HAL Loyalist Sailing DCL for the First Time!

[iceman93]

So after almost 100 days sailing on HAL, we've decided to try Disney. Since we are huge Disney fans in general, all our friends and family have wondered why we didn't do this sooner. Things finally came together, and even though the cruise is still far off we're pretty excited about it.

 

To those who avoid Disney cruises thinking they're expensive, I beg to differ. We booked the equivalent of a HAL penthouse suite for about half the price.

 

Have any of the DCL loyalists here also sailed HAL? If so, what early advice can you give us about what we'll find the same and different?

[truck1]

I cant speak for whats the same on DCL/HAL as Ive sailed DCL and Carnival.

 

This is some of the things I know tht would be different:

Even though the DCL ships are Disney thru and thru, its sublte.Its not overwhelming like youd think. The kids are kept occupied thru the day with the clubs and areas that are exclusive to them, so they are not underfoot like some would think. Some of the other things, are the Disney themed shows. From the Sailaway Party, to the Pirates in the Carribean Deck Party on deck 9.

Personally one of the best things that I love about the DCL ships is Animators Palatte.I have yet to hear or see any ship, other than DCL, that has a dining room, that changes fom black and white to color throughout dinner.

[stsomewhere]

We really enjoyed our HAL cruises.y far the best line for our family. We love DCl.

Last year, I wanted to sail on Disney before our kids got too old. They were 10 and 8 at the time.

Since then, we have cruised twice more on DCl and have another one booked for next summer.

 

We did not find the cost to be too bad. It was comparable to the HAl cruises we have taken and were looking at.

The service and shows are fabulous.

You will be able to bring your own alchol on the ship and keep it in your cabin.

 

ETA: The ship's horn, being announced upon arrival. It is the little things that make a difference. The is something special about a Disney ship-either you get it or you don't.

[CaseyJr]

I was trying to explain the "something special about a Disney ship" to someone else. If you can appreciate the artistry and creativity of Disneyland as an adult then you will enjoy Disney Cruises. It is as if you went to the park for the day, not to go on the rides, but to stroll the streets and maybe sit at a cafe on Main Street while enjoying a croissant and coffee. Life is good.

[orville99]

Disney "borrowed" much of the interior style and decor and exterior design from the classic cruise liners. If you like the look and feel of a HAL ship, then you will feel right at home on a Disney ship. The first time we boarded the Wonder (after cruiseing mostly HAL), we felt like we were getting back on another HAL cruise. So enjoy...:)

[iceman93]

Disney "borrowed" much of the interior style and decor and exterior design from the classic cruise liners. If you like the look and feel of a HAL ship, then you will feel right at home on a Disney ship. The first time we boarded the Wonder (after cruiseing mostly HAL), we felt like we were getting back on another HAL cruise. So enjoy...:)

 

I'm getting more and more excited when I read posts like this and the others in this thread. I even noticed that the Magic and Wonder were built by Fincantieri, which I'm pretty sure is the shipyard that builds all the HAL ships. I think that, for the most part, the things we like about HAL will carry over to DCL.

 

And regarding enjoying Disneyland as an adult, CaseyJr hit the nail on the head. I'm one of those weird people who never went through an anti-Disney phase as a teenager. My family used to go to Disney World every year when I was growing up, and I loved it every bit as much at 16 as I did at 6. And my family's vacations still often involve Disney World or the Tokyo Disney Resort, plus now we live within driving distance of Disneyland and find ourselves there 3 or 4 times a month. I went through a particularly busy time at work a couple of years ago and one day realized I hadn't been to any Disney parks in over 3 months. Further reflection revealed that hadn't happened in 15 years! I rectified the situation immediately... ;)

 

Sorry for the long aside, but the point is that we are absolutely going to appreciate all the special Disney touches.

