What was your favorite experience from a DCL ship?

[Buckeye Gal]

Bump!

It's been awhile since we've seen new stories, so bring 'em on!

 

[Tigger98]

On our first cruise (Wonder 4/97) we did the land/sea package. We traveled with my entire family (parents, sisters and their husbands and kids). It was a nice family reunion and 40th birthday for my older sister. At dinner the first night on the ship, we asked for ketchup and Tomas drew with the ketchup. He also did some magic tricks for the kids.

Also, another good moment was when we were at Atlantis. DS fell asleep on a lounge chair.

 

[Tigger98]

Just thought of another moment. We went for breakfast and DH mentioned to me that he did not see any pancakes. Next thing we know, a CM brought him a stack of pancakes. That made his day.

 

[All Things Simba]

Our first and only DCL cruise was the 14 night special Eastbound Panama Canal cruise in August of 2005. My DH and I were VERY fortunate that my sister-in-law booked it the first day it was released!

On that cruise I met many awesome cast members... but my favorite was Tracey from South Africa at the customer service desk.
She helped us check in and, as new cruisers, was there for our every question and need.

She happened to be wearing a pin on her lanyard that was of the Tree of Life. I told her that was my favorite tree ever.... that I could just be happy sitting on a park bench at Animal Kingdom and stare at that tree.
She told me that I could pin trade with her and have the pin.

Well there was SO much to do during those 14 nights that I never got around to buying a pin and going back to Tracey for the trade.

The very last night of the cruise I got "fish mail" at our inside stateroom. It was a note from Tracey with the pin attached! She said since I loved that tree so much .... the pin belonged with me!

I went to thank her the next morning and took a picture of her at the customer service desk. Well, I thought it was my last photograph in the camera, but unfortunately, I was out of film. So I do not have a photo of Tracey for my photo album . But I will never forget that magical moment. I felt SO special that she remembered me after so many days had passed.

This is why I love Disney so much! Whenever anyone asks me about Disney, that just doesn't understand, I say.... When I'm at Walt Disney World, or on the Disney Cruise Line, I feel that's how the world SHOULD be! We all need more magic in our lives! You can't put a price on a Disney vacation.... it's is worth every penny and every moment!

I also thank my sister-in-law Barb for Disneyfying me in 1999!
Love Ya Barb!

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Our first and so far only disney cruise was filled with many special memories. We had lost my dad the year before and were really struggling as a family to just get by day to day. We booked this crusie as away to heal and fullfill one of my dads wishes for us as a family to see Rome. The first one came as we were announced as a family while boarding the ship. My mom looked at me and my brother and all three of us started crying because yes we still are a family. The other one that really stood out was that night at the sail away party I happened to look up at the sky and see a shooting star. I told my mom and brother to look quick that dad was saying hi. The feeling thathe was really with us stayed with us through out the cruise. The Disney staff went out of their way during this cruise to make it a very special and a healing time for all three of us.

Lissa

 

[disneytraceyl]

We have sailed with Disney Cruise Line many times. There seem to be many favorite moments. I guess my most favorite was when Kayley was 2 years old. Our server for dinner was just the best with her. By the last night at dinner, he picked her up out of her high chair and walked her around the restraunt. She really liked him. He was just amazing.
Everyone on the ship make you feel special. I gues it is just the magic of disney.
I always cry on the last day when we have to get off the ship.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Our first and so far only disney cruise was filled with many special memories. We had lost my dad the year before and were really struggling as a family to just get by day to day. We booked this crusie as away to heal and fullfill one of my dads wishes for us as a family to see Rome. The first one came as we were announced as a family while boarding the ship. My mom looked at me and my brother and all three of us started crying because yes we still are a family. The other one that really stood out was that night at the sail away party I happened to look up at the sky and see a shooting star. I told my mom and brother to look quick that dad was saying hi. The feeling thathe was really with us stayed with us through out the cruise. The Disney staff went out of their way during this cruise to make it a very special and a healing time for all three of us.

Lissa

Lissa, what a special story! It brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad you have those precious memories!!

 

[Stinasmom]

Oh, man... I have never more enjoyed reading 8 pages on this forum!

One of my favorite moments on a DCL cruise was in 2005, 7 night West coaster. It was our 16th anniversary so we put the kids in the clubs, dressed up for our Palo ressies, but chose to enjoy a bottle of champagne on "secret" deck 7 first. Sure enough, we had the deck to ourselves:

UNTIL..... the 3-4 yr old kids club kids were brought there for a story time! And Yes, one of the little cuties was our DS who said with surprise "That's my mom and Dad!!"

We moved to the "adult" area on Deck 9.

