How is Disney cruise lines ? Are they safe????

[Tinksmom5]

We have only been on 2 vacations.One with DH and I cruising with Carnival 2003 and Disney with the 5 kids in 2005.We are set to take another vacation in 2007 but I can't decide which to do.The price difference from going straight to Disney or doing land and sea is only around $800.Land/sea being alittle more.
I think the kids would love the cruise with Disney but with all the bad press cruie lines are getting these days I was wondering if anyone has anything to say as far as how safe Disney cruise's are in comparision to other cruise lines?
Also is it worth the extra money to add the cruise to nassue to our trip?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[lindakmonty]

personally I really prefer cruising disney than going to the parks. I really can't compare other lines b/c I've only cruised w/disney. Once I find something I really like...its really hard to change. Its addictive. W/5 kids a cruise would be fantastic. They could have fun in the kids clubs and you can be comfortable that they're truly in good hands. My ds was 1 1/2 on his first cruise and that was the first time I'd ever left ds w/anyone but a family member. It is an incredible vacation and I would seriously consider it. I myself, I would either make it a land/sea or sea only Good luck and enjoy your vacation. We're planning a land/sea for early Feb. now

 

[misseulalie]

I think DCL is very safe. If you think about it, if someone (god forbid)abducts your child, where are they gonna go? They can't leave the ship. Where as at the parks, they can be off Disney property in no time.

There are lots of undercover security (where Carnival doesn't bother making them undercover)

plus I think DCL is much more relaxing for everyone. The parks are so tiring and stressful.

 

[krisnrandy]

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!

We just got back from our 7 day western and it was FABULOUS!! My kids are 6, 8 and 15 yrs old and not once did I feel I had to worry about their safety. The castmembers were so very nice and helpful. They also had a great amount of patience with the little ones. This was our first cruise, and the service was top notch..I would be afraid to take another cruise with another ship because I don't think they would meet Disney standards.
Very safe and so very fun!!

 

[scrapperjill]

We've cruised with Disney twice and not once felt uncomfortable or unsafe. My kids were 6&11 the first time we went...and now have our third cruise (with Disney) booked

If I were you...I'd look into the cost of booking the cruise and WDW seperatly. I've heard sometime it can be cheeper this way (probably depends on what time of year your planning...and if there are any 'specials' available). PLUS that way you could add days at either end (do a 4 or 7 night cruise with more or less days at WDW).

I'd also look at the ports DCL goes to...to see what's going to best suit your family. We went to Nassau on our first 7 night cruise with DCL....and had a BLAST. BUT I've heard ALOT of folks don't care for Nassau. PLUS keep in mind even if the ship is stopping at a port you don't care for...you don't have to get off the ship.

Oh...I was also going to say (on the safety matter)...we've thought of trying other cruise lines...but I don't think we will until our girls are ALOT older...unless DH and I go alone . My oldest will be 13 this next cruise and I think I would worry the whole time about her saftey on another line. As it is now...I feel very comfortable with her walking around the ship with out us.

 

[lmok]

Yes, Disney is probly as safe as you are going to get especially on the ship. That is not to say that things can happen anytime that are not planned. I am a single mother with two daughters. We have been to WDW 6 times now. In 2004 we were ready for something different and did the land and sea. WE LOVED IT! We spent our first 3 nights at the parks and the next four at sea. In 2006 we spent one night at WDW and 7 nights on the ship. We loved it even more than the first time. Usually we go every other year but we want to do the 2008 New Years Cruise so we decided to go ahead and do 4 night cruise in March 2007 for Spring Break. I am probly the most strict as it comes in making sure my kids are safe. We love this vacation and my kids have talked about these cruises every day since. I can't imagine doing another cruise line. I think you will be happy with whatever you pick. A lot will depend on your kids and what they like to do.
Best of luck in making your decision.

 

[texasthree]

We loved the cruise. With 5 kids, I would think you would really love the cruise. The fantastic kids club gave DH and I some time alone which is a rare happening while on vacation. We had plenty of great family time but could get an hour or two by ourselves as well! The food was good. Everything is very kid friend and super accomidating. We did the 4 night and in 2008 are just doing a 7 night cruise and skipping the parks.

