[upstatedoc]

Already planning next springs cruise with the kids. Anybody done this yet? Better to book through Disney website or another site? Going to do the castaway cay cruise.

[UncleWede]

I recommend you begin developing your taste for rum . . .

[upstatedoc]

suggestions?

[scalbert]

Been on three Disney Cruise. Two, 7 night cruises out of Port Canaveral and one 5 night out of Miami. All has a port of call in Castaway Cay and all were different ships so we have one more to go on to have sailed all four. Probably will plan it soon. Been on the Fantasy, Magic and Wonder.

I booked through a family friend who is a travel agent. It was not any better of a deal from what I found.

I assume you would be flying considering location? I have heard (we always drive) Disney makes traveling easier when flying by providing buses to/from the Orlando airport. Basically give them your bags at the airport and they show up at the stateroom.

Port Canaveral is a much better port. Disney has their own terminal there.

I highly suggest getting one with a Verandah. The first one we had a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom. While nice, nothing compares to opening the doors to a balcony overlooking the ocean.

I can go into more but if there are specifics you want to know, feel free to ask. I have been on other cruise lines and Disney tops them for my needs. I don't gamble so the lack of a casino was of no issue. They will allow you to carry on as much alcohol as you want; but carry on only. We used that to our advantage.

One more point, the crew, or cast members as they are called, like the parks, are just as friendly as they are at the parks. The take the park experience out to sea experience. And Castaway Cay is awesome. Be sure to get snorkeling gear.

[954Stealth]

If you do excursions, I recommend excursions.com they are much cheaper than booking through the ship

Also, unlimited drink plan

[grimlock]

bring condoms?

[E39lolz]

Originally Posted by grimlock

bring condoms?

No, we need more babies. OP, make babies overseas....

[dtwyim]

Best cruise for the kids IMO if they are not in their teens. Kids program is tremendous. Good entertainment for adults too. Different shows every night. You rotate at different restaurants and your server follows you. Much shorter line to take character pics than at the parks. Once you have gone Disney, every thing else pales in comparison. (I have done Royal Caribbean, Princess, NCL, Celebrity.) Unless you go to Crystal, Seven Seas...which is not kid friendly.

We were in Castaway Cay January and everything is shut down because of the waves. I was talking to the life guards and apparently pretty rare. You can't even swim. Only eating to do. We have been there before so no big deal. If you are doing a short cruise, could be a real bummer.

[khaye1]

We're doing a 3 day in April, just to try out the cruise thing...got the package through Costco since they were offering Costco cash. We booked a deluxe room with a verandah. We also book the shuttle service from the airport to the port and back. I'm gonna try to squeeze in a trip to Kennedy Space Center as well.

[M_Six]

Wow, last cruise ship I was one is scrap now. SS Norway (formerly the Ile-de-France) from NCL. That was pretty cool, but it was also in 1990. I'm sure things have changed.

If I can thread-crap a bit here, which cruise line would be best if I wanted to avoid hordes of kids?

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by M_Six

which cruise line would be best if I wanted to avoid hordes of kids?

definitely not Disney!

[954Stealth]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Wow, last cruise ship I was one is scrap now. SS Norway (formerly the Ile-de-France) from NCL. That was pretty cool, but it was also in 1990. I'm sure things have changed.

If I can thread-crap a bit here, which cruise line would be best if I wanted to avoid hordes of kids?

Norwegian (I was on it last year so a bit more recent than your 1990 trip)

[Billup]

Originally Posted by M_Six

If I can thread-crap a bit here, which cruise line would be best if I wanted to avoid hordes of kids?

I've been on 3 with Holland America. Mostly dominated by people in their 30's and up, so it's not too crazy. Handful of younger couples, but not too many, so it's very non-chalant. They have some cool things to win prizes and stuff at the pools, karaoke nights, stage shows, etc.

The last one I went on was the Eurodam, and from my understanding it was one of their newer boats. All the food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets) were probably the best I've had on any boat yet. The boat itself was beautiful and had plenty to keep you occupied, and we stopped at 4 different ports.


I plan on going on another one through them in the near future.

[Whostheboss]

Originally Posted by grimlock

bring condoms?

to fck new chicks on the boat?

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by M_Six

If I can thread-crap a bit here, which cruise line would be best if I wanted to avoid hordes of kids?

American Cruise lines on the riverboats. There may be quite a few Great-grand kids in wallets though

[Lups]

Just do not go.

[Inspired]

I've been on over 5 cruises in my life. I never went on Disney yet. I heard Disney cruises is the top rated cruise out of all. So far, I can't find the perfect cruise yet.

Carnival- Party all day, food sucks, service is sub-par, a lot of activities, caters to the younger crowds
Princess - Best food, not much activities on the cruise, excellent service, caters to mostly retired people
Norweigian- Food is average, cruise consists of mostly families, not a lot of activities on the cruise
Celebrity- Food is above average, cruise was the best designed ship I have been on (Celebrity Solstice), activities were sub-par, service is on par with Princess
Royal carribean- Average food, most activities compared to any other one, service was OK

Originally Posted by grimlock

bring condoms?

Care to elaborate? Any stories?

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Wow, last cruise ship I was one is scrap now. SS Norway (formerly the Ile-de-France) from NCL. That was pretty cool, but it was also in 1990. I'm sure things have changed.

If I can thread-crap a bit here, which cruise line would be best if I wanted to avoid hordes of kids?

Princess, Crystal, Seven Seas.

[BayMoWe335]

Originally Posted by Inspired

I've been on over 5 cruises in my life. I never went on Disney yet. I heard Disney cruises is the top rated cruise out of all. So far, I can't find the perfect cruise yet.

Carnival- Party all day, food sucks, service is sub-par, a lot of activities, caters to the younger crowds
Princess - Best food, not much activities on the cruise, excellent service, caters to mostly retired people
Norweigian- Food is average, cruise consists of mostly families, not a lot of activities on the cruise
Celebrity- Food is above average, cruise was the best designed ship I have been on (Celebrity Solstice), activities were sub-par, service is on par with Princess
Royal carribean- Average food, most activities compared to any other one, service was OK



Care to elaborate? Any stories?

All of the cruise lines you mentioned are complete and utter dog shit.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by BayMoWe335

All of the cruise lines you mentioned are complete and utter dog shit.

Other than Regent and Crystal cruise, which is the most luxurious cruise in the industry, I don't see how Royal Carribean, Princess are dog shit to you. Plus, Regent and Crystal cruise only operates 2 or 3 ships. There isn't a lot of option in term of destination with those 2 luxurious cruise line.

Celebrity solstice was probably the nicest designed ship I been on.




Oasis of the sea- largest cruise ship in the world



I fail to see how they are utterly shit. Care to elaborate?

[Nkc]

Been on MSC Splendida for a 7 day Mediterranean cruise and loved every part of it.

Going on another Mediterranean cruise on Norwegian Epic for another 7 nights with my wife and kid in May.

Would love to try Disney for the next one when my boy gets a bit bigger. No Casino? That's gonna be a deal breaker for me.

[Nkc]

Originally Posted by Inspired

Other than Regent and Crystal cruise, which is the most luxurious cruise in the industry, I don't see how Royal Carribean, Princess are dog shit to you. Plus, Regent and Crystal cruise only operates 2 or 3 ships. There isn't a lot of option in term of destination with those 2 luxurious cruise line.

Celebrity solstice was probably the nicest designed ship I been on.



Oasis of the sea- largest cruise ship in the world



I fail to see how they are utterly shit. Care to elaborate?

Just listen to the man. Complete and utter dog shit lol.