For those of you who would do a Disney Cruise more than once or twice: WHY???

[tecdavidt]

Our favorite way to vacation is on a cruise. My husband found out he loves the fact of no driving, no searching for a restaurant for every meal, no getting out the wallet for money every time one turns around. It was also the first family vacation this blended family took without any fighting between the kids! That was wonderful.

The entire family(6) has been on 2 together, then the next 2 we were missing the oldest because of college. Now no. 5 is next Spring Break and it is only us and our 10 yr. old daughter. The boys were sad after last Spring Breaks cruise, they new it would be a long time before the would be back on the Magic.

We have also cruised other lines, Carnival and Celebrity. We like those lines but we love DCL. Maybe it is because it is great family entertainment or it could be the beautiful ship and the great service.
Kathy

 

[atigeg]

Wouldn't a trip to Hawaii be better than 3 Disney cruises in one year?

Actually, I don't see it as a matter of either/or. In addition to multiple Disney cruises every year, hubby and I do lots of other things. We like to go out west to dude ranches and have been to ranches from Wisconsin to South Dakota to California, Wyoming, and Colorado. We've been to Alaska (although I'll admit it was on a cruise ship), and next year we're doing an African safari. Those are just a few of the places we've been. We're far from rich, but we have made travel our priority. Our condo is pretty modest (although it does have creature comforts like a whirlpool so we can simulate the spa inbetween cruises!), and we drive a Neon and an Aztek. We work multiple jobs and divert our disposable income into travel, whether it be cruises or other destinations. The Disney Wonder is our "weekend home," and I doubt we'll ever get tired of it. Its familiarity is one of its charms. I know that repetitive cruising is not for some people, but it's the perfect trip for hubby and I.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[mmouse37]

We just completed our 6th DCL cruise this past 8/3. We were on the Maiden Voyage of the Magic back on July 30, 1998 and ever since I stepped onboard I was hooked on cruising. We have also sailed a few other lines but we always come back to DCL. My kids have practically grown up onboard. On our first cruise they were 4 years younger than now and what a difference. They came up through the ranks of the kids clubs and this year my oldest DD18 got to experience the adult clubs at night, a whole new experience. My other two teens dd14 and ds17 have become quite close to several of the counselors and share e-mails with all the friends they have met onboard over our 6 cruises.

My DD18 leaves for college on Sat and she insists that she wants to book a DCL cruise for her and her two cousins for this January.

Repeated cruising is not for everyone, but it is for us. And as a few posters have mentioned, the kids really seem to get involved with activities and are much more pleasant to be around than at home!!! Also, the crew is a huge reason we return. We are very friendly with many of them and it is sad to learn when some leave the cruise line. The energy level of the cruise staff is by far the highest I have ever experienced on any cruise line. They go out of their way to get people involved. We know exactly what to expect as far as service, but enough things change each cruise to keep it interesting.

MJ

 

[bethsg]

MickMan1962... your reply was great... I was thinking of something along the lines, of the entire ship full of subliminal suggests to rebook while on board... we are just drawn to it..

 

[*Huey*]

I am reminded of two things my dad used to tell me...

1 - It only costs a little more to go first class

2 - How do you spell "first class?" D-I-S-N-E-Y

I just think cruising (regardless of the line) is the best all inclusive vacation around.... the most bang for your buck. Even though you can get a Carnival Cruise for less, it still only costs a little more to go first class! You do pay for the "brand name" but what most people get out of it is a whole lot more than just a few days on a boat.

Allie

 

[PiperG]

I didn?t have a clue what to expect. However, by the time the weekend was over, we were both in LOVE with cruising and the boat! We were both disappointed that we had only taken a 3-day cruise, and booked the seven-day as soon as we could,

.

Wow, that is us exactly. Growing up in So. Cal., I thought I would know WDW well, but was completely overwhelmed by its beauty, layout and the resorts.

That being said, I thought the cruise could never hold a candle to the MK. I was sure wrong. Every detail was so beautiful and every CM so attentive. The rooms were so comfortable and the food outstanding. It was truly a place to relax and forget about reality. Our DS fell in love with the club, and knows how many days until our Magic cruise (which, BTW, we booked before we even got off the ship).

 

[disneyholic family]

i'll take one more crack at this one...
we go on vacation for only one reason - to have fun together as a family...
my husband and i have NEVER been on a vacation alone because i wouldn't enjoy it...
we both love to be with our kids (15 and 18 years old) more than anything else in the world...and we've always felt that way...(and oddly enough, our kids feel exactly the same...)
moreover, we are a family that tends to like familiarity and tradition...
certain holidays are always celebrated in a certain way at a certain house etc etc...we would never ever think of changing that...
similarly, we go on about 10 trips a year of varying length and to varying destinations, depending on the season...each time of year has its special destination , almost always in the same hotel, same restaurants, and doing the same things...
year in and year out..
and we LOVE it that way...
that's just the way we are...
obviously, not everyone is like that....some people need constant adventure and new places...not us...although we like to try something new it's not at the expense of the old faithful...
usually one trip a year is to some place new...one year was to paris, one year to japan, this year was las vegas (UGH!!!!)....
last year was to NYC and we loved it so much we've added it on to our annual repeats (tacked on at the end of the 3 weeks at WDW)...

