CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[daisyx3]

OK, I have some questions. DH and I are going on the short Fantasy cruise in July so I will have my DCL grand slam. We don't know if we enjoy these because it's Disney (his opinion) or because we love the water (My opinion). Obviously we can't determine that until we go on another line, right?
My son will be 21 in the summer of 2019. If we do the 4 night CC double dip and take him, it will cost $5000 for a balcony room. If we take a cruise on Breeze or Magic, it will be between $3000-$3500 in a cloud 9 spa room (still less than if only two of us on the Dream). Plus we haven't been to the ports for the weeks I've found. We love CC, but we're not even going to Nassau on the Fantasy because we've been there twice and don't really like it.
1) Cruise Critics reviews say those ships tend to be crowded with lines for everything, and difficulty getting a chair on the adult deck. We have to go in summer because I teach, son is in college. is this a valid criticism
2) will a 21 year old with his parents be bored? Don't want to get him a drink package because DH and I don't drink enough to make it worthwhile for us, and I understand if one person gets it, all do.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

We went on the Breeze first week of June (summer break starts the last week of May in Florida). We enjoyed it, and we did not experience "lines for everything." The longest line was 15 minutes for Guy's Burger.
The entertainment and service wasn't up to par with DCL, but we went for the ports and had a still very enjoyable time on the ship. No regrets!
We're actually looking at a summer 2019 cruise on either the Breeze or Magic as well, but I think we'll end up going for Celebrity instead (we're not cruising with a 21 year old though)

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Breeze is my favorite ship! I think there is a lot to do on Breeze and Magic. The ropes course is fun and there is also waterworks and mini golf. My kids liked the 5D theatre on Breeze.

I’ve never been in Serenity but have had no issues with a seat on Lido if I get there by 10. The aft pool is less crowded though.

Lines. Well, you are in a small space with over 4000 people so you may stand ina line or 2. It’s never been horrible for us. They mostly move fast and if it doesn’t I don’t sweat the small stuff.

Either ship would be great and I would go with the itinerary you want first.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

OK, I have some questions. DH and I are going on the short Fantasy cruise in July so I will have my DCL grand slam. We don't know if we enjoy these because it's Disney (his opinion) or because we love the water (My opinion). Obviously we can't determine that until we go on another line, right?
My son will be 21 in the summer of 2019. If we do the 4 night CC double dip and take him, it will cost $5000 for a balcony room. If we take a cruise on Breeze or Magic, it will be between $3000-$3500 in a cloud 9 spa room (still less than if only two of us on the Dream). Plus we haven't been to the ports for the weeks I've found. We love CC, but we're not even going to Nassau on the Fantasy because we've been there twice and don't really like it.
1) Cruise Critics reviews say those ships tend to be crowded with lines for everything, and difficulty getting a chair on the adult deck. We have to go in summer because I teach, son is in college. is this a valid criticism
2) will a 21 year old with his parents be bored? Don't want to get him a drink package because DH and I don't drink enough to make it worthwhile for us, and I understand if one person gets it, all do.

Any cruise will be "crowded" in the summer (DCL included); will it have a big negative impact on your cruise? Only if you let it. It's not really that different the WDW - even with all of the planning and FP, etc. occasionally, you'll still have to stand in a line or wait your turn for something. Adult decks on all cruise lines fill up fast (in my experience). Carnival's Serenity area is very nice and yes, it does fill up. That being said, the Magic and Breeze also have loungers on Deck 5 - and hot tubs. You'll find this area less crowded and very convenient to other inside activities.

If your 21 likes to cruise, there'll be lots for him to do - just like any adult. Carnival has a variety of active stuff (waterslides, rope courses, sports square) and non-active stuff (trivia, games, comedy club, live music). Carnival also has a dance club in the night and numerous deck parties.

Even without the drink package, he can still drink. If you want to gift him something, you can pre-buy drink credit for him (if you had been thinking of getting him Cheers but won't because you don't want to buy it for everyone, you could gift him $50 a day bar credit - or just regular onboard credit for him to spend).

There's also bingo, the casino, Red Frog Pub, pool games, a game room, an arcade, not to mention my favourite cruise past time - Eating (and let me say, Carnival has a wonderful array of daytime options - from the Sea Day Brunch, to Guy's Burgers, to the Blue Iguana, to afternoon tea, to just about anything you could think of - and these are all included in your cruise fare).

