Carnival Cruise or Disney World again?? Opinions/Advice!!!

[slduck]

I just got back from a 4 day Carnival cruise with my mom and 2 kids over Thanksgiving. We are Disney freaks around here. DH couldn't go on the cruise so we are considering a short cruise split with a Disney vacation. (I just can't go a year without Disney, but the cost of a Disney cruise is too high).

Dd (9) loved Camp Carnival. They did video games,talent shows, games, and scavenger hunts. DS (5) didn't because he was in with much younger kids and said the program was for babies. Next time he will be old enough for the next age bracket. She shows were not very kid friendly at times. The staff was great. The kids LOVED the water park and putt putt. The food was good. We did not book a shore excursion but will next time. We didn't run into too many wild partiers but mostly families. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will be the same over the summer.

PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Razorback]

I realize this is a Disney fan board and I love going.
We love vinylmation and pin trading. We enjoy
Trying new restaurants each visit.

My problem is that I would like to try a cruise but hate
The idea of losing our annual Spring Break trip.

I knew many fellow Disers have probably done both.
Thanks for all the info.

 

[BlovesC]

So, without meaning to start a Disney resort debate, let me suggest that an apt analogy would be that Carnival is the "Value" line while Disney is more the "Deluxe" cruise experience.

I wouldn't agree with that at all. Price wise that works, because Disney cruises are twice the cost of Carnival. But I love the value resorts at Disney just as much as the deluxe, and I don't feel there's any difference in behavior or mentality among guests at either.

Maybe the behavior on Disney cruises is the same we witnessed on Carnival...I only doubt it because Disney cruises surely have more kids and families, but since I'm sure many of the Carnival guests were parents, perhaps it wouldn't make a difference. Maybe I'm just missing the point of cruises entirely. I know it's all about kicking back and relaxing, but I just couldn't see myself ever treating a cruise ship like my own personal garbage can and the cruise staff like my servants. I've never seen behavior like that at any hotel I've gone to, Disney or not, so maybe cruises just aren't for me.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

OP, we are also considering a Carnival cruise and were also concerned about the "party ship" reputation. However, we have friends and extended family that have cruised Carnival and they have assurred us that it is a very family friendly cruise line, that they have great children's programs, and also that the longer cruises (5+ nights) tend to have more families with children than the shorter length cruises. I would love to cruise DCL and have both looked into DCL on my own online and also with our AAA travel agent and we've determined and accepted that our family is priced out of DCL; so we are looking at other lines and find Carnival to be a great value. The newer ships look really nice and Carnival also sails out of a couple locations that we can drive to in a day and avoid the expense of airline tickets for the six of us. I would recommend consulting with a travel agent and getting more information as it seems like you are really interested in this cruise line. I know we are all Disney fans on here, but I think it is also nice to explore other vacation options with an open mind. Good luck

 

[blondietink]

We have done 2 Carnival cruises, a 5 day out of New Orleans and just got off a 7 day out of Tampa right after Thanksgiving. WE LOVE CARNIVAL! But wait, after our Tampa cruise, we went to WDW and stayed a week to enjoy the holiday stuff there. We own at DVC so the cost of going to WDW was not a factor (we have AP's).

You really can't beat the value of a Carnival Cruise. For the 4 of us sharing a cabin, there is enough room, good food, great ports, fun things to do all day and night, just a wonderful time all around. Cost us $1800.00 total (taxes included) for the 4 of us. We have never run in to the "party" mentality.

For the first time in April 2011 we went to WDW at Easter. We had heard bad things about the crowds, etc. Went the week before Easter and for a few days after. We had a great time and the crowds weren't as bad as we had heard. Loved the early open/late night hours to spread people out. Weather was terrific. This year we are going the end of Easter week and the week after.

I would highly recommend a Carnival Cruise. So, much cheaper than Disney Cruise line. We could go for 2.5 Carnival cruises for the cost of one Disney cruise.

