Disney Cruise vs. Carnival

[jfahome]

Since most of the comparisons have been covered I'll just say this: we cruised CCL for our honeymoon 10 years ago and other than it being our honeymoon-WE HATED IT! Many of the reasons covered above. But we have now sailed DCL 5 times, with 2 upcoming planned and we would NEVER go on another cruise line! We love everything about Disney and would love to be able to do more!!

 

[NancyIL]

A great experience can be had on any cruise ship for any cruiseline. I have been on 6 Carnival, 5 RCCL with number 6 scheduled for next year, 4 Princess, 4 NCL, 2 Disney and one Celebrity. My cruises have ranged from a 3 night DCL cruise to several 14 night Princess cruises. My itineraries have included the Caribbean, Bahamas, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, and British Isles.

At no time do I compare any of the other cruiselines to Disney as to me I do Disney in order to have a Disney experience and not really for the itinerary. I like all the cruiselines for different reasons and the truth is there are pluses and minuses with all of them including Disney. The food to me is pretty much about the same on all of them. I truly love a Disney experience, but I can go on a couple of Carnival cruises for the price of a Disney cruise and since I like to cruise a lot, I'm more likely to go for the cheaper cruise. I rarely drink on a cruise and I sail Carnival. I honestly don't see any more drinking on a Carnival ship as I do other cruiselines.

A cruise is what you make of it. No two ships and no two cruise experiences will ever be the same, even on the same ship (variety/number of cruise activities, cruise staff, food, etc. all change). You can't judge a whole cruiseline by one ship and by one cruise experience. For me when I am looking up a ship online, I look to see how well-maintained it is as I've been on a few that weren't maintained and didn't care for them; I have been on a ship both when it was new and when it was old and loved it much more when it was new. I really like how when I'm on a Princess ship they are always cleaning/polishing it up. I love the beautiful RCCL Jewel of the Seas which I went on in April and it kind of made the DCL Magic which I went on in August look old. Btw, one of my favorite ships is the Carnival Glory, it is not gaudy or Las Vegas looking at all, and it is well-maintained. I've been on that ship twice to Canada and would say both times there was a nice group of passengers.

I've been cruising since I was 14 and my first ship I would still consider one of my favorite cruises (and one of the best food experiences I've had on any cruise), the NCL Starward which was under 20,000 tons. Cruising has changed a lot since then, some changes I've liked for the better and others not so much. But I don't think you can beat a cruise and so I will continue to keep on cruising regardless of the cruiseline.

If having a Disney experience when you travel is a must, then save for the Disney cruise. If having just a good cruise experience is all you want, then it can be found on any ship with any cruiseline. Figure out what you are most interested in (such as length of cruise, itinerary, cost, size of ship, "freestyle" vs. set time dining, ship features such as a skating rink, room size, age of ship, etc.), and then pick a cruise that seems to fit what you are looking for.

Have fun no matter what you choose.

Well said!

 

[Happy100]

Disney is probably better if you have younger kids. Young kids love Disney Characters and the clubs and castmembers know and understand kids likes and dislikes. If you young child(ren) has a good time then the adults will.
Once they get older I think another cruise line is completely fine.

We have only been on Disney and plan to continue with Disney at least to our child is around 10. Neither my husband or I drink really and we do not smoke or care for casinos. So we may not chose to do other cruise lines because of us rather then our son. We like that Disney uses their casino space for a movie theatre and other family oriented areas.

 

[ekatiel]

Regarding price, I have compared a few cruise lines and yes Disney is more, but it's not a LOT more which is what it looks like at first glance. The Disney site shows you the taxes and gov't fees in the price, most of the others don't. Also, the others have a lot of hidden fees like having to add on soda packages and such. When I priced it out, Carnival was still cheaper but not by huge figures. Royal Carribean was pretty close, maybe slightly under.

Carnival I completely decided not to use, partly for the party reputation (though I've read it's not that bad), but also...they are bugging me to death! lol I filled out a form for more info and they have been ringing my house twice a day despite me telling them no.

