Why do YOU cruise with Disney?

[Love2Cruz]

Well, I am basically a newcomer to DCL..having only sailed twice on the Dream as that's all I could afford right now, as I do sail other lines with longer itineraries as they are much more affordable and I cruise more for the Ocean than I do for ports.
DCL is right up there for me with CCL and MSC...it's different, they are all different and I plan on going on the RCCL as well in the near future.

As for DCL, they know how to make us feel special...it brings out the kid in me and that excitement from my youth comes back.
I like the Disney customer service (though I can get it at WDW too)
The ships are BEAUTIFUL and they have SUPER LARGE balconies which I love.
Their restaurants, the theming is beautiful!
Kids club are large, but I think too large and not intimate enough for my DD. She preferred MSC kids club which were much more interactive.
Aquaduck and Pelican Point and Castaway Cay

I see myself going on DCL every year or other year....but I WILL also go on other cruiselines. I probably wont' be reaching any loyalty levels for any cruise line as I jump around a lot....but having free laundry and a few freebies every now and then are easy things that money can buy....I prefer the variety.

 

[Sytrace]

Passionate might be an understatement. At least with DCL there's always the elephant in the room......COST. If someone says they "didn't think it was worth the price" or they have "been priced out" or the want a "less expensive cruise". Everyone "get's it".We all get money and not having enough of it. Since price differences aren't that huge between the other big three you better have a darn good reason to like another cruise line over their favorite. It can make for some entertaining reading.

Yes, understatement is definitely the key word. I think I posted once over there and I am sort of scared of posting again. But I do read and sometimes I agree and sometimes I just have to step back from the keyboard. It can be like that here though too.

 

[MSPeeler]

They are the only cruise line without casinos, and my children still love character interactions.

 

[hanscarlet]

If I had to rank order them

1. Because of my Kids - the clubs, the trust I have in their ability to treat kids on the spectrum, the constant level of activities that keep the kids entertained - all of these reasons allow me and my husband to feel guilt free when dropping them off at the club and actually feel like we're on vacation with no kids from time to time. Other vacations don't always feel like a vacation because of the kids ( I love them, I really do but sometimes it's a lot with constant kids 24/7)
2. Cleanliness
3. Food
4. Attention to detail
5. Level of service - seems very luxurious but I can't really tell because I haven't been on other cruise lines - we will go on other lines once my kids get a bit older because I'm eager to try them out
6. The Magic!

Oh and I cry too at the shows! Yay, I thought I was the only dork that did that, they are just so beautiful and magical, I love them!

 

[Dug720]

Oh and I cry too at the shows! Yay, I thought I was the only dork that did that, they are just so beautiful and magical, I love them!

Hey, I not only cry at the shows, I'm the uber dork who bursts into tears when the Mickey Whistle sounds during the Sail Away Party.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I love reading all the many experiences why people choose Disney! It's so fun to read the personal stories and how others feel the MAGIC Thank you all for taking time to respond!

 

[hanscarlet]

As far as the price debate - I don't see those comments as offensive because it read to me as having the preference for getting on a cruise that is surrounded by a passionate Disney cruising crowd vs some of the cheaper lines allowing for a lot of diversity in crowd with respect to shared passion around a single thread like Disney.

This will probably come across the wrong way, but I don't think $2200 for a family of four to cruise on Disney is too much if you really like Disney, you can save for two years to get on a Disney cruise or you can cruise sooner than two years on a different cruise line. People who will go with the latter option are likely less passionate about Disney vs the folks who go with the former option, and I read the earlier comments about "not to be a snob" as folks who merely like to be surrounded by people who are more passionate and appreciative of the Disney experience vs those who don't care as much.

Having said this, it would appear the staterooms were once $2200 were jacked up dramatically in the last two years and I am not sure if one can even find a family of four for around $2500, I am not sure that is even a reasonably expected price point with DCL nowadays and I see that as Disney trying to be snobby and jack it up for the more affordable class of rooms and it's not cool. In this sense good people are being priced out and it's wrong... sorry for my tangent

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We wanted our girls to experience the "Disney magic" while they still love the princesses and characters. My parents also wanted to come, but I was worried about my dad being able to handle multiple days at the parks. A Disney cruise was the perfect solution.

Wow, you know all the cruising we have done, I have never thought of this! We used to have my dad join us on our yearly trips to WDW but eventually the heat and all the walking got to him. This is definitely the solution to having him have some fun with the grandkids and move at his own pace AND still get the Disney fix he misses. Thanks for opening my eyes to something right in front of me!

 

[Ofinn]

As far as the price debate - I don't see those comments as offensive because it read to me as having the preference for getting on a cruise that is surrounded by a passionate Disney cruising crowd vs some of the cheaper lines allowing for a lot of diversity in crowd with respect to shared passion around a single thread like Disney.

