Is Disney cruise worth it during COVID?

[Jp23rockstar]

The only positive due to COVID is reduced capacity, but everything else like having to wear masks and reduced entertainment seems inconvenient for a vacation and the amount of money spent. Just announced a few days ago Royal Caribbean is doing away with masks, that makes for a better experience.

According to cruise critic reviews, the food quality is average at best and like said previously entertainment is reduced. Also, as an aside the internet paying by usage is terrible, unlike Royal Caribbean. Im considering a 2 day stop at Castaway Cay in April. I’m not a Disney hater, but just not sure as the years go by Disney doesn’t up their food game and internet game.

Should I go on the cruise in April? Or should I go the parks instead?

 

[Ladyfish77]

Not sure I'm the best person to respond. Just completed my first DCL cruise. We had an amazing time. Boat less that 1/2 full, so that is a huge bonus in our minds. I personally would be very comfortable if we didn't need to wear masks at all on the cruise, but they are required indoors. According to a cruiser who spoke to our travel companions his wife was covid positive and quarantined (evidently he was negative and able to finish cruise without quarantine) and he was told his wife was only one on quarantined on the ship. Since they test everyone before boarding we felt very comfortable and really enjoyed the cruise.

 

[Cheburashka]

The only positive due to COVID is reduced capacity, but everything else like having to wear masks and reduced entertainment seems inconvenient for a vacation and the amount of money spent. Just announced a few days ago Royal Caribbean is doing away with masks, that makes for a better experience.

According to cruise critic reviews, the food quality is average at best and like said previously entertainment is reduced. Also, as an aside the internet paying by usage is terrible, unlike Royal Caribbean. Im considering a 2 day stop at Castaway Cay in April. I’m not a Disney hater, but just not sure as the years go by Disney doesn’t up their food game and internet game.

Should I go on the cruise in April? Or should I go the parks instead?

I most recently cruised this past October and had a good time. If you're preoccupied with having to wear a mask indoors, it won't be worth it for you. I wouldn't count on Disney lifting that rule any time soon (although I wish they would as I cruise again next month- not counting on it, though). The entertainment isn't particularly limited. They are still performing top-notch live theater shows, often have live musicians playing in the atrium, offer family & adult game shows, etc. DCL's food is quality cruise food (the MDR food is like better than average hotel banquet food), and the main problem with their food is that the buffet (which has always only been a buffet for breakfast and lunch) has limited selection now- really hope they change that soon, but again, not counting on it. The adult upcharge restaurant, Palo, is worth the extra charge once per cruise. The ships are immaculate and beautiful, and the staterooms are spacious and comfortable. Even inside staterooms are pleasant.

If you're used to cruising on less expensive lines like Royal, and come to Disney expecting to get "value for money spent" without being into Disney theming & charm, you'll probably be disappointed. There are many things I like about DCL that you can't get elsewhere: Castaway Cay, the ocean liner style of the ships, the theming onboard, the extremely family-friendly atmosphere, the live Disney theater shows, character sightings, etc. But not everyone values those things. If you could take them or leave them, then spending more to sail on DCL probably isn't for you.

 

[randumb0]

No one cruises on Disney to experience value. Disney has older ships and food that isn't better than other cruise lines. You will experience on par food and better ships for less money with other cruiselines. With that being said, think about why you are considering a Disney cruise

 

[Cheburashka]

Disney has older ships

None of their ships look old, though. I just sailed the Magic, DCL's oldest ship, a few months ago, and it's still beautiful and fresh, both in the public areas and staterooms. DCL maintains their ships like no other mass market line.

 

[disEAR]

We’re looking forward to our Disney Cruise!

 

[Alaska777]

I’m not thrilled about masks (but also not thrilled about no masks), the risk of getting covid, or getting tested. But at this point, I’m not about to tell the kids that we are changing our plans once again. We might not even make it on the ship next month due to testing, but I’m doing everything in my power to not have them be disappointed yet again after two years of this.

 

[bethy]

No one cruises on Disney to experience value. Disney has older ships and food that isn't better than other cruise lines. You will experience on par food and better ships for less money with other cruiselines. With that being said, think about why you are considering a Disney cruise

I would say if you have to ask, then it isn't worth it.

 

[Lillebelle]

I would say if you have to ask, then it isn't worth it.

I have to agree here. We had an amazing time on our cruise but we went in eager to go regardless of the limitations and place great value on the things that make Disney...Disney. It sounds like what you're looking for out of a vacation might not align well with where Disney cruises are at right now.

 

[Winston Wolf]

The only positive due to COVID is reduced capacity, but everything else like having to wear masks and reduced entertainment seems inconvenient for a vacation and the amount of money spent. Just announced a few days ago Royal Caribbean is doing away with masks, that makes for a better experience.

