Cruising the budget way? DCL or Carnival??

[*pixie*dust*]

I have done Carnival, RCCL and DCL. All have good points. If I had to rank overall experience I would rank: 1. DCL 2. RCCL and 3. Carnival.

I have found that on Carnival and RCCL, short cruises are going to be on smaller, older ships and the prices are much less than DCL. There are fewer children on Carnival and RCCL. We have had good service on all 3. Great service on RCCL and DCL. Rooms are much larger on DCL. There isn't much to do after about 8 on DCL but lots of fun family activity in the day time.

I would sail on any of them, honestly. If price were a big consideration I would go with Carnival, especially since your DS is nearly an adult. Right now my son is 5 so DCL is our clear favorite.

 

[SILLYANDI]

We've done Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess and DCL. We haven't had a bad experience but there are obvious differences in quality, in my opinion between all of them. It has been my experience that "you get what you pay for". (if I have to add a disclaimer-this is MY opinion and I have no intention of forcing it on anyone, just laying it out for OP to ponder since they asked for opinions).
I would say it really depends on what you value. Do you want a lot of family togetherness time or sit by a pool alone and chill time? Do you gamble? Do you enjoy watching shows or doing active things or both? Are you looking to be entertained by things you wouldn't try normally- rock climbing, ice skating, surfing? From that list you can decide which one applies to your family.

One big difference I was kinda bothered by, on the DCL you don't get nickled and dimed for things like soda & drinks other than coffee & lemonade- it's included- so that is something you have to add in when you are comparing costs, and the size of what we thought were comparable rooms (DCL was WAY bigger)
DCL doesn't have a casino but we don't gamble so that didn't bother us. I felt like there was a ton more organized activities to do on DCL than the others, but not as many "experiences" like rock climbing, ice skating. Still, We could never get to everything we wanted to do-There are daily navigators posted on the DCL boards that you can look at to get an idea.
Carnival seemed to be way cheaper when we booked, but when we compared our total bills at the end of the cruise, the DCL was only a few hundred more (and after the DCL trip I was really surprised because it felt like we got a lot more for our money).
I felt like the shorter cruises we took on Royal Caribbean and Carnival were full of weekend partiers and college kids. Not a bad thing, but not "our" thing anymore. The shorter DCL cruise felt like it just wasn't long enough.

Overall we had a great time on all of our cruises. I'm sure no matter which you do you will have fun.

 

[maslex]

We are newbies to cruising but certainly not new to doing Disney on a budget! I need your help.

We would like to try a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas to see if we like cruising. Is it worth going DCL for such a short cruise or should we go with Carnival? (Royal Caribbean does not cruise the day we need to leave.)

By DCL standards I can get a decent rate for our dates, however Carnival is $1,000 cheaper. My guess is we will be spoiled by DCL. Please help!

If you are only going on a 3-day, I would NOT spend the extra money!!!! Go with Carnival instead (or any other cruise line) We've done 4 cruises so far with two more booked for the next couple years. We've done 1 Disney Magic, 1 Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas and 2 with Norwegian (1 on the Dawn and 1 on the Jewel) For us personally, we like the Freestyle cruising. Disney is not freestyle but we love it just as well. We also have a cruise booked for August of next year on Carnival Miracle. Then in June 2012, we're booked on the Disney Fantasy!!!! Can't wait!!!!

I don't think you can get as much of an experience with a 3-day that you can from a 7-day. Not that you wouldn't have fun or anything, but if you were spending that extra money, I would want more time to enjoy it, know what I mean?

