is the 2nd cruise more fun?

[pgesler]

We're planning our second DCL for June 2003. Magic both times.

Will it be more fun? You'll probably say yes - BUT WHY?

 

[Mjasp]

I've only been on one cruise. I would have to think it is better as you already know the ship and how basically everything works,

Dinner rotation
navigators
entertaining series

You basically know what is going to happen and what u may want to do this time.

 

[pgesler]

That's my guess too. But I want to hear from veterean DCL cruisers.

 

[Pugdog007]

I only did the 3-day the first time... so I guess when I say the 7-day was better it's kind of a no-brainer... but it was much more fun as I knew the ropes... shows to see (& skip... oh wait nevermind... they don't even do Ghost Ship anymore

It was much more relaxing!

 

[pgesler]

My 2 cruises will be 2 years apart - so won't all the shows be different?

 

[westjones]

We did the 4 day in 2000 and the 3 day in 2001. The second cruise was better (never thought that was possible since the first cruise was our best vacation ever) because we knew what to expect and where everything was located and we knew what things we wanted to do this time.

We have cruise #3 scheduled for this September. This will be the third birthday my twins have celebrated on the cruise. I fear we have started a tradition!
DJ

 

[mmouse37]

westjones is right. After you have sailed DCL once, going back is definitely more fun. You know the routines, the nervousness of wondering if you are "seeing" everything is gone, you can choose what you want to do with your time more wisely. You already know your way around the ship, etc.

We will going on our 6th DCL cruise 8/3/02. My only regret about repeating the same cruise is Disney should change shows more often. They have the talent and resources to produce many shows and I wish they would vary them a bit. They did change them somewhat but they need some fresh ones in there. Other than that, I love what to expect from Disney and keep coming back!!!

We feel like all pros when CM's ask us if we have any questions or need assistance!!!! We pick and chose what we want to do and see. As as added bonus, we always recognize crew from our past sailings and they really do remember their past guests!!!

MJ

 

[prymsu]

you already know how things work, what to pack, and how to get around the ship. I think there is less stress about wondering if you have everything planned, since you have done a cruise before.

 

[WDWLVR]

We just did our 3rd cruise and booked our 4th. They do keep getting better with time. There is no rush on the first day as we know where things are. Even making Spa reservations is a breeze - I just walk right in, tell them what I want, and I'm out in a minute!

After that it is relaxation time and time to enjoy the cruise! I'm surprised how many new things we've learned from this board and on each new cruise.

 

[candleonwater]

I agree with those that say the second time around you know the ropes... I have a hard time believing that the second cruise will be BETTER... since the first one was so WONDERFUL, but this next time around I will make sure to do all the things that I missed the first time around.

 

[cruisedad]

We just finished our 3rd Disney Cruise. Magic once, Wonder twice. It only gets better each time. You don't have to spend time getting to know the ship and you get to do more of the things you missed the first time. You get to know the good palces to go and which ones to miss(like Nassau). We have done Nassau so we now stay on the ship and enjoy it with less crowds!! Just make sure you try new things each time and you will have a ball!!


As far as the shows changing, they last about 4 years, at least thats what I heard. However each time I have gone, the actors seem to have changed each one a bit for the better

 

[BeanoC]

I believe there are 2 kinds of people :

Those that love to cruise.

Those that don't.

For those of us that DO, I think the cruises get better each time!
I have known some people who went on a cruise and came home saying 'never again!'. They're just not the cruise type. Well, we are!

This will be our 2nd DCL cruise and we have no doubts that it will be awesome, even more so than last year. Our kids know the ship backwards and forwards, and as others have mentioned, we all know what to expect and how to maximize our time. I think I can honestly say that we are more excited about this cruise than we were about last years. Wehave a bigger stateroom this year so we are also looking forward to the extra comfort.

This will be my 5th cruise, and I can say truthfully that each one has been better than the previous. I can't wait for the next one!


