View Full Version : Tell me about the Disney Cruise


Neoteny
08-07-2006, 03:05 PM
So how is a Disney Cruise different from, say, a Holland America Cruise? Is there something more "Disney" about it, or is it just the name? We're looking for a good cruise, and we're Disney freaks (of course), but if there's nothing more to a Disney Cruise than just the name "Disney," well, we might just as well go with another cruise line.

So what makes a Disney Cruise "Disney"?

skip
08-07-2006, 04:47 PM
Oh, trust me, as soon as you step on board you know that it's "Disney". If you have kids Mickey leaves them a "Sail Away" gift basket upon arriving in your cabin (which is nicely decorated and spacious for a ship!) and the pools are whimsical and fun, very disney-like. Then there all of the activities, disney-themed restaurants (I loved Animator's Palette), the characters, the shows, it was just awesome. I had a splendid 7 day-cruise on the Magic.

-skippyskippy

PrincessJennie
08-07-2006, 05:09 PM
I did 2, the 3 and 4 night, and once your on it you could definatly tell its a Disney Related Cruise with character signings the magical horn when the boat pulls away from Port Canaveral. The only place that isn't really Disney on the 3 + 4 day is Nasssau. I loved Pirate Night, that night at dinner you get a pirate bandana to wear to the pirate night fireworks ( Disney Cruise is the only boat that can have fireworks in the middle of the ocean. =) ) If you do go on the Disney Cruise I would definatley reccomend going to Pirate Night.

gigarichard
08-07-2006, 05:13 PM
The Disney Cruises are much better than others! When you are going to set sail the horn plays When you wish upon a star. Cast members are awesome. And of course it has the Disney magic. All i can say is it's Awesome!

Little Green Man
08-07-2006, 05:14 PM
I've been on two disney cruises and am about to go on my 3rd THe cruise features many thinngs disney there are frequent character meetings all over the ship also the service is everything you come to expect from disney It's not completely all up in your face disney if you want to get away from it you can
also: the ship is very very veyr clean i've often heard people complain on other cruises like the older Carnival ships that they are very dirty
overall it's deffainitly the best cruise service on the seas.

prisoner
08-07-2006, 05:14 PM
Well, I think a big part of it depends on what you think (and feel) "Disney" means. Do you like your local amusement park as much as you like Disneyland? How about Universal Studios vs Disneyland? Or how about when you compare Disney animation (both the best modern classics and older classics) vs saturday morning cartoons? If you say "they're about the same", then you'll probably feel that a Disney cruise is much like any other cruise, only with some Disney characters.

If you think there is something "different" or "special" about those other Disney things, then you'll likely feel something different about a Disney cruise as well.

I think the most obvious difference is that a Disney cruise is definately a family cruise, but notice I didn't say "kids cruise", just like I wouldn't call most Disney parks "kids parks" or movies "kids movies". In the same way, there are plenty for adults to enjoy in a different way than kids do. Sometimes its very obvious - the kids levels that are exclusively for kids and the adult regions that are exclusively for adults. Sometimes its less so - the shows that are enjoyable by adults and kids, each in their own way. But in this vein, keep in mind that while most cruise lines have a casino, the closest you'll get on a Disney cruise is the daily Bingo game.

If you do appreciate details in storytelling, the Disney ships are full of such details. Starting with the ships themselves - other cruise lines make ships that are containers for the experience. The Magic and Wonder are part of the experience in how they're detailed, and meant to bring out stories of the grand liners of a different age. From the shape, look, and colors of the ship outside, to the sweeping staircase in the main atrium, everything is meant to be part of a story that goes back through the ages.

Consider also the whimsey that you can find on a Disney cruise. Ranging from the background music of nautical themed Disney songs, to the restaurant that changes from black and white to color in exactly the way you'd expect a Disney park restaurant to do so, to the animation art in the staircases, to the hidden mickeys all over the ship, to the ships horn itself. The ships just know how to blend the right level of grandeur with the right level of fun.

So, I could wax poetic for hours about the cruise line. But before I do - why don't you say what you like about other cruises and about Disney? :) I can shape my answer from there.

PaperClip
08-07-2006, 07:00 PM
The Disney Cruises' have much more entertainment. Almost every night there is a deck party.

Neoteny
08-07-2006, 07:12 PM
So, I could wax poetic for hours about the cruise line. But before I do - why don't you say what you like about other cruises and about Disney? :) I can shape my answer from there.
We took a Holland America Cruise last winter and had a great time, but it was basically just a big, floating hotel with activities and a lot of food.

When we go to Walt Disney World, we much prefer to stay and eat on property as the hotels and restaurants all fit in with the Disney theme. It's not just another place to stay and eat.

