We hated the Disney Cruise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't like Disney and I don't like cruises….(or, I thought I didn't had never been on a cruise) and I was BLOWN AWAY by the Disney Cruise when we went 2 years ago. 7 nights on the brand new ship (is it the fantasy? With the Aquaduck?). Amazed. Exceeded my every expectation. My kids were 3 5 and 5, went in June. Had a private cabana in Castway Cay, which I can't recommend enough, stayed on board one day on land, did the dolphin excursion which was okay, loved the day at the beach in the Mexico, the food shocked me with how fresh and healthy it was, lines were not an issue, had a private balcony and plenty of room with 5 of us in the same room/s, it was perfect. Our kids were at great ages as well. Palo was wonderful, as were the adult only pools when we wanted a break, and the kids loved the occasional time in the kids zones or whatever they were called. Shows were great. Bring on as much booze as you can as the one place that we felt bamboozled (pun intended ) was our bar bill! Yikes!

Have fun!

We brought on our own wine to have on the balcony when the kids were napping during the day, when we were getting ready and after they went to bed. They supplied the ice bucket and wine glasses. That helped "a little" with the bar bill.

[Anonymous]

I LOVE Disney World because I have figured out when to go and what to do in advance. It takes some planning. Same with Disney Cruises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea why people rave about it. We like WDW, so we are not anti-disney. But the cruise sucked. And for the price we paid we could have gone to a really nice resort.

I had the exact same reaction last summer after our first (and last) Disney cruise. Didn't help that there was a hurricane upon us. The crowds, tiny pool, severely overcrowded kids club, no milk (!!) at lunch or dinner unless you chase down a waiter to go find it in the kitchen, no chicken nuggets at the main lunch line. I was disappointed to the tune of $9K (we paid for the grndparents as well). The food at the dinner spots was poor (would have been far better at an Applebee's -- which I haven't been to in about 15 years).

We should have just gone to a resort where there would have been far, far more pool/beach space per person and many more choices for food that is cooked and served FRESH.

This is so odd. Why would you tell us you haven't been someplace in 15 years yet still make a comparison to it? I swear it's like you wanted to rush in to reassure us you don't eat at Applebees or something. Is that right? Really peculiar. Do you actively avoid Applebees? If so, why?

Applebee's employee here. I am deeply offended by pp's comment too.

[Anonymous]

How can you be "offended" when the statement clearly says (1) Applebees is better than the Disney Cruise food and (2) the comparison is based on data from last exposure to Applebees 15 yrs ago?

How is that negative or offensive? You are projecting your own Applebees insecurities on the speaker.

[Anonymous]

We are going to do one of the European cruises. Any feedback on them? Youngest is 3 next year and trying to determine if that is too young/it would be more enjoyable for all to wait until he is 4.

[Anonymous]

We did the Mediterranean cruise last year and loved it. Notwithstanding the comments here, most people enjoy their trip. Great way to introduce your kids to Europe. We spent several days in Venice, and then cruised from Venice to Olympus, Athens, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Rhodes.

[Anonymous]

If you are planning on a European cruise, or any Disney cruise really, check out when the dates will be released and book immediately on that day. I'm going on a Disney European cruise this summer, we booked over a year ago right when the dates were released. It was expensive, but prices now are double what we paid for the exact same category room.

[Anonymous]

Different strokes. We have been on 8 cruises. Remy was one of the finest meals I have had anywhere. I am a food critic, so there is some credibility in that statement. The main dining food is fine and right on par with other mid to high cruise lines. You have to have somewhat of a light heart and a fun spirit to enjoy the Disney Cruise.

[Anonymous]

Just want on the Disney Fantasy - Sept. 2022. Here is my feedback

1. Service was exceptional - staff went above and beyond even what he deluxe resorts do for guests
2. Food was sub-standard - stale chips, popcorn, croutons, bread, etc. Tough cuts of meat, watery gravy, soda that has no taste, cheap deserts and the list goes on.
3. Too many kids for Sept. and crowded common areas of characters
4. Mickey pools are one large bacteria bath tubs - no place to swim
5. Things to do are really for kids for activities unless you are an adult that wants to play Bingo, or theme type question games.
6. Dinner lines are crowed to get in for assigned dining which he did not go to several times because the food was so bad.
7. Spa services were sub-standard - Mani/Pedi, hair cuts/styles - Staff talent was worse than a walk in service in the shopping malls of a novice tech
8. Island tours were cancelled at last minute even on nice and calm days - got tech notification that same morning
9. Shops were limited

This was my first and last cruise. I did have a huge room and balcony and that saved me. Otherwise no no no

[Anonymous]

DH and I hated it as well. Our kids (8 and 9) LOVED it and still talk about it. The service was fantastic, however DH spent A LOT of time talking to staff about what it's like working there, and it was so demoralizing. They were really the most amazing people, and they are being exploited for their labor. No it's not just by Disney but Disney sure as hell could make an impact. Anyway it was just all around a huge bummer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is somewhat worrisome, as we leave for a Disney cruise next month.

Just be prepared for CROWDS! The pools are very small. The line for Aqua Duck is very long. Look carefully at the crowding in the kids club before you send your child in there. Hopefully, you won't have a hurricane. And don't limit your kids to what is on the dinner menu -- just ask the waiter to get your child whatever they want. We didn't do that and wish we had used their "service" to the full extent.

Disney cruise are great. We went on 18 when the kids were growing up. None since kids started high school. You have to do your homework. Yes the pools are crowded. You cannot go when you want. You need to be there when it opens or at some other time when everyone is doing something else. Those times exist. Aquaduck --- same. At open or some other time when people are elsewhere. Kid's club was great when kids were young but by middle school had aged out of it. Agree on dinner as they will do whatever you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I hated it as well. Our kids (8 and 9) LOVED it and still talk about it. The service was fantastic, however DH spent A LOT of time talking to staff about what it's like working there, and it was so demoralizing. They were really the most amazing people, and they are being exploited for their labor. No it's not just by Disney but Disney sure as hell could make an impact. Anyway it was just all around a huge bummer.

They are not being exploited. More money than they otherwise could make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different strokes. We have been on 8 cruises. Remy was one of the finest meals I have had anywhere. I am a food critic, so there is some credibility in that statement. The main dining food is fine and right on par with other mid to high cruise lines. You have to have somewhat of a light heart and a fun spirit to enjoy the Disney Cruise.

Have to agree that the food is fine in main dining room. Always could be off on a given cruise but that has not been my experience. Palo has gone way way downhill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well $9k is crazy, pp. We paid less than $4k for five nights on the Wonder (two connecting cabins on deck 2) and the weather was beautiful...that might be the difference between having a good or bad time.

I have not seen prices like that. I don't think two cabins for 4k for five nights is a commercially available price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Disney cruises are great because of the service. They will go above and beyond to make your stay pleasant. There are multiple restaurants that are included in the cost that will cater to virtually any dietary need.

I'm not a Disney person. My kids aren't even into Disney and none of us are particularly fond of cruises, but we do love the Disney cruises for the above reasons.

You can go to any resort and get top of the line service without all the crowds, sucky food and shortages.