I can't recommend checking out Zydecocruiser's page enough: http://www.zydecocruiser.net/zc_cruise_page.htm

He's cruised so many carnival ships and does a great job with capturing everything (yes everything) in pictures. He also has copies of each of the funtimes and menus from his cruises.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

OK, I have some questions. DH and I are going on the short Fantasy cruise in July so I will have my DCL grand slam. We don't know if we enjoy these because it's Disney (his opinion) or because we love the water (My opinion). Obviously we can't determine that until we go on another line, right?
My son will be 21 in the summer of 2019. If we do the 4 night CC double dip and take him, it will cost $5000 for a balcony room. If we take a cruise on Breeze or Magic, it will be between $3000-$3500 in a cloud 9 spa room (still less than if only two of us on the Dream). Plus we haven't been to the ports for the weeks I've found. We love CC, but we're not even going to Nassau on the Fantasy because we've been there twice and don't really like it.
1) Cruise Critics reviews say those ships tend to be crowded with lines for everything, and difficulty getting a chair on the adult deck. We have to go in summer because I teach, son is in college. is this a valid criticism
2) will a 21 year old with his parents be bored? Don't want to get him a drink package because DH and I don't drink enough to make it worthwhile for us, and I understand if one person gets it, all do.

I think your son will have a great time on either ship and definitely will not be bored at all. As others have said, summer cruises are busy and there are lines and crowds everywhere at times. That being said, there are certainly ways to avoid some crowds on Carnival ships. Carnival cruisers tend to wake up later than DCL so we hit breakfast before 8:30 and never experience lines on sea days. Port days, we hit breakfast a little later as Carnival cruisers tend to debark the ship ASAP.

Just for the heck of it, I priced out a 6 night Western on the new Horizon for late June 2019 for you. You can get a Havana Cabana for the 3 of you for $3800. I’d urge you to check out the Havana area on Vista and read some reviews of that area, you’ll fall in love. We haven’t experienced Havana yet but have it booked for 2019 on Horizon and 2020 on the new Panorama. I can hardly wait for these cruises.

 

[mevelandry]

We're on her...

My old friend the Victory.

P.s.: I'm the photograph you can see in the reflection. Lol

 

[lovin'fl]

View attachment 317020 We're on her...

My old friend the Victory.

P.s.: I'm the photograph you can see in the reflection. Lol

Have a great trip!

 

[mevelandry]

Have a great trip!

Thank you!!!

 

[mevelandry]

By the way... The ice cream and frozen yogurt brand isTiller Foods.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Wishing you and your family a wonderful vacation!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Have a ton of fun

 

[daisyx3]

I think your son will have a great time on either ship and definitely will not be bored at all. As others have said, summer cruises are busy and there are lines and crowds everywhere at times. That being said, there are certainly ways to avoid some crowds on Carnival ships. Carnival cruisers tend to wake up later than DCL so we hit breakfast before 8:30 and never experience lines on sea days. Port days, we hit breakfast a little later as Carnival cruisers tend to debark the ship ASAP.

Just for the heck of it, I priced out a 6 night Western on the new Horizon for late June 2019 for you. You can get a Havana Cabana for the 3 of you for $3800. I’d urge you to check out the Havana area on Vista and read some reviews of that area, you’ll fall in love. We haven’t experienced Havana yet but have it booked for 2019 on Horizon and 2020 on the new Panorama. I can hardly wait for these cruises.

Wow, am totally in love with this option. Thanks!
One question....while my son would love to come, and we would love to have him, what are my options if he finds out between now and spring of 2019 that he can't come? For example, has to take a summer class to graduate on time, or gets an internship, etc. (he will be entering his last year in fall of 19). Can we keep the room and just cancel him?

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Wow, am totally in love with this option. Thanks!
One question....while my son would love to come, and we would love to have him, what are my options if he finds out between now and spring of 2019 that he can't come? For example, has to take a summer class to graduate on time, or gets an internship, etc. (he will be entering his last year in fall of 19). Can we keep the room and just cancel him?

First, you will need to book a refundable fare (NOT Early Saver, Super Saver, etc). If you book a room for 3 and then want to change they will probably make you switch to a 2 person capacity room. If there are no more in Havana you will either have to pay for the third person or give up that area. They might also let you stay in that room as double. Everything is capacity controlled so until a situation arises no one really knows what will happen. Things aren't always cut and dried but those are the 2 likeliest scenarios.

