Be honest- did you actually like a Disney cruise?

[Anonymous]

We did a Disney Cruise in Alaska when ds was 5. It is one of our most memorable trips. We did excursions, plus we loved all the activities and shows onboard. Ds loved the club thus dh and I went to an adults only restaurant one evening.

[Anonymous]

You don’t ever need to sit with another family.

We’ve cruised a dozen times and always have our own table.

[Anonymous]

Another non- Disney person/family and found the Disney cruises were great. We did on with my parents over new years and it was a great multigenerational trip. Easy, people do what they want, kids enjoyed independence and we there was a lot to do together as a family. My kids were not into characters either. We then did a second one a few years later to Alaska. It was a great way to “do” Alaska for the first time. Ship was fantastic, kids (then teens) had fun but we mainly did family things together. This cruise felt like a lower percent of Disney lovers- not a positive or negative comment. We booked all our own excursions with non-Disney companies- that was very easy and worked out great. I love that you can dress up or down for dinner, just up to you. Shows were fun; activities were great.

I don’t see myself on another Disney cruise not bc it wasn’t fun, just don’t need to do those places or experiences again in that way. But I’d recommend Disney in a heartbeat. You do not have to be a full Disney loving person to enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a Disney person and I enjoyed it. Great shoes, good food, excellent service. It's a relaxing and easy break.

[Anonymous]

Great shows*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I really dislike how they seat you with another family at dinner (although apparently you can request out of this, maybe?).

Are you antisocial?

8:04 PP, apparently I am. We opted out. There were only 3 of us, and we would have been with a group of 6 or 8.

You sound fun.

Yeah you can definitely opt out of sitting with another family. We have always done that and it worked out well.

I’m the original PP that said I dislike it. The problem in part is that it’s the same family. Our kids don’t really hit it off—theirs was very shy. And after the first night, you’ve covered all the “where are you from? Is this your first cruise?” Etc questions. And then it’s really awkward because you don’t have that much to discuss but then you feel weird having private family conversations in front of them. I can see it working if you just really hit it off with the other family, but we didn’t have that much in common and we exhausted the basic chit chat pretty quickly. I’m actually a really social person and I think if they had rotated us around to different families every night, I would have found it much less awkward. It was like being on a never ending first date when you know ithetes no second date potential. I’ve been told that it’s at their discretion whether to grant a request for an individual table and if the ship is crowded they might not grant that. We’re a family of 5 so maybe they want to stick us with a three to make an 8 top?

If you make the request ahead of time I’ve never heard of them not honoring it. And, if you’d gone to guest services after one awkward dinner they would have moved you. In a totally worst case scenario, you could move your dining time. Sitting with strangers would be a complete non-started for me and we’ve cruised with them several times and never had an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I really dislike how they seat you with another family at dinner (although apparently you can request out of this, maybe?).

Are you antisocial?

8:04 PP, apparently I am. We opted out. There were only 3 of us, and we would have been with a group of 6 or 8.

You sound fun.

Yeah you can definitely opt out of sitting with another family. We have always done that and it worked out well.

I’m the original PP that said I dislike it. The problem in part is that it’s the same family. Our kids don’t really hit it off—theirs was very shy. And after the first night, you’ve covered all the “where are you from? Is this your first cruise?” Etc questions. And then it’s really awkward because you don’t have that much to discuss but then you feel weird having private family conversations in front of them. I can see it working if you just really hit it off with the other family, but we didn’t have that much in common and we exhausted the basic chit chat pretty quickly. I’m actually a really social person and I think if they had rotated us around to different families every night, I would have found it much less awkward. It was like being on a never ending first date when you know ithetes no second date potential. I’ve been told that it’s at their discretion whether to grant a request for an individual table and if the ship is crowded they might not grant that. We’re a family of 5 so maybe they want to stick us with a three to make an 8 top?

If you make the request ahead of time I’ve never heard of them not honoring it. And, if you’d gone to guest services after one awkward dinner they would have moved you. In a totally worst case scenario, you could move your dining time. Sitting with strangers would be a complete non-started for me and we’ve cruised with them several times and never had an issue.

This.

You request it at the outset and you check in with the MDR shortly after boarding to see what your dining situation is.

We’ve graduated from Disney to other lines, but we’ve never had a bad table on a cruise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I really dislike how they seat you with another family at dinner (although apparently you can request out of this, maybe?).

Are you antisocial?

8:04 PP, apparently I am. We opted out. There were only 3 of us, and we would have been with a group of 6 or 8.

You sound fun.

Yeah you can definitely opt out of sitting with another family. We have always done that and it worked out well.

I’m the original PP that said I dislike it. The problem in part is that it’s the same family. Our kids don’t really hit it off—theirs was very shy. And after the first night, you’ve covered all the “where are you from? Is this your first cruise?” Etc questions. And then it’s really awkward because you don’t have that much to discuss but then you feel weird having private family conversations in front of them. I can see it working if you just really hit it off with the other family, but we didn’t have that much in common and we exhausted the basic chit chat pretty quickly. I’m actually a really social person and I think if they had rotated us around to different families every night, I would have found it much less awkward. It was like being on a never ending first date when you know ithetes no second date potential. I’ve been told that it’s at their discretion whether to grant a request for an individual table and if the ship is crowded they might not grant that. We’re a family of 5 so maybe they want to stick us with a three to make an 8 top?

