Has anyone gone on a Disney Cruise to Mexico/The Caribbean in December?

[greenkai3000]

Hello,

We are 4 adults wanting to possible go on our first Disney Cruise this December (the only time of this year we could vacation together). From what we’ve seen on line , and on videos, we’d love for our itinerary to include the Mexican Riviera, as well as one of the Caribban. We’d also like go on Ship that has the Aqua coaster because plain water slides really aren’t our thing .

As much as we would like to go on the Wish, right now the Fantasy seems to be one of the few options available for us.

Has anyone gone both on this itinerary, and on this ship in December? What was it like, weather and ambiance like? How were the stops in Mexico and Cast Away?

Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Everything for DCL is in flux right now. That includes experience and ports. It is really hard to say if they will even be porting in Mexico by December or running 7 night itineraries.

 

[Cheburashka]

Hello,

We are 4 adults wanting to possible go on our first Disney Cruise this December (the only time of this year we could vacation together). From what we’ve seen on line , and on videos, we’d love for our itinerary to include the Mexican Riviera, as well as one of the Caribban. We’d also like go on Ship that has the Aqua coaster because plain water slides really aren’t our thing .

As much as we would like to go on the Wish, right now the Fantasy seems to be one of the few options available for us.

Has anyone gone both on this itinerary, and on this ship in December? What was it like, weather and ambiance like? How were the stops in Mexico and Cast Away?

Thanks!

We've cruised DCL in mid and late December 4 times in the past several years: two short Bahamas-only cruises, and two Eastern Caribbean cruises on the Fantasy. The Christmas decorations on the ship and on Castaway Cay are impressive and festive. There is a towering Christmas tree and life-size gingerbread house in the lobby, and other smaller trees throughout the ship. There is also a huge tree on Castaway Cay, along with life-sized statues of holiday characters.

It's a good time to cruise because it's the dry season and it rarely rains. On Castaway Cay, the air temperature has always been warm during our visits, but the water is chilly, probably around 70 degrees. It feels cold when you first go in, but if you submerge yourself, your body acclimates quickly. We've always found the air warm enough to be comfortable swimming to the platform on Pelican Plunge, standing around wet while waiting in line, and then sliding into the water again. Each time we've been to CC, the beaches have been busy and Pelican plunge always has lots of people on it. We're central Texans and are used to swimming in our state's cold water springs. If you're used to only swimming in warm water, you might have a problem with it. In the actual Caribbean, the water is warmer than on Castaway Cay.

Another nice thing about cruising in winter is that the air temperature on Castaway Cay is warm rather than hot, so you can enjoy a good bike ride on the island without getting overheated. On the ship, you can walk barefoot on the pool deck midday without burning your feet. It gets cooler (not cold) at night, so it can feel a bit chilly when you get out of the water after a late evening swim or slide on the Aqua Duck.

I've never been to Mexico in December, but we sailed there in March a few years ago. We did the Chichen Itza excursion to see the great pyramid further inland. After taking the ferry from Cozumel to the mainland, I noticed that the water at the port at the Mexican mainland was a brilliant shade of blue. Chichen Itza was worth the long trip it took to get there. I wouldn't count on DCL going to Mexico this December, though. It might or might not happen.

 

[yowcruiser]

You are likely to get quite a few different reactions as... the weather is the weather...

We did a Western Caribbean cruise in December and as per the above post, the ship and Castaway Cay are showing their holiday colors which is fun. We also had nice, sunny weather at Castaway and we found it to be warm enough for a swim and enjoy the beach.

However, the temperature was quite changing in Orlando... We flew to Orlando on the Friday with temperature in the high 70s, sunny and some humidity... and the next day out of PC was cloudy sky, windy and in the mid 60s at best. All the way to Cozumel, there were strong winds from the North. Cozumel was nice and sunny, but the high winds closed most of the beaches. We had to skip Grand Cayman because of the high winds (but it would have been a nice and sunny day). The wind died down when we got to Jamaica, but we had a cloudy... even rainy day. Temperature wise though, it was quite comfortable. When we made it back to Port Canaveral ... sun and mid 70s...

Would I still sail in December, most definitely. Most of the time, you'll have nice and not overtly hot weather... but like any time of the year... you may not...

 

[hrhdhd]

The Mexican Riviera is on the west coast of Mexico, so you won't find an itinerary with both that and the Caribbean (except maybe a Panama Canal cruise--but those aren't in December). You may mean the Riviera Maya, in which case the comments above apply.