but no matter how wonderful those new places are (and they always are interesting) there is one place that will always be number one......WDW.....and now DCL has taken it's place alongside the happiest place on earth (for us)....
so every year we will come back to WDW....and go to the parks...and fish on bay lake....and swim (at SAG, BB and TL)...and bike...and surf (at TL)...and on and on and on....and it will always be fun because we love it and are together....
and somewhere in there we'll hop onto one of those wonderful ships and relax and let the amazing CMs take care of everything...

so..does that explain it at all?

 

[ruvidu]

If you went to an ocean resort town and rented an ocean front room for one week, went to show every night, ate at first class resturants every day you would probably pay more than a 7 day DCL cruise. I agree with the other posters - "it is first class".
I work as a technician in a manufacturing facility. My job is to keep machines running and the engineers and operators happy. I like being somewhere where someone is trying (doing it very well) to keep me happy.
We have done 3 three day cruises, 1 four day Eastern, will be doing a 7 day Western and plan to book a four day while on board.
By the way, this year we have been to Cape Canaveral to see a shuttle launch, spent a week in a house on Edisto Island here in SC and have been to Charleston for overnighters many times. We budget a lot of money for traveling. We plan to go to Gettysburg in October and have an Alaska cruise planned for next year. If we were only able to take one vacation a year we would probably aternate the Magic with other interests. It has met our every desire as the perfect vacation.
Been to Hawaii - In my opinion Hot, Humid and overpriced. Oh, also too many people wearing shorts.

 

[DCL-Fan]

DW and I are going on our 6th Disney cruise next week and we already have #7 planned. We are also DVC members. We love Disney, we enjoy going to their resorts, their parks and love the cruises. The ships are beautiful, clean and there is always plenty to do or not do!

We have been on RCCL, Carnival and NCL. So far Disney and RCCL are about even. Each offers somethng different and are very nice. We have a cruise planned on the Carnival Pride for Thanksgiving so we will see how that works out.

To each is own!

 

[gometros]

May I ask a dumb question? What is the $99 cruise? For that price I would go a zillion times!

Just for the record, we've cruised three times, one each on the 3-day, 4-day and 7-day cruiises. The 4-day was with children. As long as the itineraries keep changing, we won't worry about repetition.

 

[canadianmom]

We booked our second for Mar/ 03.
Why? Because it was a vacation our whole family enjoyed immensely. My husband and I are cruisers and is the only type of vacation we take. (we like going to the various destinations yet not remain there for a week). We chose Disney because our children are young disney folk and are 'star struck' when they see their disney characters.
Our DS has cerebral palsy and the oceaneers program is awesome. The counselors were so good to him and he enjoyed being there along with my DD. (although they really didn't spend that much time there). Especially seeing our special needs son happy, and enjoying himself and being well taken care of is very important to us. (As most parents do). Disney meets our high expectations.
(even before we took the cruise we wrote Disney about our concerns for him and they responded with a beautiful letter and GIFTS for our kids 1 month before we went on the cruise!!).
There is always so much to do on board. The kids menus were fun for them...really catered to them.
My husband and I enjoyed our meals also. The staff all around are great.

Why change when you have something good???
At this point in our lives, Disney is the way to go.
Perhaps when the kids are older, we'll go to another cruise line.

Lori

 

[Hot4disney]

We went on our first cruise last October. It was made even more special because it was the Halloween Cruise..big parties..fun costumes...all good fun. We had such a great time we re-booked while still on board for this November-7 day eastern. I could not stop talking about it when I got back and I know of at least 4 people who went after my high grade. I have been on other cruise lines..none compared. This gave me all I wanted with the beauty and elegance of a cruise line and the fun and old friends that only Disney can offer. Every morning my three year old wakes up and asks me if we are going on the "Disney Cruise today mama?" and sadly I answer..soon baby..soon.
We had a scheduled nine day trip to WDW in January..and I was so thrilled to learn that I was able to get a great price for an unplanned cruise-so we did that too! So ...if I have the slightest opportunity to go on one..I will..No questions asked. It is one of the best vacations I have ever been on in my entire life...regardless of the destinations. Don't get me wrong..I still want to go back to other places as well- my dh has never seen Italy or Germany...I LOVE Europe...I have been to at least 13 countries...but...nothing compares to the DCL. The castmembers are incredibly nice, polite and fun. It's like seeing old friends. I have three words for anyone doubting it....Go, Go.GO!!!

 

[madcoco]

To tell you the truth,for what we spend on frequent WDW trips.DCL is a bargain for what you get. Have only been on 1 Disney Cruise in the 1st year and looking forward to our 2nd DVC sailing in Feb. It has been awhile since the cruise but we can still remember how magical everything was.How DD enjoyed the activities and her 10th Bday on board and sharing the fun with lots of wonderful people.