My other favorite memory happened on our more recent 4 night Wonder. I went by myself to the 80's night party. While dancing to some great old tune , I was asked if I would judge a dance contest. I should meet by the bar when signaled. I soon found out that I and 4 other gals were tricked into being the Go-Go's and would lip sync in competition against 5 guys tricked into being Van Halen. They passed out the props (guitars, drumsticks) and got to me with nothing left and said "YOU'RE THE LEAD SINGER!" Good thing I'm not that shy. We won!

 

[Tink*s_mama]

We just returned yesterday from a 7 day Eastern cruise - our first cruise as a family. There were hundreds of "magical moments" over the past week. Here are just a few of my favorites:

* My youngest daughter, age 5, LOVES Belle. She dressed up in her Belle costume and matching red cape and stood in line to get Belle's autograph. Belle was so sweet to her and made her feel so special. Belle told her to come to the Disney Dreams show later that day where Belle would be wearing her red cape and to sit in the first row, which we did. Belle waved and blew kisses from the stage and my daughter whispered, "Mommy, Belle was waving just to me!" On the last night, when all of the characters lined up on the steps in the atrium, Belle again waved at Lydia and made her feel very special.

* Our server, Mizar, was so wonderful with both girls. One night he met us at the door, and escorted my seven year old daughter to our table on his arm, squatting down so he was just her size. She giggled the entire way!

* At the pirate night party, we all dressed up in our pirate best. We'd brought lots of glow necklaces and bracelets from the dollar store. It was pure magic watching my seven year old shyly walk up to other kids at the party and give them a glow bracelet to wear. She enjoyed spreading the pixie dust so much, and we loved watching her sweet, generous spirit shine!

Since we left the ship on Saturday morning, my kids have been saying "All it takes is faith, trust and a little pixie dust" over and over. It is their mantra, and they are hoping it will mean they get to go on another Disney cruise soon. I hope so too!!!

 

[laura_hattaway]

Bumping this thread 'cause it's a great one!

 

[tinkerbellmom1]

We just returned yesterday from a 7 day Eastern cruise - our first cruise as a family. There were hundreds of "magical moments" over the past week. Here are just a few of my favorites:

* My youngest daughter, age 5, LOVES Belle. She dressed up in her Belle costume and matching red cape and stood in line to get Belle's autograph. Belle was so sweet to her and made her feel so special. Belle told her to come to the Disney Dreams show later that day where Belle would be wearing her red cape and to sit in the first row, which we did. Belle waved and blew kisses from the stage and my daughter whispered, "Mommy, Belle was waving just to me!" On the last night, when all of the characters lined up on the steps in the atrium, Belle again waved at Lydia and made her feel very special.

* Our server, Mizar, was so wonderful with both girls. One night he met us at the door, and escorted my seven year old daughter to our table on his arm, squatting down so he was just her size. She giggled the entire way!

* At the pirate night party, we all dressed up in our pirate best. We'd brought lots of glow necklaces and bracelets from the dollar store. It was pure magic watching my seven year old shyly walk up to other kids at the party and give them a glow bracelet to wear. She enjoyed spreading the pixie dust so much, and we loved watching her sweet, generous spirit shine!

Since we left the ship on Saturday morning, my kids have been saying "All it takes is faith, trust and a little pixie dust" over and over. It is their mantra, and they are hoping it will mean they get to go on another Disney cruise soon. I hope so too!!!

Thanks for sharing your experiences! They brought tears to my eyes and happiness to my heart!

 

[Gr00vyChc]

Hi Tinks Mama!!

We went on our first cruise on 9/29 and we had so many wonderful moments too

- The first time that my DD4 saw Pocahontas, she asked my DD her name, she didn't have a long time for pictures, so she lingered a long time talking to my DD. A couple of days later, we saw her walking down the stairs. She stopped Sarah, called her by name and talked to her on the stairs. They chatted a while and everyone was staring at them.

- We were waiting for the elevator on deck 9 when a CM greeted us and talked to us. He then looked at my DD and asked if he could give her something. He asked us to walk with him to the arcade. He opened that game where there's a claw that grabs stuffed animals and asked Sarah which one she wanted.. she opted for a small purple pillow that said "spoiled"

- During a photo op with Snow White, her handler asked for Sarah's name and room# and I gave it to her. That afternoon, there was a card on the door from Snow White. It said that it was nice meeting her this afternoon and that she hopes that Sarah has a fun and magical birthday. She also included a photo of herself with a happy birthday sarah and then her signature. That was so cute! Sarah also got a birthday card from the counselors from her club.

Gr00vyChc

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Is now like coming home after 4 cruises and another 15 nights to look forward to in 08.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

Bump!

I think it's time for another dose of positive and touching stories about your best experience on a Disney cruise! Anyone want to get us started???

 

[cdndizzylizzy]

Sorry, I can't pick which of the following 4 memories is the best, so here they are...

