Adults on Disney

My husband and I are looking into a short (3 night) Disney Cruise. We don't have any kids, so it would be just us. We don't mind kids everywhere, and don't really care about meeting the characters. We have been on Carnival twice and really enjoyed it. When we cruise, we look for relaxation with the option for activity should we want it.

Is Disney a good line for couples, or should we try another line?

My husband and I have done a few cruises on Disney without kids. The adult only sun decks, the adult entertainment area, the adult only lounges (see a pattern? lol) were great and very relaxing. We were pleasantly surprised at the number of activities and areas designated for adults.

The one drawback that other adult only groups have mentioned is that there is no casino - not a biggie for us.

The only way to know - is to go.

My personal opinion is that a 3 night cruise is a mistake. I feel that 4 nights are the minimum for an experience with the line, the ship, etc. 3 nights = 2 1/2 days with no sea days. The ship will have tons of activities crammed into very little time.

That said, we have cruised DCL as a family with kid and as an adult only party. There is plenty for adults. DCL does a fair job of keeping kids out of adult only areas--some areas are very strict, others not so much...but most of the time it is ok.

I agree, I would much rather do a 4, 5, or 7 night. However, this particular cruise is free, so that is why it is 3 nights. We only pay port fees and gratuities. We have our choice of lines, so we thought we would test out a line other than Carnival.

Free--by all means, do DCL for 3 nights.

That was the reason I did my 3 night cruise also. Just realize that the guest mix on a 3 night is very different than on longer cruises as is the entire experience.

Definitely! This is why we wanted to stay away from the more party oriented lines.

I did a three day cruise over Easter with just my husband and myself and we had a great time. I chose Disney over RCCL as I also wasn't looking into a three day party cruise which I know that can be the case with other cruiselines three day cruises. We had plenty to do. Adult only activities are listed in the Navigator (by the way it is set up differently than Carnival's Fun Times so it may take some getting used to) and they are also listed on the app, which I definitely recommend you download before going. There is no casino which I prefer, but not sure if that is important to you or not. However, there are areas for adults and I think Disney does a good job with keeping it that way. If Castaway Cay is one of your stops, I highly recommend you go to Serenity Bay, the adults only beach. When we were there, it was not crowded. It was so peaceful and had its own barbecue. This was the most relaxation I have experienced on any of the cruiselines private islands. If given the opportunity to do another three day Disney cruise, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Have a great time on your cruise!

I did a three day cruise over Easter with just my husband and myself and we had a great time. I chose Disney over RCCL as I also wasn't looking into a three day party cruise which I know that can be the case with other cruiselines three day cruises. We had plenty to do. Adult only activities are listed in the Navigator (by the way it is set up differently than Carnival's Fun Times so it may take some getting used to) and they are also listed on the app, which I definitely recommend you download before going. There is no casino which I prefer, but not sure if that is important to you or not. However, there are areas for adults and I think Disney does a good job with keeping it that way. If Castaway Cay is one of your stops, I highly recommend you go to Serenity Bay, the adults only beach. When we were there, it was not crowded. It was so peaceful and had its own barbecue. This was the most relaxation I have experienced on any of the cruiselines private islands. If given the opportunity to do another three day Disney cruise, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Have a great time on your cruise!

Thank you so much for the positive response to a 3 day cruise. While I would LOVE a longer cruise, the only available time for us to try Disney is either right before or right after Thankgsgiving. The 4 days cruise falls over thanksgiving. I am sorry, but one night isn't worth 2k. I am having a hard enough time swallowing the huge price jump between DCL and RCCL. We have cruised several times on all other lines, usually atleast a week, But my love for all things Disney is prevailing. In reading so many peoples comments about how they would never do a 3 days cruise, I was really getting down! So Thanks!:)

Our first Disney cruise was a three-night on the Dream as two adults. (I was pregnant at the time.) We are big Disney fans and had a great time. Would a longer cruise have been better? Probably--but this was what worked with our vacation time and budget, as it was our second vacation that year. I wouldn't listen to the people who knock the three-night cruises, as they are a great introduction to DCL to see if you like it. We are actually taking our second DCL cruise later this month with our toddler in conjunction with some days at WDW this time. The only downside to a three day cruise is the cost of airfare for a short vacation, but last time we had free airfare, and this time, our extra days in Florida will make it worth it.

