Disney Cruise to the Caribbean

[SKIDMARC]

Anyone ever been on one? The wife and I are thinking of taking the kids ( 14 and 10) in Jan-Feb. They are not cheap along with airfare. So any feedback would be great. We have spoken to a few and they said they were great.

 

[wallnutz]

We have done it twice, but the last one was 16 years ago the other 20. So I am sure it has changed. But it was awesome when we went, the kids had a great time time, they were 7 on the first one.

 

[TripleB]

We went 20 years ago and it was great, everything is geared for the kids and staying entertained

 

[beerrun]

No casino

 

[C-Ya]

There is nothing wrong with a Disney Cruise……..

At your kids age, you might want to consider other options too. There is a lot of competition for families.

Here are some of the features you can find on modern cruise lines.

Waveriders
Ice Skating
Climbing Walls
Go Karts
Zip Lines
Outrageous kids clubs with teen pools
Cruise line owned islands that are off the charts for kids. Basically Private Caribbean water parks.

Consider researching certain ships that fit your families entertainment needs, then see which departures meet your schedule.

Back in the day, once my daughter became a teenager, we went with Royal Caribbean because of all the stuff they had for teens. However, times have changed, and it has gotten real competitive. For instance, Norwegian now has go karts on some of their newest ships. I think another cruise line now has a ship with a rollercoaster on it.

I once did a Crystal Cruise and was able to go Trap Shooting off the top deck. It’s the only time I’ve ever done that on a cruise ship.

 

[Spudsbud]

Jan-Feb..... very rough water. Some Ports inaccessable, too rough. Sea sickness. puking...... Cold weather. I mean 50's to 70's. Not 80's & 90's like all the commercials show Bring Hoodies.
Best advice I can give you. Delay 8 weeks. go over Springbreak when, yes, it costs more & the Ships are jammed. Theres a reason they're cheaper in Jan, Feb.
You're spending a fortune. go when the weather is better.
Trust me........

 

[Done-it-again]

I've heard they are great, but yes very pricey, but what isn't these days.

We just booked this new ship in Jun with the Kids. Been 20yrs since our last cruise .

Carnival Jubilee™ | Newest Ship Sailing in 2023 | Carnival Cruise Line

Introducing Carnival Jubilee, setting sail from Galveston in 2023. Find out what's new aboard, including onboard rollercoaster BOLT™! Explore photos, deck plans, staterooms and itinerary options. Grab your spot on Carnival Jubilee today!

www.carnival.com

 

[GRANT@FUNCO]

Disney is on point with cruises . If you don't need a casino they are second to none IMO

I was flipping my shit when the wife wanted to do Disney cruise. My mind went to 7 days of Disneyland. Not that at all and we have done multiple with kids of all ages

 

[Deckin Around]

Your kids could be too old to enjoy parts of disney depending on maturity imo. They might have more fun in the tween and teen clubs on Royal Caribbean. We just sailed on Wonder of the Seas through the caribbean this past summer and had a bunch of kids in that range. My son is 10, daughter 8 and they both had fun in the adventure ocean club. Your 14 year old would love the 13-17 area that is like a nightclub, virgin bar and pool just for kids that age.

No cruises are cheap, that was about a $10k week.

$5400 base price for family of 4 in 1 room.
$16 per day per guest as gratuity for everything
$10 per hour to watch kids after 10pm
All you can drink was around $70/day per adult
Shore excursions $1200

 

[JFMFG]

No casino

Seriously? Faaaackkkkk I just told the wife I’d entertain it for next summer

 

[C-Ya]

Jan-Feb..... very rough water. Some Ports inaccessable, too rough. Sea sickness. puking...... Cold weather. I mean 50's to 70's. Not 80's & 90's like all the commercials show Bring Hoodies.
Best advice I can give you. Delay 8 weeks. go over Springbreak when, yes, it costs more & the Ships are jammed. Theres a reason they're cheaper in Jan, Feb.
You're spending a fortune. go when the weather is better.
Trust me........

You certainly are NOT talking about the Caribbean in Jan Feb?

