Should I Cancel my Upcoming Cruise and Set My Money on Fire Instead

[RedwingHockeyFan]

Don't cancel and don't set your money on fire.  Change your reservation over to me, I'll bite the bullet for you!

[rkelly21]

Let's me serious folks!

[david_sobe]

Yes, you should definitely cancel the cruise.  However instead of setting the money on fire, please send me a private message so I can tell you the address to send the money.  Might as well put it to good use instead of burning it.  🔥🔥🔥

[Twipenne]

33 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Here is a little comparison I posted on another site that is for a different type of vacation.  Same exact dates. Please note that other vacation does not include unlimited adult beverages.

"A little direct comparison shopping for you. I picked the same week for both a cruise and a WDW deluxe. The cruise is on the Norwegian Breakaway in their Haven area. It comes with all meals, unlimited adult beverages, butler service, concierge service, private pool deck, private sun deck, private lounge, private restaurant, plus all the other amenities on the ship (water park, mini-golf, casino, clubs, shows, etc.) plus visits to three countries/four ports. The Haven is advertised as their "ship-within-a-ship" concept and has to be experienced to be believed. I compared it against a club-level lagoon view at the Poly, with tickets and meal plan included.
Interesting result."

 

 

 

 

Actually, the funny thing is that WDW is my bread and butter. I've done 9 trips in the 27 years I've been on this earth. Hell, part of the reason I chose the NCL Escape is because I'm used to having to make reservations for everything way in advance and crowds are always manageable when you figure out how to. I guess, the biggest difference for me has always been when I see the Disney price, I know exactly what I get for my money. Having never cruised before leaves me feeling like I'm putting down a couple grand going in blind. 

[GA Dave]

3 minutes ago, Twipenne said:

 

 

Actually, the funny thing is that WDW is my bread and butter. I've done 9 trips in the 27 years I've been on this earth. Hell, part of the reason I chose the NCL Escape is because I'm used to having to make reservations for everything way in advance and crowds are always manageable when you figure out how to. I guess, the biggest difference for me has always been when I see the Disney price, I know exactly what I get for my money. Having never cruised before leaves me feeling like I'm putting down a couple grand going in blind. 

Totally understand!  Here is my posting signature on that "other" website:

 WDW 18 trip vet; Marched in MK parade 3 times; UO 12 trips; 1st trip to WDW: 2/1972; Last UO trip: August 16 - 18, 2013. Next Trip: Sept. 11 - 13, 2019. Granddaughter's first WDW Visit!!

We were themepark commandos for years while our kids were growing up.  Multiple trips a year, flying in from Kansas each time.  Our "going in blind" trip was to a private resort in St. Thomas.  I was so afraid that, after years of themeparks and cruises, we would be bored out of our minds.  BUT, once we got there and saw all the amenities and how gorgeous it was, it turned out to be one of the best trips we ever had!

A positive mindset = positive vacation memories.

[rkelly21]

Do yourself a favor and listen only to the experienced cruisers who haven't been on 1 0r 2 cruises and had a beef.

[Wedgie23]

7 minutes ago, Twipenne said:

Actually, the funny thing is that WDW is my bread and butter. 

If you can manage the crowds, lines, and up charges from Disney then I cannot imagine you would not enjoy a cruise. Let alone the kids! If you not only had patience enough for all of that but it didn't bother you enough to not want to go again and again I really can't picture anything short of 'insert something extra bad here' having any impact on your ability to enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

[rkelly21]

Just keep in mind that the "dine anytime" usually has long lines to get in while the posted times we basically walk in the vast majority of the time. It's also nice to have the same waiter at posted time since they quickly learn your likes and dislikes. Huge advantage!

[js]

6 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Totally understand!  Here is my posting signature on that "other" website:

 WDW 18 trip vet; Marched in MK parade 3 times; UO 12 trips; 1st trip to WDW: 2/1972; Last UO trip: August 16 - 18, 2013. Next Trip: Sept. 11 - 13, 2019. Granddaughter's first WDW Visit!!

We were themepark commandos for years while our kids were growing up.  Multiple trips a year, flying in from Kansas each time.  Our "going in blind" trip was to a private resort in St. Thomas.  I was so afraid that, after years of themeparks and cruises, we would be bored out of our minds.  BUT, once we got there and saw all the amenities and how gorgeous it was, it turned out to be one of the best trips we ever had!

A positive mindset = positive vacation memories.

 

Are you GAdisneydad on the dis?

