Just back-- very disappointed

[CheapMom]

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. We had our 1st ever cruise on DCL this December. It was a nice trip but 4 nights was enough for me.
My kids (2 of 3 diagnosed adhd) were bored in the clubs. They didn't get in any trouble but it just was not fun for them. I think it stinks how they treated your son. I also thought the check-in for the clubs at the terminal needs a HUGE improvement- It took over 90 minutes to register!
Flounders was a success the first time we used it but we tried again and it was bedlam in there- all of the babies screamimg like wild. We were paged to pick him up because he wasn't happy. None of the babies were happy.
Overall the service was great, the experience was fun, CC rocked out loud but WDW suits my family better.

 

[GilesFamily]

I'm glad to finally see a post where someone had a negative experience! I started reading this board shortly after we booked our cruise, and was sceptical of all the "sweetness and light" comments. I was thinking either Disney is paying people to post, or the moderator was filtering out anything that may be interpreted as negative. Now I know that the people on here are real people!

This will be our first family vacation (my husband and daughter has'nt even been on a plane!), so we are not sure what to expect. We don't know if we are cruisers, but decided to book the 7-day cruise, because it's going to cost us a fortune to fly down to Florida, so thought we would make it worth the price of the flight by staying longer.

Our original plan was to just go to Disney World, and when my hubby said we were going to WDW, my reply was "have fun"!. My idea of a vacation is NOT standing in a mile-long queue in the hot sun, to ride a "thrill ride" and trying to fight crowds. So when I looked into this cruise, I thought it would be a good compromise. Ok, so no thrill rides (well, unless the ship is real rocky) but it will give hubby and daughter the Disney trip they want, and I could sit back and lounge all day if I'm so inclined. (I'm booking hubby on the banana boat ride..so that's his thrill ride)

Since we are newbies to both cruises and travelling, I'm trying to keep an open mind.

Hubby's main concern is that our 6-year-old will not be bored, and I'm reassuring him that there will be a lot of activities for her to do. I hoping I'm not wrong. She is use to structured play, and LOVES crafts, so I hope the Oceaneer's Club will be very appealing to her. She also loves movies and stage shows.

My biggest pet peeves are crowds and long lines...the primary reason why I did'nt want to go to WDW. If anyone is going on the Sept. 24th cruise, and sees a tall lady, complaining loudly in a line..that's me. The other day we had a two-hour wait to get our passports, and my hubby had to reprimand me to sit still and be patient, or we were cancelling the trip! I'm afraid I'm going to be a pain to him anywhere from having to wait at the airport..all the way to having to wait at the buffet line on the ship. (and he thought our 6-year-old would be impatient!) However, I'm consoled knowing that there will be no more than 2500+ people on the ship compared to maybe hundreds of thousands at a theme park.

I'm also a complusive planner/worrier, so if anything goes wrong, there is a Plan B, and Plan C and Plan D, etc.

From researching on the net, there ARE things that go wrong. There was one trip report I read (can't remember which site) where a family had lost their 4-year-old at CC (she was found though..eventually, but how scary!). And another time they were trying to get on a boat to go back to the ship and a storm came in, and the crew could'nt get the passengers on the boat. So they ended up standing on the dock in the sweltering heat, and people were even passing out.

I guess my point is, I'm glad that people aren't afraid to express their bad experiences on here. I am desperately going to try to make the best of things when things go wrong, and take the good with the bad. I hope people keep on posting the "not-so-positive things". It's good way to ponder the "what-if's"

 

[LAMPSKIES]

For those of you for whom it didn't "work out" I'm sorry but, we sailed for the first time in Feb. of 2000 and have sailed every year since. DDs were9 and 7 and we signed then up for the clubs.....they never went. We enjoyed the simple fact that we were able to spend time together as a "family". Sorry about all the "problems" with food and excursions, I never really noticed that to be a proble....but then again we never set a schedule and yes our DDs were a little older. We now have our 5th and 6th DCL sailings booked (Thanksgiving 05 Western, 10 day x-mas 06) and the Eastern was our favorite. I was on the "cancelled" 11/02 Eastern and gave them a second chance (and a third, forth, fifth....etc) and don't regret it at all........

