I promise never to forsake DCL again!

[epjenk]

All the posts about saving more on other lines had me at least check into what it would cost on another line to do a panama canal tour. I was actually getting a little tempted by the Norwegian Dream, since we could have the Owner's suite w/concierge and butler for about $1000 less than we are paying for adjoining 9's on Disney. Then, went to cruise critic to check it out and every review was about how their cruise started hours late, rooms were filthy, service terrible, and one engine BROKEN for 4 or 5 different cruises! Children's programs not open when you are in port, so no adults only excursions. I may have tiny complaints about DCL, but that's definately not anything compared to these reviews. Think I'll stick w/the current plan.

 

[jkovick]

One thing I have learned with cruise critic is take everything over there with a grain of salt! They are not as positive as these boards and there are a few regulars that are really really vicious. I would not base my decision soley on what you read over there. Hope you have a great trip whatever you decide!


Edited to add: We have sailed on both RCCL and Carnival as well as DCL. While each experience is different, they all had their good points!

 

[vossjemi]

We went on the Navigator last year, and are doing the Brilliance in jan for a Panama Canal cruise. I've heard mostly good comments about the Brilliance, and if it is anywhere as near good as the Navigator, then I'll be pleased. I haven't done Disney yet, so can't compare....but will be able to next sept!

 

[kcashner]

Be skeptical of what you read. I just picked up a 2004 cruise review book and was totally shocked by what they said about the Magic. It was obvious that they'd never even been on it! It seems they probably sailed on the Wonder and read the Magic info...then copied the reviews nearly word for word. There were so many glaring errors......

I was sorry to see my favorite ship get bashed a bit, but I also learned not to trust the reviews of any ship--at least not from that source.

 

[hydster]

We've cruised every major line out there at least once including Carnival, Norwegian, RCCL, Princess, Celebrity, and Disney and there is ALWAYS something that doesn't go right no matter what line we are on.

We had issues on our May DCL cruise just as you sited on the Norwegian line. We had sewer issues in our room that took 2 days to get completely fixed and we gagged everytime we stepped foot into our room. We had blistering hot water in the showers and sinks while in port one day so we couldn't take a shower or a bath. I could go on and on....my point is that every single ship has SOME kind of issue on it.

Norwegian lost our luggage and it took us forever to get reimbursed, on RCCL we were assigned a room that was already being used by another family, on Carnival a man died and we left the port 6 hours later and missed the next port, Princess left us standing at the airport waiting for a bus that never came and by the time Princess admitted it had made a mistake we had to get a taxi and barely made it on before the lifeboat drill and then they refused to credit us or give us any kind of reimbursement, on Celebrity the swimming pool broke down 2 days and 2 other days someone pooped in it and they shut it down for the remainder of the cruise. As you can see bad stuff happens on EVERY single line and can happen at any given time.

I don't think anyone can make a solid decision either positive or negative about a line based on someone else's subjective review. Two people experience the same cruise differently so while one person may have had a terrible experience on the cruise others gave it a glorious review!

Only you can decide if the gamble is worth it to try the line yourself but generally the only way to know how another line is for you is to try it out.

Heidi

 

[NJHOO]

Vossjem,

We went into the Panama Canal January 2004 on the Brilliance and had a wonderful time, she is a beautiful ship and the weather was wonderful.....smooth sailing just about the whole trip. Enjoy the cruise, if you can make reservations at both Portofino and Chops you won't regret it!

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

 

[vossjemi]

Hydster,

I can't believe that much BAD stuff has happened on your cruises! But, like you, I always believe fun is what you make of it, rain or shine!

NJHoo,

Thanks for the link to the locks! I have saved it in my favorites to keep an eye on over the next few months. I can't wait for our Brilliance cruise!!! We booked in feb, and it looked sold out last week (not turning up on RC website), but it is now on there again, but only with a few inside/oceanview rooms. We got VERY lucky w/an aft balcony!!!