Why HAVEN'T you taken a Disney cruise?

Login to post comments

29 posts / 0 new

Mon, 01/19/2009 - 11:46

Offline

Joined: 01/15/2009

Posts: 919

Why HAVEN'T you taken a Disney cruise?

Thought I'd start a thread to ask about concerns or questions about cruising in general, and DCL in particular.

Of course, COST can always be a factor, but let's go beyond that. Are there reasons you haven't planned a Disney Cruise yet? Are you worried about sea sickness? Think you'll be bored on a ship for that length of time? Have you not done a cruise before and don't know where to start? Heard bad things about cruises in general? Think your time is better spent at WDW?

Let's get some conversation going and maybe you'll decide to put the wheels in motion to make your dream vacation come true.

__________________

Visit our website (work in progress) http://www.mousetraveler.tv
Visit our blog (will NEVER be finished)
http://www.mousetraveler.tv/blog
On Twitter as 'MouseTraveler' and 'BigBlueMan'

Mon, 01/19/2009 - 16:07

Offline

Joined: 08/18/2008

Posts: 556

I've often thought about taking a cruise, but it's just too expensive to cruise solo. Even with all the seemingly great deals out there right now, as soon as I plug in the fact that there's just one of me, the price doubles or triples. Grr. It's so annoying.

If I did have the money, though, honestly, I wouldn't go on a Disney ship. I'd try to find a cruise line that was more geared to grownups, but still with a lot of shipboard activity options. NCL or RCI maybe.

__________________

Gray
SoloFriendly.com

Mon, 01/19/2009 - 16:32

Offline

Joined: 01/15/2009

Posts: 919

SoloFriendly wrote:

If I did have the money, though, honestly, I wouldn't go on a Disney ship. I'd try to find a cruise line that was more geared to grownups, but still with a lot of shipboard activity options. NCL or RCI maybe.

As Devil's advocate, then why are you on this site? Is Disney World not geared toward kids? This site is prime example of grownups wanting the Disney Experience.

The only reason I say this is that there are a LOT of people (adults) that could choose whatever cruise line they wanted, and the consistently cruise DCL. Are there lots of activities for kids onboard? Yes. Are there special 'kids groups'? Yes. But every OTHER major cruise line offers customized kids programs. Carnival has a HUGE one, but they have the reputation as a "party ship".

I say all of this because over the years I've had so many people tell me they wouldn't go on a Disney Cruise because of the kid factor. Believe me, you can do your own thing on a Disney Cruise and kids aren't even in the picture. They have their own areas, their own entertainment and we have ours. Go to Castaway Cay and you have an adult area, no kids allowed. The ship has Beat Street, no kids allowed. There's an adult pool, no kids allowed. And if you choose to go to Palo, no kids allowed.

Not knocking what you said, and for you that may be a great decision, but DCL is far from being "geared toward kids".

Other than the fact that DCL is affiliated with Disney, I don't think you find any more "kid gearing" than any other cruise line. Plus, you can hang out on deck with Mickey Mouse AND they are the ONLY cruise line authorized to have a fireworks display while at sea!

__________________

Visit our website (work in progress) http://www.mousetraveler.tv
Visit our blog (will NEVER be finished)
http://www.mousetraveler.tv/blog
On Twitter as 'MouseTraveler' and 'BigBlueMan'

Mon, 01/19/2009 - 17:09

Offline

Joined: 07/06/2008

Posts: 2532

MouseTraveler wrote:

And if you choose to go to Palo, no kids allowed.

I've seen on the travel channel that you can only really go to Palo once on a cruise, and that you have to get reservations as soon as you get onto the ship. Is that the case?

__________________

[url=http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/'http://www.mickeypath.com/']

[/url]

2010 Beach Club Resort
2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
2008 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2009 CBR/Polynesian

Mon, 01/19/2009 - 20:01

Offline

Joined: 08/18/2008

Posts: 556

Mousetraveler,

I'm here because I love Disney World. I just don't necessarily love the fact that I'm surrounded by kids the whole time I'm there. It's one of those things I tolerate because I have to in order to enjoy Disney World. There's only one WDW and it just so happens to come with kids. (Believe me, if there were an "adults only week" at WDW, that's the week I'd be going.) I can handle kids one-on-one and in small chunks of time. But en masse, they really sap my energy.