 

[JJsmama]

To clarify a little more about the kids clubs, my son didn't necessarily want to sit in a circle and listen to a story for 45 minutes to an hour. Or sit at a table and make a craft for a similar length of time. I understand where the posters are coming from who say that they can't alter the schedule for one child, but interestingly, the problem with our son playing was that the OTHER children wanted to play too and it caused a problem with story time.

IF I recall correctly from my cruise, they give you a schedule of what will be happening in the Kids' Clubs at all times. We took my kids there for things we knew they'd enjoy and picked them up an hour later usually. If a child is known to be hyper active and a parent knows he cannot sit through a story or craft time, the parent should not take him there during story or craft time. If she wants free play, look on the schedule for free play.

As a preschool teacher of 4 year olds, I know it is not a safe situation for a child to be out of control or refusing to join the group.

 

[rejobako]

My biggest pet peeves are crowds and long lines...the primary reason why I did'nt want to go to WDW. If anyone is going on the Sept. 24th cruise, and sees a tall lady, complaining loudly in a line..that's me.

I hope you have a great time on the cruise, but I think you should know that late September is probably the best time to go to the Florida Disney theme parks if you want to avoid lines. School calendars have started and it's still hot. We go to our timeshare in Orlando late September almost every year because we don't mind heat and because, like you, we hate the lines. If you want to test my theory, I might suggest you arrive in the area a day early and go to one of the parks for the day --- I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[jodifla]

I'd like to applaud the OP for the post. It is good to see a balance of opinions on the board, even if they're not popular ones. It's also a guide to other parents if they feel their kids might fit into those categories of not being happy in the club.

Not getting any Flounders ressies would have really put a damper on our trip, too. We were actually lucky enough to get three on our four night cruise (was supposed to be three nights, but we were diverted because of Jeanne), so we had plenty of alone time. DS, 3, was happy just to roam about the ship and hang with us, so that went pretty well. (We also brought a portable DVD player...that didn't hurt, either.)

And for $5,000 for a week, expectations should be high. It would be good if everything wasn't so centered on the kids clubs.

 

[GilesFamily]

Thanks rojobako. We are actually staying in Orlando for a couple days after the cruise. How would the crowds be on a Saturday in September? Hubby wants to go off the cruise and head to WDW for several hours...much to my dismay. And it's not like we can get to WDW first thing in the morning. By the time we get off the ship and drive to Orlando, I'm thinking it will be around 11:00. Even if it is in September, mid-day on a Saturday does'nt sound to promising. Anyways, I'm getting off topic here...

 

[tarheel_girl]

First of all, I love cruising! I agree that it isn't for everyone, but it is for me. I am a kindergarten teacher. Please do not fault the kids club workers for wanting to have some structure. Children need structure. I know that all children have different likes/dislikes. I agree with some of the other comments on this board. If your child does not want to sit through a story, then don't take him/her to the club during story time. I know how I would feel if I had prepared a lesson and story time and had disruptive children. I call parents at work when that happens in the classroom. I would also page parents on the ship if that happened. I think that the workers highlighting activities that they thought would best suit active children was wonderful! They were really trying to help your child have the best time in the clubs that he/she could possibly have.

 

[Auercat]

I am going on the May 7 cruise with thoughts that I want to spend my vacation with my kids and if they dont go to the clubs that's fine. We have several people coming with us and can get help when we need a break. Don't people go on family vacations to be with their kids? Anyone find enough activities for young kids without using the clubs?

Robin

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

I go on vacations to spend time with my family. The clubs aren't *just* used as time away from the kids though. I often see people using it as basically "fun daycare", but that isn't the way it has to be viewed.

My DD5 (at the time) loved the kids club so much that she insisted we not pick her up until they closed two of the four nights we went on our cruise. At the time, my other DD was only 2, so we didn't really have any "time off". DD5 was in the clubs after dinner/the show until closing, but most of the day unless there was a specific craft/project she wanted to do, she was with us. If it had been a longer cruise, she most likely would have been in the clubs more often, and is in fact looking forward to that most of all on our next cruise.

