DCL or Princess: Help Us Decide

[IrenicMom]

I don't really get this thread Luv2Sleep. .

Also, too many folks, let DCL watch their kids while the adult is on vacation. Split the time that kids stay with DCL and do things when your child is around that will gain their interest.

luv2sleep is not the OP, so she is just giving feedback

Also - I'm certain the second part of this comment was not intended to be as harsh and judgmental as it came across. The joy of a cruise, IMO - regardless of lines - is that there are opportunities for each party to have a vacation that appeals to them.

How each family chooses to vacation is a decision left to them, and frankly, isn't subject to your, or anyone else's, approval. If they and their children choose to do separate activities, then hooray! If they and their children choose to do everything together, then hooray! ......as long as it doesn't impact how you and your traveling party choose to participate in *your* vacation.

 

[justmestace]

Here are copies of a lot of "Princess Patter"...the daily activities. These will give you a good idea of what they offer onboard.
If you want to see more, just Google "Princess Patter"...there are a ton of them out there!

http://atkinsfamily.org/princess-patters/

 

[kehonuamemano]

I actually spoke to DCL (through travel agent) about leaving a child on board while just staying near port and shopping. Disney actually advises against this (and obviously for excursions as well) in case of emergency. This was in regards to a WC cruise so not sure if they change the rules for European cruise itineraries. Also, what if something happened and the ship had to leave without you? Your child would be on the ship alone. Not sure if people do this anyway but I think that it's not in anyone's best interest to leave your child on the ship while you aren't.

I have never heard that DCL discourages people leaving their child on the ship. In fact you have to let the Kids club know where you will be at and I’ve never heard them say I shouldn’t leave my child in their care while we are off the ship.

Nor do we leave her for the entire trip on the ship. It's usually only 1 port that we do so, typically at her request or if the excursion is going to be too intense for her to handle without having a meltdown by the end of the day (a scene I have witnessed countless times with other parties who take kids who are either unwilling or unable to enjoy the entire excursion).

 

[kehonuamemano]

I don't really get this thread Luv2Sleep. I keep reading the $4,000 extra cost. And if you child will be happy with the choice you want to make with another cruise line.

Here is a solution. Take her to the Princess web site and show her around the ship. If she says yes, book away. If she says NO, then you decide if her vote counts. If it does, do a cruise within the budget you have and save some money for future cruises.

To me, reading this thread, she says No. Then get over the Princess stuff one way or the other. And figure out what is best for your budget. I did for my DD for years. Now she is out on her own and we take her once a year. But the other things, to include my DCL cruises is up to my DW and I.

Also, too many folks, let DCL watch their kids while the adult is on vacation. Split the time that kids stay with DCL and do things when your child is around that will gain their interest.

I know you will do the right thing.

Im the OP The purpose of my post was to get feedback on our decision as it is one that I am struggling to make.

Our DD clearly has an emotional attachment to Disney, plus it the only cruise she is ever been on. Her feelings are a consideration but my DH and I are the ultimate decision makers.

Weve taken her to the website and also shown her YouTube videos from Princess. But as you can imagine, you dont get a full picture of the experience this way. The cruise reviews that were posted to the thread certainly helped to get a little bt more information on how children like Princess cruise club.

The cost is one of the factors but not the only one in our decision. If you just look at cost, I am pretty sure there is a comparable cruise for every DCL cruise that is posted on this board. However, people choose DCL for other reasons. My post is more about having the best family vacation and deciding giving the PROS/CONS of each trip. Ultimately that is up to us as a family decide but I posted this thread to hear different opinions, thoughts, ideas to help us make the decision.

Hope this helps you understand why I posted.

 

[kehonuamemano]

How each family chooses to vacation is a decision left to them, and frankly, isn't subject to your, or anyone else's, approval. If they and their children choose to do separate activities, then hooray! If they and their children choose to do everything together, then hooray! ......as long as it doesn't impact how you and your traveling party choose to participate in *your* vacation.

