CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[cruiser21]

That's a great review and comparison Toystory3.

Important for us is the food, comfortable cabin (I do like that the Carnival beds still split and I find their beds and bedding great) and service - all of which we get on our Carnival cruises for a fraction of the price of DCL. As much as I love the "Magic" of Disney, it's tough to swallow when our 7 night Fantasy cruise is costing us $1000 more than our 13 night Carnival Sunshine Cruise.

I also like that the beds split. I would never book a GT rate with just me and my kids because I'm not sure we'd get three beds. You would think the room assigner would see that a mom traveling with two teenage boys would need three bed and use common sense, but I don't trust them to do that.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

@mevelandry we are currently booked on the 6/6/20 7 night Mexican Riviera on Panorama, booked in Havana Cabanas!!!

 

[ToyStory3]

Thanks for the review! If you don't mind I would like to add it to the reviews links on the first post. Thanks!

So glad you guys ad a great experience.

Have you tried the Port Days Breakfast in the MDR? I'm obsessed with it! No - I didn't try it but at the end of the cruise I was wishing I had. My kids really like the buffet so getting them to the MDR for dinner is sometimes all I can accomplish.

There are tastings on Carnival and you can see them listed in the Fun Times every day. There are also free tastings of alcohol at least once during the cruise. I'll definitely look for them next time.

I agree with wjat you said regarding the towel system. I hope they will change it at some point. DH and I now bring our own towels. LOL Yes - we all hated this! I won't bother with them next time and will just ask our steward to remove them.

I have never bought the package either and I hope they will add self-serve soda machines someday.

I think the new Family Harbour cabins on new Carnival ships have split bathrooms.

In October I will sail on one of the oldest Carnival ships. I am a little worried but not that much knowing I loved the Victory very much. But I too, for hard core DCL fans would recommend the most recent ships. My very first cruise ever was when I was in high school. It was a spring break trip with my family. We went on the Carnival Fantasy and the time it was one of the biggest ships around. We were blown away by it! It was a great trip. I went on it's sister ship, the Ecstasy, a few years later.

 

[mevelandry]

@mevelandry we are currently booked on the 6/6/20 7 night Mexican Riviera on Panorama, booked in Havana Cabanas!!!

Added!

 

[mevelandry]

If you sail with Carnival again, don't miss the breakfast!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I just read that the Horizon just raised the most money for any Carnival ship for the Groove for St Jude, $27,500! The Captain has to “Walk the Plank” into the pool in his uniform because they raised over $20,000. This is something that is done on every Carnival shift for every sailing. I think that is so awesome. We did it on our Vista sailings and had an awesome time.

 

[mevelandry]

I just read that the Horizon just raised the most money for any Carnival ship for the Groove for St Jude, $27,500! The Captain has to “Walk the Plank” into the pool in his uniform because they raised over $20,000. This is something that is done on every Carnival shift for every sailing. I think that is so awesome. We did it on our Vista sailings and had an awesome time. View attachment 334538

I did not know they were doing that when they raised 20,000$. This is amazing.

 

[belle032]

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask, but figured one of you veteran DCL cruisers would know!

In the process of booking our DCL cruise for next year. I got a quote from a TA because of the onboard credit offered. If I end up booking through a TA, am I still able to book my own excursions, reservations, etc?

I’ve never used a TA because I like the control. Will I be giving up all control if I use a TA?

 

[mevelandry]

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask, but figured one of you veteran DCL cruisers would know!

In the process of booking our DCL cruise for next year. I got a quote from a TA because of the onboard credit offered. If I end up booking through a TA, am I still able to book my own excursions, reservations, etc?

I’ve never used a TA because I like the control. Will I be giving up all control if I use a TA?

I think it depends on the TA. I've used the services of a TA once and he let me have control of the reservations because I wanted to keep it but took care of the rest.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask, but figured one of you veteran DCL cruisers would know!

In the process of booking our DCL cruise for next year. I got a quote from a TA because of the onboard credit offered. If I end up booking through a TA, am I still able to book my own excursions, reservations, etc?

I’ve never used a TA because I like the control. Will I be giving up all control if I use a TA?

Using a TA, you'll retain control of booking your check in time, excursions, tastings, tickets, etc. You will just need to go through your TA to make changes to your booking (payments, room changes, rate changes, etc.).

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I did not know they were doing that when they raised 20,000$. This is amazing.

They have different things that they do at different levels of donation (and I'm guessing that some of it must be ship dependant as well). Our one cruise raised $15,000 and the CD cut her hair short and one of the fun squad shaved his head.

 

[mevelandry]

They have different things that they do at different levels of donation (and I'm guessing that some of it must be ship dependant as well). Our one cruise raised $15,000 and the CD cut her hair short and one of the fun squad shaved his head.

I'll try to pay attention next time.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Carnival Dream!!

 

[cruiser21]

Where is the the Panorama launching? I'm sure at some point in time we'll sail on this ship. Just for the simple fact its in So Csl. I travel to Cali 3 or 4 times a year to visit family. In fact I'm there now. I've never sailed on Disney out of San Diego because it's expensive and I'm not particularly fond of the ports. This looks easy as far travel and it won't break the bank. I get tired of traveling to the East Coast or Europe. Why does 5 hours on a plane feel so much longer then 5 hours in a car? Dumb question I know....because you have to tack on another 4 hours traveling to airport., security time changes, baggage claim etc. Yep having some newer ships on the west coast will be nice. I wish we had some better ports. Carnival needs to sail this ship to Hawaii. I know it will never happen.