Royal Carribean looks good to me, but I've only really looked hard at the two biggest ships (which were more than Disney) and they look like shopping malls to me. I dunno, it just didn't call to me.

I plan to sail Disney at least twice, once on a smaller ship and once on a bigger. Aftr that, I will likely try Royal Carribean or something else and head to Europe. Unless the 2014 itenerary looks really good. 14 day cruises are too long for me.

Let's look at Miami, since the Wonder will be there in the late winter/early Spring, and since the Wonder is one of Disney's older ships and priced a bit cheaper than the Fantasy or Dream.

FIVE night on Carnival Destiny, departing 2/4/2013, for 4 in an interior cabin (I did not pick the cheapest sailing, either): $1209, taxes and fees INCLUDED.

FIVE night on the Disney Wonder, sailing on 2/2/2013. Same cabin of 4. $2,518.

That's a difference of $1309. The Carnival cruise is less than half as much. You sure do drink a lot of soda !!

OP-- We've sailed on Carnival 6 times (once with kids) and Royal 4 times (also once with kids). They were all great cruises. We do plan on trying Disney in 2014, just to say we've tried it, but other cruise lines are nothing to sneeze at. Will you have TWICE as much fun on Disney??!! Not sure. BTW-- In the same time frame, you can take an eight day Carnival cruise on the Breeze (also in Miami, but it is Carnival's newest ship with all the bells and whistles, and a lot less Vegasy than the others) for about $250 cheaper than the five day on the Wonder. $250 less, plus three more nights, newest ship. Hard to beat. --Katie

 

[usd2bmd]

We have not cruised on DCL, but we have cruised on CCL twice. We did not notice people drinking to excess. From what I understand DCL is not meant to be in the same category as CCl, NCL or even RCCL. they are meant to be in a class above them (and they are). Which is why they are that much more expensive.

The first time it was just my husband and I, and the 2nd we took our daughter who is 16. The activities and clubs for kids and teens are wonderful. My daughter made tons of friends that she still speaks to.

The first time we cruised we got a balcony stateroom, and we would never have anything else. That means that for our vacation dollar it will probably be CCL that we cruise with. Their fleet is much bigger than DCL which means they have more intineraries.

I would like to take a DCL cruise, but for the money they are asking we would have to not take a vacation for one and possibly two years to cruise the way we want to, and that just isn't something we are willing to do.

I ws more than happy with the service and the food so for my vacation dollar we will cruise on CCL.

 

[Bonniec]

You sure do drink a lot of soda !!

We do but not THAT much, lol. When I checked there was about a $500 difference but that was a few months ago. I didn't check anything out of Miami.

 

[Ellanora]

Hi OP. I've been on multiple Carnival and Disney cruises and loved them all. I would go on a hundred more per line (plus other cruiselines!!) if at all possible. There will always be fans of one, haters of one, lovers of both, haters of both.

Speaking as a lover of both, I think the best way to know what you like is to try them both. Carnival overall is generally a large amount cheaper than Disney overall, particularly for longer cruises. Yes, I do have more expenses on board Carnival due to having to pay for soda and alcoholic drinks are more expensive, but the overall price is still significantly less.

Try Carnival first. Try a 7 night on one of the bigger ships, newer or recently renovated. The Liberty is gorgeous, and the Dream, Magic, and Breeze are all newer. They all have the new Red Frog Pub, and the new Guy Fieri gourmet burger station (no charge.) Also, the Spirit class ships are more classically decorated and get high marks. For a first cruise, if you like beautiful beaches, try an Eastern itinerary, they have lots of blue water, white sand, and still other more active excursions available than just lying on the beach if you want them.

No doubt, Carnival is a cheaper line and the product provided is not the same as Disney. It is still a great value for the price! The rooms are not as well appointed though they are plenty comfortable. The bathroom isn't split into two, but it is a pretty decent sized room. The shows are more Vegas style than Broadway, but they can be a lot of fun. Carnival has done a great job of adding family-friendly, stand-up comedy acts to most nights. The kids clubs aren't as over-the-top as the Disney themed ones, but my son has always loved going to them. They are available most of the day and evening and sometimes late night as well. Food is so subjective but really the two lines are pretty comparable in having a few standout entrees each night. I personally give Carnival a smidgen of an edge here since they have instituted their new menus, but I've always found plenty of food to enjoy and never gone hungry on either line.

