DCL,RCCL,CCL 3/4 day

[tylerbug]

I have seen alot of comparisons for the 7 days cruises, but was wondering if I could get some feedback on the Disney/Royal Carribean (Sov of the Sea) Carnival (Fantasy) all these ships are for the 3 days and 4 days cruises..we are not interested in anything longer than a 4 day at this time...was wondering if anyone had been on theses ship and some comparisons...we will be going to Disney for 6 days prior to cruise and my family is worried about Disney overload!!!!

 

[LibertyBelle]

I have been on all 3 of the ships in question

I will start by stating the RCCL and DCL are my favorite cruise lines... however with that said I will NEVER go on Sovereign of the Seas again. It may have just been a fluke (you know how 1-10 has a bad time) but we had the worst vacation ever on the Sovereign. The rooms are the size of a closet on Disney, the crew was rude, the shows were horrible and I think the worst part was that I had choosen S.O.S because we had already done Disney (which was my hubbies first cruise) and decided that my husband needed something to compare DCL to (boy was I wrong). We spent most of the trip docked next to the Wonder with me sobbing that we could have been there. Again I am a firm believer in the vacation fact that at least one person will have a bad expereince and not everyone one the same trip will feel the same so I know there are people that think S.O.S is the best ship ever, but I am not one of them. The food was good and the private Island (Coco Cay) was nice, but that is about all I have positive about that trip.

Carnival Fantasy also has rooms the size of Disney closests, but the cruise was fun for cheap. If you go into Carnival without HUGE expectaions you will not be disappointed. The ship is Hookie (kinda frilly, lots of neon and crazy design patterns). the rooms are small (or at least they seem small) and the atmosphere is more "party" but we had a great time for the money we spent on it. Again knowing it was Carnival and it was cheap I did not have huge expectations, so I was not dissappointed, but it definetly was not Disney.

My choice for you would be Disney. The rooms are nice (and spacious), the crew is definetly up to Disney standards, the food is good and the ship is beautiful (very well decorated and themed). I am a firm believer you get what you paid for and Disney may be more expensive than the others, but it is definetly worth the extra money. I would not worry about Disney overload, the Disney ships are very well done. Even having just done Disney I don't think it will overload you. Yes there are characters around and the Disney themeing, but it very nicely put together and not "in your face" I feel it is subtle and just a really nice relaxing vacation option

Check out this web page:
http://www.cruisesonly.com/c/cruisemain.asp

they have 360 degree views of the different cruise ships, public areas as well as room categories. Click on the crusie line you want, the ship you want and then on the right it says photos and tours, You can look at S.O.S, Fantasy and the Wonder and see what you would be booking, which also may help you with your decision.

 

[tylerbug]

bump

 

[jfeasel]

I too have done the shorter Carnival, Disney and RCL cruises and you cannot beat Disney, especially if you have kids. I did Carnival's Fascination in May 2004 and will NOT go back to Carnival. The itenary is the same as DCL minus Disney's own island (which is the best). Carnival's food was awful. It was the first time that I'd been on a cruise and was hungry. The room was small (had porthole room) and you don't have use of the split bath. I checked out the kids area on Carnival (even though oru kids weren't with us) and it just doesn't compare to Disney's at all. Also, there is a topless bathing area on Carnival, something you won't find on DCL. The Carnival ship was more of a party. I also never saw my room steward and our food servers had no personality whatsoever! The ship's decorations were tacky, salmon, black and sliver, way too dark if you ask me. The best thing on the ship was the spa where I got a hot rock massage which was worth every penny. Also, I missed having an adult only pool that Disney has.

We're going on RCL's Sovereign or Majesty this May and will never go back to Carnival, no matter what the cost. We are going on RCL because we won't be taking the kids and husband and I like the casino.

As for RCL, I've done the Monarch of the Seas. Yes, the rooms on RCL are small (I think the bathrooms are even smaller than Carnival's) but the service is much better than Carnival. The last time I was on RCL, the food and service measured up to DCL.

We've done DCL's 3 days at the parks/4 days on the ship and loved it and did DCL's 7 day easter and liked that even better.

If you'll have kids with you, stick with DCL. If you have teens, you might give RCL a shot. The only disappointment you'll have is n the size of the rooms.

 

[mmouse37]

Right off the bat my vote would be for DCL. The Fantasy was built in 1990 and the SOS was built in 1988.....so right there DCL wins due to it being only 6 years old compared to the others.

I have to agree with the others that the interiors on the other two are darker and ships are smaller overall.

MJ