Has anyone ever?

[ca859093]

been disappointed with a Disney cruise? or felt it wasn't what it was all cracked up to be on these boards?

 

[mickeyboat]

I wouldn't say I was disappointed, but things were different than I expected. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to do everything people talked about. With two small kids, it wasn't possible for us to experience the night life, or do any excursions. I had to travel within their capabilities and limitations.

I guess we will have to go back again.

Denae

 

[jel0511]

Not at all, it more than exceed our expectations. Our first DCL cruise was a slightly lukewarm experience due to us HATING Nassau and our excursion. Castaway Cay was AWESOME though, and we felt if we took a DCL cruise with ports that interested us, maybe we would like it. Well, we LOVED IT!! We had so much fun with the kids during the day, got some adult time to go to brunch and have a massage, every evening they went to the clubs for a few hours. Now DH and I aren't nightowls, so missing the late night activities doesn't upset us. We're just happy to relax and enjoy the weather and our kids. We loved it so much, we rebooked onboard for the next 2 years!!!!

 

[chasbos]

jel0511 - why did you hate Nassau? And which excursion did you not like? Just to give all of us newbie cruisers an idea of what everyone did and did not like.

 

[jgalecpa]

Chasbos:

We were not thrilled in Nassau either. (BTW we went there on RCCL).

It had the same selection of T-shirts you could get everywhere else.

To us it was dirtier than other carribean ports we have been to.

We were in the strawmarket where the people were hawking there wares (more forcefully than in other ports).

Tourists were getting there hair braided left and right.

One woman was having hers done, not realizing the woman doing it was also eating greasy chcken at the same time, never even thinking about wiping her hands off!

There were offensive "toys" sold , of a sexual nature, right along side of everyday wares.

Our group quickly realized what we were in, got a cheap bottle of rum, and all headed back to the boat where we had a great impromptu party with rooom service doing the catering.

In the future, I would rather just stay on the boat.

But, this is just my experience. If someone was a first time cruiser their feelings could vary.

To us it was a choice of a beautiful cruise ship or an "iffy" port.

Jim

 

[ldb1030]

On our 9/11 cruise, we were behind Ivan and running from Jeanne so we did not get to ANY of our western ports, except CC , our excurion was xxld at San Juan due to Jeanne (substitute port), did not get to St. Thomas (another substitute port) and we ended up at Nassau where I'd been many times before but I STILL was not disappointed in DCL!

 

[CheapMom]

I am totally unqualified to answer this question as I have never been on any cruise ever- but- from reading these and other cruise boards I just want to throw in my 2 cents. There have certainly been people disappointed in their DCL cruise. From what I can see that is a very small percentage. On these boards in particular the members/posters tend to be very satisfied. But what I think is important is to go in with realistic expectations and be ready to deal with unexpected problems (ie: Oh No- Our kids don't want to go to the clubs and so we can't do Palo, etc...)
Just go in with a good attitude and chances are you will have a great time.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by chasbos
jel0511 - why did you hate Nassau? And which excursion did you not like? Just to give all of us newbie cruisers an idea of what everyone did and did not like.

Nassau is basically one of the worst ports a cruise ship can stop. It's dirty, the locals can be extremely pushy (and that's being nice) and it's just to my liking. We took the Blue Lagoon excursion and the place was HORRIBLE. The beach was small, and it wasn't even a real ocean, just a inlet that was created. The water smelled due to being "contained" and the place was rather dirty. The food they provided to the DCL and other cruise line guests was awful and I couldn't wait to get out of there. It really put a damper on our trip, and we'd never take another DCL 3 or 4 night cruise.

 

[chasbos]

Our only island experience is St. Maarten and it is a very lovely island (we loved our week there). So I am certainly not going to Nassau expecting the cleanliness and friendliness of St. Maarten. I just hope we are not too dissappointed. I just want to meet the dolphins (at the encounter) and maybe check out Atlantis and the town a bit (just to say we have) and then get back on the boat!

I am not too worried about the kids being overwhelmed, they have travelled plenty and have seen plenty (maybe too much!!) Amsterdam is one of there favorite places!

From what I gather we should go in to Nassau with open minds and not expect too much!

 

[rocketralph]

We went on two 4 nighters and a 7 nighter eastern and I will have to say that I will probably never go on a 3 or 4 nighter again. I do agree with amost everybody here that Nassau isn't what I thought it would be. We did take the Discover Atlantis excursion and was pleased with that. But I look at it as the Ship is the destination.

 

[bemily]

I have been to Nassau 3 or 4 times on cruises, and it really is what you make of it. Dont expect alot, and you wont be disappointed. On our Disney cruise, we went and played in the casino for a couple of hours at the Atlantis and then went back to a nice empty pool and ship. On a previous Carnival cruise where we had no kids with us, we took a taxi over to near the Atlantis, found a public beach, rented a jet ski, had a coconut drink a local was selling, and had a great day! We didnt have anyone coming to us on the beach trying to sell stuff.

I have never done an exursion in Nassau, just basically went to casino or a beach for a couple of hours, then enjoyed the ship!

 

[jrabbit]

THere have been serveral posters that were disapointed in their cruises. Some of those folks got "shouted down" by the DCL faithful here on the DIS. Some people made mountains out of molehills and other truly had bad/disapointing experiences.

The bottom line is that most people have a great time on the cruise.

