OT: Anyone do the Disney Cruise?

[Margo 0]

My family is very interested in going on the Disney Cruise!! I have agreed now that I am losing weight!!! I want to lose another 50 pounds before we go, but I thought I better start thinking about planning it.

If anyone has gone on the cruise, could you let me know how you liked it? Any "ins and outs" about the cruise would be helpful. We would take the cruise that leaves from Florida, so when is the best time of year insofar as the weather, etc? How many days did you cruise? Also my daughter will be 10 years old this summer....do you think she would still enjoy it?

Thanks in advance.....

[Magic 0]

Hi Margo, finally a crusier like me

My brother took the Disney cruise and he liked it a lot. Nevertheless, when I planned my crusie I wanted something big, so I went on Royal Caribbean, and it was the best thing I did.

When I showed my brother the pictures he was out of words, he couldn't believe what he missed by going on a Disney instead of a RCCL.

But when I say RCCL, I mean their big ships the Voyger family which takes 3000 people. not the losuy little ones

It was the best trip in my life, espically that RCCL is an all age ship, it has lots of kids, adults, families and all that jazz. Go on the 7 days Voyger and I'm sure that you will thank me for it.

P.S: RCCL is coming up with the biggest crusie ship afloat soon, its called Freedom of the seas, see if its out by the time when you take your cruise

[Bandster Brad 1]

Hi, Our first family cruise was Disney. Our kids enjoyed it very much, and we thought it was great, too. We especially liked their kids club, and our kids loved (of course) all of the Disney Characters they had wandering around. They even have their own island in the Caribbean!

However, once we were more "mature cruisers" we found out something interesting - for the money, the Disney Cruise costs the same for a three day cruise as a 7 day cruise on a more premium line. Like Celebrity X. We just took a week cruise to the Caribbean last week, and it was divine. Its our 3rd time on Celebrity X Cruises.

The food is better, the price is better, the kids club is MUCH BETTER (we thought Disney was good, but once we tried Celebrity X, there was no comparison). The service is exquisite.

The only thing I missed from the Disney boat on our last Celebrity X cruise was this: Remember when we were little and Disney had that the "when you wish upon a star" music? That's the tune the ship's whistle/horn plays, and it's hauntingly beautiful. No one else can do that.

Cheers!!!

[piercedqt78 658]

I am a Disney nut but have never done their cruise. However, there is a website that has a forum on the cruise line, www.disboards.com towards the bottom the of the list is the DCL. That list is set up just like this one so it is pretty easy to use and you can read without having to join. If I am online and not on LBT I am there, usually on the budget board, lots of deals and freebies listed there, also we talk about ways to save on a disney trip. We are either in Disney or planning a Disney trip, we go 2 times a year and I put a ton of time into the planning, I LOVE Disney, can ya' tell? ~Mandy

[princess_n_thep 2]

WE LOVE CRUISES!!! I have been on 14 of them now. I loveeeeeee them. They are the BEST way to vacation! And the most bang for your buck.

I have been on Disney twice. Both times I wasn't really impressed. I agree that Royal Carribean Cruise Lines is my top choice for cruising. Unless you are a HUGE Disney fan and absolutely want the Disney feel, then go to another cruise line. Disney is expensive and not really all that great.

RCCL also has the best kids programs in my opinion. Your daughter will LOVE it!!

The worst time to cruise in the Carribean is Late July-Mid October. Hurricane season. Those are the best rates though. It is a gamble though because seas can be rough and itinerary can change. I like cruises in April and May. January is good too.

We prefer the 5-7 night cruises. 3 and 4 day cruises seem too short, 10 and 14+ cruises are wayyyyy too long.

Regarding cruises:

the best way to have the most fun is to GET INVOLVED! Go to the shows, enjoy the games, shuffleboard, ping pong, rock climbing, do the trivia games, karaoke, casino, bingo, go to the talent show, etc etc. There is a list of all that is going on every day in your room. Take a highliter, mark them and go to them! IMPORTANT: A MUST MUST MUST see on every RCCL cruise ship is the Quest game and the Newlywed game!!! You must not miss it, hilarious!!!

Also, pick a shore excursion. There is only so much shopping and looking you can do at each port. At least one excursion is good.

Remember that you will be tipping at the end of the week. It usually is around $150 at the end of a week.

Enjoy the formal dinners in the grand room. I know it is a pain in the ass to have a set time to eat, but it really is worth it to go!

The most important advice I can give is to have a carry on bag with a change of clothes for the cruise, swim suit and dinner clothing and lounging on the ship clothes that night!! Sometimes your bags don't get delivered to your room until late that night. It sucks to be stuck in warm weather with calypso music playing and you are in a sweater and courdoroys, no make up, airplane hair, with your parka wrapped around your waist!!

I can't wait until RCCL's Freedom of the Seas!!! We are going next November!! WOOOOT!!! And I will bet you all a Twinkie I will be going on that surfing thing!!

[piercedqt78 658]

Also check out www.allearsnet.com this is a wonderful disney info site, not sure what is there on the cruise, but she covers everything else so I am sure there is some info. ~Mandy