 

Edited June 27, 2019 by js

[GA Dave]

4 minutes ago, js said:

 

Are you GAdisneydad on the dis?

 

No.  ksdave.  Member since 2001.

[js]

Just now, GA Dave said:

No.  ksdave.  Member since 2001.

 

I'm js. Been a member since 1998 or 1999 but there was a dis crash and at one point, most everyone had to redo their membership so it says 2000. LOVE the dis and Disney (and cruising).

 

 

[Twipenne]

8 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

 Multiple trips a year, flying in from Kansas each time. 

 

 

At least you were smart enough to fly. When I went on my first trip, we drove from KCK. Then we moved to the east coast which made things easier.

[CruisingNole]

57 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Here is a little comparison I posted on another site that is for a different type of vacation.  Same exact dates. Please note that other vacation does not include unlimited adult beverages.

"A little direct comparison shopping for you. I picked the same week for both a cruise and a WDW deluxe. The cruise is on the Norwegian Breakaway in their Haven area. It comes with all meals, unlimited adult beverages, butler service, concierge service, private pool deck, private sun deck, private lounge, private restaurant, plus all the other amenities on the ship (water park, mini-golf, casino, clubs, shows, etc.) plus visits to three countries/four ports. The Haven is advertised as their "ship-within-a-ship" concept and has to be experienced to be believed. I compared it against a club-level lagoon view at the Poly, with tickets and meal plan included.
Interesting result."

 

 

 

I live in Orlando, a few observations:

 

1. Staying on Disney property is insanely expensive and completely unnecessary. There are many fine resorts off property, minutes away, that are half the price and provide free transportation to the parks.That alone would shave your bill by potentially half.

2. There's a promo right now, 6 day park hopper pass for $444. Or, if OP is a Florida resident, an annual pass could be purchased for a few hundred more, and your vacation is 365 days a year. 

3. Can't comment on the dining plan, unaware of anyone that has used one. Most folks eat before entering the parks, have lunch in the parks, then eat at a restaurant off property afterwards.

 

Point being, I'd like to know how you came up with that $9,700 figure, because it's ridiculous. COULD you spend that much money? Sure. Do you HAVE to? Heck no.

 

Also, comparing a week long trip to Disney World to a cruise is...really no comparison. Very, very different experiences.

[js]

13 minutes ago, CruisingNole said:

 

I live in Orlando, a few observations:

 

1. Staying on Disney property is insanely expensive and completely unnecessary. There are many fine resorts off property, minutes away, that are half the price and provide free transportation to the parks.That alone would shave your bill by potentially half.

 

Also, comparing a week long trip to Disney World to a cruise is...really no comparison. Very, very different experiences.

 

Hi. I am a Disney nerd, own DVC and a three bedroom fixed week at Orange Lake Country Club and I'm always trying to learn new things about Disney, so asking the expert Orlando resident LOL

Can you please let me know the fine resorts off property that offer free transportation to the parks?

Are you talking about Four Seasons and WBC? If so, technically, I think they may be still inside the Disney bubble but if you are talking about other resorts, I would love to know since sometimes, we are out of points, and want a nice place to stay, would try outside, but also have to factor in transportation.

 

Also, I agree with you, a cruise vs. Disney is not a good comparison.  Even DCL is much different that an actual park day.

 

Love Disney and love cruising.  Would really have to make me think which one I "love" more LOL
 

[Twipenne]

9 minutes ago, CruisingNole said:

 

I live in Orlando, a few observations:

 

1. Staying on Disney property is insanely expensive and completely unnecessary. There are many fine resorts off property, minutes away, that are half the price and provide free transportation to the parks.That alone would shave your bill by potentially half.

2. There's a promo right now, 6 day park hopper pass for $444. Or, if OP is a Florida resident, an annual pass could be purchased for a few hundred more, and your vacation is 365 days a year. 

3. Can't comment on the dining plan, unaware of anyone that has used one. Most folks eat before entering the parks, have lunch in the parks, then eat at a restaurant off property afterwards.

 

Point being, I'd like to know how you came up with that $9,700 figure, because it's ridiculous. COULD you spend that much money? Sure. Do you HAVE to? Heck no.

 

Also, comparing a week long trip to Disney World to a cruise is...really no comparison. Very, very different experiences.

I'm going to go ahead and defend Dave on this.

 

1) Yes, it's expensive, but it's also part of the experience. Plus it's much easier to take a mid-day break at an on property resort. (Though why he chose Club level, I can't be sure.) 