 

[greenkai3000]

We've cruised DCL in mid and late December 4 times in the past several years: two short Bahamas-only cruises, and two Eastern Caribbean cruises on the Fantasy. The Christmas decorations on the ship and on Castaway Cay are impressive and very festive. There is a towering Christmas tree and life-size gingerbread house in the lobby, and other smaller trees throughout the ship. There is also a huge tree on Castaway Cay, along with life-sized statues of holiday characters.

It's a good time to cruise because it's the dry season and it rarely rains. On Castaway Cay, the air temperature has always been warm during our visits, but the water is chilly, probably around 70 degrees. It feels cold when you first go in, but if you submerge yourself, your body acclimates quickly. We've always found the air warm enough to be comfortable swimming to the platform on Pelican Plunge, standing around wet while waiting in line, and then sliding into the water again. Each time we've been to CC, the beaches have been busy and Pelican plunge always has lots of people on it. We're central Texans and are used to swimming in our state's cold water springs. If you're used to only swimming in warm water, you might have a problem with it. In the actual Caribbean, the water is warmer than on Castaway Cay.

Another nice thing about cruising in winter is that the air temperature on Castaway Cay is warm rather than hot, so you can enjoy a good bike ride on the island without getting overheated. On the ship, you can walk barefoot on the pool deck midday without burning your feet. It gets cooler (not cold) at night, so it can feel a bit chilly when you get out of the water after a late evening swim or slide on the Aqua Duck.

I've never been to Mexico in December, but we sailed there in March a few years ago. We did the Chichen Itza excursion to see the great pyramid further inland. After taking the ferry from Cozumel to the mainland, I noticed that the water at the port at the Mexican mainland was a brilliant shade of blue. Chichen Itza was worth the long trip it took to get there. I wouldn't count on DCL going to Mexico this December, though. It might or might not happen.

wow, thank you for the great reply.

 

[greenkai3000]

You are likely to get quite a few different reactions as... the weather is the weather...

We did a Western Caribbean cruise in December and as per the above post, the ship and Castaway Cay are showing their holiday colors which is fun. We also had nice, sunny weather at Castaway and we found it to be warm enough for a swim and enjoy the beach.

However, the temperature was quite changing in Orlando... We flew to Orlando on the Friday with temperature in the high 70s, sunny and some humidity... and the next day out of PC was cloudy sky, windy and in the mid 60s at best. All the way to Cozumel, there were strong winds from the North. Cozumel was nice and sunny, but the high winds closed most of the beaches. We had to skip Grand Cayman because of the high winds (but it would have been a nice and sunny day). The wind died down when we got to Jamaica, but we had a cloudy... even rainy day. Temperature wise though, it was quite comfortable. When we made it back to Port Canaveral ... sun and mid 70s...

Would I still sail in December, most definitely. Most of the time, you'll have nice and not overtly hot weather... but like any time of the year... you may not...

another great response. Thank you!

 

[auntlynne]

Dream in December - yes. Western Caribbean on Disney - yes. Fantasy - yes. Cozumel late January - yes. Your combo - no.

But enough experience to say that ambiance on Disney is fairly standard year-round. … As I type, I think there is more of a going to the beach vibe on the Bahamian runs. It’s hard to say whether Christmas decor or the season changes anything. There are so many people excited to be on a cruise, a Disney cruise, or a Disney holiday cruise that you get from people on vacation - not like staying at a hotel in a city.

You are going to get much the same Disney vibes as you have gotten at the various Disney destinations you have experienced.

2021 - you will not go to Grand Cayman, a usual attempted stop on W Caribbean. They are closed to cruise ships until 2022.

The biggest difference in December is the price!

 

[auntlynne]

And a Disney cruise is different than other cruise lines!

 

[greenkai3000]

Dream in December - yes. Western Caribbean on Disney - yes. Fantasy - yes. Cozumel late January - yes. Your combo - no.

But enough experience to say that ambiance on Disney is fairly standard year-round. … As I type, I think there is more of a going to the beach vibe on the Bahamian runs. It’s hard to say whether Christmas decor or the season changes anything. There are so many people excited to be on a cruise, a Disney cruise, or a Disney holiday cruise that you get from people on vacation - not like staying at a hotel in a city.

You are going to get much the same Disney vibes as you have gotten at the various Disney destinations you have experienced.

