Carnival Cruise vs. DCL

[justmestace]

Originally Posted by Tonka's Skipper

I do know you love the Magic, Carnivial that is! In all honesty, the pictures you posted did show a pretty vessel.( gee did I say that *G*)

My congradulations to your son!, We were very impressed with our sons Air Force Graduation in San Antonio!

AKK

8 weeks from today!! Not that I'm counting..... He's our baby, and only boy, so I'm missing my buddy.

And I DO love Disney's Magic, too. I really like the "classic" ships much better than the Dream....haven't been on the Fantasy, but I was glad to see they made a few changes in the adult pool area and by adding Satellite Falls.

[ilovetexas]

Originally Posted by disneylover2170

Yes totally kid friendly and adult too it is worth the money way better than a carnival cruise they even have their own island and your hour yr old can see all the characters and all of the crew on the ship are very very nice they will do whatever u want them to do its awesome!!!!

Carnival has their own island (shared with HAL, who uses it infrequently), RCI has their own island (shared with Celebrity, who uses it infrequently), Princess has their own island, and Norwegian has their own island.

DCL crew will not do "whatever you want them to" any more than any other cruise line would. Like all lines I've sailed with, they do accommodate any request possible.

You are right that it's an awesome cruise and they do have the Disney characters. Seeing the little girls interact with the princesses on Wonder was one of my favorite cruise memories. That and Stitch belly sliding down the stairs into the lobby!

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[ilovetexas]

Originally Posted by dan and scott

WHOOOOAAA! My post was not intended to be a "snarky" post.
We have been posting on these boards since 97 and don't pretend to no everything about DCL just stating what I recall. I must have not had all the "facts" correct.--Sorry
Rememberd the buckled stack as it was so ugly sailing a beautiful ship.

Scott

Your post wasn't snarky. I was going to reply earlier with a LONG list of fires, drugs, drinking, arrests, sexual misconduct etc. (complete with links to actual news sites, as opposed to just my opinion) on DCL but I refrained. Some posters are convinced that Carnival is dangerous and DCL is safe and comments to the contrary are met with resistance.

To each his own, don't worry about it.

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[quentina]

I have done Disney, Carnival and RC. All kids clubs were great!

[Tonka's Skipper]

Originally Posted by justmestace

8 weeks from today!! Not that I'm counting..... He's our baby, and only boy, so I'm missing my buddy.

And I DO love Disney's Magic, too. I really like the "classic" ships much better than the Dream....haven't been on the Fantasy, but I was glad to see they made a few changes in the adult pool area and by adding Satellite Falls.

Satellite falls was great.............best place to hang for us older folks. I still cant understand the position of the elevator doors by the Adult pool.

AKK

[justmestace]

Originally Posted by Tonka's Skipper

Satellite falls was great.............best place to hang for us older folks. I still cant understand the position of the elevator doors by the Adult pool.

AKK

When I was on the Dream, I sat in the loungers up there....there was only ever one other person up there at the same time. And when I got too hot, I used the outdoor shower that was there to cool off.
As I was up there, I really thought alot about what DCL could have done differently. It seemed like a neglected space to me. Maybe add some shade/rain covers, a water feature....and low and behold!!!....they must have realized it themselves!
Going back on the Dream next fall, and I sure wish they'd make the changes up there, that they added to the Fantasy.

[Tonka's Skipper]

Originally Posted by justmestace

When I was on the Dream, I sat in the loungers up there....there was only ever one other person up there at the same time. And when I got too hot, I used the outdoor shower that was there to cool off.
As I was up there, I really thought alot about what DCL could have done differently. It seemed like a neglected space to me. Maybe add some shade/rain covers, a water feature....and low and behold!!!....they must have realized it themselves!
Going back on the Dream next fall, and I sure wish they'd make the changes up there, that they added to the Fantasy.

I beleive that next year she goes into the yard for the first time, hopefully they will add the features .

AKK

[Docmom]

Disney Magic, Wonder and Dream got rated top 1,2&3 large cruise ships (Fantasy was #8) on recent Conde Nast Traveller poll. Wouldn't let me post links but google Conde Nast Traveller and 2013 top cruise ship poll.

