DCL or RCI for 25th anniversary

[g3pak]

I am sure there are a million threads identical to this one. Sorry.

DW and I have been on 3 cruises- all with DCL. DW says it is the only line she will consider. We do not gamble, we do not drink, and we are fans of Disney. We get a verandah stateroom because my wife can get claustrophobic and just knowing there is a balcony helps her feel better.

I want to do a cruise in about 18 months for our 25th anniversary and was only looking at DCL. Because of some threads on here, I am wondering if we would be just as happy on RCI and maybe spend less $. I always appreciate the advice given on here and would love to hear from the Dis friends.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I am sure there are a million threads identical to this one. Sorry.

DW and I have been on 3 cruises- all with DCL. DW says it is the only line she will consider. We do not gamble, we do not drink, and we are fans of Disney. We get a verandah stateroom because my wife can get claustrophobic and just knowing there is a balcony helps her feel better.

I want to do a cruise in about 18 months for our 25th anniversary and was only looking at DCL. Because of some threads on here, I am wondering if we would be just as happy on RCI and maybe spend less $. I always appreciate the advice given on here and would love to hear from the Dis friends.

I'm pretty sure since you've been married for almost 25 years and DW says DCL is the only cruiseline she'll consider, you know what the answer to this question is. Just book the itinerary and cabin she wants and start paying it off. Enjoy your 25th anniversary on whichever Disney ship you end up on.

 

[DCSWO]

I think your answers are going to be pretty biased considering where you are asking the question. Enjoy your anniversary!

 

[Geomom]

As it is for your 25th anniversary and DW says it's the only line she'll consider...I think you have your answer. If you were traveling for 'just' a vacation, maybe you could branch out to another line. If DW is of the mindset that she'll only like DCL, a 25th anniversary trip isn't the best time to try and change her mind.

Happy anniversary! Today is our 24th anniversary!

 

[quickcat]

I think if DW wants Disney, you should stick with that
Maybe try RC a different time.
Congrats on your 25th!!!
Have a wonderful time where ever you go

 

[jdb in AZ]

The only way you'll get her on RCL is to boldly go where DCL doesn't.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am sure there are a million threads identical to this one. Sorry.

DW and I have been on 3 cruises- all with DCL. DW says it is the only line she will consider. We do not gamble, we do not drink, and we are fans of Disney. We get a verandah stateroom because my wife can get claustrophobic and just knowing there is a balcony helps her feel better.

I want to do a cruise in about 18 months for our 25th anniversary and was only looking at DCL. Because of some threads on here, I am wondering if we would be just as happy on RCI and maybe spend less $. I always appreciate the advice given on here and would love to hear from the Dis friends.

Depends on the itineraries. We've cruised other lines, and, while not DCL, we've enjoyed them all. Itineraries are our first criteria when booking cruises, usually.

If your wife is set on DCL, that's probably what she wants. If she's not dead-set on DCL, maybe you can have a talk with her to try branching out.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We're taking our 7th DCL cruise through the Panama Canal next year to celebrate our 25th. We won't even consider another cruise line.

 

[g3pak]

I love these responses. I feel like everyone is saying "if your DW is saying DCL, then why are you asking us?" Point well taken. Thank you.

Ok, DW says only DCL, but she also knows that I am the planner and trusts my judgement when it comes to vacations, so if I say "I really think we will be just as happy with RCI for less money" then she will do it. She will never do a non-DCL when are kids are with us, and our 25th anniversary cruise is probably our only cruise without kids until we are empty nesters.

Let me ask it a different way- will we find RCI to be as good or almost as good and for less money, or is this another example of "you get what you pay for?" We pay less for RCI but we get less, too? What matters to us with a cruise: food, entertainment, atmosphere, and helpfulness of staff. We don't lay out at the pool, we don't spend time at the adult clubs at night, we enjoy Disney but don't care about the characters. Give us good meals, a nice ship with a decent room, some good shows (we don't go to shows every night), and good staff. Itinerary is semi-important to me but my wife doesn't even care where we stop.

 

[cmhguy]

With RCI, the ship matters....IMHO....when comparing. It's a great product, just different.

IMHO.....
Food.....prefer Royal....especially specialty dinning and buffet. Anthem last week was best yet!!!

Rooms.....loved my balc room on Anthem and Harmony....I liked the modern design and reclining chairs on the balc...but I love the classic theme of DCL rooms too.

