Any experience with Disney cruises?

[COElizabeth]

I'm just wondering if anyone here has been on one, and if so, what your experience was?

Elizabeth, Mom to James, 9-20-02
and Charlotte, 11-04-04

[stella]

I was wondering the exact same thing!!

Hopefully we can get some information!

Claire

[Lynnie]

A friend of mine went with her toddler and a bunch of family members for a reunion type thing, and she said it was fabulous. She said the meals were great, you rotated dining rooms, and could pay a small surcharge for a special restaurant on a couple nights, and that the kids all had a blast.

I am sorry I can't remember more details for you.

I am interested in going one of these days, but the higher prices kinda scare me away a little bit. but i think if the kids are old enough to take advantage of all the activities (mine are currently not) then it'll probably be worth it.

[MelissaTC]

DH and I went on one BM (before Matthew) in Feb 2000. It was fabulous and I can not wait to do it with Matthew (we are considering going this fall). I loved everything about it minus their luggage retrieval (someone from TN took my suitcase home with him and it took forever to get it back). They might have changed their system since then. We paid the extra fee and had dinner in the "special" restaurant. It was one of the best meals we have ever had. We splurged and bought our favorite wine to drink (Caymus Cabernet) and our server was knowledgeable and quite friendly. She talked me into having a rack of lamb in a chianti sauce. It was delicious and I don't eat lamb!

The room was more spacious than I had anticipated. It had a very large window and we were able to enjoy the view, especially at sea when the sun set. It was gorgeous. Our bed was turned out every night and things were always in order, wherever we went.

Activities were plentiful. We did an excursion to Paradise Island and spent the day at the Atlantis resort. We did a little sunbathing, had some lunch, checked out the aquarium and gambled some mula in the casino. I also had my hair braided which I will never do ever again!
Our favorite spot was Castaway Key. Thr family beach was crowded and loud (well at least to us at the time since we didn't have kids!) but the adult beach was simply paradise. They cut off the surf so the ocean is like a big, warm pool. I felt like Brooke Shields in the Blue Lagoon. It was so restful and beautiful.

There was a drunk man (well there were many drunk adults on the adult beach) and he exclaimed "This is the best vacation ever! I haven't seen my kds once!". Apparently there are many activities for the kiddies as well. We didn't take advantage of them because it was BM. We saw the characters around and I was on the conga line with Minnie Mouse.

Our first night out was rocky and we both got seasick. But there was a storm out at sea and after that, we were fine. Like I said, we enjoyed it so much and can't wait to do it again. We were on the Disney Wonder and did 4 days in the park, 3 days at sea.

HTH some!

[JustMare]

I went on with my DH for our second wedding aniversary - wonderful!

I would not recommend going on with a toddler until they are 3 as they are charged a full 3rd passenger rate and cannot use the children's facility until they are potty trained.

Mare
Mom to TJ (2/04)

[TraciG]

Hi I hope u answer me ! If a toddler is 21 months would they be charged ?? What do u mean they cant use the children's facility ???

THBAKS Traci

[brubeck]

Children cannot particiapte in the kids program until they are age 3 and potty trained. There is the Flounder's Reef Nursery but you pay extra for that. However they do not need to be potty trained to use the nursery.

[TraciG]

if u want can u bring your toddler in any of the pools with u if they're NOT potty trained ?

[momtoB]

To the pp - that was my understanding that infants in swim diapers are NOT allowed in any of the pools on board the cruise ship because the water isn't chlorinated (they use a more natural process). With Norwalk disease and other illnesses that can occur from contact with human feces, it just wouldn't be good idea. Anyway I did a search just to make sure and this is what I found:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dc...QLandingPage#2

Is it true that children must be toilet-trained in order to enter the pools?

Yes. The United States Public Health Service requires that only children who are toilet-trained be permitted to enter swimming pools and spas onboard cruise ships. Young children who are not toilet-trained are welcome to enjoy the fountain play area near the Mickey Pool. It's designed exclusively for the enjoyment of children wearing swim diapers.

Is there babysitting?

Group babysitting is available for children 12 weeks to 3 years old in Flounder's Reef Nursery, located on Deck 5, Midship. Guests may book babysitting times online in advance of embarkation or may sign up their children on embarkation day. The facility is open for select hours every day. Rates and times are subject to change and space is limited.

Can all children participate in youth activities?

Supervised youth activities are available on the ship from 9:00 a.m. to midnight for children ages 3-12. Children must be age 3 or older and toilet-trained in order to participate. Children must be able to interact comfortably within our counselor-to-child ratios of 1:15 (ages 3-4) and 1:25 (ages 5-12) and within our established age groupings of 3-4, 5-7, 8-9, 10-12. We are unable to provide one-on-one care. A child who becomes disruptive within the group may be excluded from participation. Parents sign their children (ages 3-12) in and out of activities and are provided pagers so they can keep in touch. Events have been designed for teens as well, ages 13-17. Teens do not need to be signed in and out by parents. There is no additional charge for these planned events.

hth.
Cheryl
ds-4/21/03

[TraciG]

Thank you very much for all of your info, unfortunately we decided not to take a Disney cruise