 

[JimGA]

For me, I have not sailed either ships, or even cruised at all, first one is in May on the Dream. I justified the extra $ for a DCL for the experience and enjoyment that our kids 8 and 11 will have and that my wife and I will enjoy. Granted, we could have gone on a Carnival Cruise or Royal Carribean for at least $1,000 for the same crusie length.

I read your itinerary and the I love the DCL one better, way better, Princess seems to be real heavy on Greece, DCL does go to Greece but only one port so you will be able to scratch that off the bucket list. Venice is awesome, I have been in March and we absolutely loved it, favorite place I have visited hands down, but I have heard not so good reviews in the summer time, extremely crowded and smelly, I have read to avoid Venice in the Summer months.

$4000 is a lot to think about, but it is about the same when you decided to book DCL vs. other cruise lines in the past.

From a itinerary and ship preference stanpoint I would go with DCL if money was not an issue.

 

[Justacruiser]

I did not intend to hurt feelings at all. My point was as you stated to show your DD the video and explain the joy of being someplace new and exciting.

And yes price is a huge issue, especially with kids. I hope your family has enjoyable cruise on whatever line you choose to cruise.

 

[luv2sleep]

I don't really get this thread Luv2Sleep. I keep reading the $4,000 extra cost. And if you child will be happy with the choice you want to make with another cruise line.

Here is a solution. Take her to the Princess web site and show her around the ship. If she says yes, book away. If she says NO, then you decide if her vote counts. If it does, do a cruise within the budget you have and save some money for future cruises.

To me, reading this thread, she says No. Then get over the Princess stuff one way or the other. And figure out what is best for your budget. I did for my DD for years. Now she is out on her own and we take her once a year. But the other things, to include my DCL cruises is up to my DW and I.

Also, too many folks, let DCL watch their kids while the adult is on vacation. Split the time that kids stay with DCL and do things when your child is around that will gain their interest.

I know you will do the right thing.

Haha, I'm not the OP but her questions caught my eye because I recently went through the Princess vs DCL debate myself last month. I was trying to help her out. People have posted a lot of positive things that helps, her, me and I'm sure anyone else considering Princess or DCL. For me specifically it's about how much there is to keep my son and I entertained together as a family. Kids clubs are probably all fine when they are in there but I don't send my son to the clubs all day. Just a couple hours at a day. On a Disney ship the Navigator is packed with things for us to do together. On long consecutive sea days this is important to me. I spend a lot on Disney pretty much for that reason. People keep saying how great the clubs are but what ELSE is there to do? That's always my question. I think in terms of that issue Royal Caribbean is a very close second on their larger ships.

 

[kehonuamemano]

I did not intend to hurt feelings at all. My point was as you stated to show your DD the video and explain the joy of being someplace new and exciting.

And yes price is a huge issue, especially with kids. I hope your family has enjoyable cruise on whatever line you choose to cruise.

No apology needed, you are certainly entitled to your own opinion and they did not hurt my feelings.
Everyone's family situation is different. Our daugther is an only child, and gets a lot of time individually and together as a family. The kids club is really an opportunity for her to meet other kids which she enjoys. Possibly because she is an only child maybe she spends more time in the kids club, by choice, so she can be with kids her own age.

 

[kehonuamemano]

People keep saying how great the clubs are but what ELSE is there to do? That's always my question. I think in terms of that issue Royal Caribbean is a very close second on their larger ships.

I agree and hope that if anyone else who has sailed Princess with kids is reading this thread I would love to hear about the other activities for kids and families besides the clubs.

 

[luv2sleep]

Btw, this thread actually has me considering the 2 week Hawaii Princess trip again during winter break. Glad to see that the kids clubs are really good. With a decent pool with a shallow end I think we'd be ok.

 

[kehonuamemano]

Btw, this thread actually has me considering the 2 week Hawaii Princess trip again during winter break. Glad to see that the kids clubs are really good. With a decent pool with a shallow end I think we'd be ok.

That sounds fun! where does it embark from? Also, I noticed you have an Aulani badge on your profile. have you stayed there? planning to stay?

