Is it ever the same as the FIRST cruise?

[Babyboohunk]

Hi everyone!
We just returned from the 12/5/04 Wonder 4-night cruise and I'm having serious withdrawal pains!!! It was our first ever and first Disney cruise (DH, me, DD 7 and DS 4) and we just had the best family vacation we've ever had. My DH wanted to book another cruise on board, but I felt like I needed to get home and figure out dates, etc.

My question to those of you who have cruised more than once is this --- can it ever be as wonderful as that FIRST cruise??!! I'm worried that another 4-night cruise wouldn't be as magical?!!! I've been looking at the 7-nights because I'm worried that the exact same cruise would not be as wonderful. But, as much as my DH loved it, getting him to go for 7 nights may be difficult!!! Would love to hear your points of view!!!

Stacy

 

[two-foxes]

We did our first 4 night in 2002 and did #2 and #3 in Sept and Oct, and I can honestly say, each got better. You know some things that you loved, some things you know you just need to do/see once (Hercules falls into that catagory for us!) and you can always have a different cruise each time! There is so much to do! Plus if you choose a different itinerary on your next one, you'll have new places to explore, plus you get more ship time on sea days. Some families are on cruise #10, some on cruise #39, so there has to be some sense of newness or even comfort on each returning trip! (we are slowly working up to 4 and 5!)

As far as the 7 night goes, it is much more of a good thing compared to a 4 night....more themed nights, better ports of call, but even when it is over, it sseems like too short of a trip!

Just for future reference, you can book on board, then if you need to, change your dates. We did that about a month after we got back from our cruises and we kept all the discounts and credits, then got more credit from AAA when they switched it for us. Just keep it in mind for next time, as I am sure there will be one for you!

 

[mommasita]

I have to agree 100% with two-foxes on all accounts. Our first was a 7 night eastern in March of 2003, we came home and were immediately withdrawing. We did not return until February of this year, and did the 7 night western, and went in September of this year also, on the special 7 night eastern! Each was was entirely AMAZING, and we brought family and friends on both of them, and the last family/friends we sailed with in September are dying to get back, and that is all they talk about (as well as our kids and ourselves)

Now, thanks a bunch, because I am dreaming of the boat, and the different ports, and the beaches, and the drink of the day, and and and.

The only downside for us is that we are in the process of opening our own business, so it looks like it will be a while before we go back......

Oh well, I live through everyone on these boards....

 

[jlazz]

We are going on our first Disney Cruise on Jan 15th! I can't get enough info, read enough stories, etc!!! I've got it so bad that I've already researched dates so that I'll be prepared to book on board! lol!

Ok...that's enough exclamation points for one post. Suffice it to say, I'm psyched about the cruise on 1/15 and ready to book #2!



Jackie

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

We have done three Disney cruises:
3 night in 1999
7 night in 2003 eastern
3 night in 2004
and we'll be doing a
7 night in 2005 western

Not only is each cruise magical, you learn a little more about the ship each time. And like two-foxes said, you know what activities you would like to do again, what new things you might like to try, and what things to avoid next time, which makes each cruise unique.

ps. I have to agree with two-foxes on Hercules -- only, we left very quietly after only 10 minutes into it. It's just not my thing.

Tink

 

[Rob1559]

FIve times and yes.

 

[rae519]

Nearly a dozen down and still it's Magical!

Rae

 

[tvguy]

The ships keep getting better. I took my first cruise in 1980, and a lot of changed in the industry since then. Some things are better, some are not.

Improvements:
1) Costs are lower
2) Cabin size
3) Kid specific activities
4) More restaurant options
5) More facilities on board (3 public pools vs 1)
6) Restrictions on smoking.
7) Ships have stabilzation systems.......I hate to think what the folks who are getting motion sick would have done on my first cruise, you know the opening of Gilligan's Island, where the Minnow was getting bounced around, THAT was my first cruise.
8)Ships are huge and have lots of public rooms.

Things that aren't as good:
1) Shows (yes, Disney's shows are top notch, but in the 80's NCL's Norway not only had Broadway quality shows, but NAME entertainers on board. Folks like Jack Jones, Norm Crosby, The Fifth Dimension, Shields and Yarnell)

2) On some lines, house wine was included at no extra charge at lunch and dinner.

3) Air fare and night before lodging was included in the price.


1980 MS Mermoz (Caribbean 14 days)
1983 SS Norway (Caribbean 7 days)
1984 SS Norway (Caribbean 7 days)
1986 Nordic Prince (Caribbean 10 days)
1988 Soverign Of The Seas (Caribbean 7 days)
2002 Amsterdam (Alaska 7 days)
2003/4 Disney Magic (Caribbean 7 days NYE Cruise)

 

[brack]

We've done four 7 day cruises with the last two back to back. They just keep getting better and better.