I live in South Florida and even we don’t get the weather you are describing.

Just an FYI, There is a reason why Jan n Feb are know as High Season months. Mainly because of the weather. It’s a good time to ditch the school children too.

As far as rough seas…….. That can happen anytime. But the season for that is Aug thru Nov.

The Caribbean High season starts in November and ends in April.

 

[TPC]

DCL is the only cruise line we'll go on.
Next will be 14 day trans Atlantic.

If your 10 year old is a girl and wants to do the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique book it the second you can. It sells out and not enough time slots to accommodate all the girls that want to. Up to age 12.
If you spend on any extra,, that's the one to pick if she's a Disney fan.

It's way better, way more immersive than the Disneyland/WDW experience.

Kids in boating families usually don't get sea sick. It's rare.
Disney ships are extra stable.

Food is either off the chain unique and amazing, or Golden Coral quality.

Superb service everywhere. Friendly guests and crew like you will never experience on other lines.
Bars are all premium well or high premium call strong pour booze.

Go on the Disney Cruise Line website and click on the cruises you may be interested in. Leave your info. In a few months 35% off offers will show up if you don't care where they put you. No bad cabins so you can't go wrong. We did one cruise and the ship was only 40% booked so we got advanced to one of the nicest cabins for the cheapest cabin cost less 35%.

Usually only about 1/3 to 1/2 of the cabins are booked for families with kids then they cut off the registrations to adults only. It's mostly adults on board.

Our favorite is the Disney Dream.

Aboard the Disney Wonder after a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Didn't opt for the Botox:

 

[SKIDMARC]

DCL is the only cruise line we'll go on.
Next will be 14 day trans Atlantic.

If your 10 year old is a girl and wants to do the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique book it the second you can. It sells out and not enough time slots to accommodate all the girls that want to. Up to age 12.
If you spend on any extra,, that's the one to pick if she's a Disney fan.

It's way better, way more immersive than the Disneyland/WDW experience.

Kids in boating families usually don't get sea sick. It's rare.
Disney ships are extra stable.

Food is either off the chain unique and amazing, or Golden Coral quality.

Superb service everywhere. Friendly guests and crew like you will never experience on other lines.
Bars are all premium well or high premium call strong pour booze.

Go on the Disney Cruise Line website and click on the cruises you may be interested in. Leave your info. In a few months 35% off offers will show up if you don't care where they put you. No bad cabins so you can't go wrong. We did one cruise and the ship was only 40% booked so we got advanced to one of the nicest cabins for the cheapest cabin cost less 35%.

Only about 1/3 of the cabins are booked for families with kids then they cut of the registrations to adults only. It's mostly adults on board.

Our favorite is the Disney Dream.

Thank you for the info

 

[SKIDMARC]

There is nothing wrong with a Disney Cruise……..

At your kids age, you might want to consider other options too. There is a lot of competition for families.

Here are some of the features you can find on modern cruise lines.

Waveriders
Ice Skating
Climbing Walls
Go Karts
Zip Lines
Outrageous kids clubs with teen pools
Cruise line owned islands that are off the charts for kids. Basically Private Caribbean water parks.

Consider researching certain ships that fit your families entertainment needs, then see which departures meet your schedule.

Back in the day, once my daughter became a teenager, we went with Royal Caribbean because of all the stuff they had for teens. However, times have changed, and it has gotten real competitive. For instance, Norwegian now has go karts on some of their newest ships. I think another cruise line now has a ship with a rollercoaster on it.

I once did a Crystal Cruise and was able to go Trap Shooting off the top deck. It’s the only time I’ve ever done that on a cruise ship.

man I looked up some of the other cruise lines and wow! Seems like Carnival and Royal Caribbean have some of the nicest and newest ones.

I have only been on the boose cruise to Ensenada like 15 year ago. LOL way different.

