|
Disney Cruise Line |
Voyager-class, RCCL |
|
Staterooms |
These are the largest at sea, with a
particularly attractive feature of a split-bath (categories 10 & up). A sink
& shower are in one half and a sink & toilet in the other. |
Bigger size than the older RCCL ships,
smaller than DCL. Promenade view rooms are unique -- an interior room with a
window overlooking the Royal Promenade |
|
Inside |
From 184 to 214 square feet |
From 160 - 167 square feet |
| Ocean view |
214 square feet |
From 180 - 265 square feet |
| Balcony |
From 268 - 304
square feet |
From 173 - 277 square feet |
| Suites |
From 614 - 945
square feet |
From 381 - 1,188 square feet |
|
|
|
|
Dining Rooms |
Disney has unique rotational dining. You and
your servers alternate through three very differently themed restaurants.
Themes of the restaurants is excellent, especially the Animator's Palette.
Menus change nightly, with several themed dinners on the 7-day cruise.
Adults-only Palo is superb. Dinner nightly and Champagne
brunch. Small additional fee per person. |
Main dining room is three-levels with a piano
player and a very attractive grand staircase. Second and third levels have
floor to ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. One
(or two on newer ships) adults-only restaurants. Portofino and Chops Grille.
Small additional fee per person |
|
|
|
|
Dining - Food |
DCL's food has improved a lot since its inception.
Our past cruise it was noticeably better, for almost all selections. Adequate variety, but not outstanding. Many choices for children,
with a slightly different children's menu nightly. |
Quality is a bit better. More choices from
adult menu. Kid's menus also available |
|
|
|
|
Casual Dining |
Topsiders buffet offers a good option to the
formal dining, although it can seem crowded at times, depending on the
number of people on your sailing.. Lunch options change daily, but
breakfast is the same. Also available are
burger, dogs, etc. at Pluto's Dog House, near the Mickey pool. Pinocchio's
offers pizza. At times, though, they were all between meals and not
serving....bummer |
Island Grill offers large buffet. Traffic
pattern makes it seem less crowded. Many other options, including Johnny
Rockets (opens at 11AM daily). Best is the Promenade Cafe, open 24 hrs with
pizza, sandwiches, snacks, great desserts. More ice cream stations scattered
about, and almost always open |
|
|
|
|
Feature Entertainment |
Fabulous Broadway style shows.
Disney's shows are their strongpoint, with much more emotional attachment
than a singing/dancing show. Very good
shows for children. Large movie theatre (Buena Vista Theatre) is a big plus,
with some first-run movies showing. For "late" diners, the main show is
before dinner.
Also have family cabaret shows on many nights, usually at
7:45 PM |
Very good shows, Vegas/Broadway style. Also
comedians and other acts. Small theatre on Deck 2.Shows are appropriate for
children, except "late night". For "late" diners, the main show is usually
after diner (10:45pm). Of course, let's not forget the ice show, the only
one at sea. It is an excellent show, offered multiple times throughout the
week, so everyone can see it. |
|
|
|
|
Kids Program |
Largest area at sea, 15,000 Sq. ft. Five age
groups. Parents given pagers in case they need to be contacted. Open late,
with no added charge. Also have a nursery for kids under 3--great option.
Most days, you have the option of letting the kids eat meals with the kids
counselors. Kids program also stays open on port days and even moves to
Castaway Cay. |
Large area, not as large as DCL. Four age
groups. No pagers for parents. On selected nights, can eat with kids group.
After 10PM, charge is $5/hr. |
|
Teens |
"The Stack" - newly
developed area on the Magic. Music, TV's and a lot of noise . Not
very large.
