Disney Cruises - ever depart on one?

C&K*s Mommie wrote: I was just curious as to what it was like. We were thinking of going when the girls were about 6 & 7, old enough to enjoy themselves and then some.

What were the highlights? Any negative thoughts/experiences with it? (I heard that the gratuity can get outrageous, because every one of the workers needs to be tipped) Any reccomendations to add, too?

lisar replied: DISNEY all the way when you have kids.... I have been on a few Carnival cruises and they are SO NOT kid oriented... But my uncle takes his kid on the Disney cruise all the time and she is 9 now and she loves it. He says he will never take her on carnival because Disney is all about the kids. I highly reccomend it.

C&K*s Mommie replied: Thanks Lisa for the information. I was definitely intrigued when I saw a program on tv about their cruises, and their features on the ship and on their private beach. It had me hooked alone, for the simple fact that they have kid friendly things, parent friendly events, and family events all on one cruise.

MyLuvBugs replied: My SIL used to work on the Disney Cruise line. Want me to ask her your Q's?

C&K*s Mommie replied: That would be great Erika, ty. They are really none that are specific, I just would like a general idea of what to expect, what it is like,


Also, if it is worth the upgrade in rooms. The costs range from $1000-$5000 (based on the website rates), we would not be interested in the utmost range, but I was wondering if there is a good reason to go with the middle to mid-upper range. We are basic people KWIM, give us a place to lay our heads, and a little walking room and we are good to go. I doubt we would be staying in the rooms for too terribly long (too much to see/do outside the rooms)- at least enough to compensate for the extra costs associated.

MyLuvBugs replied: Ok. I just sent her an email with your Q's. Hopefully, she'll get back to me tomorrow or Monday. I'll let you know what she says. She was one of the kids activity director people, and she and her hubby went on the cruise (it's where they got engaged ), so she's got a LOT of input for ya I'm sure.

Nina J replied: I've always though Disney Cruise's sound like fun for kids and adults, but I'm scared of cruises

C&K*s Mommie replied: Thank you so very very much, Erika!

Nina, I have never been on a cruise, I am much more willing to do that that a small boat (which I have been on and on the inside I was a ball of nerves ) or an airplane (never have flown). From hearing people talk the big cruise lines are so stabilized that you hardly even remember you are in the open seas.

Nina J replied:
I've heard that about cruises too, but I've read heaps of stories about people who have been murdered on cruises. That and, I'm afraid of the ocean. Not shallow water, but deep water

Maybe if you have an awesome time I'll work up the courage to go one day . It would be so cool, but I'd be so nervous the boat would leave and I'd be like this: My dignity couldn't handle it

gr33n3y3z replied: I know ppl. that have been on the Disney Cruise's and they said they are the best.
Get the food deal it saves lots of money.

They have loads of kid activities and also things for the parents.

Our Lil' Family replied: I went on one when I was in Junior High. Keep in mind this was over 14 years ago but it was GREAT, probably only better now. We cruised for 3 or 4 days, to the Bahamas I believe, and to their private island and then spent 3 or 4 days in Disney. It was my first cruise and definitely PERFECT for kids. I'd love to go when my kid(s) are big enough too.

Gratuity on any cruise adds up. Normally at the end of the cruise they leave envelopes in your room one for each the cabin stewart, maitre d, waiter....I might be leaving some out. They have a "suggested" amount but you give what you want. The waiter will cater to your every whim and by the end of the cruise he'll know you and your kids so well he won't even have to ask what kind of salad dressing you like! I'm a huge fan of cruising!!! As for the rooms, you are honestly not in it long enough to pay to upgrade. That's JMO. Now one day I will get a balcony room, just to sit on it and read on an At Sea day but honestly it's not really worth the money, there is too much to do on the ship and at port to be in your room except to sleep and shower.

You won't regret it!!!!!

MyLuvBugs replied: Ok Nicole!! Here's what the SIL wrote back:

"that's neat that they want to go on a disney cruise.
the highlights they would enjoy would depend on how old their girls are...

The gratuities only affect the dining servers and the room steward. They will have the same two dining servers everynight, so they'll become familiar with those two individuals, and then the room steward is the same all week too. So they really only would need to tip 3 people. They can choose to tip the Maitre'D if they like..not necessary. The cruise director will give out information on what is appropriate for tipping - could be something like $2-$3 per person in your family per day, for each server. When we cruise, I think we gave $75 to our servers for the whole trip, probably the same to the room steward.
It's all explained better onboard, or they don't have to tip at all - but that's not very nice since that's how those people get paid.
Other positions, like the youth counselors, do not get tipped.

Highlights - like I said, depends on how old the girls are. If they are both over 3, they can participate in the kid's activites - they run from like 9am to 1am. That can be nice for parents if they want to go off and do things that the girls wouldn't be interested in, and then they can come back and spend time together as a family. Other highlights are the characters - they're out everyday, all the time. Sometimes there are long lines to get autographs or pictures, but the last night, all their favorite characters will be back one more time, so there's plenty of chances to see them. The shows are great - fun for kids and adults. The food is yummy, stuff kids would like too. And Disney's island of Castaway Cay is really nice. it's a private island, just beach and food. So you can feel safe just hanging out on the beach and no pressure from locals to buy things or get your hair braided. There's kids programs on the island too, so parents can go off and get massages or snorkel and don't have to worry about the kids.
If the kids are under 3, they have a nursery, but you have to sign up and pay extra for the babysitting services, and it's not as open as the kid's activities. (Kid's activities are free)

Staterooms - i can't really say too much - i lived in a cabin two decks below. When we cruise, i had my discount and then they gave us a disabled accessible room for some reason - so it was HUGE! but, i do know that some of the rooms on the mid-decks (probably mid-range) had two bathrooms, which can be helpful for a family with kids because you can give a kid a bath in one while someone is getting ready in the other. I think the website would explain which staterooms go with which prices. They have inside cabins, which are cheaper, but you don't have a window so you can't see outside.

I'm sure a mid-range cabin would be fine - they have fold down bunk beds for the kids. Plus, you don't spend your vacation in your stateroom, so whatever they feel comfortable spending should be fine.

I hope that info helps
let me know if i can offer more"

let me know if you want me to ask her more questions, Nic!

C&K*s Mommie replied: That covered it Erika!!

luvmykids replied:
I have to add this, the window may not seem like a big deal but if anyone is at all slightly claustrophobic, the inside rooms (the ones with no window) can seem very closed in. Also, if you can, try to get a room mid ship, out too far on either end and you may be able to feel rough waters.

One of my best friends is a travel agent and they go on several Disney cruises a year with her kids, she has been on any kind of vacation you can imagine and that is the one they choose to repeat over and over with the kids.

holley79 replied: It looks like a lot of fun also. Shawn and I were talking about them. The only thing he was thinking about was the expense. After looking up prices and everything that goes along with it, it looked cheaper to stay at the Animal Kingdom restort and go to Disney itself. We will see.

I lvoe the commercial though. Especially the one with the little girl, mom and baby in the stroller and she says, (something to the effect) this is my little brother but mommy calls it her little souvenir.