Newbie ?s, Please Read

[Kpulle]

We are DisneyWorld fans, and want to try the Land/Sea cruise. It is just my DH and myself (both 45). Please answer these beginner questions: When is best month to cruise for, no kids, weather, crowds, activities, etc? Do you prefer the extra day on land or on the cruise? Is an oceanview a must? We are non-drinkers and non-dancers (we're not boring though ). What other activities (especially at night) would we enjoy?

If you can answer only one, please answer the time of year to cruise questions.

I'm sure there will be more later. Thanks for your help.

 

[Dreamer04]

Hi! Welcome to the DIS boards. You'll find the best group of people here. Now, to answer your questions.

Any time that school is in session is a great time to cruise-there are less children on board. That said, please know that even during Christmas week, the children onboard are completely engaged and entertained. You won't find them underfoot.

My DH and I don't drink alcohol either-although I love to dance-DH isn't crazy about it. I love the DCL specifically because alcohol isn't pushed the way it is on other lines. I've been on 3 other cruise lines and the partying always gets to a point where I amuncomfortable. Not with Disney. I think this is for two reasons. 1) No casino. and 2) It is the Disney Cruise Line. Families and wholesome entertainment are their specialties.

At night-there is the 70's or 80's dance parties. I know-you don't dance. But just watching is such a hoot!

There is a website you just have to check out.
www.castawayclub.com Barb and Tony have trip reports that will exactly anser all your questions.

Talk to you soon!

Ursula

 

[two-foxes]

My DH and I did the land/sea package in Oct 2002 for our honeymoon. We booked another 3 days on land seperately, for a total of 6 nights. We loved it because at WDW the longest line we ever waited in was 25 minutes for Splash Mt and we really didn't even need to have PS for most restaruants. Plus, the added bonus of Oct is the Epcot food and wine fest. Wonderful samplings of food from around the world. Overall, the crowds were mellow, the weather was pleasant and we LOVED it.

As far as the ship goes, I have no idea if it was full or not....it doesn't really matter from what I hear. We hung out in the adult only areas almost all the time with the exception of dinner and shows. We are drinkers, but not dancers, so we never hit the clubs. We had late seating, so by the time we done eating, we hung out on the upper decks for a while then we were ready for bed.

Booking the land/ package is a good thing to do for your first time, IMO. Everthing is handled for you. We learned alot from our first cruise and these boards , so for our second time around we are booking it all seperately. Plus we LOVED the cruise so much we are only doing 4 nites at WDW and a 7 night western.

Ocean view or balcony is a must for us, but we got spoiled our first time. Booking a balcony stateroom automatically puts you in a deluxe resort for your land portion.

Just do your homework, read these boards and www.castawayclub.com and you will learn TONS!!!

 

[ThreeCircles]

Hello Kpulle and welcome to the Dis Boards!

Travis and I are also a childless couple and have sailed Disney Cruise Line (DCL) four times with three booked for 2004. Needless to say, we're just as addicted to DCL as many on these forums! We're also hugh Disney fans, so that helps!

Over the course of four cruises, we've sailed at different times of the year. Twice in May, once in November (Thanksgiving week), and once in August.

We really didn't notice much difference in the number of children onboard. Although we've never minded the kids and actually enjoy being around people of all age groups. Disney does a great job of keeping everyone busy in age-appropriate activities.

The weather can vary quite a bit throughout the year, especially for the 3/4 day cruises to the upper Bahamas. In November, Castaway Cay was quite chilly. Being Floridians, we're somewhat accustomed to warmer weather and water. The air temp wasn't too bad, but the water was way too cold for us to venture in. May and August had nice weather all around but this is coming from the context of seven day cruises on the Magic.

As far as not dancing or drinking, I wouldn't worry too much about that. Disney, as stated earlier, really does a good job of entertaining. Usually, we've found at least, that there is too much to do rather than too little.

We've also only stayed in indoor staterooms. We've never minded not having a port hole or verandah since we spend so little time in the stateroom anyway. It also helps us sail more often by saving money!

Hope this helps a little and enjoy your cruise!

 

[Kpulle]

Y'all are just great. I can't believe that everyone responded so quickly. Thanks

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by Dreamer04
I love to dance........

...........................

 

[feenie]

There is plenty to do even if you don't drink or dance!!! We don't either!! We went on our first Cruise in September and there were a few kids on board, but they never bothered us. I think that if you were to choose the summer or a school vacation week there would be a lot more around.
There are tons of fun activitys to do wether its triva contests or wierd scavenger hunts. DH and I loved strolling around on deck.
We didn't make it to the 70's or 80's partys but we think we might try them next time. I dont' think you have to dance to have fun at them. Sometimes just watching can be fun.

We had a day at sea, and would not trade it for anything. (actually, we didn't get off in Nassau either!) The ship is so beautiful and we loved walking around and checking everything out.
Originally I thought I didn't want to cruise. Why go to florida if you are not going to visit Mickey? But DCL offers a totally wonderful time, but it is so relaxing and you feel so pampered when you get off the ship its hard to come back to reality!

 

[Tooth Fairy]

HI

We have been on DCL twice, once with kids and once without! Had a wonderful time both trips but very different experiences. DCL is a master at providing entertainment for all ages. We never once thought kids were in the way and did all the adult things when just us two. Yet loved it with the kids as well. In fact, have a 4 day booked for March 2004!

 

[kcashner]

We love to cruise "off season." For warm weather, fall can't be beat...however, fall is hurricane season. That means that the ship doesn't always go where it is scheduled to go. If you're a little adventurous, that can result in a wonderful trip. I would definitely do the "extra" day on the ship. Jan/Feb is also great, although you can get some cooler weather at that time of year. Of course, if it is 15 degrees at home, 70 feels pretty good!

There are lots of "adult only" areas on the ship. I don't smoke, drink, etc....the shows on the shi

 

[aprilgail2]

If you have to decide between the 3 or the 4 day cruise I would take the 4...I took the 4 and even that was to short for me so I can't imagine going on the 3 day one! May is a great time to cruise, I stay away from January since the weather is iffy and it could be darn cold even in the Bahamas in January.
I can't answer any of the nighttime questions since I had a 2 1/2 year old with me and we were in our room right after the evening show until morning.

 

[lbgraves]

There are always alot of kids on DCL. When we sailed on 11/15 there were over 850 kids ages 3-12 alone. That being said, the Mickey pool was NEVER crowded & I was very surprised to hear that number. We have a 3 yo & 5 yo so we were definantly where the kids were, just never saw a crowd like that.