other than Disney?

[mickeyworld]

A year ago in March I did a Wonder 4 night cruise with my family. It was the vacation of a life time. Since the cruise, my husband suddenly passed away. I would live to cruise again but I am unsure about cruising on a boat that would remind me so much of him. Any suggestions of a cruise line that would be ANYTHING as good as Disney? Someone mentioned Royal Caribbean...
Input would be great!

 

[ohiominnie]

mickeyworld,
I have no idea. The only cruise I've ever taken was on the Disney Wonder so I cannot compare other lines.
I just wanted to give you a {{{hug}}}
God bless!

 

[aprilgail2]

I can give you some input on one NOT to take....Carnival, it was like a no frills brand cruise!

 

[Malone]

Wow, Mickeyworld. My heart goes out to you. I can imagine how a Disney cruise might be hard for you, especially when you have so many wonderful memories. But look at it this way--you are here on the boards, and this is Disney related, and hopefully you are doing okay with viewing all these Disney Cruise postings. So, you could look at the message board as taking baby steps toward feeling like you might be able to go on a Disney cruise later after all. If you love their service and the experience, take your family and focus on them. Sure, you might have some tough times, and I'm sure if you broke down in front of your family they would understand. They would be there to cry with you, most likely. I'm sure you would have a fine time on any other cruise line, but chances are you would think of your husband regardless. So, I say, do what your heart tells you you would enjoy the most! Whatever you decide, my prayers go out to you!
Carrie

 

[bigsky]

Hello Mickeyworld..

So sorry about your loss. My prayers go out to you.
YOu said you had wonderful memories on the ship. If you ever decide to go, that is one thing that is good...you'll remember those wonderful times you shared on the ship. That is on the Disney cruise ship.

I have to disagree about Carnival. My dh and I went on The Pride throught Carnival cruise lines last Fall. It was a beautiful ship!!!! It was one of there new ones. So you can't say all aren't nice. There olders ones are not impressive, but there newer ones are. But if money is no object you can try some more expensive lines. Everyone has their own opinion. That's what makes us all special!

Again, my heart goes out to you.

 

[rsschneck]

The old saying you get what you pay for is very true as far as cruises go.

Check this web sight it is one of my favorites, it grades the cruise ships from 1-6. I would trust 5, 5.5, or 6 anything less would not measure up to Disney's standards.

www.vacationstogo.com

 

[WDWLVR]

Mickeyworld,

First welcome to the DIS - hope you stick around as there are some great people here.

Second, please accept my condolences on your husbands passing. I'm sure the time since then has been very hard for you.

You didn't say how old you were or if you had kids. Offering other cruises could depend on that.

Royal Caribbean is a nice line. I went on them many years ago and was very happy. I have never been on them but I have also heard great things about Princess, Celebrity and Holland American.

Only you know in your heart how much a trip on Disney again would hurt. Hopefully you can sail her again as I do believe she's the best in the business.

My mom and I were very close and traveled together a lot before I got married. We used to cruise a lot together back 25 years or so ago. My first trip on Disney was bittersweet because it was after she died. I knew she would have loved the Disney ship because she loved Disney, loved cruising, and would have been thrilled at having her own veranda! I think in looking back to that first trip those bittersweet memories are part of what had make DCL so wonderful for me. I hope that someday you can sail with Disney again and relive some of the wonderful memories you had with you DH. Next time try the Magic. It is alike enough to bring back great memories, but just different enough to make some new ones.

 

[mickeyworld]

Hello everyone-
Your responses are just as I imagined- wonderful. Disney lovers are very special people and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I took the first step just last week and went to the World and stayed at AKL for a couple of days with my kids(9 and 12) and it was a trip filled with great memories... so maybe it will be okay to cruise Disney. Thaks again for all your thoughts- Disboards have become a daily habit for me over the last few months as I planned the WDW trip, you all are very special!

 

[stephmarty]

According to my brother and his wife, you and your kids would enjoy RCCL's Voyager of the Seas. Along with its sister ship (name has slipped my mind), it is the largest ship afloat (or was last I checked). It has a ton of fun stuff for active folks, like the rock climbing wall, in-line skating, ice skating rink and miniature golf. DCL is great, but Voyager definitely offers something different. I checked the ship's rating, and food is the only area where it scored considerably lower than Disney (of course, DCL's shows are impossible to beat). In fact, my brother and his wife said they can't imagine cruising on anything other than RCCL since they went (we're trying to convince them to go with us on the Magic in October). Hope this is helpful!

 

[Mjasp]

Hi Stephmarty!!! How have you all been and how is that cute baby of yours doing?

Joanna

 

[mac_tlc]

mickeyworld,

I agree with stephmarty.. The Voyager-class ships of Royal Caribbean are a wonderful adventure. There are four (soon to br five) of them. Voyager of the Seas (Western Caribbean out of Miami), Explorer and Navigator of the Seas (alternate Eastern ad Western Caribbean out of Miami) and the Adventure of the Seas (Siouthern Caribbean out of San Juan). The newest, the Mariner of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral starting November 23, 2003 and alternate between Eatern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Just to be complete, from May 2004 - October 2004, the Voyager of the Seas will sail out of New YOrk and alternate between 9-day Western Caribbean and 5-day Canada itineraries.

We have sailed on the Explorer and Navigator as well as the Disney magic twice. Both are excellent, but there are differences.
I have a detailed comparison of the two on my web site. If you send me an e-mail I can give you the address. I also have the Compass Activity sheets posted from our Explorer and Navigator cruises...

mac_tlc