Researching Weather, Cat, Personalities, Activities, Deck Chairs

[Bella2000]

I have been wanting to cruise for ages but just was not sure. I've been reading the boards and Passporter Field Guide to DCL and all of the websites. Thank you everyone in advance for answering my questions.

Here goes - I was initially looking at 4 day early October 2004 cruise as it's our anniversary. It would be DH, DD (would be 4 1/2 then) and potentially DMIL. I am now wondering about tropical storm/weather at that time. It being my first cruise I'm concerned about rolling ship/sickness/DH's vertigo. DH and DMIL have cruised many times before but it's been over 15 yrs. This week, when we spoke of a potential cruise, DH said that he did not think that I would like a cruise because most of the time is spent lounging in the sun/gambling and the cabins are really small. I explained DCL doesn't have gambling, the cabins are bigger and there are other activities. But honestly what do I know I've never seen them, I'm just reading this info?! DH loves lounging in the sun but I truly dislike it, and think it's boring. He's correct if this is a big part of it. Now give me a good book and let me sit in a quiet corner - time to myself - that I'd love. I also need suggestions on 3 adults and 1 child stateroom - perhaps we won't take DMIL this trip...

DD and I love WDW. DH enjoys the trips we "force" him on but I'm the Disney freak. I don't like waiting in lines so we tend to go off season but I don't know if it's the same crowd feeling like you can get at WDW on DCL? I have this fear of being cooped up in one space with globs of people, never mind my own family! Other questions - how social is everyone? I'll talk to a piece of wood, but DH is shy. Is it expected that you socialize with everyone else or can you at times "keep to yourselves". For frame of reference DMIL, DD and I think WCC at WL would be a hoot but I know DH would be appalled. So I guess I wonder if there is a balance of those personality types or more one way then the other. Perhaps I should leave him home or hey wait maybe he'd do better to leave me at home?

 

[mmouse37]

Hi... well let me see if can ease some concerns..yes, the fall is known for more tropical storms but, the cruiselines are very good and avoiding most storms. You may encounter rough seas, but it is high doubtful that it would last the whole cruise. The Captains really do try to find calm water and sunshine for the guests!!!

Laying in the sun can be an all day affair or not at all. There is an adult pool area where you must be 18 or older to hang out. there is also a family pool and kiddie pool. There is also wonderful deck 4 that is mostly in shade and has the most comfortable teak/cushion loungers. Many people just take a book and relax out their..it really is heavenly.

DCL's staterooms are 25% larger than most cruiselines. WE have had 5 people (3 of them large teens) in one of the Cat 4 family suites and had plenty of room. Now we tend to get 2 Cat 9 cabins as the teens like their own room and we don't mind the privacy either.

I have found in our 7 DCL cruises that people on board seem to be like minded and most share a common bond of liking or loving Disney. I am always striking up conversations with people and have always gotten positive feedback. I have never encountered unfriendly people (well, once we were seated with another family that had no interest in conversation..but they were strange to begin with!).

As far as crowds go...you will definately not feel the same crowd things as you do at WDW....we have always gone to WDW and now decided we like the cruise better. Even the kids prefer the cruise to WDW. The only times you really wait on a line is mid-afteroon when people sometimes line up to get food up on deck...it is never really a problem though.

I say "force" him into it. My husband tolerates my Disney addiction and has always had a great time onboard. He doesn't plan a thing...he just tells me to tell him where and when to be ready.

Feel free to ask any questions you have!!!

MJ

 

[kajohn]

I can ease your worries about cabin size. If you husband hasn't sailed for 15 years, I can tell you the cabin sizes are much bigger now!

I sailed an older carnival ship in 1990 and the inside cabin was a double bed, with about two feet of walking space around the bed on two sides (the other two sides were against walls. There was a night stand and a small dressing table. That's it! It couldn't have been more than 80 sq ft!

The smallest room on DCL is at least twice that size!

If you are expecting it to be like a regular hotel room in size, it's not, but it is much better laid out, with plenty of storage for all your clothes, and then you put your suitcases under the bed.

I read a post a while back where the person was very upset that he couldn't leave his suitcase open and "live out of it" for the week. He didn't want to unpack. As long as you aren't expecting that, you should have no worries about cabins.

 

[justmestace]

Sounds like you and DH are just like me and my DH. I could talk to a wall, and he tolerates my love of all things Disney. He is very quiet, but on our first Disney cruise, by the end of our first dinner, he and our tablemates were laughing and joking. We have since become very friendly with them and have even taken a trip to Disneyland with them. And to think he (and maybe me, a little) was worried about making conversation with strangers!
As for also having time without feeling pressured to talk, there was never a time when we felt as though we had to be involved with anyone or do anything. When we wanted quiet time, we went on our verandah, and also there are lots of areas around the ship where you don't have to be in the sun, but can sit quietly. Some decks have small tables and chairs just outside the elevators where my daughter and I loved sitting and watching the people go by.
If you do take DMIL you could look into the one bedroom suites...privacy for all. But on a short cruise, sharing a family stateroom would work very well.
My husband hade never cruised before, and his friends were mixed on it...some loved it, some not, but before we even got off the ship he was planning our next cruise!! He liked that it had just the right mix of enough Disney for me and the kids, but not too much to overwhelm him. We were planning a one week for next time, but as it turns out, we're doing a 4 day sooner than we expected...our oldest DD (21) is getting married on Castaway Cay in Sept. So excited that we can't wait...and we're very happy about the wedding, too, if you get my drift!

