Bye Bye Disney and Hello Carnival - The DIS Discussion Forums

JamesMom · 11-16-2009, 03:09 PM

It was a sad decision to make, but it had to be made.

I was sent a PIN code for 40% off deluxe and promptly made a reservation for 8 nights for first week of May at BLT 1BD. I paid my deposit, made my ADRs and started planning my days.

Then I added it up. Between hotel, tickets, dining, airfare, and... and ...
I wasn't excited about going anymore.

So I have been getting emails about cruise rates. Never been on a cruise - hubby or myself.

I researched Disney cruises - cost as much as WDW - not much help.

Checked out Carnival and we are sold.
Five night cruise to Mexico from Galveston with a balcony room on a 2009 rennovated vessle - no airfare needed, dinning plan & entertainment included and kids club. Even with paying tips, drinks, passports & Parking (not looking at exercusions - been to Mexico before - just want a beach) - the trip will be less than HALF of WDW (~40% of Disney, actually). Granted its three nights less, but it's a CRUISE.

Now, I'm excited about the trip and the money we will be saving.

Sorry, Disney, maybe next year...

Malisa · 11-16-2009, 03:13 PM

Have fun! I went on a Carnival cruise for my honeymoon and I enjoyed it (although I can't say I didn't wish I was at disney... sigh) Are you getting a balconey or window room? Oh and I really did enjoy the food on Carnival. I know a lot of people complain that the other cruise lines are better but I thought the food was good. Then again I've never been on another cruise line so I can't really compare.

It will be nice to try something new!

leslie826 · 11-16-2009, 03:20 PM

You'll have a blast! This will be our first trip to Disney, so I can't say I won't change my mind, but as of now I plan on next year's vacay being a cruise!! You'll have to tell us all about it.

G's mommy · 11-16-2009, 03:24 PM

Cruises are awesome, we've been on 5 so far. We did the Disney cruise twice when my son was 3 and 4, then went on Carnival when he was 5, then RCCL for the last two cruises when he was more like 7 and 8. We enjoyed every one of them, they were all fun in their own right. Have fun.

thebeesknees · 11-16-2009, 03:34 PM

Ooh! Have fun! My DH surprised me with a Carnival cruise for our anniversary one year and we had a blast! The food was so delicious, and when he found out he could order more than one entree at dinner, DH was thrilled! Ever since we got back, I've been trying to figure out a way to go again.

NCRedding · 11-16-2009, 03:43 PM

We did a carnival cruise last year and had a wonderful time. I thought I would miss Disney, but the experience is so different, I didn't. Food is awesome, and the entertainment was so varied. Be warned though if travelling with kids, if they put an age on the show, listen. The adult comedians were hilarious but so raunchy!!

AllesonWonderland · 11-16-2009, 03:55 PM

Have fun!! Are you going on the Conquest? We sailed on her last spring break, the kids had an awesome time.

eliza61 · 11-16-2009, 04:15 PM

You definitely didn't compromise. Cruises are great!! You'll have a great time.
I love Disney but there is a lot of great times out there in the world.

smacky1 · 11-16-2009, 04:17 PM

Yay for you! You know you made the right decision not based on the money you are saving, but because you are EXCITED about it!! Thats what vacations are for. We cruise Carnival last year and had a great time. They are very affordable and we were able to get a balcony during Presidents week without breaking the bank!

mrsklamc · 11-16-2009, 04:25 PM

I don't think you will regret that decision. We have cruised w/ another line and then once this year with Disney. I don't see us spending the money again to cruise Disney vs. another line.

TXMouseChaser · 11-16-2009, 04:25 PM

We just got back from a 5 day cruise out of Galveston on the Carnival Ecstasy. We went to Cozumel and Progresso. We were the first group on after all the renovations! We loved it! We didn't stay in balcony room but I toured all the different kind of rooms on the last day. You will love it and it was such a great bargain!

