Would I Like a Disney Cruise?

[mandibc11]

I just got back from a Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Epic two days ago with my husband and his parents. I was NOT impressed. It was my first NCL cruise, and only my second cruise ever. I'm a huge Disney fan, and have to say that it hurt every time we pulled into a port and a beautiful Disney boat was docked beside us!

My mother in law also loved the look of the Disney ships, and is considering doing this next year...my question is, would they love it? I know I will, but here are things about this cruise (everyone else's first cruise experience) that we HATED about NCL.

1. They nickle and dimed us for EVERYTHING. Our incidental bill was over $4,000!

2. Everything was very "sell-y" - By this I mean, solicitation wherever you walked, salespeople grabbing at your and trying to stray you with perfume or throwing coupons in your face for Tanzanite jewelry

3. The spa was a joke and my 75 minute treatment was over and done with in less than 45

4. Kids running everywhere - Not because it was a family style cruise, but because all the parents were so intoxicated that there was no one to keep them in line

5. Their was a very noticable difference in the food at the included restaurants, and the MANY upcharge restaurants. In fact, of the 17 or so dining options, only 3 are included in the cruise cost!

Ok that's it for complaining. I feel like a Disney cruise would be a dream come true, and I hope anyone can help with some comparisons or stories of how Disney exceeded your expectations!

 

[famviramontes]

I think you would have a very different experience. There is a restaurant on each of the ships you have to pay extra for and they are adult only. Everything else is included, except I think the specialty coffee. There are many children but I felt like it was a very family feeling as opposed to other lines, we have traveled several. Where there are children, there will be some behavior issues but I felt on Disney it was a different tone. I don't really remember seeing those who over did the drinking on Disney. I had a couple of really good spa treatments on Disney. Keep reading on and I think you will want to give it a try.

 

[bbn1122]

Disney decor is very elegant. No smokey casinos...no Vegas styling.
3 rotational dining rooms, beautiful spa, great adult areas, good food, and let not forget Castaway Cay.

I was on a short Carnival Cruise 2 years ago, it was okay, but it introduced us to cruising and then we book DCL 7 night. I just loved the atmosphere, the service was incredible. The staff is a so great, very caring and always with a smile. We are booked on a 3 night this August and hopefully will be on a 7 night in 2012.

Give it a try, I think you will be very happy.

 

[LuvEeyore]

I have only cruised 3 times but would agree with the previous poster. Try Disney. 1 cruise for me on Disney in2005 1 prior day cruise to Freeport, and 2007on Princess for Alaska.

We loved Disney. The dress code fit us. Result Casual and a Dress up night. I did not think we were nickeled and dimed. The food was more what we anticipated. I was with my Mom and we did do the Palo Brunch and loved it and said we would pay for dinner at Palo the next time. The service was so different. We asked for early dining even though we were adults because of diabetes and trying to keep meals near their scheduled times. no kids we were seated with two other couples and had a great time at early dinner.

On the other cruise line we were told freestyle dining was the way we should go. Nice but no guarenteed times called daily and never able to go to dinner before 7:30. We were also told unless we had a child under 10 with us we had tohave main dining in the dining room. Food wasnt as good, room hostess not the same and we only go one towel animal all cruise.

Next cruise even as an adult with an all adult party will be Disney. As the previous poster we found on Disney children were more supervised even by their parents and the separate areas were separate. The kids club on Disney wins hands down. WE had trouble with the 12 year old on the Alaska cruise getting her to go to the clubs when the 5 adluts all wanted to do a wine tasting. She went but when we went to the room she was asleep!! When we woke her for dinner, she said she stayed 5 minutes and then decided to get a snack and watch tv. She was put in the older child group instead of the teen group as a tween even though she was in herlast yearof middle school

Our opinion Go DisneyMay your trip be sprinkled with pixie Dust!!

 

[oklamomof4boys]

I second what everybody said- the food in the regular dining rooms is great. If you want to eat at one of the adult only restaurants it is only $20 a person for Palo. Now you can eat at Remy on the Dream and it is $75 a person- but you won't feel like you are getting cheated if you don't eat there.

