Help me convince DH a DCL cruise is good for adults only!

Sounds like you're getting lots of good advice. Some couples love it, others do not. Try to picture yourselves on the ship... what does your ideal day look like?

Some people will say that the lack of a casino, variety of bars, and late nightlife are negatives for them. For me, those are positives. What are they for you?

Same goes for the nightly entertainment. I'd rather go to the Disney shows (with or without kids) than any of the offerings I've seen advertised on RCCL, NCL, etc. But many on here will disagree. I'd also rather watch almost any Pixar movie over just about anything, so....

If you want the rock walls & zip lines, look elsewhere, but I feel that stuff is more gimmicky than anything... Again, others see value in those things; you need to decide if those things are important to you.

Since you are DVC members, I'm guessing you will appreciate all of the Disney touches. My wife and I went to WDW (and Universal) for our 5th anniversary, leaving our 2-year old at home... So we are clearly biased. We'd just as soon spend a long weekend at WDW than Vegas.

FWIW, I can never sit and relax either. But the 4 nights I spent on the Dream last year changed my whole perspective on vacationing. It was relaxed but there was plenty going on. And the adults only areas were fantastic... They weren't very busy, which we liked. I don't think they are small or lacking, but that's my limited experience.

With all that said, DCL will be more expensive, and I'd take a hard look at a comparable cruise on NCL (for example) if it was just my wife and I cruising... Then decide if the extra cost was worth it.

Best of luck, let us know what you choose.
 
Having gone on a spring break cruise on the Dream both before and after having kids, I have to say that I actually preferred going without kids. The adult only areas seemed less crowded than they did on the RC and Carnival Cruises that I went on, and that led to more individual attention. The activities offered to adults were pretty equal to what was provided on the other cruise lines as well. The best part was the adults only beach on Castaway Cay. That was real nice because we were two of only about 16 total people on the whole beach. Hopefully your husband is as big of a Disney fan as I am, though. Even though there are many adult themed activities, most of them still revolve around the world of Disney.
 
Out of our eight DCL cruises, three have been without kids/g-kids. Several thoughts: First, Disney is more cerebral, than physical when it comes to entertaining you on their ships. Sure, they have activities and a workout room for your body. However, we get a kick out of the mental challenges they offer, especially on longer (TA, PC, et.) cruises. Back stage and galley tours, cooking demonstrations, Diaper Dashes, golf in the atrium (it can be done), and detective agency crime solving are a hoot for us. Second, as stated above, unless you request otherwise, you will be seated for dinner with folks (couples or singles) like you that you will see and converse with throughout the trip...many make lasting friends. The ports count for something, too. We usually take DCL excursions (some are "adults only") where you get into various tourist-heavy sites with a fast pass or early entry. We find that there is plenty to do on DCL ships or nothing in a quiet space. If you want casinos, bumper cars, ice skating, climbing walls and people "accidentally" falling off your ship, find another cruise line. I can't wait to see what the new ships will offer. Somehow they will go beyond motion-stimulated portraits, virtual portholes, Animator's Palate, the detective agency, awesome kid's clubs and split bathrooms. It is hard to beat the creativity and simple pleasure DCL builds into each ship and stimulates in its crew and cast members. Where else can you find Pluto on all fours playing with a service dog in the atrium? Even they get a bit of pixie dust.
 
Lots of good input and various opinions here for you! Out of all the DCL cruises I've done, only 3 were with kids (we're platinum w/DCL). One time with 2 grumpy teens who absolutely fell in LOVE with DCL and their offerings, and twice with little grands. My DH and I have done multiple DCL cruises just the 2 of us and we love it. The only other lines I would maybe like to try someday would be Crystal or maybe Celebrity. DH and I have done RCCL and it is a good line, but for us, the incredible beauty of the ships, the attention to all the details, the exemplary service, and the wonderful areas for adults only, keep us coming back to DCL over and over. We do not gamble so love that all that square footage is devoted to childrens' clubs, which keeps the kids happy, which means the grown ups are happy!

