We're experienced cruisers both on Disney and in the south Caribbean, so little was new to us. The fact that we sailed again says volumes about how we feel about Disney cruises. We enjoyed wonderful weather (unlike our last cruise where we missed two ports), took a leisurely approach, and had a very restful and restorative time as a result.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Staff pulled my wife out of the long line because she was using a cane and pushed her in a wheelchair through the whole process and onto the ship.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Main dining rooms' food is quite good, but we still found some menus with nothing to our taste. Staff responded by preparing curries to order. Palo continues to have the best brunch anywhere, land or sea. and very good dinners as well. As ever, the quality of service can make or break a meal, and most of our servers were outstanding.
Cove Cafe
5 out of 5
It's just a simple coffee bar (with full liquor from the adjacent bar), and some light pasteries and savories at appropriate hours. But it can feel a world away from the bustle and noise on the pool deck, aided in part by being restricted to those 18 and older. Cafe cards offer a free drink after buying five, and you can carry unfinished cards to your next cruise.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Good that there was more going on than we needed; poor in that much was unattractive to my wife who is partly disabled and quite allergic to children.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Disney's stage productions are without equal at sea, and better than most on land. We also enjoyed three first-run movies on board. Visiting talent was less impressive; jumpropes, really?
Children's Programs
no kids
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Disney leads all crusing in service quality, including luxury lines at twice the price. A couple of small issues were dealt with promptly and completely, with sincere apologies.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The only issue we had with layout and design is that the main dining rooms are too crowded, with it being difficult to get to some tables without obliging others to move. It used to be less so.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
I really just want another 2-3 inches at the foot of the bed so I don't have to turn sideways. Storage is more than ample, Disney's split bathroom design is a big speed-up, there's a comfortable desk (with a less comfortable "tuffet" to sit on), and the "Navigator's" balcony, with an open porthole in a solid panel, is our favorite, as it permits viewing in inclement weather, hot sun, or scanty clothing.
Ship tip
The key question to ask is, "Would it be possible to ...." Disney will fall all over themselves to make it possible.
We love Old San Juan, but this trip docked at a distant pier and did not offer the usual shuttle bus service. This may have been because the cruise started and ended there, but as one tends to fly in a day early, this was disappointing.
More interesting than Aruba, but we'd already done all the offered excursions we were physically capable of. Great lunch at Hemmingway's, which we recommend.
We love St. Maartin, especially the food on the French side of the island. Sadly, they haven't yet rebuilt from the hurricane, so we tried Hong Kong restaurant in Philipsburg. Surprisingly good, despite its downscale appearance.
We were staying onboard (in the same cabin) for the next cruise. Disney hasn't yet figured out a graceful way to handle back-to-back travellers. Some of this may be national regulations (especially at US ports), but we've found other lines do better, and don't make you choose between staying onboard or getting off (with passports and ID) for five hours.
One of the three main dining rooms, the former Parrot Cay, has been transformed into "Tiana's Place". A tribute to film "The Princess and the Frog", the decor, food, and live entertainment are themed to New Orleans. We think the new menus here are the best on any of Disney's four ships, plus where else can your dinner be accompanied by a six-foot tall trumpet-playing alligator?
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