Trouble deciding (DCL vs WDW, Oct 2021)

[Gatrcruzer]

Prior to Covid I was an avid cruiser and had been enjoying cruising for nearly 40 years. Personally, I would not plan a cruise at this point, particularly with kids involved. There are so many things they are still working out, and there is also a possibility that your cruise could be canceled or depart from another port. Given the uncertainty of cruising in general (and of course, the kids club is a whole other story), I would play it safe and do WDW this year if that is your other option. WDW will be crowded, so you will definitely want to work on reservations right away.

 

[Pluto1976]

Mark me down for WDW over DCL at the moment. The DCL price tag combined with the unknown of what the cruise experience will be like is enough for me to choose a more known experience. Perhaps you could go ahead and at least secure your WDW room and have the option of cancelling either in the future.

 

[tvguy]

Vote for the cruise here. Only been to WDW once, and that was 4 years ago. Not sure we'll be back. The cruise is a better vacation for us. And we were disappointed in WDW in how short the operating hours were, and how much time we spent getting transported to where we wanted to go even though we stayed at the Grand Floridian. We prefer Disneyland, where staying at the Grand Californian you can literally get from your room to into the park in less than 2 minutes.

 

[MomOTwins]

Rooms at WDW in Oct are extremely scarce and expensive for the 50th anniversary. Crowds will be through the roof. Keep your cruise.

 

[AZMermaid]

We switched our post Christmas cruise to WDW. I got tired of being in limbo and was worried about a diminished experience, especially at Winter Break costs!

 

[dclDream2018]

Well, we are sticking with the cruise based on the protocol and fact there will be testing. Hopefully what we're hearing and seeing in FL will not pass along to the ships!

 

[seasalt81]

Well, we are sticking with the cruise based on the protocol and fact there will be testing. Hopefully what we hearing and seeing in FL will not pass along to the ships!

We switched from a WDW trip to a 4 day cruise because of the testing and masking protocols. Hoping they will move to testing all passengers though.

I’m still not sure if we’ll actually go… I’m eager to see how the first several cruises go and how things progress in FL. But right now, it still feels like a better choice to me than WDW (in terms of our priority, which is safety not necessarily a “normal” or pre-pandemic type experience).

 

[SnappySerape]

I'll throw in my two cents. I was on the Adventure of the Seas back in June and I had a great time. Granted, it was a "vaccinations required for all over 16" cruise but a lot of the protocols were still in place for the mixed cruises. Closed off seats in the theaters, all crew wearing masks, spacing out during trivia, bingo, game shoes, spaced out during dinner, reduced capacity in the pool, no deck parties, when going to a "dance club" event, dancers could only dance in "spotlight" areas on the floor for distancing. Overall, the cruise felt more normal than abnormal (I don't have any kids). But the things I love most about cruising are the simple things like reading on the pool deck, trivia, the food, just me and the ocean on the balcony, and talking to crew and new folks. I got to do all of those things and have a great time.

I think it boils down to what you enjoy about cruising and what you feel you might miss out on with current restrictions. Characters are nice but not a deal breaker for me. I've got a trip on the Dream scheduled in August and October. I know things will be different but I don't think it'll hit me in the way that'll be detrimental to my experience. Personally, I would rather have time on the ship instead of dealing with the crowds, traffic, heat and lines of WDW. Whichever you decide, I DO hope that it will be filled with fun and relaxation after the year we've been through!

 

[nlenguyen]

I'll throw in my two cents. I was on the Adventure of the Seas back in June and I had a great time. Granted, it was a "vaccinations required for all over 16" cruise but a lot of the protocols were still in place for the mixed cruises. Closed off seats in the theaters, all crew wearing masks, spacing out during trivia, bingo, game shoes, spaced out during dinner, reduced capacity in the pool, no deck parties, when going to a "dance club" event, dancers could only dance in "spotlight" areas on the floor for distancing. Overall, the cruise felt more normal than abnormal (I don't have any kids). But the things I love most about cruising are the simple things like reading on the pool deck, trivia, the food, just me and the ocean on the balcony, and talking to crew and new folks. I got to do all of those things and have a great time.