And don't let the posts about smoking put you off. Carnival has recently cracked down on smokers a good bit, which has caused some strife in their fan base. Only certain portions of the Casino, balconies, and some outside areas on one side of the ship are open to smoking. No more smoking in the piano bar, no more cigar bar, very little smoking inside at all.

Then, once you've tried Carnival at a decent price (and hopefully really enjoyed it ) work your way up to a Disney cruise. Try a 3 night during the cheap season, that's the only way we've been able to do our Disney cruises. They are amazing and wonderful, and I would love to do a 7 night on the Fantasy one day, but I wouldn't give up my very fun Carnival cruises!

 

[tajz90]

I did a price check a while back and it wasn't that much either. It was 500 to 800 diff depending on what level of sale you purchased with Carnival.

I like to save but I love Disney more and we are quite happy with the trips and Iten we have sailed with them. I won't take a WC year after year, but that's not a big deal. We take other vacations and when Disney offers something we want, we are on board.

Of course, if I'm dying to sail somewhere Disney isn't, I'm sailing RCCL (1st) or Carnival (2nd).

That being said, bring on 2014 itineraries.

 

[declansdad]

Everyone has there opinions on style and lines of a ship.. almost all carnival line vessels are boxy, square biult bus looking, las vegas chrome and glass as others here have stated, I disagree with you.

As to the drunks, others have agreed there are drunks and alot of parting ...........other have not. I never said every ship on every cruise is a drunk party.......but my 2 criusres of getting woke up every night will drunks bouncing off the bulkheads and U tubes videos will back my statements.

AKK

Many people on here you take every opportunity to disparage Carnival so everything you write has to be taken with a grain of salt. Curious as to when you 2 Carnival cruises happened?

 

[eggroll]

Good point- but I talk Disney to just about everyone, and the opinions I was referring to were from people I met out and about. I have talked to 4 parents at my kids' new school who swear by DCL. I am anxious to try it out for myself but have concerns about cruising with DS who has autism.

We went on the carnival magic for spring break. On that cruise they had a group called "autism on the seas".
The group handling these disabled children were top notch. I am not sure if they were carnival staff and trained medical staff or just carnival staff alone handling this big group. The counselers were very young so I doubt they were any kind of medical staff. But I will say they were patient, calm, interactive and attentive for these families.
The crew made sure the cruisers of the autism group and people around we're catered to and happy. They used the surrounding environments to help these kids and I was very impressed.
You may want to check for groups cruising like this. I think it may be great for the whole family.

 

[CajunMomof3]

We went on the carnival magic for spring break. On that cruise they had a group called "autism on the seas".
The group handling these disabled children were top notch.
You may want to check for groups cruising like this. I think it may be great for the whole family.

Thank you for this info. DH & I did a Carnival cruise last year just the 2 of us & really want to share that experience with our boys. An opportunity like the one you described would be perfect!

 

[TXDCLfan]

Carnival ships are very different from DCL. cCarnival are basicly, grudy, las vegas type floating buses. DCL have a much more classic feel to them, like the liners from the 1st part of the 20th. century. The interiors are art deco and that other french type, the name of which just went out of my head.

The DCL cruises are very different from most other lines they do *the disney exprience* and only Disney can do that.

DCL does have discounts and especailly at the times of year when schools are in session are cheaper. However in the long run Carnival was will be cheaper and you get what you pay for.

As others have said.....Carnival does often have a big drinking crowd, if your into that.....great!.. We enjoy a drink or 2 or even 3...but not the drunken crowds we saw on 2 carnival cruises.

Carnival has a safety issue of the last few years.

As you can guess we love DCL, but enjoy other lines like RCCL. IMHO, I would not sail carnival,..ever!, but RCCL does have better prices then DCL and offer a good criuse!

Which ever you go on!.....enjoy the one you pick and wait until to try the others before you compare !