[ABQcruzer]

We just did a 15 day HAL cruise to Hawaii in April. We have not cruised alot but our previous cruises have been on Disney with our grandchildren. I must admit that I like WDW and other Disney related things. I can't really complain too much about HAL but I have to say that I missed not being on DCL. It seemed to me that the food and activities are better on DCL. I'm a movie and evening show person. Both of those were lacking on HAL as far as selection. DCL has a huge movie screen out on deck and sitting outside while cruising is just plain fun like being at the old "drive-in" theater (snack and everything). The live shows are the best I've seen on DCL. DCL does not have a casino which is okay with me since I didn't find the one on HAL to be all that great. The best thing I enjoyed on HAL was the cooking school activities. The prices are comparable, in fact I usually always get a balcony cabin on DCL and my budget only allowed for an oceanview on HAL. I had good service on HAL but I have better on DCL. I find DCL more accomodating at ports. Ship size was similiar. I love the fireworks on DCL. It's just more fun on DCL.

[edd1]

I have done three Disney cruises since 2008. So far I have found nothing magical about the DCL cruises. Also have cruised Carnival (3) and RCCL (6). Food on both is much better on than the DCL. Just commenting on the regular dining. Entertainment, production shows and the headliners, much better than the DCL I don't like to measure the works of the crew, but all cruise lines have great crews so really no comparison. I didn't see much difference in the service, they all try their best to keep you coming back. All the accommodations have been great. Some rooms are smaller and some are bigger. I just look for a place to sleep when I get tired. I don't grade a cruise on how big the room is.

 

DCL offers a nice quiet cruise, without much to do. If you aren't at the pool you can sit out on the public decks in the shade and enjoy everything. No flow-riders, rock walls, casino or ice skating rinks.

 

Just never have experienced the magic on a DCL cruise and it is not because I have never visited WDW as you can chalk me up for over 300 visits since the first Sunday they opened in October, 1971. Disney great for the parks not that great for the cruise ships.

[NancyIL]

My very first cruise was on HAL Zaandam in 2004 out of Port Canaveral. I cruised with my elderly mother - which was a mistake! The seas were rough for the first day and a half, and we arrived at our first port of Tortola at ~ 3 p.m. instead of 9 a.m. due to engine trouble. It took me several years before I was willing to give HAL another chance - and that was on the Veendam to Alaska in 2008. That was a great cruise, and I'm booked on HAL Amsterdam to Alaska in 2011.

 

My first Disney cruise was with my mother again - in 2008! (You'd think I would've learned!) Not a great first Disney cruise, and I was surprised to see so many kids in STROLLERS onboard in late January. I had no interest in lounging by the pool, and felt that DCL lacked onboard activities for adults on the days the ship was in Nassau and Castaway Cay. (Not everyone spends all day off the ship.) I went to the afternoon DVC presentation just for something to do! My 2nd Disney cruise in 2009 with a friend was much better. Knowing that there wouldn't be many onboard activities available on port days, we planned to return to the ship for lunch and to see the 1:00 movie while the ship was in Nassau and at Castaway Cay, and that worked well.

 

I can't say that if you love HAL - you'll love DCL. If you love Disney, you'll probably enjoy DCL - as long as you don't cruise with your elderly mother! :D

[richstowe]

Tell me - does mom read CC

[NancyIL]

Tell me - does mom read CC

Nope - she never had a PC before she died last year.

[roohound]

I'm curious as to what you consider the equivalent of HAL's Penthouse Suite on DCL

[iceman93]

I'm curious as to what you consider the equivalent of HAL's Penthouse Suite on DCL

 

We're in the Roy Disney suite (cat 1/cat R).

[roohound]

wow, you got that for half the rate of a PS on HAL? Congrats to you! I've only seen pics of the Roy suite but it is, indeed, sweet :-) I think size wise it's smaller than a PS, but honestly, I would jump at the chance to be in a suite on a DCL cruise.

 

I hope you enjoy! I did DCL first and then HAL - I did really enjoy how both cruise lines give nods to the classic days of cruising with their interiors. Both have just beautiful ships.

[dorothyl]

My DH and are also HAL loyalists and are sailing on the Neiw Amsterdam in Nov. We have done the Noordam twice. But with our children it is Disney all the way. We are on the Dream, May 7 2011 4 day Bahamas. We loved the Wonder so we can only imagine how much fun the Dream will be. You will have a great time.

[bunnybee]

Just a little off the subject, but did you love your Hawaiian cruise? 14 days? Thank you. I am also considering the Wonder to the Mexican Riviera in February 2011. I travel solo usually.