Second thoughts (I've read too many reviews)

[cgolf]

My wife has a saying: if you hang out in the monkey house too long, you stop noticing the smell.

Step away from Cruise Critic and the vocal minority found therein. No, DCL is not perfect. It certainly has flaws that should be called out, but some people on CC are just trolls, plain and simple. Others magnify and distort issues so grossly that I’m convinced that they must have personality disorders.

The cruise will not be perfect, but the odds are overwhelmingly in your favor that you will have an awesome time. Relax.

The thing I have noticed between the 2 forums is that on Dis, overall puts a more positive spin on things and there are more people on here that passionately support DCL vs CC where yes the posters are more critical, but there doesn't seem to be as much loyalty.

The thing that CC has the Dis doesn't is something that borders on bullying? It can get downright nasty at times. Squabbles on here don't even come close to what is seen over there frequently. I think between the two sites for DCL you can get a pretty accurate picture of what your cruise will be like.

I didn't give a reason to the op about the cruise being worth it, because it is so hard to determine because everyone has different preferences. Also, for a new cruiser it is different, everything is new. Since DCL is a bit slow to change things frequent cruisers will have a different opinion on the value they are receiving. OP and their family really won't know till they sail.

Would be interesting in a post trip report by the OP to see how the new cruisers of the family and the veteran cruisers viewed the value they got.

 

[vacationer1954]

The thing I have noticed between the 2 forums is that on Dis, overall puts a more positive spin on things and there are more people on here that passionately support DCL vs CC where yes the posters are more critical, but there doesn't seem to be as much loyalty.

I don't think that last part is necessarily the case. There are many very loud posters on CC that are very loyal to their own distorted memory of what their preferred cruise line once was. As a result those posters are very quick and very aggressive in being critical of any cruise line, including the one they claim to be loyal to, that varies in any way from that distorted memory.

The thing that CC has the Dis doesn't is something that borders on bullying?

Within many of the cruise line specific forums there are strong cliques that rally around each other and gang up on anyone expressing a different opinion within what they consider their forum.

I think between the two sites for DCL you can get a pretty accurate picture of what your cruise will be like.

I don't know. I think someone new to cruising would just end up being confused by the radically different information they're getting. I think they can get a much clearer picture of things by just reading the forum here rather than on CC, but I think they can get an even clearer picture by relying on their own eyes and ears by relying mainly on videos, and not on what the vloggers are saying but just ignoring the opinions and instead focusing on what they can see in the video including the natural, unscripted reactions of the vloggers. I think publicly posted videos have really changed how we can learn about our options.

 

[ember1205]

You will never cruise if you listen to the people of Cruise Critic. Seriously- a very wound up site with many people who seem to hate cruising but do it a lot haha. Its good to do research but ultimately most cruises (across all lines) are great cruises! You will have a wonderful time!

You will never do ANYTHING if you listen to the critics.

I've been on two cruises with DCL. One was great, one was not. I'm leaving for my third today. A lot of your enjoyment is 100% in your hands. Make it enjoyable.

Plan, but don't obsess. Pack wisely. Don't feel compelled to book excursions but do something that is very appealing and gets good reviews.

When reading reviews, skip the "star rating" and read what people actually wrote. Look for common themes of things that would be huge negatives for you, but only if you have something to compare to. For example, don't be put off by there being no "all you can drink" package until you understand that all of your soft drinks are included at meals and the drink stations.

 

[Caboosey]

On the CC reviews I have read, one negative review stood out. This is from a Dream review: "Our suitcases were taken from us as we arrived to the ship. Since our cabins weren't available, we started exploring the ship. On 11th floor we found pools with some people swimming there. We could swim and enjoy time and sun while waiting. For us it wasn't so. We had no swimsuits with us. Since we had no access to our suitcases we couldn't enjoy that time and were bored till about 2 PM to get to our cabins.
It is a long time specially for kids to stand and look at people who were aware about the situation and were prepared for it. It upset all of us."
So this guy admits the swimmers were prepared. He didn't do the research and he wasn't prepared, so his kids were upset. So this is a bad thing DCL has done? That set the tone for his whole review. There are so many other things they could have done on the ship, but he chose to focus on this? It's a good example because a lot of people focus on only the negative and then they post on CC to make sure you know about it.
Do your research...enjoy your cruise...make the most of it!

I can't imagine showing up having done NO research at all! One of the first things you read about DCL is to bring your swimsuit in a carry-on!

I guess I shouldn't be surprised - I always see people at WDW trying to walk into a sit-down restaurant with no reservations, or baffled about the FastPass line and saying things like "They paid a lot more so they get to skip the lines!"