AKK

I looked up the word "grudy" and can not find a definition, could you please define this word for me?

 

[TXDCLfan]

Everyone has there opinions on style and lines of a ship.. almost all carnival line vessels are boxy, square biult bus looking, las vegas chrome and glass as others here have stated, I disagree with you.

As to the drunks, others have agreed there are drunks and alot of parting ...........other have not. I never said every ship on every cruise is a drunk party.......but my 2 criusres of getting woke up every night will drunks bouncing off the bulkheads and U tubes videos will back my statements.

AKK

Yes you did imply that all Carnival ships are a "drunk party" when you made the statement..." Carnival does often have a big drinking crowd"

 

[TXDCLfan]

Carnival ships are very different from DCL. cCarnival are basicly, grudy, las vegas type floating buses. DCL have a much more classic feel to them, like the liners from the 1st part of the 20th. century. The interiors are art deco and that other french type, the name of which just went out of my head.

The DCL cruises are very different from most other lines they do *the disney exprience* and only Disney can do that.

DCL does have discounts and especailly at the times of year when schools are in session are cheaper. However in the long run Carnival was will be cheaper and you get what you pay for.

As others have said.....Carnival does often have a big drinking crowd, if your into that.....great!.. We enjoy a drink or 2 or even 3...but not the drunken crowds we saw on 2 carnival cruises.

Carnival has a safety issue of the last few years.

As you can guess we love DCL, but enjoy other lines like RCCL. IMHO, I would not sail carnival,..ever!, but RCCL does have better prices then DCL and offer a good criuse!

Which ever you go on!.....enjoy the one you pick and wait until to try the others before you compare !


AKK

Carnival Corp. is a cruise line that encompasses 5 separate cruise lines under one parent company and over all has a much larger fleet of ships than Disney with there 4 ships. With that said when you put this into proportion with the fleet sizes of each, the safety records are more likely equal.

You can not lay blame on Carnival Corp. for the Concordia accident as that was the result of a "rouge" captain. To blame Carnival for this would be like blaming a major airline if one of there captains "buzzed" a house of a friend .

 

[Ccann]

Good point- but I talk Disney to just about everyone, and the opinions I was referring to were from people I met out and about. I have talked to 4 parents at my kids' new school who swear by DCL. I am anxious to try it out for myself but have concerns about cruising with DS who has autism.

Disney does a great job, and I believe I read on the website about accommodating special needs, of any age.

I went on my first cruise in 2010 Disney. I don't think I can do anything else. My DH has been on carnivals and i loved listening to him the hole time planning knowing what cruises had to offer and etc. when we step foot on the DCL he was oh wow! And when one night I asked him to compare and he pointed out!
1. Accommodations are better quality
2. Food is better
These are my additions:
3. The restaurants feel like and act like 5star resturants.
4. The staff get to know you by name and begin to know what you what before you do***i added this one
5. Kids club I would t trust anyone else with my kids This is what Disney does cater to kids of all ages and heart!
6. You can't beat the activities on board the ships with Disney
7. 3 different pools to meet the needs of everyone
8. DCL is truly magical..

My DH did say the CC he went on the boat was dirty and old and was smelly!

I booked another Disney Cruise for 12/13 waiting for 1/14 dates to come out to switch so we can go for DS 5th birthday.

You really need to go on Disneys website and google pictures of the ships to kind of get an idea for the differences. I think the extra money is worth the service and the experience your getting with Disney. The shows are great the kids got to go to bed with a Movie that wasn't even out in theaters yet. There's just so much to experience. That we didn't have time for. This te around we are going to experience more of the adult activities on DCL..

If you go during a non peak time, yes your paying more than CC at that time but maybe your no peak time for Disney will Cost the same for peak time with CC.
Good luck planning!!!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Many people on here you take every opportunity to disparage Carnival so everything you write has to be taken with a grain of salt. Curious as to when you 2 Carnival cruises happened?

Thank you for your opinion and attack.


