As many of you know, my DW and I decided to renew our vows on our July 6th western cruise. I had promised that I would give a report on the ceremony and the vow renewal package.
From a financial perspective, the vow renewal package is NOT worth it. However, the romantic side of me has to admit that renewing your wedding vows on the Disney Magic can't be beat.
I had been planning (along with my DD) the vow renewal for nearly a year. At one point I got cold feet and canceled the reservations. But three months ago, I surprised my DW with the engagement ring I couldn't afford 22 years ago. I asked her about renewing our vows on the cruise. She loved the idea and took over the planning.
There is a 10-page questionnaire that has to be filled out a month in advance of the sailing. What songs do you want played by the pianist (included in the package)? What color and type of flowers for the bride and groom (included) and the Best Man/Maid of Honor (not included)? What type of cake and flavor of icing do you want (included)?
What picture package do you want of the ceremony? One complimetary photo is included in the package, but it costs an additional $135 just to have the photographer show up and take pictures from one roll of film. In addition, you have to purchase any photos (beyond the one complimentary photo).
You see what I mean about the financial downside of the Disney vow renewal package.
Just so you know, we didn't hire the photographer. Our on-board wedding coordinator, Geri, took pictures with our camera. Then, after the ceremony, she led us around the ship for additional photos and got one of the ship photographers (who was set up for the formal dinner pictures) to take our picture. This became our complimentary photo.
Now I'm getting ahead of myself.
Shortly after we boarded the ship, we met with Geri (about 3 pm) to go over the information we sent in and to review the ceremony. My DW didn't want the traditional walk down the isle. We kept the ceremony very intimate and private with my DS as Best Man and my DD as the Maid of Honor. Geri was great and was always available to answer any questions or resolve any problems we had.
Dinner at Palo's is included in the package, usually the night of the ceremonies. We wanted to spend dinner on this special night with our kids (we're a close family), so we moved Palo's to Tuesday night. Disney took care of the reservations in advance of the cruise date.
One of the amenities included in the package that I don't understand is concierge service. Since we didn't meet with Geri until 3 pm on the first day of the cruise, all the excursions and the spa appointments had to be scheduled beforehand by us. We never really used the concierge service at all. I guess it's included to make it look like you're getting alot in the vow renewal package. Window dressing, that's all.
On Thursday (day at sea), my DW and DD had early afternoon appointments at the spa to have their hair done. After reading some of the negative comments about the hairdressers onboard, I was pleasantly surprised how beautiful my two women looked when they returned. Geri wanted to have my DW and DD dress in a separate area (can't see the bride ahead of time), but my DW didn't think that was necessary. So, Lisa, Geri's assistant, escorted our family down to Sessions (where the ceremony was held).
The Captain conducted the ceremony with real professionalism and warmth. The words he spoke (as part of the services) were very beautiful and uplifting, without being overly religious. Both my DW and I were emotional, fighting back the tears. I guess we were both caught offguard by the moment. With so much going on during the week, we hadn't though about the actual significance of the ceremony until it was happening. I'll never forget the Captain reading those words "Do you ..." and then the pianist playing "Kiss the Girl" from "The Little Mermaid."
After the ceremony, they poured champagne (sparkling cider for the kids). My DS managed to give a very appropriate toast (a chip off the old block). We cut the cake and everyone had a piece. We had them deliver the rest of the cake to our dining table that night. We ended up giving away 3/4 of the cake to the families sitting around our table. There's only so much cake you can eat.
Other amenities included in the package were a keepsake cake topper (Mickey and Minnie), which my DW did not want on the cake. It's sitting in our china closet right now.
Also, we received a DCL Vow Renewal Certificate signed by the Captain and a pair of his and her Disney watches. A romance basket filled with special treats was delivered to our stateroom on Thursday. However, the champagne and strawberries (included in the package) never made it to our stateroom. In all the excitement, we didn't realize that we never received them until we got home.
One interesting item we received in the package was a one day pass to the Rainforest. Nice touch! Unfortunately, we ran out of time and ended up spending all of 30 minutes in there.
Overall, it was a very romantic event for my DW and I, as well as our two great teenagers. I'm glad we did it.
Just wish the cost was more in line with the services and amenities we received. Oh, well - it's Disney. We all accept paying a little more for everything Disney (or we would be cruising with Carnival instead). Only Disney can provide that friendly and courteous service - compliments of some pixie dust - that makes a Disney cruise a step above.
