Bye Bye Disney and Hello Carnival

[JamesMom]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[eliza61]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Sorry - didn't realize you had kids.

 

[Jajone]

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

We made the same decision last January and the kids had fun. Check out cruisecritic.com It's a discussion board just like this one and will answer all your questions. Just have to say LOVE Carnival.

 

[DisFanatic]

-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?)


You won't be cramped, the carnival cabins are WAY bigger than Royal. You can order the excursions on your cabin tv after you leave the port, try to do them early as they sell out fast.
You do not really have to dress up for formal night, but I would avoid the dining room if your going to be in jeans, you can head up to the buffet on the pool deck, they serve the same food and more. Hope this helps some.. Have a great time!!!

 

[lucigo]

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...

I haven't even read a single reply but I will tell you if you booked a balcony on the Ecstacy you need to look at the Conquest and go for 7 days. Balcony rates on the Fantasy class ships are way more expensive than they need to be, and I'm betting for the same price you could get a balcony on the Conquest, which is a beautiful ship. We have been on 9 Carnival cruises, you won't be sorry, its a fun vacation for the whole family!

 

[DisneyNutMic]

I took my son on his first cruise last year and he PREFERS it to Disney. He had a great time.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Cruising is great.
As someone also mentioned, Cruisecritic dot com is an AMAZING site that will have people just like you, first timers, and many others,well seasoned cruisers that are also seeking many of the same answers. These people are wonderful and can give you plenty of hints for making your trip special. Just think of them as the DIS of cruising

Different cruise lines cater to different clientele, older, families, singles, foodies, Wild antics, etc...choosing what is the "right" cruise for your family is VERY important!
The "cost" of cruising also adds up, so just be aware that the soda card/s, gambling, bingo, tips, drinks, and excursions can really add up quickly...so take that into account.
For us, it really runs about the same as a Disney trip, ran us More for an 8 day trip than a 12 day disney, BUT, again, it is a GREAT way to see new places, experience new things, like swimming with stingrays , explore and also RELAX as you like.

I again would seriously recommend that you visit that website to get the lowdown on the cruise line, ship, itinerary and Hints.....
Have a great vacation!!
IMHO....We happen to LOVE RCCL and would choose them any day of the week, they are a class act!