MaryAnn

We are planning our first cruise and given the ages of our kids (13, 11 and 9)everyone has suggested that we do a Disney cruise.<BR><BR>I'm just starting on my research, but it appears that the Disney cruise is pretty expensive compared to similar ships/itineraries, etc.<BR><BR>Do they truly offer something bigger and better and worth paying the extra $$$ for? We've been to WDW a few times and are able to cut costs so that it isn't so over-the-top financially, but on a cruise you don't have as many options to cut back.<BR><BR>

KAC

MaryAnn:<BR><BR>I've never sailed Disney so I can't speak specifically to what they have that would be "bigger and better" but I did take my first cruise at age 10 (before the days of Disney and major children's programs) and I had a great time. Many different lines now offer kid's programs and while Donald Duck may not be at every turn you make on those other lines, from the reviews that I've read kids have great times on them. The children's programs vary from line to line and some lines tend to offer more at times and for itinerary's when children are more likely to sail. Some of the larger Princess ships even have an ice rink onboard.<BR><BR>Disney seems like it would be especially nice for people with small children because some other lines only offer programs for the "toilet trained". Disney also offers cribs and tubs making it appealing for people with tiny tots. Since your children are older and don't need these amenities you have greater flexibility in what you choose.<BR><BR>Don't feel like you have to choose Disney for your kids to have a good time. Research the various lines and what they offer and choose a ship and itinerary that best suits your family.<BR>There are many reviews to be found - you may also want to try Cruise @ddicts or Cruise Critic. Happy cruising!

a Travel Professional

The ice rinks are actually on Royal Caribbean, Explorer and Voyager of the Seas which also have rock climbing walls, golf simulators and etc.<BR>Carnival is also good for families. Their kids programs have been voted the best.<BR>Disney has the Characters, turn down service for the kids. No casinos, and larger family cabins, but most of my clients feel they are too much more expensive than Carnival or RCCL to be a consideration.<BR>Carnival has much larger cabins than RCCL and my clients feel the food is better on Carnival.

KAC

My bad, I misspoke. TravelProfessional is right it is RCCL that has the ice rink. Princess I beleive (though I have no children) is the line that allows children but limits the number of the them per sailing. Best to do some research.

GEORGEB

I'm not a huge fan of Disney, and feel that their ships are pricey. We love the childrens program on Princess ships. (Grand and Sea x 3) We just returned from NCL Sun and we were a little disappointed in the childrens club.

Melissa

I am not a fan of Disney...I am a travel agent...that being said, my manager who is a huge disney/florida fan, goes about 5 times a year, forced me to go to Disney World. it was ok, but not for me...the next year she forced me to go on Disney Cruise Line on a 3 day. I have been on 3 cruises, and to this day that was the BEST cruise of my life!!!! I went in with a bad attitude, and still had the best time. I don't have kids and spent my whole time in the adult only sections. As part of this fam we toured the childrens section. They split children into small age sections. Some other lines put kids in programs together and they may be 5 years apart, but Disney is like 5 to 6, 7 to 8, etc. The teens have thier own beach on the private island, and thier own cafe/disco that adults are not allowed into exept a supervisor. The kids all get a braclette that has a scan code on it. One of my collegues found a 2 year old who somehow got out of their room and didnt know who mommy and daddy were (thier real names or anything) my collegue took the little one to the front desk, they scanned the braclette, and could contact the childs parents. I think this is really cool. <BR><BR>The ship is designed after Walt's own cruise photos from like the 50's, so it has an really neat feel to it and very different from all the other cruise lines. Dinner was a once in a lifetime experience. You rotate dining rooms everynight, and animators palate the walls come alive. <BR><BR>The theater was broadway style, the private island was amazing.<BR><BR>They have done everything so right and then some on this line. everyone will have a great time. The only thing that some people may find a turn off is the lack of a casino.<BR><BR>You will not be disappointed.

love2travel

It's a very nice experience. Our kids enjoyed it. Having sailed RCCL on their 3 day, it was a similar experience. RCCL's staff was great - but Disney's kids areas were astounding as well as their programs. I have had better food - I thought the food was okay. <BR><BR>I am a huge disney nut - we used to go at least 1 time a year if not 2. I think Disney commands the amount of money because they are Disney and they know people will pay it. <BR><BR>Their cabins are quite a bit larger than most ships - very accommodating to families. We have five in our family and on RCCL we had to get two staterooms. The Disney ship had plenty of room for all of us in the cabin.<BR><BR>I can say that I have had other cruise experiences that have been better, but I very much enjoyed the ship and the family did too. <BR><BR>p.s. I do like a casino - I missed that a lot.<BR>

