Written by Chris Incorvia
Everyone that knows us, knows my wife, Brandy, is
obsessed with all things Disney. We have never passed anything Disney in a
store without stopping to see it and she can tell you just about any random fact
about Disney (which makes her good at this Disney Planning Gig). However, I am
a different story.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy going to Disney World with
our children. There is something magical about that place. When she suggested
we take a Disney Cruise over all the other cruise lines I had sailed with before,
I thought she had gone too far.
She’s the planner though, so I went along with it. All
the while thinking about how it was going to be so “in your face” Disney and
child centered that I would be bored and sick of it all by day two. I knew
there was no way I would enjoy this cruise as much as my past cruises. Of
course, she knew what she was talking about and was right (just don’t let her
know I admitted that).
Here are some of the myths that are busted after I
sailed with Disney Cruise Line:
1)
All cruises are the same.
Before we sailed Disney, I didn’t think there was any
difference in the cruise lines. Yes some ships have different offerings and
sail to different places, but they all are the same, right? Well after the
first day on the ship, I knew that wasn’t right. First, the Cast Members bring
a level of service to the cruise experience that I hadn’t experienced before.
We have two of the pickiest eaters ever, but our wait staff went out of the way
to bring my children what they loved every evening, even when that meant going
up to another kitchen for something else. It wasn’t just in the dining room.
The entertainment staff knew us by day two and would stop and talk to the
children and us whenever they saw us around the ship. Every Cast Member we met
was willing to do whatever they could to make sure we were having the best
time.
2)
It is only for children.
Before we boarded, I had visions that all the
activities would be centered around 6 year olds. I thought there would be
dancing with princesses, drawing with Chip and Dale, and sword fighting with
pirates. Those activities were happening for our children in the kids’ club,
but my wife and I were laughing uncontrollably at the adult only hypnotist
show, relaxing in the sauna, or taking an animation class. There was even
showings of new movies that we hadn’t had time to go see yet. There was live
music for dancing, mini golf, trivia (both Disney and adult only), classes where
you learn to cook, characters to visit, the AquaDuck to ride (10 million
times), cars to build from vegetables (we won Disney medals), baby races, and
much much more. The problem was there wasn’t enough time to do everything we
wanted to do.
3)
It is too expensive.
When my wife said how much the cruise was, I started
to say, but wasn’t the other cruise we were looking at less expensive? I
decided to just go with it because I knew she was excited about the Disney
Cruise. What I didn’t realize looking at the price was that much more is included
in the price of a Disney Cruise over other lines and the quality of everything
is better.
We had taken an anniversary trip on another line and
had a good time, but there were surcharges for everything from soda to the
nicer dining. Granted, Disney Cruise Lines does offer adult only dining at an
extra charge however, our dining room experience was as great as those nicer
options from the other cruise lines. And whatever you do, don’t ask Brandy
about the quality of the shows on the other lines. She will never let me live
that disappointing fact down.
4)
There will be no sports.
Admittedly as much as Brandy loves Disney, I love
sports. I love them all. If there is a chance to watch a game, or see the recap
and analysis of a game, I am watching. I mean our wedding vows included
references to baseball, basketball and football.
When Brandy booked our cruise for October, I was about
to go and see a divorce lawyer. Did she forget that October is World Series
time? She assured me that I would be able to watch the games and all the
analysis surrounding it all, but I knew she was just trying to get me on the
ship and hope I would forget about baseball for a week. What I didn’t know was
there was a sports bar I could catch up on my viewing all day long, plus ESPN
was on my stateroom tv. She went to enjoy the spa one day while our children were
making cupcakes in the kids’ club and I had fun drinking a beer and watching
games with other dads.
These
are just some of the reason why I loved the Disney Cruise. It has become our
favorite family vacation because it combines activities with relaxation like
nothing else. So maybe that wife of mine knows something.
Interested in a Disney Cruise? My friends Brandy and Chris can help you plan it! Please tell them "Another Online Mom" sent you!
Email: brandy@themouseexperts.com
Website: wondersdreamsandwishes.com
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