Number 5 is coming up in two weeks with our DS, DIL, MIL & SIL. What a party!

 

[Hygiene99]

We Also Have been on 7 cruises Each different .. But each As Good If not Better Than The First.... Cant wait for # 8 A Repo Cruise in May..

 

[mmouse37]

sorry..double post

 

[mmouse37]

I would have to say yes...or we all would not continue to cruise DCL!!! WE have sailed 12 times on DCL with Number 13 on the Wonder on Jan 6th.

We have done mostly 7 day and our upcoming is a short getaway...even though it is only a 3 nighter I am still excited just to be able to be onboard and soak up all that DCL feeling!!!!

I am constantly in a DCL state of mind.....


MJ

 

[mouseclick1]

We went on our third cruise last Easter and it was definitely our best yet. It's funny; I used to read these boards about people getting all teary eyed when they boarded the ship. Not me - at least not on cruise 1 or 2. But for some reason, as we walked onto the ship for the third time, and the CM announced our names, there I was getting all misty eyed!

We have a some other vacations planned for the next couple of years, but we know we want to go back at least one more time before our sons are out of high school. (That only gives us 3 1/2 years!)

Go and have a wonderful time!

 

[faireygod mother]

We have done two cruises so far. We did a 3 day sea and land and a 7 day. I could not begin to tell you how wonderful. Let me clarify, I was very ill on the 7 day with upper resp. infection and sinus infection. Yet I have nothing but fond memories. The vista spa's rain forest made it bearable for me to just breath. Having said that the highlight for me was to seeing how happy and content DH was. It pleases me when I find something DH really enjoys, because he does not like to travel. It was so wonderful that I booked a surprise 3 day for the end of January for DH's Birthday. I can honestly say that I am as excited today as I was with the first and second cruise. I agree with the others...It only gets better.

Good Luck and hope you plan another.

 

[logan1_2000]

DW and I thought we knew about cruising, then we went on the Wonder for our 1st DCL cruise and were blown away. We wandered by the sales desk one night on the way to dinner, glanced at the 7 night itineraries (We had been taken on the 4 night with extended family on pretty short notice so I had done just a little bit of research, not much at all, really), and DW said "it would be nice to do a 7 night some day." I asked her which she might prefer, East or West, and then the next night excused myself from the dinner table during a lull and went and booked the Eastern for 7 months later, as a surprise for DW's birthday.

Now 3 weeks away from 3rd DCL cruise, and under a hundred days from #4. They each take on their own magic/wonder, either from returning to a favorite show or menu or part of the ship, or from getting to something that you did not fit in last time because there was so much to do, you chose differently last time.

So I echo and ditto the posts here--yes, next time you are on-board, just book one, if you need to change the date later, you'll keep the on-baord credit and also keep the early booking discount,and yes, I have switched a DCL booking that was made with DCL directly to a TA to take advantage of an available rebate that was offered months later and kept my early booking discount then, too (and that was on a changed date to begin with).

Welcome to the society of pathologically obessesed with DCL. Not a bad addiction, I've found. Go ahead, stoll around the ship, listen to the exclusive "disney songbook" content of the piped in music, and just TRY not to be happy. Can't do it--DCL just makes its guests happy.

 

[alexandrew]

every successive cruise for us has gotten better and better....Not only has DCL added great things since 2000 that have made the cruise experience better (better food, Golden Mickeys), but we now know the venues, events,ports, and food we prefer most, vs when we first cruised...

 

[Babyboohunk]

Thanks to all for your input and I think I already knew the answer anyway!!! My DH just said this morning to book something for this July! Need to make sure it's not just day after Christmas blahs, but I think he really meant it!! I can't wait for our next DCL experience!!!
Stacy

 

[WDWLVR]

Each cruise just keeps getting better. One of the main reasons is right here - the DIS. Never heard of the DIS until after our first cruise. I'm sure glad I found it.


Without it I wouldn't have known to book our excursions at 90 days and get that prime Pirate Cruise in St. Lucia that had a waiting list of 161 people on it!

Without the DIS I wouldn't have know about things like over the door shoe hangers and about phone cards as extra tips.

Most of all without the DIS I wouldn't have met the wonderful group of DIS cruisers we are currently sailing with. It has been a truly MAGICal cruise for us because of all the great people we have shared it with! I really encourge everyone to get to the meets board and meet those they are cruising with.