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

A tiny bit OT here. How guilty should I feel if I book a cruise for just me and DH? We have never gone anywhere by ourselves. We have 2 DD's, 17 and 15. I found a great Carnival Cruise. 5 days to the Bahamas for 996.00 with just the 2 of us and that's with an ocean view. We have never cruised before. We have done Disney 5 times (that includes DL once) and always taken the girls. This cruise departs Aug 31 and the girls will be in school.
Ok, I had booked a cruise last year for the 4 of us to depart July 30. Well, my mother in law passed on July 15, so of course, we had to cancel. They kept our deposit of $700 and said we had 2 years to use it. So, like the majority of the cruise will be paid for. We only owe $300 and that includes taxes. We would just need passports and spending money. I begged my DH for a WDW trip this year and he said we can't do it. I hate to admit it, but he's right. But 3k vs $300? That's cheaper than a trip to Myrtle Beach...it just wouldn't include the girls. Part of me feels awful for thinking it, the other part feels like is 18 years of marriage, it would be nice to have a vacation by ourselves.
Don't hold back, tell me what you think.
TIA!

It's the Carnival Fantasy.

 

[MickeyManiac]

OP here....we will have our 17 yr. old son with us. DCL looks like they have a nice teen program, but not sure about carnival's. Our son is the type that likes to be on the go, therefore lots of options for things to do are a must!

We just did Carnival (7 days) this past August with 1- 17 y/o, 3- 16 y/o's, and 1- 14 y/o. They LOVED the teen club! It's still all they talk about when they are together. They would leave right after dinner and go hang out in their club room, dance during the deck parties and play lots of basketball. And they gave the free ice cream machine quite a work out! If your son is a joiner he will have a lot of fun.

Having said that...Carnival just couldn't compare to our DCL cruise. (also 7 day) I felt that because DCL doesn't have a casino on board they offered a lot more activities to keep people busy. Especially family friendly activities which was why we were on the ship anyway.

Honestly, you will have a great time no matter which you choose. It's all in what you make of it and cruising is really my favorite way to travel.

 

[mjhd]

A tiny bit OT here. How guilty should I feel if I book a cruise for just me and DH? We have never gone anywhere by ourselves. We have 2 DD's, 17 and 15. I found a great Carnival Cruise. 5 days to the Bahamas for 996.00 with just the 2 of us and that's with an ocean view. We have never cruised before. We have done Disney 5 times (that includes DL once) and always taken the girls. This cruise departs Aug 31 and the girls will be in school.
Ok, I had booked a cruise last year for the 4 of us to depart July 30. Well, my mother in law passed on July 15, so of course, we had to cancel. They kept our deposit of $700 and said we had 2 years to use it. So, like the majority of the cruise will be paid for. We only owe $300 and that includes taxes. We would just need passports and spending money. I begged my DH for a WDW trip this year and he said we can't do it. I hate to admit it, but he's right. But 3k vs $300? That's cheaper than a trip to Myrtle Beach...it just wouldn't include the girls. Part of me feels awful for thinking it, the other part feels like is 18 years of marriage, it would be nice to have a vacation by ourselves.
Don't hold back, tell me what you think.
TIA!

It's the Carnival Fantasy.

I say go for it! We went to Hawaii without the kids a few years ago and had a blast. They are still sad about it, but we have promised to go again sometime and bring them along. Our marriages all deserve to be nurtured, and what a fun way to do it! Also, if it is a closed loop cruise leaving and returning to the US, you don't HAVE to have a passport - just a certified birth certificate.

 

[MissBritt]

A tiny bit OT here. How guilty should I feel if I book a cruise for just me and DH? We have never gone anywhere by ourselves. We have 2 DD's, 17 and 15. I found a great Carnival Cruise. 5 days to the Bahamas for 996.00 with just the 2 of us and that's with an ocean view. We have never cruised before. We have done Disney 5 times (that includes DL once) and always taken the girls. This cruise departs Aug 31 and the girls will be in school.
Ok, I had booked a cruise last year for the 4 of us to depart July 30. Well, my mother in law passed on July 15, so of course, we had to cancel. They kept our deposit of $700 and said we had 2 years to use it. So, like the majority of the cruise will be paid for. We only owe $300 and that includes taxes. We would just need passports and spending money. I begged my DH for a WDW trip this year and he said we can't do it. I hate to admit it, but he's right. But 3k vs $300? That's cheaper than a trip to Myrtle Beach...it just wouldn't include the girls. Part of me feels awful for thinking it, the other part feels like is 18 years of marriage, it would be nice to have a vacation by ourselves.
Don't hold back, tell me what you think.
TIA!