You asked a question, and I answered honestly. Obviously, you're more familiar with the Disney cruise lines than I am. Like so many others, I have preconceived notions of cruise lines based on their reputations. (Carnival's "party ship" rep also turns me off because I can just imagine being the only sober 40+ year old in a sea of drunken 20 year olds. And that may not be true, either. But do I want to gamble a $2K+ vacation on the hope that it isn't? Not really.) I have been trying to find a cruise line that is likely to have the largest demographic of people like me: single, childless, 40+. Is that Disney? You tell me. If it is, I'll look more closely.

On another note, what's your take on all these people "falling" off cruise ships lately? It's starting to freak me out. They all seem to have different situations going on, but the fact that it's been happening so frequently makes me a little leery.

__________________

Gray
SoloFriendly.com

Mon, 01/19/2009 - 20:13

Offline

Joined: 01/15/2009

Posts: 919

SpaceAce wrote:

I've seen on the travel channel that you can only really go to Palo once on a cruise, and that you have to get reservations as soon as you get onto the ship. Is that the case?

Pretty much. You can make them months ahead as well. There is the chance to make reservations as soon as you get on board, but that fills up quickly. Believe me, Palo is worth the effort.

We've managed to get in to Palo everytime except the first cruise we did. Our English friends, who seem to know everybody on staff at the cruise line got us into the Brunch last time we sailed with them. I look at the brunch and it brings to MY mind what a Roman FOOD orgy must have been like. I have never seen so much food, of all types, in my life.

Add some champagne to it, and you've got an incredible experience.

__________________

Visit our website (work in progress) http://www.mousetraveler.tv
Visit our blog (will NEVER be finished)
http://www.mousetraveler.tv/blog
On Twitter as 'MouseTraveler' and 'BigBlueMan'

Mon, 01/19/2009 - 20:24

Offline

Joined: 01/15/2009

Posts: 919

Solo, glad you took my question more as an inquiry because thats what it was designed as. OK, lets see about those questions.

#1) About the kids. Ditto, I'm with you. I have to admit there ARE a lot of kids on DCL, and it is kind of fun seeing their reactions to all the characters, etc. And as usual, I can say goodnight to them all and go back to my stateroom.

#2) People DO have some pre-conceived notions about DCL, some deserved and some not. Having read what you wrote, you may be right. DCL may not be the one for you. I'd go with Royal Caribbean and one of those "super ships". The bigger the better! I think the newest one hold nearly 5,000 people. (Obviously I'm not one of those people who want the 'close, intimacy of small ship', etc.) I want to go to Johnny Rockets (on some RCCL ships), and WATCH people ice skate and climb the rock wall. Oh yeah, and surf on that pool surfing thing they bigger ships have. Samantha Brown has a one hour thing on the Travel Channel where she's on the Adventure of the Seas (I think thats it), that they show all the time. Check it out when you get the chance. Oh yeah, the other thing might be to find a 'specialty cruise' and go on that with a bunch of like minded people. They have cruises for everything these days. They just had one featuring the stars of the 70's-80's version of Battlestar Gallactica, for Pete's sake!

#3) Falling off the ship. This is a pretty terrifying thought, but from my perspective you'd have to WORK to fall off a ship. Granted, I always get an oceanview cabin, but without a balcony so that removes one problem, but having looked around the decks pretty thoroughly, it seems to me you either have to WANT to fall off pretty badly, or somebody is tossing you overboard!

__________________

Visit our website (work in progress) http://www.mousetraveler.tv
Visit our blog (will NEVER be finished)
http://www.mousetraveler.tv/blog
On Twitter as 'MouseTraveler' and 'BigBlueMan'

Mon, 01/19/2009 - 21:09

Offline

Joined: 08/05/2008

Posts: 4357

I'd say I share the same reservations as Solo Friendly about Disney Cruises. In a perfect world, they wouldn't be there at WDW either.

On another note, I'm quite curious to hear people's experiences on cruises in general. I was tempted to take a European cruise once, but the more I thought about it, the more skeptical I was. I really like to get to know a place and moving around that much doesn't seem my speed. On the other hand, an Alaskan cruise sounds more interesting. Something where it's nice to just sit on the deck and watch the natural wonder go by.

I think my biggest fear about cruises though, is that once you're on it...you're kind of trapped. If you don't like a hotel, you can go someplace else. If you don't like you ship...too bad.