Send me a message if you want any info or have any questions!

happymommy · 11-16-2009, 04:41 PM

Well, we've been to Disney so many times (but always on a strict budget, despite my signature). We did the Disney cruise with another family of 4 in 2008, and although I loved seeing the other family, my husband hated it (one of the issues was that something serious came up at work and he really really needed to be in Arizona, not on a cruise!). I thought Disney was fine for a cruise, but my kids were really a bit old for their programs. My son hated them, so he hung out by himself or with us (no fun for an 11 year old) and my DD hung out with the other girl, as they were both 9. The 7 year old loved the program - we hardly saw her!

I'm looking possibly at a Carnival cruise from Baltimore (half hour from my house) next spring - cost is a fraction of any other vacation. I'm waiting till the last minute, and my DH won't probably be going.

One thing I loved was that my kids could order room service (we must have used that at least 4 times a day!) or go anywhere, and they didn't need extra money.

I think you'll have a great time! We had connecting inside cabins, as even all 4 of us sharing a balcony cabin on Disney would have cost us so much! Still it was at least $1200 per person this way. Balcony was so much more. You will love a balcony! If we do the spring one, that is what we'll do.

Have a great time. You can do Disney again, too! Especially when you have kids. Also, we have stayed frequently at the Swan and Dolphin to save money.

JamesMom · 11-16-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXMouseChaser

We just got back from a 5 day cruise out of Galveston on the Carnival Ecstasy. We went to Cozumel and Progresso. We were the first group on after all the renovations! We loved it! We didn't stay in balcony room but I toured all the different kind of rooms on the last day. You will love it and it was such a great bargain!

Send me a message if you want any info or have any questions!

OP here.

Glad you had a great time. This is exactly what ship/port/itenery we are going on! Sat - Thurs.
And I might take you up on your offer to pick your brain. I'm looking at a balcony stateroom mid ship on Empress deck - it'll be 5 rooms down from a bar, elevator and internet cafe - we should be set, lol
I want to see pictures of the rooms with the 'top' bunks down over the lower beds and the door to balcony.
-It won't be too cramped with the 4 of us (two boys aged 7 and 4), right?
-Which is best: port or starboard?
-Any execursions that simply go to a beach? How much?
-How much were the drink cards for soda? juice? per day? per adult/child?
- Did you use kids clubs? Were they well staffed and entertaining?
-Do you really have to dress up for formal nights (ie, gowns cocktail dresses, suits, or will polo shirts do?)
I have plenty of questions

SnowWhite607 · 11-16-2009, 05:37 PM

we are doing the same thing. we have done Disney 6 times in the past 5 years and hubby wanted a change this year. We usually spend at least $5000on a week at Disney. (deluxe resort, rent a car service from the airport, plane tickets, meal plan, etc) We had cruised before (although not with DD, before she was born) and for the 3 of us, we are cruising for a week out of N.O. for about half that. Cozumel, Belize and Roaton (Honduras).

I miss Disney but I am saving a bunch too! We'll be back to Disney in 2011 though.

happymommy · 11-16-2009, 05:41 PM

Sorry - didn't realize you had kids.

11-16-2009, 03:09 PM	#1
JamesMom DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 562	Bye Bye Disney and Hello Carnival It was a sad decision to make, but it had to be made. I was sent a PIN code for 40% off deluxe and promptly made a reservation for 8 nights for first week of May at BLT 1BD. I paid my deposit, made my ADRs and started planning my days. Then I added it up. Between hotel, tickets, dining, airfare, and... and ... I wasn't excited about going anymore. So I have been getting emails about cruise rates. Never been on a cruise - hubby or myself. I researched Disney cruises - cost as much as WDW - not much help. Checked out Carnival and we are sold. Five night cruise to Mexico from Galveston with a balcony room on a 2009 rennovated vessle - no airfare needed, dinning plan & entertainment included and kids club. Even with paying tips, drinks, passports & Parking (not looking at exercusions - been to Mexico before - just want a beach) - the trip will be less than HALF of WDW (~40% of Disney, actually). Granted its three nights less, but it's a CRUISE. Now, I'm excited about the trip and the money we will be saving. Sorry, Disney, maybe next year... __________________ James (and now John!)'s Mom -------------- Trip Report: December 14-20, 2008 - Mother and Son (6yo) at Contemporary w/Free Dinning http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2038015

