Honestly??

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hello there. I need some honest opinions on something. We (just me and dh) have been on a few cruises and other than one that was with a group of friends, have not really enjoyed it. We do not gamble, drink, or swim and are just not that fancy either. Not a moral thing just they way it is. I love talking to people, especially DISers, and we go to DW quite often and greatly enjoy it. We are watching the Travel Channel right now and it is showing a program on the Disney Cruise.

What I am asking is - might the Disney Cruise offer something the others did not so that it would be worthwhile for us or might we be better off just staying an extra week at DW on our next trip or is the cruise something that we should try?

Thank you for your opinions.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[figment52]

I encourage you to try Disneyfor all the reasons that you did not like the other cruises, drinking , gambling etc. DCL is not pretentious and is not a "frat party on water'. There are plenty of things to do and the atmosphere is a much tamer DW.

Hop over to the cruise reports board and read a few of those to get a feel for what goes on during the cruise. Try a 3-4 day to get your feet wet if you are concernede that a 7 day may be too lot. And most importantly, ask questions, pick our brains and let us give you as much preparation as we can so you can make an informed decision.

So, begin the research and welcome aboard.

 

[septbride2002]

We choose the Disney Cruise for a number of reasons.

1) Shows - the entertainment looks top notch and if you like Disney - then you'll like the shows offered.

2) The Vista Spa - for $15 pass you can use the lounges and fragrant showers.

3) Browsing past Navigators we saw things like:
Behind the scenes of the the shows
Behind the scenes of the running of the ship
Trivia
Wine Tasting
Cooking courses


~Amanda

 

[burma]

My opinion would be ..

sure go on the DCL there is no casino there is no real need to drink there is pleanty to do to keep you busy and its a new disney experience if you go to the park that often .. in our opinion its not just for kids ... casual seems to be the way on all of their crusies but they do have a formal and semi-formal night on the longer crusies ... there is a lot of chatter on the board about the new dress code but you can read about that by doing a search ... if your skeptical try a land sea package you may be supprised and dont forget about the spa on the ship ...

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Well, your question has a lot of "personal opinion" answers available. There are many people who love the Disney Cruise Line and just as many that would rather stay on land.

We loved the cruise so much that we ended up buying into the DVC so that we could cruise more often.

There are nightly Broadway type shows, a bridge tour, shore excursions, not to mention Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

I would suggest taking a 3 or 4 day cruise. You could even do a couple of days at the parks either before or after. Then if you don't enjoy yourselves you'll be over and done with it sooner. I absolutely cannot imagine that you wouldn't enjoy the cruise.

Don't want to dress for dinner? No Problem. Go eat at Topsiders/Beach Blanket buffet.

If you do book, go to the cruise meets thread at the top and find your cruise date and meet fellow disser's on line ahead of time!

It really is something I think you should experience at least once. Our DS was 16 last year when we cruised. And no offense to anyone, but we didn't want to be constantly around the small ones. Disney has the adults only area that was really nice and quiet. Do you drink cappacinos or coffee? Go to the Cove for a nice, quiet get-away. Take a book and relax on the secret deck 7.

As I said, consider trying a short cruise first. If you do, be sure to let us know how it went for you!

 

[logan1_2000]

I'm going to play Hades' advocate and read into your comment that you are not that fancy a few intangible things. Like that maybe the Spa might not be something you would be interested in, even the $15 rainforest. So if that eliminated the Spa, and there is already no casino issue, and alcohol can easily be skipped--do you like going to beaches becomes a key question. A short cruise hits Nassau and CC. Other stuff to do in Nassau, if you look over the excursions my bet is that you might find little of interest. A cruise might not be for you--I love DCL, but I can take a step back and acknowledge that a cruise is not for everybody.

You say you like WDW, so I think the production shows would appeal to you. Meeting people from all around, check. Might the meals be too fancy for your particular tastes? Perhaps--only you can say. Though I was not too proud to hold the bernaise (and to tell a server from France that I did not like Bernaise!) and some other "keep it plain" type orders.

Just as I sometimes worry that folks criticize DCL while forgetting that it is a DISNEY cruise, I hope you solve the issue of whether cruising is for you before you take on the issue of is DCL for you. I love relaxing by the pool, completing a 500 page paperback, going to the beaches, having the meals, seeing the production shows...so the main aspects of DCL fit my likes.

And honestly, on the short cruises the dining room attire need never go beyond a polo shirt and slacks, and the equivalent for women.

Whichever decision you make, one if by land, two if by sea, I hope it is the right one for you--after all, not all modes of Disney are for all folks, thats why there are different venues.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Wow, what wonderful replies. Just for the fact that I would meet folks like you it would make me seriously consider a Disney cruise.

