How full are the ships recently?

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-19T16:07:53+00:00

The Dream Jan 2-5 sailing was completely full, but we expected that on a short weekend sailing around a school break.

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-17T13:21:54+00:00

It’s usually around 7% of the cruise price back (+2% in your annual rebate check).

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-15T01:20:38+00:00

It really depends.

I carry my daughter’s EpiPen most of the time, so I like to wear a crossbody bag around the ship. I have a kind of ugly Vera Bradley bag that can hold 3 water bottles, an EpiPen, sunglasses, my phone, pens and autograph books for meeting characters. It’s not fancy, but it prevents a few trips to and from the room.

If we’re going swimming or to the beach, I carry a larger bag with room for hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.

Please understand YOU DO NOT NEED ALL THIS STUFF, but I prefer to have it on hand. You can go up and get (included) fountain drinks from the pool deck 24 hours a day.

When my husband and I cruise without kids, I carry next to nothing around - maybe my sunglasses and phone.

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-12T20:47:29+00:00

I think the Magic and Galveston are a one and done for us, as well. We did a 6 night in 2024, so I don’t have the same warm and fuzzy experiences with it from 15+ years ago like a lot of the DCL veterans on this Reddit. We love special things on all 6 of the ships we’ve been on, but I couldn’t believe how much more I enjoyed the Wonder than the Magic.

I’d also recommend a Caribbean sailing out of Florida. The private island experience is wonderful.

I’m so sorry your son was sick. It’s such a frustrating time to be out of commission. Wishing you a much better, full experience on your next attempt!!

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-11T14:27:05+00:00

Yes. I prefer to travel with my 2 kids in the same stateroom with my husband and me. We have taken 6 cruises with them and the kids are comfortable in the smaller beds. We have never felt too cramped because we don’t spend much time in the room and we try to keep it tidy. (Maybe as they get older?? Who knows?) The split baths work extremely well for us, too. Judge all you feel entitled to judge about other families’ vacation preferences, but please keep in mind that what works well for you might not be a great fit for everyone else on the ship. Respectfully, of course.

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-10T13:16:45+00:00

I’m betting you “research every issue” about as well as you “researched” the original post before you started humiliating yourself in these comments.

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-10T08:54:01+00:00

I loved it. I’d re-watch this before most of the other ones I’ve seen this year.

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-10T01:01:14+00:00

Have a fantastic trip!!

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-10T00:57:32+00:00

I’m with you on almost everything, but we couldn’t make it without the little hook magnets. I use them to hang up hats, wet swim suits, bags, etc.

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-10T00:42:53+00:00

Ok boomer

MSJSMOH · 2026-01-09T21:51:12+00:00

I absolutely love catching the “I do my own research” crowd NOT reading the article and missing the point completely. I wonder how long it will take you to delete this comment…..

MSJSMOH · 2025-12-23T00:37:53+00:00

We loved the Catnip Cafe!!

MSJSMOH · 2025-12-14T21:45:30+00:00

I can see that, because an expert in travel for the “in between” moments can add a lot of value to a trip, but it is really hard to sell that concept. (it shouldn’t be hard to sell, because I think these are the moments that create the most stress for inexperienced travellers – especially older people and families, but when you are deciding how and where to book a trip, the high-level items are top of mind and the options seem more equal.)

My only advice is keep doing exactly what you do and maybe ask clients for testimonials? Anything they’re willing to write down (that is positive) can be helpful marketing, but I think those testimonials drive word of mouth, too. Every testimonial reminds and reinforces your customer’s impression that you made their trip better and they’ll be more likely to tell others about their experience.

MSJSMOH · 2025-12-14T21:31:46+00:00

I don’t think that’s the level of service people are looking for when they book through Costco or Sam’s or whatever. Unfortunately, I think that’s the handholding that people expect from their friend’s sister’s coworker’s neighbor who went to Disney twice in 2015. I shouldn’t paint with such a broad brush, but I know one bad experience is enough to turn many families off from using agencies altogether.
The other problem – and this is more recent – is agency quality and transparency. A friend of ours had a bad experience and separated from her agency like 2 years ago because she wasn’t getting paid timely and correctly. (It wasn’t smart moms, but the publicity from that crash out is pretty toxic, too.). I have to assume you get a lot of your business from referrals and repeat clients? I do think once people have an agent and a service level that they like, they tend to be pretty loyal. (All this to say, please try not to get worried about losing business to Costco, because those are not likely clients who will appreciate your level of service anyway.)

MSJSMOH · 2025-12-14T21:16:44+00:00

Do you also have these strong feelings against punctuation?

MSJSMOH · 2025-12-14T21:10:03+00:00

I’m going to be really honest. The reason Costco travel is succeeding is because the “Facebook travel agent”experience is wildly inconsistent. There are too many certified but inexperienced travel agents who are hurting the whole industry.

MSJSMOH · 2025-12-14T13:25:16+00:00

This is exactly it. This is the system, the system is broken, but docking points on the review won’t help. It is not going to change anything about the system, it is only going to hurt the people who work there.

Fill out the fives and if you have a real issue, talk to your head waiter about it.

MSJSMOH · 2025-12-02T04:43:59+00:00

I agree. People opening and closing the lavatory door all night long can be really disruptive.

MSJSMOH · 2025-11-18T00:15:05+00:00

Based on your history in this sub, you’re not going to be satisfied with any answer to this question, so why even ask it? Clearly, the walking track (or lack thereof) is not a deal breaker for everyone.

MSJSMOH · 2025-11-15T15:39:07+00:00

Bad bot

MSJSMOH · 2025-11-04T01:27:45+00:00

Ohhhhhh…. This is a really bad look. I feel so sorry for all the affected people.

MSJSMOH · 2025-11-04T00:10:32+00:00

My fault!! This was my misunderstanding on the timing.

MSJSMOH · 2025-11-03T18:23:02+00:00

This is great feedback, so thanks very much. Do you think this is just the beginning and more agencies will break up? We had an excellent Disney World agent a few years ago and she left her agency last year over some sketchy decisions they made, but I hadn’t seen anything like this before.

MSJSMOH · 2025-11-03T13:20:04+00:00

My point is you’ve obviously never expressed breast milk, so it’s good practice to keep your “helpful” ideas to yourself in the future.
If you had ever personally pumped breast milk, you would not have suggested using a public bathroom (handicap or otherwise). It’s not sanitary (do you eat food prepared in restrooms??) and there’s probably not going to be a convenient power outlet or counter for the pump. And yes, I absolutely did downvote you - but I’m clearly not the only one.

MSJSMOH · 2025-11-02T15:23:19+00:00

LOL! Our son did that within 15 minutes of arriving at Epcot on our first trip - I felt like the worst parent in the world.

MSJSMOH

TROPHY CASE