2021 - you will not go to Grand Cayman, a usual attempted stop on W Caribbean. They are closed to cruise ships until 2022.

The biggest difference in December is the price!

 

[greenkai3000]

It looks like Mexico is out for now. I did find a 4 night cruise on the Dream that’s decently priced. Can anyone tell me which location on the ship would be optimal for the 4 of us, if we want to be somewhat close to the adult pool, and quiet areas? Forward, middle or Aft? Any particular deck # better than the other for unobstructed views if we get a verandah state room ?

 

[Cheburashka]

It looks like Mexico is out for now. I did find a 4 night cruise on the Dream that’s decently priced. Can anyone tell me which location on the ship would be optimal for the 4 of us, if we want to be somewhat close to the adult pool, and quiet areas? Forward, middle or Aft? Any particular deck # better than the other for unobstructed views if we get a verandah state room ?

The adult areas are forward. Just be aware that forward is the area of the ship where the most movement is felt, so if you're prone to seasickness you should stay midship, instead. Aft is prone to mild vibrations, & is also furthest from the adult areas. Avoid deck 10 as it's right under the pool deck & gets a lot of noise complaints. Midship on deck 6, 7, 8 or 9 is ideal. 9 is best as it's closer to the pool decks & not hard to trot up only 2 flights of stairs.

 

[greenkai3000]

The adult areas are forward. Just be aware that forward is the area of the ship where the most movement is felt, so if you're prone to seasickness you should stay midship, instead. Aft is prone to mild vibrations, & is also farthest from the adult areas. Avoid deck 10 as it's right under the pool deck & gets a lot of noise complaints. Midship on deck 6, 7, 8 or 9 is ideal. 9 is best as it's closer to the pool decks & not hard to trot up only 2 flights of stairs.

Great info! Thanks

 

[auntlynne]

I checked a date in mid December and saw these two options you may want to consider:

If still traveling with 4 adults and willing to lose the Verandah, there is the Cat 8a ocean view. The ones on Deck 6 sleep four and are some of the roomiest cabins on the ships (other than the 2 bedroom suites). You do only get a single bathroom instead of the split toilet + sink & shower + sink combo in most cabins. But lots of floor space. Same bedding, though - a large bed, a single mattress hidden in the back of the sofa, and the upper berth/bunk. It has two very large portholes. These are forward.


Another option would be the Family Oceanview with Extended Verandah. There are very few of them, but I think all are midship.



I’m doing midship Deck 6 - but had to change my booked cabin when I realized it was over the movie theater.

 

[Dug720]

I checked a date in mid December and saw these two options you may want to consider:

If still traveling with 4 adults and willing to lose the Verandah, there is the Cat 8a ocean view. The ones on Deck 6 sleep four and are some of the roomiest cabins on the ships (other than the 2 bedroom suites). You do only get a single bathroom instead of the split toilet + sink & shower + sink combo in most cabins. But lots of floor space. Same bedding, though - a large bed, a single mattress hidden in the back of the sofa, and the upper berth/bunk. It has two very large portholes. These are forward.

View attachment 600780View attachment 600781
Another option would be the Family Oceanview with Extended Verandah. There are very few of them, but I think all are midship.

View attachment 600783

I’m doing midship Deck 6 - but had to change my booked cabin when I realized it was over the movie theater.

Just be aware that those two are in Guarantee status so you MIGHT get that category, but you also MIGHT be upgraded to a higher category.

 

[auntlynne]

Just be aware that those two are in Guarantee status so you MIGHT get that category, but you also MIGHT be upgraded to a higher category.

Definitely. That could be good. I was trying to figure what would be better than either of those - and thought it should still be great.

 

[Dug720]

Definitely. That could be good. I was trying to figure what would be better than either of those - and thought it should still be great.

Yeah. Just wanted to clarify for the OP that you could be upgraded to a higher category with a guarantee cabin. And unlike other lines (Royal in particular I know it happens with), you can’t call and request a different cabin once Disney assigns it. Not everyone gets that.

Also important in case they feel like they need or want a certain location for whatever reason.

The one time I did guarantee, they did “upgrade” me, but I hated the cabin location. (It was one of those on deck 5 with the extended balcony. I know most people love them, but I don’t like being that low with a veranda. And it was much more midship I prefer. I’m a “the further forward the better” kinda

 

[greenkai3000]

Wow, thanks for all the great advise y’all. It’s definitely a lot more to consider now