'Beano'

 

[CathyCanada]

I have done 8 Disney Cruises, 4 of the 4-night and 4 of the 7-night and each one has been more fun than the last. I find that I do different things, use the knowledge of being a cruise pro to plan differently, do diff. shore excursions, spa treatments, diff. meals and it is a kick to be recognized by the waiters in Palo and welcomed with hugs and kisses! Not to the extent that Barb & Tony are though, I'm sure!
Cathy

 

[Bbethparsons]

We just got back Saturday from our 3rd 7 night Disney Magic cruise. It was the best. You don't feel pressured to go to all the shows, cause you have been there and one that. Plus, we had a verandah this time, where as in the last 2 cruises we had only the huge porthole. My husband and I really relaxed and spent most nights after dinner alone, which is just what we wanted to do ! Enjoy!

 

[Towncrier]

We have only done 2 Disney cruises so far (with 2 more booked this fall). We were on the inaugural 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise in August 2000. There was a lot of excitement and anticipation among the crew and the guests alike. Since it was our first cruise, we were overwhelmed with everything to see and do.

In January, we sailed on our 2nd 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise. This time, we were better prepared to deal with the myriad of choices presented by the daily Navigator as well as with the possibilities of excursions on St. Maarten and St. Thomas. As veterans of an earlier 7-day, we took advantage of sit-down lunches at Lumiere's and participated in the Art of Entertaining series. Our children were a bit older and much more independent than they had been on our earlier cruise. Although we didn't have the verandah that we had on our first cruise, we did have the luxury of two cabins. Our time on the islands was much less hectic as we didn't feel that we HAD to do anything but relax and have a good time. And on this cruise we finally made it down to one of the nightclubs on the ship for a little "adult" time.

Will a third cruise be better? You bet. We still have yet to eat dinner at Palo. Other than our character breakfast on both cruises, we haven't ever had a sit-down breakfast on a Disney cruise. We haven't used the spa factilities. And I'm certain that there are plenty more activities left for us to discover.

My wife will be cruising for 3 days in October with her mom and her aunt. Then she and I will return for another 3 day cruise in November. I guess you could say the we have been bitten by the cruise bug.

 

[atigeg]

Shows won't necessarily be different...Hercules and Disney Dreams have been around since the Magic started sailing in 1998. Of course, as far as I'm concerned, they can keep Disney Dreams forever. We have seen it 23 times in 22 cruises and are still not tired of it.
Also, on our Western cruise, two of the performers at the variety shows were the same people we'd seen on our Eastern a year and a half earlier. The one at the Welcome Aboard show did an identical show (he's the one who uses a live child as a ventriloquism dummy), so it wasn't as entertaining. The one at the Farewell show varied his act so that most of it was different, so we enjoyed that one a lot more.
As for the second cruise being more fun, all I can say is that we've done 22 and they get better each and every time!! A lot of it is familiarity with the ship (and of course we know a lot of people onboard now too). You already know what to expect, the things you enjoy, etc., and you can also try some new things. People often ask if hubby and I ever get bored with DCL, but it's just like someone who has a vacation home or timeshare that they visit every year. It's a familiar place, and we know it will be a great experience each time.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[DARWIN91]

That is exactly what I said to my husband when one of my friends commented "you are going on a 3rd one, won't you get bored"? I said its like having a 2nd home and visiting it every year! How can you get bored of being taken care of for a whole week, stopping at beautiful ports, eating 24/7, tons of activities etc. etc.???

 

[gscott8075]

We leave on #5 next week. It is our favorite vacation.

The first was rushed and we really did not know what we were doing or where we were going. That's gone now. I know where to be to sign up for everything - we have it down to a science.

We use 2 ways and take care of Palo's and OClub and Spa between us. I iron everything the first hour - try using one later in the week!

We skip most of the shows and it gives us more ship time. I am much more comfortable now and expect this to be the most relaxing yet.

We went with our good friends last year on their first - and they were definitely tentative about some things. This year, they are ready.

So, yes, we have enjoyed each cruise more than the one before. Each time I pick up a few good ideas and find more to explore.

 

[pgesler]

bump

 

[PiperG]

Looking back to last year, when DH was planning our first WDW (land and sea) vacation, I simply didn't know what to expect. Every day I was so overwhelmed with how much fun we were having that it really didn't sink in until we had the pictures back.

I think this next trip (7 day eastern) will be even better because I won't be quite so overwhelmed.