Sun, 02/01/2009 - 06:49

Offline

Joined: 06/20/2008

Posts: 3444

MouseTraveler wrote:

I want to go to Johnny Rockets (on some RCCL ships), and WATCH people ice skate and climb the rock wall. Oh yeah, and surf on that pool surfing thing they bigger ships have.

#3) Falling off the ship. This is a pretty terrifying thought, but from my perspective you'd have to WORK to fall off a ship. Granted, I always get an oceanview cabin, but without a balcony so that removes one problem, but having looked around the decks pretty thoroughly, it seems to me you either have to WANT to fall off pretty badly, or somebody is tossing you overboard!

The Johnny Rockets/Rock Wall/Ice Skating thing sounds a bit like Mall of America

Sorry, MT, just had to say it!

And falling off the ship does seem like hard work. Don't they tend to have all kinds of plexiglass everywhere to keep people in?

__________________

May 2008 CSR

Mon, 02/02/2009 - 10:29

LeCellierBuff1963

Offline

Joined: 08/30/2008

Posts: 529

Good morning!

Where are all these stories about people falling off ships? I oversit (i.e., do not understand). Like MT stated, you're probably jumping or being pushed overboard.

I think the Samantha Brown series is the one in which she's on the Freedom of the Seas, billed as the world's largest cruise ship.

Jim

Mon, 02/02/2009 - 15:33

Offline

Joined: 01/15/2009

Posts: 919

LeCellierBuff1963 wrote:

Good morning!

I think the Samantha Brown series is the one in which she's on the Freedom of the Seas, billed as the world's largest cruise ship.

Jim

I believe RCL has come out with one or two ships since then that are even bigger. A friend of mine went on one of them recently and hated it, because he likes smaller ships. I think I'd like it because the bigger the ship, the more to do on it.

__________________

Visit our website (work in progress) http://www.mousetraveler.tv
Visit our blog (will NEVER be finished)
http://www.mousetraveler.tv/blog
On Twitter as 'MouseTraveler' and 'BigBlueMan'

Mon, 02/02/2009 - 17:29

Offline

Joined: 08/18/2008

Posts: 556

LeCellierBuff, there just have been a lot of stories in the news in the past couple of months about people "falling" (or jumping, being pushed, whatever) off cruise ships. First a woman who was traveling with her family, then a cruise ship employee, then a couple (both of them!). These incidents all occurred within what seems to be a very short period of time. You could probably find the articles if you googled some key words.

__________________

Gray
SoloFriendly.com

Mon, 02/02/2009 - 20:13

Offline

Joined: 06/20/2008

Posts: 3220

It's probably like shark attacks where they happen every once in a while, but when a couple happen in a close proximity (which statistics says will happen every once in a while), you notice and think the frequency has increased. That summer where there were so many shark attacks a few years ago didn't really indicate anything other than just an anomaly as far as I can tell.

Either that or maybe people are getting stupider and falling off ships more. Or else more depressed (very likely.)

Mon, 02/02/2009 - 21:40

Offline

Joined: 01/15/2009

Posts: 919

We also went through a phase a couple of years ago where crimes were being committed on ships and it seemed like no one was responsible since you are out at sea. I remember a BIG stink being made about it, then suddenly you hard nothing else about it.

__________________

Visit our website (work in progress) http://www.mousetraveler.tv
Visit our blog (will NEVER be finished)
http://www.mousetraveler.tv/blog
On Twitter as 'MouseTraveler' and 'BigBlueMan'

Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:10

Offline

Joined: 08/05/2008

Posts: 4357

MouseTraveler wrote:

We also went through a phase a couple of years ago where crimes were being committed on ships and it seemed like no one was responsible since you are out at sea. I remember a BIG stink being made about it, then suddenly you hard nothing else about it.

That is an interesting question. Are the cruise operators at all liable for what happens on the ships? I'm guessing you have to sign a waiver, but that just seems like an invitation for trouble to indemnify them from any responsibility for running a safe ship.

Tue, 02/03/2009 - 02:14

Offline

Joined: 01/15/2009

Posts: 919

Brad wrote:

Are the cruise operators at all liable for what happens on the ships? I'm guessing you have to sign a waiver, but that just seems like an invitation for trouble to indemnify them from any responsibility for running a safe ship.

