Dissers , why cruise DLC ?

[stitchaholic]

I am trying to make up my mind on which line to cruise , I am a longtime Disney fan , but my kids are getting tired of the Disney Parks
They will be 12 & 14 by the time we cruise next January .
I have looked extensively at DLC , CCL and RCCL . Disney is always much more expensive , I am worried about service on CCL and I do not like the RCCL ports.
I am so confused , thoughts ?

 

[cruisecrasher]

DCL has many included perks that aren't on the other lines (ex: sodas on deck)
Here's an article on the best cruise lines for the money-
http://travel.usnews.com/features/Best_Cruises_for_the_Money/
Excerpt-
"Disney's cruise rates may be slightly higher than other well-known cruise lines, but you get what you pay for. These ships cater to family members of all ages: Parents can still enjoy excellent cuisine, relaxing spa treatments, and swanky nightlife, while kids ham it up with Mickey, splash around on the water slides, and sing along to their favorite songs in the Walt Disney Theatre. Cabins on Disney Cruise Line ships are larger than average and can accommodate up to five people, eliminating the need to reserve multiple rooms. And because Disney cruises the globe—stopping in the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and Europe—you can discover the world as a family.
According to Hotwire.com, Disney Cruise Line prices are dropping, primarily as a result of the Concordia incident.
SNIP
The rates include everything from meals and snacks to all on-board activities and entertainment. However, you will have to pay extra for on-land activities, spa services, and Internet usage."

 

[Bear3412]

Decor, clientèle, service, aggressive hospitality.
Well, on the Fantasy.
We struggled too. We couldn't be more satisfied with our decision to sail the Fantasy. Now the desire to sail others is even more difficult.
Good Luck

ETA; My tween loved Edge fwiw.

 

[LJC1861]

I cruise with Disney for the overall beauty of the ship, the larger cabin size, and most importantly the service. It is far superior to any of the other major cruise lines. We are 2 adults, no kids and STILL consider Disney our first choice.

There is a reason why Condé Nast Traveler voted the Disney Cruise Line one of its top picks...and by there way Carnival, RCCL, Celebrity, Princess or any of the other 'mainstream' cruise lines were NOT on the list.

Linda

 

[kalc12345]

I cruise with Disney for the overall beauty of the ship, the larger cabin size, and most importantly the service. It is far superior to any of the other major cruise lines.
Linda

Yep!!! That is why we cruise Disney as well. We have tried one other cruise line years ago and hated it!! We said we would never cruise again it as that bad. But then we tried Disney Cruise Line and wow what a difference!! There is really no comparison!!

My husband and I are taking a cruise for our anniversary (without the kids) and we will be cruising with Disney

 

[Namsupak]

We like the pretty much all inclusive feel to it, the service, the excellent child care, the characters, room quality, Castaway Cay. Also when you are comparing ships make sure you are comparing as close as you can. Don't compare the Dream/Fantasy to one of the older RCCL ships for example. When we have priced out Allure/Oasis cruises they come out to be close to the Disney price. But it also depends you have some adolescents so one of the other lines may have the activities you want (rock wall, flow rider,etc) especially if your kids are tired of the Disney theme at this time. We have small children so Disney is definitely better for us now. With only 4 ships and some of the ships repeating itineraries there is not a lot of port variety but if this is your first cruise then most ports should be new to you.

 

[stitchaholic]

well , they are not relly sick of the theme , more the parks as we have done them a lot . My daughter loved the videos of CC and my son is an avid fireworks fan , so I am sure he will love that and the aqua duck .
How strict are the kids clubs with the ages ? I am sure they will want to stay together at first , can they both register for both clubs ?

 

[kcashner]

well , they are not relly sick of the theme , more the parks as we have done them a lot . My daughter loved the videos of CC and my son is an avid fireworks fan , so I am sure he will love that and the aqua duck .
How strict are the kids clubs with the ages ? I am sure they will want to stay together at first , can they both register for both clubs ?

No, they cannot both register for both areas. The Edge is for 11-14s, so they will both fit in there with no problem. If the older one wants to be in the Vibe (14-17) or the younger in the Lab (3-12), DCL typically allows one move if the first program is not working out.