Mel

We took a Disney cruise in November and it was wonderful! Disney knows how to do things right and there was not ONE slip up anywhere. The ship is clean and has something for everyone. The Buccaneer Clubs for kids is outstanding, safe (on video 24/7) and the kids love it. Where else can Cinderella read you a bedtime story or the kids can watch first-run Disney movies (Monster, Inc. before it came out in theatres) while lying on a soft pallet surrounded by Peter Pan's pirate ship? We are grandparents who went with our adult daughter and two grandsons (8 & 5). For the older kids, there's a separate section with computers and activities geared to that age group (our 8 year old made flubber). There is an adults-only restaurant and lots of bars and clubs.<BR><BR>One final recommendation: Take them up on the shuttle service from the airport to the ship. It's around $68 per and was well worth it for the convenience of having them get your bags, the bus ride shows a video that prepares you for cruising and you bypass everything and go right on the ship.

BETTY

CRUISED ON THE DISNEY WONDER LAST <BR>SEPTEMBER. IT EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS<BR>AND I HAVE BEEN ON A NUMBER OF CRUISES<BR>THE RATES IN THE FALL ARE CONSIDERABLY<BR>LOWER. IF YOU HAVE AN EX CARD YOU WILL<BR>RECEIVE ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS BECAUSE <BR>IT IS THE OFFICIAL CARD OF DISNEYWORLD<BR>E-MAIL ME FOR ADDITIONAL INFO<BR><BR>DISNEY IS WONERFUL. THEY ARE NUMBER <BR>ONE FOR FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT.

Paul Therault

Disney is expensive because .....<BR>People love Disney and Disney knows it.<BR><BR>Disney has only 2 ships and they are always filled.<BR><BR>Paul

Dlover

Wow Paul that sounds like sour grapes. Did they not pay you enough?<BR><BR>Or is it that Carnival really can't compare with quality, instead of quantity?

What's your problem

I love Disney too, dlover. What's with the snotty answer to Paul. He was making a statement that we can all agree with. Disney has a very expensive product. They know it and can charge accordingly. Doesn't make me like Disney any less, it's just a fact. Nothing sour grapes about Paul's answer. What's your problem?

Dlover

You must be a very positive person WYP.<BR><BR>People love Disney and Disney knows it.<BR><BR>Sounds pretty snotty to me.

Surenuffsnotty

Dlover, how does the statement"people love Disney and Disney knows it" sound snotty? It is the truth--They are successful beyond most peoples dreams. <BR>Paul was exactly right. They have two ships, cater to a more upscale clientel<BR>than RCCL and Carnival,and people are willing to pay the price. Snotty? I think not.Just good business.<BR> We all know that for a long time now it has been fashionable to trounce Paul every time he makes any kind of post. <BR>Most people are tired of it. Try to offer some good cruise info. for a change.

Must

How is that so hard to see that that comment by Paul is a rip on Disney.<BR><BR>Kind of like the comment, "She's good looking and she knows it". That always had a negative tone to it. This is the same. Hello, knock knock!<BR><BR>On a postive spin. Disney offers what they always offer professionalism.

booger

Must, why should anyone interpret your post as "something positive" in a positive way? I guess we can find fault with anything if we twist it enough.<BR>Paul's post was nothing but plain,simple and right.<BR>

MaryAnn

Thanks to all for your informative (and some not so informative) replies. <BR><BR>After nearly a week of doing research, we did decide to book on a Disney ship, mainly because we want a more family atmosphere and definitely are not interested in casinos or a party crowd.<BR><BR>Our final decision was made after posting here and seeing that everyone who has actually booked with Disney has not been disappointed. Thanks again for the information.

Paul Therault

Terrific Maryann. You will have a wonderful cruise and be sure to see the production show "Disney Dreams."<BR>It is the only cruise line's show that I have ever seen get a standing ovation. Be sure to stay to the very end for the surprise.<BR><BR>Paul

love2travel

Paul's statement about the shows is correct. It's something I failed to mention. The shows aboard the Disney ship were the best by far that I've seen - that includes Carnival, Princess, Holland and Royal. They are quality.<BR><BR>Again, I found the food comparably just okay - nothing extraordinary, but I am a huge Disney fan and we enjoyed the experience. It is a great family ship.<BR><BR>In agreement with other posts, they truly do have sort of a "corner" on the market. I'm an agent and do a senior class trip on the Disney ship each year and parents always want to know why it's so much more expensive than others. It's because the ship will fill and in peak season, especially, the people will pay the price.<BR><BR>Have a good time!

4myguys

We took our first cruise last month with Disney. The family we traveled with had taken other cruises before and they commented that one of the things they like about Disney is the speed in which you disembark. I have read several posts where people are still on the boat at 12noon. We were off the boat and on the road by 8:30. I would defin. do Disney again.