CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[mevelandry]

Mevelandry, do you cruise with kids by any chance? If not, do you think your opinions will be different if you had kids?
I am also considering branching out and checking other cruise lines. Disney is getting far too expensive and their itineraries are a little stale and pretty boring. But I have only done disney cruises and concerned about leaving my (now) comfort zone...

We do not have kids and while I can't comment on Kids Clubs, I tend to look at what cruise lines like Carnival and RCCL offer for kids and teenagers regardless, as we do have friends with kids (and teenagers) and always dreamed of doing a "Family & Friends cruise" ...

So I take a look at everything and sometimes even try some of the activities.

If we had to bring us with them, I would most likely go for big ships like the Carnival Vista class or RCCL's Mariner of the Seas (or bigger) as I think they have a lot to offer to kids. Kids I saw there seemed like they were having so much fun! The variety of experiences available can be quite impressive.

 

[mevelandry]

One last detail on our RCCL cruise before I go back 100% to Carnival on this thread.

Completely out of subject, I wanted to say that my husband and I did try a drink package for the first time in our lives and ... Well... We had to drink a lot of specialty ($) coffee, smoothies and Perrier to make it worth it. Turns out we don't drink enough alcohol to break even.

(Oh and I used the Coca Cola machines only once a day so the soda package probably won't be worth it either. There were a lot of different non-alcoolic (includes) drinks available: water, iced tea, tea, apple juice, orange juice, lemonade, tea --slightly better selection than on Carnival-- , hot cocoa and coffee...)

By the way, I haven't seen anyone who looked drunk. And they call it "booze cruises"!

 

[belle032]

One last detail on our RCCL cruise before I go back 100% to Carnival on this thread.

Completely out of subject, I wanted to say that my husband and I did try a drink package for the first time in our lives and ... Well... We had to drink a lot of specialty ($) coffee, smoothies and Perrier to make it worth it. Turns out we don't drink enough alcohol to break even.

(Oh and I used the Coca Cola machines only once a day so the soda package probably won't be worth it either. There were a lot of different non-alcoolic (includes) drinks available: water, iced tea, tea, apple juice, orange juice, lemonade, tea --slightly better selection than on Carnival-- , hot cocoa and coffee...)

By the way, I haven't seen anyone who looked drunk. And they call it "booze cruises"!

Haha you don't have to go back to 100% Carnival...it's always fun to hear about other cruise lines!!

So happy you had a amazing trip and it just goes to show you don't know what else is out there until you try! I should speak for myself though, as DH is very reluctant to go outside of Carnival, especially now that we've "branched out" and tried DCL! Those photos of Coco Cay might persuade him though!

You don't have to remember exact price, but was the beverage package on RCL similar in price to CCL? We do use our beverage packages to our advantage (and no that does not mean drinking 15 drinks a day and/or getting fall down drunk!) and it has become a part of our vacation.

 

[mevelandry]

Haha you don't have to go back to 100% Carnival...it's always fun to hear about other cruise lines!!

So happy you had a amazing trip and it just goes to show you don't know what else is out there until you try! I should speak for myself though, as DH is very reluctant to go outside of Carnival, especially now that we've "branched out" and tried DCL! Those photos of Coco Cay might persuade him though!

You don't have to remember exact price, but was the beverage package on RCL similar in price to CCL? We do use our beverage packages to our advantage (and no that does not mean drinking 15 drinks a day and/or getting fall down drunk!) and it has become a part of our vacation.

Here's how I decribed it in my Triple Threat Match review:

Royal is like DCL and Carnival had a baby together.

Combine the cleanliness and chic/classic look of DCL with the variety and fun activities of Carnival.

We paid 69$ CND per person per day for the drink package on Royal, which I believe means somewhere between 55-57$ USD per person per day for you. So yes, very similar to Carnival prices.

 

[mevelandry]

I feel I need to add something. My husband said he missed one thing from Carnival: the Cruise Director. On Royal, the Cruise Directors only seem to appear before shows. On Carnival, they are everywhere.

 

[h3kta]

I feel I need to add something. My husband said he missed one thing from Carnival: the Cruise Director. On Royal, the Cruise Directors only seem to appear before shows. On Carnival, they are everywhere.

Out of ignorance, what do the cruise directors add? on DCL I feel they only appeared before shows and when there was an event by the giant screen on deck. Didn't care one way or another

 

[h3kta]

Also, do have any opinions of Half Moon Cay vs CocoCay? (Sorry so many questions).
I am not very fond of Castaway Cay. There isn't much to do and the snorkeling is terrible.

 

[smmco]

Mevelandry, do you cruise with kids by any chance? If not, do you think your opinions will be different if you had kids?
I am also considering branching out and checking other cruise lines. Disney is getting far too expensive and their itineraries are a little stale and pretty boring. But I have only done disney cruises and concerned about leaving my (now) comfort zone...

I have one that prefers Royal and one that prefers Disney. The one that prefers Disney will participate in every activity in the Vibe from the time it opens until the time it closes. He loves the activities, loves the counselors, loves being the leader and the center of attention. DCL is a really good fit for him.