 

[tezb]

We are a family of 5 and did go to Hawaii in 1999..Maui to be exact. My husband and I had been there before but a first for my kids...They liked it but didn't ask to go back. WE then did our first DCL cruise in 2000 and again in 2001. They definitely liked it much better and asked to do it again..we go a 3rd time in 2003. It is expensive but we still try to do it....and we are travelling from the WEst Coast! Airfare alone is 2000. plus! My kids like the freedom on the ship(2 are teens), being able to get food when you want and not needing money, the dances, teen activities, friends they meet. I wish I went on a cruise when I was a teen. Anyway, the cruise seems to have something for our whole family...we always eat together and then it's just myself and DH ...the boys are gone. So far, it is their favorite vacation and they can't wait to go back..esp since this time we booked in 2001...for 2003!

 

[kcand sunshine]

I am a single mom and we(DD9 and DS7) absolutely loved the 7 day cruise. We went spring break of this year and I had never really taken them anywhere except WDW(ages4&7). I guesss the only point I have of NOT doing another Disney cruise again is that I would rather spend the same amount of money exposing them to other parts of the country. I really would like to take them to Chicago and to the west( which my parents are actually doing next June). I love family fun magazine and hope to get some good ideas.If I do another Disney cruise, it will be the 4 day and we'll go to Unviversal and Discovery Cove/Sea World!!!!!

 

[myfourkitties]

We don't even have kids and this will be our 3rd. For us, it is becuase we can go to places that we have never been, do it cheaply, and do it in the best entertainemt style we can. WE LOVE DISNEY! And as for your $1600 number, WOW! I only paid $1060 for my Western cruise (pp, and cat.6). Ya gotta know where to get the deals, MAN! (joke) Actually, there is a definite plus to putting the reservation through with a travel agent. We took the onboard special Disney offered, put down a deposit, then turned the reservation over to our travel agent, who took off another $125 pp (I don't know if it was a mistake and I ain't gonna ask!) Since it is just the two of us and our tastes run a little more expensive (whether we can afford it or not!LOL), we like to stay at a more expensive WDW hotel. A week in WDW vs. the Western cruise was almost triple. Needless to say, we booked the cruise. But the best thing about the idea of and behind Disney is that you can't describe it. It's just a big, warm fuzzy!

 

[eye R.N.]

Frankly, I'm lazy.

I've found a vacation were
a) I don't have to cook
b) I don't have to clean
c) I don't have to drive
d) I don't have to worry about where my three kids are
e) I get pampered
f) I get time to myself
g) I get time alone with DH
h) My cel phone doesn't work (I'm the manager and yes I've been called on vacation)
i) My kids and husband always want to go back (ever had a vacation where one family member doesn't want to be there?)
j) There are beaches and snorkling

Besides, after two three days and 1 seven day, I still haven't done it all.

We own a time share and have been lots of places, but this is where everyone is happiest. If I'm spending big bucks I want everyone to be happy and I want the folks that I'm spending the money with to understand that. Disney does.

Someday I'll do the rest, but right now this is what is right for us.

 

[kplatt]

I now consider our children at the Golden Age for Travel! At 12 and 10 they are old enough to keep up with us, and still enjoy spending time with their parental units. In a few years they won't want to be seen with us. So we are making opportunites for all kinds of travel -- not only Disney cruise related. We just did two weeks in California (ok, ok, we do Disneyland and Great Adventure) and are planning London for next spring.

My reason for choosing a Disney-related vacation over others at times is that I love Disney's attention to detail and planning. I think they're head and shoulders better than other vacation destinations. We recently visited Sea World in San Diego and I couldn't help thinking that Disney could have run it better!!

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Magic 11/02

 

[LisaTxUsa]

I'm going on my 3rd cruise in a few weeks. I am a single mom with a 12 year old son. I feel very safe on this ship and I don't worry about my son when he's not with me. I don't like to gamble - so I don't miss having that on the ship. I actually prefer a more 'family oriented' atmosphere. There's plenty of things for us to do together OR apart. I love the quality service and the beautiful accommodations on the ship. We've had a blast each time we've gone. Although there are certainly less expensive cruises it's well worth the $$.

-Lisa

 

[Auntienee]

We went on our first Disney cruise (7 day) this July and absolutely fell in love with it!! It was the easiest vacation we have ever taken, everyone was happy from morning to night. I am a total Disney fan and so are my DD's 10 and 13, we have been going to DisneyWorld every other year since they were toddlers and we still love it. My husband on the other hand is totally Disney'd out. He reluctantly agreed to do the cruise this year. Well he is the one who insisted that we rebook another 7 day while on the ship. He loved every aspect of it, the convenience, the quality of service, the beautiful ship, great food, and entertainment. It was one of the best vacations we have ever taken and are looking forward to many, many more!