PodCast 4.0 Chit Chat

[Cherinva]

Good Morning Everyone !!! I couldn't make it to chat last night (bummer)...my DBF surprised me with buying himself a new car yesterday...he set out to buy a good used one, but got such a great deal on the new one, so that's what he went with...so we we involved with that and took a nice joy ride to check it out.

I just checked out PCC 4.0 on DCL today....wow, seems some of the prices have gone up....glad I booked when I did. My share is half way paid for.

Have a wonderful day.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

Quick intro from me (or us) for those that don't know me from chat.

I'm Paula, travelling with my partner Robert and my Mum Marian. We live in New Zealand and are all Disney fanatics.

We were originally going to be on PCC3.0 but then the Hawaii itineraries were announced so we pushed that back to this and booked Hawaii too. So next year is the year of the cruise.

Robert and I both work in IT and Mum is retired but works as a volunteer guide at our local zoo.

I have a few trips booked between now and PCC4.0 - firstly Mum and I are doing the ABD Backstage Magic with the Podcast team in July and we have a couple of weeks in CA prior where we will go to DL and then road trip to SF via Yosemite.

Then in November Mum and I are going to the north of India (no Disney parks there ) but its always somewhere I've wanted to go.

Then the Hawaii cruise next April and finally PCC4.0.

Who knows if I can pop another trip in there somewhere but its unlikely to be Disney as its a really long way to go

Anyway, looking forward to getting to know you all better - I welcome new friends on FB too - just search for me by name, I'm unique

Glad you'll be joining us on PCC4.0 You have some great trips planned - lucky you!

 

[Fastpaks]

Title says it all.

I decided I needed a picture of the week. I know its the classic BUT still

 

[Cherinva]

Oh, that looks nice !!!! Can't wait until we are all on the Fantasy.

 

[mytripsandraces]

I've been on two Disney cruises, but have never set foot in a pool. Is that odd?

 

[mdvlprof]

I've been on two Disney cruises, but have never set foot in a pool. Is that odd?

If it is, we're both oddballs. Oddball, in my case, might have nothing to do with pools....

 

[Cherinva]

I've been on two Disney cruises, but have never set foot in a pool. Is that odd?

No...I'm right there with ya....hopefully this next cruise won't be so cold...I would love to get in the pool.

 

[TifffanyD]

Hi everyone.

I haven't been checking in here much - been busy with life.

We are getting read to cruise on the Norwegian Epic in a few days, very excited about that. Will be interesting to see how it compares to DCL.

And as schimj says... we are KEEPING the nice weather

 

[OKW Lover]

I've been on two Disney cruises, but have never set foot in a pool. Is that odd?

Not really. We have been on many cruises, including 3 DCL ones, and have been in the pool on maybe half of them.

 

[mainegal]

I did not go in the pool on PVC 2.0, but I did sit in the hot tub once.
The pool looks odd. Three lap lanes and on either side it looks like it is only a few inches deep. What are you supposed to do in that very shallow area?

The adult pool on the Dream looks very odd. Less like a pool and more like a puddle to get your feet wet in. I read something on the cruise board - a rumor that maybe the Fantasy pool will be different.

 

[Fastpaks]

I actually did get in the pool but it was LATE at night. Mostly just to enjoy the warm against the cooler weather. The thing that was nice about the pool at night was if you stood in the middle, you could see a small wave roam across the pool from the right to the left where it pooled a little more where most folks would just rest their feet. I can't tell you how relaxing that was. When I go on the Dream later this year, I plan on posting a pic of the week since it would be more relevant to us.

Jonathan

Hi everyone.

I haven't been checking in here much - been busy with life.

We are getting read to cruise on the Norwegian Epic in a few days, very excited about that. Will be interesting to see how it compares to DCL.

And as schimj says... we are KEEPING the nice weather

I'm really curious about your experience. I know my family was thinking about trying them out. Their slides looked interesting. lol. I know that the service will likely be lacking but that is a moot point for some. Have a great trip!

 

[mytripsandraces]

It seems like being on a Disney cruise is like going to the parks. No matter how many times you go, there's something more to see and do on your next visit!

 

[TifffanyD]

I did not go in the pool on PVC 2.0, but I did sit in the hot tub once.
The pool looks odd. Three lap lanes and on either side it looks like it is only a few inches deep. What are you supposed to do in that very shallow area?