This will probably come across the wrong way, but I don't think $2200 for a family of four to cruise on Disney is too much if you really like Disney, you can save for two years to get on a Disney cruise or you can cruise sooner than two years on a different cruise line. People who will go with the latter option are likely less passionate about Disney vs the folks who go with the former option, and I read the earlier comments about "not to be a snob" as folks who merely like to be surrounded by people who are more passionate and appreciative of the Disney experience vs those who don't care as much.

Having said this, it would appear the staterooms were once $2200 were jacked up dramatically in the last two years and I am not sure if one can even find a family of four for around $2500, I am not sure that is even a reasonably expected price point with DCL nowadays and I see that as Disney trying to be snobby and jack it up for the more affordable class of rooms and it's not cool. In this sense good people are being priced out and it's wrong... sorry for my tangent

I would assume your talking about a 3 day cruise. I would not recommend anybody save for 2 years for 3 day cruise. Ive been on these boards long enough to get the "not to be a snob comments". I dont want to go there again because I know it wasnt about being surrounded by disney people.
Since I spend time on other boards I know a lot of people just cant afford Disney and these are people with good paying jobs. Not everyone wants to save for years for a cruise. If it takes me more than 4 months to pay for it then for me its too expensive. Your right though if your passionate enough about dcl youl'll put everything on hold and save and save. It shouldnt be that hard to pay for a vacation.
I have a wonderful friend at work who makes half what I make she asked me about cruising. I recommended Carnival. Shes saving up for it next Summer. I would have never recommended she spend the next three years saving up for dcl.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

Wow, you know all the cruising we have done, I have never thought of this! We used to have my dad join us on our yearly trips to WDW but eventually the heat and all the walking got to him. This is definitely the solution to having him have some fun with the grandkids and move at his own pace AND still get the Disney fix he misses. Thanks for opening my eyes to something right in front of me!

I'm glad that your dad will get to have more Disney moments with the family! My dad couldn't have been happier with the experience and he now wants to go with us on a longer cruise.

 

[Love2Cruz]

I can afford to sail Disney Fantasy annually, if I only wanted to cruise once a year....but since I cruise 2-3 times per year, plus take long weekend trips to WDW, Universal, GA mountains and NY.....I can only put aside for a 3 day. Eventually I'll do the Fantasy, but not at the "cost" of giving up my other vacations for the year....I take quarterly breaks from work as a necessity or I go Cray Cray. Just felt like disclosing that to the "snobs" who think people who enjoy other cruiselines do it because they can't afford Disney...there ARE other scenarios. But I also find this board to be very friendly so not speaking to anyone directly.
I'm eyeing a birthday trip to Aulani with a few days stopover in CA....so who knows when I will finally do the Fantasy...but I WILL.

 

[Pens Fan]

Hey, I not only cry at the shows, I'm the uber dork who bursts into tears when the Mickey Whistle sounds during the Sail Away Party.

Don't feel bad. Sometimes when I need a break from the daily grind, I pull up YouTube videos of the DCL ships playing the Mickey horn. Get teary eyed EVERY time!

Come to think about it, maybe that sums up the reason we love DCL.

 

[Ofinn]

I can afford to sail Disney Fantasy annually, if I only wanted to cruise once a year....but since I cruise 2-3 times per year, plus take long weekend trips to WDW, Universal, GA mountains and NY.....I can only put aside for a 3 day. Eventually I'll do the Fantasy, but not at the "cost" of giving up my other vacations for the year....I take quarterly breaks from work as a necessity or I go Cray Cray. Just felt like disclosing that to the "snobs" who think people who enjoy other cruiselines do it because they can't afford Disney...there ARE other scenarios. But I also find this board to be very friendly so not speaking to anyone directly.
I'm eyeing a birthday trip to Aulani with a few days stopover in CA....so who knows when I will finally do the Fantasy...but I WILL.

Im like you the more vacations the better. Im not a planner like you...except in my head. I have tons of ideas. Washington DC, Hong Kong are at the top of the list. Im really trying to break my cruise addiction theres so many places I wanted to take my kids that dont involve a cruise, but gosh I love cruising.

 

[Love2Cruz]

Im like you the more vacations the better. Im not a planner like you...except in my head. I have tons of ideas. Washington DC, Hong Kong are at the top of the list. Im really trying to break my cruise addiction theres so many places I wanted to take my kids that dont involve a cruise, but gosh I love cruising.

Yes, what a conundrum we have...lol Yes, China, Japan and the Phillippines are on my To Do list too...as is Hawaii...Alaska...etc etc....I also like the idea of an all-inclusive resort in DR or Cancun. I used to do those until I discovered cruising. I did an all inclusive in Jamaica two years ago and although I loved the huge pool and drinks and food...I missed being on a cruise ship...it's still my preferred mode of travel...but I'm open to other things too...

Maybe I'll win the lottery one day and just travel the world with no worries....Unfortunately, I don't play the lotto.

BTW....China was at the top of my list till you informed me about Visa's...I think Hawaii will jump the line.