We all share the best of the best of our experiences here and that can lead to "expectation inflation" where first timers can get all caught up in the best experiences and expect that all of the best things will also happen to them. The truth is that these folks are the ones that will be the most let down. They've read everything good and great. They know what happens when and where. They know the menus inside and out. They have everything planned. And sadly, there is no room for "magic" to happen.

You can be over prepared. Some preparation is good (what time can I board, when and where can I eat, what types of shows are on board, what's a good excursion for a 7yo...), and some is not (what is the coolest thing that happened to you, can you meet the characters at other than the big autograph signings, what happens in Disney Dreams...)

 

[rocketralph]

Originally posted by jrabbit
(what is the coolest thing that happened to you, can you meet the characters at other than the big autograph signings, what happens in Disney Dreams...)

Disney Dreams, very cool. A must see.

 

[ldb1030]

In regards to Nassau:
I had been there a few times before and must admit when we were told our our 9/11 cruise that we'd be going there for a day, I was not thrilled. But I must say it seemed MUCH cleaner than it had been my previous times. My husband thought so also!
We did the Blue Lagoon also and it was fine. It has only been 2weeks since a hurricane and they were not expecting people so soon and it was rather nice of them to open up for all of the unexpected cruise passengers!

Not sure what it was but they must be trying to keep it clean! My husband and daughter and I walked around alot of the shops and it was just very clean this time!

Would not be my 1st choice for a vacation spot but as someone else said, it's what you make of it!

 

[izzinmac]

Originally posted by mickeyboat
I wouldn't say I was disappointed, but things were different than I expected. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to do everything people talked about. With two small kids, it wasn't possible for us to experience the night life, or do any excursions. I had to travel within their capabilities and limitations.

Denae

I think Denae made a very significant point here. We have been on 7 Disney cruises, and the one thing I note is that too many people "plan" too many activities without considering that your own group can put limitations on your plans, and you might be disappointed in what does not get done or seen. While there is plenty to do, it can be just as nice not doing anything. Our cruise last year included all the kids and grandkids. We knew from the git go that we couldn't do as much with the kids. So we planned accordingly. No excursions, mostly stay on board at port, and spliting up for Palo, etc. The fun was there just being together. The upcoming cruise-all adults, so our plans are completely different this time. Excursions, REAS package, spending time in the adult only areas, etc. I think anyone can have a great time if they plan within their limitations.

 

[tinksdad]

I like to throw in my 2cents worth as well. Our family has been on the Magic two years ago for the Eastern route and LOVED it!! We are also going on the the upcoming 10day Christmas Magic cruise as well. We did a Celebrity Cruise last year and like it, but it just wasn't Disney.

We of course, did not go to Nassau, which I have heard can be a challenge. My daughter and I scuba dive and I've noticed and been told by others that several of the shore excursions can be more expensive and perhaps not up to the expectations of the attendee. We typically book our own scuba dives and have had very good luck. Less crowds and better conditions.

In general the Disney Cruises are awesome and will always be fun for our family. Disney is one of the (if not THE) best, especially if you have children. The kids clubs are terrific and the available resources for the kids are tremendous!

 

[randytenn]

We've been on 3 Disney cruises (3 day, 7 day eastern and 7 day western), and by far, the most disappointing port is Nassau. We walked the straw market, were aggressively approached by locals, and went back to the "safe, loving arms of Disney", as we called it.

St. Maarten would be the other disappointing port. Not nearly as bad as Nassau, but we took a tour bus tour, and it was just kinda depressing seeing the way people lived on the island.

The best ports for us were St. Thomas (and our trip to St. John, which is still my favorite), Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We loved each one.

And, of course, who doesn't love Castaway Cay!

 

[chasbos]

randytenn - how long ago were you in St. Maarten? We were there this past December and the economy is really starting to pick up as the tourist have started coming again. They took a big hit after there last Hurricane and then 9/11 but they are really starting to rebuild and it is once again becoming the beautiful island it always was.

 

[rocketralph]

We went on the Rhino Rider Snorkel adventure in St. Marten. WAY TOO MUCH FUN. I can't wait to do it again.

 

[DisneyElf]

I've been on 3 DCL cruises and I am booked for the 4th (Eastbound Panama) and can't wait to go!

I've only done the 7 day cruises (two western, on eastern), and after our shortened hurricane cruise - would never book a 4 day (to short a time period).

Have I ever been disappointed in DCL cruise - not really. With management on shore - a little due to the hurricane mess but most of that was straightened out. Though I did notice one thing from of the cleaning people during the 9/7 sailing. Usually the crew is so helpful, this stuck in our minds. A cleaning person (in a yellow jumpsuit) was exiting to deck 9 by Topsiders, when another guest with young children & a stroller following - and the crew person just let the door close, instead of holding it for the woman. If I had been closer I would have been able to grab the door.

I do like DCL - esp. for the quiet cove area (as adults traveling on the ship w/o kids) is great and I am not a casino person. The people on board are friendly & fun.

A friend of ours went on the QM2 - and had a horrible trip with her mother. The dining room staff was snobby and didn't want to get anything special for the mother (vs. DCL - where our waiter & even the matre'd offered a baby salad to one of our group that had been sick on his first nite back to the dining room), they were 3 hours late into St.Thomas since they didn't due there paperwork.... etc. , etc.