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

I'll talk to a piece of wood

LOL

In three cruises I've never once just sat by the pool. There is tons to do or nothing at all depending on your mood. It still amazes me that my son would choose the cruise over the theme park.

 

[mmouse37]

Congrats on your DD's upcoming wedding on CC!!! That sounds awesome!! Take lots of pics and post them here so we can all see the festivities!!!

MJ

 

[Bella2000]

Originally posted by mmouse37
Hi... well let me see if can ease some concerns..yes, the fall is known for more tropical storms but, the cruiselines are very good and avoiding most storms. You may encounter rough seas, but it is high doubtful that it would last the whole cruise. The Captains really do try to find calm water and sunshine for the guests!!!
.....Feel free to ask any questions you have!!!MJ

Thank you everyone for all of your feedback and the room clarification. I am now thinking Fall despite our Oct anniversary may not be such a good idea due to increased weather potential issues with tropical storms for first cruise. I just can't risk an "I told you so" look. so I'm now thinking May 2004, Dec 2004 or March 2005 ?? My question is what exactly constitutes Early Booking Savings? I've read about it and I've seen the credit on the Disney site when checking dates, but how is it calculated or is there a certain # of months prior to the trip where you get them.

 

[Bella2000]

Okay another one from my "years-ago" cruiser. I asked DH what he considered "issues" about his previous cruises. (Now remember it was 15 years ago and it was I guess the biggest cruise ship at the time - an Italian Cruise line they shipped out of NYC.) Anyway he said the ship activity sign up was a disappointment as you signed up for things the first day and in one example he was not able to get an appt until the 5th day and it had a huge line of which he got < 5 minutes. (this was skeet shooting and he got two shots). He has visions of all on board activities being long lines to sign up and no availability. Second thing was they had assigned deck chairs? I never even thought of such a thing but then I've never been on a cruise. He explained that because it was so large if seats were not assigned you would never find one. None of these things were things I would even think to ask but now that he's mentioned them - uh help?!

 

[WDWLVR]

Let me put your latest concerns to rest. My first cruise was over 20 years ago and things have changed greatly since then.

First off there are some things you need to sign up for: Spa, wine tasting, hair braiding (for you dd not dh ), Palo

The other activities are just show up and participate. These are mostly the talks, movies, shows, etc.

You get your Navigator the night before and can figure out what you want to do or not.

There are no reserved lounge chairs. Though some people report that there is still a slight problem with people showing up at 7am and "saving" a chair with a towel. If you don't see anyone near a chair for a while (e.g. they didn't just go into the pool for a dip) feel free to remove the towel.

There are the wonderful lounges down on deck 4 with the cushions. DH and I spent about 2 hours there on the last cruise just reading - wonderful!

There are also soft chairs at other places on board, in the atrium, outside the SPA on deck 9, above the atrium on deck 4. Also deck 9 is lined with tables and chairs in an enclosed area where you can read a book.

The highlight for our cruises is Castaway Cay. Even if you aren't a lay in the sun person head out for this early. Find a location with an umbrella. DH can lie in the sun and you can be under the umbrella. On my first DCL cruise DH was off snorkeling, my in-laws were off bike riding and I had a lounge under an umbrella all to myself for over an hour. I read my book in peace and when I would stop for a minute or two was treated to a beautiful view of sand, water, and sun - heaven!

 

[DMoss3377]

It seems that most people have answered the majority of your questions and concerns. So let me touch on the weather issue.

My DH and I sailed last October and did not experience any rough seas. While we were on Castaway Cay, there was a very quick rain shower - about 10 - 15 minutes - of which we chilled at the bar and had a Konk Kooler...mmm.yummy.

We also were married at WDW in October 2001.

We like the weather in October...it's not overly hot and humid, but it's warm enough fora nice lounge in the pool or on the beach...while having the comfortable breeze at night where a very light sweater may be appropriate.

But no matter what time of year you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

 

[jilljill]

Our first DCL cruise was in Oct. '99. I didn't even think of the storm possibility when I booked, but Hurricaine Floyd hit a month before we sailed. I was very worried, but we had a very good cruise. Then we went back in Feb. '00 and had a lot of wind and cold weather. We almost did not go to Castaway Cay because of the winds. March '01 was very nice and Sept. '02 was perfect sailing weather.
You never know what kind of weather you will encounter as any time of the year. You just have to plan to have a good time and not think about what might happen.
I'm not a sun worshipper but I do not have any problem finding thngs to do: Bingo, movies, talks, cooking demonstrations, walking ship tours and just plain people watching anywhere a chair is available. In fact, I usually don't have enough time to do everything I want to do.
Just go and have fun!