[No Mickey...]

We just got back from the Disney 7-Night Western Caribbean cruise and were VERY dissappointed! We had gone on the 4-Night Bahamian cruise in 2002 and
it was a blast,... but we only saw two ports of call of four scheduled.

Here are the facts;
1. We are a family of four: my wife & myself, girl 13 & boy 11-1/2.
2. We are from Olympia, Washington (six hour flight to Orlando).
3. We invested in an up-scale room. 8000 level on the boat.
4. We were supposed to stop at: Key West (not great for kids), Cayman
Islands, Cozumel & Bahamas (Castaway Cay).
5. We only saw Key West (not good for kids) & Cozumel.

The reason we weren't able to make port was due to "surging seas". Having lived on the coast for 15 years, I felt (along with almost all of the passengers) that the seas were NOT above moderate (4-6 swells). The contention was, if the ship can't make port in moderate seas, then don't promote these stops. There isn't any tugboat at Castaway Cay,... not even a small one!

So instead of having the kids on the beaches,.. the get another "Day-at-Sea". Oh, I forgot to mention--- Disney offered a Special Drink ("Bahama Mama") Happy Hour since we weren't able to see the Bahamas.

I'm not at all promoting that the ship should risk the safety of the passengers, crew, the ship itself, or the docks--- But come on, the islands & docks must be port worthy in moderate seas!!! Or take them off the itinerary.

NOTE: The kids club (Ages up to 12) is not structured for an almost 12 year old. Our son had a GREAT time two years ago, but at 11-1/2, finger painting isn't very stimulating. (especially with 5 days at sea). Our daughter, at 13 was way out of step with the 15-16 year olds. Not that she's not with-it (shes an A+ student, pretty, and all-city AAU basketball player).

This was to be the last Disney cruise for our kids, and I doubt we'll ever see the Cayman Islands / Bahamas again.

SPECIAL NOTE: We felt the meals, the crew, the waiters/waitresses, the ship and our room were fantastic. Just as they were two years ago.

We've been at EVERY Disney park in both Florida & California, and really feel our last cruise with Disney has left a stone in our shoe... One that even several Bahama Mamas couldn't soften.

Dissappointed with Disney.
__________________________________________________ __________

[No Mickey...]

Rum drinks are expensive...at least a few hundred dollars for each!

[Jen]

Sorry you did not enjoy your trip. DH and I have been considering a Land and Sea vacation in October as opposed to staying just in WDW. I've been worried about the kids fitting in with the kids club and enjoying themselves. (they will be 14, 10, 8 and 7 at the time of the vacation) I'll certainly take your review into consideration.

BTW, Welcome to DC! Stick around, we're alot more fun than a Disney Cruise!

Jen

[No Mickey...]

Jen,
I think your younger kids will have fun in the Kids Club (especially if it's their first Disney cruise). The 14 year old may pal-up with another kid on their wavelength, but our daughter doesn't think throwing deserts on the walls of an elevator is cool...

Best wishes

[dznygrl]

Hi No Mickey. I'm so sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your cruise. I understand why missing out on those ports of call would be extremely frustrating, especially after spending so much money on a vacation!!

Don't give up on Disney. I know this experience must have left a sour taste in your mouth, but a lot of people here on DC have had similarly disappointing experiences. There's still a lot of magic left to enjoy in the future!

[Dopey]

I am sorry that you had such a lousy time. But since you most likely paid for the trip with your credit card you do have recourse and may be entitled to some sort of a refund if your claims are legitimate. I use credit cards for big things like that for just that reason.
Write a letter to your Visa or MC Bank and explain your gripe.

Hope this works out for you

[mickaholic4077]

Welcome to DC. Sorry that you didn't have a good time,but unfortunately,all cruise lines have the right to substitute or eliminate ports if the captain deems it necessary with no advance notice. It says so in the literature that you get from the company. What you should do is insist on a refund of the port fees for the ports that you didn't get to.

[Disnyfan83]

So sorry you didn't have a good time. We have cruised on Disney twice, and of all our cruising experiences, they have been head and shoulders the best. If you have ever cruised before, you will know that cruise ships don't take any chances. There are just way too many people on board. I felt there was sooo much to do on the ship, that there almost wasn't a reason to ever get off!! My young "teen" and "tween" had a blast! One loved the programs, and the other ejoyed just being on his own. Take it from an old cruiser - NEVER drink the mixed drinks on ANY cruise ship! They are watered down and over priced. Stick to wine or beer and you'll know what your getting. We head out in six weeks on the Holland American Line - because Disney was booked!!

[ewl]

If you cruised on the 1/15 Magic Western sailing as I suspect, we were there with you!

We were also disappointed that it wasn't the sunny and warm Caribbean vacation we had hoped for. We had been looking forward to snorkeling at Grand Cayman and were on our way out the door when the announcement came on about the ocean being too rough to allow for safe tendering. And we were out on our balcony watching in agony as the Captain tried twice to dock at Castaway Cay.

But, we had a great time anyway. The ship, the cabin, the shows, the food, etc. were great-- and far better than being at work! There's just not much that can be done about the weather, which Disney doesn't control (at least "not yet", as one of the crew said ). I understand that other ships also weren't able to visit Grand Cayman that day either. I know what you mean about Castaway Cay making less sense since Disney dug the ship channel-- not sure why they didn't make it wider, but I guess with 98% or so of the sailings able to dock successfully the way it is, it didn't seem critical. I think the Captain tried very hard, though, and have to support erring on the side of safety.

Disney did refund everyone for the port fees, along with the free Bahama Mamas (which definitely were not watered down-- more like enough to knock you down!) and wine at dinner. No, that doesn't make up for it, but aside from another cruise (which we booked on board!) I don't know what really could.

I do think you have every right to be disappointed since this was your vacation and you spent a lot of money and time. If you feel strongly, write to Disney Cruise Line and tell them. We were disappointed too but made the best of it, but we may still write too just let them know that it wasn't as "magical" as we'd hoped.

[snow'sfriend]

First I wanted to say Welcome to DC!!!!! I'm so sorry that your trip was lousy. We went and had a very nice time. But I must say we thought the clubs were horrible also.

[FireAngel]

Welcome to DC! Sorry to hear about your dissapointing trip.

[Pooh Fan]

Welcome to DC. I am sorry that your trip was not as mgical as you had hoped. It sounds like Disney tried to make it up to those onboard, but if you still feel dissatisfied, then I would definietely write a letter letting them know. Disney usually will try to make you a happy customer.

[ZarSu]

Welcome to DC, I have no opinion as we have never been on a cruise and don't think we ever will, as it does not sound like anything we would like. Your experience is not common but I guess that stuff does happen, too bad Disney can not control the weather too!

I would maybe expect something from Disney like a voucher to the parks or something. I expect that there is something like a clause (no, not the Santa type ) writen in the cruise contract that explains this problem.

[DisneyGimper]

Other than the free happy hour (Bahama Mama's) and the port fees being reimbursed, were there any other reparations offered. I ask this because I do not drink anything of an alcoholic nature, and would be really upset if alcoholic bevereges were the only things being comped (not fair to those of us who do not imbibe).

[bali]

No Mickey...: FYI, there is a large travel magazine (either Travel and Leisure or Conde Nast Traveler) that runs a column called "Ombudsman." Folks write in with travel situations during which they felt they were mistreated in some way, and the magazine contacts the erring party for an interview and an explanation which the magazine then prints. Of course, the magazine would have to choose your plight to represent, but 9 times out of 10, the weary traveller featured in the article is refunded at least in part. Good luck.