If you have any questions, I'll be happy to respond!
From a financial perspective, the vow renewal package is NOT worth it. However, the romantic side of me has to admit that renewing your wedding vows on the Disney Magic can't be beat.
I had been planning (along with my DD) the vow renewal for nearly a year. At one point I got cold feet and canceled the reservations. But three months ago, I surprised my DW with the engagement ring I couldn't afford 22 years ago. I asked her about renewing our vows on the cruise. She loved the idea and took over the planning.
There is a 10-page questionnaire that has to be filled out a month in advance of the sailing. What songs do you want played by the pianist (included in the package)? What color and type of flowers for the bride and groom (included) and the Best Man/Maid of Honor (not included)? What type of cake and flavor of icing do you want (included)?
What picture package do you want of the ceremony? One complimetary photo is included in the package, but it costs an additional $135 just to have the photographer show up and take pictures from one roll of film. In addition, you have to purchase any photos (beyond the one complimentary photo).
You see what I mean about the financial downside of the Disney vow renewal package.
Just so you know, we didn't hire the photographer. Our on-board wedding coordinator, Geri, took pictures with our camera. Then, after the ceremony, she led us around the ship for additional photos and got one of the ship photographers (who was set up for the formal dinner pictures) to take our picture. This became our complimentary photo.
Now I'm getting ahead of myself.
Shortly after we boarded the ship, we met with Geri (about 3 pm) to go over the information we sent in and to review the ceremony. My DW didn't want the traditional walk down the isle. We kept the ceremony very intimate and private with my DS as Best Man and my DD as the Maid of Honor. Geri was great and was always available to answer any questions or resolve any problems we had.
Dinner at Palo's is included in the package, usually the night of the ceremonies. We wanted to spend dinner on this special night with our kids (we're a close family), so we moved Palo's to Tuesday night. Disney took care of the reservations in advance of the cruise date.
One of the amenities included in the package that I don't understand is concierge service. Since we didn't meet with Geri until 3 pm on the first day of the cruise, all the excursions and the spa appointments had to be scheduled beforehand by us. We never really used the concierge service at all. I guess it's included to make it look like you're getting alot in the vow renewal package. Window dressing, that's all.
On Thursday (day at sea), my DW and DD had early afternoon appointments at the spa to have their hair done. After reading some of the negative comments about the hairdressers onboard, I was pleasantly surprised how beautiful my two women looked when they returned. Geri wanted to have my DW and DD dress in a separate area (can't see the bride ahead of time), but my DW didn't think that was necessary. So, Lisa, Geri's assistant, escorted our family down to Sessions (where the ceremony was held).
The Captain conducted the ceremony with real professionalism and warmth. The words he spoke (as part of the services) were very beautiful and uplifting, without being overly religious. Both my DW and I were emotional, fighting back the tears. I guess we were both caught offguard by the moment. With so much going on during the week, we hadn't though about the actual significance of the ceremony until it was happening. I'll never forget the Captain reading those words "Do you ..." and then the pianist playing "Kiss the Girl" from "The Little Mermaid."
After the ceremony, they poured champagne (sparkling cider for the kids). My DS managed to give a very appropriate toast (a chip off the old block). We cut the cake and everyone had a piece. We had them deliver the rest of the cake to our dining table that night. We ended up giving away 3/4 of the cake to the families sitting around our table. There's only so much cake you can eat.
Other amenities included in the package were a keepsake cake topper (Mickey and Minnie), which my DW did not want on the cake. It's sitting in our china closet right now.
Also, we received a DCL Vow Renewal Certificate signed by the Captain and a pair of his and her Disney watches. A romance basket filled with special treats was delivered to our stateroom on Thursday. However, the champagne and strawberries (included in the package) never made it to our stateroom. In all the excitement, we didn't realize that we never received them until we got home.
One interesting item we received in the package was a one day pass to the Rainforest. Nice touch! Unfortunately, we ran out of time and ended up spending all of 30 minutes in there.
Overall, it was a very romantic event for my DW and I, as well as our two great teenagers. I'm glad we did it.
Just wish the cost was more in line with the services and amenities we received. Oh, well - it's Disney. We all accept paying a little more for everything Disney (or we would be cruising with Carnival instead). Only Disney can provide that friendly and courteous service - compliments of some pixie dust - that makes a Disney cruise a step above.
If you have any questions, I'll be happy to respond!