I don't remember anybody ever trying to sell us anything. We even went to the DVC seminar ( so we could try to win some prize) but that didn't even feel like they were trying to sell me something.

Pop is free ( unless you order it from room service) and they have a drink station that is open 24/7. Most of room service is free ( except for pop and candy)- but it is customary to tip a dollar or 2.

I think you would love it!

 

[carole88]

Sorry you did not enjoy the Epic. We were actually on the maiden voyage and had a great time. We too had a high bill (though not $4000) but we also always have a high bill on DCL. Except for having to pay for soda, and having more upcharge restaurants, we didn't really see much of a difference in having to pay for extras. To each his own!

 

[seasideliz]

We just did our first Disney Cruise - and were thoroughly impressed. The food was very good - we ate at Palo - and really enjoyed it.
We liked that there was alcohol available - but not pushed on you, and certainly not a party boat.
Our extra's bill was very low - and next time we would get the $400 photo package - seems like a lot of money, but if you know at the start you are going to purchase it, you can take advantage of the photographers for the whole week!! THis would be equal to sitting fees with a professional at home.
We're booking DCL again, without even looking at others.

 

[Edd]

Now that you have been on another ship I think you should try the Disney ship. There is quite a difference in the ships and you will notice it. The Epic is a great ship and many have enjoyed it. I have heard many times it is the best of the NCL fleet.

Keep in mind the cruise industry doesn't need to emulate the Disney experience to be successful. They are actually two different models of cruising. If you are a Disney fanatic and only cruise rarely you will like the DCL. If you become a cruiser you will want to enjoy the many more things there are to do on the other ships. I am a cruiser so enjoy all ships.

 

[dsnydaddy]

I just got back from a Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Epic two days ago with my husband and his parents. I was NOT impressed. It was my first NCL cruise, and only my second cruise ever. I'm a huge Disney fan, and have to say that it hurt every time we pulled into a port and a beautiful Disney boat was docked beside us!

My mother in law also loved the look of the Disney ships, and is considering doing this next year...my question is, would they love it? I know I will, but here are things about this cruise (everyone else's first cruise experience) that we HATED about NCL.

1. They nickle and dimed us for EVERYTHING. Our incidental bill was over $4,000!

2. Everything was very "sell-y" - By this I mean, solicitation wherever you walked, salespeople grabbing at your and trying to stray you with perfume or throwing coupons in your face for Tanzanite jewelry

3. The spa was a joke and my 75 minute treatment was over and done with in less than 45

4. Kids running everywhere - Not because it was a family style cruise, but because all the parents were so intoxicated that there was no one to keep them in line

5. Their was a very noticable difference in the food at the included restaurants, and the MANY upcharge restaurants. In fact, of the 17 or so dining options, only 3 are included in the cruise cost!

Ok that's it for complaining. I feel like a Disney cruise would be a dream come true, and I hope anyone can help with some comparisons or stories of how Disney exceeded your expectations!

Here's my take on your points:

1. I never feel "nickel and Dimed" on DCL. I recently bought my parents a NCL cruise to Alaska and they found they were constantly being "sold up" and found that the dining was not that great. I was suprised at the last since I thought that the other cruise lines would outshine DCL on this point. (my memories of my NCL cruise 18 years ago were pretty fond)

2. Again, My mom was very turned off by NCL. I never feel like I'm being bugged to buy on DCL. I did think that on the last cruise, I was solicited a lot for alcoholic beverages during the sail away party but that was the last time it happened. I got hit about 4 or 5 times in a very short period, but never again for the rest of the cruise.

3. I think that even DCL may not be very good with spa treatments. My wife paid $50 for some sort of body analysis and really didn't get any sort of analysis at all. Instead, It was a sales pitch for a some product that would "Clean the Toxins" out of her body. I was not amused. That was a lot of money to listen to a worthless sales pitch. That said, my wife LOVES her massages. Takes one on the first day of every cruise and thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced bread.

