I was full of expectations and fears from hanging out here -some were realized, some not, so I want to offer a mini report. (This was our first DCL, second cruise overall. )
We got to the ship about noonish. we went through security, checkin etc, and walked right on. We skipped the photo as we walked on. In fact never got a family pic!
Our room was 6558 - First stateroom near the midship elevators. we were worried there would be noise, magnets stolen, etc. But, we loved the location. Very easy to access everything, and we were not bothered by the noise at all. We had lots of magnets and an FE which were not bothered by anyone. (our actual door was behind the hall partition).
Our room was clean and in good repair. I was worried about the reports that the ship was showing its age and that was not the case in our room. The bed cover was a bit dated and thin, but, at night they remove it during turndown service anyway. The bathrooms were clean and we were happy.
We had first seating. It was a bit rushed to get naps in before dinner, but, overall it is what we would have picked. We were not prepared for how LONG dinner would take. It was a solid two hour ordeal every time. Im undecided whether this was just the nature of a formal seating, or the result of our servers, or the kitchen people. Our kids were climbing the walls most nights by the end. If both our kids were old enough we would have taken them to the Lab every night half way through.
We were surprised to have our own table each night (a family of four). We liked it, but, did not meet any other cruisers the whole week. (Missed the DIS meetup -well, we were there but couldnt tell who was DIS and who was just common folk. lol)
My five year old loved the kids club activities. Excuse me, the Lab. The club and lab are across from each other and she spent a ton of time in the Lab. She tends to connect with teachers first, then kids. So, she didnt make any bffs but she was begging to go and refused to leave whenever she was there.
Flounders was nice and the CMs were great. But, for the 2.5-3 year old set it was a disapointment. My 2.5 year old is potty trained and was not happy to go to the baby room. Just not nearly as exciting as the older rooms. He knew he was being "dropped off" and did not like that!
I was worried the pools would be small and unfun. Well, my kids loved them. They were not often crowded, but even then my kids didnt notice. Despite the movies playing in the goofy pool area,the kids tended to congregate at the mickey pool. The water slide was also a hit -small but exciting for my 5 yr old.
We stayed on board for Nassau Day. DH went off the ship and wandered around. He agreed that it would not have been fun to drag the kids around nassau.
So glad we took water and wine on the ship with us.
Hmm, thats all I can think of right now. I will add more if I think of stuff people might be interested in.
We got to the ship about noonish. we went through security, checkin etc, and walked right on. We skipped the photo as we walked on. In fact never got a family pic!
Our room was 6558 - First stateroom near the midship elevators. we were worried there would be noise, magnets stolen, etc. But, we loved the location. Very easy to access everything, and we were not bothered by the noise at all. We had lots of magnets and an FE which were not bothered by anyone. (our actual door was behind the hall partition).
Our room was clean and in good repair. I was worried about the reports that the ship was showing its age and that was not the case in our room. The bed cover was a bit dated and thin, but, at night they remove it during turndown service anyway. The bathrooms were clean and we were happy.
We had first seating. It was a bit rushed to get naps in before dinner, but, overall it is what we would have picked. We were not prepared for how LONG dinner would take. It was a solid two hour ordeal every time. Im undecided whether this was just the nature of a formal seating, or the result of our servers, or the kitchen people. Our kids were climbing the walls most nights by the end. If both our kids were old enough we would have taken them to the Lab every night half way through.
We were surprised to have our own table each night (a family of four). We liked it, but, did not meet any other cruisers the whole week. (Missed the DIS meetup -well, we were there but couldnt tell who was DIS and who was just common folk. lol)
My five year old loved the kids club activities. Excuse me, the Lab. The club and lab are across from each other and she spent a ton of time in the Lab. She tends to connect with teachers first, then kids. So, she didnt make any bffs but she was begging to go and refused to leave whenever she was there.
Flounders was nice and the CMs were great. But, for the 2.5-3 year old set it was a disapointment. My 2.5 year old is potty trained and was not happy to go to the baby room. Just not nearly as exciting as the older rooms. He knew he was being "dropped off" and did not like that!
I was worried the pools would be small and unfun. Well, my kids loved them. They were not often crowded, but even then my kids didnt notice. Despite the movies playing in the goofy pool area,the kids tended to congregate at the mickey pool. The water slide was also a hit -small but exciting for my 5 yr old.
We stayed on board for Nassau Day. DH went off the ship and wandered around. He agreed that it would not have been fun to drag the kids around nassau.
So glad we took water and wine on the ship with us.
Hmm, thats all I can think of right now. I will add more if I think of stuff people might be interested in.