We always do 2nd seating for dinner as there are less kids, and enjoy the spa, Quiet Cove pool, the adult restaurants, and the adults only beach on Castaway Cay. As for activities, I have yet to do a sailing where I got to go to nearly every activity or class that I really wanted to attend. :love:
 


DH and I are debating a 2019 cruise. We're DVC members, so we can book something tomorrow. DH is worried that there is not enough to do on the ships for adults (compared to a Royal Caribbean ship like Oasis of the Seas). We've never cruised together (and neither of has cruised in over a decade). DH is not a sit still and lounge kinda guy (he indulges me on beach vacations a few times, but its just not his thing).

So what is anyone's experience as adults only on DCL? Will we have enough to do to keep my DH from jumping ship (so to speak)?

As always, TIA for your input!

It's okay for adults. After sailing with Carnival, it's not my favorite cruise line when it comes to adult entertainment anymore... Doesn't mean you'll get bored but I think other cruise lines may have more to offer to your DH. My DH 100% jumped ship since we have tried Carnival...

On DCL, I'd pick the Dream or the Fantasy because there's a little more to do (like mini-golf). There's the Aquaduck, the movie theater, the Quiet Cove, The Quiet Cove Café, the bars, alcohol tastings, Dining at Palo ($) or Remy ($)... Serenity Bay if you stop at Castaway Cay. I may forget some things but I think that's about it.
 
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Here's a story I like to tell about this topic.

On our first cruise with DCL I bumped into this gentleman who was slightly intoxicated. I jokingly said how can he imbibe with his kids aboard? His answer was relevant to this topic.

"Disney does the best to separate the kids from adults... if the adults choose so." "There is an adult only beach, there is adult only pool with swim up bar." "Disney has clubs for the kids, other cruises I (his words) been on the kids are always underfoot, pressing elevator buttons, getting the way." "On Disney I don't have to see a kid if I don't want to". " My kids are married with their own kids, they aren't on this cruise."

I agree with him. I've been on 5 cruises and I have hung out at bars and beaches and didn't see kids as much as I thought.

I book the Disney cruises for me, not so much for the kids.

Joe
 
We are doing our 3rd DCL cruise this year, just the two of us.
The customer service on DCL is not something we have experience any where else.
There are plenty of adult only areas if you don't want to be swarmed with kids.
I personally don't mind being around kids and prefer it to the party experience of some cruise lines or nursing home vibe of other cruise lines.

Totally agree! My husband and I love our cruises by ourselves. DCL offers adult areas, adult entertainment, an environment without the booze cruise party vibe or retirement center vibe. Its just relaxing, fun, pampering and as adult as you want to make it.
 


Don't beat me up, but I wouldn't do an Adult only again on the Dream. Did a 4-night wonder in January and have a 14-night wonder booked this October, just my husband and I. However, just squeezed in a 3-night dream cruise to make gold. So, so many kids, very crowded and noisy. Remy was wonderful for grownups and the lounge area at night is to die for, but thought there were way too many children running around, being loud, pushing buttons on the elevators. Duh, I know it's a disney cruise, but never felt that on either of the classic ships.
 
Don't beat me up, but I wouldn't do an Adult only again on the Dream. Did a 4-night wonder in January and have a 14-night wonder booked this October, just my husband and I. However, just squeezed in a 3-night dream cruise to make gold. So, so many kids, very crowded and noisy. Remy was wonderful for grownups and the lounge area at night is to die for, but thought there were way too many children running around, being loud, pushing buttons on the elevators. Duh, I know it's a disney cruise, but never felt that on either of the classic ships.

This is a big reason we prefer the Classic ships (and we have kids lol). You will LOVE the 14 day PC, one of my fav trips to date. We are going on our first 'without kids' on the Magic in January, super excited to be able to chill and spend more time in the adult areas.
 
Thank you all for your thoughts, advice and opinions! DH and I are both big disney fans - so i'm not worried about theming/kids abounding, etc. I'm going to show him this thread and see what he has to say. I always think he's going to lean one way and then sometimes throws me for a curve!
 

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