Why DCL is worth the price, to me

[rusafee1183]

We had the opposite experience and I think it may have something to do with the ship you were on. We sailed on the Epic in December and LOVED it! We had sailed the Magic out of NYC last June and it was SO overpriced compared to the Epic. There's no way I'd sail on the Magic again. I was very underwhelmed. The food was mediocre and I did not like that there was no buffet available at night. Sometimes you just don't feel like doing the sit down thing. One of the DCL shows was very good and maybe another was good but having seen several Disney shows on Broadway I don't think the Magic shows were anywhere near those. We did enjoy the Epic shows a lot. My daughter would not go in the kids club on the Magic but enjoyed it on the Epic. We liked the live music and pool area on the Epic. The Mickey pool was a little....gross. The cabin on the Magic was bigger and I did like the set up better but it was definitely showing its age. Seriously for $$$$, can't they change the bedding? We didn't feel nickeled and dimed at all on the Epic. We don't drink soda so that wasn't a big deal to us on the Magic. I don't think there was much to do for adults on the Magic expect for spending a lot of time waiting in line for character photos. We found the service to be similar on both - actually our dining team on the Magic were not great - they always seemed in such a rush.

We're sailing on the Breakaway in 2 weeks and it looks amazing (and even that brand new ship was so much cheaper than the Magic). We're also sailing on the Fantasy in December and I'm looking forward to that (even with air fare the same category on the Fantasy was much cheaper than on the Magic). I know I will like the Fantasy more than the Magic. But sadly, once we're done with the Fantasy, the Magic/Wonder aren't considerations for us and neither are the short Dream cruises. I always sail with an open mind, never fully believe anyone else's reviews, and always recommend trying new lines/ships. There's plenty of choices for us all!

We were on the Pearl, and I didn't do much research about the ship because there were so many of us going that I knew it would be more of a fly by the seat of our pants trip, rather than my usual planning. I honestly don't even know how old it truly is, but it felt pretty old.

And that is very true about plenty of choices for all! I knew writing this that people would disagree, and that's totally fine. Like I said, I am writing this more for the people who have a bit of.... buyers remorse, maybe...? when it comes to DCL. *WE* find it totally worth it, and I am hoping to maybe put some other people at ease about the cost.

I'm sorry you didn't care for the Magic. I can totally see why you feel that way about the Mickey pool Luckily, I spent most my time in the adult only areas, which for the most part were immaculate.

I definitely don't think the Fantasy will disappoint!

ETA: Just looked it up... The Pearl is only 7 years old. Crazy! It felt so dated...

 

[KashasMom]

I'm a 42 yr old single male who has been doing WDW at least 1x a year since my oldest nephew was born 14 yrs ago. We have also done 4 Disney cruises with 5th coming up next summer. Have never been on another cruise line but decided to sail NCL Breakaway this October. Figured with the solo cabins and 1/2 hr ride to port perfect chance to try something different.
Will admit I'm going in with very low expectations and am not expecting anything close to DCL but for the cost and lack of having to fly somewhere its a week away from work & those are always good.

We are doing the Breakaway in 2 weeks and I already KNOW it is going to blow away our cruise on the Magic!! However, I don't think you'll enjoy the Breakaway at all. Sounds like you're already counting on that! Maybe you want to cancel?

 

[KashasMom]

I guess those who complained about NCL Freestyle Dining were not aware that you can request the same dining team for the week. We're not the type to get all warm and fuzzy with our dining team so it wasn't an issue.

 

[jpessa]

I was a crew member on ships for over 5 years (Ok, this was 8 years ago!). In that time I worked for DCL, RCI, NCL and Celebrity. I'm actually just now CONSIDERING going on a cruise AS A GUEST next year. The ONLY reason I'm excited about it is because it would be on the Disney Fantasy. It was by far the best cruise line to work for, and I think that reflects on the guest experience.

I personally would not choose NCL. It just wasn't my style, not as high end feeling and I really didn't like the shows. DCL had the best shows by a long shot. Yes, they are Disney shows.

Celebrity I thought had the best food, and I really like RCI. BUT to me, the difference is the magic. You can't put a price on magic. It's a bit like "why do you pay so much to go to WDW when you could go to an all inclusive for a fraction of the cost"? If you can answer that, you'll be happy with DCL.

Another note, I worked in the kids club for some and DCL has the best kid's program in the business. The best. No comparison.

As a side note, when I worked for NCL I also felt the staff was constantly miserable and complained all the time about head office and seemed to hate their jobs (which is why I changed Lines), but again this was years ago so it's probably different now.