 

[SKIDMARC]

Your kids could be too old to enjoy parts of disney depending on maturity imo. They might have more fun in the tween and teen clubs on Royal Caribbean. We just sailed on Wonder of the Seas through the caribbean this past summer and had a bunch of kids in that range. My son is 10, daughter 8 and they both had fun in the adventure ocean club. Your 14 year old would love the 13-17 area that is like a nightclub, virgin bar and pool just for kids that age.

No cruises are cheap, that was about a $10k week.

$5400 base price for family of 4 in 1 room.
$16 per day per guest as gratuity for everything
$10 per hour to watch kids after 10pm
All you can drink was around $70/day per adult
Shore excursions $1200

Thank you, very helpful, but my daughter loves Disney, even though my 13 yo wont admit it, he loves Disneyland. He was pouting about it last time before we went but he never stopped smiling when we were there.

 

[JB in so cal]

Floating Petri dishes...

 

[Ziggy]

DCL is the only cruise line we'll go on.
Next will be 14 day trans Atlantic.

If your 10 year old is a girl and wants to do the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique book it the second you can. It sells out and not enough time slots to accommodate all the girls that want to. Up to age 12.
If you spend on any extra,, that's the one to pick if she's a Disney fan.

It's way better, way more immersive than the Disneyland/WDW experience.

Kids in boating families usually don't get sea sick. It's rare.
Disney ships are extra stable.

Food is either off the chain unique and amazing, or Golden Coral quality.

Superb service everywhere. Friendly guests and crew like you will never experience on other lines.
Bars are all premium well or high premium call strong pour booze.

Go on the Disney Cruise Line website and click on the cruises you may be interested in. Leave your info. In a few months 35% off offers will show up if you don't care where they put you. No bad cabins so you can't go wrong. We did one cruise and the ship was only 40% booked so we got advanced to one of the nicest cabins for the cheapest cabin cost less 35%.

Usually only about 1/3 to 1/2 of the cabins are booked for families with kids then they cut off the registrations to adults only. It's mostly adults on board.

Our favorite is the Disney Dream.

Aboard the Disney Wonder after a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Didn't opt for the Botox:

Disney sure has you by the gonads

 

[TPC]

Thank you for the info

Many of the shows cater to kids & best to be skipped by adults. But there are a couple that the special stage effects alone are worth seeing. Disney Dreams Stage show is one. Incredible special effects. Disney sunk some serious money in it, you and the kids will love it. Absofuckinglutely amazing.

The Bingo is fantastic too. Big payouts.

 

[TPC]

Disney sure has you by the gonads

Kritiker sind immer Hippokriten.
If it helps you sleep better we've let our annual passes expire that we've held since 1984 and cancelled our Disney plus.

 

[samsah33]

Like others have said, Disney is for younger kids, and other cruise lines are for older kids. Your 10yo could probably go either way, but your 14yo might need some bigger and better entertainment. I've done Disney with kids and Royal Caribbean with teens, and both were age appropriate and we all had a blast on both. I've been on Princess as well, and that's geared towards older people and there's much better options out there for kids. Different cruise lines have different personalities and cater to different crowds - do your homework.

RC's private island is a blast, it has one of the highest water slides in North America. Was a great place to chill for a day...:

CocoCay Cruises: Cruise to CocoCay, Bahamas | Royal Caribbean

Find the best Perfect Day at CocoCay cruise deals as you get ready to chill, thrill, and unwind on your own Bahamas vacation getaway with the best private island experience.

www.royalcaribbean.com

 

[Ziggy]

Kritiker sind immer Hippokriten.
If it helps you sleep better we've let our annual passes expire that we've held since 1984 and cancelled our Disney plus.

Just an observation, not critiquing. You do always have high praise for Disney and their cruiseline, there is nothing wrong with that.
I'd say my last visit to anything Disney has been at least 20 years, likely more. It lost its charm with me decades ago.
My wifes cousin is a Disney nut(case). Her entire home decor is Disney related. Coffee table is a working/electrified model of Disneyland under glass. Sleeping there creeped me out.
She also said she was not renewing her annual, seems many did not.

 

[C-Ya]

DCL is the only cruise line we'll go on.
Next will be 14 day trans Atlantic.