I think it boils down to what you enjoy about cruising and what you feel you might miss out on with current restrictions. Characters are nice but not a deal breaker for me. I've got a trip on the Dream scheduled in August and October. I know things will be different but I don't think it'll hit me in the way that'll be detrimental to my experience. Personally, I would rather have time on the ship instead of dealing with the crowds, traffic, heat and lines of WDW. Whichever you decide, I DO hope that it will be filled with fun and relaxation after the year we've been through!

Would you also say it has to factor in destination? I am rethinking doing our January WDW trip for a May Cruise to the Bahamas, but right now they have heavy restrictions.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am locked in for an early October Bahamas cruise with a great aft cabin. That said, I am having second thoughts about it considering the current unknowns about the kids' club and nursery (LOs 7 & 2). Is anyone in a similar boat (ha ha!) about upcoming cruising, and thinking about switching to a land trip instead?

I don't know that land trips are any less risky. With that said, we did take a 2 month RV trip this summer. But I look at it as being as risky as being at home. We stayed in our campsite and didn't go "out", aside from grocery shopping and a little sightseeing (usually with very minimal crowds). Much like being at home.

 

[SnappySerape]

Would you also say it has to factor in destination? I am rethinking doing our January WDW trip for a May Cruise to the Bahamas, but right now they have heavy restrictions.

I think destination does play an important part for many people. I was born and raised in Florida so beaches don't quite appeal to me as much at the destinations. I will say that there have been some excursions that I've really enjoyed like the Cave tour in Cozumel or the snorkeling in St Thomas. I've also enjoyed some jetski excursions. I've been overall kinda disappointed with Nassau. I haven't been to Atlantis (I've just been staying on the ship for these days) but I've heard overall great things about Nassau. Castaway is the bread and butter of those three day cruises in my opinion. The beaches are beautiful, the food is pretty good (definitely recommend eating at the adults only eating area because they'll have steak!), and activities are really good.

 

[deannaf87]

I'm in the same boat. We have a 6 night cruise on the Wonder booked for January 2022 and also 6 nights at Yacht Club booked July 2022. 95% sure we will be going with WDW, as our 13 year old isn't vaccinated. I'm assuming the current Bahamian requirements will be extended. Making the choice easy for us, I guess. Kind of a bummer though since we were looking forward to our first cruise.

 

[anjuan]

We hadn't been to WDW in about 6 years since we have been cruising instead during that time. When our July cruise was cancelled I booked a WDW August trip instead. While we had fun and made a lot of good memories, it really is a totally different experience and a lot less relaxing. We happened to be there the same week of the first Dream cruise and both my DD and I voiced that we missed cruising. Thankfully we have one booked for October.

But like others have said before, I think it really comes down to what kind of vacation you want.

 

[auntlynne]

Well, we are sticking with the cruise based on the protocol and fact there will be testing. Hopefully what we're hearing and seeing in FL will not pass along to the ships!

I‘m on the Dream Sep 20. Great reports so far - only 1300 pax onboard, no shared tables at dining, limited people in pool (that would be great all the time - and so far, not heavy use.) The big slide is available. Double dips for 4 night cruises. They are doing 2 stage shows - each 2 nights, with three show times. There will be some type of Halloween show, as they were reported to be practicing In the WD Theater. There will be Halloween costume night. Pirates fireworks. Plenty of characters around - just no hugging. But closer than in parks.

Hope you have a great cruise.

 

[mmouse37]

Yes; we ended up switching from DCL in early November to a land trip at Aulani. Then pushed our cruise out to March 2022 when things will (hopefully) be a little more certain.

Please do a trip report about Aulani....we have never been but will spending 4 days there before our May 2022 DCL Hawaii cruise!! Thx.

 

[mmouse37]

I am looking to book a DCL for this October. I cant wait until next year and even if I have to wear a mask indoors I don't plan on being indoors much (if I can help it). Pricing is decent and less people would be fine though I do like the hustle and bustle vibe of people in general onboard. It would be just an adults trip so no worries about kids club but I would add that I think a cruise is still easier to wrangle kids than WDW with a 2 year old. October can still be hot in Florida and with the 50th anniversary probably more crowded. I, personally, would rather deal with kids on the ship than at WDW in the heat without the hassle of making dining reservations, park reservations, travel from resort to park, etc.