$2000 more for same cruise next year?

[luvpooh]

Disney should read this thread! Because of it, I started researching Carnival for 2017 instead of the DCL WBPC that I was considering. Instead of the (assumed) 14 nt PC cruise in a OV, I'm now researching an 8 nt out of NYC on the Sunshine in a suite. Granted, suites on CCL don't really offer anything more in terms of amenities/perks than space, but based on the research I have done thus far, I would prefer to pay for the extra room.

This also has a lot to do w/compromising with my DH - he was balking at the length of the PC cruise, and was eager to hear that there may be another option that is both shorter and does not require airfare. My other preferences would be to do Alaska or a TA, but the TA has the same aforementioned length issue (for DH), and I think my son would not get enough out of Alaska at his age, plus it's also super expensive. While the itinerary to do a Caribbean out of NYC isn't my first choice, for convenience and not having to deal with DH stressing about a trip he isn't into, it is likely worth it. More research to be done though.

I also was looking at land based, family friendly all-inclusives and they were not cheap (~7-10K for a week without airfare)...

 

[richkaryn]

Those classes, though, when I priced them out weren't much cheaper than DCL, but much more expensive than Carnival, Princess, or even their sister company, Celebrity. For us, I think that we have found at least Carnival and Princess to be good alternatives that work for us. We wouldn't mind trying an Oasis class ship someday (no interest in Quantum class), but the same arguments people give for RCL vs. DCL work for other lines vs. RCL. Also, I don't know why, but I have a real issue with upcharge items such as the poolside burger "Johnny Rockets", when the equivalent Guy Fieri burgers are included on Carnival. I know all lines have upcharge items ("cough", NCL, "cough"), but dang, do they bug me...

When DH and I cruised RCL back in 2004, there was no additional charge for Johnny Rockets, unless you bought a fountain drink. We would go every day and purchase a cherry coke because we love Johnny Rockets' old-style cherry cokes. So we ran a $7+tax/tip charge a day but no biggie. We've since toyed with the idea of cruising RCL again and said we wanted a ship with Johnny Rockets......then we found out they'd added an up charge for Johnny Rockets. So our $7+ a day would automatically go up 1 more person since we have a child now.....but then add the upcharge per person....makes for a pretty expensive cherry coke!!

 

[RedSox68]

When DH and I cruised RCL back in 2004, there was no additional charge for Johnny Rockets, unless you bought a fountain drink. We would go every day and purchase a cherry coke because we love Johnny Rockets' old-style cherry cokes. So we ran a $7+tax/tip charge a day but no biggie. We've since toyed with the idea of cruising RCL again and said we wanted a ship with Johnny Rockets......then we found out they'd added an up charge for Johnny Rockets. So our $7+ a day would automatically go up 1 more person since we have a child now.....but then add the upcharge per person....makes for a pretty expensive cherry coke!!

Honestly, we've been to a couple of them (not on ships) and I don't think they'd be worth an extra fee

 

[jahber]

We also have considered the Breeze but been apprehensive. It is great to hear such a positive view of it. If you or anyone else has any other comments on the breeze, would love to hear about it.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Generally speaking, I enjoyed the MDR food better on the Breeze than on DCl and my husband loved the Mongolian BBQ and the Indian food on the pool deck (he's Indian). Their naan is excellent--made in a real tandoor and you can choose from various chutneys, although I like it plain. Yum! Oh, and real hamburgers at Guy's, tacos, and burritos on the pool deck.
I'm not much for shows, but they do have them. My husband loved the comedians and went to some of the musical shows. I enjoyed movies up on the pool deck at night. They give you blankets and free popcorn! You do pay for soda, but we don't drink soda, so that made me happy (I love how everyone talks about the "free" soda on DCl). And alcohol was comparable in price, but the drinks were usually stronger in my opinion. That will almost certainly vary, though.

The kids club hours are limited and they close for random stuff, like Build a Bear workshops, but if you know in advance, you just plan take the kids to the waterpark or ropes course or mini golf or basketball, or 4D movie theater (for a charge), or...whatever. For my kids, the clubs on both lines have pluses and minuses.

Just know that there is a casino, so if you don't gamble or smoke, you'll want to avoid it. I HATE smoke, and I managed just fine almost all of the time. I learned not to take the midship elevators, since they get smokey at night as they dump out right outside the casino.

If there's anything else, let me know. I don't want to hijack the thread, but it might be helpful for people to see what their money can get them on the Breeze if next year's prices on DCL are giving them palpitations (as they did me!). That said, if DCl went back to their great FLR deals, I'll be back. I'm waiting, DCl.....

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Generally speaking, I enjoyed the MDR food better on the Breeze than on DCl and my husband loved the Mongolian BBQ and the Indian food on the pool deck (he's Indian). Their naan is excellent--made in a real tandoor and you can choose from various chutneys, although I like it plain. Yum! Oh, and real hamburgers at Guy's, tacos, and burritos on the pool deck.
I'm not much for shows, but they do have them. My husband loved the comedians and went to some of the musical shows. I enjoyed movies up on the pool deck at night. They give you blankets and free popcorn! You do pay for soda, but we don't drink soda, so that made me happy (I love how everyone talks about the "free" soda on DCl). And alcohol was comparable in price, but the drinks were usually stronger in my opinion. That will almost certainly vary, though.

