Is Disney starting to slack compared to other cruises?

[_auroraborealis_]

At least he doesn't scream at me while I'm eating like that turtle does. Lol

I'm now having a nightmare about an animated Guy Fieri screaming about Flavortown and I may need a drink. Badly.

 

[Lisa F]

The guys burgers and the blue Iguana were really good. DCL poolside food is not good. Even if you don't like loud mother chefs it's still better then what you find on DCL.
I'm glad I'm not as fussy as people on here because It allows me cruise 3 or 4 times a year, and see the world. I couldn't do it all the time on DCL.

it's not that I'm too fussy. I'm a single working mom with limited vacation budget. I am taking my son on DCL next year for a 4 night Dream and we are going to ride the aquaduck together and he is going to fly the millennium falcon in the kid clubs. He will be 9. It is expensive but it is unique and I know service is great. When he is a bit older (like 13) i want to take him on a european cruise. For that, the ports will be the focus rather than the ship and i will find the best value for my dollar. Like I said before (that maybe you missed) Disney is the best at what it is. But it isn't the only option... other cruises are great for what they are as well. But I would hate to see Disney become something other than what it is because what it is has great appeal to me (and many others) right now. If you want thrill rides and rock walls, go on a cruise that has those.

I can get the best burger of my life at home for $4 on sundays in the off season at a great local restaurant. it is an awesome burger. I am not going to fly to florida and pay $525 a day based on the burgers. It is so far down on the list of things I care about on a cruise... millennium falcon bridge? OH YES. burgers, so what?

 

[mevelandry]

If you look at all the other cruise ships they have just so so many different things. Here are some things.

- THRILLING water slides, Disney has the aquaduck, really? It's not as thrilling as some slides on other cruise ships.

- Other fun, like rock climbing walls, surfing, zip lines, skydiving simulator.

-Partnering with big food stars Guy Fiere. (Hope I spelled that correct)

- Just other simple things, don't get me wrong because they have many things to do but these other cruise lines are just killing Disney in activities IMO. Hope the new ships are a lot better.

THIS.

Exactly my thoughts as I was doing the research through other cruise lines for a Bermuda Cruise that we want to do next year. Especially when looking at Anthem of the seas (which apparently is not even their best one)... I couldn't help but comparing "on paper" with what the Dream (which we have sailed on twice) currently offers and found the other cruise lines --especially RCCL and Norwegian-- more interesting.

And the rates are so much better on those cruise lines.

Having sailed on the Carnival Victory (where we received stellar service) I no longer believe the hype of the "better service on DCL", so...

Unless the new DCL ships have more to offer (on paper) than the other cruise lines, we know what to do next.

 

[mevelandry]

This. I am an adult who cruises solo and I do not need "thrilling water slides" or rock climbing walls or stupid things that extend up into the air and just look dumb.

What are those "Stupid things that extend up into the air and just look dumb"? (I really have no idea what you are referring to).

 

[Lisa F]

The guys burgers and the blue Iguana were really good. DCL poolside food is not good. Even if you don't like loud mother chefs it's still better then what you find on DCL.
I'm glad I'm not as fussy as people on here because It allows me cruise 3 or 4 times a year, and see the world. I couldn't do it all the time on DCL.

it's not that I'm too fussy. I'm a single working mom with limited vacation budget. I am taking my son on DCL next year for a 4 night Dream and we are going to ride the aquaduck together and he is going to fly the millennium falcon in the kid clubs. He will be 9. It is expensive but it is unique and I know service is great. When he is a bit older (like 13) i want to take him on a european cruise. For that, the ports will be the focus rather than the ship and i will find the best value for my dollar. Like I said before (that maybe you missed) Disney is the best at what it is. But it isn't the only option... other cruises are great for what they are as well. But I would hate to see Disney become something other than what it is because what it is has great appeal to me (and many others) right now. If you want thrill rides and rock walls, go on a cruise that has those.

 

[Dug720]

What are those "Stupid things that extend up into the air and just look dumb"? (I really have no idea what you are referring to).

It is that "viewing globe" thing you pay to get in and this arm...extends.

 

[dragynally]

It is that "viewing globe" thing you pay to get in and this arm...extends.

I call that the "nope" ride.

 

[mevelandry]

It is that "viewing globe" thing you pay to get in and this arm...extends.

Oh, the North Star? I think it looks fun!

 

[DCLDVC1]

I think Disney has fun surprises in store for the new ships. I cannot wait for the reveals.

I hope so. As my kids get older, they are starting to get bored with DCL.

 

[dragynally]

Question: people keep saying DCL is getting boring or too pricey like it's the only option. Shouldn't we be stoked that there are so many cruises to choose? Think DCL is boring? Go to rccl. Don't like rccl? GO to HAL. We aren't stuck on any one ship. That's the beauty of it. I guess what I'm saying is DCL isn't behind. It just is what it is.

 

[cruiser21]

I hope so. As my kids get older, they are starting to get bored with DCL.

Kids are easy to please. You just have to expose them to alternatives It's the adults that have a hard time trying something new.

 

[Lisa F]

Question: people keep saying DCL is getting boring or too pricey like it's the only option. Shouldn't we be stoked that there are so many cruises to choose? Think DCL is boring? Go to rccl. Don't like rccl? GO to HAL. We aren't stuck on any one ship. That's the beauty of it. I guess what I'm saying is DCL isn't behind. It just is what it is.

my point exactly! I would rather have choice of amenities across various lines rather than everything being all the same and it being simply a matter of price. how Boring. Disney does what it does better than anyone but if what you're wanting is not what they do, then go somewhere that does it.. that is not meant to be mean. But if I'm wanting to ride the thrill rides and coasters, it would be silly to go to Epcot and declare that it is behind the times because it should be all coasters. if I want a relaxing day strolling around the world showcase and riding innovative rides like Soarin' and watching entertainment from various cultures, that's the place to go.