1 - Watching DD (5 at the time) at the Sailaway Party - she threw herself into the festivities and the look on her face was absolutely priceless - part of the appeal is that the whole week was ahead of us, full of promise, and already the trip was worth it!

2 - Watching CARS on the big screen on Deck 9 under the stars, at night as a family with towels, deck chairs, and ice cream...

3 - Catching the "Premear" of Bridge to Terabithia - It was a very emotional movie to begin with - watching it on the Magic made it even more special.

4 - Teaching the kids how to play shuffle board on Deck 4 while the Magic was docked in Cozumel - a quieter, calmer and yet still extremely special moment...

 

[alwayslisad]

I have been lucky enough to have two cruises with another planned. I think the best memory is our last cruise there were 11 of us along with the ASL interp's Marvin & Tara and their DD.....When we walked in - they announced all the families -(there were sooooo many) and the look on my families faces when they did that was amazing. I had not told them about any of the fanfare. I think they all melted.....Just hearing the names overhead was pure bliss....also Marvin and Tara signed to my sister and BIL what they were doing so they were just as excited.

My nephew has alopecia and was very very nervous about going away on the DCL. On board he met a man with the same illness. So the many took the time to goof off with my nephew and show him that it was COOL to have it.. when ever we saw the man he would yell to my nephew "YO BRO" and smiles galore..

When the same nephew had his Bday - we got a surprise cake at Animators - we had a HUGE table (14 of us ) and when the cake came out it was SOOOOOOO big that it took two people to bring it out....we were floored - we all had some - offered some to the table next to us and when I asked what we should do with the rest (it was the last night) our server Sonnie and Opie told us that Dalton neede to bring it to the STACK since they were waiting for it there too!!...so Dalton and my DD (Renee) took off like lightening to share the cake with the Stack... This made Dalton feel even more special. So when I asked Opie and Sonnie after why they ordered such a big cake - they said - "we want everyone to know it is his birthday - he needs to feel like a KING"

O gosh I could go on and on and on....so many memories I hold special from DCL..... and so many more to make!

 

[Buckeye Gal]

AlwaysLisaD, those moments brought me goosebumps! THAT is very special!!! I'm sure your DN will cherish those memories for a lifetime!

 

[scottishwee35]

I have been lucky enough to have two cruises with another planned. I think the best memory is our last cruise there were 11 of us along with the ASL interp's Marvin & Tara and their DD.....When we walked in - they announced all the families -(there were sooooo many) and the look on my families faces when they did that was amazing. I had not told them about any of the fanfare. I think they all melted.....Just hearing the names overhead was pure bliss....also Marvin and Tara signed to my sister and BIL what they were doing so they were just as excited.

My nephew has alopecia and was very very nervous about going away on the DCL. On board he met a man with the same illness. So the many took the time to goof off with my nephew and show him that it was COOL to have it.. when ever we saw the man he would yell to my nephew "YO BRO" and smiles galore..

When the same nephew had his Bday - we got a surprise cake at Animators - we had a HUGE table (14 of us ) and when the cake came out it was SOOOOOOO big that it took two people to bring it out....we were floored - we all had some - offered some to the table next to us and when I asked what we should do with the rest (it was the last night) our server Sonnie and Opie told us that Dalton neede to bring it to the STACK since they were waiting for it there too!!...so Dalton and my DD (Renee) took off like lightening to share the cake with the Stack... This made Dalton feel even more special. So when I asked Opie and Sonnie after why they ordered such a big cake - they said - "we want everyone to know it is his birthday - he needs to feel like a KING"

O gosh I could go on and on and on....so many memories I hold special from DCL..... and so many more to make!

Sound fun

We had two an interpreters Tara and Tony two years ago. My son won the coolest boy in the Club. On last day, we were leaving the ship, my son was bursting into tears and he made us lump in our throat. Never forgot it.

Last year on Med we had two interpreters Brian and Jennifer. They did bring lots of fun with us. We enjoyed their company and share lots of different sign laugauges. We are hoping to see them again.

Also dcl is best too. Lots of good memory there. Med cruise was awesome. Kids loved it. They are looking forward to Magic Cruise in May 08.

Hopeful we see the interpeters again on Panama Canal May 08.

Scottishwee35

 

[alwayslisad]

we are still in contact with Tara and Marvin - since our families totally CONNECTED - so when we started planning this one - we told them of the intended weeks and such and then I talked to my TA about this - they are all working together to try to be with us again. It is so much easier if you know and trust and understand your interps... It makes it more MAGICal

 

[GTO-Girl]

My husband and I have never had the pleasesure of cruising Disney. We will be taking our 6 yr old granddaughter on her first cruise in November.

I am just "over the top" excited after reading all these posts. The whole tone of this board is completely different from anything I have read before. I know Disney has always been top notch....but some of these stories even go beyond what I was expecting.

Thanks to all of you for sharing.....and keep 'em coming.

Dianne