Disney Cruise Line: what’s it really like?
Disney Magic cruise ship (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Read on for my story of our cruise to Canada; I took my family on the Disney Magic from New York City to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick from September 2 – 7. This was a unique experience with some good and some bad. We jumped on this cruise to Canada as Disney was offering a guaranteed verandah stateroom at an unheard of price. Our stateroom assignment could not have been much better as it was almost midship on Deck 6 – cabin 6548.
We visited the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia (just $8.75/adult in high season). It’s a compact museum (easy walk from cruise terminal) that does a great job telling the story of some of the major events occurring in Halifax including Halifax’s role in the Titanic aftermath.
Had to take this picture at an indoor pedestrian mall in Saint John, New Brunswick.
The next day, we did a St John/Bay of Fundy by land and sea tour. I had a hard time finding shore excursions via my preferred providers and wound up going with Disney Cruise Line as a last resort. We saw a lot of sites in the cold rain on a tour bus and boat. Then we had lunch in the old city market. Yes, I went with the cruise line. Read this post as to why “official” cruise line shore excursions are NOT the way to go. PS I overheard a lady at the shore excursions desk ask if the Grayline tour bus was “approved” by Disney. Let’s face it, the cruise lines collect your cash with a nice profit and then hand you off to the local ground operator. The cruise lines prefer to pack large buses with lots of profit…oops, people.
I enjoy putting my guests on memorable excursions to experience their destination. Read another story about a successful 3rd party shore excursion.
Back to Disney Cruise Line
PROS
- The best kids club, by far, hands down…kids even get to put on a show in the main theater
- Disney Verandah cabin is other cruise line’s mini/junior suite
- “Split” Bathroom was fabulous (sink and toilet in one room and another sink and shower tub combo in another room)
- 5 Day itinerary was perfect for a quick getaway: one sea day, 2 port days and another sea day
CONS
- More rules that this Master Cruise Counselor has ever experienced on any other cruise – dining policies are very rigid and seem dated compared with other cruise line flexibility.
- Old ship and IMHO, there’s only so much they can do to make it presentable
- Worst buffet ever IMHO and rarely open when we needed it…this may be different on the newer ships
- You have to give your room number at the restaurants for breakfast and lunch so they can track everything – that’s a first
- Security screening at ports of call occurs in the main lobby of the ship which just seems out of place – another first
