No kids why do you stay with Disney?

[RedSox68]

I so agree! Big time.

On the same note, I go back to Disney ships and their internet is...heartbreaking......and for the $$ they ask. UGH! They should be ashamed! I know connectivity isn’t a big thing for everyone but especially when I’m traveling sans family it’s a priority to me. Last Sept we had an emergency at home while I was at sea on the Dream. My husband desperately tried using the emergency contact number....spent $120 trying to get word to me over about 6 hours time. He could NOT get a message to me in any way. My stateroom phone never rang once let alone recorded a message. And I had shut completely off the internet package because no matter what settings the connect guy at the desk changed, each time I logged on my Gs vanished rapidly. Finally a crew member came to my dinner table to get me. We were both beyond livid. That paired with how upset I was over the emergency itself, it was a bad, bad night. Soooooo much better when I can have continual unlimited WiFi that’s close to land speeds at a flat rate. Plus, posting to social media live while tagging the ship & locations, it’s FREE hype for the cruise line. Total win/win. I really do hope Disney can get out of the Stone Age with their WiFi!

Of all the lines we have sailed, they all do better with internet than Disney in our 10 cruises with them! A lot of lines offer free internet as an amenity or better rates than Disney, and you get great connectivity! Unfortunately, not so with Disney.

 

[Dug720]

I so agree! Big time.

On the same note, I go back to Disney ships and their internet is...heartbreaking......and for the $$ they ask. UGH! They should be ashamed! I know connectivity isn’t a big thing for everyone but especially when I’m traveling sans family it’s a priority to me. Last Sept we had an emergency at home while I was at sea on the Dream. My husband desperately tried using the emergency contact number....spent $120 trying to get word to me over about 6 hours time. He could NOT get a message to me in any way. My stateroom phone never rang once let alone recorded a message. And I had shut completely off the internet package because no matter what settings the connect guy at the desk changed, each time I logged on my Gs vanished rapidly. Finally a crew member came to my dinner table to get me. We were both beyond livid. That paired with how upset I was over the emergency itself, it was a bad, bad night. Soooooo much better when I can have continual unlimited WiFi that’s close to land speeds at a flat rate. Plus, posting to social media live while tagging the ship & locations, it’s FREE hype for the cruise line. Total win/win. I really do hope Disney can get out of the Stone Age with their WiFi!

I am one who likes to unplug at sea, so I don't pay attention to that. I'm weird that way.

 

[cruiser21]

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve sailed newer ships with RCI & NCL, all of which I’d put on par or better than Disney’s. Service. Food. Variety. Even entertainment. On par or better. Worst service on any cruise I’ve had....was a Disney Cruise. Disney does some things better but not all things. There’s some things others do better. Disney, to me, for the most part you’re buy8ng the branding, theming, and “Disney” experiences. Food Disney is not my favorite by far. I’m not a rotational dining fan so much either. Service is all about the same to me with few major differences. Some of my most favorite shows I’ve seen on a ship...not Disney. It’s crazy, I know. I’d actually love to try the newest offerings from Carnival because they’re coming out with very interesting things. But, yeah, it’s hard to compare Disney to other lines because so much of a Disney Cruise is their own thing. The private islands are the only aspect that I’d say hands-down is a landslide win for the mouse. Sooooo much has been put into developing Castaway. So very much even for how simple it kinda appears. Other than that, other lines do have a lot to offer. I try to stick with newer vessel so because that seems to be where other lines put their best foot forward.

We've also cruise 22 times with 18 of them being DCL.
I agree with everything you said. My kids aren't grown, but getting close. 4 more years. We'll probably do the occasional DCL cruise for Nostalgia purposes. Especially if we just want a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas. What I say to people unless paying 10k-20k for a European cruise is totally within your financial comfort zone I wouldn't cruise DCL in Europe or Alaska. Some families can easily afford this. If your not one of those families that can easily afford it I wouldn't lose sleep over it. We've cruised other lines and have found them on par with DCL.

I'll probably never completely stop cruising on DCL, but it has to be the right cruise at the right price. In other words I'm not going to spend 1 - 2 years saving up for my vacation just to be on a Disney ship. If it's not a cruise I can easily afford then I'm looking elsewhere.

 

[tink1970]

My husband and I sail with DCL with and without our DD (17). We are creatures of habit and love the fact that we're familiar with DCL and the ships (it helps that there are only four ). We don't gamble and I don't drink so a casino is definitely not needed nor appreciated. Adult areas are nice, but we are pretty happy sitting on the verandah, going to the gym and spa (all adult only by default!). The ships are both a resort unto themselves as well as a hotel/transportation option. I keep trying to change lines but in the end, knowing something and feeling comfortable is worth any price difference (so far) to us.

 

[cruiser21]

Of all the lines we have sailed, they all do better with internet than Disney in our 10 cruises with them! A lot of lines offer free internet as an amenity or better rates than Disney, and you get great connectivity! Unfortunately, not so with Disney.

