Have you been on a sold out ship?

[NancyIL]

I have been on three Disney cruises sold out. I think the total passengers were slightly over 2800, that is what the porters told me. I know the stats say Disney ships hold 2400 passengers. So I really don't know the correct figure.

I think 2400 is the double occupancy figure, whereas many cabins are occupied by more than 2 people.

 

[lovethedream]

One of problems I saw was at the Beach Blanket buffet breakfast when there were no seats available or the dirty dishes were still on the only available tables. I usually could find another table to set the dirty dishes on. Another was all the dirty dishes out in the hallways a lot. I have never used room service on any ship so maybe not used to it..

Never had or saw that particular problem on either DCL cruise we were on. I did not originally pay to much attention to this, probably because it was not an issue for us, but my experience aboard DCL, from what I remember, was the exact opposite. I do not remember seeing dirty dishes in the hallways either.

 

[lovethedream]

I think 2400 is the double occupancy figure, whereas many cabins are occupied by more than 2 people.

This is something I had never noticed until you mentioned it.

It appears that the stated capacity for a cruise ship is noted in double occupancy. So for example the RCCL Freedom capacity is quoted at 3634, but the total number of passengers (according to various sources) can be up to 4375. Both RCCL and Carnival state the capacity this way, at least according to their official websites. It would make sense DCL does the same thing, but that info seems to be a little harder to find, so I cannot prove that just yet. However, one source does mention the DCL Magic has 877 staterooms and the math works out to 2.7 (2400/877) there.

 

[DMMarla07860]

One of problems I saw was at the Beach Blanket buffet breakfast when there were no seats available or the dirty dishes were still on the only available tables. I usually could find another table to set the dirty dishes on. Another was all the dirty dishes out in the hallways a lot. I have never used room service on any ship so maybe not used to it..

I've always been able to find a seat for breakfast at beach blanket buffet, only time I had trouble finding a seat there were on a couple of cruises for the first lunch on the ship, but didn't bug me, I've ran into that problem at places on land as well. and dirty dishes in the hall ways I've seen that at hotels

 

[pjacobi]

I suspect that every Disney curise is at least 95% filled, even if they have to give away cabins for free. All the profit is made on tours and umbrella drinks.


-Paul

 

[lovethedream]

I think 2400 is the double occupancy figure, whereas many cabins are occupied by more than 2 people.

I am still researching this, so these numbers are subject to change for sure, but from various sources, including referencing the DCL and RCCL websites, the Freedom has 1365 staff and max capacity of 4375 for a ratio of 31.2 percent. The Wonder has 945 staff with a capacity of 2400 for a ratio of 39%. In addition, the freedom has 1800 rooms with max capacity of 4375 for 2.43 per room and the Wonder has 877 rooms with capacity of 2400 for 2.7 per room.

Again, I do not know if 2400 is max capacity, the only numbers I have found so far, from various sources, all say capacity of 2400 but non ever state if that is double occupancy or not.

 

[lovethedream]

I suspect that every Disney curise is at least 95% filled, even if they have to give away cabins for free. All the profit is made on tours and umbrella drinks.


-Paul

There is a TV show out and it has been a while since I last watched it, but I believe they said that the ship being full was basically break even and where they make all their money is on all the other things, casino's, drinks, tours and such.

 

[lovethedream]

I have been on three Disney cruises sold out. I think the total passengers were slightly over 2800, that is what the porters told me. I know the stats say Disney ships hold 2400 passengers. So I really don't know the correct figure.

So there able to sell out a ship, year after year, in which you can't find a place to sit and eat, the dirty dishes are piled everywhere, small, crowded and with little to do, packed pools and you can't find a place to lay out and get some sun, hmmm???? And you sailed em three times?

 

[kbmo4444]

I think DCL like most cruise lines like to sail full or just about full. If they don't sell out X% of ship after a certain point they start to offer discounted rates such as FL res, military discount, cast member discount and travel agent promo. That being said we have sailed DCL 9 times and probably 7 out 9 sailings was shown on the website as sold out. Some sailings felt more crowded than others this has alot to do on weather, past guests and the amount children sailing. Regardless DCL does a great job with crowd control and trying to have enough activities on board to please and disperse all. Would I have a good chance of find a lounge chair right in front of the Goofy Pool midday on a Sea day? Probably not but there are plenty of other things to do onboard

 

[Curtis McCrea]

I think 2400 is the double occupancy figure, whereas many cabins are occupied by more than 2 people.

I think 2,400 is the current ship's full capacity, as Dream's double occupancy is around that size.

Could be wrong.

 

[NancyIL]

I think 2,400 is the current ship's full capacity, as Dream's double occupancy is around that size.

Could be wrong.

You're right about the Magic/Wonder having full capacity at 2,400. According to DCL's web site, the Dream has 1250 staterooms (double occupancy of 2500 passengers) and can "comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers" - http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/dream/.

 

[ranidayz]

Just wondering if anyone has been on a sold out Disney ship and if so, was it crowded beyond belief or did you not really notice a difference? I am a little nervous since I see our Feb 20th MR Cruise is possibly sold out.

Thanks!!

our march 13 cruise was totally sold out...didn't notice any difference at all.

 

[Edd]

Yep, kind of like extenuating circumstances for cruising DCL. The first cruise (3 Day) was a promise to my GS for his behavior in school, dance school and home. It was also for my own information and research to find out if the DCL was as good of a cruise as some people say, compared to the other cruises I have been on. The second cruise (4 day) was to see my GS's dance instructor, http://ekorgan2.com/Daniel and IV.htm, as a performer in the production show on the Wonder. The third DCL cruise was again to see performers who I knew locally, perform in the production shows. The primary reason was to cruise the Magic and see the difference between the Wonder and the Magic. The Key West stop was also a good stop as I hadn't been in Key West in over 15 years. Also enjoyed the other stops with my GS. The DCL is definitely a good cruise.

