Help me figure this out

[bonnielynn]

We have booked a cruise.. our first.. after reading these boards I wonder why everyone is so excited about them.. (knowing that I haven't done it)..
You can't wear what you want to dinner (in the restaurant anyway), You pay a pretty big amount for the cruise.. and still I hear you walk away spending way more (in tips, drinks, excursion and suvies) Most of the people on the boards aren't that thrilled with the ports..

So what is it about a cruise that draws you back again and again.

 

[LostGirls]

For us it was, how many places can you go where a 3 year old, grandparents in their 70's and ages in between all be happy in one place?
We saved for 2 years, me being a stay at home home and all, and it was worth every penny. We were planning on WDW in 2007, but my now 4 and 8 year old DD's want to do another cruise instead! There really is something for everyone. It's Disney - it's magical!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Well, we did enjoy it. I thought Castaway Cay was totally great and for that reason alone we booked again.

For dinner, we wore what we wanted. I like to get semi-dressed up every now and again as I rarely get to at home, but people were dressed way under me (not saying much) and it was fine. They really don't kick you out of the dining room (maybe Palos).

Nassau kind of stinks, but you can just go to a beach and enjoy the fab clear water! Can't get that here in NYC, that's for sure!

A plus is the food - it was good for Disney. If we didn't have smallchildren we would probably do Royal Caribbean again though. That line is cheaper and I feel better quality with food, etc.

As for onboard spending, our bill in Jan for 4 nights was just over $220. We put the tips on there and 2 items for the kids, a few pins and maybe 2 ginger ales for me (had a tummy virus before we sailed).

Does this help you out at all? Have fun planning whatever you decide!

 

[angelam]

As for dressing for dinner, we don't often eat out at places where we have to dress up, so it was a fun for a change and nice to see my family all dressed up! One thing I didn't like was having to be at dinner at a certain time each night. It was some times hard to stop what we were doing and go get ready for dinner. Sure you can skip the dining room and eat room service or whatever, but we enjoyed our waitstaff and the food, so we went.

I never thought I would like cruising and didn't really want to go on our first 4 night Disney Cruise, but that is all it took me to get hooked. It is the most relaxing vacation I have ever taken! In fact, when I need to relax, I often think about lying on a deck 4 lounge chair at night and listening to the ocean!

I have only cruised Disney, so I can't compare to other lines, but my whole family (DH, DS-10, DD-6, and me) were entertained for the week and we all got to have some alone time too (which was great!) DCL is very family oriented, which is important to me. There were plenty of neat and fun things for my kids to do/see and things for us to do as a family as well. The staff on the ship is wonderful. It is the only vacation that I have ever left with tears in my eyes!

We enjoyed the ports on the 7 day Western. Castaway Cay (Disney's private island) is awesome. Just staying on the ship on port days is also fun!

I didn't think cruising was my kind of vacation, but I was very wrong and I can't wait to go again!!
-Angie

 

[lbgraves]

We like getting dressed up for dinner. We enjoy the food. We don't spend alot of extra money on the ship or in the ports. We love the Eastern ports & are really excited about our double dip at CC in 2006. We love cruising with Disney!

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

We have booked a cruise.. our first.. after reading these boards I wonder why everyone is so excited about them.. (knowing that I haven't done it)..
You can't wear what you want to dinner (in the restaurant anyway), You pay a pretty big amount for the cruise.. and still I hear you walk away spending way more (in tips, drinks, excursion and suvies) Most of the people on the boards aren't that thrilled with the ports..

So what is it about a cruise that draws you back again and again.

Hi Bonnielynn,
Maybe you've gotten a skewed perspective from the boards. It seems to be human nature to be quicker to point out the negative than the positive.

Having said that, I guess if you're looking for an inexpensive vacation, a cruise is NOT the thing to sign up for. But looking at it in another way, there is a lot you get for your money, IF you're interested in the offerings.

