PeoplemoverMatt Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I've never been on a cruise, mostly for fear of being trapped on a crowded ship with not enough going on to adequately pass the time. I'm also the sort of person who, if I spend more than 10 minutes waiting in line, I start wondering why I wasn't smart enough to avoid having to wait like this. I also don't drink, gamble, go to clubs, or have any interest in any of that. As a theme park enthusaist, I find myself enjoying Disney-owned parks more than any other. In that regard, I sort of figured Disney cruises would have more in it for me than most other cruise lines. So if I took a first time cruise at some point, would you recommend a Disney cruise over the others for a would-be first timer like myself? The food at least looks awesome. From the pictures, it does appear like Disney's going for more of the experience as a whole rather than this is when you eat, this is when you see and do stuff off the ship, this is when you see a show, sort of cruise routine that I've seen offered by other cruise lines. Disney has all that, but tries harder to sort of blend them altogether as one prolonged immersive experience. Am I in the ballpark of what actually goes on on a cruise like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 ^From what you say it really sounds like you shouldn't cruise at all. If you do decide to go, maybe try a 3 or 4 day Disney in case you hate it. I actually felt that Disney was the most 'THIS is when you eat, THIS is when you see the show, THIS is when you go to the pool' of all the lines I've been on. It just seemed like everything was extremely structured so if by chance you didn't want to see the show there was nothing else going on or to do at that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
better_by_design Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I do find that the wandering servers on DCL are not as pushy as other lines when it comes to upcharge drinks. They aren't...which really surprised me. In fact, I didn't feel like I was being "upcharged" at all on this ship. On most cruise lines I'm used to having to say "no" to the drink people, "no" to all the random photographers, etc, and on Disney they really didn't seem to push much of anything. I guess it's because the ship already gets a premium? I was also very surprised that not only did they allow you to use your own camera when taking pictures of the characters along side their photographers, they actually ENCOURAGED it! Beyond all the obvious "Disney stuff" that happens on the Disney Cruises, this is BY FAR the biggest difference - no one is shoving drink trays at you, whining about you going to the art auction, and basically trying to upsell you every 5 minutes. Combine this with no bingo, casinos, etc. and Disney is much more "all in" than most cruises. I mean sure, they still have an awesome spa and sell you photos and stuff, but it just doesn't feel like you're being nickled and dimed constantly. Undoubtedly this is primarily because they are very expensive upfront, but it really does pay off (to at least some degree) during the cruise, making it a MUCH nicer experience overall. We went on the Dream last year and loved it. Really a very premium experience from the ship to the food to the entertainment. Great report and glad you guys had great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 I compiled all these updates into one MASSIVE TPR Park Index Update here: http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=570&linkid=12724 So if you want to share that link with anyone that might be interested in reading our report, that's the one to share! Enjoy.... --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharktomus Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Long time lurker, first time poster. I was on the same cruise as you guys, I met Elissa on the first night as we went through the storm. Here were my thoughts on the cruise... it was absolutely amazing! I was a little apprehensive to begin with; the last time I was on a cruise was 6 years ago with Carnival. The Disney Fantasy blew, no nuked, the Carnival ship out of the water. The ship was beautiful. It was elegant but it still had touches of Disney everywhere. It was everything you would expect from Disney and then some. That includes the food, which was incredible! I didn't have a meal that wasn't good. The buffets for breakfast got repetitive, but that was before we knew the restaurants were open. The service was some of the best I've seen anywhere. All of the staff were excellent. My one minor complaint is more of a misconception, but I thought that the characters would just be walking around the ship instead of having scheduled times. It was just like in the parks with lines for the character meet and greets. But considering how amazing everything was my one complaint really doesn't matter. Overall I would give the cruise a 10/10 and would do it again in a heart beat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 26, 2012 Author Share Posted October 26, 2012 ^ How is it we never ran into you again?!?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursemelis374 Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Just catching up on this. Great trip report and thanks for posting! I am taking my nieces to Orlando for the first time next summer to do the parks but I'm thinking Disney cruise may be perfect in 2014! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragenx Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 Robb, What about the onboard nightly theater shows? You didn't mention them in you're report, Did you skip them? BTW. I was on the "Klassy Kruise" when you're group was over there, but not part of you're group, (and talked to you once or twice, on board.),... anyway, I've done the Disney Cruise thing 3 times (Wonder & Dream) and they are awesome but pricey, and I know the Carnival Ecstasy is way 70's and not as Fancy, and I know you're sarcastic style, so I'm good with that, but you we're still a little to hard on the old girl, for the price, the Ecstasy or Sensations aren't bad trips, mabie you should at least try a bigger, newer, Carnival Cruise, like the Carnival Dream, before you write them off completely,.....after all you did only try they're oldest and smallest ship, on a short 4 day party cruise,.... lastly, up next for me, Febuary, back to my favorate cruise line to try the RCI Allure of the Seas! anyway enjoying you're cruise reports, even the Klassy Kruise one, Keep'm coming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougMJr Posted October 26, 2012 Share Posted October 26, 2012 ^ Allure is awesome! You will have a great time. If you happen to be Cruising to Cozumel I would recommend the Xel-Ha excursion. The price gets you admission to the "water park," but it is no typical water park. No slides, but cliff jumping, snorkeling, rope walks, and zip lines. An up charge swim with the dolphins and included Alcohol and Buffet! Have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopoll Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 That's awesome! I remember going on cruise ships years ago. Sadly with school we can't do that anymore . I hope you guys had a lot of fun! I've been on 5 or 6 Cruise Ships, of which 4/5 were Royal Caribbean. I personally enjoyed RC much more than Norwegian, but that may be because for kids (I was 5 when on Norwegian), Royal Caribbean has much more to do. My favorite cruise would have had to be Jewel of the Seas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDedios432 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Be safe out there on the East Coast. I just saw this..and remembered the amazing TR on here. Apparently, the Fantasy was hit by the storm with passengers on-board. Scary stuff. CNN Reprt: "Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship Hammered by Hurricane Sandy " http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-865019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 ^This was already mentioned in the regular Cruise Ship Discussion Thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 Be safe out there on the East Coast. I just saw this..and remembered the amazing TR on here. Apparently, the Fantasy was hit by the storm with passengers on-board. Scary stuff. CNN Reprt: "Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship Hammered by Hurricane Sandy " http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-865019 Yeah, this happens more than you'd think. It probably made the news more this time around because Sandy is a hot topic right now. When we did the India/Dubai cruise earlier this year it also got some pretty good damage right before we got on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotlanta Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Yeah, this happens more than you'd think. It probably made the news more this time around because Sandy is a hot topic right now. When we did the India/Dubai cruise earlier this year it also got some pretty good damage right before we got on the ship.I haven't been on the site for the past few months, was there a TR for that cruise? By the way, thanks for posting such an extensive amount of these pics on FB. Really cool of you to do that while on vacation. Also the menus for the Main Dining Rooms featured specialty cocktails on some nights, or those included or upcharges? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted October 30, 2012 Author Share Posted October 30, 2012 ^ They were upcharges. I haven't posted the Dubai/India cruise yet... it's on the "to do" list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimby Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Wow. This cruise looks absolutley amazing. Like a dream for me. The attention to detail is just phenomenal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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