Our first Disney cruise was a three-night on the Dream as two adults. (I was pregnant at the time.) We are big Disney fans and had a great time. Would a longer cruise have been better? Probably--but this was what worked with our vacation time and budget, as it was our second vacation that year. I wouldn't listen to the people who knock the three-night cruises, as they are a great introduction to DCL to see if you like it. We are actually taking our second DCL cruise later this month with our toddler in conjunction with some days at WDW this time. The only downside to a three day cruise is the cost of airfare for a short vacation, but last time we had free airfare, and this time, our extra days in Florida will make it worth it.

I would not say it is reasonable to say the only downside to a 3 day cruise is the airfare and to discount and not listen to the opinions of others that feel a 3 day cruise is too short, without having experienced a longer DCL cruise yourself.

Just because it suited your vacation plans, time allowance and needs, doesn't mean it will suit others equally as well and other people have different expectations, desires, and opinions of what cruising is to them.

There are many reports of people feeling too rushed to try to cram everything DCL offer into a 3 or 4 day cruise and leave feeling exhausted and needing another vacation afterwards. There are others, such as yourselves that felt it was a great first experience. Others may enjoy the days at sea relaxing in-between ports, the additional activities offered on longer cruises, the chance for their servers to better get to know them, barely got to know their way around the ship. They may feel on a short cruise that those and other opportunities are rushed and they never really got to relax enough to enjoy the cruise and leave feeling cruising isn't for them. Others may take it as it was nice to test if they liked it and feel they should book for a longer cruise.

They offer 3/4/5/7+ day cruises for a reason.

ex techie

I would not say it is reasonable to say the only downside to a 3 day cruise is the airfare and to discount and not listen to the opinions of others that feel a 3 day cruise is too short, without having experienced a longer DCL cruise yourself.

Just because it suited your vacation plans, time allowance and needs, doesn't mean it will suit others equally as well and other people have different expectations, desires, and opinions of what cruising is to them.

 

There are many reports of people feeling too rushed to try to cram everything DCL offer into a 3 or 4 day cruise and leave feeling exhausted and needing another vacation afterwards. There are others, such as yourselves that felt it was a great first experience. Others may enjoy the days at sea relaxing in-between ports, the additional activities offered on longer cruises, the chance for their servers to better get to know them, barely got to know their way around the ship. They may feel on a short cruise that those and other opportunities are rushed and they never really got to relax enough to enjoy the cruise and leave feeling cruising isn't for them. Others may take it as it was nice to test if they liked it and feel they should book for a longer cruise.

They offer 3/4/5/7+ day cruises for a reason.

 

ex techie

I have experienced two seven-night cruises on other lines too. I enjoyed my DCL cruise just as much as either of them, even though it was much shorter. I am just trying to give my perspective so that people can see there are a variety of perspectives. And for me personally, the only downside was the airfare.

ETA: I should have said I wouldn't necessarily listen to the three-night cruise knocks or to take them with a grain of salt. It is what I meant, but looking back at my wording not exactly what I said.

I have experienced two seven-night cruises on other lines too. I enjoyed my DCL cruise just as much as either of them, even though it was much shorter. I am just trying to give my perspective so that people can see there are a variety of perspectives. And for me personally, the only downside was the airfare.

But without, as I said above, having sailed on a longer DCL cruise, your perspective is skewed only one way.

Your perspective of your 3 day cruise is fine, but your perspective is ONLY of having done a 3 day DCL cruise. Your perspective may be different if you had actually experienced a longer DCL cruise so that the only downside to a 3 day cruise wasn't just the airfare.

Your experience of a 7 day cruise on other lines is a good experience, but it is not of what DCL offer or do not offer.

Unless you have taken both a 3 day and a longer cruise on DCL, you cannot say ignore/disregard/don't listen/let it get you down to the other opinions.

