CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[PrincessTrisha]

Just another reason to try a Spirit class ship (like the Carnival Pride out of Baltimore); the Serenity area includes both a hot tub and a pool (adults only).

 

[mevelandry]

I "slept on it" and I am ready to take a 5 years break from DCL now.

I liked the Golden Mickey and Dreams and Frozen but I'm not the biggest fan of the DCL shows. I think I'm jumping sides now (my husband was already on the other side). I guess I need something a little more "adult oriented" for a while...

My MIL wanted to meet all characters so I have this "been there, done that" feeling with the Mouse.

And maybe Carnival ruined DCL for me a little. LOL

We've had the "Yes but we had something better/similar/almost just as good on Carnival for 50% less" thought way too many times during that cruise.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I "slept on it" and I am ready to take a 5 years break from DCL now.

I liked the Golden Mickey and Dreams and Frozen but I'm not the biggest fan of the DCL shows. I think I'm jumping sides now (my husband was already on the other side). I guess I need something a little more "adult oriented" for a while...

My MIL wanted to meet all characters so I have this "been there, done that" feeling with the Mouse.

And maybe Carnival ruined DCL for me a little. LOL

We've had the "Yes but we had something better/similar/almost just as good on Carnival for 50% less" thought way too many times during that cruise.

I totally get what you're saying. I want to experience new things and adventures, whether it's a new ship or destination. With all the new ships coming out in the next few years I won't be loyal to any certain cruise line, I'm trying them all!

 

[RedSox68]

I totally get what you're saying. I want to experience new things and adventures, whether it's a new ship or destination. With all the new ships coming out in the next few years I won't be loyal to any certain cruise line, I'm trying them all!

That's how I feel -- I want to sail at least once on each cruise line. Still have to do Celebrity and RCCL, and then there are the European lines.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

That's how I feel -- I want to sail at least once on each cruise line. Still have to do Celebrity and RCCL, and then there are the European lines.

Have you seen the new MSC Seaside? She'll be sailing from Miami, holy cow!!

 

[RedSox68]

Have you seen the new MSC Seaside? She'll be sailing from Miami, holy cow!!

NO -- I will now have to add that to my list. For some reason I thought the MSC line was overseas. Thanks.

 

[kaseyC]

Have you seen the new MSC Seaside? She'll be sailing from Miami, holy cow!!

It looks amazing. It's purposely built for the U.S. market. I'm very excited to sail it. We have had it booked for Spring Break 2018 for over a year and a few months ago we booked the the 12/23 inaugural 7 night Caribbean sailing which also happens to be a Christmas cruise. The prices were fantastic. They have concierge "ship with in a ship" concept called the Yacht Club that has it's own lounge, sundeck, pool and restaurants. We have two YC suites booked for our family of 5. The price difference between MSC and Disney is mind blowing for 7 night holiday cruises for the same week. Our two YC suites are less than one ocean view family cabin on the Fantasy.

@RedSox68 MSC is an Italian cruise line which has only had one ship the Divina home ported in the US. They are trying to expand their US market with the Seaside. This will be our first experience with them. We enjoy cruising and during Christmas our goal is to be anywhere warmer than IL. So unless, the ship runs out of food, drinks or sinks we will probably be happy. lol

 

[phinz]

I'm interested to hear what the horns for the Seaside play. MSC is known for their musical horns.

 

[cruiser21]

I "slept on it" and I am ready to take a 5 years break from DCL now.

I liked the Golden Mickey and Dreams and Frozen but I'm not the biggest fan of the DCL shows. I think I'm jumping sides now (my husband was already on the other side). I guess I need something a little more "adult oriented" for a while...

My MIL wanted to meet all characters so I have this "been there, done that" feeling with the Mouse.

And maybe Carnival ruined DCL for me a little. LOL

We've had the "Yes but we had something better/similar/almost just as good on Carnival for 50% less" thought way too many times during that cruise.

My Carnival Vista cruise in Oct only has a handful of rooms left. The Fantasy the same week has lots of rooms left. If you look at cruisefish most cruises this Fall on the Fantasy are still very close to opening day prices. I hope the competition in Florida will bring down the Fantasy prices.

The last time we sailed on her was in 2014, and we got a pretty good VGT rate. I'm hoping to sail on her again next Fall.

 

[mevelandry]

My Carnival Vista cruise in Oct only has a handful of rooms left. The Fantasy the same week has lots of rooms left. If you look at cruisefish most cruises this Fall on the Fantasy are still very close to opening day prices. I hope the competition in Florida will bring down the Fantasy prices.

The last time we sailed on her was in 2014, and we got a pretty good VGT rate. I'm hoping to sail on her again next Fall.

If I remember correctly, we are sailing on the Vista just a few days apart, right?

 

[mevelandry]

I totally get what you're saying. I want to experience new things and adventures, whether it's a new ship or destination. With all the new ships coming out in the next few years I won't be loyal to any certain cruise line, I'm trying them all!

I am so sold on the Anthem and the Oasis of the seas, and the Breakaway... I definitely want to try RCCL and Norwegian in 2018.

 

[cruiser21]

If I remember correctly, we are sailing on the Vista just a few days apart, right?

Oct 21

 

[mevelandry]

Oct 21

Right after us! We're October 15, coming back on the 21th!

 

[cruiser21]

Right after us! We're October 15, coming back on the 21th!