It's the Carnival Fantasy.

DO it! $300 OOP after taxes and tips sounds great. And I think that's one of the newer ships, too.

 

[Gina]

DS & I have done DCL, Princess, & RCCL, during the age span of 5-14 for DS. We've been on the Magic 4 times, and once each on RCCL and Princess. DS has only done Oceaneer Club and Lab on DCL, so I can't comment on the teen club there, but he did have a *ball* in the teen program on RCCL (Voyager of the Seas.) So much fun. They had lots of activities to keep the teens busy, like ship-wide scavenger hunts and Guitar Hero tournaments. He stays in touch with several teens he met onboard.

But even so, we still yearn to be back on the Magic... it's like home to us, and we've never had less than an amazing time. Unfortunately, they have priced themselves clear out of my little single-mom budget. The cruise on Voyager we took was nearly *half* of what the exact same week, same stateroom type, would have cost on the Magic. That's ridiculous. And, I didn't have to worry about airfare.

Food, service, friendliness, cleanliness was pretty equal on DCL and RCCL for us. Princess was just... nice. Nothing to write home about, and the kids program (at least on the Grand) was horrid. The carefully-chosen aft stateroom we had on the Voyager was AMAZING, and blew away our DCL stateroom in terms of value. But DCL spending a day at Castaway Cay trumps nearly every other factor.

I have to say, though, I can't even imagine doing less than a week on a ship... even that feels way too short to us. Only 3 days would just annoy me -- why even unpack? I would feel like I had wasted my money, when I could have put it toward the cost of a longer cruise. But that's just me! I'm also one of those weirdos who is truly happiest when the ship is rockin' and rollin'. The more movement, the better! Maybe I was a pirate in another life.

Good luck with your decision, OP!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Thanks guys! I really want to go, and my dad is taking the girls to NYC over spring break for their Christmas present. So that eases my conscience a little bit.

 

[mikehn]

We are newbies to cruising but certainly not new to doing Disney on a budget! I need your help.

We would like to try a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas to see if we like cruising. Is it worth going DCL for such a short cruise or should we go with Carnival? (Royal Caribbean does not cruise the day we need to leave.)

By DCL standards I can get a decent rate for our dates, however Carnival is $1,000 cheaper. My guess is we will be spoiled by DCL. Please help!

No need to try a 3 nighter to see if you like cruising. You will love it. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of 'budget' about disney cruising. Unless you already live in the port city, too much work for a 3 night cruise. For the same amount of effort and a little more money, make it a 7 nighter.

 

[bettyann29]

I have cruised with Carnival many many times.. Princess, Royal Caribbean and also DCL.. My favorite is definitely DCL.. not just because its Disney, but because the way you are treated and all the "little extras" are worth the price in my opinion.. We had an inside cabin and were surprised at the size.. loved the bath tub, which you dont get on the others.. loved the room service selection.. loved loved loved Castaway Cay..

Now my next favorite is Carnival and we have cruised them 11 times and I would go with them in a heartbeat... If I was trying to save money, I would not go with DCL.. they are obviously much much higher, but there is a reason.. If price was no concern, then I would definitely do DCL..

We did a 4 day DCL trip and it was not long enough! Id love to do a 5 or 7 day cruise with them next time..

 

[mdsoccermom]

We sailed a 7 night Western Caribbean on the Carnival Dream (Carnival's newest ship) over the summer. Loved, loved, loved it! The ship has a waterpark and 18 hole mini golf plus tons of kids activities. Food was excellent. Our cruise for 4 in category 8H Balcony on the Lido deck, was $2,000 cheaper than the 4 night Disney cruise in an oceanview cabin (can't remember the category) at the same time. After our onboard expenses, we still came out far ahead of DCL in terms of cost.This was my 6th cruise, including one on DCL, and I can easily say it was the best one.

Just keep in mind that while the longer cruises on Carnival are great for families, the 3 night ones have reputations as being booze cruises.