 

[mruhaak]

I've cruised Carnival, RCCL and Disney. I've felt "safer" with Disney than any other line. I can't tell you specifically why that is.

Maybe part of it is the family atmosphere? And Disney certainly has lots of experience with security after running the parks all these years. This is ONE of the reasons that Disney is my first choice to bring my young sons on. (As long as the rates are in the range I can afford we'll be booking for 2008!)

 

[Tinksmom5]

Thank you all for all your imput.So I guess you would say it's worth the extra money then as well.I know my DH loved our last cruise and the kids loved Disney so I thought putting both together would make everyone happy.
There has just been so much on TV about children getting molested and people disappearing that I was alittle scared.I ,however,feel Disney is the leader in family vacations and making sure the kids are safe I would think to Disney is the first thought .I am assuming they make sure their staff is top notch.
Now I just have to figure out when is the best time to go and the most affordable.I know September is the cheapest but that is also hurrican season.Has anyone gone at that time and if so how was it?
I am also considering the end of August.I have heard its HOT ,how hot are we talking?

 

[Destinydaddy]

We have only been on 2 vacations.One with DH and I cruising with Carnival 2003 and Disney with the 5 kids in 2005.We are set to take another vacation in 2007 but I can't decide which to do.The price difference from going straight to Disney or doing land and sea is only around $800.Land/sea being alittle more.
I think the kids would love the cruise with Disney but with all the bad press cruie lines are getting these days I was wondering if anyone has anything to say as far as how safe Disney cruise's are in comparision to other cruise lines?
Also is it worth the extra money to add the cruise to nassue to our trip?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

I'VE BEEN ON 16 DISNEY CRUISES WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE LAST SIX YEARS! THEY ARE SAFE AND ALOT OF FUN. I'D JUST DO THE CRUISE AND FORGET THE KINGDOM, IT'S THAT MUCH FUN!

 

[stampinshauna]

Even though a cruise does appear to cost more, don't forget that you are getting more...

-meals & snacks for your family the entire time you are on the ship
-entertainment on the ship
-kids clubs/babysitting

When you figure what you'd pay to spend the days in the parks and have to pay for food, it probably comes out about even. I'd definately try the cruise!!!

 

[ivanova]

Yes, Disney Cruise Line is relatively safe (no one overboard yet, knock on wood).

But don't let the illusion of safety cause you to drop your guard ... you still need to practice personal safety whenever you are on vacation, regardless of where you are (in the US, in a foreign country, or on a cruise ship). This is why vacationers/tourists are so vulnerable to pick-pockets. They let their guard down, become distracted, and wham they become victims.

So, yes DCL is safe, guest safety is VERY important to them and they do a LOT to keep you safe, but please don't assume that is enough.

 

[pumpkinbaby]

Being a somewhat overprotective parent I was wondering about other's experiences with letting a 9 year old check themselves out of the kids club. My son is 9 and responsible but I'm not sure that I would feel comfortable with him checking himself out and wondering around the ship by himself. I have said right now that he can't, but I was wondering what others have experienced.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Tinksmom5

we went this August on the Eastern. It was about mid 80's everyday, but it was humid which made it feel warmer. I dont do well in hOT weather, but I had no problems on the islands until we got to Castaway Cay. It was in the upper 90's and very humid. By noon I was back on the ship where it was air conditioned.
That was our only summer trip, so I dont know if that is typical weather or not.

Winter months are AWESOME!!!
Safety, we have never had any thoughts about our safety being in jeopardy or our kids and grandkids.
Personally I think your 10x safer at Disney or Disney cruise lines as you are at your local shopping mall!!!

mom x4,grandma x4

 

[cruisinluver]

Any cruiseline is just about as safe as any other. The fact that there are more incidents reported on other lines only has to do with the number of passengers carried and the number of embarkations weekly.

Disney has had two events in the past year where a lawsuit has been filed by the parents of a teen who was allegedly assaulted last October while in the Bahamas. This summer, a food service employee was booted off the ship and arrested for exposing himself to three women. Yes both these events happened on Disney ships.