You could say it suited your needs and met your expectations. That would be fair and reasonable.

Just from my perspective ;)

ex techie

ETA: I should have said I wouldn't necessarily listen to the three-night cruise knocks or to take them with a grain of salt. It is what I meant, but looking back at my wording not exactly what I said.

Just seen your ETA and I agree.

Different strokes for different folks! :)

ex techie

Having done 3,4,7, 12, and 14 night cruises as well as come B2B situations which totaled 7, 24 and 26 nights I am definitely a member of the "longer is better" club.

Our early on cruises were 4 nights (way back when the Magic did only 3 and 4). On our second 4 night Magic cruise we commented that the only thing wrong with that cruise was that it was too short--that night they made the announcement that they would be starting 7 night cruises!

It takes time and costs money to get to the port, whether you are coming from home or from WDW. You basically lose a half day in transition. That's a whole lot less amoritized over a 7 night cruise than a 3 night. So yes...airfare, time, effort, etc all make more sense to us on a longer cruise.

We've only done a 7 day cruise on the Magic, and with kids. The kids are ages 10-16 though and during sea days we only saw them for breakfast, dinner, and one one-hour mandatory family activity. So there were times when it really was adults only for dh and I.

I'd definitely say longer is better, due to amortizing the cost alone. However...if you said I could take a free 3 day DCL cruise, I'd be asking where the sign up sheet was! Dollar for dollar a 3 day cruise may not be ideal, but dollar to no-dollar? That's a whole different situation.

If you like Disney's level of customer service, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

If it's a case of wanting to spread a set amount of dollars over a longer period of time on another line, and you are happy just being on a ship in the water, then you could easily cruise longer.

Dh and I had a very nice Oceania cruise last year, to French Polynesia. The staff were good, the food was good, the ship classy. It didn't have the joie de vivre that our DCL cruise did, though. Apart from the DCL level of service, I have to say it was fun watching the kids, and adults, interact with the characters. And the staff go above good to exceptional on a regular basis.

Hope that helps.

Since the OP's question is about grown-ups on DCL, I'll weigh in. DH and I have each sailed RCCL separately. We both agree it was nice. But we both agree the DCL is a cruise we LOVE. We love the adult areas which we find very enjoyable, we love the great customer service and the ships are gorgeous! Others have mentioned some of the adults only areas. We especially love the adults only beach on Castaway Cay and the adults only restaurants onboard. Truly lovely!

We have sailed on DCL several times with no kids, and we have sailed WITH our kids. It's awesome either way!

As for a 3 day cruise, if that's what you can do and it's FREE, heck! Do that 3 day cruise and enjoy!!! Sometimes a 3 day is the only thing that will work for a variety of reasons….vacation time, kids school schedules, budget, you name it. There's something for everyone. Have fun!

My husband and I are looking into a short (3 night) Disney Cruise. We don't have any kids, so it would be just us. We don't mind kids everywhere, and don't really care about meeting the characters. We have been on Carnival twice and really enjoyed it. When we cruise, we look for relaxation with the option for activity should we want it.

 

Is Disney a good line for couples, or should we try another line?

You didn't mention when you might be going so I will just chime in with this; if you can go after November and can go on the Dream, I would wait to do that. The Dream is having a short dry dock at some point in November and is getting the Satellite Falls adult area that the Fantasy has, it's a great place on the ship and truly one of my favorite spots. That's just my $.02

You didn't mention when you might be going so I will just chime in with this; if you can go after November and can go on the Dream, I would wait to do that. The Dream is having a short dry dock at some point in November and is getting the Satellite Falls adult area that the Fantasy has, it's a great place on the ship and truly one of my favorite spots. That's just my $.02

De lurking: Le sigh. I booked my upcoming adults-only trip before the dry dock was announced (I'm on one of the very last sailings), and I really like the Satellite Falls idea. :)

De lurking: Le sigh. I booked my upcoming adults-only trip before the dry dock was announced (I'm on one of the very last sailings), and I really like the Satellite Falls idea. :)

I woke up early every morning and did yoga and tai chi up there. The morning we were cruising into Cozumel a school of Dolphins escorted us into the port area, it was so cool, one of my favorite ship memories.

perditax,

There are other places on deck you can relax or exercise early in the mornings so do not be too despondent about it.