Logan, I am afraid to talk to you anymore as you have me pretty well figured out with the little I posted already. LOL I do love Broadway shows, just went to see Mama Mia the other night. Spas and swimming suits are not my style at all. I love fine dining but love to be able to slip my shoes off, under the table, without offending anyone. LOL

MommaluvsDis, I love childen ,and in fact work with them ,but not all the time. I had seen that facet on the show and it was appealing. BTW, my 7 year old grandson has faith that I will, one of these days, win the Disney Cruise on WWTBAM. Have come close but not cigar. LOL

burma, I am thinking that it would be cheaper for us to buy the cruise seperately as we are AP type of people. 4 times in one year is our personal record. 2 times a year is an ordinary year. I saw where we could get a great deal of about $350 when we are going on our next trip. At that price we could still stay our usual 12 or more days, according to who is playing at the American Theater.

septbride2002. trivia? I love trivia and am pretty good at it. If I could hear the questions it would be fun. Are the behind the scenes programs and the wine tasting included in the price or extra, might I ask?

figment52, I could handle the frat party on the seas type of thing but we have encountered other problems that dismayed us. One cruise we had trouble trying to figure out the other couples. I kept getting the names mixed up. Took us several meals before we figured out that these very 'sophisticated" couples were swapping around. We are an older retired Disney loving couple from the Midwest and not very 'sophisticated" at all. LOL

Thank you all so much for your tips and information. I believe I will check into booking a 3-4 day cruise for when we go down next. What is the worst thing that can happen? Might meet some of you there and that is not a bad thing at all.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[minniemoms]

SlightlyGoofy We don't gamble,drink or Swim either, and we loved the cruise. I wore nice black slacks to dinner and a nice top, but no long formal, DH wore nice slacks and a dress shirt. He did bring a coat, but didn't wear it. Yes, there were some much more dressed , but we didn't feel out of place. We loved the shows, we loved watching the children,(didn't take ours that trip out) we loved visiting with other guests. Just had a wonderful time, going back in May on West coast with kids and my parents, and they don't drink, gamble, either, but they can't wait. I DID snorkle on Cataway Cay, and I loved that, my DH sat on a lounge chair and read a book and napped. It was GREAT. We did some excursions and loved that too, I think you would love it

 

[8 Ears]

LOL, you sound very much like us! I do not drink, DH only had 1 beer on our last cruise. We do not gamble either.

For our last/first cruise we took DS 10 and DS13. In August of 2006 we are going with just the 2 of us!!

Disney does tend to be a little more $$$ than others. We did not find the drunkin fools, too much skin and the only gambling was Bingo onboard. For those reasons and also the great people we met last time and the ones we will be sailing with this time, we chose Disney again for an adult trip.

Unlike a few other posters I would not do a 3 or 4 day again. It just went way too fast! You will not be sorry if you book a 7-day. On the other hand if you do go on a 3/4 than you will surly be back for a 7 day.

DH was not sure about it first. Before we even docked at our first port he said to go ahead and book a 7-day. Wahoo! Just what I wanted to hear.

Hope all this babbling helps......

 

[WDWLVR]

I have been cruising since the mid-70's, but DH had never cruised until we took our first DCL cruise back in '99.

We don't drink, he doesn't gamble, we don't eat out a lot at home and certainly not at fancy resturants. Bottom line - he loved it! We've gone on 6 and have two more booked.

What DCL offers that others don't (in my opinion).

• Disney quality shows! The main production numbers like Disney Dreams, Golden Mickeys, etc. are IMHO worthy of Broadway.
• Adult only areas - sure other ships have them, but from what I've seen and heard Disney enforces it better. This includes the adult only pool, Cove Cafe, and Serentity Bay on Castaway Cay.
• Variety of dining. The dining room rotation is great. In addition for other meals you have your choice of room service, sit-down dining or buffet. Plus all the goodies up on deck 9 like pizza, burgers, etc.

Our first cruise was a 3 day as part of a land sea and I don't think I would do that again. I would recommend a 4 day if you aren't sure. That gives you Nassau, a day at sea and Castaway Cay. If you find cruising isn't for you then it will be over sooner. If you find you love cruising then book on board for a 7 day and join the club of DCL addicts!

One other tip that I think will increase your enjoyment. If you decide to book a DCL cruise head on over to the cruise meets board and find a thread for that cruise. Get to know your fellow DIS'ers and you'll increase your enjoyment level! Click on the monorailgreen link below and it will take you to our home page. Follow the cruise links and it will take you to some of our past cruises and in the case of the 10 day cruise you can read our trip report with pictures. That will give you an idea of all there is to do on a DCL cruise.

