davidmbfonz

Thanks everyone!

Looking forward to Cozumel instead of Nassau. Also looking forward to the much calmer seas in the Gulf! We're sad to miss Castaway, but a sea day should be great - the more time on that ship the better!

My travel agent had emailed a couple days ago suggesting that even St. Maarten was a possibility. Question: is this the Dream's first trip to Cozumel?

Our experience of Mr. Sancho's paralleled yours very closely. What a good setup they have! Love the water right there, and you can't beat that tasty buffet and the drinks. Did you try the "Green Monster" drink? Good stuff!

I can see the appeal of Cozumel!

Great review!

Just FANTASTIC info, Moki. Wow - very reassuring. DCL should hire you to calm people (if not the seas!).

Thank YOU!

Wow! Was just about to post and ask our veteran forum folks what the range of things that DCL has done in the past? I'm on the Dream leaving on Monday with the rest of you - the ship is slated to head directly into the storm!

Wondering about the re-route options (which seem very likely).

Thanks in advance!

Looking forward to reading your report!

We've been on both the Dream and the Magic and neither ever felt crowded. You have to remember that these ships are the size of a city block, and 10-12 stories tall - that gives a lot of opportunity for people to spread out. They design the ships with the number of guests in mind.

The ONLY time we ever felt crowded was during the sailaway party and the pirate party - on both ships. Although, strangely, on the Dream, although there were a ton of people on deck and we didn't get a front row spot, by hanging toward the middle to the back of the deck (from the stage), we had all the room in the world. But those parties do give you a visual reminder that the ships have LOTS of people on them.

Otherwise, across our 9 days at seat on DCL, here's where we DIDN'T see crowds (although might have expected them):

- The Rainforest Room was quiet and nearly 'empty' on both ships in the afternoon.

- The AquaDunk on the Magic never had a line.

- walk-up counter service with no wait at the pool deck eateries

- Haven't had to fight for a seat in the Walt Disney theater on 5 out of the 6 shows we've seen there (the only truly anxious time was when "Tangled" debuted on the Magic).

- Castaway Cay: the 2nd family beach isn't crowded, although those beaches are both HUGE and can accommodate a lot of people.

- never had a problem walking up and getting a bike rental on Castaway.

- Had the Magic's atrium to ourselves (all alone!) for the better part of an hour on a sea day one afternoon! My daughter danced on stage for 45+ minutes!

Most of the above observations were mild surprises to us!

Enjoy! You'll have a great time - just don't psych yourself out about the number of people onboard!

We were wondering the same thing just last night - looks like only 1 or 2 cruises have sailed with the Halloween theme as of right now... anxiously awaiting some updated Navigators.

I found last October's Dream Navigators on the disneycruiselineblog.

I also have Navigators from 2 years ago HOHS on the Dream in my trip report (see signature below) - but you're on the Fantasy.

LOVE how DCL does Halloween (and Christmas!).

Have fun!

I don't even know why I'm going to enter this fray, but I *really* don't understand these "Disney is too expensive" threads.

 

Okay, Disney costs more than "mainstream" cruise lines on most itineraries. They also offer more. (If you disagree that Disney offers more, then choose another line that offers a similar product for a lower price and be happy.)

 

On the other hand, they cost less than "luxury" lines. They don't reach that level of service--makes sense to me.

 

Also, complaining about the price of an item demonstrates a shocking lack of understanding of basic microeconomics. If you're not willing to pay for something, then don't pay for it, but don't complain that the item costs too much for you! Clearly there are enough people who *are* willing to pay the higher price, and Disney would be stupid not to charge the prices they do. Don't lament that the road is full of BMW's but that you used to have one and now they cost too much for you to afford. Don't whine that it seems like every woman is carrying a Louis Vuitton purse but the price has gone up out of your reach.

 

Finally, DCL of years past, where they offered discounts and rained lavish benefits on their frequent cruisers, is indeed a thing of the past. They have learned that they do not have to offer those kinds of incentives and, in fact, prefer a clientele that does not NEED such enticements. A new cruiser who pays top dollar is also probably more likely to spend on board, whether it's on souvenirs (that a frequent cruiser has already bought), wine (that a high-spender is more likely to fork out for), or any other expense.

 

I get that there are exceptions to any rule. But the fact that people repeatedly come on internet message boards like this to complain that Disney's cruise prices have gone up simply and absolutely baffles me.

Hear hear! Amen!

How do people post larger pics? I see all these great shots, but mine show up as tiny thumbnails...ugh

If I'm not mistaken - you need to host your image on another site and then link to it... I used flickr for mine...

Thanks for this - I like that fact that you're reviewing from a 'returning many years later' perspective - I bet you could really see what has changed since your first Disney cruise(s).

Edited to add: We LOVE the Dream... wish we could take a 10-night and just stay on that beautiful ship the whole time!

I am looking for special or hidden gems that make sailing on Disney unique and different.