Plus you cannot see much apart from the sea on the horizon out of the enclosed adults only area, least dolphins swimming alongside the ship.

You would need to be standing at the rails to see that.

I'm sure you will find the need to revisit the Dream or the Fantasy after your first DCL cruise!

ex techie

Thanks for the input everyone. Disney seems like it may be a good fit for us. We have 2 years to book, so we may look into the Dream after dry dock. And, yes, having cruised before I realize the perils of only doing a 3 night. However, since it is FREE, there's no changing the number of nights for this trip. Honestly, we wouldn't even be considering Disney if we were paying. Travelling to and from port is no issue at all. It's practically in our back yard.

Thanks for the input everyone. Disney seems like it may be a good fit for us. We have 2 years to book, so we may look into the Dream after dry dock. And, yes, having cruised before I realize the perils of only doing a 3 night. However, since it is FREE, there's no changing the number of nights for this trip. Honestly, we wouldn't even be considering Disney if we were paying. Travelling to and from port is no issue at all. It's practically in our back yard.

And you should not change your plans. My good girlfriend RAVES about Disney & her first cruise was a 3-night. I decided to switch my short 3-night getaway from RCCL Anthem to Disney Dream this upcoming March to get a "feel" for Disney & tour the ship. It will be an adult only getaway & I'm psyched about it! If you look more closely you will see that although some posters are very knowledgeable & helpfully at times, they also try to force their opinions on others...constantly...no matter what the post is about. Just say 3-night & here they come to bash! :rolleyes: Apparently Disney does well offering 3-nighters & my good girlfriend who has also done 7-night Disney cruises is more than willing to do a quick 3-night getaway with me! And yes...we're paying OUR MONEY for it & flying to Florida! Have a blast!!!! :)

And you should not change your plans. My good girlfriend RAVES about Disney & her first cruise was a 3-night. I decided to switch my short 3-night getaway from RCCL Anthem to Disney Dream this upcoming March to get a "feel" for Disney & tour the ship. It will be an adult only getaway & I'm psyched about it! If you look more closely you will see that although some posters are very knowledgeable & helpfully at times, they also try to force their opinions on others...constantly...no matter what the post is about. Just say 3-night & here they come to bash! :rolleyes: Apparently Disney does well offering 3-nighters & my good girlfriend who has also done 7-night Disney cruises is more than willing to do a quick 3-night getaway with me! And yes...we're paying OUR MONEY for it & flying to Florida! Have a blast!!!! :)

Welcome to the DCL board LadyLion!

You have obviously been a viewer not a contributor recently!

I don't think anyone here has said under no circumstances book a 3 or 4 day cruise on DCL. Just that in their opinion that a longer cruise is really what establishes and makes a DCL cruise better for them, in their opinion.

Some have had less than stellar service for the price point on the shorter cruises and on the longer cruises as their serving team has gotten to know them better, they have seen the benefits. That and the extra activities and relaxation that can come from a longer cruise.

But you are entitled to your opinion and I hope your cruise is a Magical one that you and your girlfriend will remember for a very long time!

If someone feels that or has a strong opinion on something that they feel could negatively affect another's vacation, that is the purpose of the board to vocalise that. To try to steer them away from their own personal experience and towards a better one. I'm sure the DCL board is no different from the RCI or NCL or Carnival board?

In the "spirit" of what Cruise Critic was set up for, the information provided is for you to view and make your own decision upon. Hopefully then people will post back as to whether the opinions expressed were accurate and be able to inform others.

The fundamental concept is that you should NOT totally rely upon the information or opinions you read. Rather, you should use what you read here as starting points for doing independent research on cruise lines, ships, hotels, shore excursions and bargain-hunting techniques. Then judge for yourself the merits of the material that has been shared in the forum.

ex techie

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/faq.php?faq=guidelines

I hope the OP also has an amazing cruise and would want to cruise with DCL again.

