoodles]

Based on what I have read on this board, many times the servers are ASKED to bring Childrens food out first. This would make sence if the parents requested it. This would ALSO make sence in the whole "anticipate your customers needs" aspect of being a member of the waitstaff. Unfortunatly you cant please EVERYONE.

I don't believe they were trying to "anticipate" our needs considering they apologized BOTH times it happened without us even saying anything. When they brought the kids meals out first we just assumed ours would be following shortly. When the came with ours 20 minutes later, THEY apologized for it. Same exact thing the next night, they were embarrassed about it. They then promised they would "get it right" the last night we ate with them and they did. Believe me, I am usually very easy to please.