We went about 6 yrs ago, and on one hand I am happy for the memories, but I do feel it was a huge waste of money.

We went for a week. I wanted the shorter cruise but my dh said let’s just do a week if we are doing it. We chose a Caribbean destination I wanted to go to anyway.

Then, we got diverted, my dh got noravirus and quarantined for 24 hrs but took days to feel better, one dc went to kids club but other would not. Not a lot to do then! Shows good, watched movies, a few games.

We are not food crazy. We like good food ( it was ok),but we also don’t eat just because it’s available if not hungry. Meals are the thing you plan around as are scheduled. After day 3, the gluttony of food got to me. Also, We do not start our day with alcohol and that’s a big push. I was surprised as a family cruise. I drink just not like the focus😀

Beautiful ship, beautiful views, lovely staff, and fond memories now, but I’d never do it again. Well maybe if I am a grandmother and am invited to join. I have no desire to ever cruise again.

Two years later took same kids ( now tweens) to Italy for 2 weeks and it was amazing. Since then we do trips.

However, I recently met a friend of a new neighbor who mentioned they grew up doing a Disney cruise every year and loved it. everyone is different!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've done WDW multiple times, always stay at a deluxe resort, and our cost for a week is about $6,000 for room; food; park tickets; and airfare. We do go in low season because we hate both the humidity and the lines, and do character meals so we don't have to stand in lines for characters. When I looked into the cruise, it was definitely going to be more than that, even before any shore excursions, particularly because we needed a larger state room to accommodate our family. When I priced it out, it looked like Disneycruise was about 2x Carnival, and about 30-40% more than the other family friendly cruiselines. It just seemed to me that you could get a lot of the same advantages (kids clubs, kids pools, etc.) on most of the other family oriented cruise lines, but for a cheaper price.

I know people that have loved Disney cruises, and others that have found them overpriced, with very underwhelming food compared to similarly priced or cheaper cruise lines. Of course, food is not really Disney's strong suit.

Yes, other cruise lines are cheaper and come with norovirus. But seriously, I think if you did Disney cruise and then others, you'd be disappointed.

It’s precious how you think illness outbreaks (including bit not limited to novovirus) don’t happen on Disney cruises.

They do but no where near other cruise lines. That was the case pre-pandemic. You can look at CDC data.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Yes they are and it's sad how many people don't care. It's a "purgatory at sea":
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-cruise-ship-workers-take-brutal-jobs-2018-11?r=US&IR=T

Besides: what do you expect on a swimming dirtbag?

If they were being exploited they would leave. They can do that. That they are not paid UMC wages is not being exploited.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Yes they are and it's sad how many people don't care. It's a "purgatory at sea":
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-cruise-ship-workers-take-brutal-jobs-2018-11?r=US&IR=T

Besides: what do you expect on a swimming dirtbag?

It's not exploitation if they're entering, and re-signing the contracts voluntarily because it is significantly better pay than what they can make at home. Also, a newsflash for you is that it is not that different from the rest of the world's merchant shipping industry in terms of pay, and that is something you are entirely reliant upon for all your goods. So you can't pretend that you're not participating.

Anonymous wrote:Well it is kind of boring if you're not with a smallish child. Other cruises have way more adult themed things to do. But if you are traveling with a small kid, there's nothing better. The other thing is the safety and cleanliness records of DCL - can't be beat.

Where do you see those records?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Yes they are and it's sad how many people don't care. It's a "purgatory at sea":
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-cruise-ship-workers-take-brutal-jobs-2018-11?r=US&IR=T

Besides: what do you expect on a swimming dirtbag?

Basically this article says that if you’re willing to work 84 hours a week for six months, you can make 10x as much as you would ordinarily (and “ordinarily” for most of probably already 50-60 hour weeks). I can see why a lot of people would take that job, just like a lot of people look to maximize OT so they can make a lot and then take lots of time off or retire early.
The arbitration stuff is just pretty standard now…it sucks, but certainly not unique to cruise. There wasn’t enough detail on the alleged injury stuff to judge. But if f peolle are really eager to sign up again, that suggests it’s not a bad option.

