What I've learned looking at Disers cruise pics

[Aisling]

I've never cruised before, and am so looking forward to my Christmas cruise. I love looking at Disers cruise photos, and this is what I've learned:

The ship suddenly becomes visable way in the distance during the drive to the port...very exciting!

The boarding line(s) in the terminal gets very long and crowded. I don't know what I expected, but when I saw photos of the huge crowd waiting to board, it reminded me of waiting for Space Mountain without a FastPass. I guess I assumed that people would be coming in all day, and that there wouldn't be so many (looked like all!) would be there so early.

All ages, shapes, and sizes are well represented. As for race, DCL seems to attract mostly Caucasians, because I saw no African-Americans or Asians in the panoramic terminal and atrium shots. (I'm not saying there were only caucasians on the cruise.)

CMs from the terminal wave Bon Voyage wearing big Mickey gloves. Cute!

The Goofy pool is small! Duh, what should I expect on a ship! But it still looked appealing, and I can't wait to get in it.

Deck 10 is less crowded and offers a good vantage point for the sail-a-way party.

Having formal night in Parrot Cay doesn't look as great as having it in Lumieres. Seeing photos of both, I really hope I get PLA. A long formal gown and tux just look better in Luimieres.

The open sea and sky are so beautiful, day and night.

The railings are higher than I thought, which I like since I have kids.

The food looks scrumptious and plentiful.

The town of Marigot looks more interesting than Philippsburg, maybe because the signs are in French! I saw a Burger King in one of the photos, and I want to go in and see if the food is the same as home.

The vendors sell crafts like wall-hangings, momento boxes, letter openers, nut carvings. Also hats, shirts, beach wraps, bags.

There are storefront-looking casinos. I can't wait to see what they look like inside.

Trunk Bay looks like it's right out of a caribbean paradise movie. I hope it's really like that in person.

The banana boat ride on Castaway Cay looks like it goes out pretty far!

The beach water at Castaway Cay looks so clear and beautiful.

The lifeboats on the ship are huge!!

Captain Tom is very good-looking.

 

[jennat]

Cute post....and seeing is not nearly as good as being! You'll have a great time!
PS. As many people as you see getting on early....it's like that all day!

 

[mmouse37]

If you get to the port when it opens there are no lines as you can see in my pics below....that is my hubby and DD on the boarding line while I was taking some pics....by 11:00 or so many people were on line but once boarding takes place at 12:00 ish, there is no line in the terminal after that. So, you can either get there first thing and be close to the front of the line or you can arrive after 12:00 and have no line to board!!!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/249426676/249461837CevzZw

http://community.webshots.com/photo/249426676/249461890OWSGUC


MJ

 

[jennat]

oooppps! My bad! I always attract/find a line, it seems! Murphy's Law!

 

[chrisn]

It REALLY DOES look like that! The overlook will take your breath away!

 

[princesspumpkin]

Just one comment - African-Americans also cruise DCL. On my cruise, there were quite a few of us. Just in case this made a difference in your plans.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

princesspumpkin-I think that the OP thought it odd that she only saw Caucasians in the pictures--I don't think it will change her plans in any way if others are present.

DeeCeeSW (the caucasian woman who married the chinese man and gets the funniest looks, but just can't figure out why, LOL)

 

[Aisling]

African-Americans also cruise DCL. On my cruise, there were quite a few of us. Just in case this made a difference in your plans.

LOL I know African-Americans also cruise DCL. And so do Asians. In fact, my hubby is Filipino, so I know there'll be at least one Asian on our cruise!

princesspumpkin, I was only commenting on what I noticed in the pics. Living in NYC, I'm used to a variety of color, and not seeing it in the pics stood out for me. Having never cruised, I just thought it odd, and nothing to do with travel plans.

 

[ladytampa]

DCL seems to attract mostly Caucasians

Just one comment - African-Americans also cruise DCL. On my cruise, there were quite a few of us. Just in case this made a difference in your plans.