I complained to the 'connect at sea' cm on the Wonder about the bad internet and the cost. I told her other lines such as Carnival had packages where you paid 10.00 dollars a day unlimited. She told me that was because people that sailed Carnival probably couldn't afford internet therefore it didn't overload the system. She also said that some people on DCL spend thousands on internet, therefore they could never offer something like that.

 

[mevelandry]

Nah, I believe that Carnival can never exceed Disney.

I respectfully disagree as I believe that it's all a matter of perspective and subjects as well as personal perception and tastes.

 

[Pens Fan]

First, you assume that I have only sailed Disney and you are wrong. Second, I won't argue opinions or perceptions with you as everyone is entitled to their own, even me. Finally, you were not present in the thread I was referring to when I said I was "yelled" at, so please stop insinuating you know the details.

Just because I didn't post on that thread, doesn't mean I didn't read it.

I give up. You and I obviously are very different people and have vastly different views on life. I don't think there will be anything productive coming from further interaction. Time to hit the ignore button and move on.

 

[ChicosWife]

I respectfully disagree as I believe that it's all a matter of perspective and subjects as well as personal perception and tastes.

True.

 

[slindamood]

I have not read through this entire thread but have to agree with SweetPee - we have cruised DCL without children due to Nostalgia and excellent service. Our first DCL cruise was over 16 years ago and we now cruise Disney with our grandchildren, but prior to grandchildren took several DCL cruises without children. Without children we also have been on Princess, Celebrity, and Costa. Celebrity matched Disney and had fantastic evening music venues and shows with a live orchestra. For an adult couple, I prefer Celebrity to DCL. Princess was close to DCL and Costa is good only for the ports - terrible customer service, pathetic evening entertainment and nasty crew. That said, we are actually considering, just for the two of us, a Costa cruise of Norwegian fjords instead of DCL. Why? We are willing to trade a port every day that we want to visit and low cost for any expectation of good onboard service.

 

[RedSox68]

I'll probably never completely stop cruising on DCL, but it has to be the right cruise at the right price. In other words I'm not going to spend 1 - 2 years saving up for my vacation just to be on a Disney ship. If it's not a cruise I can easily afford then I'm looking elsewhere.

Well said.

 

[RedSox68]

I complained to the 'connect at sea' cm on the Wonder about the bad internet and the cost. I told her other lines such as Carnival had packages where you paid 10.00 dollars a day unlimited. She told me that was because people that sailed Carnival probably couldn't afford internet therefore it didn't overload the system. She also said that some people on DCL spend thousands on internet, therefore they could never offer something like that.

Wow, are they pompous or what!?!

 

[RedSox68]

I have not read through this entire thread but have to agree with SweetPee - we have cruised DCL without children due to Nostalgia and excellent service. Our first DCL cruise was over 16 years ago and we now cruise Disney with our grandchildren, but prior to grandchildren took several DCL cruises without children. Without children we also have been on Princess, Celebrity, and Costa. Celebrity matched Disney and had fantastic evening music venues and shows with a live orchestra. For an adult couple, I prefer Celebrity to DCL. Princess was close to DCL and Costa is good only for the ports - terrible customer service, pathetic evening entertainment and nasty crew. That said, we are actually considering, just for the two of us, a Costa cruise of Norwegian fjords instead of DCL. Why? We are willing to trade a port every day that we want to visit and low cost for any expectation of good onboard service.

When we sailed HAL in Alaska, they had a live 4-piece string set playing every night pre and post dinner times. It was incredibly classy and so relaxing.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I complained to the 'connect at sea' cm on the Wonder about the bad internet and the cost. I told her other lines such as Carnival had packages where you paid 10.00 dollars a day unlimited. She told me that was because people that sailed Carnival probably couldn't afford internet therefore it didn't overload the system. She also said that some people on DCL spend thousands on internet, therefore they could never offer something like that.

THAT is complete garbage all the way around. LOL!

 

[Dug720]

THAT is complete garbage all the way around. LOL!

I agree that assuming it was said in those words, that is not cool. BUT. I can only imagine how much they hear “But cruiseline Z does it this way...” It has to get old, and they probably fight every urge to say “So go cruise with them.”

Do you go to McDonald’s and complain it is not Burger King?

Edit: Not you YOU @sweetpee_1993 - the collective “you”.

 

[cruiser21]

Wow, are they pompous or what!?!

iIt was an excuse because she knows their wifi does not compare with other Cruiselines. She basically said their system couldn't handle too many people having wifi. The words Disney and internet together generally equals failure.
She did say she would mention the unlimited daily fee to her superiors...for what it's worth.
It's funny I don't think they even ask about wifi on their surveys. I could be wrong but I don't remember those questions.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I agree that assuming it was said in those words, that is not cool. BUT. I can only imagine how much they hear “But cruiseline Z does it this way...” It has to get old, and they probably fight every urge to say “So go cruise with them.”

Do you go to McDonald’s and complain it is not Burger King?

Edit: Not you YOU @sweetpee_1993 - the collective “you”.