I went on a Carnival cruise years ago when I was single. Seemed more of a party cruise to me. Did Princess with hubby over a decade ago..also seemed more adult oriented. Could be both of my observations were because we did adult things. Going on first family Disney cruise in April...Wonder 5 day western Caribbean out of Miami. I'm finishing chemo in March and is a combo celebration cruise and birthday cruise (mine in April, DD 10th in March, DD 8th last December and DH Dec also). DCL seems to have the perfect combo of family, adult and kid friendly activities. I understand the cost issues but we got a great deal with kids sail free. Looking at both Carnival and Princess I think the Disney cost is comparable with the special. Agree the other ships have more variety in their ports but we're mostly going for the cruise experience, especially since I have some limitations on what activities I can do and how far I can walk. That being said, we've never been to Cozumel so that will be a new port. I went to Grand Cayman on the carnival cruise and really enjoyed it; will be fun to experience it as a family.

Your son is at the wonder years age. If he likes the Disney characters then I'd say the DCL cruise is worth the cost. Life is short...build memories! My DDs are still in the age of innocence too and love the Disney characters. We're all looking forward to our cruise!

[CMOORE185]

Here is my biased opinion. I am a DCL snob. I will cruise on no other cruise line. I gladly pay extra for it. Oh, I also am a Disney vacation club owner. I love all that is Disney.

[mcmckuf]

I've been on both several times. Carnival overall is not geared to the younger crowd where Disney is. The shows, environment (smoking & Casinos), clubs, entertainment on deck, etc.

Last year we did one of each. Normally it's just Disney at Spring break but we had to get away and Carnival is much cheaper for last minute cruises.

Did my kids (DD3 and DD10) enjoy Carnival? Yes, for the slides and deck buffets. No for the clubs, MDR (80's anyone?) and the deck parties were out of hand for their age range. I just don't care to have my daughters around that kind of entertainment. Very inappropriate.

Disney is our default. Each to his own....

[jahber]

At my husband's request, our next cruise is on the Carnival Dream in March. The total price came to more than $2000 less than the Fantasy, with some ports we didn't see on our Fantasy Western last year. We definitely wanted to sail in March, so it was kind of a no-brainer. I have high hopes for a great trip and my kids are beyond excited about the water play area/slides and different kids' clubs. My husband (who is Indian) is looking forward to the better variety of food options, especially ethnic foods.

As you can see from my signature (3 DCL in 6 months), I fell in love with DCL last year, but now I am forced to play the waiting game on a price I'm willing to pay. Those *GT and FL resident rates will come, but I can't wait until then! The only solution: cruise another line. And when another awesome deal pops up, sail DCL again. It's the best of both worlds.

[stmize]

Haven't read all the way thru this thread but I have cruised on dcl then carnival and absolutely hated it. It just seemed trashy and very outdated.

[CanuckTraveller]

Originally Posted by ilovetexas

Carnival has their own island (shared with HAL, who uses it infrequently), RCI has their own island (shared with Celebrity, who uses it infrequently), Princess has their own island, and Norwegian has their own island.

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Ironically, the RCCL and NCL islands are right next to each other. We were at GSC in January on the NCL Jewel and there were two RCCL ships anchored next to us tendering their passengers to their island. We were joking that they could share tender boats they are so close

[ilovetexas]

Originally Posted by CanuckTraveller

Ironically, the RCCL and NCL islands are right next to each other. We were at GSC in January on the NCL Jewel and there were two RCCL ships anchored next to us tendering their passengers to their island. We were joking that they could share tender boats they are so close

I noticed that when we were tendering to Coco Cay, there was a big Norwegian ship right next to us. RCCL's island, prior to them renaming it, was Little Stirrup Cay. I guess Norwegian got the big one (GSC).

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[Rogillio]

Originally Posted by avinsmomma

I've cruised twice with Carnival and found it enjoyable both times. However I was going with another adult and spent time on grown up activities. I can get a much better rate thru Carnival but I have a son who will be 4 who will be traveling with us this time. Has anyone cruised both WITH children? Is the cost worth it to go with DCL? Why do you think so?

Thanks!

The term "grown up activities" amuses me. I don't guess I will ever grow up. :-). What exactly does that mean anyway? Drinking, gambling, clubbing, R-rated movies, burlesque shows, vulgar/profane comedians?