4. There are usually a lot of Kids on DCL (of course) I've never experience out and out awful behavior from them but I have heard stories. Actually, I've seen more boorish behavior from parents than I have ever from the kids. DCL being more family oriented, I'd say that the focus is less on gambling and drinking than on some of the other lines and as a result I see more families interacting with each other than I've seen on other venues.

5. My mom commented on this as well. She also said that one of the upcharge restaurants had the exact same menu as did the included cost dining rooms.


I may try the other cruise lines at some point. Mostly because I want to do Europe and Alaska and so far the cost has been fairly high for both for DCL. (although it's really only been the airfare that has been making me balk on the European Cruises)

 

[lovethedream]

We have never been on NCL, but we have been on RCCL and Carnival, both after our two DCL cruises. We love DCL and wish we could sail with them every time. However, you are the only one that will be able to answer the question. I would say, give it a try and see if you like it.

 

[chris31997]

We did DCL 2 times and than did NCL Pride of Amercia(Hawaii). We felt just like you on NCL. We spent the entire cruise comparing both lines and decided we were DCL snubs Not saying that DCL is the perfect cruiseline and is the one for everyone, because that just is not so. But I think everyone should give them a shot once. IF you like cruising you should try DCL.

 

[Raspberry Beret]

I've been on a number of other cruise lines including NCL and I have never been "nickle and dimed" to the tune of $4000 for incidentals. Sounds like a self-control issue or you are leaving out some major expenses like excursions, spa treatments or photos.

I LOVE cruising so I have never had a bad cruise. Each cruise line is different, the atmosphere on individual ships in the same cruise line can be different. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. I can't tell you if you will love DCL or not because what is important to me and my family in a cruise may not be the same for your family. I can tell you that we have enjoyed all 7 of our Disney cruises but we also have enjoyed our 3 Celebrity, 4 NCL , 3 Princess and 1 Carnival cruise as well.

 

[Edd]

I would say the same thing. You can't get nickel and dimed to a tune of $4000. You just had a great time spending money in the shops, the restaurants, the bars, the spa, the pictures and maybe the casino. I can go on any cruise and spend less than $100.00 and thoroughy enjoy myself. I have done it many times.

The DCL also has extra restaurants, pictures, spas and what you spent for incidentals. However they are not the cheapest of the cruise lines for the same quality you get everyplace else.

 

[Rono007]

$4,000.00 = 40,000 nickels + 20,000 dimes.

 

[carole88]

$4,000.00 = 40,000 nickels + 20,000 dimes.

 

[Max Webster]

I just got back from a Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Epic two days ago with my husband and his parents. I was NOT impressed.
1. They nickle and dimed us for EVERYTHING. Our incidental bill was over $4,000!

Were you buying dope?

 

[mandibc11]

I have only cruised 3 times but would agree with the previous poster. Try Disney. 1 cruise for me on Disney in2005 1 prior day cruise to Freeport, and 2007on Princess for Alaska.

We loved Disney. The dress code fit us. Result Casual and a Dress up night. I did not think we were nickeled and dimed. The food was more what we anticipated. I was with my Mom and we did do the Palo Brunch and loved it and said we would pay for dinner at Palo the next time. The service was so different. We asked for early dining even though we were adults because of diabetes and trying to keep meals near their scheduled times. no kids we were seated with two other couples and had a great time at early dinner.

On the other cruise line we were told freestyle dining was the way we should go. Nice but no guarenteed times called daily and never able to go to dinner before 7:30. We were also told unless we had a child under 10 with us we had tohave main dining in the dining room. Food wasnt as good, room hostess not the same and we only go one towel animal all cruise.

Next cruise even as an adult with an all adult party will be Disney. As the previous poster we found on Disney children were more supervised even by their parents and the separate areas were separate. The kids club on Disney wins hands down. WE had trouble with the 12 year old on the Alaska cruise getting her to go to the clubs when the 5 adluts all wanted to do a wine tasting. She went but when we went to the room she was asleep!! When we woke her for dinner, she said she stayed 5 minutes and then decided to get a snack and watch tv. She was put in the older child group instead of the teen group as a tween even though she was in herlast yearof middle school

Our opinion Go DisneyMay your trip be sprinkled with pixie Dust!!

