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The Cruise Thread

Just got back from my 3rd cruise. This was my second one with Disney. Like the first, an older family member basically paid for extended family to all do the Disney thing, so it was difficult to decline the invite. This was on the new Disney Wish.

Kids are older now (10 and 13), which had its pros/cons on Disney. The magical part wasn't really there. My oldest really liked his new found freedom of being able to explore the boat with a cousin. My youngest was sick most of the time, so I guess she liked the Disney+ on the TV. They figured out she was ill right away and gave her the scarlet letter, so she was banned from the Oceaneer's Club. We wouldn't have sent her anyway, but it was nice to see they were at least attempting to look after the other kids.

Food was really good and the service mostly excellent. I always have this weird mental dichotomy going on where I enjoy the lavishness of the service, but feel very weird with what are essentially third-world laborers working 12 hour days to accommodate it. I just do my best Tony Soprano and try to give everyone as much money as I can.

The entertainment is where I think the Disney line suffers a little compared to Royal Caribbean. If you're all about the Disney thing I guess it's great, but the adult activities were just so-so. We did like the game shows they held each night. Trivia was ok. It all just seems a little bit sanitized if that makes sense. Like they know a 6 year old might walk in at any moment. On the flipside, it seems like RC wants you to feel like they are throwing a 4 day party that never ends. It just impossible to not find something to make the nights enjoyable.

As for the island, I still say RC's is better. Castaway is nice, but its just a little off. RC has an incredible pool there and the beach areas seems nicer. Maybe it's the weird fake sand on Castaway.

The only other comment I have is that I hate the crush of humanity involved in anything Disney. It's just too many people, too many lines, too much everything. I was so excited to get back to my quiet little bubble.
 
Not a cruise goer.

I'd take one of those Euro river cruises or one to Alaska, that's about my limit.
 
We've done two, both on the Carnival Conquest. It's a nice ship, on the small side, but I would be interested in going smaller or at least less party oriented. The ol' lady says that carnival is the line with the deals.
 
Did one cruise. Carnival Triumph. Went with the wife and a few other couples. Hit up Cozumel and Progresso. Had a good time.

Not my first choice of vacation. Would consider another non-Carnival cruise with a good group of people. Alaska or Mediterranean would be a yes.
 
PhillyV said:
There’s free mini golf 24/7
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I wish. We tried several time to get on the mini golf course our last cruise but it was always closed. What hell?
 
PhillyV said:
There’s free mini golf 24/7
Click to expand...
That and the golf sim will be where I spend my time. Going end of May, it was a gift for my 40th. I am not a huge cruise person but I'll enjoy the week off work.
 
I would hate to be stuck on a cruise ship that had passengers like me...

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk
 
Hawk said:
Just got back from my 3rd cruise. This was my second one with Disney. Like the first, an older family member basically paid for extended family to all do the Disney thing, so it was difficult to decline the invite. This was on the new Disney Wish.

Kids are older now (10 and 13), which had its pros/cons on Disney. The magical part wasn't really there. My oldest really liked his new found freedom of being able to explore the boat with a cousin. My youngest was sick most of the time, so I guess she liked the Disney+ on the TV. They figured out she was ill right away and gave her the scarlet letter, so she was banned from the Oceaneer's Club. We wouldn't have sent her anyway, but it was nice to see they were at least attempting to look after the other kids.

Food was really good and the service mostly excellent. I always have this weird mental dichotomy going on where I enjoy the lavishness of the service, but feel very weird with what are essentially third-world laborers working 12 hour days to accommodate it. I just do my best Tony Soprano and try to give everyone as much money as I can.

The entertainment is where I think the Disney line suffers a little compared to Royal Caribbean. If you're all about the Disney thing I guess it's great, but the adult activities were just so-so. We did like the game shows they held each night. Trivia was ok. It all just seems a little bit sanitized if that makes sense. Like they know a 6 year old might walk in at any moment. On the flipside, it seems like RC wants you to feel like they are throwing a 4 day party that never ends. It just impossible to not find something to make the nights enjoyable.

As for the island, I still say RC's is better. Castaway is nice, but its just a little off. RC has an incredible pool there and the beach areas seems nicer. Maybe it's the weird fake sand on Castaway.

The only other comment I have is that I hate the crush of humanity involved in anything Disney. It's just too many people, too many lines, too much everything. I was so excited to get back to my quiet little bubble.
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Once you know what Castaway Cay used to be, it probably ruins the magic of the place for kids. Even Uncle Pablo needed a… magical getaway island… 😂
 
We love cruises. We have done a number of lines (Disney, Carnival, Princess) and are contemplating a new one later this year. Not sure what we will do yet. I remember my wife having to talk me into the first one and now I am trying to talk her into it
 
Hawk said:
Just got back from my 3rd cruise. This was my second one with Disney. Like the first, an older family member basically paid for extended family to all do the Disney thing, so it was difficult to decline the invite. This was on the new Disney Wish.

Kids are older now (10 and 13), which had its pros/cons on Disney. The magical part wasn't really there. My oldest really liked his new found freedom of being able to explore the boat with a cousin. My youngest was sick most of the time, so I guess she liked the Disney+ on the TV. They figured out she was ill right away and gave her the scarlet letter, so she was banned from the Oceaneer's Club. We wouldn't have sent her anyway, but it was nice to see they were at least attempting to look after the other kids.

Food was really good and the service mostly excellent. I always have this weird mental dichotomy going on where I enjoy the lavishness of the service, but feel very weird with what are essentially third-world laborers working 12 hour days to accommodate it. I just do my best Tony Soprano and try to give everyone as much money as I can.

The entertainment is where I think the Disney line suffers a little compared to Royal Caribbean. If you're all about the Disney thing I guess it's great, but the adult activities were just so-so. We did like the game shows they held each night. Trivia was ok. It all just seems a little bit sanitized if that makes sense. Like they know a 6 year old might walk in at any moment. On the flipside, it seems like RC wants you to feel like they are throwing a 4 day party that never ends. It just impossible to not find something to make the nights enjoyable.

As for the island, I still say RC's is better. Castaway is nice, but its just a little off. RC has an incredible pool there and the beach areas seems nicer. Maybe it's the weird fake sand on Castaway.

The only other comment I have is that I hate the crush of humanity involved in anything Disney. It's just too many people, too many lines, too much everything. I was so excited to get back to my quiet little bubble.
Click to expand...
We just got done with our first Disney cruise. I think my kids are right in the sweet spot. 12, 10, and 6. We had a great time. I would do another one. We sailed out of San Diego with one port in Cabo. Cabo was ok, I am not really a beach guy and feel that if you have seen one sandy beach you have seen them all. We had fun there but I kinda get bored being on a beach all day. But it is what my kids like so it’s what we do.

I like cruises and am always game. This was my third cruise and second in the pacific. I think the Caribbean cruises are smoother and less rough. It was also a little chilly one day which puts a damper in hanging out on deck.

I did get to watch the new guardians of the galaxy on the boat so that was a plus.
 
We just got on Pride of America. First impression hasn’t been stellar.
 
On Holland America Rotterdam right now. Nice ship very adult centered with multiple music venues. Worst casino I've been in but they all are rip offs. Good food with endless choices if you want to hunt it down.
 
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