11-16-2009, 03:20 PM	#3
leslie826 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NoVA Posts: 160	You'll have a blast! This will be our first trip to Disney, so I can't say I won't change my mind, but as of now I plan on next year's vacay being a cruise!! You'll have to tell us all about it. __________________ Me DH DD4 DD3

11-16-2009, 03:24 PM	#4
G's mommy DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: GA, USA Posts: 1,521	Cruises are awesome, we've been on 5 so far. We did the Disney cruise twice when my son was 3 and 4, then went on Carnival when he was 5, then RCCL for the last two cruises when he was more like 7 and 8. We enjoyed every one of them, they were all fun in their own right. Have fun. __________________ Me DH DS (13)

11-16-2009, 03:34 PM	#5
thebeesknees Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 358	Ooh! Have fun! My DH surprised me with a Carnival cruise for our anniversary one year and we had a blast! The food was so delicious, and when he found out he could order more than one entree at dinner, DH was thrilled! Ever since we got back, I've been trying to figure out a way to go again. __________________ Me DH DS7 DD5 DS1

11-16-2009, 03:43 PM	#6
NCRedding I've strayed Found DH's pause button. Looking for fast forward Prep H works Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: NC, USA Posts: 4,370	We did a carnival cruise last year and had a wonderful time. I thought I would miss Disney, but the experience is so different, I didn't. Food is awesome, and the entertainment was so varied. Be warned though if travelling with kids, if they put an age on the show, listen. The adult comedians were hilarious but so raunchy!! __________________

11-16-2009, 03:13 PM	#2
Malisa Busy med student that loves Disney! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: KY Posts: 105	Have fun! I went on a Carnival cruise for my honeymoon and I enjoyed it (although I can't say I didn't wish I was at disney... sigh) Are you getting a balconey or window room? Oh and I really did enjoy the food on Carnival. I know a lot of people complain that the other cruise lines are better but I thought the food was good. Then again I've never been on another cruise line so I can't really compare. It will be nice to try something new!

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11-16-2009, 03:55 PM	#7
AllesonWonderland DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springdale, AR (But a Husker girl at heart!) Posts: 854	Have fun!! Are you going on the Conquest? We sailed on her last spring break, the kids had an awesome time. __________________ March 2007/Spring Break Our first trip to WDW!!

11-16-2009, 04:15 PM	#8
eliza61 We're Americans, we're survivors Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 8,015	You definitely didn't compromise. Cruises are great!! You'll have a great time. I love Disney but there is a lot of great times out there in the world. __________________ "If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with"~ Michael Jackson

11-16-2009, 04:17 PM	#9
smacky1 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 1,346	Yay for you! You know you made the right decision not based on the money you are saving, but because you are EXCITED about it!! Thats what vacations are for. We cruise Carnival last year and had a great time. They are very affordable and we were able to get a balcony during Presidents week without breaking the bank! __________________ DH ME DD5 DS3 8/99 Swan ,9/00 Port Orleans Riverside and Disney Magic honeymoon trip...purchased our DVC membership at BWV, 9/01 BWV, 1/02 Disney Wonder, 1/04 Disney Wonder, 10/05 BWV, 9/06 OKW, 1/08 OKW and Pop, 9/08 BCV, AsMo and SSR Jan 2009, Feb 2009 Vero Beach, Sept 2009 BLT and BCV. Next Trip: March 2010 Windsor Hills Storybook Townhouse #4 Sept 2010 BWV

11-16-2009, 04:25 PM	#10
mrsklamc I apologize in advance, but what is a click clack? Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Husker living in Hoosierland. Posts: 3,311	I don't think you will regret that decision. We have cruised w/ another line and then once this year with Disney. I don't see us spending the money again to cruise Disney vs. another line. __________________ My blog

11-16-2009, 04:25 PM	#11
TXMouseChaser Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 55	We just got back from a 5 day cruise out of Galveston on the Carnival Ecstasy. We went to Cozumel and Progresso. We were the first group on after all the renovations! We loved it! We didn't stay in balcony room but I toured all the different kind of rooms on the last day. You will love it and it was such a great bargain! Send me a message if you want any info or have any questions! __________________ Always chasing the mouse!

