To cruise or not to cruise...

**disneydarling** · 01-21-2011, 09:40 PM

I have never cruised, Disney or otherwise, but am feeling very tempted to. I live just outside Orlando and generally just take day trips (at least monthly) to visit Mickey but would love to have an extended vacation to look forward to and plan. I would love to hear back from folks who have taken a Disney cruise...was it a good value? would you go again? where did you go and for how long? have any of you cruised with young kids? would two adults sans kids enjoy a disney cruise? (i'm torn between taking my five year old or enjoying an adult vacation and saving his trip for when he is a little older). Thanks in advance for all the excellent avice!

**MartianCrab** · 01-21-2011, 09:49 PM

I took my family on a Disney cruise in 2008 and would love to go again. We had an inside cabin and I didn't find that to be a problem, although a balcony would have been more fun. We loved Castaway Cay & hated Nassau. It was a memorable experience. I live in S. Florida so we had to drive up to Port Canaveral. Ft. Lauderdale would have been a lot more convenient but it was worth the drive.

**lorilovestigger** · 01-21-2011, 10:26 PM

I'll let you know when I get back from mine in March.

**SnwhtNdwrfs** · 01-21-2011, 10:38 PM

The only cruise I have been on was way back in 1991. It was a Disney Cruise on The Big Red Boat. It was a great experience and we had a great time. This was before children and we just had a wonderful time. I would go again in a heartbeat.

The best food I ever ate on that cruise were the hot dogs on the beach. Not sure why I remember that.

**wallfan329** · 01-21-2011, 11:38 PM

My family went twice. Once in 2003 and the other time in 2005. We loved it. My mom and dad had their night club things to go to and had a blast. The kids areas are super fun (I was 8 and 10). I also hated Nassau. In 2003 we kind free-styled it, stayed close to the ship, we spent about an hour there and the rest of the day was spent on the boat ( We probably a bit longer if I did not get sick that day.) In 2005 we toured Atlantis, that was pretty cool. Castaway Cay is amazing. I think it is worth price. We totally will go again if we got the choice. I think the dream is going to be good for younger kids. ( I wish it was around when I was little.) I think your five year old would have fun.

**Flrancho** · 01-22-2011, 09:45 AM

I've taken multiple cruises, most of them Disney.

I think cruises in general are better values than most other forms of vacation. Most cruise fares include all your entertainment (minus shore excursions), include all of your food for the trip, your lodging, and many drinks (though some cruise lines make you pay additional for beverages other than water). When you add it all together, you're very likely to spend less money on a Disney cruise than you would if you're looking at flying/driving down to Florida, buying park tickets, paying for an onsite hotel, and then paying for all the meals you're going to have. Yes, I would go again on a Disney cruise. To date I have taken three, and am booked for a fourth in 2012.

Our first Disney cruise was a 4-day on the Wonder to Nassau. Our second a 7-day Western Caribbean on the Magic. Our third a 3-day on the Wonder to Nassau, and our upcoming trip in 2012 will be a 7-day Eastern Caribbean on the Fantasy. I must be in the minority, because I have no feelings of hating Nassau. Its ok. Again, in the minority here, but I found Castaway Cay to be just "okay". I'm not a beach person. My favorite of the places I've visited with Disney would have to be Grand Cayman on the Western Caribbean cruise, with my least favorite as Cozumel, Mexico, due to the pushy shop owners that did everything but attack you and pull you into their shop to try to get you to buy something. (Remember the old scene of El Rio Del Tiempo in Epcot's Mexico where the shopkeepers were trying to get you to buy something? ---- How true it is!) I've never cruised with kids, but from what I've seen they quite enjoy it, and yes, just a couple adults can have heaps of fun on a Disney cruise. Contrary to popular belief, Disney cruises are not crawling with kids, its not a "kids cruise". It can be enjoyed by the whole family, kids and adults alike.

**Disney05** · 01-22-2011, 11:15 AM

I'm with you. I have never been on a cruise. We were contemplating a land sea package this year but we're only doing the land, WDW. After seeing all the pictures and whatnot of the Dream, we're considering a cruise again. I'm pretty sure the only cruise I would do is with Disney.

**disneydarling** · 01-22-2011, 09:19 PM

I found a 7 night western carribean for january 12 at $700 based on double occupancy...thats 100/day for food, entertainment and lodging. Pretty hard to beat me thinks!

**Tinker Bell** · 01-23-2011, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by disneydarling

I found a 7 night western carribean for january 12 at $700 based on double occupancy...thats 100/day for food, entertainment and lodging. Pretty hard to beat me thinks!

700$ with flight included, THAT would be a deal! Of course you don't have airfare to worry about which is a savings right there, ma grenouille.

**Tinker Bell** · 01-23-2011, 09:06 AM

I've done a few non Disney cruises and really enjoyed them, if you're looking for a relaxing vacation, cruises are great, you don't do much, just eat, sit and sleep. I guess the same you would do at a beach resort except you're on water, I'd suggest a room with a balcony, not being able to look outside kinda bugged me. (Tried both an inside cabin and a balcony one).

**disneydarling** · 01-24-2011, 09:22 PM

You can just walk down from canada right? Maybe we could find a cheaper non disney deal for megaline 2012?

**JohnO** · 02-02-2011, 02:44 AM

We've been on three. The last one was the best vacation we have EVER had. It was a 7 night eastern caribbean aboard the Disney Magic.

The first DCL cruise we did was a 3 night on the Wonder. It was great but far too short. The we did a 4 night on the Wonder. It was great, especially the day at sea, but also too short.

While we were on the 4 night, we booked the 7 night. We chose the eastern because of the 3 days at sea. So relaxing!

We went to St. Martin, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. The kids absolutely loved all of the cruises.

**Chrissy&Tayen** · 02-03-2011, 11:10 AM

i am doing the same thing..do i wanna go to disneyland or do i wanna go on a cruise.. i have told myself i wont go back to disneyworld until all the work is done in a couple years in the mean tikme i plan to do some of the other things and places disney has to offer.. i think i'm leaning towards the cruise even though i really really wanna go to disneyland