Everyone in the family is going to have fun different ways while on vacation. One of the fun things about being on a Disney Cruise is trying new things and seeing what you enjoy. You do it with the food, you do it with excursions, you can do it with your entertainment (and your childrens entertainment) as well. Just have fun.

 

[Heathercat]

I have three children...15, 12, and 5....and my experience was

WONDERFUL!!!!!!

Would love to hear DBs viewpoint on the cruise.....

 

[Berryhappy]

Hi all! Just wanted to note that I have twin ADD/ADHD diagnosed DD's. We've done the Disney Cruise 4 years straight and I have never considered informing the staff about their hyperactivity. My girls are both extremely hyper but also extremely polite and well behaved. I've never been beeped from any of the kids clubs. I have found that if I inform people of their hyperactivity, they expect the worse. If I don't, things generally turn out fine. If there is a next time for your family, it might be better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission!

 

[dreamflight99]

Sorry for all your disastrous disappointments. I appreciate your candor. We are taking our 5th Disney Cruise in less than a month. Our cost is more than double yours, (three people in a Cat. 2 w/excursions), and typical of each cruise expenditure for us (not including shopping). Yes, everyone is different in "life" and in vacation. This is what makes the world go 'round.

We are the type of people whom could care less if the ship departed port, and cruised in circles just off the coast. We never choose the itinerary for the ports, but more importantly "convenience" with respect to travel dates. We are onboard to spend time "together" (the most important factor in all our travels) sometimes celebrating life's rites of passage (birthdays, Anniversaries, Graduation, etc). We pay little heed to activities, and do as we please (according to our personal schedule/desires). We view each cruise as mostly "R&R" and truly cherish the seemingly endless and peaceful SEA days. We treasure the spacious private balcony, spending a LOT of time there together...reflecting, and watching the world & time pass over the azure surface of life.

To each his/her own, and we certainly do not follow the typical Cruisers when it comes to our interests. Hope you enjoy your next family adventure together, what ever comes to pass.

BTW...we have never had any problems with checking-in, as we always arrive VERY late in the afternoon...hence ZERO lines (last time, we were the LAST ones onboard!! LOL).

 

[burma]

I agree with lbgraves its a shame this posters cruise was not enjoyable but we had a great time with our 2 and 3 yr old ..... we booked on the ship for next Feb and even though the kids did not stay in the club for hours on end and the baby did not like flounders we had a great time and adjusted our fun to their schedules. If you are planning on going dont try to do everything they offer do what you can and if you enjoy it go on another cruise the kids will be older and you can do more ... thats my opinion ... again sorry you did not enjoy it ...

 

[HappyLawyer]

well i am not going ot bash or place blame, i will say that i am sorry this happend to you and you did not enjoy your cruise and i agree with a previous poster, now you know what does and does not work for the family, hope the next trip at what ever you do is better

 

[mrsltg]

GilesFamily-

I hear you with regards to lines - I HATE LINES! I did feel many times on my DCl cruise that all I was doing was standing in line. It may be a line for a character picture, it may be a line for a family photo, it may be a line to get off the ship at Castaway Cay, etc etc etc. My experience on the cruise was fine. And just that - fine. I was not overly impressed and feel that for the money I should have been. The cast members were lovely. The ship was beautiful. The Captain was informative (I was on one of the hurricane cruises last September). My daughter (3.5 at the time) loved the Mickey pool and so we'd head up there by 7am so as to avoid the huge crowds that gathered as the day wore on. We also chose late dinner seating as most people would clear out of the pools by 4 to get ready for the early seating. Then there were the parts we didn't like...