It is almost impossible to compare "apples to apples" on cruise lines. DCL's cabins are a LOT bigger (about 1/3 more compared to other recent cruises we've done). In the past, you had to move up to a junior suite on RCCL to have the same space as a standard cabin on DCL. That isn't a big deal for 2 people, but it might be for a family of 4. A soda card on another line was $50 + automatic tip...not a big deal. However, my daughter felt as if they were rationing her at sit down meals--the refills weren't coming on a regular basis as they do on DCL. NO problem with walking to an outlet and getting one though. Some lines charge for kid programming or for programming/child care after a certain hour. Others have much restricted hours.

Because each line does things differently, it is really hard to compare fairly. However, unless you are getting a "deal" on DCL like Kids free or a restricted rate, it does cost more. The question you have to answer is whether the appearance, service, space, family atmosphere, programming, sodas, etc. are worth the extra cost in your situation.

 

[cmwade77]

We have priced other cruise lines and while DCL starts higher, they end up lower:
Room Service is included (some cruise lines charge extra for this, we have seen a per visit charge to paying the same as you would in a fancy hotel)
Soft Drinks are included (most cruise lines offer a drink package, but it's expensive and soft drinks aren't even included with dinner on many lines anymore)
Mixed non-alcoholic drinks are cheaper than other cruise lines (we don't drink, but I am told their alcoholic drinks are cheaper too).
No charges for amenities like soap, shampoo, etc. (Some cruise lines are charging for this as well)
We don't have any kids yet, but they don't charge for the kids clubs (Most other lines do)
Disney only has 1-2 restaurants with an up charge (Sone other lines have an upcharge for all but 2 or 3, on average other lines have 5 with an upcharge)
There is no charge for any of the entertainment (Some lines have shows that cost about as much as a broadway play and some charge for thier movies)
Disney has a lower cost for thier suggested gratuities than many other lines, I am assuming the pay thier staff differently than the other lines.
Disney allows you to bring your own drinks on board, both Alcholic and non-Alcholic, something most other lines do not allow or limit.

So, when looking at the other lines, be sure to consider all of those factors when looking at the real cost. It is amazing how fast the nickel and diming adds up on the other lines.

Then factor in that it better matches our preferences because there is no Casino, all rooms are non-smoking, they have more entertainment, there's Disney Characters around the ship.

 

[kcashner]

The only comment that I'd take exception to is the one about standard tips--we were on another line this summer that had lower standard tips than DCL (total was $11.25 per day per guest vs. $12 on DCL). Granted, not much difference, but still lower.

And I'm sure there are lines with higher tip levels although I've not personally experienced them.

For us, the entertainment is a huge factor--MUCH better on DCL. Some other lines have much of their "entertainment" revolving around the casino! I hadn't appreciated this before.

 

[Tiger926]

For us it's because we love Disney service, characters, theming and quality.

We also don't drink, nor gamble, so this is great for us, as it means we don't have to worry about these issues on other parts of the ship.

We also like the family centred entertainment available - our kids can see all of the main shows.

We also love how accommodating Disney is as we have dietary restrictions for several of us.

Also like the larger size cabins too!

Despite all of this, Disney cruises are very expensive. Our 2014 cruise that we just booked higher than the identical cruise we just sailed in August on the Fantasy. Compared to my sister's Carnival cruise on a brand new ship, with a similar size room and itinerary, it's like $2 500 more than she paid, for pretty much the exact same week as well.

You really have to do the work to determine what is worth it for your family. We have a threshhold limit, and despite all of the above, we won't go over that amount, as no cruise is worth it at that point. We don't drink soda, nor eat in the adult only restaurants, nor drink alcohol, so we really don't spend anything extra on our cruises, so these also aren't determing factors for us either.

Best of luck! My kids loved the cruise on the Fantasy in August, and don't want to sail on any other ship. We've been on Norwegian and Disney Wonder, but the Fantasy really was a fabulous fit for our family's needs!

Happy sailing, Tiger

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I am trying to make up my mind on which line to cruise , I am a longtime Disney fan , but my kids are getting tired of the Disney Parks
They will be 12 & 14 by the time we cruise next January .
I have looked extensively at DLC , CCL and RCCL . Disney is always much more expensive , I am worried about service on CCL and I do not like the RCCL ports.
I am so confused , thoughts ?