The kids club hours are limited and they close for random stuff, like Build a Bear workshops, but if you know in advance, you just plan take the kids to the waterpark or ropes course or mini golf or basketball, or 4D movie theater (for a charge), or...whatever. For my kids, the clubs on both lines have pluses and minuses.

Just know that there is a casino, so if you don't gamble or smoke, you'll want to avoid it. I HATE smoke, and I managed just fine almost all of the time. I learned not to take the midship elevators, since they get smokey at night as they dump out right outside the casino.

If there's anything else, let me know. I don't want to hijack the thread, but it might be helpful for people to see what their money can get them on the Breeze if next year's prices on DCL are giving them palpitations (as they did me!). That said, if DCl went back to their great FLR deals, I'll be back. I'm waiting, DCl.....

Thank you so much for your review! We are sailing on the Carnival Magic for our youngest daughter's graduation, summer 2017. We had originally planned DCL again but looking at this summer's prices, it was out of our budget. We are getting 2 inside cabins for much less than sailing in a DCL deluxe inside. I will miss all the characters, etc but we're still going on a cruise!!

 

[richkaryn]

Honestly, we've been to a couple of them (not on ships) and I don't think they'd be worth an extra fee

Yes, the one closet to us (an hour and 15 mins away) used to be great, but the last 2 times we've gone it's been severely lacking-both in food quality and service.

 

[Hundredacre]

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Generally speaking, I enjoyed the MDR food better on the Breeze than on DCl and my husband loved the Mongolian BBQ and the Indian food on the pool deck (he's Indian). Their naan is excellent--made in a real tandoor and you can choose from various chutneys, although I like it plain. Yum! Oh, and real hamburgers at Guy's, tacos, and burritos on the pool deck.
I'm not much for shows, but they do have them. My husband loved the comedians and went to some of the musical shows. I enjoyed movies up on the pool deck at night. They give you blankets and free popcorn! You do pay for soda, but we don't drink soda, so that made me happy (I love how everyone talks about the "free" soda on DCl). And alcohol was comparable in price, but the drinks were usually stronger in my opinion. That will almost certainly vary, though.

The kids club hours are limited and they close for random stuff, like Build a Bear workshops, but if you know in advance, you just plan take the kids to the waterpark or ropes course or mini golf or basketball, or 4D movie theater (for a charge), or...whatever. For my kids, the clubs on both lines have pluses and minuses.

Just know that there is a casino, so if you don't gamble or smoke, you'll want to avoid it. I HATE smoke, and I managed just fine almost all of the time. I learned not to take the midship elevators, since they get smokey at night as they dump out right outside the casino.

If there's anything else, let me know. I don't want to hijack the thread, but it might be helpful for people to see what their money can get them on the Breeze if next year's prices on DCL are giving them palpitations (as they did me!). That said, if DCl went back to their great FLR deals, I'll be back. I'm waiting, DCl.....

Thanks for the feedback! We have been tempted by the Breeze out of Galveston for some time. I think we are ready to try it. I especially like hearing that the ship is very clean and well maintained. Beyond that, as long as the food is decent, I think it is impossible to not have fun on a cruise.

 

[cyclenut]

Explored the Carnival offerings out of Galveston and just put one on 48 hour no fee hold. 7 night Caribbean including Belize, balcony stateroom, midship on the Lido deck. Two passengers including taxes, fees and gratuities is less than $2,000 on the Breeze. That is for a September sailing. It's interesting because Cruise Critic has that ship rated pretty low. A number of recent passenger reviews were just one or two stars. Majority of complaints seem to be customer service related. When something went wrong, it wasn't handled well.

Not sure we're going to do this cruise, but I really thought it was interesting to contemplate this as compared to our January DCL Wonder out of Galvaston to Key West that is going to run closer to $3,000 when you include Gratuities.

 

[Hundredacre]

Explored the Carnival offerings out of Galveston and just put one on 48 hour no fee hold. 7 night Caribbean including Belize, balcony stateroom, midship on the Lido deck. Two passengers including taxes, fees and gratuities is less than $2,000 on the Breeze. That is for a September sailing. It's interesting because Cruise Critic has that ship rated pretty low. A number of recent passenger reviews were just one or two stars. Majority of complaints seem to be customer service related. When something went wrong, it wasn't handled well.

Not sure we're going to do this cruise, but I really thought it was interesting to contemplate this as compared to our January DCL Wonder out of Galvaston to Key West that is going to run closer to $3,000 when you include Gratuities.

This is why we have been a bit hesitant, so-so reviews on cruise critic, but the positive feedback on this board on the Breeze is the second I have personally heard. The other was a coworker, who said the Breeze was great, so I am ready to give it a go.