Here are some of the things I love about Disney cruising:
--Unpacking once, putting things away for the week and not having to live out of a suitcase.
--No driving, etc. to get to all the fun--just a 5 min. walk. And going back to the room is easy if I forget something.
--Stateroom host/hostess keeping the room neat, turn-down service, towel animals, etc.
--Clean towels twice a day, Minnie hand lotion, Daisy shampoo
--Looking over the Navigator the night before (with my highlighter) and choosing what I want to do the next day, with alternates.
--Letting each day flow, knowing that I can do what I planned the night before if I feel like it, or I can sit in a chair on deck 4, go to the Cove for coffee, go back to the room and take a nap, go to the pool, etc. if I change my mind. I've never found myself at loose ends for something to do.
--Ordering room service any time I feel like it, ordering anything I feel like having, and all it costs me is a buck or two.
--Catching up on the news on CNN (if I feel like it), or chilling out with a classic Disney cartoon/movie on the stateroom TV.
--Knowing I can have a sit-down breakfast in the dining room or buffet, get food from the buffet and take to back to the room to eat on my verandah, take food out by the pool, or order room service either the night before or in the morning when I get up.
--Ditto for lunch, but add pizza, burgers, chicken strips, fries, panninis, etc. from the deck 9 eateries.
--Walking into the dining room at night, knowing I'll be greeted by my wait staff, checking out the menue, and letting them help me decide what I should try that night. Then, letting them wait on me!
--Ordering whatever I want and not having to think about how much it costs. Trying two things if I can't make up my mind. Asking for something that's not on the menu and usually being able to get it.
--Just about every night, enjoying a great show in the Walt Disney theater before dinner and a caberet show after dinner. And, if I wanted to, more entertainment after that.
--Learning about fruit carving, napkin folding, fancy drinks, etc. in The Art of Entertaining presentations.
--Learnng about the ship in the Navigator Series presentations.
--Hearing a Disney artist speak and later going to her cartooning workshop
--Getting some great digital photography tips in the Shutters staff presentation
--Watching people spend their money in the art auctions
--Enjoying the looks on children's faces as they get their pictures taken with their favorite character.
--Enjoying live piano music in the Atruim lobby in the evening
--Watching the fun during pin trading.
--Going ashore and knowing that if it's too hot or not fun, all I have to do is come back to the ship where I can get some great food, take a dip in the pool, see a movie, or take a nap in my cool stateroom.
--Sitting on my verandah or on deck 4, watching, listening to, and smelling the sea, knowing that all too soon I'll be back in dry Arizona.

So far, everthing I've mentioned costs NO extra $$ (except room service tips), and I haven't even gotten to children's/families' activities.

I've also enjoyed going to the spa, playing bingo, having the drink of the day, and shopping in the Treasure Ketch, but I never felt like I HAD to do those things in order to have a good time. They were all choices.

I'm sure there's more, but hopefully this is enough to give you the idea.

Finally, attitude is everything!!! You can see the glass half full or half empty--it's up to you!

Hope you enjoy your cruise!

PS: About dressing for dinner--I brought a nice pants outfit that I wore on both formal & semi-formal night. I wore capris or rayon pants and cotton tops (w/a cotten/linen overshirt) to all the other dinners. One pair of sandals for dress, another pair that went with all other clothes. Bathing suit almost every day, a couple pairs of shorts and a few t-shirts, Teva sandals--that took care of it!

 

[Catnip0113]

I agree with everything the people before me said. In addition, my DH is very interested in architecture and art. He was very impressed with the ship and the layout and decorations. It is very good quality. The Disney ships look like old fashioned ocean liners, not like a big block of cement with windows like a lot of other ships.

It is a cruise for kids and families, but you never really have screaming kids around you (maybe some at dinner). There are adults only areas and the kids clubs take the kids on special stairwells so you don't see them in the groups at all.

The ship's horn makes me cry. It plays those notes and I get all sappy. In ports docked by other ships, they are always looking at us because we are Disney. I don't know what it is. I have traveled Norwegian and liked that too. We are doing Princess with friends next year, hope I like it!

 

[angelam]

NotSolittlemermaid, very well written post!!!! I also love not having to drive anywhere for fun or for dinner, etc!

-Angie

 

[brack]

.... You can't wear what you want to dinner (in the restaurant anyway ....

IMHO this is what is wrong with a lot of things .... no one wants to dress up for anything. People used to dress up for everything (flying, theaters and even dinner sometimes).

It can't possibly hurt to dress nice once and awhile.

 

[4Smilee]

We have booked a cruise.. our first.. after reading these boards I wonder why everyone is so excited about them.. (knowing that I haven't done it)..

So I'm curious as to why you booked the cruise?

Well, I am not as experienced as many posters here. I have one RCCL cruise and one DCL cruise under my belt, and we are headed for our second Disney cruise in 6 weeks.

Money -- no argument, it is expensive. But worth every penny to me.

Dress at dinner --- I've never thought twice about it. To me, it's part of the experience to have a nice, sit-down dinner (and nice photos of us in something other than t-shirts). If we don't feel like dressing up, there are other places on the ship to get food . . . or room service is included (which is HEAVEN to me).