Are the Disney cruises themed, like the Disney resorts? Or is it just a big ship with food and activities, the same as any other cruise would be? All cruises have shows and food and activities. Are the Disney cruises more Disney-themed?

We like everything about Disney, and we enjoyed the one (non-Disney) cruise we've tried. We just are curious about the combination. What does Disney offer on its cruises that other companies don't?

CurlySlim
08-07-2006, 08:37 PM
I've only been on a cruise once and it was the Disney Cruise. I went when I was like 8 and I HATED it! There was nothing to do there at all and I did that kid club thingy and it was BORING. They also gave my little sister meat when we told them we were vegetarians and my sister ate it. Then when she found out it was meat, she started crying and I did too. But, you're probably too old to do that kid thing (I have no idea how old you are). But anyway, there were characters and all but I wouldn't know if it was like any other cruise or not because it was my first and only cruise.

snowgalsnow
02-01-2007, 01:08 PM
I never been on one but it looks great cause on TV i see shows on disney and i am a disney freak like you lol, and it looked so fun when i was about 9 we were going to go on it but i did not like the crusie bc i dont like being on boats that can sink - shakes- anyway you should try it

Mizz.V
02-01-2007, 01:22 PM
the cruise is decorated with like all the charchters and theres a big golden ariel statue in the middle of the lobby. Before you leave everybody goes to the pool deck and we have a party.... go its AWESOME!!!!! I mean and th eice cream at scoops is awesome! you go to castaway key and scoobadive you might even find a mickey statue in there ( a sunken one to ) My opinion is that its way better than any other cruise i've been on.

Mizz.V
02-01-2007, 01:24 PM
oh i forgot about the shows....., herculeas, u know i had such a good time i forgot them!

prisoner
02-01-2007, 01:56 PM
Wow, I'm sorry I actually lost track of this thread. The timing is good that someone dug it out of history, however - we just booked another cruise.


We took a Holland America Cruise last winter and had a great time, but it was basically just a big, floating hotel with activities and a lot of food.


Ok, fundamentally - thats all any cruise is going to be. But again, its like saying that the Magic Kingdom is fundamentally like any amusement park.


When we go to Walt Disney World, we much prefer to stay and eat on property as the hotels and restaurants all fit in with the Disney theme. It's not just another place to stay and eat.


Then there is a very good chance you will enjoy a DCL cruise. :) I'll give a few examples, and you can find details on many many other boards.

First - the rooms. Don't expect the same size as a Disney Resort room, but even so when DCL first started their rooms were larger than the industry average, with more rooms with decks than the industry average. The industry changed to adapt to this threat. Inside the room, you'll find artwork with Walt strolling along the deck of a ship, more artwork with a stanza of Disney music, and hidden Mickeys on the bedspread.

The food... well... what can be said. Most people find the food absolutely amazing, although I've heard from some people who have been on many cruise lines that Disney portions are slightly smaller. The main restaurants aren't just the kind of thing you expect at a theme park - in some cases they're better. They are richly themed and, in the case of Animators Palate, an integral entertainment experience. You'll be going to all of these as part of their "rotation dining" system where you have the same waiter and tablemates in a different restaurant each night. There are plenty of "snack food" places around the ship as well.


Are the Disney cruises themed, like the Disney resorts? Or is it just a big ship with food and activities, the same as any other cruise would be? All cruises have shows and food and activities. Are the Disney cruises more Disney-themed?


Yes... but keep in mind that the theme is "nautical". The difference is that its a "grand ocenliner experience" meant to bring out the feelings of the old grand cruise-liners. Just look at it! It looks like it was meant to sail in the 1900s! On the walls you'll see Disney animation prints, mostly nautical themed. The music in the hallways are all from Disney movies, mostly nautical themed (oh... how many times we listened to "Whale of a Tale"...)

You'll hear a lot of talk about Captain Hook onboard, as well as any other nautical character that has ever been in a Disney movie. It is not uncommon to see the princesses on their way to an autograph session. The shows all have Disney themes and characters.

BUT... there is also a lot of non-Disney stuff as well. There are activities that resemble any other cruise line (standard nightclub acts... piano players... kids activities...), but no gambling.


We like everything about Disney, and we enjoyed the one (non-Disney) cruise we've tried. We just are curious about the combination. What does Disney offer on its cruises that other companies don't?