I just found out my oldest niece is getting married the weekend after we get back. An Ocean harbor ocean view opened up Aug 20 on the 6 night. I put it on hold. I'm thinking about changing. It's an out of town wedding I really don't want to miss. It's a really good super saver rate a lot less then the 8 night October cruise. I'm thinking if I like the Vista I can always try the Southern next Spring. One thing I've noticed about Carnival is the prices are really stable. If you want a specific room like Havana or Ocean Harbor you better book early because they book fast. Booking early saves you having to check the website 10 times a day for a cancellation, but it doesn't really save you a lot of money. Unlike DCL where it's either book super early or hope for a good GT rate.
Even though I've been to all the ports I've never done any excursions. On DCL the cruise was always expensive enough. Carnival has better excursions then DCL. The amazing race in Cozumel looks really fun. My son would love it. I was momentarily worried about the August heat, and then I remembered I live in Arizona. It will actually be cooler in the Caribbean then it will be at home.

 

[mevelandry]

I just found out my oldest niece is getting married the weekend after we get back. An Ocean harbor ocean view opened up Aug 20 on the 6 night. I put it on hold. I'm thinking about changing. It's an out of town wedding I really don't want to miss. It's a really good super saver rate a lot less then the 8 night October cruise. I'm thinking if I like the Vista I can always try the Southern next Spring. One thing I've noticed about Carnival is the prices are really stable. If you want a specific room like Havana or Ocean Harbor you better book early because they book fast. Booking early saves you having to check the website 10 times a day for a cancellation, but it doesn't really save you a lot of money. Unlike DCL where it's either book super early or hope for a good GT rate.
Even though I've been to all the ports I've never done any excursions. On DCL the cruise was always expensive enough. Carnival has better excursions then DCL. The amazing race in Cozumel looks really fun. My son would love it. I was momentarily worried about the August heat, and then I remembered I live in Arizona. It will actually be cooler in the Caribbean then it will be at home.

If you decide to go in August, I would love to read your review!

 

[cruiser21]

If you decide to go in August, I would love to read your review!

I will do that. A lot depends on what happens next month. If I get bit by the Disney bug and decide to upgrade to annual passes I'll want to go to the food and wine festival in September. That would mean pushing my cruise back to December. It's been almost 5 years since I've been to WDW. I used to absolutely love it. I'm not sure how I'll feel about it now. We've done so much traveling over the last 5 years WDW might be very ho-hum. My son is super excited, but he's almost 13. He could get there and be like meh..I'd rather be cruising or he could want to go back..who knows?

The one thing I don't like is the cost of the resorts, and how scarce discounts are. Before I would even consider upgrading I would make sure I could book a bounce back at a resort I like. Annual passes don't seem like the deal they used to be. You almost have to take three trips to break even. Anyway, I should have it all figured out by mid-May.

 

[mevelandry]

I will do that. A lot depends on what happens next month. If I get bit by the Disney bug and decide to upgrade to annual passes I'll want to go to the food and wine festival in September. That would mean pushing my cruise back to December. It's been almost 5 years since I've been to WDW. I used to absolutely love it. I'm not sure how I'll feel about it now. We've done so much traveling over the last 5 years WDW might be very ho-hum. My son is super excited, but he's almost 13. He could get there and be like meh..I'd rather be cruising or he could want to go back..who knows?

The one thing I don't like is the cost of the resorts, and how scarce discounts are. Before I would even consider upgrading I would make sure I could book a bounce back at a resort I like. Annual passes don't seem like the deal they used to be. You almost have to take three trips to break even. Anyway, I should have it all figured out by mid-May.

The price of the resorts definitely went up but they are well taken care of.

We stayed at CBR and the rooms that were refurbished in 2015 still look brand new. But the resort is undergoing major refurbishments starting in May...

 

[mevelandry]

Now that My DCL cruise is done, I've started working on my Carnival Vista Cruise.

There are thousands of pictures on CC... Boy that ship look gorgeous! We are so excited!

I already booked Jiji, Cucina Del Capitano and the Steakhouse.

I booked a very basic inside room. Debating whether I should book a Family Harbour room or not. (It's not much more expensive) We have no kids, is this section more noisy? The rooms are so pretty!

Havana room sounds awesome but that would cost us more than 5000$ CND... Not gonna happen unless we win the lottery.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Now that My DCL cruise is done, I've started working on my Carnival Vista Cruise.

There are thousands of pictures on CC... Boy that ship look gorgeous! We are so excited!

I already booked Jiji, Cucina Del Capitano and the Steakhouse.

I booked a very basic inside room. Debating whether I should book a Family Harbour room or not. (It's not much more expensive) We have no kids, is this section more noisy? The rooms are so pretty!

Havana room sounds awesome but that would cost us more than 5000$ CND... Not gonna happen unless we win the lottery.

Have you checked the price of an oceanview? They are bigger than the inside cabins and they have a couch.

My other suggestion would be a Port Hole cabin - they are classed as an inside but have 2 small port hole windows and are the same size as the ocean view (220 sq feet).

I'm sure the family harbour cabins are very nice; my question is - would you use those amenities (like the breakfast area, snacks, hangout area with other families)?

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Now that My DCL cruise is done, I've started working on my Carnival Vista Cruise.

There are thousands of pictures on CC... Boy that ship look gorgeous! We are so excited!

I already booked Jiji, Cucina Del Capitano and the Steakhouse.

I booked a very basic inside room. Debating whether I should book a Family Harbour room or not. (It's not much more expensive) We have no kids, is this section more noisy? The rooms are so pretty!

Havana room sounds awesome but that would cost us more than 5000$ CND... Not gonna happen unless we win the lottery.

Most of the FH rooms are under the galley and MDR so there has been noise reported. I think the decor is great but would never book one for the noise issues. I really want to try a Havana room and there is 1 inside left on my sailing but I have also read that there are noise issues from the Havana Bar at night with the band and loud music playing until 1 AM. I guess they are out too We are in a basic inside on Deck 7 this time. We did a balcony on Deck 8 last year and the balcony door slammers were the worst we have ever encountered. We just can't deal with it anymore and so will lose our precious outside space for the quiet.