Service.....DCL wins.... I've had wonderful room attendants on both, but dinning staff doesn't come close. The lines have different philosophies on how they execute their service in the main dinning room...and....RCI doesn't even come close....

Entertainment.....Both are great. Broadway at sea....on RCI..can only love that.....Oasis class aqua theater...best at sea!!!

Guest Relations....DCL hands down.

Price....RCI hands down....why I started cruising with them.....and won't hesitate to keep sailing with them.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I love these responses. I feel like everyone is saying "if your DW is saying DCL, then why are you asking us?" Point well taken. Thank you.

Ok, DW says only DCL, but she also knows that I am the planner and trusts my judgement when it comes to vacations, so if I say "I really think we will be just as happy with RCI for less money" then she will do it. She will never do a non-DCL when are kids are with us, and our 25th anniversary cruise is probably our only cruise without kids until we are empty nesters.

Let me ask it a different way- will we find RCI to be as good or almost as good and for less money, or is this another example of "you get what you pay for?" We pay less for RCI but we get less, too? What matters to us with a cruise: food, entertainment, atmosphere, and helpfulness of staff. We don't lay out at the pool, we don't spend time at the adult clubs at night, we enjoy Disney but don't care about the characters. Give us good meals, a nice ship with a decent room, some good shows (we don't go to shows every night), and good staff. Itinerary is semi-important to me but my wife doesn't even care where we stop.

If my wife and I were sailing alone, it definitely would be on one of the newer Celebrity ships.

 

[mkh531]

Ok I haven't been on RCL but since you can get a suite or better on RCL for the same price as a regular cabin on DCL. you might want to consider doing that. In fact, you could probably get a super duper champagne & caviar and roses brought to your room each day experience on RCL for two and it would cost the same or less than taking the family with kids in DCL in regular room.

 

[g3pak]

If my wife and I were sailing alone, it definitely would be on one of the newer Celebrity ships.

I have not considered Celebrity before, but I looked last night and it looks really nice. The new Edge ship laughing December 2018 looks fascinating, especially the edge veranda rooms.

 

[Dug720]

I have not considered Celebrity before, but I looked last night and it looks really nice. The new Edge ship laughing December 2018 looks fascinating, especially the edge veranda rooms.

I am booked on the Edge for 2/2019 in a solo infinite veranda and cannot wait!! It will be my first Celebrity cruise!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Celebrity is RCCL's upscale sister. We've really enjoyed our cruises with them.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I love these responses. I feel like everyone is saying "if your DW is saying DCL, then why are you asking us?" Point well taken. Thank you.

Ok, DW says only DCL, but she also knows that I am the planner and trusts my judgement when it comes to vacations, so if I say "I really think we will be just as happy with RCI for less money" then she will do it. She will never do a non-DCL when are kids are with us, and our 25th anniversary cruise is probably our only cruise without kids until we are empty nesters.

Let me ask it a different way- will we find RCI to be as good or almost as good and for less money, or is this another example of "you get what you pay for?" We pay less for RCI but we get less, too? What matters to us with a cruise: food, entertainment, atmosphere, and helpfulness of staff. We don't lay out at the pool, we don't spend time at the adult clubs at night, we enjoy Disney but don't care about the characters. Give us good meals, a nice ship with a decent room, some good shows (we don't go to shows every night), and good staff. Itinerary is semi-important to me but my wife doesn't even care where we stop.

I think she will be shocked how much she likes RCCL. And she will be thrilled with her extra shopping budget.

 

[ZerasPride]

My husband and I went back and forth on this same issue for our 25th next year. We both loved our cruise on the Dream last year unfortunately Disney only has holiday sailings which we are not interested in next fall so I started pricing the Oasis which sails out of Port Canaveral. With the price drop I got on Friday we are staying in a Sky Class grand suite for the same price as a balcony cabin on the Fantasy plus we get on board credit!

It will be our first RCCL cruise but we are looking forward to it and all this massive ship has to offer. And if I can snag another price drop we will upgrade to a crown loft or owner’s suite. Whatever you and your wife decide Happy 25th!

 

[SteveMP]

I'm pretty sure since you've been married for almost 25 years and DW says DCL is the only cruiseline she'll consider, you know what the answer to this question is. Just book the itinerary and cabin she wants and start paying it off. Enjoy your 25th anniversary on whichever Disney ship you end up on.

We have done both cruise lines several times. There are pros and cons of both, we enjoy both, but I have to agree with this answer.