Just do a little simple research before your trip and you'll be so much happier!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Ok, Disneyphiles. Can you offer reassurance that DCL is worth the cost. My father-in-law is a veteran cruiser and he is treating our family of 4 (me, DH and DDs 11 and 8) to the 5-day Western Caribbean with MDAS on the Magic in Feb 2020. This is our first cruise and our first Disney experience. My kids are excited about the shows, movies, fancy dinners and princesses. DH and I are looking forward to all that, plus some quiet time if we can convince the girls to go to kids club.

I was so excited and really dove into the planning, but I see a bunch of so-so reviews on cruise critic and feel nervous. Ugh. Should I stick to this board and just ignore the Negative Nellies? Can anyone offer a pep talk?! We are not particularly picky people, but I know that emotions can be heightened when so much money and expectations are at play.

Thanks!

It sounds like your immediate family is excited about things that does make DCL special, shows, movies, princesses. I hope you have a very Magical time! I’m a senior citizen, have 29 DCL cruises behind me. I travel other cruise lines as well, and I definitely smile more on DCL,

 

[mousefan73]

Just my opinion Disney is worth the cost and has great reviews if you are into Disney. The Disney goggles might cover a bunch if critical feedback you won‘t find on these boards. But rest assured DCL is great! Your DDS are the perfect age especially if they live princesses. With the theming and character interaction DCL is an expansion if the WDW experience.

I can see how people on Cruise critic would probably have more negative reviews about DCL then here. Just with the simple fact that most people on this board are Disney fans. Cruise critic reviewers are cruise fans. I can see more negative reviews from a group of people who are not Disney fans but sail on DCL because DCL would be in my opinion overpriced for a cruiser has no interest in Disney. Other cruise lines offer more for much less or at Disney prices offer a lot more. This is why We sail DCL with my mother. She loves Disney. in the summer we are sailing oasis of the seas with my husband. My husband would be very upset to spend that much money for him to sail Disney as he finds all the shows, characters a bit lame and not worth the Disney surcharge.

 

[over50visits]

I was so excited and really dove into the planning, but I see a bunch of so-so reviews on cruise critic and feel nervous. Ugh. Should I stick to this board and just ignore the Negative Nellies? Can anyone offer a pep talk?! We are not particularly picky people, but I know that emotions can be heightened when so much money and expectations are at play.

As with so many things, I suspect you'll have just the experience you expect to have. We always know our cruises are going to be absolutely wonderful, and guess what....they are! Do you research, it's a lot of fun reading about the cruise before you go, but know that everyone's experience differs. Choose what you want yours to be and voilà...

 

[vacationer1954]

As with so many things, I suspect you'll have just the experience you expect to have.

That is so true, and why reviews can be so counterproductive: How much you'll enjoy something can be predetermined by whether you read reviews and which reviews you read.

 

[DisneyHelen]

We love our cruises.We always carry our swimsuits with us.We have lunch and enjoy getting in the pool to start our vacation.It helps to read up on activities before you gn our second cruise we stayed on the boat in Nassau and really enjoyed being on a fairly empty boat.

 

[CaseyCruiser]

We have been on 6 Disney cruises and highly recommend them. We have always had an outstanding time.

 

[ksack]

Ok, Disneyphiles. Can you offer reassurance that DCL is worth the cost. My father-in-law is a veteran cruiser and he is treating our family of 4 (me, DH and DDs 11 and 8) to the 5-day Western Caribbean with MDAS on the Magic in Feb 2020. This is our first cruise and our first Disney experience. My kids are excited about the shows, movies, fancy dinners and princesses. DH and I are looking forward to all that, plus some quiet time if we can convince the girls to go to kids club.

I was so excited and really dove into the planning, but I see a bunch of so-so reviews on cruise critic and feel nervous. Ugh. Should I stick to this board and just ignore the Negative Nellies? Can anyone offer a pep talk?! We are not particularly picky people, but I know that emotions can be heightened when so much money and expectations are at play.

Thanks!

We first cruised with Disney in 2005 and while DH said he'd never cruise again, because he didn't think he had as much fun as DD & I did, I booked another cruise in 2014. This cruise was with Norwegian and I told him he didn't have to go, that I'd take the kids and enjoy ourselves. He could have a week by himself. Ultimately he gave in and went, and I'm glad we did this cruise because it was an eye opener.
Comparing Norwegian with DCL is a no brainer. While Norwegian had various types of restaurants we could go to we had to pay for our meals. We could have stuck with the meals in the restaurants that were included in the price we paid, but we are adventurous eaters. Norwegian also had a casino, which we didn't take advantage of because it just wasn't our thing. Also Norwegian was offering a drink free special when we booked, it was only at check in that we found out that because we were going on Spring Break this special didn't apply - which I understand because of the amount of college age kids on board.
Basically it boils down, for my family, that the cost is worth it because of the different options for dining that are included, from Room Service to the various restaurants as well as the buffet. The shows and such are more our style.
By the end DH swore he'd never cruise again unless it was a Disney Cruise! Which is why we have one booked this summer!!

