How much do these boards influence your decision?

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm just curious to see if I'm alone. (or crazy) How much do these boards influence your choice to cruise with Disney, especially mulitiple times.

To be honest I was very excited about our first Disney cruise but only wanted to sail her once then try some of RCCL's newer ships. Now I miss being on the cruise board here and once I read a few threads I miss the whole experience and want to plan another cruise for May 2005!!

Tell me I'm not alone! I never thought I'd be this addicted!!

 

[alexandrew]

This board has not so much influenced any decisions we've made, but helped us learn some very valuable information.....

 

[westjones]

We fell in love with the Disney Cruise after our first sailing, and to be honest, other cruise lines had never appealed to us. If it had not been for the Disney Cruise we would never have cruises.

Now, what this board has influenced is our choice of rooms. I now book early and try to get a Secret Porthole room instead of the Cat. 11 rooms we had on our first 3 cruises.

DJ

 

[rae519]

In my opinion, the best part is making friends before you cruise and being able to have things in common with a variety of new friends!

We have been privileged to meet so many wonderful, interesting and entertaining families - in fact, we've cruised twice with one family already (HI Paul, Kaye and June!).

It does make a big difference for a person to read different reports about excursions/dining/servers, then be able to make an informed decision about their plans.

I regret that for our first two cruises, I was unaware of this forum and just "winged it" - would have done MOST of that first cruise differently and probably still enjoyed ourselves as only the first time cruiser can (uniqueness of everything!)

Rae

 

[Lisa F]

It doesn't really influence my decision at all. Aesthetics have always been very important to me (I guess that's why I am becoming an architect) and frankly, the Disney ships are the most gorgeous ships out there. I would never sail an itinerary that DCL does on another ship because seeing the wonder or magic in port would make me beyond jealous. I also refuse to stay at the beach club because I hate the decor over there, so my surroundings are an integral part of my vacation. It also seems like the cruise to me is about being on the ship and visiting castaway cay. I don't really care what the other ports are and wouldn't mind if we never stopped at another port!

DCL just seems to be a cut above the rest. I would definately cruise on someone else if I was looking to do an alternate itinerary but for right now DCL works for us.

 

[kcashner]

I'd cruised on the Magic 9 times before I found this board. I'd also done 2 other cruises prior to DCL, which just didn't compare. We are so happy with the service on DCL that we have delayed an Alaskan cruise hoping the DCL adds this within the next few years.

SO...the boards don't influence my decision at all except to tell me that I chose right and others agree with me.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I think everyone stated it better than I did but I think kcashner really said it best for me...

"SO...the boards don't influence my decision at all except to tell me that I chose right and others agree with me."

 

[ChattyKathy]

I am learning, I am still learning, LOL I was on a cruise (The Big Red Boat) about 10 yrs ago and dont remember a whole lot...and am going again here shortly...
However, every little bit of info helps anyone...and I look at it like this...you learn by doing.... and most of these folks in this chat forum have cruised already and know the ins and outs!

Have fun!

Kathy

 

[4nana]

I agree with Rae!!

Having only cruised Disney twice, I must admit I would have been a lost soul without the valuable info I've learned from this wonderful board. It gave me insight to many opportunities I would have other wise not been aware of. Daily reading and planning had much influence and saved me a lot of time.

When I boarded the ship for the first time,
I knew what, when, how, why and already had friends waiting to meet.

Thank you Pete, Disboard, Friends, Mods!!
~ Sandie

 

[disneyholic family]

these boards have provided me with very valuable information, however, as the name indicates, we are disneyholics and nothing but DCL ever came into consideration...

 

[wltdsnyfan]

It did not influence me. I took my first one without knowing about this board and I booked my send one (August 2003) before I joined the board. I am just a Disney person or should I say we are just a Disney family. I could live and sleep Disney.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

After our cancelled 11/30/2002 Magic cruise, I was DONE with DCL!!!! I found these boards by accident. (Thru the cruise critic) After many heated "debates" with the likes of Rae519, AnnMorin, inkognito, verandahman and so many more I wrote DCL a 6 page letter to which the responded and made it "worth our while" to give them another try........We did, and are VERY glad we did. Yes, I was influenced or under the influence of these boards.

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

4nana sums it up for me -- I also found the boards AFTER I had booked. My reflections many times last week were that I was sooo glad I had -- there were so many things we would have missed out on, and some we knew were happening and were content to miss out on to do other things -- and, most importantly (LOL) we did not get hookwinked by the taxi drivers in Cozumel!!

We rebooked for 2005, even though our dd's are 13 and 17 now. We met such a lovely bunch of friends through our 12/20/03 thread - we at together, swam together, drank together, danced together, sunned together - and even rebooked together. Our children were all very suspect about their parents' "new friends from the internet", and even more so when I suggested linking our dining reservations. My girls and the other teens that were at our table and with our group (different seating) were thrilled by the second day that they had managed to get connected with such great new friends, and were equally thrilled when we broke the news to them that we all had rebooked!! They have made plans to get together during the summer, Easter, etc. and I know will be life-long friends -- what can you offer child that is better than that???

I also had several conversations with other guests I happened to be in line with, or at the same table with (dessert buffet) and may have brough some new folks to the boards!! They were all so impressed by the description of the boards, the wonderful people who frequent them, and the amazing amount of information available.

I feel like the cruise last week was the "in training" cruise, next time we will be fully prepared, and by the third time, we can just sit back and relax and enjoy the fun!!!

 

[inkkognito]

This board did not influence my decision. Rather, I used this and other sights to gather information for our early Disney cruises. Then, I stayed around because I really enjoy the community atmosphere and like to share what I've learned on all our cruises just as others were kind enough to share with me when I was a newbie.
But even if the DIS didn't exit (God forbid!), I'm sure we'd still be on Disney Cruise #36.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by LAMPSKIES
After many heated "debates" with the likes of Rae519, AnnMorin, inkognito, verandahman and so many more I wrote DCL a 6 page letter to which the responded and made it "worth our while" to give them another try........We did, and are VERY glad we did. Yes, I was influenced or under the influence of these boards.

I think the expression was that I gave you "holy he....." about it!
Hey, you were disappointed but I knew that deep inside you, you were a better person than that challenge showed. We all get angry, frustrated and enraged (ohhh, just ask DH about me at times!!!!) but we need to step back, evaluate and realize just who we are and what we are made of. We are better than we realize most of the time!!! And that challenge for you, proved what we all knew all along - you were!!

Now aren't you glad you came to "Lucy" for psychiatric advise!!

Rae