Disney Magic in Villefranche. Too much mouse? Or just another really good cruise line?
Disney’s new Disney Dream will easily score Cruise Critic’s title of “2011’s most innovative ship” when it debuts in January. It’ll have cruising’s first “water coaster,” inventive virtual portholes to illuminate inside cabins, and the Enchanted Garden restaurant, where, presumably, the décor – with light fixture flowers that actually bloom – will trump the food. Unlike posits of most other cruise lines, Disney’s main theater productions really are Broadway quality.
No question, the cruise line arm of the global behemoth-of-Walt, starting with Disney Magic over a decade ago, is every bit a game changer in the industry as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line.
For sure, even its interpretation of the usually sedate “float out” stage in ship-building, was unique; this weekend’s ceremony featured the first fireworks I’ve ever seen at a shipyard (check out our report).
Its ships are resort destinations in themselves. Service is superb, entertainment is top-notch, the kids’ programs engage young passengers (which means they’re not running around wild), and Disney’s got the most intriguing shore excursion menu in the business. But it seems to me that unless you’re a hardcore Disney-ite to begin with, a lot of “regular” cruise travelers give its ships a miss (and conversely, it can be hard for veteran Disney passengers to switch to more mainstream lines).
If you haven’t cruised on Disney yet, will Dream’s innovations tempt you? Or does the influence of the Mousian empire, complete with Goofy, Mickey, Minnie and the like, scare you off?
CSB
17 Comments
October 31, 2010 at 7:05 pm
No way. Disney was smothering enough at the theme parks. We want our family to meet with other families, races, creeds, origins..not hang out with the Stepfords.
October 31, 2010 at 7:32 pm
I’ve cruised many lines starting as a young adult but haven’t tried Disney yet. Truth be told , I couldn’t afford to cruise when my kids were young. I would LOVE to take a second honeymoon on the new Disney Dream with my “young at heart” wonderful husband!
November 1, 2010 at 12:15 am
NO THANKS! I won’t cruise Disney for the same reason I don’t go to their parks…I don’t want to see those ridiculous ‘ears’ shape everywhere I look! Disney overdoes it with their logo and “in-your-face” advertising every time you turn around. I’ll stick with Royal Caribbean.
November 1, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Disney cruises are wonderful, great food and service. I prefer Celebrity but you don’t feel smothered by Mickey in any way.
November 1, 2010 at 9:40 pm
That is a complete misconception that people have about the Disney cruise..we traveled with Disney 2 yrs ago and I did not see any “mouse ears” and was in no way “Stepford” like. It was just a wonderful experience all around. Im not a “diehard” Disney person, but would recomend traveling with them to all my friends because the service was excellent. I would love the opportunity to travel on the Disney Dream in the future!!
November 1, 2010 at 9:41 pm
I agree with you Annette — loved my Mediterranean cruise this spring. I won’t be an only-Disney cruisers but I’d do it again, happily….
November 1, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Try a Disney Cruise before you criticise them we have sailed with Disney, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean you would be surprised the service from Disney is first class much better then Royal Caribbean. The kids program on Disney is Excellent you have more kids running around on Royal Caribbean than you do on Disney.Disney may appear to to be more expensive on the surface but extras are to a minimum all soda and kids clubs from 9 am to midnight are included regardless of if the boat is at sea or not. They even have a kids club on their private island with dedicated adult areas. The islands also is far better than the Royal Caribbean kept in an immaculate condition with deep dock so no need to tender. Disney have not just invested in the new ships they have also updated Castaway Cay we were there last week and the extension blends seamlessly with the original buildings etc. I would recommend anyone to give it a try I was dragged on board in 2007 and I will be honest was not looking forward to it we have sailed with Disney Seven times and have two more booked I was converted the very first day on board.
November 2, 2010 at 8:00 am
Great point Adrian about the upkeep of Castaway Cay — and I agree, the extras are nice. On this end, and only on Europe and Alaska cruises, it should also be pointed out that Disney is the rare line to create really unique shore tours that are actually worth the price.
November 1, 2010 at 10:44 pm
We have cruised P&O numerous times, Celebrity and Royal Carribean twice, we cruise at least once a year, first time on the Canberra. Two years ago we tried Disney for four days and were pleasantly suprised, we are not ‘Disney’ people and were interested to see that it isn’t anything like the theme parks.
We have now kicked ‘P&O’ into touch and cruised DCL twice last year, the service, food and beautiful ship, are far better in our opinion. The free soft drinks, ice cream, towels on the loungers and blankets on the steamer chairs, are all the little touches that other cruise lines are cutting back on, but make our cruise a bit more luxurious. Not sure I would go on the Dream, our experience with the larger ships hasn’t been great. We were on one of the first few cruises on the Ventura and wouldn’t want a repeat of that!!
Don’t knock DCL until you have done it, you may be, like us converted!!! There is a great ‘adult’ only area, with pools, spas, coffee bars and night clubs. Booked again for next year in the Med.
If you had told me or my otherhalf we would be cruising on a Disney Ship for our holidays, I would not have believed you!
November 2, 2010 at 7:58 am
Thanks, Kate, great insight.
November 1, 2010 at 11:05 pm
While I would love to take my family on a Disney Cruise, and have heard that they are not the “in your face” experience many fear….the cost IS the deciding factor. They may be “worth the cost” but I still can’t afford the cost, for a family of four.
November 2, 2010 at 12:39 am
We’re not Disney virgins… have cruise them twice before. We love all things Disney, including the ships, but we can’t afford their prices. We frequent Royal Caribbean or Princess due to the more family friendly pricing.
November 2, 2010 at 4:21 pm
I’ve cruised with Disney (was on their private island on 9/11) and it was great. Their pricing is still the main issue for me. Unless there is a big sale I just can’t do it.
November 5, 2010 at 9:31 am
Unless you have cruised before with Disney you cannot comment, we did and we are in our 60′s and it was fantastic and no if you didn’t want to have Mickey all the time you did not have to.
November 9, 2010 at 1:13 am
I’m not a Disney Diehard (though I know a few), but I would definitely consider a DCL trip, if I could get it in my budget. That’s the real deal breaker for me…
February 2, 2011 at 6:38 pm
We did our first cruise last Dec ’10 on the Disney Wonder, and have two cruises booked on the Dream for 2012. We can’t wait. I don’t think you need to love Disney to go on their ships and have a wonderful time, but if you do then it only adds to the magic and fun.
February 3, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I have cruised many lines and have been on DCL quiet a bit. The thing I notice most, which stands above the other cruise lines, is service. When I was on Carnival I thought it was great because I had nothing to compare it to. Then I tried a couple other cruise lines. Disney goes above and beyond what it needs to do to keep the customers happy.
From what I am seeing I don’t think I will be happy with the adult only pool on the Dream ( I will find out in August). I go on the Magic in April and am really looking forward to it.
The prices are higher than other cruise lines, but it is well worth it. You will pay more for a great steak than you will for a hamburger. I doubt I will pay $75 to eat at a Remy.
From the first time I stepped on a Disney ship I noticed a difference. The ships are clean from top to bottom. I am talking spotless.
They do need to take care of past cruisers better than they do right now. By saying this I mean if upgrades become available take care of the people who take care of you. I have been on DCL 13 times already.