DCL vs. Carnival

[darnheather]

Interesting. Yesterday I was chatting with a friend near Baltimore port, where an older Carnival ship and older RCCL ship sail out of. Since I'll be in the area later this year, I asked friend if they've done either, answered yes, but to not even consider Carnival, it was not worth it (friend has sailed many DCL -US and Europe- and travelled with kids extensively). We didn't get into a lot of details, so can't offer much there but was surprised at this blanket dissaproval. Of course I mentioned the Havan cabana suites on Carnival and friend quickly looked them up and summed up their appeal: "I don't think I would ever leave my cabin if I was in one of those!" It will be interesting to see the reviews over this year on what seems to be a very nice Carnival ship!

There is a Carnival ship that sails out of Norfolk/VA Beach which is my closest port. However, I have zero interest in sailing it as it gets horrible reviews. The smoking alone would entice me to pay $1000 more on a 7 night cruise. But everyone is different and I'm sure loads of people take those cruises and love them.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Thank you so much for all the replies! I really appreciate the many points of views. After some consideration, my family members who were thinking about Carnival have decided it's probably not the best atmosphere for our family, at least right now. We are located on the West Coast and limited in our options as far as cruise lines go. As much as I know many members of my extended family would love to cruise on DCL, the cost is just out of their budget even without adding on airfare, so we've started looking at other vacation options that will allow everyone to attend.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've only sailed on DCL. I booked the Oct 8th 2017 cruise this morning but I have family members who want us to go on a Carnival Baja cruise the same week. Waaahhhh. But looking at the price, it's basically half of what we're paying for DCL. Has anyone been on the Carnival Inspiration or Imagination? How does it compare? How are the kid programs? We love the Disney shows, how is the entertainment on Carnival? We don't drink or gamble so I'm thinking we are going to be really bored and I'm worried about being nickled and dimed. I'm trying to convert them to DCL, but the cost is making that very prohibitive.

Well, we did a 4 night Inspiration Baja cruise about a year ago.

The decor is more Vegas-y. Lots of neon and chrome. Can't answer about the kid programs, sorry. Unless they've made a drastic change to their show provider, don't expect much in the way of shows. We were very disappointed in them. Most entertainment is very much more "adult" oriented than you'll find on DCL (even the "family" comedy shows).

The adult only area has no pool, only a couple of hot tubs. My husband & I like to play cards, but the noise (music) level in the pool area was so loud we couldn't maintain any sort of conversation if we were trying to play there.

All that sounds quite negative, but, while I approached our Carnival cruise with apprehension, I'm glad we did it. We had only booked it as a quick get away (sadly, we don't have a lot of choice here on the west coast).

 

[Ofinn]

Thank you so much for all the replies! I really appreciate the many points of views. After some consideration, my family members who were thinking about Carnival have decided it's probably not the best atmosphere for our family, at least right now. We are located on the West Coast and limited in our options as far as cruise lines go. As much as I know many members of my extended family would love to cruise on DCL, the cost is just out of their budget even without adding on airfare, so we've started looking at other vacation options that will allow everyone to attend.

The ship that sails out of the west coast is probably not the best, but Carnival has some really nice newer ships. Unfortunately their newest ship the Vista is so popular it's prices albeit not Disney high are pretty high. If you ever have a chance to cruise in the future and can't afford DCL. I would consider Carnival, RCCL's or Norwegians newer ships. They have a lot to offer for families.

 

[dhardawa]

I think Belize has some Mayan pyramids. Costa Rica is on my bucket list. My brother spent 10 days there and loved it. I understand what you mean about all blending together. We have been to a number of Caribbean Islands. We did the Southern on the Magic and I think we hit 5 on that cruise.

Yes, they do. It's about an hour bus ride away from downtown, but the ride out is interesting too. Once you get out of the city, you realize how poor the area really is.

 

[Ofinn]

Yes, they do. It's about an hour bus ride away from downtown, but the ride out is interesting too. Once you get out of the city, you realize how poor the area really is.

Unfortunately, I've found that to be case in all the Caribbean cities. It's good for my kids to see that. A lot of kids don't get to see what real poverty is.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I just disembarked the Vista this morning in Barcelona after an amazing 8 night Mediterranean cruise. I'll be writing a full comparison to our Disney cruises in the next few days. But in a nut shell.......... was it Disney? No. Did we have a great time for less than half? Heck yeah. Are we doing the Vista again next summer for the 8 night Southern Caribbean? Absolutely!!!!!