The older one is more of an observer and could care less about the activities. He likes to hang out and socialize. You will never see him up on stage doing karaoke. He loves the big vibrant Oasis-class ships with all they have to offer. Royal is not as activity-driven as Disney. There's more to do around the ship and the teen club is basically a night time club. My kids couldn't be more different, and to this day wonder how they were created by the same two people.

I'm not familiar with Clubs on Royal for the younger children.

I don't think one is necessarily better then the other they are just different. It really depends on the kid. I'm just happy not being at work. I like to eat, drink, exercise, sleep and read. My needs are pretty simple.

If you're getting outpriced by Disney I would give it a try. Disney's not going anywhere.

 

[tinkerone]

Out of ignorance, what do the cruise directors add? on DCL I feel they only appeared before shows and when there was an event by the giant screen on deck. Didn't care one way or another

For us, cruise directors are pretty much what you say. The only one we found that did more, seemed to be everywhere, was Christiaan who was CD on our first two sailings on the Magic. We found Brent was okay as well, just not as out front as Christiaan. I would be hard put by to name any other cruise director we have had. That goes for RCCL and DCL.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Out of ignorance, what do the cruise directors add? on DCL I feel they only appeared before shows and when there was an event by the giant screen on deck. Didn't care one way or another

The Carnival CD’s are everywhere all day and night. They lead all the deck and atrium parties, many activities, are always greeting guests getting on and off the ships, and many other things. One of them, The Flying Scotsman, has his own show at night, he has an amazing voice. The big Carnival ships have awesome CD’s, they really add a lot to the experience.

 

[mevelandry]

Out of ignorance, what do the cruise directors add? on DCL I feel they only appeared before shows and when there was an event by the giant screen on deck. Didn't care one way or another

On Carnival, the cruise director welcomes people when they embark the ship (and say goodbye when people disembark) and host tons of activities, they make announcements all the time (inserting jokes here and there), they introduce shows, they host game shows, etc.

Some of them are almost considered like superstars among the cruise line.

There is also another person (forgot the title) who will introduce comedians at comedy shows, host games, bingo and trivia that you might end up seeing a lot. When they are really good, they can become Cruise Directors at some point.

 

[mevelandry]

Also, do have any opinions of Half Moon Cay vs CocoCay? (Sorry so many questions).
I am not very fond of Castaway Cay. There isn't much to do and the snorkeling is terrible.

Half Moon Cay is a little bit like Castaway Cay. It's a nice beach, with music and a place to eat. It's absolutely beautiful.

Some people like it less because you have to use tendering to get there. But I think I heard that they will build a dock soon? (Did I dream about it?)

 

[h3kta]

Sounds like I need to branch out and sever that DCL umbilical cord

 

[mevelandry]

Sounds like I need to branch out and sever that DCL umbilical cord

You might be very happily surprised.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Sounds like I need to branch out and sever that DCL umbilical cord

If you branch out to Carnival, just remember not all ships are the same experience. We first tried Carnival on Vista when she was on her 4th cruise. I do want to try one ship in the class right before Vista Class, and that is the Breeze. Other than that ship, I’m only doing Vista Class and newer.

 

[mevelandry]

Sounds like I need to branch out and sever that DCL umbilical cord

If you branch out to Carnival, just remember not all ships are the same experience. We first tried Carnival on Vista when she was on her 4th cruise. I do want to try one ship in the class right before Vista Class, and that is the Breeze. Other than that ship, I’m only doing Vista Class and newer.

I agree 100%. Especially if you are a fan of DCL, you are most likely used to ships in great shape/ looking brand new.

I'd go Vista, Horizon, Panorama ... Or the upcoming Mardi Gras?

 

[h3kta]

Thanks for the tip on Carnival. It is a toss up now between RCCL (their island sounds great) and Carnival. For RCCL I understand I will want to get on the Oasis class ship?

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the tip on Carnival. It is a toss up now between RCCL (their island sounds great) and Carnival. For RCCL I understand I will want to get on the Oasis class ship?

The Voyager Class (like the Mariner) is pretty nice. But the Quantum looks pretty amazing and the Oasis Class looks spectacular with the "Central Park", IMO.

 

[tinkerone]

The Voyager Class (like the Mariner) is pretty nice. But the Quantum looks pretty amazing and the Oasis Class looks spectacular with the "Central Park", IMO.

We love Central Park. In the evening we sit out and watch the people stroll by. There's soft music playing, sometimes a string quartet. You can hear crickets chirping (piped in of course). Twinkling lights. Sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine in the evening is my favorite thing. I like them better than the ocean view cabins but that's a personal thing.
We also tried the Boardwalk balconies but didn't love them.

 

[belle032]

Sorry if this is completely off-topic, but if you have any Southwest flights booked, check them. I got a notification in my Southwest app that I can change the dates/times of my flights for our January cruise at no charge. Looking at their social media page, it seems to be because of the ongoing Boeing issues and SW has removed them from service through February.

So this might only affect flights up until February, but if you're looking for a potential better flight during that time, check out your reservations!