Advice on which to choose

[tgarre06]

Need help! Deciding between the following cruises over Columbus Day 2018. Myself, DH, DD 6, DS3. Live in MA, just 45 minutes from Boston.

RCL Serenade of the Seas
Out of Boston to Bermuda
7 night
$3000 for Oceanview

Disney Magic
Out of NY (would drive) to Bermuda
5 night
$4700 for Oceanview

DCL 2 nights shorter, port farther away and $1700 more. We have no problem spending the extra if it is worth it though. Halloween on the High Seas would be great, and if they added Marvel, that would really tip the scale. My DS loves Spider-Man. Cruised on RCL smaller, older ship during Hurricane Katrina (nightmare first cruise), took me over a decade to cruise again. It was an overall awful experienve. Cruised 3 night Dream last March which was great but really rushed. It really was too short, and we didn't get to enjoy that much. Only other Cruise was a gifted family trip on a smaller Carnival cruise 3 years ago. Disney was much, much nicer, but it was a free cruise, so I really can't complain. Haha

We would drop the kids off at the kids club for an hour or so a day so we could relax a bit. That would be a first for us. So the kids clubs are really important.

Another aspect very important to us is the shows. I love Broadway caliber shows, and my DD and I loved the Disney shows. I'm not sure if RCL offers comparable entertainment.

What are your thoughts? TIA!!

 

[cmwade77]

We have only ever done Disney, but here are things to consider:
Would you be buying a soda package on RCCL?

Would you be ok with your kids wanting to spend most to all of their time in the kids clubs? Because that is very likely to happen.

Are there other things that would be extra on RCCL that are included on Disney?

Now, there are some ways to save money on the Disney Cruise. Obviously it appears you don't have an onboard booking offer that would have cut out 10%, but I can help you get it down a bit more:
Open a Disney Savings account, as long as it is more than 120 days from your pay in full date. Deposit all money into it and as long as the account is open for at least 120 days when you use it, for every $1,000 I think it is you spend from it, you get a $60 Disney Gift Card

Book through a travel agent that specializes in Disney, who will gift you in board credit, check around for who has the best offer for your cruise

Now here is how you can get the cost down even further by using Disney Gift Cards:
Best savings: Buy from BJ's online by going through a cash back site and use either a Disney Visa card or a credit card with rewards. Always check which denominations have the best savings though. Also, watch for sales on them, they do an additional 5% off Disney gift cards about twice a year. This can make it around a 6% to 15% discount on the Disney Gift Cards. And there is no extra charge for nonmembers purchasing Disney Gift cards.

If BJ's isn't an option for some reason, such as can't wait for them to ship, you can use a Target Red Card (debit or credit versions( to buy Disney Gift Cards in store at a 5% discount. You can buy them online as well, but are limited to how many you can buy at once.


Combining all of these tips you can save up to 20% if you are really.lucky, if you had booked even just a placeholder on your last cruise, it could be closer to a 30% savings, again if you are lucky and a letter to score the extra discounts.

But at bare minimum, you can get a 5% discount plus the onboard credit by booking through a travel agent.

 

[cmwade77]

I know that may not have answered your question directly, but it can reduce the price difference a bit.

I know for me the price difference you are looking at, I would probably still do Disney, but that would be factoring in all of the cost savings that I mentioned above.

 

[mcgluvint]

Need help! Deciding between the following cruises over Columbus Day. Myself, DH, DD 6, DS3. Live in MA, just 45 minutes from Boston.

RCL Serenade of the Seas
Out of Boston to Bermuda
7 night
$3000 for Oceanview

Disney Magic
Out of NY (would drive) to Bermuda
5 night
$4700 for Oceanview

DCL 2 nights shorter, port farther away and $1700 more. We have no problem spending the extra if it is worth it though. Halloween on the High Seas would be great, and if they added Marvel, that would really tip the scale. My DS loves Spider-Man. Cruised on RCL smaller, older ship during Hurricane Katrina (nightmare first cruise), took me over a decade to cruise again. It was an overall awful experienve. Cruised 3 night Dream last March which was great but really rushed. It really was too short, and we didn't get to enjoy that much. Only other Cruise was a gifted family trip on a smaller Carnival cruise 3 years ago. Disney was much, much nicer, but it was a free cruise, so I really can't complain. Haha

We would drop the kids off at the kids club for an hour or so a day so we could relax a bit. That would be a first for us. So the kids clubs are really important.

What are your thoughts? TIA!!

Ok, if the kids clubs matter that much to you then Disney. Although I would pick serenade due to the length of the cruise. RCL has been loosing quality in kids clubs. If the kids club is extremly important that do Disney. You want to enjoy your vacation, I understand. There is no point in a 300 dollar cruise and not enjoy it. For your case do Disney. Plus, the Magic is a better ship even though 4 years older.

 

[KashasMom]

We had our best cruise ever on the Serenade because of the itinerary...it was amazing. However, I think Disney would be the better option with children the ages of yours. Halloween on board will be a bonus!

 

[KashasMom]

We have only ever done Disney, but here are things to consider:
Would you be buying a soda package on RCCL? They won't be drinking $1700 worth of soda!

Would you be ok with your kids wanting to spend most to all of their time in the kids clubs? Because that is very likely to happen. Why?

 

[Dug720]

We have only ever done Disney, but here are things to consider:
Would you be buying a soda package on RCCL?