 

[daisyx3]

First, you will need to book a refundable fare (NOT Early Saver, Super Saver, etc). If you book a room for 3 and then want to change they will probably make you switch to a 2 person capacity room. If there are no more in Havana you will either have to pay for the third person or give up that area. They might also let you stay in that room as double. Everything is capacity controlled so until a situation arises no one really knows what will happen. Things aren't always cut and dried but those are the 2 likeliest scenarios.

I just checked by sample booking, and there are only 2 rooms open that hold 3, and about 10 that hold 2. In all honesty the Havana option is why that is my favorite of the cruises I've looked at. Without it, my favorite is a 6 night on the Magic in a spa room. even paying for a spa pass for my son (only 2 are included) it's a good deal on ports I haven't seen. So I guess when I book I would have to make sure I could stay in a Havana room even if my son couldn't come. I did find refundable fares too; thanks for the tip.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I just checked by sample booking, and there are only 2 rooms open that hold 3, and about 10 that hold 2. In all honesty the Havana option is why that is my favorite of the cruises I've looked at. Without it, my favorite is a 6 night on the Magic in a spa room. even paying for a spa pass for my son (only 2 are included) it's a good deal on ports I haven't seen. So I guess when I book I would have to make sure I could stay in a Havana room even if my son couldn't come. I did find refundable fares too; thanks for the tip.

Make sure you are checking all decks. They have made rooms on Deck 6 and 7 Aft a part of Havana on Vista. On Horizon and the new Panorama all the Aft rooms from 5-9 are designated Havana. Unfortunately, they are geared to couples and not families or groups.

 

[daisyx3]

Make sure you are checking all decks. They have made rooms on Deck 6 and 7 Aft a part of Havana on Vista. On Horizon and the new Panorama all the Aft rooms from 5-9 are designated Havana. Unfortunately, they are geared to couples and not families or groups.

No rooms on any deck but 5 left.

 

[cruiser21]

Wow, am totally in love with this option. Thanks!
One question....while my son would love to come, and we would love to have him, what are my options if he finds out between now and spring of 2019 that he can't come? For example, has to take a summer class to graduate on time, or gets an internship, etc. (he will be entering his last year in fall of 19). Can we keep the room and just cancel him?

What is the fare for the third person? I've found on Carnival it's usually not much. It might cost more for you to cancel him and switch to a new rate plus you might lose your room. Carnival is kind of weird like that. It's not like Disney where you can cancel a person and keep the same rate and room. Like pp stated I would stay away from the non-refundable deposits. It's almost impossible to make a change with those rooms. It will require paying a penalty, waiting on hold, and dealing with bad customer service agents.

The good thing about Carnival is that if you don't book with a non- refundable rate you can cancel online and rebook... not need to call at all. Carnival is very fast with the refunds too.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Wow, am totally in love with this option. Thanks!
One question....while my son would love to come, and we would love to have him, what are my options if he finds out between now and spring of 2019 that he can't come? For example, has to take a summer class to graduate on time, or gets an internship, etc. (he will be entering his last year in fall of 19). Can we keep the room and just cancel him?

I don’t like the way Carnival makes you move if you change occupancy of their rooms and I definitely don’t think they should make you change categories if there is a change. I agree with @cruiser21, I’d just not tell them he can’t go and be a no show. His fare is only about $700, it would be worth it to me to eat that money to keep the Havana room. Good luck on your decision!

 

[daisyx3]

I don’t like the way Carnival makes you move if you change occupancy of their rooms and I definitely don’t think they should make you change categories if there is a change. I agree with @cruiser21, I’d just not tell them he can’t go and be a no show. His fare is only about $700, it would be worth it to me to eat that money to keep the Havana room. Good luck on your decision!

I settled the issue last night, LOL. We decided to take all my kids on a WDW trip in 2021 when hopefully all the new things will be open. My son can stay home next summer (if he doesn't get an internship) and watch my dog. And I'm even more excited to plan a the first trip with all the kids (and the son in law and grandson, and maybe grandbaby #2 by that time) since 2010!
Now, havana cabana or havana balcony room?

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I settled the issue last night, LOL. We decided to take all my kids on a WDW trip in 2021 when hopefully all the new things will be open. My son can stay home next summer (if he doesn't get an internship) and watch my dog. And I'm even more excited to plan a the first trip with all the kids (and the son in law and grandson, and maybe grandbaby #2 by that time) since 2010!
Now, havana cabana or havana balcony room?

Sounds like a great compromise.

Havana Cabana. It's far more unique of a ship feature.