Alaska is so amazing I think everyone should try and visit at least once and cruising is a great way to go. There are other ships that do Alaska much better with more covered/enclosed areas and better places to view the amazing glaciers. The best itineraries I've seen are those that are one way either starting or ending near Denali. A cruise vacation that begins with a couple of nights in Denali and then travels south, eventually ending up in Vancouver just sounds amazing. Not an option with Disney.
I didn't necessarily mean bigger. Disney ships are amazing, but I've been on the Wonder several times. I like variety over familiarity when it comes to vacations. I encourage more exploration and I believe you'll find something really fun.
Yes. Every cruise line has a different way to keep you more than occupied during the day. Some things that I think are missing from Disney include a library and a game room. Every ship I've been on has trivia, cooking demonstrations, dance parties, deck games, pool fun, spa, sports deck, arcade, and more. Lots of daytime activities. Check out the "navigator" (called different things on different lines, but they all have them) on-line for other cruises (you don't even have to sail to find out what it might be like). There is a lot of variety and lots of options.
I can certainly see how you would have that "fast food" view from experiencing Cabanas. That's not the way all lines do it though. Fresh prepared sandwiches at the deli counter (yes, part of the buffet). Fresh wok stir fry made to order. Carved meats. Ice cream and deserts are included, but no still frozen krispy kreme donuts. No twice fried hash browns. Every line offers a soda package for extra cost, which is essentially the same that Disney does. Royal even uses the Coke Freestyle machines that provide much better variety of soda products. Iced tea, lemonade and water are always free. I eat two meals at the buffet every day. Breakfast and Lunch (when I eat both, which on a cruise, isn't every day). I enjoy dinner in the main restaurant and Disney has most lines beat for dinner (at least in terms of the experience). Disney food at dinner isn't necessarily better. That depends on the food preferences more than anything though as most every cruise line pays attention to the food.
Just for clarification and not to be argumentative at all, but most of what you describe is common for all lines in the cruise industry. You do have an assigned table, servers do understand your preferences and make sure things are there for you when you sit down. They all do towel animals (although Carnival is trying to cut back). They all have trivia and they all have some sort of comedy or game show after dinner. They all have bingo. Most have a Casino. On some ships on some nights, they also have their big production show three times a night. Once before early seating, once in between seatings and once after late seating. I love that. Some have an ice skating rink with an ice show (amazing).
I'm very happy you are happy and are drinking the Disney Kool-aid. I'm sure you will continue to enjoy it for many years to come and I really hope you do. My post is really to the original poster who asked, why Disney. My counter above is intended to also answer the question that others also ask. Why not?
My next two cruises are with Disney. I obviously love them too!
I can agree with you that covered areas on the Wonder were sparse, especially since a few of the covered areas excluded children, which kept grandparents out in the cold to spend time with their 16 year old granddaughter.
My problem with the itineraries comes from the “must stop at a foreign country” rule. Single airfare tickets are more expensive than round-trip, and can rival the cost of the entire cruise. I would love to do the Denali train ride and spend a few days in Denali but that’s just not budget. Disney is not in the budget, but I was able to save money by not going on adventures and walked around town.
If Disney pays for a dock/slip/parking space in Alaska and brings a second ship I’d guess they would also offer some of those one way trips but I can’t take the Med/Euro/San Juan because of airfare prices, $200 airfare PP kto Orlando is all I can do.
“More exploration” would be great but here’s how I have to shop for cruises...
Select months daughters not in school,
Hit search, check airfare for prices that start with 2 or 3,
Return to filters,
Select Port Canaveral,
Hit search again,
Check for prices that start with a 3 then 4. (With 5 or more days)
Lowest price wins (I check itinerary to see where I’m going)
Exception was Alaska. (Which can never happen again $$$)
You mentioned game rooms and librarys. They all had game rooms at the start. Few kids used those rooms so they re-purposed them. They are like slot machines that don’t pay off, and most kids now would rather play video game so Disney put some of those in the Edge and Vibe.
Several have mentioned a library, it’s been mentioned enough that it should be expanded beyond the bookcase they keep in Cove Café. But I would never pick a ship according to their library. Dyslexia makes it a struggle for me and not a pleasure.
When we went to Alaska in 2016 there was a pasta bar, sandwich bar, stirfry, jambalaya, omelette bar... I guess the other days I was walking around town. Not great stuff I’ll admit, except the jambalaya was made special for me with no onions. It was the first time in over 50 years I’ve ever had it. It was AMAZING! Desserts also included in cabanas, did you travel and they weren’t there? Always had a iced display across from the buffet that we were able to select from 15 or more things (cookies, pastries, putting, fruit pies, lots of chocolate stuff) Did they take it away after the 2016 remodel for the Wonder?
I too am really answering OP, I figure OP must be reading these as they asked the question and wanted answers. I’m glad that you travel Disney and are able to share some of the Kool-Aid with me. I’m happy they have some things that are important to you and that they made available your favorite Kool-Aid flavor.