Bolded and highlighted is not always true. While DCL is usually more expensive, GT rates and cruising during less busy times brings the cost down significantly. So, if you're flexible, DCL can be cheaper than others.

 

[jahber]

Bolded and highlighted is not always true. While DCL is usually more expensive, GT rates and cruising during less busy times brings the cost down significantly. So, if you're flexible, DCL can be cheaper than others.

I agree. Some people have argued this with me (I don't know why, as I'm speaking to my own personal experience), but for the cruises *I* am searching for, I can find last-minute *GT and Fl resident rates that beat RCL when you break it down in terms of room type/size. If the Freedom of the Seas were cheaper when I wanted to sail, you better believe my 8yo would never forgive me if we didn't book it . She's dying to try the rock wall.

Granted, if you aren't able to plan last minute (or aren't a FL resident), you may need to be diligent in checking prices. And it may just be easier to pay more to book in advance. We sail exclusively in the "off" season, which is when we do all vacations. So ymmv. But do try DCL if you are able to find a price point that works for you!

 

[woody73]

We have priced other cruise lines and while DCL starts higher, they end up lower:

. . . No charges for amenities like soap, shampoo, etc. (Some cruise lines are charging for this as well)

Wow! Which cruise lines charge for soap and shampoo?

Woody

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I agree. Some people have argued this with me (I don't know why, as I'm speaking to my own personal experience), but for the cruises *I* am searching for, I can find last-minute *GT and Fl resident rates that beat RCL when you break it down in terms of room type/size. If the Freedom of the Seas were cheaper when I wanted to sail, you better believe my 8yo would never forgive me if we didn't book it . She's dying to try the rock wall.

Granted, if you aren't able to plan last minute (or aren't a FL resident), you may need to be diligent in checking prices. And it may just be easier to pay more to book in advance. We sail exclusively in the "off" season, which is when we do all vacations. So ymmv. But do try DCL if you are able to find a price point that works for you!

That is exactly how we travel also. We go to Walt Disney World in January and early December. We also take advantage of free dining. This Jan., we're going on a cruise. We got a great GT rate.

 

[indiesgirl4ever]

First off I'm a Disney fanatic and if I could we would take only Disney vacations I love the shows entertainment and also free sodas!! Also their service on board is unparalleled ridiculously amazing. Also I have been on holland America and carnival as well. Did not get nearly as good service shows were okay I guess food on the carnival was forgettable to me Holland America was pretty good. For family's I would always pick Disney!! The kid programs that I noticed on the two other cruise lines I mentioned were either not well put together or almost nonexistent. I'm 17 and so on those cruises I went to the teen clubs carnival I can't speak on too much didn't see much of it but the younger youth club was boring to my younger brother who was about 6-7 at the time. Not much to do on HA every time I tried to visit the club it was closed! With the vibe for teens and other clubs for the younger audience we as a family were never disappointed. The vibe constantly had fun stuff for us to do and I met awesome people it really made my experience great. I would pick DCL every time without hesitation.

 

[kaseyC]

Wow! Which cruise lines charge for soap and shampoo?

Woody

I would like to know this as well. I've cruised most of the mass market lines and have never had one charge for soap and shampoo.

 

[jahber]

I'd also add that the free and always open (9am to midnight) kids' clubs are important to me. I just can't get past the idea that the clubs on RCI close for meal times. What if I plan on eating at an odd time? Plus, my kids love eating lunch and dinner in the clubs. They may be the only ones who do, but they actually negotiate how many meals they will be allowed to eat there

 

[ekatiel]

I'll know in just about a month if DCL is "worth" it, since we're taking our first DCL cruise then (and actually, it will be "worth" it for us, since we booked Kids' Sail Free, and it would cost about the same to sail Carnival or Royal!). I do need to address some of what has been said about "other" cruise lines, though. We've sailed Carnival and Royal multiple times, so I can definitely speak about those cruise lines-- I can't speak for any others, but Carnival and Royal are two major players in the cruise industry. I've commented in red below:

We have priced other cruise lines and while DCL starts higher, they end up lower:
Room Service is included (some cruise lines charge extra for this, we have seen a per visit charge to paying the same as you would in a fancy hotel)Room service is always free on Carnival, Royal charges (I think about $5 if the order is placed after midnight-- it is free during normal hours.
Soft Drinks are included (most cruise lines offer a drink package, but it's expensive and soft drinks aren't even included with dinner on many lines anymore) This one is true. But $50, even per person hardly makes up for the price difference most of the time.
Mixed non-alcoholic drinks are cheaper than other cruise lines (we don't drink, but I am told their alcoholic drinks are cheaper too). Don't know about this one.
No charges for amenities like soap, shampoo, etc. (Some cruise lines are charging for this as well)Why on earth would some charge for soap???! Some lines do not leave the little bottles in your room anymore, they have dispensers on the wall. We've always been OK with whatever's there. Picky people usually bring their own.
We don't have any kids yet, but they don't charge for the kids clubs (Most other lines do)Neither Carnival or Royal charge for their kids club. There is an after hours fee (usually beginning at 10 or 10:30pm. It is my understanding that the Disney Club is free until midnight, so that is two extra "free" evening hours, if you use them. All lines charge for baby sitting infants/toddlers (including Disney). Carnival's kids club takes kids at 2 years of age, though, and they don't have to be potty trained. Royal and Disney take them at 3. Carnival and Royal do close their clubs from around 12pm-2pm each day. Carnival's is open for dinner, I believe Royal's is not.
Disney only has 1-2 restaurants with an up charge (Sone other lines have an upcharge for all but 2 or 3, on average other lines have 5 with an upcharge) This depends largely on the size of the ship. Oasis/Allure do have multiple pay restaurants, but they also have A LOT of free dining venues (way more than any Disney ship)-- The ships are larger and so they have more of both pay and included restaurants.
There is no charge for any of the entertainment (Some lines have shows that cost about as much as a broadway play and some charge for thier movies) I've never seen a show or movie you had to pay for on a ship. We were just on Oasis in September and all the shows and movies were free. We were able to see a Broadway quality production of Hairspray. It was great. We also saw a couple of 3D movies, also free.
Disney has a lower cost for thier suggested gratuities than many other lines, I am assuming the pay thier staff differently than the other lines. Gratuities are pretty standard on most main lines, ranging from $10-$12 per person per day. Disney is at $12, which is the same as Royal. Carnival was slightly less the last time I checked.
Disney allows you to bring your own drinks on board, both Alcholic and non-Alcholic, something most other lines do not allow or limit. This is true. Royal lets you bring on two bottles of wine. Not sure Carnival lets you bring on any.

So, when looking at the other lines, be sure to consider all of those factors when looking at the real cost. It is amazing how fast the nickel and diming adds up on the other lines.

Then factor in that it better matches our preferences because there is no Casino, all rooms are non-smoking, they have more entertainment, there's Disney Characters around the ship.

As you can see, there are some misconceptions about what "other lines" do and don't do. I am hoping to be blown away by Disney on our February cruise, but you can really justify the extra cost with things like soda cards and kids club hours. I'm guessing it has a lot to do with service, and well, the "magic" that you don't get on other lines. I'll be able to say for sure in a month! --Katie

 

[NancyIL]

I'll know in just about a month if DCL is "worth" it, since we're taking our first DCL cruise then (and actually, it will be "worth" it for us, since we booked Kids' Sail Free, and it would cost about the same to sail Carnival or Royal!). I do need to address some of what has been said about "other" cruise lines, though. We've sailed Carnival and Royal multiple times, so I can definitely speak about those cruise lines-- I can't speak for any others, but Carnival and Royal are two major players in the cruise industry. I've commented in red below:

As you can see, there are some misconceptions about what "other lines" do and don't do. I am hoping to be blown away by Disney on our February cruise, but you can really justify the extra cost with things like soda cards and kids club hours. I'm guessing it has a lot to do with service, and well, the "magic" that you don't get on other lines. I'll be able to say for sure in a month! --Katie

Thanks for responding to that post, as it saved me a lot of effort! That poster appears to be pretty clueless about the policies and charges of "most other cruise lines"!