 

[CamColt]

Hey, I not only cry at the shows, I'm the uber dork who bursts into tears when the Mickey Whistle sounds during the Sail Away Party.

I find myself getting teary eyed when I board the ship, the sail away party and watching Disney Dreams. On my recent trip I found another scenario that got me choked up. For the first time I got off the ship alone at CC. Usually my family is all together and we are talking so it never really hit me before. But this time I got off, started walking and just had that feeling of how lucky I am to be back in this beautiful place. The magic hit me.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I see myself going on DCL every year or other year....but I WILL also go on other cruiselines. I probably wont' be reaching any loyalty levels for any cruise line as I jump around a lot....but having free laundry and a few freebies every now and then are easy things that money can buy....I prefer the variety.

I agree with you. I prefer the variety.

I love, love, love Carnival - it's very laid back, relaxed, fun, easy - and whatever other superlatives I can think of to basically state it's a great, relaxing trip that due to the value, allows me to vacation often. I don't want to sail exclusively on them though because I think I would get tired of the menus, shows, trivia, etc.

Our next cruises are on Royal Caribbean (6 night Freedom of the Seas) immediately followed by Celebrity (9 nights on Celebrity Summit) - both of those are February 2017 (hey, if we're going to drive to Florida, might as well make it worth it!).

Then a short 5 night on the Carnival Sunshine May/June (before school lets out so there's not so many kids).

And then (I still need to book but have pretty much decided that we're going to do it) a 7 night Fantasy cruise (November 4 2017) followed by a 7 night Carnival Magic cruise (November 11 2017).

This would mean that we're cruising on all of the cruise lines that we have ever sailed on next year.

I'd love to try Princess but I can't find an accessible cabin that sleeps 3 with the 3rd bed as a couch instead of a bunk, and 2 rooms on Princess is cost prohibitive for us. But one day - I'll find what I'm looking for and we'll expand our horizon once again.

Every cruise line and cruise ship has it's plusses and minuses. For me, I go into each cruise enjoying what we are experiencing and not lamenting what's different.

 

[thumpie's mom]

We simply love cruising with Disney-it is our happy place. The ships are beautiful, the crew is fantastic, food is delicious for the most part and the character interactions are priceless. We also love the stage shows and other entertainment. A few years ago, we were on the EB Panama Canal crossing during hurricane Odile. Transferring my daughter from her wheelchair one night, the ship lurched and we fell. Coming out of the bathroom by the WD Theater, my daughter was crying and immediately we had crew members there to help. While she was being checked out, someone had gone and gotten Pluto (her absolute favorite) and Goofy. They came and sat with her and helped calm her down. It is those kind of moments that you remember for a lifetime.

 

[Laura Seay]

- food! It's wonderful! even the buffet
- free ice cream!! nice on those hot Bahamian days
- great people watching! Everyone is having a great day. It's fun to watch people have fun and smile! and the furniture in the main areas are comfy
- the people! everyone has always been very friendly and courteous....and that's the guests!
- wonderful crew! the crew has always been friendly, courteous, and happy!

 

[Garyjames220]

I have all this cash lying around and just don't know what to do with it.......

.... I'll give u my stateroom and you could add on some on board credit for me ?

 

[Ofinn]

I agree with you. I prefer the variety.

I love, love, love Carnival - it's very laid back, relaxed, fun, easy - and whatever other superlatives I can think of to basically state it's a great, relaxing trip that due to the value, allows me to vacation often. I don't want to sail exclusively on them though because I think I would get tired of the menus, shows, trivia, etc.

Our next cruises are on Royal Caribbean (6 night Freedom of the Seas) immediately followed by Celebrity (9 nights on Celebrity Summit) - both of those are February 2017 (hey, if we're going to drive to Florida, might as well make it worth it!).

Then a short 5 night on the Carnival Sunshine May/June (before school lets out so there's not so many kids).

And then (I still need to book but have pretty much decided that we're going to do it) a 7 night Fantasy cruise (November 4 2017) followed by a 7 night Carnival Magic cruise (November 11 2017).

This would mean that we're cruising on all of the cruise lines that we have ever sailed on next year.

I'd love to try Princess but I can't find an accessible cabin that sleeps 3 with the 3rd bed as a couch instead of a bunk, and 2 rooms on Princess is cost prohibitive for us. But one day - I'll find what I'm looking for and we'll expand our horizon once again.

Every cruise line and cruise ship has it's plusses and minuses. For me, I go into each cruise enjoying what we are experiencing and not lamenting what's different.

I appreciate your perspective. I will say after spending time on another board I have found the Carnival fans to be the happiest and most sarisfied. It seems most people feel you get a very good vacation for the price you pay. Dcl fans are happy with the product, but not the price. NCL and Rccl fans are confused. The reviews are all over the place. I take it theres been some cut backs and changes people are not happy about. Ive never sailed on either so it wouldnt affect my opinion. Theres a good thread in the dcl section on the value of dcl compared to other lines. Its a good read some very insightful posts.