 

[James Fisher]

There is no comparison. We first did Carnival and then Disney. We have not considered going back to Carnival. Carnival mid ship on any floor smelled like cigarettes from the casino. Combo that with it being a cheap party cruise with way too many people getting trashed and we were very off put by it. The kids didn't like their kids club and access to it was a pain at times. Pool area was always packed as well. We got on the Fantasy and found better food, more water areas for the kids, more kids activities, etc. We have done 3 Disney cruises in 3 years and next year's is already booked. Price is up there, but the quality is there to match.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Where is the the Panorama launching? I'm sure at some point in time we'll sail on this ship. Just for the simple fact its in So Csl. I travel to Cali 3 or 4 times a year to visit family. In fact I'm there now. I've never sailed on Disney out of San Diego because it's expensive and I'm not particularly fond of the ports. This looks easy as far travel and it won't break the bank. I get tired of traveling to the East Coast or Europe. Why does 5 hours on a plane feel so much longer then 5 hours in a car? Dumb question I know....because you have to tack on another 4 hours traveling to airport., security time changes, baggage claim etc. Yep having some newer ships on the west coast will be nice. I wish we had some better ports. Carnival needs to sail this ship to Hawaii. I know it will never happen.

I believe late 2019, they aren’t doing any European cruises or a transatlantic with guests on board. The first guests will be boarding in Long Beach.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Where is the Panorama launching? I'm sure at some point in time we'll sail on this ship. Just for the simple fact its in So Csl. I travel to Cali 3 or 4 times a year to visit family. In fact I'm there now. I've never sailed on Disney out of San Diego because it's expensive and I'm not particularly fond of the ports. This looks easy as far travel and it won't break the bank. I get tired of traveling to the East Coast or Europe. Why does 5 hours on a plane feel so much longer then 5 hours in a car? Dumb question I know....because you have to tack on another 4 hours traveling to airport., security time changes, baggage claim etc. Yep having some newer ships on the west coast will be nice. I wish we had some better ports. Carnival needs to sail this ship to Hawaii. I know it will never happen.

First cruise is from Long Beach December 11 2019 (it's a 3 night); after that it's a consistent itinerary through the remainder of December 2019 and all the way through to December 2020.

7 Night cruise leaving long beach going to:
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Mexico
Mazatlan, Mexico Riviera
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Riviera

I think Carnival is banking on the new ship features and just having their newest ship in the fleet on the West coast being enough of a draw to have people cruise. Traditionally, Long Beach has gotten a medium sized ship - it's the first time Carnival is putting their newest, biggest ship on the West coast.

 

[mevelandry]

Where is the the Panorama launching? I'm sure at some point in time we'll sail on this ship. Just for the simple fact its in So Csl. I travel to Cali 3 or 4 times a year to visit family. In fact I'm there now. I've never sailed on Disney out of San Diego because it's expensive and I'm not particularly fond of the ports. This looks easy as far travel and it won't break the bank. I get tired of traveling to the East Coast or Europe. Why does 5 hours on a plane feel so much longer then 5 hours in a car? Dumb question I know....because you have to tack on another 4 hours traveling to airport., security time changes, baggage claim etc. Yep having some newer ships on the west coast will be nice. I wish we had some better ports. Carnival needs to sail this ship to Hawaii. I know it will never happen.

Maybe in a few years. At least they have sailings going to Hawaii!

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

First cruise is from Long Beach December 11 2019 (it's a 3 night); after that it's a consistent itinerary through the remainder of December 2019 and all the way through to December 2020.

7 Night cruise leaving long beach going to:
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Mexico
Mazatlan, Mexico Riviera
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Riviera

I think Carnival is banking on the new ship features and just having their newest ship in the fleet on the West coast being enough of a draw to have people cruise. Traditionally, Long Beach has gotten a medium sized ship - it's the first time Carnival is putting their newest, biggest ship on the West coast.

I wonder if they will add on a Panama Canal or Transatlantic ahead of the 3 night? I am very excited about this ship!

 

[mevelandry]

There is no comparison. We first did Carnival and then Disney. We have not considered going back to Carnival. Carnival mid ship on any floor smelled like cigarettes from the casino. Combo that with it being a cheap party cruise with way too many people getting trashed and we were very off put by it. The kids didn't like their kids club and access to it was a pain at times. Pool area was always packed as well. We got on the Fantasy and found better food, more water areas for the kids, more kids activities, etc. We have done 3 Disney cruises in 3 years and next year's is already booked. Price is up there, but the quality is there to match.

Which Carnival ship was it and how long was the cruise? When? (I noticed a big evolution in the last years).

I found that the cigarette smell from the casino was much more tolerable and better controlled on the Vista (new ship) than the Victory. I hate the cigarette smell too but one area doesn't make or break a cruise for me.

"Cheap party cruise/too many people getting trashed" hasn't been my experience at all... I have only sailed on 4 days + cruises though. I don't drink and I am not comfortable around heavy/disruptive drinkers and I have not encountered them during our 3 cruises with CCL while I have met a few on DCL.

No kids, therefore can't compare kids club.

Pools always had room and aft pool area almost empty most of the time. But I only cruise in April after springbreak and in October after Colombus Day so that could explain it.

That being said, I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

I do think DCL hardcore lovers have stronger chances to appreciate a long cruise on a new CCL ship as my experience was better on the Vista than on the Disney Dream.

At this time, it's not a matter of budget for me but a matter of value/preference. I just find that DCL (as good as it is) has a little bit less to offer than CCL, since DH and I are (and will most likely remain) childfree.