... the food - just everyday ordinary blah. My dd enjoyed the kids club but was frustrated that they weren't allowed more time to play on the pirate ship. We were all frustrated that over 7 days not one of the counselors bothered to learn how to say her name correctly. We would correct the counselors when they mispornounced it, she would correct them when they mispronounced it, and now, 8 months later she still talks about how they don't know how to say her name. It's Dierdre, by the way - not especially difficult (pronounced, Deer-dra - not Dee-dra - not Deer-dree), especially after you've been told over and over and over how to say it. The music on the pool deck was all geared toward the teeny-bopper set.

Anyway, it really wasn't one thing inparticular, just lots of little things that tend to add up. I am a Disney enthusiast through and through, and take a trip to the World about once a year. I thought I'd love the cruise, I was wrong. I am looking forward to my next cruise on either NCL or RCCL. I had cruised 5 times prior to DCL and I do love to vacation via cruise. DCL just didn't provide the "Magic" that I thought it would.

Erin

 

[dreamflight99]

I agree with lbgraves its a shame this posters cruise was not enjoyable but we had a great time with our 2 and 3 yr old ..... we booked on the ship for next Feb and even though the kids did not stay in the club for hours on end and the baby did not like flounders we had a great time and adjusted our fun to their schedules. If you are planning on going dont try to do everything they offer do what you can and if you enjoy it go on another cruise the kids will be older and you can do more ... thats my opinion ... again sorry you did not enjoy it ...

Just wished to say,"That is a very darling picture in your signature! Could be a Disney Cruise line advertisement/commercial! Precious little ones.

DF99

 

[Favorite Auntie]

I am one of those people that LOVES the chicken tenders...and yes, I have had my fair share.... My mother loves the pizza, although I just think it is OK..The burgers are great though...

Sorry you didn't have a magical experience...this was my fear on my first cruise, but I was pleasantly surprised and went back for more!

That isn't right that they called you to come get your son...did you bring that to anyone's attention???

 

[mickey2000]

I also agree about the lines . I thought the food was ok and enjoyed my two cruises.

 

[donaldsgal]

This thread took place long ago so it's probably not worth mentioning... I am sorry the OP had a bad vacation, but it seemed to me I didn't read any sentence that didn't end with or get followed by, "this was good, but then this happened." Again, no intention to flame, but it sounds as if the OP was expecting perfection for their money. OP was fair in making sure s/he noted that lots of the problems weren't Disney's, but even when taking incredibly expensive vacations, I wish more people remembered that the services are, ultimately, being delivered by other human beings who mess up and have bad days. I worked in a hotel for a while, and when it took a while to check a guest in, you'd have thought I was doing it on purpose just to ruin that guest's day! I got the worst stares, the most insulting comments, and the most frustrating experiences with guests who told me it was my job to make their stay perfect. I'm sorry - it's NOT my job to make it perfect. It IS my job to treat you with respect and professional courtesy and do my best to make up for it when the water in your room isn't hot, you got a non smoking room instead of a smoking room, or your check-in process took too long. I'm only human and can only do so much when technology fails. If I'm just delivering poor service (as the immigration officials or the check-in CMs did or may have), call me on for sure. But if I'm doing my best and you can't be pleased, who's fault is that? And I know, I know, I know that that's NOT what the OP was saying. It just seemed to me that the OP was hard to please. Tender at ST too long? Stay on the boat and enjoy the luxury of big, fun pools all to yourself? One server not helping enough but the other is? Direct all your needs to the "good" server.

I've never cruised with kids, so I can't speak to that.

All that being said, I really really DO appreciate the honesty of the post. I don't mean to flame the OP or anyone else who agreed with being disappointed with Disney or DCL. I certainly have times when I wish things had gone differently. I guess I just think what someone said is very true: "People have VERY high expectations [unrealistic at times] of DCL/WDW, and they shake their heads in disgust when those aren't met." It is our responsibility to make our vacations enjoyable. Roll with the punches. I hope I don't seem as though I discourage posts that point out the frustrations with DCL/WDW. I just think it's a shame that, IMO and IMO only, the OP seemed hard to please. But DCL/WDW does fall short at times and it's good to know that.

Just don't go in expecting perfection. That's the surest way of not getting it.