Christine
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 31, 1999
- Messages
- 32,563
My parents and kids (ages 65, 60, 13, and 9) did this cruise. Unfortunately I didn't get to go, but I thought I'd pass on to you some of things they've said to me over the last 48 hours since their return.
The first thing my DS 9 said to me when he got into the car after the airport pickup was "I really loved that breakfast buffet at Topsiders." They went there just about every morning and he made a pig of himself. LOVED it.
The family took Tiffany Town Car to and from the ship and they were very happy they did. The driver was there when he said he would be and they got to the ship very early and back to the airport with no waiting. Plus, for a family of 4 it was a little bit cheaper than doing the DCL busses. My parents were very happy not to have to wait for those. Also, my mom said that if you want to book an early flight out for the return trip home, there would be NO problem doing that if you book a car service. Just about everyone was off the boat by 9:00 a.m. They were off by 7:45 a.m. as the had the early breakfast seating. The driver was waiting for them. She was afraid to book an 11:00 a.m. flight back to DC and ended up getting a 2:30 flight back. They spent a LOT of time waiting in the Orlando airport.
Overall opinon of the cruise: They really, really, really enjoyed it. But the consensus was that they *did* prefer a WDW vacation over the cruise. The kids had a great time and are continually talking about it, but still preferred the World!
They had early dining and were very thankful for it. They had booked the cruise late and were given the later seating. Once we sent in my DS's medical report for food allergies, though, they were immediately moved to early seating. They also had a table to themselves and were never group with anyone else. My mom said she saw a lot of tables for 4. Their servers were fabulous. One of them was named Prudence and I cannot remember the other. All "peanut" meals were clearly marked and easily avoided. Their review of the food was that it was "good". Everything was always hot and fresh. My mom's complaint was that there didn't seem to be a lot of fresh veggies served. You could definitely get salads at the buffets, but at the dinners there was a lot of veggies. On the last night my son was served some broccoli and carrots and she said that was about the only vegetable she saw (mom likes her veggies).
The pools were VERY crowded on at-sea days--to the point that they felt that couldn't get in them. They decided that on the St. Thomas day they would stay on board the ship and use the pool. That turned out to be a very good idea and they really enjoyed themselves. Loved being on the ship while everyone was out. Later in the day they went to St. Thomas for some shopping.
On the same day as St. Thomas, DS started complaining of a headache. By the evening he had obviously come down with the "cruise ship stomach bug"
Not pretty apparently. He seemed to be over it within 48 hours. My mom had heard "whisperings" on the cruise about others having this affliction here and there so I guess a bit of that is still going on. My mom was surprised because the crew seemed to be fanatical about cleaning (as well as my mom who kept having the kids wash their hands). But, he could have picked it up anywhere. As far as illnesses go, it sounds as if DCL handles them well. A woman my mom met came down with bronchitis on Monday. She went to the medical center and received antibiotics. Unfortunately, she didn't feel great for most of the cruise. That is such a bummer. Another man on board broke his ankle playing basketball on deck. Apparently he plays all the time but found it more difficult on a moving ship. He jumped to shoot the ball and expected the deck to be there when he was descending, but it wasn't and he landed wrong. DCL med center was able to determine that it was a serious break which would require surgery within 7 days. They were able to get the records to his doctor at home and he was able to have something set up at home. In the meantime, the soft-casted him and probably gave him a lot of painkillers!
They did the jet-ski excursion on Castaway Cay and loved it. It was pricey but worth it. They loved the tour aspect of it. They also took a tip from another poster here and did not rent any rafts or floats. They did their stuff in the morning and when they came back to swim there were plenty of discarded rafts for their use.
They were very happy with their Cat 9, Deck 1 stateroom. My mom said the shower was great (must have had very good water pressure). Didn't mind the two portholes at all and didn't feel that it was any *less* of a room.
The kids did not use the kid's club but one time. They were not thrilled with them. My kids have spent their days at day care centers so maybe they are just jaded. My DD met a new friend during the cruise. They met during Mr. Toad's race. DD came in second and her new friend came in first place. From there they hung out. They went to The Stack one night for an hour and left because they felt it was boring (their words). The kids loved all the family games, trivia games, game show stuff. Also loved the shows and comedians. I am still hearing all the jokes that were told.
I had read a lot about the problem with teens hanging out and unsupervised children. My mom did not see any of the teen problem at all but she said she was in bed most nights by 11:00 p.m. There were a few incidences of what appeared to be very young children without an adult. On several days there was a 5 year old girl "manning" the elevator for hours. There was also a young boy (about 6 years old) always at the pool or roaming around the deck with no adult in sight. At times he would have a Mickey Bar in each hand.
Overall they enjoyed the cruise but spent a lot of money. There were not complaints and the service was exceptional.
Edited to add: My parents brought back some really nice photos from Shutters; however, they said that there were many more pictures that were taken on other nights that they could not locate. They had the folks at Shutters look all over and they were just not there. Kind of disappointing.
Also, on formal night my parents and kids were all dressed up. Yet in came a woman with short-short denim shorts and sandals. What's up with that? I understand that some people may not be *formal* but short denim booty shorts? I'm kind of surprised they let her dine. Not really fair to those who lugged their suits and and dresses along.
