Anyone else only sailed Disney, considered another cruise line

[smacmillan83]

We live in Australia, my parents are in the UK. Our annual holiday where we meet up once per year, usually consists of a DCL cruise because they are comfortable with this, they like the service, the food, etc. Last year while considering our holiday for the year, an Asian cruise was suggested. We contemplated. DCL don't do Asia, we priced Europe, with airfare from Oz and price of the cruise, we decided against it and we were not keen on the Caribbean itinerary. So we decided on Asia and picked HAL. The itinerary sold us, Singapore to Hong Kong via Thailand and Vietnam. It was a port intensive cruise but the experience was amazing. Do I recommend for families with young children? Probably not. Even myself and my husband who are both under 40 were only a handful of people under 50 on the cruise. Did it bother us? No, we like a quiet drink, good food and good service which is what we got on HAL. There was also no smoking inside in the casino which was a positive for us.
We are booked on the DCL Hawaii cruise next year but we are already considering what other exotic HAL (or other line) itinerary we can plan after this.

 

[lisaburnsmiles]

We (me, DH and DS (13) have cruised twice - both with Disney 7-day on the Fantasy. We're currently booked for 2021 on the Magic for a transatlantic. We booked DCL because we really enjoyed both our trips, loved the Disney service and a transatlantic cruise is on my DH's bucket list. In goofing around online we saw a RC transatlantic cruise on the Rhapsody for the same time period and as our Disney Cruise and we can book a two bedroom grand suite for about the same price. DS is an introvert, not super adventurous and not "sporty."

Anyone have thoughts or experience on a transatlantic with either line? I've done research on the Rhapsody and know that it's an older ship (had a relatively recent refurb) and doesn't have all the bells and whistles of their newer class. But TBH, we're a low key family that doesn't enjoy huge crowds and theme parks (other than Disney) aren't for us, Thanks in advance!!!

 

[bbel]

We (me, DH and DS (13) have cruised twice - both with Disney 7-day on the Fantasy. We're currently booked for 2021 on the Magic for a transatlantic. We booked DCL because we really enjoyed both our trips, loved the Disney service and a transatlantic cruise is on my DH's bucket list. In goofing around online we saw a RC transatlantic cruise on the Rhapsody for the same time period and as our Disney Cruise and we can book a two bedroom grand suite for about the same price. DS is an introvert, not super adventurous and not "sporty."

Anyone have thoughts or experience on a transatlantic with either line? I've done research on the Rhapsody and know that it's an older ship (had a relatively recent refurb) and doesn't have all the bells and whistles of their newer class. But TBH, we're a low key family that doesn't enjoy huge crowds and theme parks (other than Disney) aren't for us, Thanks in advance!!!

Not sailed it as a guest but worked it as youth staff, well not Rhapsody, but all the other vision class ships. I love vision class and that's what I I request when I can.
They're much smaller and the longer sailings (not done a TA on them, but have done many 11+nighters) wont have many kids (like probably around 10 or less), and draw a much older crowd, but they are the friendliest ships I've ever worked on (including DCL), guests and crew. But yes, they dont have a lot, small rock wall and a pool, and the entertainment is cheesy. Kids will usually have the pool to themselves and it's a great size ship for kids to have freedom. If you dont need constant entertainment then they give a great more traditional feel of cruising.

 

[Travel60]

For us, it comes down to the purpose of a particular cruise. If we are doing a family (kids and now grandkids) trip, it's DCL all the way and likely one of the Caribbean or Alaskan itineraries. If it is an adult trip and more tuned to the culture or history (Europe, etc), we like Ponant. Smaller ship (~100 cabins), excellent service and food, guided excursion (most if not all included), speakers on the area, often smaller ports. Smaller ship means less crowding at dinner, quicker to get on and off ship, access to places larger groups can't enter. Just a matter of preference.