According to cruise critic reviews, the food quality is average at best and like said previously entertainment is reduced. Also, as an aside the internet paying by usage is terrible, unlike Royal Caribbean. Im considering a 2 day stop at Castaway Cay in April. I’m not a Disney hater, but just not sure as the years go by Disney doesn’t up their food game and internet game.

Should I go on the cruise in April? Or should I go the parks instead?

Sounds like you should go on Royal Caribbean if that's the stuff that you're going to get hung up on.

 

[Chrispy97]

The only positive due to COVID is reduced capacity, but everything else like having to wear masks and reduced entertainment seems inconvenient for a vacation and the amount of money spent. Just announced a few days ago Royal Caribbean is doing away with masks, that makes for a better experience.

According to cruise critic reviews, the food quality is average at best and like said previously entertainment is reduced. Also, as an aside the internet paying by usage is terrible, unlike Royal Caribbean. Im considering a 2 day stop at Castaway Cay in April. I’m not a Disney hater, but just not sure as the years go by Disney doesn’t up their food game and internet game.

Should I go on the cruise in April? Or should I go the parks instead?

Having just returned from an early February trip to the parks, I will say that if your concerns are food quality, internet, and lack of live entertainment; but reduced capacity is a plus...the Orlando parks may not be the best alternative.

 

[RedHead0186]

"Worth it" is so subjective. Two people could pay the exact same price for the exact same cruise and have very differing opinions on whether it was worth it or not. With that said, DCL is expensive, and there are plenty who feel with the reduced experience it's not worth it. I agree with others that if you are concerned, then DCL during the pandemic is probably not going to be worth it for you. But it's hard to know for sure because it is so subjective.

 

[meliscan]

No one cruises on Disney to experience value. Disney has older ships and food that isn't better than other cruise lines. You will experience on par food and better ships for less money with other cruiselines. With that being said, think about why you are considering a Disney cruise

I haven't cruised with DCL since COVID but we did a RCL and we were not impressed with the food at all. In fact a few dishes were inedible in my opinion. Could have been related to supply issues as you get what you get. I felt that RCL was trying to drive me to the restaurants that are an upcharge. (Personal opinion)

 

[Jp23rockstar]

I appreciate all the opinions. The two day stop at Castaway Cay seems appealing enough to outweigh the negatives.

 

[Jp23rockstar]

No masks in Disney World and Disney Land starting 2/17. Hopefully that changes soon to for cruising.

 

[AquaDame]

Makes me wonder if cruising isn't classified as 'transport' or they mightve done it all at once except while in the various ports..?

 

[RedHead0186]

No masks in Disney World and Disney Land starting 2/17. Hopefully that changes soon to for cruising.

That's not entirely true. It's mask-optional for fully vaccinated guests. Unvaccinated guests still have to wear them in indoor locations. And everyone still has to wear them on WDW transportation.

And, I wouldn't necessarily bank on DCL following suit right away. When WDW went mask-optional for vaccinated guests last summer, DCL didn't change their mask requirements. Who knows for sure, I but I wouldn't expect DCL to necessarily follow WDW and DL in this.

 

[Roughians_satchel]

That's not entirely true. It's mask-optional for fully vaccinated guests. Unvaccinated guests still have to wear them in indoor locations. And everyone still has to wear them on WDW transportation.

And, I wouldn't necessarily bank on DCL following suit right away. When WDW went mask-optional for vaccinated guests last summer, DCL didn't change their mask requirements. Who knows for sure, I but I wouldn't expect DCL to necessarily follow WDW and DL in this.

That was a different circumstance - DCL was under the conditional sail order from the CDC and following their protocols. The Conditional Sail Order expired on January 15 this year - and so far DCL has not signed up with the CDC's optional program.

 

[ShuckyDarn1955]

That was a different circumstance - DCL was under the conditional sail order from the CDC and following their protocols. The Conditional Sail Order expired on January 15 this year - and so far DCL has not signed up with the CDC's optional program.

^^^ True....I mean if Cali can drop the mandate, don’t see why DCL would keep it!!! Fingers crossed!

 

[SnowWhite2]

I cruised on the Fantasy Jan 2nd - cruise #21 on DCL #25 overall - and wasn't impressed. Not much to do except trivia. One of the shows cancelled in the main theater. Given I paid full price, I wasn't happy. But, I just booked a double dip CC cruise in April for only $136/day. I'm going back because I got a good price. Not having much to do during the day or evening doesn't upset me as much when I'm not paying an arm and leg. I'll bring a few good books and I'll be set.