Just back...quick comments for 1st timers

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by briane
Don't expect the "magic" you get at the parks. Nothing too out of the ordinary. This is a very good cruise, but it is still a cruise and aimed at the typical blue collar, Las Vegas types that love to smoke, drink, gamble, and listen to loud music. Those of us not enjoying those activities can still have a good time however. One last comment: When you try to accomodate everyone (children, parents, singles, etc. you lose that special and unique feeling). Why can't Disney just gear these towards the kids and and make them truly magical? Get ride of the lounges and Palo and make it a one of a kind place for all kids. Not more space for just kids, but space for children and parents!!! Again.. I DID like my cruise. But everyone on these boards knows that Walt would have hated it because so many of the activities on the cruise seperate families from each other.

Holy cow! I really have to wonder (no pun intended!) if we took a cruise on the same cruise line! We did a 7 day on the Magic and had a completely opposite experience, and we're not even beer guzzling, nicotine addicted "blue collar workers" who spend our whole paycheck on quarter slots, "scantily clad women" and aerosmith concerts. Go figure.

As an adult couple without children, I'm really glad that there are places and activities for adults only. It seems as though every place or activity that is ONLY for adults has an equivalent for families. Examples: Pools (quiet cove vs. goofy's), Restaurants (kids are allowed in all but one), Clubs (all of the shows that we saw in the evenings had an earlier family version, plus studio sea hosted a number of family club activities that seemed similar in gist to the beat street ones), beaches (we actually enjoyed the family beach more than the adult beach), Tea (high tea at palos for the adults, tea with wendy for the kids) etc, etc, etc. As far as the lounges go, everytime we walked through the promenade lounge there were a bunch of kids with their parents dancing to whatever live music was going on. It was great to see.

I'm really glad that Disney has recognized that families come in many shapes and sizes and is NOT just mom, dad, son and daughter. I always take offense to the notion that my husband and I are not a family simply because we don't have any children. Disney has succeeded in creating an environment where families of all types and at all stages in their lives can have a wonderful time together.

There was certainly plenty of disney magic to be had on the disney cruise lines. We checked things out for friends of ours who have kids and if I had a dollar for every time I saw something and said "oh awesome, when I was that age I would've LOVED that" my shipboard account would've been a lot easier to settle! The attention to detail, both in the physical environment of the ship and by the staff was amazing and more than we could have hoped for. When I came home my face hurt from smiling so much.

I think not only would Walt not hate the disney cruise lines, but I think he'd be very very proud of them. I can just imagine him with that grin on his face, wearing a captain's hat and blowing the horn. It's a shame he's not around to see it and enjoy it like the rest of us can.

Lisa

 

[jdm]

and loved how others followed suit and posted their opinions and experiences on their cruise. Very interesting to read...

But the blue collar comment? I must admit, I laughed out loud. Just shook my head and laughed! What is that exactly??

Glad you enjoyed your cruise :~)

Jenn

 

[crackerjack]

Last night I was talking to a friend who is trying to decide between several different cruise lines. I gave her this web site and told her to expect all sorts of different views. This, of course, is a perfect example, so I'm bumping it up! Thanks.

 

[Gina]

Originally posted by briane
Don't expect the "magic" you get at the parks. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

I have to very much disagree!!! I think that the park sector could take a huge, giant lesson from the level of service on the Disney ships, at least on the Magic. And if I want something aimed "just at kids," I'll take DS to Chuck E. Cheese -- I love the variety of activities on the ship.

Just my .02

-gina-

 

[joyannie]

Jeanie mentioned her 4 night cruise and stopping at Freeport... I didn't think the 4 night cruise stopped in Freeport. My husband and I were at Our Lucaya last August and really enjoyed ourselves. So make my day and tell me there is an option of a 4 day cruise that includes stopping in Freeport.

 

[LanaJayne]

The 4 night Wonder has two itineraries, one with a day at sea one with a stop at Freeport.

We just returned from the Wonder with the Freeport stop and had a wonderful trip!

 

[aprilgail2]

I am taking the 4 day cruise in May and we are stopping in Freeport....I think every other week they make the freeport stop.

 

[Dodie]

I just have to express how much I disagree with your comments about doing away with the adults-only aspects of the cruise and that "Walt wouldn't like" this aspect of the ships.

My DH and I have no children. We are huge Disney fans. We have been to WDW many times and are planning an April cruise right now. Do you honestly mean to say that, because we don't have kids, we don't deserve the Disney experience? I can't tell you how much I look forward to adult activities without kids around.

I always take offense to the notion that my husband and I are not a family simply because we don't have any children. Disney has succeeded in creating an environment where families of all types and at all stages in their lives can have a wonderful time together.

AMEN, Lisa F!

Also, it was my understanding that there is no casino on the Disney boats. The closest thing to gambling is bingo. Where in the world did your comments about blue collar gamblers and smokers come from anyway? And, as many have stated more eloquently than me above, is there something wrong with being "blue-collar?" Would Walt have appreciated that kind of thinking?

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

Usually when people stick their noses inthe air and say "Blue Collar" they usually mean poor. Do you realize that the RCCL is offering deals on the 7 day cruise that is less than 1/2 of what DCL's 3 day is? That's not cheap. But believe me, we'd all rather pay a bit more and get some of the Magic. Can't put a price on Pixie Dust!

 

[reggie92762]

Thank you to DisneyDreamer and DeeB - I always feel that Freeport gets left out. If you look at the island from just the port area your right it's awful but just take the bus to the other side and you will see picture postcard views.

Also in Nassau for families who are interested there is always the pirate museum right in town. Very cute, educational and cheap. Just a short walk from the ship!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

"We did a 7 day on the Magic and had a completely opposite experience, and we're not even beer guzzling, nicotine addicted "blue collar workers" who spend our whole paycheck on quarter slots, "scantily clad women" and aerosmith concerts. Go figure. "


What 's the matter with loving aerosmith concerts! Obviously Disney loves them (Rock N Roller Coaster). Even us "white collar workers" love rock and roll

 

[disneyholic family]

i'm still amused by your description....and everytime this one gets bumped up i laugh again.....
i'm from detroit originially, so blue collar is hardly an epithet.....
at least in the days of yore, (that is, in the days of generous motors et al), being a blue collar worker at the big 3 was an enviable position to be in.....
as for the beer guzzling, nicotine addicted people you refer to...
well.....i live in europe now...
you've just described the entire continent....(and i challenge you to find a no smoking space to try to catch your breath)....
as for those scantily clad women...
do you know that in germany you're NOT ALLOWED to go into co-ed saunas wearing anything at all?????.......you can't get any more scantily clad than that......needless to say i haven't been in a sauna in centuries.....and of course, i won't even speak of what goes on on french beaches (and it doesn't matter what the state of your body is, topless is de rigeur.....i want to tell the women my age to please put something on and spare us having to look at what gravity has done to them over the years)....
but i digress...although i can't remember what i'm digressing from...
anyway...
it was and still is an oddly amusing post....

 

[ragdoll]

Hey LOVETHATMOUSE, I must confess that I spent almost a thousand dollars last summer on Aerosmith concert tickets. Worth every penny!