11-16-2009, 04:41 PM	#12
happymommy DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,092	Well, we've been to Disney so many times (but always on a strict budget, despite my signature). We did the Disney cruise with another family of 4 in 2008, and although I loved seeing the other family, my husband hated it (one of the issues was that something serious came up at work and he really really needed to be in Arizona, not on a cruise!). I thought Disney was fine for a cruise, but my kids were really a bit old for their programs. My son hated them, so he hung out by himself or with us (no fun for an 11 year old) and my DD hung out with the other girl, as they were both 9. The 7 year old loved the program - we hardly saw her! I'm looking possibly at a Carnival cruise from Baltimore (half hour from my house) next spring - cost is a fraction of any other vacation. I'm waiting till the last minute, and my DH won't probably be going. One thing I loved was that my kids could order room service (we must have used that at least 4 times a day!) or go anywhere, and they didn't need extra money. I think you'll have a great time! We had connecting inside cabins, as even all 4 of us sharing a balcony cabin on Disney would have cost us so much! Still it was at least $1200 per person this way. Balcony was so much more. You will love a balcony! If we do the spring one, that is what we'll do. Have a great time. You can do Disney again, too! Especially when you have kids. Also, we have stayed frequently at the Swan and Dolphin to save money. __________________ me dh dd10 ds13 Previous WDW vacations include: CR as a child with parents 1992 offsite twice 1993 Honeymoon offsite then moved to GF 1995 BC 1996 SOG 2000 GF 2001 BWV 2003 (spring break) CR 2003 (summer) AKL 2003 (Christmas break including NYE) AKL concierge 2005 summer BWV 2006 April Swan 2006 August Dolphin 2007 March AKL 2007 August Dolphin 2008 March 7 Night Western on the Magic 2008 August (The Dark Side) PBH 2008 Dec BWI 2009 March Swan

11-16-2009, 05:37 PM	#14
SnowWhite607 Kindergarten teacher, Disney lover Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,089	we are doing the same thing. we have done Disney 6 times in the past 5 years and hubby wanted a change this year. We usually spend at least $5000on a week at Disney. (deluxe resort, rent a car service from the airport, plane tickets, meal plan, etc) We had cruised before (although not with DD, before she was born) and for the 3 of us, we are cruising for a week out of N.O. for about half that. Cozumel, Belize and Roaton (Honduras). I miss Disney but I am saving a bunch too! We'll be back to Disney in 2011 though. __________________ 1976-offsite, 1985-offsite, April 1986-AS Sports, 1990 - AS Sports, Dec 1998 - AS Sports, June 2005 with DD for the first time - AS Music, July 2006 - Caribbean Beach/Coronado Springs, July 2007 Poly, June 2008 - Animal Kingdom Lodge/Grand Floridian , Feb 2009 - Pop! June 2009 - Beach Club

11-16-2009, 05:41 PM	#15
happymommy DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,092	Sorry - didn't realize you had kids. __________________ me dh dd10 ds13 Previous WDW vacations include: CR as a child with parents 1992 offsite twice 1993 Honeymoon offsite then moved to GF 1995 BC 1996 SOG 2000 GF 2001 BWV 2003 (spring break) CR 2003 (summer) AKL 2003 (Christmas break including NYE) AKL concierge 2005 summer BWV 2006 April Swan 2006 August Dolphin 2007 March AKL 2007 August Dolphin 2008 March 7 Night Western on the Magic 2008 August (The Dark Side) PBH 2008 Dec BWI 2009 March Swan

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