DCL vs Celebrity (not your usual comparison) . . .

[disneywonderfun]

For those of you who might have read several posts I made over the past couple weeks, my family had been looking at a Wish cruise in a Royal Suite for next summer. We were able to make tentative reservations on two cruises (one 3 night, the other 4 night) at price points of $26k and $35k. In the end, we cancelled those two cruises as simply being too short for what we wanted.

On a lark, we noticed a few days ago that Celebrity is restarting and had a July 17 cruise that worked into our summer schedule for this year. We were able to get a Penthouse Suite (around 1500 square feet with balcony - similar in square footage as a Disney Royal on the Wish) with two bedrooms. Here is perhaps where it gets interesting. With the Penthouse suite in the Retreat area, the amenity list is very long. There are included premium drinks, Evian, Pellegrino, specialty coffees, Red Bull, etc. throughout the cruise and at all venues. There is a private restaurant only for Retreat guests that has a new menu every day with each meal designed by a Michelin starred chef. Specialty dining venues are included and unlimited. On board credit in the amount of $1200 is provided. All tips are already included as well. Everything looks amazingly refined and the price point ended at $27k for a 7 night cruise. So, we get the length we want, in a cabin we want, with the "inclusive" services we want. Yet, I admit I am missing the idea of the Disney atmosphere. There are no water slides. No characters on the ship. No fun evening productions.

I guess as with much in life, there are always compromises. No doubt we are getting a much more sophisticated cruise with Celebrity, but it makes me a little sad that our kids did not complain a little louder that we would not be on DCL. We showed them the videos and they were floored. Even just the appearance of the Retreat Lounge makes the Disney Lounge look like an old closet.

I am sure we will return to booking a Disney Wish cruise likely over the holidays in 2022. Nevertheless, maybe since our kids are a little older, the allure of Disney has faded a little which does make me uneasy!

DWF

 

[Cheburashka]

I guess as with much in life, there are always compromises. No doubt we are getting a much more sophisticated cruise with Celebrity, but it makes me a little sad that our kids did not complain a little louder that we would not be on DCL. We showed them the videos and they were floored. Even just the appearance of the Retreat Lounge makes the Disney Lounge look like an old closet.

I am sure we will return to booking a Disney Wish cruise likely over the holidays in 2022. Nevertheless, maybe since our kids are a little older, the allure of Disney has faded a little which does make me uneasy!

There's definitely nothing wrong with going back and forth- a lot of people do that. We've only cruised DCL so far, but I can still empathize as at Disney World we usually stay onsite, but last summer we decided to stay at Four Seasons Orlando, and of course the luxury and service there put the Disney deluxes to shame. Their pool complex is better than that at any Disney resort, too, and that's saying a lot because that's an area where Disney resorts really shine compared to most hotels. That said, Four Seasons didn't have the Disney charm or any theming per se. None of this was unexpected, but it did create a parallel set of good experiences that we can now choose between: the highly themed and charming Disney resorts, or the luxurious and service-oriented Four Seasons. We'll likely stay at each in the future as we have been back to the Disney resorts since our Four Seasons stay, and still liked staying there just as much as before. I'm sure your family will still love cruising with the mouse even after experiencing more luxury with Celebrity.

 

[Marthasor]

It happens. My DS is now 13 and, though we booked the Wish for next summer and he's excited, he has absolutely loved our Celebrity cruises. He's a low-key kid and I think the laid-back, more sophisticated nature of Celebrity really appealed to him. The food in Luminae is excellent, IMHO and the service on that ship (I believe they are sailing the Summit in Alaska?) has always been outstanding. I think you will really love all that is included with the Penthouse Suite. After sailing concierge on DCL, I was shocked at the value we received for the price of Celebrity suites - they really pull out the stops for guests in those higher level suites. We have a credit with Celebrity from a cruise that was canceled last December and I, myself, would have booked one of those Alaska cruises if I hadn't already booked a trip to WY! Enjoy!

 

[Intr3pid]

Our family cruises with Celebrity primarily in holidays. We find very few kids on board on their non-holiday cruises. Our 14-nighter in December 2019 - a holiday cruise - had maybe 400 guests under 18 in total. The one before ours - just 80.

We love their longer December cruises. The ship changes its mood from one celebration to another. Disney doesn't normally run a single cruise covering both holidays - though this year is an exception with the 8-nighter. We might try Wish later next year - B2B with a Fantasy cruise.

 

[soniam]

The extra offerings with the suites are amazing!!! We did a cruise in 2018 on Summit. It didn't have the newer amenities that your cruise will have. However, the butler was fabulous! I didn't know why we needed one at first, but I would sure like one on every cruise from now on. They expedited us through checkin and walked us to our room. I had forgotten my passport when checking in. The man who walked us to our suite personally went and got it. Our butler kept asking if we needed things. We did start letting him bring us hot tea in the morning and appetizers in the evening. On disembarkation, we were allowed to stay in the concierge lounge until the last minute. We were also expedited through the checkout process. We couldn't even make a dent in the 2 liquor bottles that they gave us, so we brought them home. They were very high quality liquor. The food in the suite restaurants is very good and better than any of the specialty restaurants that we went to. The concierge lounge, Michael's on Summit, was great. People were so friendly, and there were always snacks and free drinks. They let the suite guests up on the helipad when leaving one of the islands for a small sail away with champagne. We went without our son though. I think he would have been bored. We can't wait to get back on one. I am hoping to do one in 2023 for our 25th anniversary.