Thanks for the input! As far as dress attire, did you notice if people abided by the rules? I was pretty embarrassed a few times at the thongs some of the women we're laying out in, when I was walking with my Father in Law!! Also saw lots of jeans and shorts in the restaurants at night, even though we had really taken time to dress up.

 

[mandibc11]

I second what everybody said- the food in the regular dining rooms is great. If you want to eat at one of the adult only restaurants it is only $20 a person for Palo. Now you can eat at Remy on the Dream and it is $75 a person- but you won't feel like you are getting cheated if you don't eat there.

I don't remember anybody ever trying to sell us anything. We even went to the DVC seminar ( so we could try to win some prize) but that didn't even feel like they were trying to sell me something.

Pop is free ( unless you order it from room service) and they have a drink station that is open 24/7. Most of room service is free ( except for pop and candy)- but it is customary to tip a dollar or 2.

I think you would love it!

Good to know about the soda! You had to purchase a drink package on NCL, and if you didn't it was about $2.50 each

 

[mandibc11]

We just did our first Disney Cruise - and were thoroughly impressed. The food was very good - we ate at Palo - and really enjoyed it.
We liked that there was alcohol available - but not pushed on you, and certainly not a party boat.
Our extra's bill was very low - and next time we would get the $400 photo package - seems like a lot of money, but if you know at the start you are going to purchase it, you can take advantage of the photographers for the whole week!! THis would be equal to sitting fees with a professional at home.
We're booking DCL again, without even looking at others.

So the photo package is $400? I was really hoping you could get the CD for about $100 like in the parks

Now that you have been on another ship I think you should try the Disney ship. There is quite a difference in the ships and you will notice it. The Epic is a great ship and many have enjoyed it. I have heard many times it is the best of the NCL fleet.

Keep in mind the cruise industry doesn't need to emulate the Disney experience to be successful. They are actually two different models of cruising. If you are a Disney fanatic and only cruise rarely you will like the DCL. If you become a cruiser you will want to enjoy the many more things there are to do on the other ships. I am a cruiser so enjoy all ships.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. The Disney ships are so beautiful and I know we would have fun, but it would be fun to try others like Celebrity or even some of the Luxury ships that have more inclusions in their All inclusive offers!

We did DCL 2 times and than did NCL Pride of Amercia(Hawaii). We felt just like you on NCL. We spent the entire cruise comparing both lines and decided we were DCL snubs Not saying that DCL is the perfect cruiseline and is the one for everyone, because that just is not so. But I think everyone should give them a shot once. IF you like cruising you should try DCL.

I know I shouldn't have, but I kept comparing the cruise with Disney World! At least, the food part. I couldn't understand how Disney feeds so many people and keeps the food consistently delicious, when NCL's desserts all tasted like the same bland mush no matter what you ordered!

 

[mandibc11]

Were you buying dope?

HAHA! Ok, so answer everyone's question about our very high bill, let me just say that we were 4 adults, and that included our shore excursions, specialty restaurants, a spa day with 1 treatment each for the boys, and 2 for the girls. We also had probably 3 alcoholic beverages a day, each. We did NOT purchase anything in the gift shops.

Like I mentioned the food in the included restaurants was very bland, and of the three, one was a buffet, and one only available for dinner. Many lunches and every dinner but one was an upcharge for us, because we didn't want to eat in the smoky casino or have the same menu every night in the main dining room (only one or two menu items changed nightly).

Even entertainment was an added fee, with one of the dinner shows being $30 per person. If we wanted to have an adult only area to lounge in during the day, we had to pay for that. If we wanted to use the spa relaxation area during our treatments, we had to pay for that. Not that we did, because we couldn't believe if you booked a $200 facial you would have to pay extra to sit in a quiet chair while you wait for your next treatment!