If you make the request ahead of time I’ve never heard of them not honoring it. And, if you’d gone to guest services after one awkward dinner they would have moved you. In a totally worst case scenario, you could move your dining time. Sitting with strangers would be a complete non-started for me and we’ve cruised with them several times and never had an issue.

This.

You request it at the outset and you check in with the MDR shortly after boarding to see what your dining situation is.

We’ve graduated from Disney to other lines, but we’ve never had a bad table on a cruise.

Oh, we have. We were originally assigned to a table with a couple who had left their kids with grandparents to have a childless cruise. We had a 3 and 5 yo. We asked to switch tables and they assigned us to a table in the very back, by the kitchen and waitress stand, and with a trainee waiter. It was awful. We ended up finding other places to eat dinner.

[Anonymous]

We really enjoyed our Disney cruise, and I loved lots of things about it, but it may be the only cruise we ever do (at least until we’re old??)
Everything was easy and done really well, and everyone had a great time, but it’s a lot of people to be around for a week

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We really enjoyed our Disney cruise, and I loved lots of things about it, but it may be the only cruise we ever do (at least until we’re old??)
Everything was easy and done really well, and everyone had a great time, but it’s a lot of people to be around for a week

There are cruise lines which are much less frenetic and much less crowded, e.g., pretty much any of the 6-star lines: Regent, SilverSea, Crystal, and Seabourn. You'll find far fewer children, smaller ships, many fewer passengers (so more space per passenger), and a generally more tranquil and relaxing environment.

The thing about cruises is that there's something for everyone, but you have to do your due diligence to align your style, taste, and other preferences to the most suitable option for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We really enjoyed our Disney cruise, and I loved lots of things about it, but it may be the only cruise we ever do (at least until we’re old??)
Everything was easy and done really well, and everyone had a great time, but it’s a lot of people to be around for a week

I know everyone says this about cruises (regardless of the line), but we’ve found ways to avoid the crowds.

1. Get a cabin with a balcony.

2. Avoid the buffet unless you go at off hours—or grab and go. Pro tip: send your husband or kids to fetch what you need and bring it to you while you lounge on a quiet deck. Eat in the MDR for breakfast and lunch (as well as dinner).

3. The areas around the pool/stage are fun if you enjoy the live music, activities, etc. but there are plenty of quiet areas to lounge in the sun or shade.

4. Smaller ships have less people. Easier to get off the ship when in port.

5. No need to line up early for shows. Arrive at showtime and walk right in. Bail a few mins early to avoid the crowds at the exit. Don’t use the stairs by the theater; walk midship or to the far end. Ditto when going to/from meals.

Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I really dislike how they seat you with another family at dinner (although apparently you can request out of this, maybe?).

Are you antisocial?

8:04 PP, apparently I am. We opted out. There were only 3 of us, and we would have been with a group of 6 or 8.

You sound fun.

Yeah you can definitely opt out of sitting with another family. We have always done that and it worked out well.

I’m the original PP that said I dislike it. The problem in part is that it’s the same family. Our kids don’t really hit it off—theirs was very shy. And after the first night, you’ve covered all the “where are you from? Is this your first cruise?” Etc questions. And then it’s really awkward because you don’t have that much to discuss but then you feel weird having private family conversations in front of them. I can see it working if you just really hit it off with the other family, but we didn’t have that much in common and we exhausted the basic chit chat pretty quickly. I’m actually a really social person and I think if they had rotated us around to different families every night, I would have found it much less awkward. It was like being on a never ending first date when you know ithetes no second date potential. I’ve been told that it’s at their discretion whether to grant a request for an individual table and if the ship is crowded they might not grant that. We’re a family of 5 so maybe they want to stick us with a three to make an 8 top?

Similar happened to us; (not on a Disney cruise fwiw) we were assigned a table with another couple and a group of 4 20-somethings who did not speak English. The DW of the other couple was a teacher and wanted to discuss how awful her job is because they were making her "call a he a she." We never went back to the main dining room again. Bad luck with table companions, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just got back from a Disney cruise. Hadn’t planned to go but went with friends who invited us to join them so we booked a room. Honestly, thought it was great and would do it again. They hit the balance between fun for kids and still enjoyable for adults too.

If you have access to Disney+, there’s a documentary about The Magic (and there’s a new documentary coming out about The Treasure). It highlights some of the neat and special things about the ship.

What is the documentary called? I can’t find it on Disney+.

[Anonymous]

We had a great time on a four-night cruise out of Port Canaveral. Kids were the right ages to do the clubs and the LOVED them. DH and I did the adults only bar and beach on Castaway Cay. Having someone else cook and clean was a real treat for me. No one asking "what's for dinner?". We spent two extra nights in Orlando after the cruise doing Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

[Anonymous]

What is the best age for kids to do a Disney cruise? We have a 3yo (only child) - I’m thinking that he’d get more out of it in another
couple of years, but wanted to see what other’s experiences have been.