Nostalgia Thread: How Has Disney Cruise Line Changed?

kramden88

Earning My Ears
Joined
May 17, 2009
I haven't been on either of the Classic ships since I was a kid in 2000. I was wondering how things have changed not just physically but also in terms of offerings, policies, activities, etc. Some of the things I fondly remember include the end-of-cruise international night with baked Alaska, the original Animator's Palate when the waiters changed outfits during the meal, the fact that my parents could pull me out of Oceanear's Lab, as the group was walking back from Topsiders, the tiny library on deck 2, ESPN Sky Zone, no Cookie's Too, Studio C, no funnel vision... Certainly there's a lot I've forgotten as well. I've been on the new ships but I have a lot of great memories of the old ships and would like some help reminiscing!
 
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I haven't been on either of the Classic ships since I was a kid in 2000. I was wondering how things have changed not just physically but also in terms of offerings, policies, activities, etc. I've been on the new ships but I have a lot of great memories of the old ships and would like some help reminiscing!
Well, reduction of Castaway Club perks; no enforcement of dress policy; the recent "let's run the production shows twice" during cruises (reducing the number of individual entertainers); institution of Port Arrival Time (but the less than stellar enforcement of it); more themed cruises - all come to mind.
 
I miss the buffet in the MDR's on embarkation day. We were on the Fantasy in July, and trying to get a table at Cabanas was insane. I also miss the steel drum band at the sailaway party.
 


My list is longer than I expected!

I miss the dueling piano bar where the sports bar is now. They had several sets each night. It was a hoot.

The nightly snacks outside of the adult areas where they had lots of VARIETY

Hand scooped hard ice cream with toppings where Goofy's Galley is located. I remember getting a bowl with peanut M&Ms on my ice cream.

Pins came with your lanyard - one for you and one to trade. Mickey and Minnie were laying on the beach in several poses.

Pub Master in the sports bar. Along those lines I also miss the "If I were not upon the sea" skit the last night of the cruise.

Real soft serve frozen yogurt with fresh ingredients in the mix - I loved the strawberry as it had real strawberries in it. my kids like the Cookies & Cream with real Oreos in it.

My kids loved the Oceaneers Lab and being able to go to Topsiders for lunch with the kids club. They also liked the separate age groups so they didn't have to deal with the "babies" in the OC.

Live music at the pools.
 
Oh, and DCL's seeming need to make all the ships "alike". What's wrong with each ship having it's own personalty?
How have they done this more over the years? It seems to be that the classics were designed to be twins, and then the Dream class ships were designed to be twins. What has changed in that regard?
 


How have they done this more over the years? It seems to be that the classics were designed to be twins, and then the Dream class ships were designed to be twins. What has changed in that regard?
Well, sort of twins. Each class has the same physical areas, but the themeing/decor was different. Then when the Dream class joined the fleet, they seem to be turning the Magic class into a mini-me version of that.
 
Well, sort of twins. Each class has the same physical areas, but the themeing/decor was different. Then when the Dream class joined the fleet, they seem to be turning the Magic class into a mini-me version of that.
How so?
 
Adding in a Concierge Lounge (taking away Outlook Cafe); "bigger" water features (well at least on the Magic); "updating" the decor so it's not so much the art nouveau/art deco look it used to be on the classic ships; putting themed cruises onboard; turning Beach Blanket Buffet/Topsiders into Cabanas (OK, I'll give you the stations thing is better than the one long line, but they still could have done that with the old theme; on demand movies; changing Animator's to mirror the Dream class (no black & white to color "show").
 
Waving at the people on the Big Red Boat (anyone else besides me old enough to have sailed on it?)

Fireworks while docked in Nassau

Common Grounds teen club (where Cove Cafe is now)

Dueling pianos bar

Jackets required for men in Lumiere’s

Konch Kooler on Castaway Cay served in a souvenir conch

If I Were Not Upon the Sea
 
Having to email Inventory Control a year or more in advance with a range of dates to book a suite. I remember when the suites were Category 1,2 and 3 instead of R,S and T. There were no Vs. I also remember when the concierge was not a tippable position.
 
My list is longer than I expected!

I miss the dueling piano bar where the sports bar is now. They had several sets each night. It was a hoot.

The nightly snacks outside of the adult areas where they had lots of VARIETY

Hand scooped hard ice cream with toppings where Goofy's Galley is located. I remember getting a bowl with peanut M&Ms on my ice cream.

Pins came with your lanyard - one for you and one to trade. Mickey and Minnie were laying on the beach in several poses.

Pub Master in the sports bar. Along those lines I also miss the "If I were not upon the sea" skit the last night of the cruise.

Real soft serve frozen yogurt with fresh ingredients in the mix - I loved the strawberry as it had real strawberries in it. my kids like the Cookies & Cream with real Oreos in it.

My kids loved the Oceaneers Lab and being able to go to Topsiders for lunch with the kids club. They also liked the separate age groups so they didn't have to deal with the "babies" in the OC.

Live music at the pools.

WOW!! You just took me down DCL memory lane!! I loved the Dueling Pianos too! Hand-scooped ice cream? MMMM. I don't know why I don't recall the pins......maybe because I've never been a pin trader? Bet I have them somewhere! Yes! I remember the kids going from Oceaneers to Topsiders for lunch, and I have seen them go through Cadillac Lounge during the daytime going somewhere too! Seems they used to have them hanging onto a loooong rope to stay together too! :cutie: And yes!! My goodness, I forgot about live music at the pools! Definitely remember the steel drums. :flower:

I miss the bridge and galley tours they use to offer.

Yes. :sad1: I miss them too. I did get to do one on the Wonder on the Hawaii sailing. Can't remember if it was the 2012 or 2015, but it was a VERY informative tour! And everything was SPOTLESS. :-)

Waving at the people on the Big Red Boat (anyone else besides me old enough to have sailed on it?)

YES!!! One of our first DCL cruises, we saw the Big Red Boat at Nassau, right next to us!!! It looked like the Little Red Boat up against the Magic. :joker:

Fireworks while docked in Nassau

Common Grounds teen club (where Cove Cafe is now)

Dueling pianos bar

Jackets required for men in Lumiere’s

Konch Kooler on Castaway Cay served in a souvenir conch

If I Were Not Upon the Sea

Common Grounds! Yes! Dragged my then teens there and shoved them in the door and stood outside to make sure they didn't escape on Embarkation evening for the "orientation". They both ended up LOVING it! :flower:And wasn't there a teen area in the smokestack too??
 
I can't recall when exactly was the last time I saw, "If I Were Not Upon the Sea". But I never missed it and saw it numerous times! After being with the crew for a week or so, seeing some of them in those get-ups and singing that crazy song was a HOOT!!
 
I miss the bridge and galley tours they use to offer.
They still do galley tours. You just have to ask once onboard whether they are going to do on on your cruise. Not all cruises will have them. If there's enough interest they will typically schedule one. Usually only on longer cruises (7 nights or more).
 

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