Yeah. I can only imagine. I’d be a bit more diplomatic in the asking such as: “Has there been any consideration that you know of given to high-speed flat-fee unlimited WiFi access?” Assuming the answer is “No” in some way, shape, or form a good rebuttle would be, “Oh, I thought when Disney started restricting carrying-on of any/all alcohol & they said it was to align with industry standards we might see some other things upgrade to align with industry standards as well. That’s rather convenient for Disney & unfortunate for their guests.” It’s that Southern sass in me that makes me think/say the things I do.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

iIt was an excuse because she knows their wifi does not compare with other Cruiselines. She basically said their system couldn't handle too many people having wifi. The words Disney and internet together generally equals failure.
She did say she would mention the unlimited daily fee to her superiors...for what it's worth.
It's funny I don't think they even ask about wifi on their surveys. I could be wrong but I don't remember those questions.

We should be writing it in the comments!

EDIT: We should write it into the comment section along with a blurb about all-inclusive adult beverage packages as per industry standards.

 

[cruiser21]

I agree that assuming it was said in those words, that is not cool. BUT. I can only imagine how much they hear “But cruiseline Z does it this way...” It has to get old, and they probably fight every urge to say “So go cruise with them.”

Do you go to McDonald’s and complain it is not Burger King?

Edit: Not you YOU @sweetpee_1993 - the collective “you”.

There's always people at the desk complaining. I'm sure she's used to it. You'd think they'd want to fix the problem

 

[YawningDodo]

For the life of me I will never understand why people that have no interest in moving on from Disney even bother to read, more less comment on the threads discussing it. I read maybe 10 -15 % of the posts on here, because frankly I think a lot of the things people obsess over are kind of nutty. So I skip those and get on with my life.

Speaking for myself (and only for myself!), I've caught myself experiencing the urge to defend DCL's honor whenever someone says that they find better value elsewhere, think other cruise lines are better, etc. because I've realized that I have a little niggling fear in the back of my mind asking, "But what if I'm just wasting my money after all?"

Which, hey, I might be. I've only ever cruised once and it was DCL, and the next cruise for which my housemate and I have vague plans will also be DCL. I'm one of those people who has no context, who can't actually say whether or not I'd like Carnival just as well, or Royal, or Norwegian. So there's some fearful little part of me that wants to shut down any kind of possibility that my choice to spend the extra money on Disney might be a foolish one.

The thing is, though, as long as your answer to two particular questions is "yes," there's nothing wrong with going with a more expensive option. Those two things are:
1. Can you afford it?
2. Is it what you want?

So I just try to remind myself of that, and remember that even if I'm wasting my money...well, I'd technically be "wasting" it no matter where I cruised, because a cruise is a frivolous thing to buy regardless. Right now I want to cruise with DCL, and I can afford to do it about as often as I want to cruise at all. I'll re-examine the issue when one of those two things is no longer true. And when I catch myself worrying about it, I stop myself and I don't take it out on the people who are at a point in their lives where their answer to one or both questions is "no."

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I haven't been to any other private islands, but I did go to Amber Cove - near Puerta Plata in the DR, the area developed by Carnival Corp for their ships (including all under their umbrella)- last year, and I literally laughed out loud at their "cabanas" which, while yes they have some over the water, some at the pool, and some on the hillside, had what appeared to be LAWN FURNITURE (as in the aluminum frame and woven cheap material backing and seat - so not even PVC) in them. Not the nice teak things at the Castaway Cabanas. Amber Cove has no beach - just a pool, so if you're like me and not into pools, you're stuck doing an excursion to a beach club. All the food there was for sale. Ditto all the drinks. I was definitely glad our itinerary on fathom got changed so we only had one overnight there - and that I decided not to waste my money on a "cabana" which I was going to do if we had been on the original all DR itinerary rather than the hybrid Cuba/DR.

But Amber Cove isn't Carnival's Private Island - their Carnival Corp Private islands are either Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay.

On Half Moon Cay, for $50 less than a cabana on DCL (and including 2 extra people - it's 8 not 6), you can get a private villa. The tour description on those is:

How do you want to spend your day on Half Moon Cay? Carnival and Holland America offer five two-story beach villas that can make your time on the island an unforgettable experience.

Each of the five private villas are outfitted with air-conditioning, a 5-person capacity hot tub, refrigerator, ceiling fan, air conditioner, dining area with table and chairs, a misting shower and private sun deck.

On the second floor you'll find chaise lounges and a dining room table and chairs. In addition, both floors feature a high top table and 2 chairs. There are unobstructed views from all locations. Villas D and E are wheelchair accessible throughout the first floor and restroom area.

Villa guests will be provided with fresh fruit, vegetables and dip and chips and salsa to snack on throughout the day. Each villa is stocked with an assortment of soft drinks and bottled water to slake your thirst.

For your recreational pleasure, floating mats and snorkel gear are also included in the price for your use throughout your stay.


Oh, and the private island includes a bbq just like Castaway Cay. The only downside to Half Moon Cay is that it's a tender port.

Places like Amber Cove, Grand Turk, even Costa Maya are cruise line created port areas - not at all comparable to the Private Islands.