If your 10 year old is a girl and wants to do the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique book it the second you can. It sells out and not enough time slots to accommodate all the girls that want to. Up to age 12.
If you spend on any extra,, that's the one to pick if she's a Disney fan.

It's way better, way more immersive than the Disneyland/WDW experience.

Kids in boating families usually don't get sea sick. It's rare.
Disney ships are extra stable.

Food is either off the chain unique and amazing, or Golden Coral quality.

Superb service everywhere. Friendly guests and crew like you will never experience on other lines.
Bars are all premium well or high premium call strong pour booze.

Go on the Disney Cruise Line website and click on the cruises you may be interested in. Leave your info. In a few months 35% off offers will show up if you don't care where they put you. No bad cabins so you can't go wrong. We did one cruise and the ship was only 40% booked so we got advanced to one of the nicest cabins for the cheapest cabin cost less 35%.

Usually only about 1/3 to 1/2 of the cabins are booked for families with kids then they cut off the registrations to adults only. It's mostly adults on board.

Our favorite is the Disney Dream.

Aboard the Disney Wonder after a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Didn't opt for the Botox:

just out of curiosity? Have you been on any other cruise lines for comparison?

 

[H20 Toie]

Never done Disney
But I’ll tell you if you can swing a suite you will not regret it
Only way I’ll cruise again

 

[rivermobster]

Jan-Feb..... very rough water. Some Ports inaccessable, too rough. Sea sickness. puking...... Cold weather. I mean 50's to 70's. Not 80's & 90's like all the commercials show Bring Hoodies.
Best advice I can give you. Delay 8 weeks. go over Springbreak when, yes, it costs more & the Ships are jammed. Theres a reason they're cheaper in Jan, Feb.
You're spending a fortune. go when the weather is better.
Trust me........

I'm thinking you're talking about an Alaskan cruise???

Definitely NOT the Caribbean that's for damn sure!

 

[TPC]

just out of curiosity? Have you been on any other cruise lines for comparison?

Yes, many, dating back all the way to Admiralty.

Carnival is a cattle boat, Celebrity's food inedible, NCL big ships are good for kids over 12 especially boys and our kids are gone, and grand kids are under 12. Little girls can't go on most the rides on a big cruise ship.

Kids sail free on those lines so you have more kids and service dogs have to wear a diaper and they Tyvek the cabin.
DCL kids are extra cost so you have fewer kids and no service dog diaper or Tyvek in the cabin. A nice real grass dog walk area open 24/7. A BFD in our world. Disney trusts service dogs.

1/3 of a Disney ship is off limits to kids and have adult only pools, bars and nightclubs and coffee bars. Haunted Mansion themed bar,, I'm in.

Grand daughters and nieces are all under 12 so DCL is ideal.
The cabins on DCL are superb to all of them.
May not be for others, but they fit our lifestyle.

I've played enough cards in my lifetime and have casino employee friends to learn and know when the dealer is a mechanic. Also no payout nor odds regulations on how the gaming machines are set. Trippel zero Roulette and 6.5 Blackjack significantly increases the house edge. Craps table rules are ridiculous but OK for the rubes from Kansas. We avoid cruise ship casinos.

Disney haters are gunna hate and I'm becoming one too.
The company has lost it's Magic but the ships haven't ,,,, yet.

 

[TPC]

Just an observation, not critiquing. You do always have high praise for Disney and their cruiseline, there is nothing wrong with that.
I'd say my last visit to anything Disney has been at least 20 years, likely more. It lost its charm with me decades ago.
My wifes cousin is a Disney nut(case). Her entire home decor is Disney related. Coffee table is a working/electrified model of Disneyland under glass. Sleeping there creeped me out.
She also said she was not renewing her annual, seems many did not.

You had a problem with my Starbucks visits though I use free cards the wife gets and from my sister. I quit Starbucks and figured you'd stop loosing sleep over it.
We're quitting Disney so I hope that helps too.

 

[Music to my Ears]

Disney haters are gunna hate and I'm becoming one too.
The company has lost it's Magic but the ships haven't ,,,, yet.

