New to Cruising...should I do non Disney first?

[kclark9830]

Hi everyone. Neither me nor my husband have ever been on a cruise before. Our 15th wedding anniversary is in early 2018, and we've talked about taking a cruise to celebrate. While we'd like to do a Disney cruise, I'm nervous to spend that kind of money when I'm not even sure we're "cruise" people. Or, what if we get terribly sea sick?! And then we've spent this huge chunk of money (not only for the cruise, but for everything associated with taking a cruise such as transportation, etc.). I would be so bummed to spend so much money and then we end up not liking cruising or not being able to handle the sea.

Do you think it's better to try a cheaper cruise line for one's first cruise? We will also be taking our daughter who will be 8 at the time. Do other cruise lines have lots of kid-appropriate activities?

Are these legitimate concerns? Or am I way overthinking things? Thanks for your input, lovely DIS'ers. I appreciate it!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Hi everyone. Neither me nor my husband have ever been on a cruise before. Our 15th wedding anniversary is in early 2018, and we've talked about taking a cruise to celebrate. While we'd like to do a Disney cruise, I'm nervous to spend that kind of money when I'm not even sure we're "cruise" people. Or, what if we get terribly sea sick?! And then we've spent this huge chunk of money (not only for the cruise, but for everything associated with taking a cruise such as transportation, etc.). I would be so bummed to spend so much money and then we end up not liking cruising or not being able to handle the sea.

Do you think it's better to try a cheaper cruise line for one's first cruise? We will also be taking our daughter who will be 8 at the time. Do other cruise lines have lots of kid-appropriate activities?

Are these legitimate concerns? Or am I way overthinking things? Thanks for your input, lovely DIS'ers. I appreciate it!

My thought is if you take a cheaper cruise and don't like it, does that mean you don't like cruising or that you just didn't like the cruise you took? There are some good cruise lines that are much cheaper than Disney, but in my experience, the Disney touches are what makes it such a great cruise. If you are concerned about getting sea sick or just not enjoying cruising, I might recommend starting with a 3 or 4 night cruise to get a taste, not a 7 night or longer cruise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi everyone. Neither me nor my husband have ever been on a cruise before. Our 15th wedding anniversary is in early 2018, and we've talked about taking a cruise to celebrate. While we'd like to do a Disney cruise, I'm nervous to spend that kind of money when I'm not even sure we're "cruise" people. Or, what if we get terribly sea sick?! And then we've spent this huge chunk of money (not only for the cruise, but for everything associated with taking a cruise such as transportation, etc.). I would be so bummed to spend so much money and then we end up not liking cruising or not being able to handle the sea.

Do you think it's better to try a cheaper cruise line for one's first cruise? We will also be taking our daughter who will be 8 at the time. Do other cruise lines have lots of kid-appropriate activities?

Are these legitimate concerns? Or am I way overthinking things? Thanks for your input, lovely DIS'ers. I appreciate it!

Well, I think you may be overthinking things.

Most people have no sea sickness issues, so, unless you have reason to believe you do, I wouldn't worry about it. However, you should have a talk with your doctor about it, just to set your mind at ease. There are many natural remedies, as well as prescription medicines that work well for sea sickness.

As to whether you're "cruise" people - many of us don't find this out until we actually take a cruise. So, whether it's worth it to you to do Disney over someone else, is entirely your call. My husband and I hadn't cruised before our first cruise (15 night Disney cruise) and we found we loved it. It's also important whether you're "whatever happens - happens" kind of people also. Can you roll with the punches if things don't work the way you think they're going to? If yes, then, again, it appears that whether you choose Disney or someone else is entirely up to you and your pocketbook.

If every little detail of a vacation has to be planned out and work out exactly as planned for you to enjoy it, then, I'd suggest that a lower cost cruise might work better to find out if cruising is for you.

 

[kclark9830]

My thought is if you take a cheaper cruise and don't like it, does that mean you don't like cruising or that you just didn't like the cruise you took? There are some good cruise lines that are much cheaper than Disney, but in my experience, the Disney touches are what makes it such a great cruise. If you are concerned about getting sea sick or just not enjoying cruising, I might recommend starting with a 3 or 4 night cruise to get a taste, not a 7 night or longer cruise.

