Just off the Dream! World vs Cruise NAVIGATORS

[love__goofy]

We were hesitant to drop $5K not knowing what it would be like. We love the world and have been there nearly every 6 months to a year for 20 years.

My husband was not too excited about going. What was he going to do? Was he going to be bored? And no casino? Really? Did he have to watch the shows? These were his thoughts lol

My boys, age 16, 15, and 13, were very excited. Free food! Ice cream and pizza at anytime of day? They were thriled!

My daughter, age 10, was ecstatic to try a new adventure!

Me, I have never been out of the country, I wanted too see that crystal blue water. I couldn't wait. Anything Disney, I am there!

 

[love__goofy]

So we get into port to board the Disney Dream! The ship was huge! Wow!

The hotel we stayed in the night before, Country Inn and Suites, said they could shuttle us over at 9:30..our boarding time wasn't till 12:15. They told us not to worry, we could board early.........well, that was partially true.

We arrived, and they did check us in promptly, but we were given boarding number 17....which took them nearly 40 minutes once they started to board for them to get to 17. So even though we arrived early, I guess our boarding number was already set.

Once one board, we waited in line for the tequila and martini class. We also got the princess and frozen meet and greet tickets. Then headed to Cabanas to eat. We were impressed! Then explored the ship and went to our room. We had a verandah. We were in 2 rooms, connected, 10006 and 10004. These were guaranteed rooms and we're excited Disney put us together!

 

[love__goofy]

Overall - this were our thoughts on the cruise.

16 year old son - loved it. Would do it again in a heartbeat. He still loves The World though. He would like to alternate each year. The best part of his trip, eating crab legs on the deck of Cabanas, playing putt putt and Castaway Key!!!

15 year old son - had the best time! I think he must have eaten a total of 5 pizzas himself over the course of the 4 days and 20 banana soft serve ice cream cones! Seriously. This is our picky eater. So we were thrilled he took in so many calories lol. He had a blast playing soccer, tetherball, and riding the water trike at Castaway Key. That was his favorite!

13 year old son - loved the new experience! He was not too crazy about Nassau. We got off and just walked to Junkanoo Beach for awhile..then headed back to ship. He loved exploring the ship, playing the detective game on the ship, and riding the aqua duck. Castaway Key was his favorite though! We kayaked, snorkeled, and rode bikes! He would love to do a 4 day cruise combined with 4/5 days at Disney World next time.

10 year old daughter - she wanted to know..when do I get to see Mickey again? The characters, the shows, and the ice cream were her the highlight of her trip. She was not thrilled about the oceaneer's lab. It probably would have made a difference if one of her siblings would have been young enough to join in. She loves The World, and too would like to do a combo trip.

DH - LOL!!! He said, "Do we have to go back to The World?" He would much rather cruise! He loved it!

Me - I saw that crystal blue water! Gorgeous! Loved spending quality time with my family and having Disney service to make it spectacular. There wasn't one thing I didn't like. Castaway Key was the highlight of our trip. We had a beautiful day and experienced so much. I would do it again tomorrow. Would I not return to the World? No way, but would alternate years.

Everyone enjoyed the shows. They had some adult humor that my boys got. They loved that! It truly is a vacation that all ages will enjoy!

This afternoon, I post images of the Navigators from all 4 days!

 

[love__goofy]

Forgot to add, we played Bingo and Won $155! We took the towel folding class - awesome! And we participated in drawing with an animator....3 times..that was a highlight as well!

 

[amanda12404]

I am so excited to read this. We leave for our first cruise at the end of May. My husband is dreading this whole vacation. He likes Disney World but he thinks he is going to feel trapped with nothing to do. I have tried to show him Navigators so he can see we are never going to be bored but hopefully he is like your husband and will end up loving it at the end.

 

[thumpie's mom]

Before our first Disney cruise in 2005 my husband was not crazy about taking a cruise, much less with Disney, but we finally talked him into it. Glad to report that he did end up loving the cruise and looks forward to each of our cruises as much as my daughter and I!

 

[Bishoparc]

I am so excited to read this. We leave for our first cruise at the end of May. My husband is dreading this whole vacation. He likes Disney World but he thinks he is going to feel trapped with nothing to do. I have tried to show him Navigators so he can see we are never going to be bored but hopefully he is like your husband and will end up loving it at the end.

We don't have any kids and I absolutely love DCL. We live in NW Florida so we go to the parks often but quite honestly the wife and I both almost prefer the cruises over the parks. To us it is one of the best vacations you can take. (A key to enjoying it even more is un-plugging from the world..put the phone in airplane mode and enjoy the dedicated time with family.)

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Overall - this were our thoughts on the cruise.

16 year old son - loved it. Would do it again in a heartbeat. He still loves The World though. He would like to alternate each year. The best part of his trip, eating crab legs on the deck of Cabanas, playing putt putt and Castaway Key!!!

15 year old son - had the best time! I think he must have eaten a total of 5 pizzas himself over the course of the 4 days and 20 banana soft serve ice cream cones! Seriously. This is our picky eater. So we were thrilled he took in so many calories lol. He had a blast playing soccer, tetherball, and riding the water trike at Castaway Key. That was his favorite!

13 year old son - loved the new experience! He was not too crazy about Nassau. We got off and just walked to Junkanoo Beach for awhile..then headed back to ship. He loved exploring the ship, playing the detective game on the ship, and riding the aqua duck. Castaway Key was his favorite though! We kayaked, snorkeled, and rode bikes! He would love to do a 4 day cruise combined with 4/5 days at Disney World next time.

10 year old daughter - she wanted to know..when do I get to see Mickey again? The characters, the shows, and the ice cream were her the highlight of her trip. She was not thrilled about the oceaneer's lab. It probably would have made a difference if one of her siblings would have been young enough to join in. She loves The World, and too would like to do a combo trip.

DH - LOL!!! He said, "Do we have to go back to The World?" He would much rather cruise! He loved it!

Me - I saw that crystal blue water! Gorgeous! Loved spending quality time with my family and having Disney service to make it spectacular. There wasn't one thing I didn't like. Castaway Key was the highlight of our trip. We had a beautiful day and experienced so much. I would do it again tomorrow. Would I not return to the World? No way, but would alternate years.

Everyone enjoyed the shows. They had some adult humor that my boys got. They loved that! It truly is a vacation that all ages will enjoy!

This afternoon, I post images of the Navigators from all 4 days!

Glad to hear you all enjoyed it. We live in AZ and are AP holders to Disneyland, (leaving in 30 minutes to fly over there). If we were on the east coast we'd be on a DCL ship all the time. I strongly suggest a 7 night on the Fantasy, you will love it, they are so relaxing. After our first time on the Fantasy, we all agreed that DCL is now the vacation of choice.

 

[scootch]

Did you rebook onboard?? Definitely worth it to do a placeholder.

We love the World, but we love our cruises a little more. So glad everyone had a great trip!!

 

[Kewz1]

We absolutely love cruising! Welcome to the club!

Kristen