After working 40 years for Disney entertainment, I would have to agree with you. Some of the Magic is gone, but from what I hear consistently, the cruise line is still holding strong.

 

[Ziggy]

You had a problem with my Starbucks visits though I use free cards the wife gets and from my sister. I quit Starbucks and figured you'd stop loosing sleep over it.
We're quitting Disney so I hope that helps too.

I did?
My apologies if I said something rude.
I'm not a coffee drinker so maybe something I said came across wrong.?
.

 

[j21black]

We did one in 2017 - We went to GC though as it would be warmer in Jan. Stopped at the Disney Island in the Bahamas as well.

Honestly, one of the best vacations we've took IMO. In fact, if the wife and I do a cruise in the future without kids it will be on a Disney Cruise. They have adult only areas where you don't have to see Mickey Mouse if that isn't your thing. Shows we saw we terrific....

They are more expensive and you don't get some of "people" you would get on the cheaper cruise lines.

Food was top notch....

Would do again 10/10.....

 

[coolchange]

Apparently the agenda didn’t creep the cruise lines of Disney?
Watching PBD last night, Disney lost 150 billion last year and the same the year before.
The movies are from production 3 years ago and released to try and recoup some funds, they’re thinking they should have just been trashed.
Fired the invested in the dream creative staff for woke millennials. That creative culture will never be recovered.
Disney was a national culture shaping force.
Gone.
Ieger coming back was like Jordan playing baseball after retiring, not happening.
Guess the cruise division is a separate entity?

 

[C-Ya]

Yes, many, dating back all the way to Admiralty.

Carnival is a cattle boat, Celebrity's food inedible, NCL big ships are good for kids over 12 especially boys and our kids are gone, and grand kids are under 12. Little girls can't go on most the rides on a big cruise ship.

Kids sail free on those lines so you have more kids and service dogs have to wear a diaper and they Tyvek the cabin.
DCL kids are extra cost so you have fewer kids and no service dog diaper or Tyvek in the cabin. A nice real grass dog walk area open 24/7. A BFD in our world. Disney trusts service dogs.

1/3 of a Disney ship is off limits to kids and have adult only pools, bars and nightclubs and coffee bars. Haunted Mansion themed bar,, I'm in.

Grand daughters and nieces are all under 12 so DCL is ideal.
The cabins on DCL are superb to all of them.
May not be for others, but they fit our lifestyle.

I've played enough cards in my lifetime and have casino employee friends to learn and know when the dealer is a mechanic. Also no payout nor odds regulations on how the gaming machines are set. Trippel zero Roulette and 6.5 Blackjack significantly increases the house edge. Craps table rules are ridiculous but OK for the rubes from Kansas. We avoid cruise ship casinos.

Disney haters are gunna hate and I'm becoming one too.
The company has lost it's Magic but the ships haven't ,,,, yet.

Each cruise line caters to a different crowd. I think the key is to know all the brands and progress through them as your families priorities changes.

In my 20’s I loved Carnival. It was a party ship filled with the same people as I was. Now, I would never book that line. Not because something is wrong with Carnival, but it’s because I am no longer in that age bracket.

Over the years we sailed with Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Crystal, Holland America, and Celebrity. We had fun on every cruise we’ve sailed on.

A lot of people speak highly of Disney Cruise Lines. There is no doubt they have an awesome experience. I would certainly recommend them to anyone with small children. But, I would never in a million years recommend it for an adult couple, without kids. Mainly because that is not Disneys target audience.

I talk cruises all the time with friends, relatives, and neighbors. That’s a common topic for retired folks in SoFlo. Lol

For my wife and I, at our current ages and experiences, we won’t even consider a cruise that has children. But that’s us.

Nowadays, when we look for cruises, we look at Celebrity, Ponant, Azamara, Viking Ocean, Regent, and a couple of other lesser known brands. Again, that’s us.

I think the OP was looking for some cruise feedback and he certainly got it. Lol

I am no Disney hater. They have been providing quality entertainment to families for many decades. Movies, Theme Parks, Cruise Lines.