I think the problem was that no country had jurisdiction to investigate or prosecute since they were in international waters,and the cruise lines themselves had little interest in pursuing bad guys as it would be bad publicity and hurt business.

__________________

Visit our website (work in progress) http://www.mousetraveler.tv
Visit our blog (will NEVER be finished)
http://www.mousetraveler.tv/blog
On Twitter as 'MouseTraveler' and 'BigBlueMan'

Tue, 02/03/2009 - 23:00

Offline

Joined: 07/11/2008

Posts: 2884

Who IS in charge of prosecuting a pickpocket in international water? Doesn't maritime law say they can make them walk the plank or something?

Sun, 09/20/2009 - 12:32

Offline

Joined: 09/07/2009

Posts: 156

This is another one of those threads I just got around to reading. I would like to add my two cents for what it's worth.

I have been on 3 cruises...2 Disney and one Princess Line (are they still in business?) The Princess Cruise was me and 130 of my closest friends from work and we had a ball! But we all knew each other and pretty much had the run of the ship for 3 days.

DCL...I went on the 4th cruise they had...and it was TERRIBLE! Kids did have the run of the ship. They were everywhere...even in the bars. I swore I would never do DCL again.

Fast forward 10 years and a travel agent that specializes in all things Disney. She assured me Disney had corrected the 'kid problem'. And, I gotta tell ya, they have. When we got off the first cruise they handed us questionaires about I cruise and I complained bitterly about the kids.

Disney listened to us early cruiserss. Now DCL has areas specifically for adults...bars...pool...Palos...and believe me when I tell you...they ENFORCE the 'no kids in this area' policy. It was a much better cruise that we enjoyed to the max.

A couple of observations. Having been on a couple different cruises, one thing that stood out to me is fellow passengers. Those on DCL tend to be much more relaxed, laid back and easy to get along with. I noticed a lot of the parents with kids on DCL tend to keep their kiddies in check, i.e. no running wild, no loud noises, etc.

Not sure if this adds to the overall feeling on the ship, but because there is no gambling on DCL if that makes a difference in the mood onboard.

Castaway Cay is wonderful! They do have areas just for adults and I understand they are going to expand not only that area of the island but the whole thing in general.

Would I do DCL again? Without a doubt...and I would once again make it a land/sea deal.

__________________

Life is what you make it...then there's Disney!!!

Sun, 09/20/2009 - 14:32

Offline

Joined: 08/14/2010

Posts: 2733

Mike&Donna wrote:

A couple of observations. Having been on a couple different cruises, one thing that stood out to me is fellow passengers. Those on DCL tend to be much more relaxed, laid back and easy to get along with.

Disney people are just nicer people. I think that's what you're trying to say, right Mike?

Sun, 09/20/2009 - 14:39

Offline

Joined: 09/07/2009

Posts: 156

Thats it! Nicer people! I think that people that are Disney fans, no matter what their age, have certain attitude about them that makes them so much nicer to be around!

__________________

Life is what you make it...then there's Disney!!!

Sun, 09/20/2009 - 22:33

Offline

Joined: 07/06/2008

Posts: 2532

Mike&Donna wrote:

Thats it! Nicer people! I think that people that are Disney fans, no matter what their age, have certain attitude about them that makes them so much nicer to be around!

We've talked about this before, and I really do think it's true. People who are willing to believe in Magic are willing to believe that being kind and considerate are probably the right things to do. (Line cutting, however...that's something we still have to deal with...)

__________________

[url=http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/'http://www.mickeypath.com/']

[/url]

2010 Beach Club Resort
2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
2008 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2009 CBR/Polynesian

Mon, 09/21/2009 - 03:45

Offline

Joined: 06/20/2008

Posts: 3220

Mike, what made you decide to give them a second chance?

Mon, 09/21/2009 - 09:24

Offline

Joined: 09/07/2009

Posts: 156

A couple things cdub...the first being my travel agent who said Disney had made significant strides towards making the cruises more 'adult-friendly'. And they certainly have done that. And making the cruise part of the package, it was a lot cheaper than doing just a cruise.

The second reason is...I'm am not much of a 'partier'. While the 'fun ships' look like fun...I am more laid back. I don't gamble...dont drink like a fish...and go to bed at a 'normal hour'...like 9pm. Altho I will admit, we did stay up way late one the cruise...like 11:30 or some such ungodly hour...lol

__________________

Life is what you make it...then there's Disney!!!