"Common Grounds" - NY style coffee bar on the Wonder |
Larger area than DCL and an even
larger expanded area on the Navigator & Mariner. Three separate areas, a
casual area, disco and outside deck area (the entire rear of deck 12) |
|
|
|
|
Lounge Areas |
"Beat Street" (Magic)
or Route 66 (Wonder), for adults only at
night. Has three clubs. On the Magic they are "Sessions" (light piano player
music), Rockin' Bar D (variety of musical and cabaret shows), and Diversions
(a sports bar / pub, with big screen TV's
Also the Promenade Lounge on deck 4 for a casual drink
and music, also for families. |
More lounge areas. Some on the
Royal Promenade, On some ships, there is a wine-tasting bar. Areas are
spread out throughout the ship. Excellent Viking Crown Lounge on deck 14,
high above everything, with a 270 degree view of the ocean. |
|
|
|
|
Adult Activities |
Usual cruise activities such as
bingo. Also have other adult activities throughout the week, focusing on the
technical aspects of the ship, the food, etc. |
More adult activities. Besides
the usual (bingo, horse races) there are art auctions throughout the week
and the casino. While not big gamblers by any means, it was a nice place to
spend some time. (and a few $$ !) |
|
|
|
|
Pool Areas |
Three areas, Adult -- Family --
Kids. Kids area (Mickey pool) can be very crowded at times. The kids really
enjoy the slide. Although nearby, the music is themed for each area. Must
be 18 or older for the adult pool & whirlpools. |
Two pool areas (three on the
Voyager/Explorer/Adventure). Plenty of deck chairs On Navigator & Mariner,
there is no shallow separate kiddie pool. One pool and whirlpool is open 24
hrs. |
|
|
|
|
Other On Board Activities |
Vista Spa, basketball court,
QuarterMaster arcade (small and can get very crowded on full ship cruises) |
More than any ships at sea.
9-hole miniature golf course, inline skating track, rock climbing wall, golf
simulator, full-size basketball court, spa. Ice skating rink available for
guests throughout the week. Very large arcade |
|
|
|
|
On Board Shopping |
Main shopping area has two shops.
Mickey's Mates has those wonderful Disney-themed gifts. Treasure Ketch
has jewelry/collectible shop and other clothing options. |
Royal Promenade has extensive
shops. General Store (sundries/toiletries), logo shop, jewelry,
collectibles. Some ships have a Tommy Hilfiger shop also. |
|
|
|
|
Itineraries |
The Western Caribbean is a great
itinerary. All Disney cruises stop at Castaway Cay -- the best place a ship
can stop. |
Multiple itineraries, since there
are five ships. Choose one that stops at Labadee -- second only to Castaway
Cay. Adventure of the Seas leaves from San Juan and gets to islands DCL
can't from Port Canaveral -- Aruba & Curacao |
|
|
|
|
Embarkation |
Very smooth A wait at peak
boarding times, usually can board about 12 noon , give or take a few
minutes. |
Takes a little longer, maybe due
to number of guests. Try to arrive early, about 11:00 - 12:00. |
|
|
|
|
Debarkation |
Very flexible. Breakfast time
based on dinner seating time. Debarkation after breakfast, at your
convenience so long as customs has cleared the ship. We have been off of the
ship and in our car (or a bus) by 8:30AM. |
Debarkation by color-coded
luggage tags. Not as smooth or swift as DCL. TV viewing available in main
theater during debarkation. |
|
|
|
|
Terminal facilities |
Very attractive terminal,
probable "special" visit by those characters!. Check out the map of the
Caribbean on the floor. Special counter for Castaway Club check-in (repeat
cruisers). Parking lot adjacent. |
Large terminal (Miami), Special
boarding area for Crown & Anchor guests with 5+ RCCL cruises. Large
multi-level parking garage available right next door at $10 / day. |
|
|
|
|
"Intangibles" |
The Disney characters, the
emotional attachment and involvement, the Disney
feel, the Disney music ....... |
Sailing aboard the largest
vessels on the oceans. Enormous variety of things to do. Great people
watching along the Royal Promenade |
|
Our Cruises |
August 2000 - 7-day Eastern
Caribbean on the Disney Magic November 2001 - 7-day
Eastern Caribbean on the Disney Magic
November 2003 - 7-day Western Caribbean on the Disney
Magic |
August 2002 - 7-day Western
Caribbean on the Explorer of the Seas February 2003
- 7-day Eastern Caribbean on the Navigator of the Seas
February 2004 - 7-day Eastern Caribbean on the Mariner of
the Seas
October 2004 - 9-day Western Caribbean on the Voyager of
the Seas
|