Thank you for your input. You're right. Maybe a 3-4 night cruise is the best choice for us to start with, regardless. I hadn't even thought of doing a shorter cruise to start with.

Well, I think you may be overthinking things.

Most people have no sea sickness issues, so, unless you have reason to believe you do, I wouldn't worry about it. However, you should have a talk with your doctor about it, just to set your mind at ease. There are many natural remedies, as well as prescription medicines that work well for sea sickness.

As to whether you're "cruise" people - many of us don't find this out until we actually take a cruise. So, whether it's worth it to you to do Disney over someone else, is entirely your call. My husband and I hadn't cruised before our first cruise (15 night Disney cruise) and we found we loved it. It's also important whether you're "whatever happens - happens" kind of people also. Can you roll with the punches if things don't work the way you think they're going to? If yes, then, again, it appears that whether you choose Disney or someone else is entirely up to you and your pocketbook.

If every little detail of a vacation has to be planned out and work out exactly as planned for you to enjoy it, then, I'd suggest that a lower cost cruise might work better to find out if cruising is for you.

Thanks for the input! I don't think I have to have every detail planned to enjoy it...I think. And as far as being worried about sea sickness, I do tend to get pretty dizzy on lots of things. And a few years ago I went on a field trip with my daughter's class where we toured these Christopher Columbus replica ships. Being on those boats made me SO SICK. I know a cruise ship is very different, but that experience sticks in my head something awful. I suppose talking to my doctor would be a good choice no matter which way we choose to go!

 

[Geomom]

Our first cruise was the 7 nt Alaskan one this summer. We actually had no desire to cruise before this, but wanted to cruise Alaska sometime, likely when we retired. It's the Disney aspect that caused us to go now, with the kids, and give them that experience. We loved it and would do another Disney one, with an interesting itinerary. We love Disney, so all the Disney touches, characters, parties, shows, etc, made the actual cruise part for us. (And the yummy dinners in the dining rooms each night.) The 7 nts went by very quickly, we can't do a shorter cruise after this one. As far as sea-sickness, my stomach was queasy the first night, but ginger ale settled it, and then my stomach was fine the rest of the cruise. DD16 felt much worse than I did, anytime we faced open ocean. Dramamine Naturals Ginger helped some, the free samples of Meclizine (Bonine) from the bins by health services made her all better. (And now I know to bring some Bonine for her the next time we cruise.) If you already know you get dizzy on things, definitely check with your doctor for advice on seasickness medicine, and take it before the ship starts moving.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Since your DD is 8, that's really an ideal age for a Disney cruise, before she decides she's outgrown the characters. I agree that a shorter cruise is a good way to start, tho you'll probably discover it's too short.

Cruise ships are so large that you'll barely feel the motion of the ocean, unless you're in a storm at sea.

 

[dclpluto]

If my first cruise was on rccl I will probably have a lot more money in the bank. My first 2 cruises were DCL loved it. Third went to rccl to save money. It wasn't any good. Went back to DCL which I love. 18 cruises and counting on DCL.

Don't worry about getting sea sick you are on a floating city. Take some Bonine with you just in case.

 

[PlanoNana]

I'm gonna make an assumption that since you're posting the question on the Disboards that you're a "Disney person". If that's true, then I think you'll be fine on a DCL cruise and will find it's worth the money. I've only been on three cruises, two with DCL and one with another line. I REALLY missed the DCL attention to detail on the other line. Stuff like getting our luggage after the cruise, the organization of the excursions, and seating in the buffet restaurant weren't handled as well as on DCL. Walt wrote the book on customer service and it shows.

We're cruising after Thanksgiving with our DD, SIL and 5yo and 21 month old Grandgirls and chose DCL for the quality and so the girls can have a Magical Wonderful time.

 

[cruiselovinbunch]

We did a 9-day on RCCL and we had a nice time -- but it wasn't Disney. We've been cruising with DCL since 2000. Our children are grown and we still prefer Disney to any other line.