Ports -- I wouldn't make any of the ports (except maybe CC) a destination in itself, but I've enjoyed the ports and the excursions we took.

BUT, I would keep coming back even if I never stepped off the ship for 7 days. I LOVE just sitting on a deck with a drink in my hand watching the ocean go by. I love days at sea. Ultimately relaxing. Kids are entertained, low stress, no where to be, great food, beautiful ship, fun activities for us. I also like for a "family" vacation that it's easy to do things together and easy to do things alone --- totally depending on your mood. The ship is plenty big for everyone.

You'll have to tell us after your cruise if you feel the same.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Bonnielynn,

I hope you will come back and tell us all what you thought after your cruise! I think you will be pleasently surprised at how wonderful the cruise experience is! There really is no vacation like it. You can be as busy or as lazy as you feel like at any given time during the week. The beach at Castaway Cay is worth the cost of the trip alone. (and I have been to some nice beaches) Dinner really is worth dressing for as it becomes an event in itself! Being on the ship and looking out at the ocean is just incrediable. You will have such a great time you will want to book a second cruise as soon as possible! If you haven't yet, call and ask for the planning DVD so that you can see the ship and the beaches.

 

[Kimmielee]

For me, I just booked my first cruise this week. I am a single mom to a DS that will be 6 when we sail. Why did I book and more imporantly... why did I book at Easter time when the prices are outrageous?

1. My son received a Disney Cruise invitation in the mail HIS name, his mail... and it arrived about three weeks before I was going on a Carnival Cruise (my first) without him in late Feb. Wow, was their timing good!

2. We do WDW each year and even though the cruise is more expensive, I will get to relax some on the cruise. When at WDW, I can't relax at the pool (always afraid I'll fall asleep...). Reading a book isn't an option, etc... It's very difficult, being just him and I for me to get any down time. The cruise will allow that.

3. I tacked on 3 nights at WDW (two full days for him to play in MK, etc... to get his "fix". Then off to the cruise on day three... the original trip was for 10 nights at WDW. When I compared the cost and tried to factor in meals, entertainment that cost extra, etc... it wasn't that unreasonable... about $1500 more than just 10 full days at WDW... so, the way I look at it I'm going to be reading and relaxing with a $1500 novel!! : )

4. In all actuality... I cancelled this years WDW Halloween trip (about $4k with air, spending money, package, meals, etc...) and added it to next years budget to afford the cruise. So... if we go every OTHER year on the cruise... and on the off year do something more reasonable... then we BOTH get a vacation.

5. Why at Easter when the prices are so high? I have three neices that are teachers and even though he's only in Kindergarten, it is important to keep them as steady as possible in school... especially because of the unforeseen sick days, etc.

Hope that makes sense. As to the "what's so special to keep me coming back?" question.... I can only dream... but the dreams are technicolor and FULL of Magic!!!

 

[KKB]

And I have only taken one cruise on Princess! DCL coming in Dec.
WHY? LOVE to travel...never had a trip I wish I hadn't taken.
CHOICES...SO many activities, something for virtually everyone's interests--you can do something all the time, or absolutely nothing!
FOOD...you will NEVER go hungry, and if you don't like something, they will bring you something else. You can have more than one of any course if you want to try more!
SERVICE...you are treated like royalty!
PORTS...such a great way to see many places; some you will like better than others, but always glad I saw it once. You can always stay on the ship if you prefer--very uncrowded on port days.
ESCAPE--as a news junkie, I actually enjoyed no phones, newspapers, US TV, and little internet. It was freeing. (but I could get online if I wanted to, did get CNN International, and phones available for absolute emergencies)
DRESSING UP--personally, I get few opportunities at home, so I love it. BUT you do NOT have to dress up...you can choose buffet or room service and go totally casual, but truthfully the dress code is loose.
FRIENDS--we were very very lucky to have met many wonderful people
NOVELTY--I tried activities that I never had before! So glad I did!
BANG FOR THE BUCK--DCL is expensive; our Princess cruise was a terrific bargain; cruised during hurricane season and researched prices thoroughly.
You do not need to spend much else on the ship, if you choose. Tips aside, drinks, pics, bingo, shopping, gambling (not DCL), excursions are all optional. You really can spend as much or as little as your budget and desire allow.
Additionally, DH & I had a glorious week of just he & I--it rejuvinated us. It will be special w/ the children, also...DCL will add to that!
Happy cruising!
Kristin

 

[auntie k]

I too just booked my first cruise - with alot of input from this board.
Instead of seeing it as downfalls or negative aspects of cruising, I viewed the posts as a way to save money where possible, enjoy some things more than others, avoid the less than perfect excursions, get the best room that you can afford based on your family's budget. ( the list goes on)

Specifically on the dress, I've decided it's - go looking decent in clean clothes as you would to anything else, avoiding shorts and jeans, and you'll be fine.