 

[jrabbit]

I love trivia and am pretty good at it. If I could hear the questions it would be fun. Are the behind the scenes programs and the wine tasting included in the price or extra, might I ask?

THe "Behind the Scenes" programs (The Art of Entertaining, The Art of Entertainment and The Navigator Series) are included in the cruise price (along with the "all you can eat" part ) The wine tasting has an extra charge but it's not outrageous!! (maybe around $15 per person?)

 

[lbgraves]

I would definitely recommend the 7 day cruise for you. The reason for this is there is alot more of the behind the scene things...theater tour, galley tour, towel folding, chef's series...on the sea days. There isn't too much happening like this onboard when you are in port. I also suggest that when you book go to the thread on the meets board for your cruise date. You can meet some of the DISers on your cruise, link dinner resies with them, and plan meets.

 

[natdencro]

Any vacation is what you make it: people from all walks of life go on a cruise - and everyone expects different things from their holiday. Yes, Disney is much more expensive than most other cruiselines that offer these destinations, but if you are not on a tight budget then maybe you should give it a try. We dont travel with small children, drink much,gamble, smoke, work-out,dance or over-eat: However, we have NEVER had such a "Magical" time as on our Disney cruises. Go with the idea that you WILL have fun and believe me, you will. There is so much to entertain and inform you that you will never be short of things to do and see. Go with an open mind and dont dwell on anything that may not be to your taste. Whats the worse thing that can happen? A week on a beautiful ship, sailing the seas and sharing your life with great people! Worth a try eh! Oh those memories. Nat

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I believe it would be worth your time an money to give it a try. We, too, are not drinkers or gamblers but gave it a try 5 years ago. We liked it so well that this Aug will be our 5th cruise. We do not sail with kids. Ours are 24. Disney Cruise is just not for kids. We did the 3 day land and the 4 day sea package for the first time to try it and were very sorry that we just didn't do the 7 day cruise. We didn't feel we had enough time to "do it all". The shows are spectacular. We do not like gourmet food but there are options around it. Dressing up isn't a problem for us so I can't address that issue.

We met life time friends on this board prior to sailing in Oct 2002. Since then we have cruised with or met them at WDW every year. We link dinner reservations and meet every night to discuss the days events. The last cruise one of them had the Walt Suite. Most of us do not have small children that we travel with. I feel that Disney can be a cruise for anyone that loves Disney.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Guess I have been going on the wrong cruises. Going with other DISers has to be the key. I have decided to try for a 3-4 night cruise this next trip and possibly a longer one next time.

Ever notice that at DW you can sit down on a bench, sit at a group table or whatever and find something in common? Is the Magic.

You have have given me much to think about and look forward to. I have many DIS friends on the other threads and some of them cruise so maybe we will meet up with some of you guys.

I will take my very open mind and see what is out there. I do not mind paying for quality and I have never been disappoionted in anything Disney.

Aiming for November, anything is possible. LOL

Slightly Goofy/Linda

Thank you all!!

 

[musicgirl]

Just another vote for DCL.

One of the things we loved were the adult only things. DCL does a great job of keeping true to this. We loved to hang around and just chat with other adults.
We are teachers and are around kids 5-18 and it was awesome having adult conversations!!!!

I definitely recommend getting to know people from your cruise date on the cruise meet board. It is a lot of fun to chat ahead of time and then meet everyone on the ship!!!!

 

[kcashner]

We love DCL for all the reasons you say you didn't like other cruises. There is no casino on board. There is no smoking in most of the ship (I'd like it to be all, but I'm not in control.) There is relatively little drinking compared to other lines.

Yes, it is possible to be on a cruise where there are some fellow passengers who are jerks, but in general DCL has a wonderful family atmosphere. We've met lovely people. DD has been on DCL in every kid venue--Club, Lab, and Stack. Some people aren't thrilled with the teen program, but my teen LOVES it and chose that for her 13th birthday gift.

We have sailed on the Magic 12 times. Prior to DCL, we did 2 other cruises. Since DCL, NO other lines. That should tell you how we feel about DCL. If you like the parks, you'll LOVE the cruise.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

kcashner, while it would be a bit daunting to live with perfection all the time it is so delightful to enjoy a bit at DW (and the cruises) from time to time.

musicgirl, the cruise offers all this AND adult conversation? How could I refuse such? While I absolutely love talking to children it is nice to be around grown ups occasionally also. LOL

Slightly Goofy/Linda