 

[cheribelle]

So funny... for our 15th anniversary 3 years ago, I convinced my husband to try a Disney Cruise. We never went on a cruise before either so we had the same concerns. But being that I am a big Disney fan and we have 3 kids we decided to try DCL. After doing my research here on DISBoards I was really convinced we would love it. So we booked a 4 night Dream Cruise.

After the cruise my only regret was we didn't book a longer one!! The trip was amazing! And I now only want to cruise. I am willing to try other lines but my kids only want DCL.

We have our 3rd cruise (second Fantasy) coming this Christmas with my parents and sister. And my daughter is already begging for another next year in lieu of a Sweet 16 party.

Maybe my husband might regret trying DCL first because now we are broke with all these cruises!

 

[Ofinn]

Hi everyone. Neither me nor my husband have ever been on a cruise before. Our 15th wedding anniversary is in early 2018, and we've talked about taking a cruise to celebrate. While we'd like to do a Disney cruise, I'm nervous to spend that kind of money when I'm not even sure we're "cruise" people. Or, what if we get terribly sea sick?! And then we've spent this huge chunk of money (not only for the cruise, but for everything associated with taking a cruise such as transportation, etc.). I would be so bummed to spend so much money and then we end up not liking cruising or not being able to handle the sea.

Do you think it's better to try a cheaper cruise line for one's first cruise? We will also be taking our daughter who will be 8 at the time. Do other cruise lines have lots of kid-appropriate activities?

Are these legitimate concerns? Or am I way overthinking things? Thanks for your input, lovely DIS'ers. I appreciate it!

No these are legitimate concerns. Our first cruise was DCL. We did a 4 day because I wasn't sure we would like cruising. I wouldn't advice spending 5-8k or whatever it cost to cruise on the Fantasy for the first cruise. If you hate cruising that's a lot of money to blow. Of course when we started cruising 5 years ago DCL was a lot cheaper. Our first cruise we got hit by a bad tropical storm. I spent the first day sitting on the bathroom floor dry heaving. The rest of the cruise was great. I decided to give it second go, and we have loved cruising ever since. I have learned to be better prepared for rough seas, but I can't say I'm immune to sea sickness. We had 20 foot swells on our last cruise, and yeah I was feeling it, and not in a good way.

13 cruises later we have decided to branch out and try other cruise lines. I have picked the newest ships, during the offseason, with the lowest prices. I figured if I'm going to try something new I want it to be the best that cruise line has to offer at the lowest price. Yes other cruise lines have just as many option for kids. I wouldn't worry about that.

I can't see you being disappointed in DCL unless you just don't like cruising, and that happens. If you want DCL I would probably start out with a shorter cruise on the Dream. Two years ago I would have hands down said go with the Fantasy, but the prices on that ship are so high now it would be hard for me to recommend it as first cruise.

 

[Flossbolna]

The 2018 itineraries are not out yet, but I would suggest to look into a 5-night cruise on the Magic or Wonder as your first cruise. They seem to offer those from Miami in the early months every year. It will be more affordable than a 7-night on the Fantasy, but more relaxed than the short cruises on the Dream. Also, they go to the Caribbean and if you cruise in January or February (you said early 2018, so not sure how early) the weather in the Caribbean will be warmer than in the Bahamas.

Also, I would suggest to book a DCL cruise once the new itineraries are released, most likely some time in October for the first four months of 2018. The earlier you book, the lower the price will be. You have to pay a 20% deposit, but this will be fully refundable until pay in full date (usually 90 days before cruise) unless you make a concierge booking.

For a first cruise I would also suggest to get a travel agent that specialises in Disney travel to help with the process.

 

[Budzooka]

We didn't know if we were cruise people and were on the Fantasy this past summer and absolutely loved it. As a matter of fact, we put a placeholder down for our next one while on the ship! We'll have a hard time doing less than a 7 night cruise again because that time flew by.