 

[williamson_ja]

We were having the same issue this year and decided upon the Carnival cruise. We got a killer deal. We paid around $1750 for 7 people on a 7 night cruise (we were in 2 inside cabins). There were things that I liked more than our usual Disneyworld vacations, and things that I liked better at Disney. I asked my kids what they would rather do in the future, and they were pretty split.

On the cruise, you can do things that you absolutely cannot do in Disneyworld. My more adventurous kids said that what they loved about the cruise was that they got to visit other countries and see how other people lived. We went on a Caribbean Western cruise. One of the highlights of the cruise was climbing Mayan pyramids in Belize. At Disneyworld, you get to see replicas of buildings and such from other countries. On the cruise, you got to see those things for yourself. It was also much more relaxing that a WDW vacay. Other cool things we saw were dolphins jumping out of the water next to our boat and lots of flying fish. The entertainment on board is also really pretty good.

My kids that said that they would rather do WDW again said that what they missed on the cruise was the Disney "magic". They had a good time, but it just didn't seem magical. Also, my ds (15) who is a giant foodie really liked the food at WDW better. We usually go during free dining, and he really takes advantage of that.

DH and I have done a Disney cruise and it really is the best of both worlds. They are in a class by themselves. Occasionally they do a kids sail free deal on the older ships (wonder and magic). If it were me, I would look out for a kids sail free deal and sail Disney. You get to see the world but still have the Disney magic to go with it. On the other hand, Carnival was significantly cheaper and we have a pretty large family. We decided that next time we cruise, we'll do it on Carnival because it really is a pretty good product and is SO much cheaper than DCL. Good luck deciding.

 

[blondietink]

I will clarify that our $1800.00 cruise for 4 was in a balcony cabin. For our 5 day we paid $1200.00 duiring President's week in an oceanview. We have visited inside cabins, and would never book one personally. I need to see the horizon.

Will agree with the PP about the ability to visit different countries. Both of my sons are developmentally disabled and we would never be able to visit these foreign countries were it not for cruising.

 

[momtoccc]

We've done several Royal Caribbean cruises and my daughter (8yo) loves them. It is a different type of vacation, more relaxing but still lots of fun. I would say you just need to try one and see. I think the Carnival "party" reputation is worse on the shorter cruises - do the 7 day on either Carnival or RC and you will get the nicer, newer ships and less of the party atmosphere.

I echo pp about checking out cruisecritic dot com - great website with lots of reviews, forums and info on cruising.

 

[recmouse]

We have been to WDW the past 7 spring breaks. We love going and know what we are getting every year. We want to go again this year BUT we would like to go on a 7 day Carnival Cruise.

The problem is that we know what we will get out of Disney...a week of fun, good food and rides. We are not sure what we will get out of a cruise or if we will always regret not going to Disney.

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

I love Disney and I really enjoy cruises... if you decide on a cruise... try any other cruise than Carnival. We, our family of 8, had a really disappointing cruise with Carnival. YUK! Try Royal Caribbean - they do great cruises and their prices are just as reasonable. Celebrity was good too. Good luck!

 

[williamson_ja]

We've done several Royal Caribbean cruises and my daughter (8yo) loves them. It is a different type of vacation, more relaxing but still lots of fun. I would say you just need to try one and see. I think the Carnival "party" reputation is worse on the shorter cruises - do the 7 day on either Carnival or RC and you will get the nicer, newer ships and less of the party atmosphere.

I echo pp about checking out cruisecritic dot com - great website with lots of reviews, forums and info on cruising.

I have to say that I found the Carnival "party" thing completely unfounded. We are very religious and don't smoke or drink at all and had a great time on Carnival. I just have to say that if you go into something looking for problems, but you can find them anywhere. What we found was a great family atmosphere. I have heard that the shorter cruises out of California are not as good that way, but I am not interested in those at all. I would give it a chance. It is so much cheaper than the other lines. I think we may splurge and do a Royal Caribbean when I don't have so many kids at home. We'll see.