Hopefully both of you will post back with your review, good or bad, and inform others too.

ex techie

Welcome to the DCL board LadyLion!

You have obviously been a viewer not a contributor recently!

 

I don't think anyone here has said under no circumstances book a 3 or 4 day cruise on DCL. Just that in their opinion that a longer cruise is really what establishes and makes a DCL cruise better for them, in their opinion.

Some have had less than stellar service for the price point on the shorter cruises and on the longer cruises as their serving team has gotten to know them better, they have seen the benefits. That and the extra activities and relaxation that can come from a longer cruise.

 

But you are entitled to your opinion and I hope your cruise is a Magical one that you and your girlfriend will remember for a very long time!

 

If someone feels that or has a strong opinion on something that they feel could negatively affect another's vacation, that is the purpose of the board to vocalise that. To try to steer them away from their own personal experience and towards a better one. I'm sure the DCL board is no different from the RCI or NCL or Carnival board?

 

In the "spirit" of what Cruise Critic was set up for, the information provided is for you to view and make your own decision upon. Hopefully then people will post back as to whether the opinions expressed were accurate and be able to inform others.

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/faq.php?faq=guidelines

 

 

I hope the OP also has an amazing cruise and would want to cruise with DCL again.

Hopefully both of you will post back with your review, good or bad, and inform others too.

 

ex techie

Thanks for the well wishes! (Sincerely)

I often view to get information & I contribute when I deem it necessary. I have yet to cruise DCL as I am sure you've gathered. I must say your point is much better articulated in this post. OP's last post seemed to be a necessary defense of booking a 3-night DCL cruise based on others' posts. Sometimes we are not looking for the BEST vacation/getaway. We are simply looking for A vacation/getaway. I'm sure people choose shorter cruises for various reasons and adding one day SEEMS simple but may not be! For example...I generally cruise for 7 or more days but ONLY during peak seasons (Spring Break, Xmas, & summer) due to my job & kid's school calendar. I, therefore, pay a pretty penny to cruise. A quick getaway for me is really my only option during the school year, as it is less burdensome for my colleagues. So I'd be surprised if I conclude that a 3-night is not worth it. A piece of mind (i.e. mental health days) is priceless. I'll definitely report back & I am wise enough to know not to compare it to a 7-day! Thanks again for the clarification, as I felt the need to send some positive energy OP's way!

And you should not change your plans. My good girlfriend RAVES about Disney & her first cruise was a 3-night. I decided to switch my short 3-night getaway from RCCL Anthem to Disney Dream this upcoming March to get a "feel" for Disney & tour the ship. It will be an adult only getaway & I'm psyched about it! If you look more closely you will see that although some posters are very knowledgeable & helpfully at times, they also try to force their opinions on others...constantly...no matter what the post is about. Just say 3-night & here they come to bash! :rolleyes: Apparently Disney does well offering 3-nighters & my good girlfriend who has also done 7-night Disney cruises is more than willing to do a quick 3-night getaway with me! And yes...we're paying OUR MONEY for it & flying to Florida! Have a blast!!!! :)

Have fun on your cruise! My husband and I had a great time on the Dream last April! I also paid money and flew to Florida.

Most of my cruises have been seven days or more with eight of them being nine or more days long. I have only been on two three day cruises and both were Disney. (My other two Disney cruises were an eight day and a twelve day.) If I am going to do only a three day cruise, I would prefer Disney to a different cruise line.

I love cruising and traveling so I make the most of any trip I take whether it is a weekend getaway or three week trip. And I had a blast on both my three day Disney cruises! The first Disney cruise I took was a three day and the most recent one I took was a three day. I had as much fun on my three day cruises as I have had on 13 and 14 day cruises I have been on. The only difference for me was that they were shorter.

So if all I can fit in my schedule and can afford is a three day Disney, I would have no problem booking one again. I know there are others who wouldn't book a three day, but that is not me. As my mom would say, "that is why they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream.". Lots of options with cruises enables people to find what works best for them!