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.

So why didn't you?

I'm an adult who enjoys Disney. My husband is an adult who also enjoys Disney. We also enjoy Europe, Hawaii, Iceland, Alaska, and many other places. One can absolutely enjoy Disney while enjoying many other places as well. I personally don't care where you go for vacation and what you'll never do again lol. It's like the people who don't think the east coast beaches are "real beaches".

As for the Disney Cruise, I'm sure it has some illnesses but it's not nearly as bad as other cruise lines. You can see for yourself here: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/gilist.htm

Disney is on the list once in 2016.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Yes they are and it's sad how many people don't care. It's a "purgatory at sea":
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-cruise-ship-workers-take-brutal-jobs-2018-11?r=US&IR=T

Besides: what do you expect on a swimming dirtbag?

Anonymous wrote:You people do realize that for the price you're paying for this plastic nonsense, you could take your kids on a real trip to Europe, Hawaii, or perhaps hiking or skiing?

We've been to Hawaii, just got back from almost 3 weeks in Italy, spent a month driving across the country last year, are going to Thailand and Japan next summer, etc. But, we also did a Disney cruise earlier this year after we all had covid and are doing another one in December. It's possible to do both. Or, just do DCL. There's nothing wrong with either option. We like DCL b/c it's a truly relaxing vacation for all of us and we are "Disney people."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 9:52. Yes, your 3 year old will love the shows! Our youngest was nearly 2.5 when we cruised, and he enjoyed the shows. So did our older kids. Everything is kid friendly. The shows are broadway style productions...colorful scenery, music, dancing, etc. Very fun!

Ignore the haters. You'll have a blast!

When you grow up, you’ll learn that other people don’t always enjoy the things you do and that doesn’t make them “haters.”

You sound like a Disney Adult.

How is your last sentence not hating on Disney fans? Ok to make fun of Disney fans, but never the opposite, right?

Also, who dug up this old thread to rehash the Disney debate? We weren’t due for another tired Disney throw down for another two weeks at least!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

How can any adult LOVE Disney World? It's an amusement park - go once - enjoy the day and be done with it.

Tell me you've never been to Disney World without telling me you've never been.

I’ve been to Disney World and I agree with them. So do many adults.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've done WDW multiple times, always stay at a deluxe resort, and our cost for a week is about $6,000 for room; food; park tickets; and airfare. We do go in low season because we hate both the humidity and the lines, and do character meals so we don't have to stand in lines for characters. When I looked into the cruise, it was definitely going to be more than that, even before any shore excursions, particularly because we needed a larger state room to accommodate our family. When I priced it out, it looked like Disneycruise was about 2x Carnival, and about 30-40% more than the other family friendly cruiselines. It just seemed to me that you could get a lot of the same advantages (kids clubs, kids pools, etc.) on most of the other family oriented cruise lines, but for a cheaper price.

I know people that have loved Disney cruises, and others that have found them overpriced, with very underwhelming food compared to similarly priced or cheaper cruise lines. Of course, food is not really Disney's strong suit.

Yes, other cruise lines are cheaper and come with norovirus. But seriously, I think if you did Disney cruise and then others, you'd be disappointed.

It’s precious how you think illness outbreaks (including bit not limited to novovirus) don’t happen on Disney cruises.

Anonymous wrote:I'm 9:52. Yes, your 3 year old will love the shows! Our youngest was nearly 2.5 when we cruised, and he enjoyed the shows. So did our older kids. Everything is kid friendly. The shows are broadway style productions...colorful scenery, music, dancing, etc. Very fun!

Ignore the haters. You'll have a blast!

When you grow up, you’ll learn that other people don’t always enjoy the things you do and that doesn’t make them “haters.”

You sound like a Disney Adult.

Anonymous wrote:You people do realize that for the price you're paying for this plastic nonsense, you could take your kids on a real trip to Europe, Hawaii, or perhaps hiking or skiing?

We do all those things, too. What’s your point?