 

[Alicatt]

I agree that DCL shouldn't try to compete directly with the thrills and party cruise market. That being said, would a rock wall on the sports deck be so bad? I am way more interested in relaxing, shows, tastings, etc. My husband keeps asking what there is to do. He doesn't like any of those things but rock walls, zip lines and water slides are totally in his wheel house. It would be nice to have a little more for him and my son to enjoy.

 

[jenf22]

Kids are easy to please. You just have to expose them to alternatives It's the adults that have a hard time trying something new.

I would agree with this. Our first 3 cruises were DCL and we loved them. I then ordered a brochure for RCL and was amazed at all the places they went. It was like a whole new world opened up! I let our 7 year old son look at the brochure and he was sold on trying something new. I didn't even have to suggest it. We've done 3 non-DCL cruises now and he had an absolute blast on all of them. He's beyond excited to go on NCL Spirit to the Med in 2 weeks. We like the fact that we'll be on cruise #7 and it's ship #7 for us. We both work full-time so our vacation time is about seeing new things and spending time together. We have a fixed vacation budget so right now cruising other lines saves us money so we can cruise twice a year plus spend a couple of weekends in the mountains in the summer. I hope to someday cruise DCL again, but we'll see.

 

[dragynally]

I agree that DCL shouldn't try to compete directly with the thrills and party cruise market. That being said, would a rock wall on the sports deck be so bad? I am way more interested in relaxing, shows, tastings, etc. My husband keeps asking what there is to do. He doesn't like any of those things but rock walls, zip lines and water slides are totally in his wheel house. It would be nice to have a little more for him and my son to enjoy.

Bad? No. misplaced? Maybe. I find most of the zip line crowd gets it on excursions

 

[SunnyDhappy]

I agree that DCL shouldn't try to compete directly with the thrills and party cruise market. That being said, would a rock wall on the sports deck be so bad? I am way more interested in relaxing, shows, tastings, etc. My husband keeps asking what there is to do. He doesn't like any of those things but rock walls, zip lines and water slides are totally in his wheel house. It would be nice to have a little more for him and my son to enjoy.

Completely agree! I don't think Disney needs to add those adventure things like rock wall and such but I do think it could improve on its dining options. You have don't have a lot of options for dinning if you miss MDR or don't want to sit through it. The pool deck food is not very good and the room service menu is limited. Cabanas is limited hours and service only on certain days.

My dream situation would be combine food/dining option from like NCL & Princess with the entertainment and relaxing DCL environment and service.

 

[Lisa F]

I would agree with this. Our first 3 cruises were DCL and we loved them. I then ordered a brochure for RCL and was amazed at all the places they went. It was like a whole new world opened up! I let our 7 year old son look at the brochure and he was sold on trying something new. I didn't even have to suggest it. We've done 3 non-DCL cruises now and he had an absolute blast on all of them. He's beyond excited to go on NCL Spirit to the Med in 2 weeks. We like the fact that we'll be on cruise #7 and it's ship #7 for us. We both work full-time so our vacation time is about seeing new things and spending time together. We have a fixed vacation budget so right now cruising other lines saves us money so we can cruise twice a year plus spend a couple of weekends in the mountains in the summer. I hope to someday cruise DCL again, but we'll see.

would love to hear all about this cruise. It's a way's off but I have it in my head that I want to take my kid when he is 13 on a european cruise. DCL prices are ridiculous. I wish there wasn't a single sea day but since there are some, would love to hear how and especially your son likes it!

 

[mevelandry]

I agree that DCL shouldn't try to compete directly with the thrills and party cruise market. That being said, would a rock wall on the sports deck be so bad? I am way more interested in relaxing, shows, tastings, etc. My husband keeps asking what there is to do. He doesn't like any of those things but rock walls, zip lines and water slides are totally in his wheel house. It would be nice to have a little more for him and my son to enjoy.

Same here. After we have tried the Carnival Victory my husband didn't even want to sail with DCL anymore (apparently he likes Comedy Shows and Casinos more than Disney musicals LOL)... His parents and I had to insist.

 

[jenf22]

would love to hear all about this cruise. It's a way's off but I have it in my head that I want to take my kid when he is 13 on a european cruise. DCL prices are ridiculous. I wish there wasn't a single sea day but since there are some, would love to hear how and especially your son likes it!

I'd love to say I'll write a trip report, but I never do I still haven't made the photo book for our last couple of vacations. Our cruise is 10 nights and 8 ports. So we only have the 1 sea day to make use of the ship. The balcony room on the Spirit looks really small and the Spirit is pretty old, but I'm sure it'll be fine. I think the Epic is in the Med too (maybe next year?). That ship is pretty hideous looking on the outside (my opinion) but I imagine there's a ton to do on her. I'll try to report back in 4 weeks!

 

[DCLDVC1]

Question: people keep saying DCL is getting boring or too pricey like it's the only option. Shouldn't we be stoked that there are so many cruises to choose? Think DCL is boring? Go to rccl. Don't like rccl? GO to HAL. We aren't stuck on any one ship. That's the beauty of it. I guess what I'm saying is DCL isn't behind. It just is what it is.

I agree. I've only been on DCL but am researching options on other lines and am amazed by the number of "I've only cruised on DCL but......" type posts I've been seeing. Obviously there are a lot of other people who feel they aren't getting the same value on DCL that they had in the past. I really hope DCL adds a lot of the features found on other cruise lines to their new ships. It will be the best of both worlds. They'll still have the older ships for people who prefer fewer thrills and like things the way they've always been. I guess we'll find out in a few years.