Would you be ok with your kids wanting to spend most to all of their time in the kids clubs? Because that is very likely to happen.

Are there other things that would be extra on RCCL that are included on Disney?

Now, there are some ways to save money on the Disney Cruise. Obviously it appears you don't have an onboard booking offer that would have cut out 10%, but I can help you get it down a bit more:
Open a Disney Savings account, as long as it is more than 120 days from your pay in full date. Deposit all money into it and as long as the account is open for at least 120 days when you use it, for every $1,000 I think it is you spend from it, you get a $60 Disney Gift Card

Book through a travel agent that specializes in Disney, who will gift you in board credit, check around for who has the best offer for your cruise

Now here is how you can get the cost down even further by using Disney Gift Cards:
Best savings: Buy from BJ's online by going through a cash back site and use either a Disney Visa card or a credit card with rewards. Always check which denominations have the best savings though. Also, watch for sales on them, they do an additional 5% off Disney gift cards about twice a year. This can make it around a 6% to 15% discount on the Disney Gift Cards. And there is no extra charge for nonmembers purchasing Disney Gift cards.

If BJ's isn't an option for some reason, such as can't wait for them to ship, you can use a Target Red Card (debit or credit versions( to buy Disney Gift Cards in store at a 5% discount. You can buy them online as well, but are limited to how many you can buy at once.


Combining all of these tips you can save up to 20% if you are really.lucky, if you had booked even just a placeholder on your last cruise, it could be closer to a 30% savings, again if you are lucky and a letter to score the extra discounts.

But at bare minimum, you can get a 5% discount plus the onboard credit by booking through a travel agent.

When did they increase the DVA gift card? I thought it was $20/$1000 spent.

 

[tgarre06]

I didn't book a placeholder on the last cruise. I didn't think we'd be going on another one so soon. I know, stupid!

We do not care for soda. I'll have water and a cocktail or two each day. My husband enjoys water and beer. The kids don't drink soda.

It is a huge deal for us to be leaving the kids in the club. We went to the OH on the Dream, and the kids enjoyed the Club. I'd want the same quality on RCL. We both work full time, so when we vacation, we want to be with our kids. We would only be leaving the kids for a short bit each day to have time to ourselves. We also are only considering the kids club because the kids can be together on DCL this trip, which just reminded me that I need to check the age restrictions for the RCL clubs.

 

[tgarre06]

We have only ever done Disney, but here are things to consider:
Would you be buying a soda package on RCCL?

Would you be ok with your kids wanting to spend most to all of their time in the kids clubs? Because that is very likely to happen.

Are there other things that would be extra on RCCL that are included on Disney?

Now, there are some ways to save money on the Disney Cruise. Obviously it appears you don't have an onboard booking offer that would have cut out 10%, but I can help you get it down a bit more:
Open a Disney Savings account, as long as it is more than 120 days from your pay in full date. Deposit all money into it and as long as the account is open for at least 120 days when you use it, for every $1,000 I think it is you spend from it, you get a $60 Disney Gift Card

Book through a travel agent that specializes in Disney, who will gift you in board credit, check around for who has the best offer for your cruise

Now here is how you can get the cost down even further by using Disney Gift Cards:
Best savings: Buy from BJ's online by going through a cash back site and use either a Disney Visa card or a credit card with rewards. Always check which denominations have the best savings though. Also, watch for sales on them, they do an additional 5% off Disney gift cards about twice a year. This can make it around a 6% to 15% discount on the Disney Gift Cards. And there is no extra charge for nonmembers purchasing Disney Gift cards.

If BJ's isn't an option for some reason, such as can't wait for them to ship, you can use a Target Red Card (debit or credit versions( to buy Disney Gift Cards in store at a 5% discount. You can buy them online as well, but are limited to how many you can buy at once.


Combining all of these tips you can save up to 20% if you are really.lucky, if you had booked even just a placeholder on your last cruise, it could be closer to a 30% savings, again if you are lucky and a letter to score the extra discounts.

But at bare minimum, you can get a 5% discount plus the onboard credit by booking through a travel agent.

Thanks for all the tips. I'd probably just book on my Disney credit card though. I don't like using the gift cards because if I cancel for some reason, then I'm stuck with lots of Disney bucks versus cash.

 

[tink1970]

DCL is more expensive, no doubt about it. I was a single parent for years and often paid extra for trips to WDW and later DCL because I knew what I was getting-a good product for both DD and myself. The peace of mind knowing we would both enjoy our vacation was worth the extra. Vacations are precious- kids grow up so fast...if you know you'll enjoy yourself on the Magic then do it.

 

[tgarre06]

DCL is more expensive, no doubt about it. I was a single parent for years and often paid extra for trips to WDW and later DCL because I knew what I was getting-a good product for both DD and myself. The peace of mind knowing we would both enjoy our vacation was worth the extra. Vacations are precious- kids grow up so fast...if you know you'll enjoy yourself on the Magic then do it.

That's a very good point. Quality over quantity, right? I know the kids will love it. We travel to Disney often (3 times this year), so we are clearly a Disney loving family (my husband not so much, but he sucks it up for the kids!). My husband has already said to book DCL, but I have to research first!

 

[tgarre06]

But when you consider the 2 night difference, Disney is more than double. Ouch. I just want to make sure the value is there. Which I know is relative.

 

[lklgoodman]

When did they increase the DVA gift card? I thought it was $20/$1000 spent.

It is $20/$1000. We have an account, so I just checked it.