 

[lroger01]

I just did a Carnival cruise in earlier this month. I also go to Disney about every other year. While on the cruise I kept thinking about how much I wished I was at Disney. I tend to over think things so here is my over thinking on why the cruise didn't work for me - your mileage may vary

I love the atmosphere at Disney. I love the way the colors, architecture, and music blends together perfectly. The cruise ship had low ceilings (it was an older ship - the Triumph), weirdly combined patterns and colors in the carpets and upholstery, and either loud live bands or silence. The clashing patterns made me edgy - but then I'm a graphic designer and might be over sensitive to that kind of thing.

No adreneline rush - I love the variety at Disney. A funny show, followed by the rush of a coaster, followed by the awe of a perfectly coreographed fireworks show. The cruise was too much of the same feeling - nice but not exciting. Now I could have planned adventurous shore excursions - and I did for one port, but it was canceled due to weather.

Disney has more flexibility - If it rains on Wednesday and Wishes is canceled, I can see it on Thursday. On a cruise, if the weather cancels your fun shore excursion you just get to spend the day shopping (again) instead. I don't like looking forward to something and then not getting to do it. I so wanted to go snorkeling!

I could go on, but this gives you the basic idea. Truthfully though, you won't know if crusing is for you unless you do it once. As others have said, Disney will be there next year.

 

[larryz]

I wouldn't agree with that at all. Price wise that works, because Disney cruises are twice the cost of Carnival.

That's exactly the comparison I was making. Purely on cost.
As for guests treating the staff like indentured servants, no, I didn't see that on the Disney cruise, but I was on one cruise, on one boat.

But I love the value resorts at Disney just as much as the deluxe, and I don't feel there's any difference in behavior or mentality among guests at either.

Here's the secret -- whether or not you love the values, or the moderates, or the deluxes, the best resort to stay in at Disney is the one that fits your budget, your mood, and your vacation plans. It's where you're happiest.

I've never stayed in a value, but it's something I want to do, because I'm a big fan of kitsch, and the values have BIG KITSCH. Plus I hear the food courts are pretty good, too (in the quieter times of the year).

 

[lions1995]

My family (with kids 7,8 and 13) went on a 7 day Carnival Cruise this past January. I was a little concerned going into it that the kids would not have fun. Well, they all loved it and so did we. My 13 year old liked the freedom to go off on his own a bit and the 8 year old loved camp carnival. Of course the 7 year olf figured that with her brother and sister out of the picture, she got mom, dad, Grandma and Pop-Pop all to her self. We went to Disney just after Thanksgiving. When I asked them what they wanted to to for their next vacationm, the unanimous answer was for another cruise. I would have to agree, I think we are getting a little Disney'd out.

If you do a cruise, make sure to research it (ports of call, what other ships will be docked with you and how many people they hold, excersions.) I found a few sites that do a nice job of reviews. I liked cruise critics - http://www.cruisecritic.com Just remember that there are awlays people who will find issues with just about anything.

 

[MikeSF]

We have been to WDW the past 7 spring breaks. We love going and know what we are getting every year. We want to go again this year BUT we would like to go on a 7 day Carnival Cruise.

The problem is that we know what we will get out of Disney...a week of fun, good food and rides. We are not sure what we will get out of a cruise or if we will always regret not going to Disney.

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

My thought, is you've been to Disney every year for the past 7 years. Also there's probably a good possibility you will go again in the future. That said, try something you've never done before, explore the possibilities!

Only reason I'd say maybe don't take a cruise is if you have an extremely tiny one, as some cruise companies like to charge you a full price for them.

 

[bdink921]

We really enjoyed our Carnival cruise -- it was surpisingly excellent and the price was awesome for the 3 of us. We were able to do some great excursions and because we saved so much on the cruise (3 or 4 price drops) we were able to go to WDW for 3 nights before the cruise. We've done a few other vacations since then, including the Disney Dream with 2 nights at Universal this past April. We haven't been to WDW since 2009 and I am missing it terribly, so we're planning a trip for 2013 before DS goes to high school. I have to say, there's a new excitement in planning this trip since we haven't been there in a while. Try the cruise, you'll see some new places, do some new things. Then go back to WDW, it may seem more exciting after a little break.