PrincessPumpkin - I found this statement odd myself and wondered was there a purpose to this statement or just a casual observation. From reading the OP's last post, I now know the reason. I am also African-American and will be sailing in June with my family of four - me, DH, DD, and DS. From what I see at Disney World (I also live in Florida and go frequently), I'd be extremely surprised if Disney ever sails African American or Asian free. We just don't post pictures on this board frequently. I guess I'm going to have to get a digital camera/scanner/or something and rectify the situation.

 

[castlegazer]

DeeCeeSW (the caucasian woman who married the chinese man and gets the funniest looks, but just can't figure out why, LOL)

Because you have the most beautiful children and are a lovely couple!

 

[bratray]

PrincessPumpkin - I found this statement odd myself and wondered was there a purpose to this statement or just a casual observation. From reading the OP's last post, I now know the reason. I am also African-American and will be sailing in June with my family of four - me, DH, DD, and DS. From what I see at Disney World (I also live in Florida and go frequently), I'd be extremely surprised if Disney ever sails African American or Asian free. We just don't post pictures on this board frequently. I guess I'm going to have to get a digital camera/scanner/or something and rectify the situation.

yes, i found it a little odd too, but the OP didn't mean any harm by her post.. i believe it was just an observation...our family will be boarding 5/2005 so that will be one more African American family boarding the magic...and we can't wait

 

[Aisling]

yes, i found it a little odd too, but the OP didn't mean any harm by her post.. i believe it was just an observation...our family will be boarding 5/2005 so that will be one more African American family boarding the magic...and we can't wait

Wow, I guess I should have kept that particular observation to myself.

I live, work, and play with such different kinds of people, so that's what's usual for me, that's my life and experience.
My brother-in-law is African-American, my husband is Asian, I'm as white as you can get, and when I viewed the terminal panoramas and really didn't see the variety, it struck me odd. No big deal, just an observation.

Please trust that every comment about race doesn't have an ulterior motive.

 

[Aisling]

One more thing I noticed
is that the life jackets look very uncomfortable and confining, like you can't turn your head. I hope the drill doesn't last long, I think I'd get claustrophobia with that thing on for too long.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Thanks Castlegazer, what a nice thing to say! BTW, the cutie pie below gets his looks from his dad (I'm talking about the one on the left, the other one isn't mine, LOL).

 

[smchan]

One more thing I noticed
is that the life jackets look very uncomfortable and confining, like you can't turn your head.

That - and worse. They chafe your neck and head as well. I think it must be an inside joke in the cruise industry; the fact that we pay several thousand dollars to be hearded like cattle while wearing bright orange yokes! I hate those things.

From the time you first put on the life jackets, go to your muster station, check in, receive instructions, and go back, I'd say the drill is roughly 20-30m.

Sam

 

[crisi]

When you have your formal in Lumiere's, you do get nice photos. But I suspect that when formal night falls in Parrot Cay you have just as nice a time (unless you let your disappointment get to you), you just have odder looking photos. So take lots of photo night photos out on the railings, in those lovely hallways, down by the Disney Theatre.....

(And I notice it too. I'm as white as they come, but with a Korean son, everywhere we go we notice the "diversity proportion." Lots of factors at play here, including white American's still having a significantly higher median household income than minority households, particularly African American households - cruising ain't cheap.)

 

[chrisn]

I agree, they are horrid! They crink your neck. You feel totally confined, and are totally imobile. It's kinda like being in a neck brace. Then they tell you to please not remove your jackets until you get back to your cabin! Let me just say I fly back to that room to get the nasty thing off LOL!!!

 

[moonmomma]

Aisling: I really enjoyed reading your post. I loved how you were able to put your observations down into words.....it was fun....i hope the waiting passes quickly for you!...

 

[epjenk]

One hint on the lifeboat drill. If you have a baby or toddler- hold him/her. They will then let you just hold the lifejackets instead of putting them on. Much more comfortable! Last year my 2 year old slept through the whole thing.

 

[princesspumpkin]

Aisling, I made my comment to be taken either way. I know that before i cruised, I was curious as to whether I would be the "only" AA family, something that I don't particularly care to be on vacation. You may have wanted to know the same thing. Or, it could have been the other way around. If it were that case, I felt obligated to tell you that yes, AA families cruise with DCL, just in case you weren't comfortable with it.