As far as getting seasick, my wife usually gets motion sickness pretty easily and she didn't have any trouble at all. On the other hand, I usually don't get sick at all and was a little queasy that first evening. But, we brought some medication and it passed. Our 13 and 5 year old DDs didn't have any trouble at all.

If you're a Disney person, go DCL. Odds are you'll love it.

 

[msmama]

I guess I don't see the point of spending money on a vacation as a trial for another vacation. If I'm going to do it, I'd go all in.

I'm not a "Cruise person" in the way that I want to go on a cruise simply to spend time on the ship. I want to go several different places, without having to unpack and repack my suitcase, and it's nice to be entertained while doing so. I recently cancelled an upcoming Disney cruise because I had no desire to visit the Caribbean (been there, done that, no desire to do it again). That said, my first Disney cruise is from NY to Canada, and the next will be Norway and Iceland - no way would I just fly to Norway for vacation!!

That said, seasickness is a valid concern but there are many ways of combatting that.

 

[squirk]

We have young kids and have only cruised Disney. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, the other cruise lines can be substantially cheaper, and offer a lot of great experiences. But we feel like we get our money's worth.

Our first cruise was a 5-night on the Dream. My wife was really "iffy" on the whole idea. She gets motion sickness really bad really quick, and did not like the idea of being out in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight. But she agreed to give it a shot for the sake of the kids.

She loved it. She never got sick; she never felt claustrophobic; she never felt apprehensive about being on the open water. She loved being waited on hand and foot during dinner. She loved how nobody blinked an eye (much less rolled them) when she said she needed GF options. She loved the hot stone massage. She loved how much our kids loved everything. She was literally tearing up when we got off the ship and reality came crashing down as we starting swiping our debit card to pay for stuff again.

I agree with the idea of taking a shorter DCL cruise, off-season if you can to keep the price even lower, and seeing how you like it. I also agree that you may very well get off the ship feeling like the trip was too short.

At the end of the day, though, I think it really depends on how much your family digs the Disney brand. If you are "meh", maybe RCCL is the way to go. However, given that you are a part of this message board, I suspect you have some affinity for Disney.

 

[NS8VN]

Here are just my thoughts on it aside of the good advice above:

If you cruise DCL first and love it, then you will either take a DCL cruise again or try a different less costly one next time.
If you cruise a less costly line first and love it then you will be hard pressed to spend the money to try DCL in the future.

If you cruise DCL first and are less than happy with it then you can try another less costly line or choose to not cruise again.
If you cruise another line first and are less than happy with it I doubt you will be open to trying DCL just in case it is a better experience.

So to me, it just makes more sense to try DCL if it fits in your budget.

 

[kclark9830]

Thank you all so much! Yes, I adore Disney . I guess I can look at it the same way I look at justifying the money I spend going to WDW. Sure, I could go to Six Flags for a lot less. But it's NOT the same. I hadn't thought of it that way. Honestly though, I'm a very tight spender in everything in my life. I would have NEVER paid to go to WDW the first time...we happened to get a trip for free because it was my daughter's Make A Wish trip. Once I did it, I loved it and want to go all the time, even though I don't get to.

I would really like to do it, now just to decide on location. Caribbean, New England/Canada, or Alaska?! Caribbean appeals to us the least, but we'll see . If we did New England or Alaska we'd have to wait until later in 2018 it appears.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[aggiedog]

I've decided I'm not a "cruise just to cruise" person. I do love the ability to hit several different good ports without having to change hotels every day. For us, a good cruise is about the itinerary. If the Caribbean doesn't appeal to you, I wouldn't recommend spending DCL prices to go there. To try cruising itself in the Caribbean, I'd do some research and pick a less expensive line. For DCL, I'd say pick an itinerary to somewhere you otherwise might not logistically go, then you'll get the best of both worlds. My family had a blast on a 7 day DCL Baltic cruise with a week in Iceland and Copenhagen prior. We did a 4 day DCL Merrytime cruise to Cozumel which probably was not money well spent, except to cement in our minds we are not a cruise centered family. We were all somewhat "meh" about the Cozumel cruise, besides the fact I didn't have to cook or clean for those 4 days.