As I have the proof and others repeating similiar expreinces and 43 years in the Maritime industry, including sea time, marine survey/consultant and casualty/accident investigation.......not to mention the saftey issues...I think I'll take your attack at a grain of salt.


If you like carnival.........great...............enjoy, but I feel it is wrong to attack others and stalk me becuase we have issues with Carnival and offer a different opinion.

AKK

 

[Tinknalli]

For reference sake our CCL was in 2001. Our DCL cruise was April this year. Both times on ships less than 2 months old.
Our experience on CCL was such that we did not cruise again for 11 years. Our experience on CCL was that the ship while new, was not kept clean. You could go up on deck at night to walk and there would be dishes and trash everywhere from earlier in the day that no one had taken the time to pick up. The ship smelled bad. Not only did it have the sewage smell in the cabins that also plagues many ships on many lines, but there was smell even up on the decks. There were a few bright spots in the food (24 hour pizza and a deli where they would make subs), but overall the food was not very good. Dining room staff was not up to par. I was pregnant and was not drinking alcohol or caffeine and had a difficult time getting beverages because they were not put on a bar tab. We did not have children at the time so no experience with the kids clubs. There was so little on the cruise that interested us that we ended up carrying a deck of cards everywhere we went. Lots of people drinking and smoking everywhere. Lots of unattended small children. Entertainment that was not family friendly (hairy chest contests, how much fruit can you stuff in your bathing suit etc). The evening shows with the exception of a magic show were horrible and was the same line of dancers every night do the same thing in different costumes. Cabin was OK and the cabin steward kept things top notch clean, but we never got to know him or even see him to make special requests. We did shore excursions and we were on old school buses that were on the scary side. Such that they had cases of oil sitting next to the driver and I worried we might not get back to the ship. Again, reference is 11 years ago. Things may have changed, but not sure we would give it a shot again. We do not want our kids in that environment

DCL in April, food was good (although not pizza). Service was top notch. Shows were great. Plenty to do. While expensive the shore excursions were well run. Saw 2 smokers the whole week and this when we wandered into a smoking area by accident. Cabin and ship was nicer (decor). Can't wait to book for 2014. The kids say it was the best vacation they have ever been on.

 

[declansdad]

Thank you for your opinion and attack.


As I have the proof and others repeating similiar expreinces and 43 years in the Maritime industry, including sea time, marine survey/consultant and casualty/accident investigation.......not to mention the saftey issues...I think I'll take your attack at a grain of salt.


If you like carnival.........great...............enjoy, but I feel it is wrong to attack others and stalk me becuase we have issues with Carnival and offer a different opinion.

AKK

When was the last time you sailed with Carnival?

By the way, I wasn't attacking you. Don't you take issue with Carnival every time someone asks about them? I seem to recall that you do and the people who sail with them.

 

[Rogillio]

You and your children will be missing out on something REALLY big if you sail with Carnival instead of Disney. It's not just the characters, it's the atmosphere....from the moment you walk into the terminal to the moment your leave.

You walk out of a movie that touched almost every emotion you are capable of; you laughed, you cried, you giggled, you sighed and the only words you could muster were "wow!". Or you walk out of an 'average' movie and say, "well, that was 'entertaining' I guess...."

Trying to explain the the atmostphere of Disney is like trying to explain the joys of parenthood to someone who has never had children. They will tell you, "I have neices and nephews" but we parents know it's not the same.

Take the cruise you can afford but hold on to the dream of taking your children on a Disney cruise....at least once....before they are grown and gone.

 

[Ccann]

I think everyone can agree to disagree on this topic...

Most people who experience Disney Cruises will probably be disappointed if they go somewhere else just because they will. E comparing everything to the Disney cruise.

You pay for what you get! If you are looking to just get out in the world by means of a cruise ship and go on shore excursions then CCL might be for you. Your paying for cheep entertainment, food and a ride.

Disney is expensive but your paying for top notch facilities and service. Disney Caters to everyone just not the one with the pocket book the Kids Clubs are the best it's about all the extras.

I would google carnival cruises and read reviews of moms who experience carnival with their kids.

I was thinking if it was just DH and I I might do a CC, but with our kids there's no way!