I like to sit in the shallow area with a book.

 

[TifffanyD]

I'm really curious about your experience. I know my family was thinking about trying them out. Their slides looked interesting. lol. I know that the service will likely be lacking but that is a moot point for some. Have a great trip!

Wondering why you think service will be lacking. Reviews I've read on cruise critic about the Epic have been great on service. Is it just cause you think Disney has way above average service? It is typically good but I have also had some of our worst service issues on DCL as well.

 

[NancyIL]

Wondering why you think service will be lacking. Reviews I've read on cruise critic about the Epic have been great on service. Is it just cause you think Disney has way above average service? It is typically good but I have also had some of our worst service issues on DCL as well.

I've sailed on 5 cruise lines, and the most mediocre dining room servers I had were on 2 of my 3 Disney cruises.

I've never used a cruise ship pool or hot tub. I'll occasionally break out the swimsuit for a beach day, but swimming isn't high on my list of things to do on vacation.

 

[mainegal]

I really enjoy reading comments from people about other cruises. I am glad that I am either not really picky or maybe I do not have extremely high standards. I think I would enjoy any service on any cruise.

My first cruise (and only cruise before PCC 2.0) was in around 15 years ago. It was on the Vasco de Gama / Seawind Crown. Yes, it had two names.
It was originally a Portuguese ocean liner that started sailing in 1961. Later turned into a "hotel" cruise ship.

My mother, uncle and I cruised together. They chose it because of the itinerary. We went to Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, and St. Lucia. My mother had been on several other cruises, she said it was a dump, way past its prime. I didn't know any better, I thought it was fabulous! I had seen picturs of the mega-ships that did not look like ships at all. I really liked the classic lines of Vasco de Gama / Seawind Crown and the teak everywhere. It is what I thought a ship would belike. It even had a chapel. Not a multi-pupose auditorium. A real chapel with stained glass windows and the captain did vow renewals.

Any way, I am really looking forward to the Fantasy. And any other cruise that might come my way.

 

[NancyIL]

I really enjoy reading comments from people about othe rcruises. I am gald that I am either not really picky or maybe I do not have extremely high standards. I think I would enjoy any service on any cruise.

I'm not that fussy about food or service on a cruise ship. However, many people proclaim how much better the service is on a Disney ship, and that just hasn't been my experience on 2 out of 3 cruises. We had excellent dining room servers on our first Wonder cruise in Jan. 2008, but a lot of times getting good servers is pure luck.

 

[Euphscott]

Just some observations based on the current conversations...

The DCL pools are heated. This is an undervalued fact - we recently sailed on the Wonder to Mexican Riviera. It was mid-March - and while our time in Mexico was nice and toasty, at sea was not necessarily warm. But my daughter insisted that swimming must be done - and she did not want to go alone! So, I did my parental duty and went with her. I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the water temperature was. Had it been a warm day, I suspect the water would have been too hot.

As for service - I've had great service on many vessels. These boards in particular tend to elevate Disney's service standards to godlike and untouchable standards. While many of the CM's are quite good - in my experience, other lines do just as good a job. Don't get me wrong - there IS a Disney difference - but they don't hold the patent on good service to the exclusion of other lines! I've enjoyed wonderful people on Royal Caribbean, Princess, and <shock!> Carnival

And since we are giving weather reports - sunny and 85 today in North Texas. Sadly the wind is returning, giving fuel to the raging wildfires. We could use some extra rain please - and limited wind!

 

[Cherinva]

Hey everyone. Since we are talking about service....on the Wonder I was very satisfied. Our room steward was outstanding...we couldn't have asked for more....the dining room servers did their job...and did it well....

As for our weather...it's chilly today....but it's suppose to be in the 80s all next week.

Here's wishing everyone a Happy Easter.

 

[NancyIL]

Just some observations based on the current conversations....

As for service - I've had great service on many vessels. These boards in particular tend to elevate Disney's service standards to godlike and untouchable standards. While many of the CM's are quite good - in my experience, other lines do just as good a job. Don't get me wrong - there IS a Disney difference - but they don't hold the patent on good service to the exclusion of other lines! I've enjoyed wonderful people on Royal Caribbean, Princess, and <shock!> Carnival

I couldn't agree more!