seethruguy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2009
- Messages
- 86
We just returned from Orlando. We (Myself, DW,DD12,DS8) spent 6 days at the Boardwalk Villas, then 3 days on the Dream, and an extra 2 days as a surprise at CBR. Loved BWVs, and the extra 2 days in a pirate room at CBR were really nice, but for our purposes I'll stick to the cruise portion.
We are Disney veterans and have cruised a few times before but this was our first cruise as a family and our first Disney cruise. I called my TA earlier in the week with my concerns about hurricane Irene. She had no info but promised to contact me as soon as she heard anything. She forwarded me an e-mail from Disney on 8/23 that they expected the ship to return on time and our cruise to depart on time and they would keep us updated. I didn't hear anything else till onboard, that we would be going south along Florida coast to avoid Irene and would not be arriving in Nassau till noon.
We got to the terminal at about 11:00am our check in time was 11:00-11:30. It was crazy crowded. If I took another cruise I'd probably get there later after most people were already on the ship. Was told port arrival times are just suggested times. Took about 1-1 ½ hours to get on board from the time we arrived. They were saying the cruise may leave early to get ahead of the hurricane so maybe thats why people came early. There were a lot of rumors and conflicting information even among cast members. Keeping people (cast and passengers) informed is one area DCL needs to do a better job with. The first night was a little rough and some people did get sick. Thank God no problems for us. I was kind of cool watching the water rock back and forth in the pool. At no time did we feel as if it was dangerous, something I have seen on other posts.
Ill touch on a few highs and lows of the trip and try and keep it brief. Not going to CC obviously bummed us out, and puts a damper on the whole experience. That couldnt be helped and Ill try and be objective.
Lows:
As I said the lack of solid information was a problem, enough on that. DD has special needs, Down Syndrome and autism and needs a transport stroller to go long distances, and has a hard time standing in lines. Being a ship I figured handicap accessibility was going to be a problem. A lot of stairs, thin hall ways, long elevator lines. A few suggestions here, for deck shows or atrium shows in our case due to rain, a wheelchair viewing area like they do for parades at the park would be great. For the fireworks my wife and son took the stairs to reserve a spot by the rail on deck 12, and I couldnt get to them because of the crowds and part of the deck being closes for safety during the fireworks. I did make it on time but it was tough. I had called ahead of time about handicapped accessibility on the Aquaduck and no one at DCL really knew so I was told to ask on the ship. DD could make it up the stairs but it would take a while and she could no way stand on that line. No plan for this except try and go early or late when the line isnt too long. My thought here maybe a wrist band if its a 30 min wait come back in 30 mins so we are not cutting the line and let us take her up. People could move over just as they do for someone catching up to their group. She loves water slides this was really a huge disappointment for us. We each went down once with my son and twice didnt make it to the top because it closed (lightning). Mother Nature was not on our side here. I also thought when everyone was off at Nassau or CC we could do it but Mother Nature messing with us again. I think because of the shortened port times and a lot of things being canceled most people seemed to stay on the ship. A few points on the ship itself, If you are going to put a pool on the ship, put a pool, not a large bathtub. Also what is the point of it being so deep? My DW wanted hold DD in the pool but couldnt she would have drowned. The things maybe 20 feet across, 4 feet deep would be plenty. We spent most of our deck time on 12 because it was less crowed and if you want to go to the front elevators you have to go past the adult pool area. I kept feeling like we were intruding but there is no other way. They did have live music there though, maybe have this in the main pool area sometimes. One last point, enough with the plexiglass.
Ok enough complaining
The Highs: The ship is beautiful, clean and I swear still has new ship smell. Food was plentiful and much better than I expected. Service form the room steward to wait staff was exceptional. Guest services, which had a lot to deal with on this cruise rescheduling flights home ECT. due to storm, tried really hard to help us. They called Aquaduck people to try and work out something for DD. Helped us find something to do in Nassau on 2nd day. We went to the nearby public beach a little messy, maybe from the storm, but it was close by and at least they got swim in clear blue water, and we had to be back on board by 2:30 and it was close. DD needed to get off the ship, and get a break from the crowds. Saw all 3 shows and there were all top notch. Both kids loved them. Even with the stage rocking so much the 1st night. The cabin was pretty good size. Never had a veranda before, but I think traveling with kids this was great. Having a quiet glass of wine out there after they fell asleep was a true highlight for us. We were in cabin 6082 which right next to the larger staterooms and left room to leave DDs stroller outside without it being in the way. Folding up and putting under the bed was a little more challenging than I thought, so I only did it at night or if we had her walk somewhere. DS went to the kids club a few times, but DD has more issues than they could probably handle (she would need one on one attention) so the veranda at night was our relax time. Wait staff at dinner was excellent, DD has taken to spilling drinks lately and they were on top of things. No water glasses on the table, lids on the kids cups. Have to single out our asst. server, Solenne, who was great with kids. Even though it was only 3 days she seemed to really get DD.
As I said went back to CBR for 2 days, really because flying home on Tuesday was way cheaper then Sunday. Luck was on our side here, all the airports in New York area were closed on Sunday, (Irene again, the storm that keeps on giving) and we would have been stuck anyway. Our house faired very well and served as a storm shelter for some evacuated relatives.
Any questions or comments feel free. All in all we made the best of the situation, but as I said missing CC and DD missing the Aquaduck is a big let down. Even our waiter said he hates when they miss CC because it changes the mood of the whole cruise. Would I book another DCL cruise. Im not sure. There was a lot to enjoy, but is it the best use of our vacation dollars? We love Disney, but maybe next time we want a break from the parks we might try Disneys Vero beach or Hilton Head resort to get our Disney fix.