 

[Ofinn]

Explored the Carnival offerings out of Galveston and just put one on 48 hour no fee hold. 7 night Caribbean including Belize, balcony stateroom, midship on the Lido deck. Two passengers including taxes, fees and gratuities is less than $2,000 on the Breeze. That is for a September sailing. It's interesting because Cruise Critic has that ship rated pretty low. A number of recent passenger reviews were just one or two stars. Majority of complaints seem to be customer service related. When something went wrong, it wasn't handled well.

Not sure we're going to do this cruise, but I really thought it was interesting to contemplate this as compared to our January DCL Wonder out of Galvaston to Key West that is going to run closer to $3,000 when you include Gratuities.

Theres a huge difference in price between Dcl and Carnival when your booking for 4 people. Sept 25 on the Breeze in a balcony room is 2100. The Fantasy sept 24 is 5500. Carnival lets the 3rd and 4th passengers sale almost for free. Carnival is a real bargain with kids.

 

[Hundredacre]

Explored the Carnival offerings out of Galveston and just put one on 48 hour no fee hold. 7 night Caribbean including Belize, balcony stateroom, midship on the Lido deck. Two passengers including taxes, fees and gratuities is less than $2,000 on the Breeze. That is for a September sailing. It's interesting because Cruise Critic has that ship rated pretty low. A number of recent passenger reviews were just one or two stars. Majority of complaints seem to be customer service related. When something went wrong, it wasn't handled well.

Not sure we're going to do this cruise, but I really thought it was interesting to contemplate this as compared to our January DCL Wonder out of Galvaston to Key West that is going to run closer to $3,000 when you include Gratuities.

Forgot to add that there are some mixed reviews for the wonder on cruise critic also.

 

[JoiseyMom]

The Anthem of the Seas looks AMAZING..and leaves out of NJ. Like I said in a previous post, if my son was a little older..and if it would have been departing from FL since our cruise is in combo with a Disney world trip.. It would have been an EXTREMELY tough choice between that ship and the Fantasy. But I do want my son to experience DCL at least once.

Well I am pricing 2 itineraries for next year today. I was going to do three, but the last week of August, when we usually vacation, The Fantasy is doing a private charter or DVC. So, there is a good chance we are not doing DCL next year. I am looking at Breakaway and Celebrity Summit for that week. The Anthem isn't sailing outta NJ then, unless I missed it. I am pricing Alaska for DCL, but I think the non DCL ships even at concierge level will be cheaper . I want to do the EBTA again, but need to see if in-laws are up to watching the then 16 year old (who is gonna be pissed we sailed without him)!

 

[Kimberly9701]

Well I am pricing 2 itineraries for next year today. I was going to do three, but the last week of August, when we usually vacation, The Fantasy is doing a private charter or DVC. So, there is a good chance we are not doing DCL next year. I am looking at Breakaway and Celebrity Summit for that week. The Anthem isn't sailing outta NJ then, unless I missed it. I am pricing Alaska for DCL, but I think the non DCL ships even at concierge level will be cheaper . I want to do the EBTA again, but need to see if in-laws are up to watching the then 16 year old (who is gonna be pissed we sailed without him)!

I didn't see any Quantum class itineraries for summer '17.. But I haven't checked in over a week so maybe they are released now. I'm waiting til today or tomorrow when find out the price of the June Norway/Iceland sailing with DCL.
I'm trying to stay calm..lol.
I gave my travel agent the amount that I'm budgeting for this.. If outside of that amount then I won't be sailing that itinerary.
I don't think RCCLs ships that are sailing any similar ports have enough family activities.
But if I switch to an Eastern or southern Caribbean - I'd have no hesitation to switch to an oasis ship if more than $2k difference.

 

[tidefan]

Well I am pricing 2 itineraries for next year today. I was going to do three, but the last week of August, when we usually vacation, The Fantasy is doing a private charter or DVC. So, there is a good chance we are not doing DCL next year. I am looking at Breakaway and Celebrity Summit for that week. The Anthem isn't sailing outta NJ then, unless I missed it. I am pricing Alaska for DCL, but I think the non DCL ships even at concierge level will be cheaper . I want to do the EBTA again, but need to see if in-laws are up to watching the then 16 year old (who is gonna be pissed we sailed without him)!

We would love a DVC Member Cruise that week, but unfortunately for us, we go back to school on August 9th. The member cruise last year on May 31 was perfect because we are out of school on May 25th...

 

[tinkerone]

the opening prices from the thread are insane! i'm looking at them and it just doesn't make sense. we have a b2b booked on the oasis for $5450 Canadian, so at todays rate, less than $4200 U.S.. I could not possibly justify paying dcl prices when they are coming up double or even triple that for just one week.

 

[Hundredacre]

the opening prices from the thread are insane! i'm looking at them and it just doesn't make sense. we have a b2b booked on the oasis for $5450 Canadian, so at todays rate, less than $4200 U.S.. I could not possibly justify paying dcl prices when they are coming up double or even triple that for just one week.

I am shocked as well. Will they really fill the ships at these prices?

 

[CamColt]

I just booked the exact same cruise that I have booked in Aug for the exact same week in 2017. Both booked opening day and with 10% discount. 2017 is $709.48 more. OUCH!