 

[jenseib]

A tiny bit OT here. How guilty should I feel if I book a cruise for just me and DH? We have never gone anywhere by ourselves. We have 2 DD's, 17 and 15. I found a great Carnival Cruise. 5 days to the Bahamas for 996.00 with just the 2 of us and that's with an ocean view. We have never cruised before. We have done Disney 5 times (that includes DL once) and always taken the girls. This cruise departs Aug 31 and the girls will be in school.
Ok, I had booked a cruise last year for the 4 of us to depart July 30. Well, my mother in law passed on July 15, so of course, we had to cancel. They kept our deposit of $700 and said we had 2 years to use it. So, like the majority of the cruise will be paid for. We only owe $300 and that includes taxes. We would just need passports and spending money. I begged my DH for a WDW trip this year and he said we can't do it. I hate to admit it, but he's right. But 3k vs $300? That's cheaper than a trip to Myrtle Beach...it just wouldn't include the girls. Part of me feels awful for thinking it, the other part feels like is 18 years of marriage, it would be nice to have a vacation by ourselves.
Don't hold back, tell me what you think.
TIA!

It's the Carnival Fantasy.

Double check with Carnival. But Be sure that the deposit can be used on just the 2 of you and not require all 4 of you to use it. Some places are picky like that.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

OP here....we will have our 17 yr. old son with us. DCL looks like they have a nice teen program, but not sure about carnival's. Our son is the type that likes to be on the go, therefore lots of options for things to do are a must!

My friend's 16 year old found DCL "BORING" Said the teen program was too young and overall all he found to do was play basketball. As my friend's DH said "it's cheaper for him to play Basketball at the Y"

As an adult I have done DCL and RCCL. Sorry, Disney, but.... it just is a little too "kid friendly"

 

[mjkacmom]

We've done the 3 night DCL, and 2 NCL cruises with the same itinerary from NYC - 7 nights. Was DCL better? Yes. Worth all that extra money? No way. Sure, free soda on DCL, but for $35 or so, I bought my kids soda cards on NCL. I also LOVE freestyle dining, eating when we are hungry, and where we want. I like the entertainment on NCL better, too, and the ships we took were bigger, and we felt the motion much less, even travelling down the coast. My 2 oldest were 9 and 11 on DCL, and didn't like the clubs. However, dd14 LOVED the teen club on NCL, and met a lot of new friends (plus a boyfriend - luckily, he lives 40 minutes from us, and is only 14, so it's long distance. ).

As for the cruise length, I wish I would've listened when people told me 3 nights is not enough - you're just really getting the lay of the land (or sea), by day 3.

 

[Keira1387]

Go with DISNEY! If you do a carnival 3 day your most likely going on the Sensation which is an older ship inxthe fleet which IMO could use some tlc. If you go with Disney you will be on the brand new dream. Plus you will make a stop at disney's private island castaway cay!

There is nothing like a Disney cruise!

 

[quentina]

I've done DCL, RC and Carnival. I liked them all and I would do all of them again without hesitation.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Double check with Carnival. But Be sure that the deposit can be used on just the 2 of you and not require all 4 of you to use it. Some places are picky like that.

Thanks, I never would have thought of that. I will call tomorrow and see what they say.

 

[MarthaJr.]

Thanks for all of the replies and advice. I think we are going to stick with either a 3 or 4 day cruise. DH just started a new job and will have 5 days of vacation starting in Sept. and he is the one that has always wanted to cruise. We are looking at the last weekend in October as we are off school the last TH/F of that week and I get 1 personal day/year (I am a special ed. paraprofessional) so I could take off the 31st as well.

The Carnival cruise that goes to Key West & Cozumel looks interesting. Anyone try that one?

 

[MissBritt]

The Carnival cruise that goes to Key West & Cozumel looks interesting. Anyone try that one?

We just did the KW/Cozumel last week, Mon-Fri. As a Floridian, I found KW particularly boring, but your experience may differ. Cozumel was nice, but since I'm pregnant, we didn't do any excursions... just took a taxi to some shopping areas, etc. The people at our dining table did the Jeep to the caves and others did the Mayan ruins and they all loved it.