 

[rusafee1183]

I was a crew member on ships for over 5 years (Ok, this was 8 years ago!). In that time I worked for DCL, RCI, NCL and Celebrity. I'm actually just now CONSIDERING going on a cruise AS A GUEST next year. The ONLY reason I'm excited about it is because it would be on the Disney Fantasy. It was by far the best cruise line to work for, and I think that reflects on the guest experience.

I personally would not choose NCL. It just wasn't my style, not as high end feeling and I really didn't like the shows. DCL had the best shows by a long shot. Yes, they are Disney shows.

Celebrity I thought had the best food, and I really like RCI. BUT to me, the difference is the magic. You can't put a price on magic. It's a bit like "why do you pay so much to go to WDW when you could go to an all inclusive for a fraction of the cost"? If you can answer that, you'll be happy with DCL.

Another note, I worked in the kids club for some and DCL has the best kid's program in the business. The best. No comparison.

As a side note, when I worked for NCL I also felt the staff was constantly miserable and complained all the time about head office and seemed to hate their jobs (which is why I changed Lines), but again this was years ago so it's probably different now.

That's AWESOME! So good to know!

So you liked being a CM on the cruiseline? My sister is considering it, but I think that she read online that there was an age minimum. She is only 19. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of backgrund do you need to work in the kids clubs?

That was exactly what she said she wanted to do, work in the kids clubs or work in the bibbidy bobbidy boutique

 

[quentina]

I have been on the Wonder and the Dream. I have also sailed RC and Carnival. Too be honest, I liked them all. My kids liked them all. We are huge Disney people however; I do not think that their boats are worth the price. They are nice, well kept, food is on par with other sailings.

I just booked the Oasis. I cannot wait to go. This is the boat I have wanted to go on since it came out. We did price 4 night Magic (I believe). For the 5 of us, it was $3200.00. The Oasis was $2900.00 for 5 night. Also- the room on the Oasis is bigger (deluxe family suite I believe is what it is called).

I have a feeling we will be re-booking the Oasis on board

I did go to a wedding on NCL (got on board in Boston just for the wedding)...I would not travel them. In the few hours we were on the boat, I could tell it was not for us.

 

[jpessa]

That's AWESOME! So good to know!

So you liked being a CM on the cruiseline? My sister is considering it, but I think that she read online that there was an age minimum. She is only 19. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of backgrund do you need to work in the kids clubs?

That was exactly what she said she wanted to do, work in the kids clubs or work in the bibbidy bobbidy boutique

Tell your sister to do it! It's a great experience. I loved working on ships. Before working kids club on DCL I had done Kids Clubs for 6 years for Club Med. Disney is a tough interview, then there is an extensive background check and medical screening (can't work on a ship if there is anything medically going on with you that could be an issue with no hospital nearby!). I don't remember the minimum age though, sorry. Great employer though, they really do care and listen to their employees. Very tough, they expect excellence at all times, but fair and treats everyone the same (only cruise line (possibly in the world) that the captain goes by his first name!).

 

[KashasMom]

then there is an extensive background check

Have been quite curious about this considering this past week's accusations regarding the Dream. Maybe that's for those working in the kid's clubs only?

 

[rusafee1183]

Tell your sister to do it! It's a great experience. I loved working on ships. Before working kids club on DCL I had done Kids Clubs for 6 years for Club Med. Disney is a tough interview, then there is an extensive background check and medical screening (can't work on a ship if there is anything medically going on with you that could be an issue with no hospital nearby!). I don't remember the minimum age though, sorry. Great employer though, they really do care and listen to their employees. Very tough, they expect excellence at all times, but fair and treats everyone the same (only cruise line (possibly in the world) that the captain goes by his first name!).

I'll definitely let her know! Thanks!! She would be perfect for that kind of environment I think. She's SUPER outgoing and friendly, and can pretty much strike up a conversation with anyone.

Thanks again!

 

[bitlerzx4]

thanks for this post.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Have been quite curious about this considering this past week's accusations regarding the Dream. Maybe that's for those working in the kid's clubs only?

Disney is known in the industry for extensive background checks and hiring the best CMs.

One slipping though should not put a stain on the others who work so hard to give us a great cruise. That goes for the other major lines and their hard working CM's.

It's a shame that happened, but the facts are those sickos are all around us, at parks, entertainment venues etc. As parents and in our case grandparents now, it our job to keep a good eye on the children.

