Family Travel: Disney cruise vacation anyone?

I haven’t quite figured out my plans for my 2011 family vacation yet and I feel slightly behind the ball. However, I remembered an interview I did with a girlfriend who traveled to Disney last year and I figured this would be the perfect time to share that interview with you if Disney is what you’re considering in ’11.

Family travel Disney style is a top choice for families traveling with younger kids. However, taking a cruise means a different level of know-how and travel planning.

I invite you to read the interview in its entirety. My girlfriend offers some smart money-saving tips for family travel on a Disney cruise.

1. When did you go on your Disney cruise? Any specific reason (i.e., pricing) why you decided to go that time of year?

We usually go on vacation the 1st week in June. It is usually a little cheaper and less crowds. This was true for the cruise – we saved about $1500 going then versus [going] a week later.

2. Did you do a combination Disney vacation – 4 days sea/3 days land or vice versa or just a cruise? 

Yes, we did a 5 day cruise then 3 days at the park.

3. What was the name of the Disney Cruise ship?

We sailed on the Disney Wonder.

4. What port did you all leave from? What ports did you visit? Where there activities at the ports for both parents and kids? What did you do? Did you/Would you feel comfortable allowing your kids to do a shore excursion without you?

We left from Port Canaveral, outside of Orlando. We docked at Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island). There were many excursions that were geared to families. We actually wanted to go to Atlantis to see the aquarium and to the waterpark. The excursion on the cruise cost about $160 per adult and $110 per child. We decided to just book a room at the Atlantis for about $200. We had access to all of the resort amenities as well as the room to shower and let the kids take a nap.

Disney’s private island was great. The beach was good and they even had an adult only section. The kids club actually sits up on a section of the island. We did let the kids play there while my husband and I got a massage in an open air cabana.

All of the excursions required the parents so children couldn’t take them alone. However you could leave your child in the kids’ club onboard while you took an excursion. Perosonally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that.

5. What activities did your family do on the ship? What activities did you do off the ship? DId you see any stage productions/shows? If so, how did they compare to any land Disney shows that you’ve seen?

The kids LOVED the kids club. There were times we went to pick them up and they told us to leave and come back. The shows were amazing. The best quality than the other cruises I have been on. We went to [several] family parties they had on board. The kids really liked the Pirate party and the fireworks display. There were tons of on-board activities, including family games, and first-run movies.

6. Do you mind sharing an approximation of what it costs a family of 4 to take a Disney cruise?

It was a little under $4000

7. Was there stateroom babysitting service available?

No, but they had a nursey that stayed open until about 1 am.

8. Were you able to partake in any adult night-time activities?

Yes. The kids club stayed open until midnight. One night we let the kids stay until 11pm. They did have a few different clubs, adult party areas.

9. How many pools were there? Did you ever feel over-crowded?

There were 2 general pools and an adult-only pool. We didn’t use any pools onboard. They were crowded and I personally don’t like cruise ship pools. Not enough water per person sitting in it. We spent the entire day at the water park at Atlantis and the next day at the beach. We were watered out.

10. What type of room did you have? How were the room attendants? Did they do special things for your room and your kids nightly (such as towel creatures, etc.)?

We had a standard room with a window. The rooms are set up for families. There is a curtain separator for the kids side and the adult side. Also there are 2 bathrooms in each room. One with a shower and a sink and the other has a toilet and a sink…very convenient.

11. How did you feel going to Disney’s private island compared to times that you’ve been on a cruise and stopped at ports where there were other cruise ships?

No, we were the only ship there. They also feed you on the private island…the food was great!

12.  How was Disney cruise’s food? Would you compare it favorably to other cruise lines or no? How many buffet lines were there? Were they over-crowded? Can you remember what your wait time was? Could you get food 24 hours a day or were there specific times the buffet was available?

The food was just OK. I enjoyed the food better on other cruises, but it wasn’t bad. They had a great kids selection. There was 24-hour room service at no additional cost. They had sandwiches, pizza, salads, even a fruit and cheese plate. Also you could get Mickey ice cream bars.

There were 2 buffets. Unlike other cruises where there are multiple stations you could go to, there is just one line, more like a cafeteria. It made the line move a little slower, but it made it much easier to navigate with children. They also have a pizza place, and a hot dog stand that served burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries. Finally they had a deli that served healthier options like salads, sandwiches, wraps and fresh fruit.

13. How many specialty restaurants were there? Did you eat in any of them? Did you have to sit with another family in the general dining room during your seating time? Did you have early or late seating?

There was one adult-only restaurant. We didn’t eat there. We didn’t sit with another family.

14. Did you do any spa services? How did their spa compare to other spas that you’ve been to?

We got a massage on the private island in an open air cabana. It was great but extremely pricey.

15. Have you ever been on another cruise line with your kids? If so, how does Disney compare?

I’ve been on Carnival but not with the kids.

16. What other special activities did you partake in (wine tasting, galley tours, art tour, etc.) and how was the ship’s customer service?

We did a tequila tasting…it was fun. The service was impeccable on the ship.

17. Disney travels all around the world. Would you consider taking a Disney cruise to somewhere like the Mediterranean or use a different cruise line?

If I were taking the kids, I would definitely choose a Disney cruise.

 A million thanks to my friend Romica Brashear for taking the time to answer my 1 million questions!