We are Disney veterans and have cruised a few times before but this was our first cruise as a family and our first Disney cruise. I called my TA earlier in the week with my concerns about hurricane Irene. She had no info but promised to contact me as soon as she heard anything. She forwarded me an e-mail from Disney on 8/23 that they expected the ship to return on time and our cruise to depart on time and they would keep us updated. I didn't hear anything else till onboard, that we would be going south along Florida coast to avoid Irene and would not be arriving in Nassau till noon.
We got to the terminal at about 11:00am our check in time was 11:00-11:30. It was crazy crowded. If I took another cruise I'd probably get there later after most people were already on the ship. Was told port arrival times are just suggested times. Took about 1-1 ½ hours to get on board from the time we arrived. They were saying the cruise may leave early to get ahead of the hurricane so maybe thats why people came early. There were a lot of rumors and conflicting information even among cast members. Keeping people (cast and passengers) informed is one area DCL needs to do a better job with. The first night was a little rough and some people did get sick. Thank God no problems for us. I was kind of cool watching the water rock back and forth in the pool. At no time did we feel as if it was dangerous, something I have seen on other posts.
Ill touch on a few highs and lows of the trip and try and keep it brief. Not going to CC obviously bummed us out, and puts a damper on the whole experience. That couldnt be helped and Ill try and be objective.
Lows:
As I said the lack of solid information was a problem, enough on that. DD has special needs, Down Syndrome and autism and needs a transport stroller to go long distances, and has a hard time standing in lines. Being a ship I figured handicap accessibility was going to be a problem. A lot of stairs, thin hall ways, long elevator lines. A few suggestions here, for deck shows or atrium shows in our case due to rain, a wheelchair viewing area like they do for parades at the park would be great. For the fireworks my wife and son took the stairs to reserve a spot by the rail on deck 12, and I couldnt get to them because of the crowds and part of the deck being closes for safety during the fireworks. I did make it on time but it was tough. I had called ahead of time about handicapped accessibility on the Aquaduck and no one at DCL really knew so I was told to ask on the ship. DD could make it up the stairs but it would take a while and she could no way stand on that line. No plan for this except try and go early or late when the line isnt too long. My thought here maybe a wrist band if its a 30 min wait come back in 30 mins so we are not cutting the line and let us take her up. People could move over just as they do for someone catching up to their group. She loves water slides this was really a huge disappointment for us. We each went down once with my son and twice didnt make it to the top because it closed (lightning). Mother Nature was not on our side here. I also thought when everyone was off at Nassau or CC we could do it but Mother Nature messing with us again. I think because of the shortened port times and a lot of things being canceled most people seemed to stay on the ship. A few points on the ship itself, If you are going to put a pool on the ship, put a pool, not a large bathtub. Also what is the point of it being so deep? My DW wanted hold DD in the pool but couldnt she would have drowned. The things maybe 20 feet across, 4 feet deep would be plenty. We spent most of our deck time on 12 because it was less crowed and if you want to go to the front elevators you have to go past the adult pool area. I kept feeling like we were intruding but there is no other way. They did have live music there though, maybe have this in the main pool area sometimes. One last point, enough with the plexiglass.
Ok enough complaining
The Highs: The ship is beautiful, clean and I swear still has new ship smell. Food was plentiful and much better than I expected. Service form the room steward to wait staff was exceptional. Guest services, which had a lot to deal with on this cruise rescheduling flights home ECT. due to storm, tried really hard to help us. They called Aquaduck people to try and work out something for DD. Helped us find something to do in Nassau on 2nd day. We went to the nearby public beach a little messy, maybe from the storm, but it was close by and at least they got swim in clear blue water, and we had to be back on board by 2:30 and it was close. DD needed to get off the ship, and get a break from the crowds. Saw all 3 shows and there were all top notch. Both kids loved them. Even with the stage rocking so much the 1st night. The cabin was pretty good size. Never had a veranda before, but I think traveling with kids this was great. Having a quiet glass of wine out there after they fell asleep was a true highlight for us. We were in cabin 6082 which right next to the larger staterooms and left room to leave DDs stroller outside without it being in the way. Folding up and putting under the bed was a little more challenging than I thought, so I only did it at night or if we had her walk somewhere. DS went to the kids club a few times, but DD has more issues than they could probably handle (she would need one on one attention) so the veranda at night was our relax time. Wait staff at dinner was excellent, DD has taken to spilling drinks lately and they were on top of things. No water glasses on the table, lids on the kids cups. Have to single out our asst. server, Solenne, who was great with kids. Even though it was only 3 days she seemed to really get DD.
As I said went back to CBR for 2 days, really because flying home on Tuesday was way cheaper then Sunday. Luck was on our side here, all the airports in New York area were closed on Sunday, (Irene again, the storm that keeps on giving) and we would have been stuck anyway. Our house faired very well and served as a storm shelter for some evacuated relatives.
Any questions or comments feel free. All in all we made the best of the situation, but as I said missing CC and DD missing the Aquaduck is a big let down. Even our waiter said he hates when they miss CC because it changes the mood of the whole cruise. Would I book another DCL cruise. Im not sure. There was a lot to enjoy, but is it the best use of our vacation dollars? We love Disney, but maybe next time we want a break from the parks we might try Disneys Vero beach or Hilton Head resort to get our Disney fix.
