What was the most memorable experience you had on DCL?

[undertheradar]

For us it was our very first DCL cruise on the Magic. We were watching dolphins swim nearby as we sailed out of Port Canaveral.

 

[Tasmen]

For us, it was probably something we could have done at the parks but it was just so much "better" being on the cruise. We did a SWDAS cruise last year and I have to say my favorite memory is watching my child do Jedi Training Academy. It was the one thing she really wanted to do and it meant so much for her to get picked.

 

[lbus42]

Hands down the Princess Gathering. When I saw how the Princesses related to the children and how they made each one feel special, this made the cruise worth every penny. These were not just some college kids the cruise line hired, they were obviously trained actors. One girl WAS Belle, another WAS Tiana, this one WAS Cinderella. It was if the cartoon characters had actually come to life. After seeing this, I will only sail with Disney now.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What was the most memorable experience you had on DCL?

I actually have 2:

Our first cruise (15 night Panama Canal), once we reached the Pacific side, the weather started getting cooler the closer to Los Angeles we got. One day I was sitting on the pool deck, covering up as well as I could with multiple towels (it was cold). Our assistant server was doing clean up duties on the pool deck that day, and he saw me. He disappeared and appeared about 5 minutes later with a blanket (like the ones the put on the beds) for me.

The other one - the extreme weather on our recent eastbound TransAtlantic. The North Atlantic lived up to it reputation!

 

[MunFam]

Having a mimosa/brunch in Tritons and seeing the inside of the Panama Canal Locks out the window. It was incredible.

 

[tink1970]

The first time we walked on board our very first trip...the Chiluly chandelier, the applause, it was all....magic (or Wonder-ful since we were on that ship ). I've cruised many many more times but there's something about the reality of a dream coming true that makes a happy memory!

 

[wide awake]

Walking on deck 4 at sunrise during the first EB PC cruise. All the ships gathered and lighted up, ready to go through the canal. Best trip moment ever!
And yes, as another poster said, those experiences are worth every penny. I've never regretted one cent we've spent on DCL.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Our very first cruise on the Disney Cruise Line bus, coming up and over the bridge and seeing the Disney Wonder for the very first time. And then taking our very first step into the atrium and just amazed at the beauty. And to be honest, six (soon to be seven) DCL cruises; still love seeing the ship from the bus as we are making our way into the terminal.

 

[Laundress]

I asked my children and theirs was the Same as mine. We were blessed to be staying in the Roy suite on the Wonder. Playing hide and seek in the cabin with all the cousins. A fun time after a long day of turtle farm excursions.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Hands down the Princess Gathering. When I saw how the Princesses related to the children and how they made each one feel special, this made the cruise worth every penny. These were not just some college kids the cruise line hired, they were obviously trained actors. One girl WAS Belle, another WAS Tiana, this one WAS Cinderella. It was if the cartoon characters had actually come to life. After seeing this, I will only sail with Disney now.

Agreed! For us too, this gathering was memorable! DD5 was interested in looking at the princesses, but did not want to get in line (2011, Dream, no tickets-had to wait in line). We watched for a bit, then left. We came back through awhile later and now line is enormous (did I mention sold out cruise over Christmas Day? So, lots of kids onboard). Of course,now DD wants to get in line. Sigh, OK, I agree and we step into line. As it turns out, there were 2 CM's at the end of the line to keep people from joining line, but had been talking to someone when we joined (with us not knowing line was closed). They did not kick us out and they chatted with me and joked with DD for the next 45 min in line. We were the last to see each princess and the princesses were great. For example, DD had a 10 min conversation with Ariel about sleeping arrangements - bunks on the cruise ship vs Ariels tales of sleeping in clamshells in the ocean. Anyway, very memorable to both of us.

 

[jdb in AZ]

1. On the Magic on Christmas Eve we had "snow" falling in the atrium.
2. Cinderella's mice came up to us in the hallway on the Wonder to give us a photo op.
3. Seeing the Fantasy sail into the Port Canaveral Harbor, delayed several hours by Hurricane Sandy. We were so relieved to see she had weathered the storm.
4. Susan Eagan (original "Belle" on Broadway) gave a concert on the Wonder Panama Canal cruise.

 

[myrtleturtle]

This past May, celebrating my birthday on Castaway Cay, then coming back to a cabin decorated with birthday decorations. Such a shock, I know Disney does it, but my husband did that research all on his own! I started to cry, which startled my 3 year old son. I told him, "sometimes grown-ups cry because they are so happy."

Fast forward to right before dinner, we met Mickey in his pirate garb. My son started to cry right after and I asked him what was wrong. He said, "mommy, sometimes little boys cry because they are happy." Priceless.