AKK

 

[Dug720]

Have been quite curious about this considering this past week's accusations regarding the Dream. Maybe that's for those working in the kid's clubs only?

Disney even does background checks on cast members of The Disney Store. So yes, there would definitely be checks for all CMs on the ships.

The thing no one remembers (or wants to remember to be more exact) about background checks is they are only as good as the records on a person. If no reports have ever been made and the person has never been arrested for any suspicion of anything, it's NOT going to show up on any background check, regardless of how thorough. A background check can't reveal something that's simply not there to reveal. It's like placing a book on a table and saying "Prove to me it's never been opened." Without direct evidence of the book from its making until that moment, you cannot prove it's never been opened.

 

[KashasMom]

Sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with you both. It's quite easy to commit a crime in one state in India and never have it show up on any background check in another state. While I'm sure agents who do the CM screenings in foreign countries do their best, it is very possible that this happens. And considering some of the countries that cruise ship employees come from, I'm betting that India is not the only one like that.

 

[jpessa]

Sorry, but I'm going to have to disagree with you both. It's quite easy to commit a crime in one state in India and never have it show up on any background check in another state. While I'm sure agents who do the CM screenings in foreign countries do their best, it is very possible that this happens. And considering some of the countries that cruise ship employees come from, I'm betting that India is not the only one like that.

I can't comment on how it works for other counties. This may very well be the case there. I can say that when I worked in the kids club, the CMs working with the kids were from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and South Africa. In these countries it is like the US, you get the same kind of complete and thorough check. However, like PP said a check can't reveal what's not there. If a person never gets reported or caught it hasn't done anything yet, nobody will know.

I will say this however, I remember strict rules about never ever being allowed to be alone with kids. If you needed to accompany a kid to the entrance of the restrooms 2 CMs had to go. Plus, we were never allowed IN the bathrooms (I worked a lot with the 3 & 4 yo age group, and could only take kids fully potty trained that could do their own wiping and pant pulling up... Which sometimes caused problems with parents wanting their kids in the club when they couldn't wipe on their own).

Also haven't heard what happened on the Dream, sorry! Very out of the loop.

 

[Goldberry]

Disney even does background checks on cast members of The Disney Store. So yes, there would definitely be checks for all CMs on the ships.

The thing no one remembers (or wants to remember to be more exact) about background checks is they are only as good as the records on a person. If no reports have ever been made and the person has never been arrested for any suspicion of anything, it's NOT going to show up on any background check, regardless of how thorough. A background check can't reveal something that's simply not there to reveal. It's like placing a book on a table and saying "Prove to me it's never been opened." Without direct evidence of the book from its making until that moment, you cannot prove it's never been opened.

Exactly. Antisocials are capable of coming off as innocent respectable people, one would never even know they have underlying psych problems underneath. Background checks will not provide that information unless they had prior arrests. It is really just up to us to have enough sense and vigilance to keep our children safe at all times.

 

[KashasMom]

Also haven't heard what happened on the Dream, sorry! Very out of the loop.

And for those who have been wondering WHY Disney has not issued any kind of statement....well there's your answer. For now, more people don't know what happened. If they were to issue a statement, more people would know what happened. Good PR but shame on you Disney.

 

[DisneyNurse19]

I will say this however, I remember strict rules about never ever being allowed to be alone with kids. If you needed to accompany a kid to the entrance of the restrooms 2 CMs had to go. Plus, we were never allowed IN the bathrooms (I worked a lot with the 3 & 4 yo age group, and could only take kids fully potty trained that could do their own wiping and pant pulling up... Which sometimes caused problems with parents wanting their kids in the club when they couldn't wipe on their own).

It is still the same rules, my daughter is on the Magic at the moment

 

[jpessa]

It is still the same rules, my daughter is on the Magic at the moment

Don't know, been off ships for a while.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Thanks for posting your reviews. We were originally going to book with Royal Caribbean on Navigator of the Seas for our upcoming extended family trip for October '14. My SIL who came up with the idea of Royal Caribbean felt that it would be cheaper. I agreed to it even though I have a preference for Disney because time with family is the most important think and I knew we'd have a good time and would make the most of it. But apparently in her heart of hearts she also preferred DCL, she's been on three cruises and I've been on two. Well last week she did an about face so now we'll be on the Fantasy instead! I know it's more expensive but for us it's worth it.

 

[Spwhoney]

I have been looking for a cruise in the future and unfortunately we wont be able to afford DCL. I have been looking at RCL with the DreamWorks. Has anyone done this? Or what are some suggestions for a kid friendly cruise?