 

2) Currently a VA resident, so as of last week, AP price spiked to $1200, I believe?

 

3) I get the dining plan about half the time. Never the deluxe one, but the regular one. Otherwise, I have to get an Uber to a random restaurant somewhere in Orlando, which eats into your finite vacation time. And I'd rather not spend my vacation in I-4 traffic. 

[LrgPizza]

CC posters are much more negative and nasty than cruisers in general. And CC posters make up a very small percentage of people who cruise. So please take any crap you see here with a grain of salt - on this forum especially, because it is way worse than the forums for the other cruise lines.  Book your cruise and have a blast, just like the vast, vast majority of people do.

[GA Dave]

47 minutes ago, Twipenne said:

I'm going to go ahead and defend Dave on this.

 

1) Yes, it's expensive, but it's also part of the experience. Plus it's much easier to take a mid-day break at an on property resort. (Though why he chose Club level, I can't be sure.) 

 

2) Currently a VA resident, so as of last week, AP price spiked to $1200, I believe?

 

3) I get the dining plan about half the time. Never the deluxe one, but the regular one. Otherwise, I have to get an Uber to a random restaurant somewhere in Orlando, which eats into your finite vacation time. And I'd rather not spend my vacation in I-4 traffic. 

Twipenne, I chose Club level at Poly as, to me, it is the closest comparison that I have experienced at WDW to the butler/concierge/private lounge type of thing in the Haven .  We have stayed at virtually all of the WDW resorts and I chose the Poly because it was similar IMHO.  I chose the deluxe dining plan because I felt the food in the Haven restaurant was on a par with the deluxe dining plan and way better than the regular dining plan.

[tokidoki]

got off the Sky last month to Cuba,  and next March the Bliss!   My 17th cruise with NCL and many more to come😍

[FLAHAM]

I have had nothing but outstanding experiences on the Escape.

[AmyJA]

2 hours ago, GA Dave said:

No.  ksdave.  Member since 2001.

 AJA55 on the Dis since 2002 here. Rent DVC every four years in September leading up to the Presidential election.  Vote by mail before we leave and go to a happy place...haha.

 

Twipenne, and now for an opinion completely different.  First cruise was in 97'.  Yes I had a good time but I said "never again". That cruse was on Carnival and boy was it a party ship.  Drunks all over the place.  We made jokes about the "Denny's" food.  And we actually asked some crew "Why are you all to cranky?"

 

Fast forward 14 years.  OK I'll try again.  I'll do Disney, they should know how to do it right.  That is when I found CC. Loved it.  And been going almost every year since. (yep, I know ole timers I be a newbee)  I have now tried Disney, Royal and Norwegian.  All have been wonderful.

 

And yes...some day I will try Carnival again. 

[Phaedrus78]

7 hours ago, Twipenne said:

Should I Cancel my Upcoming Cruise and Set My Money on Fire Instead

 

Yes.  Post video.

[PTC DAWG]

5 minutes ago, Phaedrus78 said:

 

Yes.  Post video.

LOL

[threetocruise]

There are always going to be people who just love to complain, so you need to take what you read here with a grain of salt.  We have never had anything so horrible happen to us on any of our cruises that would make us not want to go.  In fact, we have always had a great time, and we have been on various lines!  If you want to have a good time, you will. If you want to look for things to nitpick about, you will definitely find them. I'm too busy being with my family and having a blast to sweat the small stuff.  Go on your cruise, check it off your bucket list, and have a great time.  

[Shoppie124]

to the OP, look at any YELP review... they are full of negative experiences..  People look to get attention by posting something negative.

 

Have you ever seen a thread on CC or any other site where the person wrote a glowing review and people commented for pages and pages how awesome it was???  No!  People complain to get others to complain and commiserate with them.  I'm not saying that their all smoke and no fire... I'm just simply saying people rarely compliment when things go well but will complain the second some is slightly off!

 

Take what you've read with a grain of salt, identify (on your own) issues as they arise, remove yourself from them and HAVE A GREAT CRUISE!!!

[beerman2]

OP as you can see most are clearly for you to go and enjoy. We loved the Escape!

Go with open mind, everything won't be perfect nothing is , however I'm betting this won't be your one and only cruise.

 

One poster mentioned about waiting to get into Main dining room (MDR). Not a big deal as NCL has convienently place a bar between the 2 MDR's. Besides your on vacation with nowhere to go! Have a drink, relax!