Jan 10, 2015 Eastern Caribbean (St Thomas) DCL Disney Disboards Fantasy

[pershing]

This will be our first time on The Gem, a mid sized ship - I guess more the size of The Magic than The Fantasy. A lot of people seem to be complaining about the newer mega NCL ships because there isn't much outdoor deck space. I can appreciate that, because I love walking Deck 4 on all Disney ships. Apparently, the larger NCL ships also have air quality issues due to the casino placement. I'm hearing good things about The Gem's entertainment and the ship's layout, but mixed reviews about the food. I guess that's the same whatever ship you cruise. No airfare is a nice savings and the overall pricing is definitely less than Disney. My daughter is trying to be open minded, because she is a loyal Disney cruiser. I think our hearts will always be with Disney - we are Gold level now - but it sure is nice to not always have to "break the bank" to go on vacation.

One thing I especially like is that NCL's roll call group meet up includes officers and free snacks/drinks. That would be great for Disney to do the same with our Disboard meet up groups. Maybe someone from Disney might be reading this thread and take the hint.....

We are loyal DCL people too, but if my middle son wasn't autistic I would consider another cruise line in a heart beat. DCL is just more considerate about Special Needs children. I couldn't imagine letting Dale wander a Carnival or Celebrity cruise ship and yet he knows the DCL ships like the back of his hand and can go where he wants, when he wants.

He's aging out of the clubs this June though so it's gonna be interesting to see if he can find other things to do that interest him.

We have been Gold for a while and are trying to get to Platinum before we book Alaska. That'll probably be our last cruise as college expenses will take over.

It's amazing how a vacation like DCL can recharge your batteries and make you feel energized and ready to slough through the day to day grind again!

 

[CBEW4]

Yep, it's the level of service and friendliness that keeps bringing us back to Disney, too. Alaska sounds like a great cruise! I'm sure you'll really enjoy it.

I hear you about college tuition. My daughter is a college sophomore. Even with a partial scholarship, tuition is ridiculous these days.

 

[wishes0813]

Hello! This will be mine and my DH's second cruise ever. We did the 4 day Dream in Dec 2013. We are already excited to have even more days.

 

[pershing]

Hello! This will be mine and my DH's second cruise ever. We did the 4 day Dream in Dec 2013. We are already excited to have even more days.

wishes0813

Second DCL cruise huh... sounds like a growing DCL addiction has taken hold!

The Dream and the Fantasy are twin ships for the most part. However, the Fantasy has one difference that is dear to my heart: Satellite Falls! It's an an additional adult sort of circular wading pool on the top front deck that you can sit in, lounge in etc. Kinda becomes a circular wave pool sometimes when the ship is moving.

I love it! I spent alot of my sun/fun time there. I prefer the main adult pools on the Magic and Wonder to the Dream and Fantasy. Major design flaw putting those doors to open right next to the main pool on the bigger ships. Really not quiet or private for the adults.

We were on the Magic this past January and I swam in the adult pool alot and it was quiet with very few people waltzing by.

Anyway~

Updated the Roll Call.

Jan 10, 2015 Eastern Caribbean (St Thomas) Roll Call

pershing - myself and my 3 sons, ages time of cruise DS(20), DS(18), DS(16) - Cape Cod, Massachusetts
CBEW4- myself and DD, DSister, DBIL
Lizo18- DD
JulietaC- DH, DD4
wishes0813- DH

 

[trues]

This will be our third Disney Cruise! we are going to Run Disney the day before the cruise. Looking forward to a great time!

 

[wishes0813]

I saw the 12th deck pool online, and thought it looks great. My DH and I thought the adult pool was strangly placed due to the rooms right next to it. We kept expecting an alarm to go off every time a child walked through.

Definitely a DCL addiction has begun to add to my already overwhelming Disney addiction!

 

[CBEW4]

So true! It is a Disney addiction for us, too. I can't count how many times we have been to the parks and this will be our 7th Disney cruise. Just can't beat the service and feel good atmosphere.

 

[JulietaC]

Has anyone cruised to the Caribbean in January before? What's the weather like? Is it suitable for the swimming pool?

 

[pershing]

Has anyone cruised to the Caribbean in January before? What's the weather like? Is it suitable for the swimming pool?

We were on the Magic this past January 2-5 and we had pouring rain in Key West. Cloudy other days. The day we got on was beautiful, but we were in Miami not Port Canaveral.

The other January trip in 2005 was rough seas and wind. Couldn't tender at Castaway Cay or Grand Cayman. Not sure why I'm sailing in January again except that my oldest is in college and can't go with us in April.

 

[pershing]

This will be our third Disney Cruise! we are going to Run Disney the day before the cruise. Looking forward to a great time!

Wow! Runners! That's great!

You'll be ready for rest and relaxation until we get to Castaway Cay and then you can do the CC 5K or what ever it is. I hear to get something for doing that. Like a poster or something.

 

[JulietaC]

Uf! Bad news about the weather, then!!! Hope 2015 surprises us with sunny days!!!!

 

[Downunder Minnies]

Hello,
Yes this cruise seems very quiet at the moment. I too do not use facebook so DISBoards is my only communication outlet.

I am interested in joining the FE group once it begins. Hope one is started soon.


Many thanks.

 

[JulietaC]

I'm interested in the FE group too! Looks like we need to be patient.

 

[trues]

I don't get on here very much, I use Facebook all of the time. I can't wait for a page so I feel up to date on what is going on and FE groups. Last year we didn't get a FE group until REALLY late and it was pretty small. I want to make sure I get us in a larger group this year. So much fun! i love dropping off gifts as much as checking for them.

 

[jessicacavalier]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list
Have a great cruise!

This is my first cruise, also my first time using Disboards. Where do I go to find out about FE joining for my cruise jan 10 2015? Sorry this is all so new to me.

 

[jessicacavalier]

JulietaC! First DCL cruise? That's great! Any questions you have, ask away. If you have little kids, put their bathing suits on under their clothes for the first day, the pools are open right away and less crowded because people don't have access to their luggage yet.

I wanted to know if this is where I needed to be for the FE? For a Jan 10 sailing date! So excited!!

 

[JulietaC]

Yes, it' s our first!!! It's been a great effort, we are coming from Argentina. We are thrilled at the idea!
Have you ever cruised before?

 

[jessicacavalier]

Yes, it' s our first!!! It's been a great effort, we are coming from Argentina. We are thrilled at the idea! Have you ever cruised before?

Yes it's our first Disney Cruise, we have cruised one other time before we had our son. We are taking our son for his 3rd birthday present/party, and coming from South Carolina, usa. Very excited and hope it's a great time!

 

[jessicacavalier]

So excited for this cruise I wish we had more people talking about it!

 

[mystycalchyk]

Hi everyone!! I kept checking and wasnt seeing a thread for this cruise. So glad to find it!

This will be the hubster and my 4th Disney cruise. Always in January and the 3rd time doing this particular one. We are bringibg along some family too. My mom and my sister, her hubby and their daughter.

Yayy!!! Cant wait to meet you all.