Thanks for all your help on these boards!
The first thing my DS 9 said to me when he got into the car after the airport pickup was "I really loved that breakfast buffet at Topsiders." They went there just about every morning and he made a pig of himself. LOVED it.
The family took Tiffany Town Car to and from the ship and they were very happy they did. The driver was there when he said he would be and they got to the ship very early and back to the airport with no waiting. Plus, for a family of 4 it was a little bit cheaper than doing the DCL busses. My parents were very happy not to have to wait for those. Also, my mom said that if you want to book an early flight out for the return trip home, there would be NO problem doing that if you book a car service. Just about everyone was off the boat by 9:00 a.m. They were off by 7:45 a.m. as the had the early breakfast seating. The driver was waiting for them. She was afraid to book an 11:00 a.m. flight back to DC and ended up getting a 2:30 flight back. They spent a LOT of time waiting in the Orlando airport.
Overall opinon of the cruise: They really, really, really enjoyed it. But the consensus was that they *did* prefer a WDW vacation over the cruise. The kids had a great time and are continually talking about it, but still preferred the World!
They had early dining and were very thankful for it. They had booked the cruise late and were given the later seating. Once we sent in my DS's medical report for food allergies, though, they were immediately moved to early seating. They also had a table to themselves and were never group with anyone else. My mom said she saw a lot of tables for 4. Their servers were fabulous. One of them was named Prudence and I cannot remember the other. All "peanut" meals were clearly marked and easily avoided. Their review of the food was that it was "good". Everything was always hot and fresh. My mom's complaint was that there didn't seem to be a lot of fresh veggies served. You could definitely get salads at the buffets, but at the dinners there was a lot of veggies. On the last night my son was served some broccoli and carrots and she said that was about the only vegetable she saw (mom likes her veggies).
The pools were VERY crowded on at-sea days--to the point that they felt that couldn't get in them. They decided that on the St. Thomas day they would stay on board the ship and use the pool. That turned out to be a very good idea and they really enjoyed themselves. Loved being on the ship while everyone was out. Later in the day they went to St. Thomas for some shopping.
On the same day as St. Thomas, DS started complaining of a headache. By the evening he had obviously come down with the "cruise ship stomach bug"
Not pretty apparently. He seemed to be over it within 48 hours. My mom had heard "whisperings" on the cruise about others having this affliction here and there so I guess a bit of that is still going on. My mom was surprised because the crew seemed to be fanatical about cleaning (as well as my mom who kept having the kids wash their hands). But, he could have picked it up anywhere. As far as illnesses go, it sounds as if DCL handles them well. A woman my mom met came down with bronchitis on Monday. She went to the medical center and received antibiotics. Unfortunately, she didn't feel great for most of the cruise. That is such a bummer. Another man on board broke his ankle playing basketball on deck. Apparently he plays all the time but found it more difficult on a moving ship. He jumped to shoot the ball and expected the deck to be there when he was descending, but it wasn't and he landed wrong. DCL med center was able to determine that it was a serious break which would require surgery within 7 days. They were able to get the records to his doctor at home and he was able to have something set up at home. In the meantime, the soft-casted him and probably gave him a lot of painkillers!They did the jet-ski excursion on Castaway Cay and loved it. It was pricey but worth it. They loved the tour aspect of it. They also took a tip from another poster here and did not rent any rafts or floats. They did their stuff in the morning and when they came back to swim there were plenty of discarded rafts for their use.
They were very happy with their Cat 9, Deck 1 stateroom. My mom said the shower was great (must have had very good water pressure). Didn't mind the two portholes at all and didn't feel that it was any *less* of a room.
The kids did not use the kid's club but one time. They were not thrilled with them. My kids have spent their days at day care centers so maybe they are just jaded. My DD met a new friend during the cruise. They met during Mr. Toad's race. DD came in second and her new friend came in first place. From there they hung out. They went to The Stack one night for an hour and left because they felt it was boring (their words). The kids loved all the family games, trivia games, game show stuff. Also loved the shows and comedians. I am still hearing all the jokes that were told.
I had read a lot about the problem with teens hanging out and unsupervised children. My mom did not see any of the teen problem at all but she said she was in bed most nights by 11:00 p.m. There were a few incidences of what appeared to be very young children without an adult. On several days there was a 5 year old girl "manning" the elevator for hours. There was also a young boy (about 6 years old) always at the pool or roaming around the deck with no adult in sight. At times he would have a Mickey Bar in each hand.
Overall they enjoyed the cruise but spent a lot of money. There were not complaints and the service was exceptional.
Edited to add: My parents brought back some really nice photos from Shutters; however, they said that there were many more pictures that were taken on other nights that they could not locate. They had the folks at Shutters look all over and they were just not there. Kind of disappointing.
Also, on formal night my parents and kids were all dressed up. Yet in came a woman with short-short denim shorts and sandals. What's up with that? I understand that some people may not be *formal* but short denim booty shorts? I'm kind of surprised they let her dine. Not really fair to those who lugged their suits and and dresses along.
Thanks for all your help on these boards!