Mon, 09/21/2009 - 15:21

Offline

Joined: 06/20/2008

Posts: 1610

Mike&Donna wrote:

A couple things cdub...the first being my travel agent who said Disney had made significant strides towards making the cruises more 'adult-friendly'. And they certainly have done that. And making the cruise part of the package, it was a lot cheaper than doing just a cruise.

The second reason is...I'm am not much of a 'partier'. While the 'fun ships' look like fun...I am more laid back. I don't gamble...dont drink like a fish...and go to bed at a 'normal hour'...like 9pm. Altho I will admit, we did stay up way late one the cruise...like 11:30 or some such ungodly hour...lol

It's amazing to me how alcohol/gaming focused the other lines are. Is Disney the only "big ship" cruiseline that doesn't assume everyone wants to party/dance/drink/gamble?

Mon, 09/21/2009 - 21:56

Offline

Joined: 03/11/2009

Posts: 682

I can guarantee we won't do a Disney cruise until we have kids old enough to enjoy it. Part of it is the kid factor and everything being "family friendly". The best part of our cruise was the adult-only activities. They were things like adult comedy shows, variety shows, a scavenger hunt, and things like that. Most of the time, it was whoever was performing on the ship's main stage, but later and Rated R. And the PG versions were not funny.

Other than that, we wouldn't do it because there is no gambling. We made a bunch of friends at the last cruise and we met them all at the electronic poker table they had. I think that type of table would be a "must have" on our cruises. We still talk to those people a month later most days...and are talking about doing another cruise with them. We also just love playing poker, especially at night. We were up until 2 or 3 in morning playing poker most nights.

Mon, 09/21/2009 - 23:26

Offline

Joined: 03/28/2009

Posts: 4658

caitiesus wrote:

We were up until 2 or 3 in morning playing poker most nights.

OMG!! I thought 2 or 3 only came in the afternoon

I'm like Mike and Donna, going in bed early, and not being much of a party go'er. My idea of a wild time is polishing the Vette and going to a car show trying to win another trophy, OR going to WDW!

__________________

Tue, 09/22/2009 - 01:41

Offline

Joined: 08/14/2010

Posts: 2733

caitiesus wrote:

I can guarantee we won't do a Disney cruise until we have kids old enough to enjoy it. Part of it is the kid factor and everything being "family friendly". The best part of our cruise was the adult-only activities. They were things like adult comedy shows, variety shows, a scavenger hunt, and things like that. Most of the time, it was whoever was performing on the ship's main stage, but later and Rated R. And the PG versions were not funny.

Other than that, we wouldn't do it because there is no gambling. We made a bunch of friends at the last cruise and we met them all at the electronic poker table they had. I think that type of table would be a "must have" on our cruises. We still talk to those people a month later most days...and are talking about doing another cruise with them. We also just love playing poker, especially at night. We were up until 2 or 3 in morning playing poker most nights.

I knew you guys were hellions! I got my love of gambling from my mom, I admit it! I always have my limit, though...no interventions please

Wed, 09/30/2009 - 02:31

LifeIsForLiving

Offline

Joined: 07/06/2009

Posts: 1596

I've only been on one cruise and it was a Carnival cruise to Cozumel (six days maybe). I took my girlfriend at the time, and my mom - because she'd never been on a cruise and she deserves it (that and she's super fun to be around). It was great, we all had a wonderful time. The all-inclusive nature of most cruises is a real good time. We'd order brownies at two in the morning from room service...just because we could The food was generally very good, the activities were real fun (we particularly enjoyed playing bingo), and the shore excursions were a treat. We all used seasick patches and did not get seasick. I did get uncomfortably queasy one night. I figure that might have had something to do with the 0300 pizza craving I sated though. I don't drink or "party" and though there was a lot of that going on, we still have a great time with lots to do at all times. I would recommend a cruise (DCL or otherwise) to most anyone. Far as cruising with like-minded people, there are cruises designed specifically for that. There are cruises for singles (not all of which are meat markets), cruises for specific age groups, even cruises chartered for special interest groups.

p.s. I do want to take a Disney cruise.

Wed, 09/30/2009 - 23:20

Offline

Joined: 08/05/2008

Posts: 4357

[quote poster=LifeIsForLiving date=1254277871
We'd order brownies at two in the morning from room service...just because we could

This is an upside to cruising I had not considered.