You also have to worry about the other passengers as two pre-teen boys allegedly learned a few weeks back aboard a princess ship.

I think the idea of safety is just an illusion, but that is just me.

 

[momof6innc]

As a mom of 6 who's been on one DCL cruise and is eagerly anticipating our second in a few weeks, I can say that I am not worried about the safety of my children on the cruise. My oldest three will be together in the club, and I will give them permission to sign themselves out of the clubs as long as they follow a few rules (they're only allowed to sign out in pairs or all three, and they must pre-arrange where they are going and when we will meet them). I trust the CM's in the clubs. I really like how DCL built hidden tunnels to move the kids from the clubs to dinner or other areas so they don't have to dart between other passengers in the main hallways on the way to dinner or some other location. I don't have to worry about someone plucking the kids out of line or getting in their way and having a kid get lost in the hallway.

As for DCL over the parks, we love both, but if I could choose I'd prefer DCL. DH and I don't get much time to ourselves, and on DCL we have clubs for the kids anytime we want to be by ourselves for an hour or two, or even more, if everyone cooperates!

 

[JLSE50]

We have only ever cruised during Hurricane season because of the price break. We have had great weather. As one Captain told us, the ships can outrun a hurricane. With the hurricane projection as good as it is they can plan their route to avoid it. If you read the fine print in the contract it says that the Captain can change the itinerary--that is so that they can go where the sun is--or at least where the storm is not.

Our first DCL cruise did not go to CC as a hurricane had damaged the island so the amenities were not in shape for people and the harbor was full of debris. We went to Key West, before DCL had the Western itinerary that includes Key West, and we had a great snorkeling excursion and time to walk around the island.

As far as safety--people must use common sense. There is a safe in the room, use it for valuables. Don't take your fancy, expensive jewelry, take the glitzy costume stuff. Don't put charging privileges on the kids door key cards. Go places in and out of the ocean in pairs or clumps. When you read the reports about adults who are missing off ships there is usually evidence of drinking and going places alone. So, don't drink heavily and even adults should travel in packs.

Go when you can afford to have a good time and not be stressed by the bills you are accumulating. That is another reason we like Cruising--the accommodations and food are paid for in advance. The bills we accumulate are for souvenirs, excursions and maybe a few drinks.
Jan

 

[Kcross3625]

Pumpkinbaby -

I did not give my DD9 permission to sign herself out of the kids club on our recent cruise. Although I did see many kids in her age group that were able to do so, I just felt for MY child it was better if I signed her in and out. My DD tends to get lost easily and panic. We felt safe on the cruise but, like others have said, Disney or not, things can and do happen.

Again, you need to make your decision based on your child. If you have a more mature 9 yo, perhaps with rules you can give him some freedom.

Kim

 

[LarryC]

Yes, Disney Cruise Line is relatively safe (no one overboard yet, knock on wood).

But don't let the illusion of safety cause you to drop your guard ....

Exactly. Don't let the pixie dust cloud your eyes.

After all, even DCL can attract sexual predators, as evidenced by the recent arrest of a CM on The Wonder.


http://www.cruisebruise.com/Omer_Yuksel_Songur.html

 

[Tinksmom5]

See now thats exactly the kind of thing I worry about happening.I seen one report on I believe 20/20 about a 14 year old girl who was taken out of the teen disco by a crew member and told her parents needed her right away.
He then took her to a part of the ship that was isolated and raped her.
He told her if she told anyone he would kill her entire family so she said nothing to anyone and continued on the next 4 days without telling a soul what happened to her.It wasn't until months later when her parents noticed she was very sad and moody and she finially told them what happened to her.
Its so terriable that this is something we all as parents has to worry about .
I worry about mine all the time and they have told me I am too overly protective but I can't help it.Thank you all for all your imput.I will take it all into consideration when I make my decision.
If I do decide to cruise with Disney I think I will have to just keep the kids with me and the hubby at all times.They can still have fun even if we don't seperate from them,lol. Can't they?