 

[cgolf]

I don't think that last part is necessarily the case. There are many very loud posters on CC that are very loyal to their own distorted memory of what their preferred cruise line once was. As a result those posters are very quick and very aggressive in being critical of any cruise line, including the one they claim to be loyal to, that varies in any way from that distorted memory.

Within many of the cruise line specific forums there are strong cliques that rally around each other and gang up on anyone expressing a different opinion within what they consider their forum.

I debated about replying to this, but have to respond to the above. As someone that started cruising DCL and had a great time on many of the cruises, what you stated above happened to me and others on here when we stated our honest opinions on here about DCL.

When I have given our opinion that DCL doesn't provide good value, has repetitive shows and activities, food isn't up to par with other lines, loyalty program is not good, etc and I have gotten flamed, asked by some to not post on this site, told how wrong I am, etc. I try to offer my true opinions based on the experiences I have had, I can take the abuse on here and it doesn't bother me, but to say it only happens on CC is false, it happens here too. If you aren't fully in with DCL that is. All forums shouldn't just report the good, they should openly allow people to post what they thought of their trips good and bad.

 

[smmco]

I find these boards to be overly positive when it comes to anything Disney. Cruise critic can be overly critical.
I still find cruise critic to be the best source of information. My approach is to only read the reviews that are balanced. I also look at the percentage of reviews that are positive. I take the same approach with hotel reviews. I like to see at least a 75% approval rating. I’ve also found the more expensive the hotel is the higher the expectations are. I guess the same could apply to cruise lines.
It’s still better to try it yourself. I can’t imagine you not having a good time.

 

[ChicosWife]

I'm on Reddit and I heard about the banana complaint.

I can't believe this is a thing!

 

[squirk]

I find these boards to be overly positive when it comes to anything Disney.

I have to agree with this. And as a corollary, there is a subset here that gets very upset and very defensive when someone is critical of a Disney cruise.

To be fair, though, there is another subset here that really tears into DCL, to such a degree that I have to wonder “Why do you even visit this board? Go find a board where you can talk about things you like.”

The ones I really love are the ones who criticize DCL even though they have yet to sail on it. Whether you’re genuine in your outrage or if you’re just trolling, please seek help immediately.

 

[mevelandry]

I have to agree with this. And as a corollary, there is a subset here that gets very upset and very defensive when someone is critical of a Disney cruise.

To be fair, though, there is another subset here that really tears into DCL, to such a degree that I have to wonder “Why do you even visit this board? Go find a board where you can talk about things you like.”

The ones I really love are the ones who criticize DCL even though they have yet to sail on it. Whether you’re genuine in your outrage or if you’re just trolling, please seek help immediately.

You nailed it.

 

[smmco]

I have to agree with this. And as a corollary, there is a subset here that gets very upset and very defensive when someone is critical of a Disney cruise.

To be fair, though, there is another subset here that really tears into DCL, to such a degree that I have to wonder “Why do you even visit this board? Go find a board where you can talk about things you like.”

The ones I really love are the ones who criticize DCL even though they have yet to sail on it. Whether you’re genuine in your outrage or if you’re just trolling, please seek help immediately.

I haven't noticed people tearing into Disney on these boards, but I don't read 90% of the threads. There is a lot of debate about price vs value. I think that is a normal discussion to have considering the price differences between DCL and other cruise lines.

People tend to get a little defensive about their choices. I think the consensus is usually DCL is a great product, but is it worth the cost?

Some people say yes, some say no, people like me say sometimes. That is the question OP is struggling with, but it's a hard question to answer for someone else.

 

[JecHec]

Just came off DCL #3. This time without kids( they weren't with us to begin with). Wouldn't trade DCL for any other. It's great with kids and without. What I love it the included soda. Kids can drink anytime with no additional charges.

 

[mevelandry]

Just came off DCL #3. This time without kids( they weren't with us to begin with). Wouldn't trade DCL for any other. It's great with kids and without. What I love it the included soda. Kids can drink anytime with no additional charges.

Included sodas are great but... I have to admit that I'm definitely curious about the Coca-Cola Freestyle (with more than 100 flavors) on RCCL ships. It may not be "included" but when you pre-pay the package, it feels like it is... For the price difference (between DCL vs RCCL), it was also very easy to afford.

 

[smmco]

Included sodas are great but... I have to admit that I'm definitely curious about the Coca-Cola Freestyle (with more than 100 flavors) on RCCL ships. It may not be "included" but when you pre-pay the package, it feels like it is... For the price difference (between DCL vs RCCL), it was also very easy to afford.

Do parents let kids drink soda all day at home? Luckily my kids only drink water, but if they liked soda having an unlimited supply would be more of a negative then a positive.