If that's truly the case, it's probably likely that you will enjoy the enchanted artwork. Really cool concept!

This is actually a really tricky question. I just sat here for 5 minutes, weighing the different activities and events against each other. It's really really hard to just think of one. I really thought I would be able to pinpoint something. I think overall the things we tried that we didn't necessarily plan to do ended up being some of the more fun things. I loved snorkeling the course in Castaway Cay. We didn't know about the little café that is overlooking the atrium, on the Dream, that has little salamis and olives and cheeses. The rain forest room was a real treat as well. Again, I think because I didn't have any preconceived notions. If I had to list them all, there would be dozens of things that were just standouts across our two cruises. Just a blast!

wow! What a great resource you've put together! How nice of you!

I've got some fairly clear images from around the ship, the mosaic artwork, etc. Feel free to use:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsk81XHvP

I just priced out the same cruise for 2017 that we're doing later this year, and it's about 150-200 dollars more. So, about a 5-6% increase. That seems borderline reasonable to me.

Agreed. We've done the Land/Sea thing with WDW and DCL. The WDW portion was *significantly* more expensive than DCL. WDW is an outrageously expensive thing to do unless you really work hard to save on hotel, food, tickets, etc.

I've run the numbers a couple of times now over the last year or so: a 4-day cruise on the Dream (excluding peak summer and holiday cruises) is nearly the same as staying for 4 nights at a moderate-class resort, with park tickets, and QUICK-SERVICE dining options included. Often, the WDW package is MORE... so, if you look at DCL as a Disney vacation primarily, then it's a value option.

Counter-intuitive at first, no?

People talk about the demographic that Disney aims to attract. I think there are many demographics they want to attract. There are special features for older cruisers, special features for families.

 

I do think, at the front end and for the initial sticker price, they are pricing themselves out of the market for the average middle class family who considers taking a cruise. It looks like so much money to spend. However, I have started looking at it in a slightly different light.

 

It is quite likely that if that same family went to Disney World, stayed on property, spent money on tickets for the same number of days they would cruise, and ate in the park or at their hotel- they would spend as much if not more than for the cruise. If you look at all that is "included" for the "pixie dust" experience, you still don't come out that badly. The park vacation savings tend to come into play for those who stay off property, cook & eat at a hotel, condo or rental house. You probably aren't going to bring your own food on a cruise (and it wouldn't decrease your cost even if you did). So.... consider what you will likely be eating on a cruise. If you went to a restaurant to have the same type of food what would it cost you to feed your family of (#) at that restaurant or snack place for each meal? How much would it cost you to do sodas or drinks? Put together a per person charge for a place to stay, and all of your entertainment and food. You may find out you are spending just about the same.

 

In my opinion, this is EXACTLY the right comparison - I've made this same argument a couple of times in my review threads. WDW is an hour or so away from this pier with the magical ships... with 150,000+ guests nearby who are forking over loads of cash, these ships would be quickly overrun, which would drive the prices up... perhaps that's what has already happened and it's why we see the prices we see.

Can't say it any more clearly - Disney is an entertainment company, the only differences among its various products is the mode of delivery.

For an analogy: 1950s era: I like carnivals, the rides and attractions are a blast - so why would I pay a PREMIUM for this fancy state fair (aka "theme park")? If I want Disney, I'll go see one of his movies for 15 cents.

Contemporary times: I like cruising, Disney doesn't do anything ALL THAT special - why would I pay a premium for THAT boat? Answer: 'cuz the cruise ship is just the mode of delivery of the entertainment/service.

Fun thread!

The prices really do seem outrageous, but I wonder if it's simply because the newly-released dates encompass the most expensive sail dates (typically) anyway. For example, the late-September cruises on the Dream that were just released look much more in line with the pricing that we're used to (family of 5, 4-night on the Dream, $3800-$4000 typical cost).

THOSE September (hopefully true for October as well) prices we can live with, but $1500 per night is pretty steep - could stay in luxury in central Paris for those prices, including gourmet dining.

Are others hoping for reasonable October and November prices like I am? Pretty please!!

We loved our deck 9 aft cabin on the Dream. Was only a quick hop up the stairs to the soda fountain!

I wouldn't say extensive, but the theme does run throughout the cruise... I've got pics in my review (link below) that might give you an idea of the decor.

Can't wait! These themed cruises, in my opinion, are extra special!

At home on a cold wet Saturday in the UK, full of cold and feeling sorry for myself. We are doing a Caribbean cruise on the Magic in early December and reading your trip report has bought some much needed sunshine into my world and I am getting really excited for December!!! Thank you

That made me so happy to hear! Thanks!

Your overall summary and assessment of your cruise on the Magic echo my thoughts perfectly. Disney has a great product in their cruise line, and definitely worth the price. Thanks for the great review!

Beautiful photos, thanks for the review.

Thank you so much! :)