 

[cheribelle]

Our first cruise on the Disney Dream, my daughter was 6 at the time. We never expected to fall in love with the cruise and staff as much as we did.

The last night as I picked up my daughter from the kids club, she was just crying and crying that the cruise was over.
One of the counselers hugged her and told her "It's not goodbye, it's see you real soon". Well that just set my tears off too but it soon became our motto whenever we leave the cruise. (Yes I know they have the banners saying that but it seemed more special to have someone tell her that).

 

[mevelandry]

I think my favorite memory is waking up early on Nassau day and seeing deep blue sea (so blue!!!) for the first time in my life. The salty smell. The wind in my face... It was perfection. And now I am addicted.

I mean... Look at this.

...

P.s. We always see the dolphins at the same spot when we get out of PC. There's nothing like seeing them in the wild.
View attachment 204856

 

[ludari]

My most memorable experience was sailing on the maiden voyage for the Disney Fantasy. Lot's of surprises, Disney VIPs, celebrities and various gifts for everyone.

 

[Mitura]

Well whenever somebody asks about Disney Cruises I have plenty of "memorable" experiences I talk about. Here are some.

Picture of me and Pluto on CC after I just ran the CC 5K. Best 5K photo ever!
My son coming back from the theater where he just saw Ant Man for the umpteenth time. He goes, "It was great! The whole theater to myself and then Goofy walks in. And then proceeds to tell me he never saw the movie." Where can that happen?
My sons face light up the first time he road the Aquaduck.
Thanksgiving on the Fantasy, and not having to deal with extended family or left overs!
Watching football on the pool deck, on Thanksgiving.
Me getting in line for pictures with the Princesses (before you needed tickets). The look on the Princesses faces, priceless.
Yoga on the deck and on CC. Certainly better than my gym. Uumh, ocean/beach view or smelly gym view for yoga, I'll take ocean/beach.
Taking BBQ and eating it on the beach. Certainly better than our usual fare of PB & J sandwiches when we go to the beach.

Joe

 

[com_op_2000]

These are my three most memorable moments:

Went on the Magic the very first year of service back in '98. Everyone was checking in but no one was getting in-line, this was back before the boarding numbers. I told DW that at a certain time if no one was going to start the line I would. At that time I went to the head of the line, DW had the video running, and you should see the line form, people running from all over the terminal to get in-line. DW and I were the first people introduced on that cruise.
Anytime we want a good laugh, we bring up that video.

At CC-SB, DW is on a raft about 20 yards out, I take the camera and start walking out to take her picture. I see all the little fishes scatter, look around and see a 2-3 foot Black Tip Shark swimming around. DW is using her hands to move the raft creating small splashes. The shark turns toward her, I tell DW to stop cause I see a shark. What does DW do? She jumps off the raft causing a bigger splash! I have to run to get between her and the shark.

For our 25th anniversary someone put up decorations on our door announcing our celebration to everyone else onboard. We do not have any idea who did this. We came back from breakfast the second day of a seven day cruise and there they were. What a surprise and a welcome moment.

 

[mmouse37]

We have been cruising DCL since the very beginning so our first cruise, on the official maiden voyage of the Magic in July of 1998, will always be our most memorable (this is where it all started) but we have had several since then from sharing anniversaries onboard, special character interactions, beautiful sunsets, kids thinking Tinkerbell left Disney Dollars under the pillow when they lost teeth, our son's engagement onboard the Fantasy, bringing our grandkids onboard the first time (actually cried at this I was so happy), etc. but just recently, on the Magic TA from Barcelona, I was floored when I experienced the Lantern scene in Tangled. We were sitting down front and how they did the whole scene was breathtaking. I was so overcome with emotion. Loved it!!! So many magical moments on DCL.

MJ

 

[Disneymadhouse]

On Magic in 2014 we were walking to the meet up point for a port adventure. We walked right into Peter Pan. DD (5 at the time) said hello Peter, I haven't seen you for ages! Straight away Peter Pan said yes how are you, and haven't you grown! Priceless!
A couple of days later we met Peter at a meet and greet( same Peter ), and he was once again fantastic. Best character interaction ever. He was fascinated with DD's gel pens that we were using for autographs and spoke about how Wendy had taught him to write! We then went to shutters, and a few minutes later Peter Pan had finished his meet and greet and was just heading for the crew door in that area. But first he tapped my DD on the shoulder saying ha ha you're it!! The huge beaming smile of pure delight on my DD's face still brings tears to my eyes and will stay with me forever.

Claire

 

[jennyl772003]

while I know I'm not the only person who's had this experience, it is still somewhat unique! (the little dude...he's in college now)