Comparing cruise ships

[goofy4wdw2]

Is there a good place to read about the different ships to help decide which cruise to book?

 

[ACQUADUCK]

I would run backwards.

When do you want to go?
How much to spend?
Time on cruise.

Then search.

I.E. If you wanted....Alaska, well it's the Disney Winder in summer.
If...you wanted Europe then it's the Magic in the summer.
If you want WDW then cruise, The Dream, 4 nights, The Fantasy 7 nights, the other ships add some in winter.

DCL website has great comparisons you can select from there.

Often new cruisers compare ships them find actually whilst they want one ship, another ship goes where they want.

Magic / Wonder, older, smaller, intimate.
Dream / Fantasy, newer, larger, more crowds.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Since it's your first, a short 3 or 4 day cruise might be best to 'test the waters' (pardon the pun!). That's what we did. The Bahamas are easy and fun. If you're a west coaster, the Baja cruises out of SD are fun (I love Cabo).

We were BLOWN away by the beauty of the Wonder, the service, the food, the...everything. In the big picture, the ships aren't that much different, it's a matter of degree with this dining room over that and this show over that. For a first time (ours wasn't that long ago) it didn't make much of a difference

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Thanks everyone. We are going with my sister and her family and planning 7 days. They did a shorter cruise already so we said we’d do the 7 night with them. Leaving from Port Canaveral. We are meeting in a few weeks (once we have a few more dates for next year’s school and sport stuff) to go through calendars and settle on a date. Looking for either Jan, April, or Nov but might need to rule one of those out once we have more schedule info. Figured I’d read just a little about the ships in case were picking from two itineraries that would work and the ship might sway us one way or another.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Thanks everyone. We are going with my sister and her family and planning 7 days. They did a shorter cruise already so we said we’d do the 7 night with them. Leaving from Port Canaveral. We are meeting in a few weeks (once we have a few more dates for next year’s school and sport stuff) to go through calendars and settle on a date. Looking for either Jan, April, or Nov but might need to rule one of those out once we have more schedule info. Figured I’d read just a little about the ships in case were picking from two itineraries that would work and the ship might sway us one way or another.

You are moving towards the Disney Fantasy, the Magic or Wonder may do a few but really it's the Fantasy.

 

[lklgoodman]

If you're thinking of going 2019, then you may want to take a look at the different cruises that are being offered. We booked our Jan 2019 7night cruise on the Fantasy months ago and the price has already gone up over $800 since we booked it, we're a family of 3. I know you aren't ready to book yet, but seeing the prices may help you decide. The price for the exact same cruise can vary by thousands of dollars depending on which month you choose.

 

[Masonmj84]

I've sailed on the Fantasy (Dream class ship) and Wonder (Magic class ship) and noticed the following general differences:

Dream class ships are bigger (duh!)
Dream class ships have the Aqua Duck
Dream class ships have a 9 hole miniature golf course
Animator's Palate on Dream class ships is more advanced and interactive

Of course the theming of some of the clubs and resturants is also different depending on the ship. But otherwise, we didn't notice too many other differences.

The theming, quality, ammenities, and size of the staterooms seemed about the same to me.

The overall quality of the common areas of the ship seemed about the same to me.

The overall food and service quality also seemed about the same to me.

 

[GPaLarry]

Agree with those above, the ship does not, by itself, make the cruise. The destination does have something to do with it. I would look first at your budget, then your getting time off at work (or do an early retirement, Ha!). Our first DCL cruise was EBPC on the Magic, in 2008 suggested by our son and his family...it was awesome. This cruise, after seven more, spoiled us to the point that we will never ride the Dream unless it offers 7+ day itineraries. Each ship had its pros and cons...you won't go wrong with any of them. Always wondered how Mickey gets on all four ships and walks the parks at the same time...magical!!

 

[MomOTwins]

Agree with those above, the ship does not, by itself, make the cruise. The destination does have something to do with it. I would look first at your budget, then your getting time off at work (or do an early retirement, Ha!). Our first DCL cruise was EBPC on the Magic, in 2008 suggested by our son and his family...it was awesome. This cruise, after seven more, spoiled us to the point that we will never ride the Dream unless it offers 7+ day itineraries. Each ship had its pros and cons...you won't go wrong with any of them. Always wondered how Mickey gets on all four ships and walks the parks at the same time...magical!!

Just noting that sometimes you can get a "back-to-back" cruise on the Dream (3-night followed by 4-night) for the same price as a 7-night, which can be nice if you like Castaway Cay as you get to go twice.

 

[tidefan]

One thing I have always said in comparing the ships is that Castaway Cay is noticeably less crowded when visiting from one of the classic ships.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This cruise, after seven more, spoiled us to the point that we will never ride the Dream unless it offers 7+ day itineraries.

We prefer the longer cruises, also. But I wanted to do the Dream. So we booked a 4 night Dream, followed by B2B Fantasy cruises. Made it seem like a much longer cruise (14 nights), with a 2 night overnight in WDW between them.

 

[Trera]

Just noting that sometimes you can get a "back-to-back" cruise on the Dream (3-night followed by 4-night) for the same price as a 7-night, which can be nice if you like Castaway Cay as you get to go twice.

We have gotten it cheaper many times than a 7 night cruise.

 

[Trera]

We have found that each ship has its own complete "personality" from the decor, to the pool areas, to the crew...................We love all 4 ships for different reasons and try to spend time on each of them when we can. The Fantasy will be soon for us as we havent been on her in the longest time.

I think you will be happy with whichever ship you ultimately choose.