I still feel it is a good cruise for a young family and young kids, also grandparents who want to take their young grandchildren on a cruise and have the whole family close by for a while. I really enjoyed watching my grandson having a good time with the characters on the ship and running around with his former dance instructor, and the dancers he knew from the dance studio, one day on the ship. He actually enjoyed an extra because the characters, if you know them personally, will spend time with you during their off time, which isn't much time because they work all the time doing a lot of different things. One day he may decide he wants to go to work for Disney. He lives close enough. Disney actually employs about 5 or 6, maybe more, of the grown up dancers from the dance studio full time.

My GS (12) who definitely makes up his own mind looks for the more things to do on the other ships. The DCL is boring to him now and he will opt for the bigger ships because there is so much more to do.

I might cruise the Dream if the dancers I now know ever get aboard or my GS decides to check out the Aqua Duck, but other than that I will cruise on some of the other ships that provide the very best headliners, great dancing production shows, casinos and the many more things to do aboard the ship. Actually I found very little wrong with the DCL cruise. What I commented on were the most notable in my mind as everything else was really good. All ships have problems with dirty dishes in the hallways, but I stand on my comments about the tables at the buffet breakfast.

 

[lovethedream]

Yep, kind of like extenuating circumstances for cruising DCL. The first cruise (3 Day) was a promise to my GS for his behavior in school, dance school and home. It was also for my own information and research to find out if the DCL was as good of a cruise as some people say, compared to the other cruises I have been on. The second cruise (4 day) was to see my GS's dance instructor, http://ekorgan2.com/Daniel and IV.htm, as a performer in the production show on the Wonder. The third DCL cruise was again to see performers who I knew locally, perform in the production shows. The primary reason was to cruise the Magic and see the difference between the Wonder and the Magic. The Key West stop was also a good stop as I hadn't been in Key West in over 15 years. Also enjoyed the other stops with my GS. The DCL is definitely a good cruise.

I still feel it is a good cruise for a young family and young kids, also grandparents who want to take their young grandchildren on a cruise and have the whole family close by for a while. I really enjoyed watching my grandson having a good time with the characters on the ship and running around with his former dance instructor, and the dancers he knew from the dance studio, one day on the ship. He actually enjoyed an extra because the characters, if you know them personally, will spend time with you during their off time, which isn't much time because they work all the time doing a lot of different things. One day he may decide he wants to go to work for Disney. He lives close enough. Disney actually employs about 5 or 6, maybe more, of the grown up dancers from the dance studio full time.

My GS (12) who definitely makes up his own mind looks for the more things to do on the other ships. The DCL is boring to him now and he will opt for the bigger ships because there is so much more to do.

I might cruise the Dream if the dancers I now know ever get aboard or my GS decides to check out the Aqua Duck, but other than that I will cruise on some of the other ships that provide the very best headliners, great dancing production shows, casinos and the many more things to do aboard the ship. Actually I found very little wrong with the DCL cruise. What I commented on were the most notable in my mind as everything else was really good. All ships have problems with dirty dishes in the hallways, but I stand on my comments about the tables at the buffet breakfast.

We did not know anybody on board the Wonder before we boarded her. Yet on both trips, we always felt the cast members went way out of there way to be friendly to our kids.

Still do not understand and spending thousands of dollars on a cruise for the purpose of seeing a friend makes no sense to me what so ever. Not only once, but twice!

Still prefer the Disney shows over the others.

So, when is your next DCL cruise booked?

Still never had that problem with breakfast.

The rest is nothing more than opinion and taken as such.

 

[Edd]

I guess you could say I spent the thousands of dollars because I have it to spend. I have not booked another DCL cruise. I have a Carnival and an RCCL left in 2010. In 2011 I have a NCL booked so far. When you have only done two cruises you haven't had much of a chance to notice the small things and when you are new in cruising you are usually to busy enjoying all the adventures to worry about the small things.

The crew members on all the ships go out of their way to please the passengers. I really think they are all about equal in courtesy and service. But they don't have to do much for me to be happy with their service.

 

[lovethedream]

I guess you could say I spent the thousands of dollars because I have it to spend. I have not booked another DCL cruise. I have a Carnival and an RCCL left in 2010. In 2011 I have a NCL booked so far. When you have only done two cruises you haven't had much of a chance to notice the small things and when you are new in cruising you are usually to busy enjoying all the adventures to worry about the small things.

The crew members on all the ships go out of their way to please the passengers. I really think they are all about equal in courtesy and service. But they don't have to do much for me to be happy with their service.

Paying attention to the small things? I have to go on more that two cruises before I am qualified to notice the small things? Like the name announcement when I board the ship?

I've been on more than two cruises by the way!

Looking back on it all, I think RCCL did a good job, I just think DCL did it a little better. That's all. I will have first hand experience with Carnival next year.

 

[XMom]

Good to know that we will not feel over-run by everyone on sea days.

 

[dsneygirl]

We were on a sold out ship last Feb. The previous year it was not. The Mickey pool was busy but no where else. (Always had no problem finding seats in the theatre etc)

The only difference I noticed was in the kids club. The year before several counsellors knew DS by name after the first hour. This time there were just so many kids he didn't get quite the personal attention. I imagine the Dream will be similar with so many more kids it would be a lot harder for the counsellors to learn all their names, likes/dislikes etc.