We had to know what the hub-bub was about the two-night cruises, as opposed to the longer cruises (which range from two nights to upwards of 14 or so nights across all DCL – Disney Cruise Lines – itineraries). So we set sail. (Twice, because I’m an over-achiever and lacked a more substantial weekend plan for the family… and frankly, we don’t have a DCL ship berthed in California that often, or for very long.)
(If you’re considering a two-night and aren’t yet sure what to expect, I’d suggest giving DCL’s Two night Ensenada Chain of Events a read first.)
Our takeaway of the good and the, um… less good. And for the uninitiated, let’s start with…
The Pros
- It’s a short, weekend-getaway sort of length. (I just skipped out of Friday from work to get the family to the San Diego port for the noon-ish to 3pm-ish PAT: port arrival time we’d selected.)
- If you’re not certain DCL sailings are for you, it’s a pretty good trial period (but – also the first two bullet Con items below)
- It’s arguably one of the least expensive DCL sailings – more so if you’re still on the fence if Disney cruising is right for your crew
- If you’re looking to rack up the tally for your next level of Castaway Club membership, be it a two-night or a 14-night, they all count toward your Club’s total cruise count.
The Cons
- It is a *really short* sailing. DCL offers a TON of activities and shows, many of which aren’t offered for the two nights (the first night is your Sail-A-Wave party, the second is immediately the ‘Till We Meet Again gathering). It really does take a day or two just to get into the groove of the pace of the cruise, so it’s tough to effectively judge the overall experience.
- There were a number of groups who appeared visibly stressed at breakfast in Cabanas. Particularly if the weather’s cooler outside (as it was this particular weekend), most folks are trying to head in.
- If you elect to disembark in Ensenada during the day, the cruise is, in a way, a really (REALLY) expensive shuttle from San Diego to Ensenada, with some great service and outstanding crew members thrown in for your sailing pleasure
- It *is* more expensive than most other cruise lines. If budget is a primary driver, DCL may not be your bag at this moment in your world. No judgement, honest. BUT – if you’ve pulled out the stops, saved up, and really want to make the experience awesome for yourself, your significant other, the kids, or all of the above: don’t dwell on the cost (especially out loud). (Little ones key into that stuff, too, but it’s a buzz kill for your travel party and others around you.)
- Suggestions to dampen the Cons if the buffet line is your biggest beef:
- What works well for us: after the hand-washing, head in and grab a table. To the uninitiated, the line is for the food, and the food repeats (usually twice on each side, or four times in all). Tables, not so much.
- With a place setup, you can drop off your odds and ends, then grab a plate and a spot in the line. I usually start at the halfway point – where things start to repeat and folks have filled up their (first) plate.
- Doing so, you’ll find there are pockets of space, as not everyone is taking every item. Stopping to scoop holds up the line, but affords open gaps if you want to reach in and grab something quick.
- Space is limited; unless it’s super-duper-critical, leave the strollers in your stateroom. It’s crowded enough during peak periods without having to add to your frustration of having to nudge a set of wheels through as well
Brass Tacks
All told, we enjoyed the trip. And being transparent, we did two 2-night weekends in a row just for comparison. On the first, we did an excursion (Kayaking at La Bufadora); the other we stayed aboard.
The excursion trip felt WAY too short, and there is absolutely no way you will get a ‘full’ Disney cruising experience – from boarding (say, 3pm) to disembarking (9am Sunday), you’re on board just 42 hours. Subtract out sleeping, dinners (two hours each), and an excursion, and you feel rushed.
The non-excursion trip was wonderful. The Dependent wandered around, found herself a new hangout place, but we met up for snacks and meals – so everyone was happy.
In either case, both are something of a short-cruise experience. If you’re looking