Also, I think some people will have bad experiences, even at Disney .. some of us forget it is in the real world too! ha

I'm looking forward to my trip, I thank the DISers for helping me...and can't wait until I return from mine to provide imput...and hopefully trip reports!!

 

[bonnielynn]

IMHO this is what is wrong with a lot of things .... no one wants to dress up for anything. People used to dress up for everything (flying, theaters and even dinner sometimes).

It can't possibly hurt to dress nice once and awhile.

Not to be rude or anything but I work in a courthouse.. I dress every day of my life... My idea of a vacation is wearing shorts, jeans or a bathing suit...

 

[jgalecpa]

Trying to explain the magic of a Cruise, especially a Disney cruise, is very hard.

Like the old expression: "It's like trying to explain the color orange to a blind person".

Siblings get along better on a cruise.

No one has to cook or do dishes.

You meet people in a situation that fosters lasting friendships. I recently read "I've never had reunions with people I met in a Hotel/Resort."

Some people try cruises and don't like them.

In 30 years of cruising, I still haven't met them.

"NotSoLittleMermaid" did a fantastic job explaining the tangible things to like, but you can't explain the intangible things.

"It's like trying to explain the color orange to a blind person".

You have to experience it firsthand.

And as to Disney, I've sailed (many) other lines, and Disney is by far the most FUN. I've never enjoyed a sailing like our DCL cruise.

Jim

 

[leanne2255]

Ditto, NotSoLittleMermaid. I could not have said it better!

 

[Barbmouse63]

I have just booked our first Disney cruise for next summer! I have been reading and planning for a loooonnng time. I have found these boards so helpful and not at all negative. In fact,these boards are a big reason for choosing DCL. Why else did I choose Disney? Well, first because I am a self-proclaimed Disney Geek and knew I would not be satisfied until I sailed Disney. I would always be wondering how other ships I was on would compare to Disney. I have all ideas that as my kids get older we will go on other lines as well but I'll have the Disney experience first. Second, we go to DW every other year and visit the parks commando-style. Not at all relaxing but loads of fun! We do take one down day. I want to relax on this vacation. Third, I know Disney style shows will appeal to my family and me more than other shows/entertainment would. I also like to dress for dinner and think it is a great experience for kids. Fourth, I can't wait to get to Castaway Cay! There are lots more reasons but these are the main ones.
Thanks to all Disers for the inspiration and help!!

 

[crisi]

We have booked a cruise.. our first.. after reading these boards I wonder why everyone is so excited about them.. (knowing that I haven't done it)..
You can't wear what you want to dinner (in the restaurant anyway), You pay a pretty big amount for the cruise.. and still I hear you walk away spending way more (in tips, drinks, excursion and suvies) Most of the people on the boards aren't that thrilled with the ports..

So what is it about a cruise that draws you back again and again.

Different things about a cruise appeal to different people. Some people like dressing for dinner, some don't. For those that do, it isn't a negative. We enjoyed our ports, others don't. For those that do, it isn't a negative. Some people just enjoy being on the ocean, others enjoy the shows, some enjoy the relaxation, some go for the food.

For us, a huge draw to the cruises is the kids clubs. We get plenty of time with our kids, and we get some time where they have a great time in the clubs and we can sit in the adult hot tub, or go dancing. Another huge draw for us is the food. I don't find the food exceptional, but its (for the most part) good and plentiful (and I like dressing for dinner). Is cruising expensive - yep. And Disney is on the expensive side. Although we find the alcoholic beverages to be pretty reasonable.

 

[lbgraves]

Siblings get along better on a cruise.

This could be DCL's best campaign ever! LOL!

One thing that I think does need to be pointed out that they do not always dock at CC. Rarely the weather doesn't cooperate. Most of the things that we have noted about liking DCL so much include CC. You can't go on a cruise with too much counting on any one thing happening...like docking at a certain port. You have to be able to roll with the changes that have to be made for the safety of the guests. The Captain doesn't take a decision like that lightly because he wants the guest to have the best cruise experience.