Let me put it this way. On one of our cruises, there was a storm out at sea, so several other lines diverted to whatever port we were in at the time. So there were about 8 different ships in port. Some were bigger than our ship, but if you compared them - theirs looked like a big glass box floating on the water, while ours looked like a classic cruise liner decked out in reds, blacks, and yellows with Goofy hanging off the back. For some reason, one of the ships started a horn blowing contest - a loud deep bellow. Another ship responded, and then another. And then ours did - instead of a deep bellow, there was the multiple notes of "When you wish upon a star" loudly across the docks. Nobody else challenged with their horn.

So, to answer your question from months ago - yes, a Disney cruise is different. It has many things that are the same, sure, but the theming and the service will leave no doubt in your mind that you're on a ship where the human captain knows that there is a mouse with a nametag that says "Capt Mickey" on it - and everyone knows its Mickey thats in charge.

CapnOlaf
02-01-2007, 02:48 PM
It has many things that are the same, sure, but the theming and the service will leave no doubt in your mind that you're on a ship where the human captain knows that there is a mouse with a nametag that says "Capt Mickey" on it - and everyone knows its Mickey thats in charge.


So, a Magical mouse drives the boat?
What is this?

TravisSch
02-01-2007, 03:02 PM
My favorite part of the Disney Cruises is the free food you get to eat on board.

You can have cheeseburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and ice cream whenever you want. :) I like Scoops, the ice cream place, a lot. Also, I like the "rotation dining" system because one night you can be eating at a fun animated setting and the next night you can be eating in a tropical setting. It is a great time on a Disney Cruise.

I have been on 3 Disney Cruises, one on the Magic and two on the Wonder, so I have a lot of experience with Disney Cruises! :)

TLynn
02-01-2007, 03:21 PM
Our first Disney cruise experience was the Panama Canal crossing... something I've always wanted to do that was made even more special by being on a Disney cruise. My son turned two right after we got home from that cruise... and some said he was too young to get much out of it, but he still talks about it. His boats in the bathtub go through locks rather than just floating around aimlessly - lol. Since then we did the Halloween cruise last fall and are booked on the August trans-atlantic cruise. The only other line I've sailed is Carnival, but the differences are just amazing. I think the quality of the crew, as well as all the attention to details is part of what really makes it stand out. For the most part everything is just so very well-organized and organized to keep the whole family happy, not just to cater to a certain segment of the clientele. My son was a 'character addict' and I confess, my husband much prefers visiting characters on-ship now rather than in the park. So often when we try to get character pics in the park, they end up leaving before we even get to the front of the line (this may just be a DLR issue or plain bad luck on our part), but I can tell you that we never had that problem on the cruise ship. There was even a photographer that remembered him on our second cruise that was over a year after the initial cruise. You might want to take a look at the passporter cruise guidebook or at least the cruise page on their site (http://www.passporter.com/dcl/). The pirate night is always a lot of fun, but they also shoot off fireworks from the ship which is pretty amazing as well. Supposedly they are the only cruise line that has been allowed to do this. As you can probably tell, I could just go on and on... but I am definitely and completely a Disney cruise convert.

Neoteny
02-01-2007, 03:24 PM
Thanks for the details, Priz! The Disney Cruise sounds great! (I only wish they had more cruise options, like something out of California.)

TLynn
02-01-2007, 03:32 PM
Summer 2008 is the California itinerary, the Magic will be back out here again... I'm out of So. Cal. too though. It all depends on just how much effort you want to make to take a Disney cruise over 'one of those other ones'.

CapnOlaf
02-01-2007, 03:39 PM
Does Mickey actually drive?
What is this?

Neoteny
02-01-2007, 03:48 PM
Summer 2008 is the California itinerary, the Magic will be back out here again... I'm out of So. Cal. too though. It all depends on just how much effort you want to make to take a Disney cruise over 'one of those other ones'.
Really? That's great news! What is the Pacific route?

jsmall
02-01-2007, 03:52 PM
I believe there the same but Disney has more kid pograms and disney decorations which bumps up the price about 1,000 dollars more.

TLynn
02-01-2007, 04:40 PM
Mexican Riviera cruise info (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/cruises/detail?name=7NightWestCoastCruiseDetailPage)

Also they will have the two canal crossing intineraries for repositioning the ship - one in May and the other in August. Also as an fyi - these cruises just went on sale 1/31/07.

Neoteny
02-01-2007, 04:47 PM
Mexican Riviera cruise info (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en_US/cruises/detail?name=7NightWestCoastCruiseDetailPage)

Also they will have the two canal crossing intineraries for repositioning the ship - one in May and the other in August. Also as an fyi - these cruises just went on sale 1/31/07.
Thanks for the info. We just might do this!

Cmkrebs
02-04-2007, 02:43 PM
im going on the mexican cruise does any one know what ship? i have been on two disney wonder cruises they where fun