 

[luv2sleep]

That sounds fun! where does it embark from? Also, I noticed you have an Aulani badge on your profile. have you stayed there? planning to stay?

It departs from Los Angeles. I live 55 miles from port so it's convenient. I own DVC points at Aulani. Just bought them last year. I've been once. It's very nice.

 

[kehonuamemano]

It departs from Los Angeles. I live 55 miles from port so it's convenient. I own DVC points at Aulani. Just bought them last year. I've been once. It's very nice.

Im from Hawaii and we tend to stay with family when we go home but my DH really wants to stay at Aulani. It's quite expensive.

 

[luv2sleep]

Im from Hawaii and we tend to stay with family when we go home but my DH really wants to stay at Aulani. It's quite expensive.

Ooooh! Where are you from? I'm on the mobile ap so I can't see locations.

It's very expensive! The DVC points definitely help. I could see staying 2-3 night cash and either staying somewhere else on the island or hopping to a different island. They have discounts in the off season though too. I'd also keep checking for those.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I don't really get this thread Luv2Sleep. I keep reading the $4,000 extra cost. And if you child will be happy with the choice you want to make with another cruise line.

Here is a solution. Take her to the Princess web site and show her around the ship. If she says yes, book away. If she says NO, then you decide if her vote counts. If it does, do a cruise within the budget you have and save some money for future cruises.

To me, reading this thread, she says No. Then get over the Princess stuff one way or the other. And figure out what is best for your budget. I did for my DD for years. Now she is out on her own and we take her once a year. But the other things, to include my DCL cruises is up to my DW and I.

Also, too many folks, let DCL watch their kids while the adult is on vacation. Split the time that kids stay with DCL and do things when your child is around that will gain their interest.

I know you will do the right thing.

Maybe it's me.... but If she says "NO" then I would be asking her for the $4,000.


Sorry, but in my world kids get a vote not VETO power and that vote is predicated on some conditions. If this is the vacation I want to pay for then get to go.

 

[woody73]

Btw, this thread actually has me considering the 2 week Hawaii Princess trip again during winter break. . .

Last month we went on a Princess 14-night Hawaii cruise, and were very pleased. The cruise fare was a bargain.

. . . I own DVC points at Aulani. Just bought them last year. I've been once. It's very nice.

On our day in Honolulu, we visited Aulani. We walked around the public areas (lobby and pools), enjoyed lunch at 'Ama'Ama, went to the shop (bought items exclusive to Aulani), and had photos taken with Mickey.

. . . my DH really wants to stay at Aulani. It's quite expensive.

Just like DCL.

Woody

 

[mickey2000]

I also like Princess . Alaska (Glacier Bay) and Panama Canal thru the locks !

Disney is very good however there are other great ships!
IMO Celebrity is also very good!


MY SERVER ON PRINCESS CRUISE ALASKA ! LOL

 

[kehonuamemano]

Ooooh! Where are you from? I'm on the mobile ap so I can't see locations.

It's very expensive! The DVC points definitely help. I could see staying 2-3 night cash and either staying somewhere else on the island or hopping to a different island. They have discounts in the off season though too. I'd also keep checking for those.

I grew up in Oahu and mostly lived in Mililani and Wahiawa, and then on Schofield when I married my DH, he's Active Army. A lot of my family lives in Hilo and Kona on the Big Island. But my dad's side of the family is townie from Honolulu, Aiea, and Pearl City. Ad my father spent a lot of time in my younger years traveling for work to the outer islands, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and even Lanai (he was in the hotel industry) so I really grew up all over the state.

My DH, DD, and I have lived in Boston, MA since 2000. I love it here but not when it's snowing in March.

 

[kehonuamemano]

I also like Princess . Alaska (Glacier Bay) and Panama Canal thru the locks !

Disney is very good however there are other great ships!
IMO Celebrity is also very good!


MY SERVER ON PRINCESS CRUISE ALASKA ! LOL

That picture is awesome!!! Thank you for sharing. Im dying right now!