I never thought I could love a ship more than the Fantasy, but Vista knocked it out of the park, great ship, great crew-not over the top catering to everyone's special requests but very nice and efficient.

Didn't see any drunks like the rumors here will tell you. This is my observation from someone who does not drink at all.

My teens don't go in the clubs on any cruise so I can't comment on those.

The evening shows were family friendly in the sense they were clean and no vulgarity, I don't think younger kids would be that entertained though. One night was a Cuban themed dancing and singing, also a magician, a tribute to various rock bands and an amazing show called "Flick" which was a singing and dancing show beyond belief set to various movie scores. It was the only one of the shows that topped DCL shows and it was amazing!

We had an absolutely fantastic time and there is a reason why Carnival calls themselves the FUN ships. I'll be posting more soon!

 

[quickcat]

Thanks for posting about the Vista....it does look like an incredible ship- looking forward to reading your review!

 

[Ofinn]

I just disembarked the Vista this morning in Barcelona after an amazing 8 night Mediterranean cruise. I'll be writing a full comparison to our Disney cruises in the next few days. But in a nut shell.......... was it Disney? No. Did we have a great time for less than half? Heck yeah. Are we doing the Vista again next summer for the 8 night Southern Caribbean? Absolutely!!!!!

I never thought I could love a ship more than the Fantasy, but Vista knocked it out of the park, great ship, great crew-not over the top catering to everyone's special requests but very nice and efficient.

Didn't see any drunks like the rumors here will tell you. This is my observation from someone who does not drink at all.

My teens don't go in the clubs on any cruise so I can't comment on those.

The evening shows were family friendly in the sense they were clean and no vulgarity, I don't think younger kids would be that entertained though. One night was a Cuban themed dancing and singing, also a magician, a tribute to various rock bands and an amazing show called "Flick" which was a singing and dancing show beyond belief set to various movie scores. It was the only one of the shows that topped DCL shows and it was amazing!

We had an absolutely fantastic time and there is a reason why Carnival calls themselves the FUN ships. I'll be posting more soon!

So glad you had a great time. It's funny your kids don't go to the clubs on any cruise. Mine won't leave the clubs on any cruise. Maybe it's because they're homeschooled and they love getting away from thier parents. Trust me I'm not offended I don't mind getting away from them. Can't wait to read more.
I'm planning on doing the 8 night Southern. I don't know when, but it's on my radar.

 

[LeslieG]

I just disembarked the Vista this morning in Barcelona after an amazing 8 night Mediterranean cruise. I'll be writing a full comparison to our Disney cruises in the next few days. But in a nut shell.......... was it Disney? No. Did we have a great time for less than half? Heck yeah. Are we doing the Vista again next summer for the 8 night Southern Caribbean? Absolutely!!!!!

I never thought I could love a ship more than the Fantasy, but Vista knocked it out of the park, great ship, great crew-not over the top catering to everyone's special requests but very nice and efficient.

Didn't see any drunks like the rumors here will tell you. This is my observation from someone who does not drink at all.

My teens don't go in the clubs on any cruise so I can't comment on those.

The evening shows were family friendly in the sense they were clean and no vulgarity, I don't think younger kids would be that entertained though. One night was a Cuban themed dancing and singing, also a magician, a tribute to various rock bands and an amazing show called "Flick" which was a singing and dancing show beyond belief set to various movie scores. It was the only one of the shows that topped DCL shows and it was amazing!

We had an absolutely fantastic time and there is a reason why Carnival calls themselves the FUN ships. I'll be posting more soon!

We were on the same sailing. I wouldn't want to compare Disney to Carnival as a whole, but just comparing to the Vista, it was awesome. In fact, even if it wasn't half the price, I would probably still choose the Vista over the Disney ships. Looking forward to your review.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

We were on the same sailing. I wouldn't want to compare Disney to Carnival as a whole, but just comparing to the Vista, it was awesome. In fact, even if it wasn't half the price, I would probably still choose the Vista over the Disney ships. Looking forward to your review.

I finished writing it last night, and it's really long!!! Now I just need my daughter to show me how to add the pictures to it and then I'll probably be posting it Monday night.

I completely agree with you about the ship itself and wrote that in the review, I didn't think I could ever love a ship as much as the Fantasy, but I do indeed like the Vista more, she really is an amazing ship!

 

[summerskye]

CDC... Glad you had a great trip. I too am looking forward to your review.