 

[cmarsh31]

We sailed on Celebrity to Alaska. My teens found it on par with Disney - the only thing my son really prefers on Disney is the soft-serve on the pool deck! He's not a fan of the night shows, though - that's what the rest of us missed.

 

[kathi]

We have sailed concierge on DCL quite a bit (and also in veranda cabins) over the past 15 years and the cost has continued to escalate. We booked a Celebrity Suite for Alaska (pushed to next summer) and the price was the same as a veranda cabin on the Wonder. My travel advisor says we will be happy with the food and the service, but have to realize that it's not going to have those extra Disney touches. I think we will still sail DCL periodically but Celebrity will open up so many new itineraries for us.

 

[hrhdhd]

DH and I have been in the entry-level suites on Celebrity for our last series of cruises (7 or 8? [I will have to check my own signature ]), and have been more than satisfied with the value for the price. Have a great cruise.

 

[orum]

One thing I noticed when looking at their summer 2021 itineraries is they don’t have a private island stop like dcl does. Is that correct, or did I miss it?

 

[soniam]

One thing I noticed when looking at their summer 2021 itineraries is they don’t have a private island stop like dcl does. Is that correct, or did I miss it?

I don't believe Celebrity has a private island. They don't stop at RCL's Coco Cay or Labadee. I haven't seen any such stops on any cruises I have looked at or done, even in the Caribbean. I think that's more likely to happen on cruise lines that cater to families.

 

[disneywonderfun]

One thing I noticed when looking at their summer 2021 itineraries is they don’t have a private island stop like dcl does. Is that correct, or did I miss it?

That is absolutely correct. In addition, I believe with all cruises, there are no unsupervised "waking around" the port areas due to COVID. That is one reason we wanted a big cabin. I think we will be in it for a more than usual amount of time.

 

[Marc D]

We did a 14-nights Baltic cruise in a suite on Celebrity. The cost per night was the same as a regular 4A on Magic for their Northern Europe cruise, but we had so much more amenities than what DCL Concierge offers. The meals at Luminae are better than Palo. The drink package covers a lot of items, the Internet is rapid and unlimited. The service was on par with the best DCL CM’s offer.

The kid’s program was not interesting and the rules applicable to under 10yo kids were so restrictive that our son never went back after the orientation visit. Since it was a port intensive cruise, he didn’t mind at all.

We will only sail Celebrity and DCL in the future, but DCL‘s appeal is fading fast when looking at pricing.

 

[hrhdhd]

I don't believe Celebrity has a private island. They don't stop at RCL's Coco Cay or Labadee. I haven't seen any such stops on any cruises I have looked at or done, even in the Caribbean. I think that's more likely to happen on cruise lines that cater to families.

We stopped at Labadee once on the Silhouette. They have a separate beach for suite guests, too.

 

[mevelandry]

For those of you who might have read several posts I made over the past couple weeks, my family had been looking at a Wish cruise in a Royal Suite for next summer. We were able to make tentative reservations on two cruises (one 3 night, the other 4 night) at price points of $26k and $35k. In the end, we cancelled those two cruises as simply being too short for what we wanted.

On a lark, we noticed a few days ago that Celebrity is restarting and had a July 17 cruise that worked into our summer schedule for this year. We were able to get a Penthouse Suite (around 1500 square feet with balcony - similar in square footage as a Disney Royal on the Wish) with two bedrooms. Here is perhaps where it gets interesting. With the Penthouse suite in the Retreat area, the amenity list is very long. There are included premium drinks, Evian, Pellegrino, specialty coffees, Red Bull, etc. throughout the cruise and at all venues. There is a private restaurant only for Retreat guests that has a new menu every day with each meal designed by a Michelin starred chef. Specialty dining venues are included and unlimited. On board credit in the amount of $1200 is provided. All tips are already included as well. Everything looks amazingly refined and the price point ended at $27k for a 7 night cruise. So, we get the length we want, in a cabin we want, with the "inclusive" services we want. Yet, I admit I am missing the idea of the Disney atmosphere. There are no water slides. No characters on the ship. No fun evening productions.

I guess as with much in life, there are always compromises. No doubt we are getting a much more sophisticated cruise with Celebrity, but it makes me a little sad that our kids did not complain a little louder that we would not be on DCL. We showed them the videos and they were floored. Even just the appearance of the Retreat Lounge makes the Disney Lounge look like an old closet.

I am sure we will return to booking a Disney Wish cruise likely over the holidays in 2022. Nevertheless, maybe since our kids are a little older, the allure of Disney has faded a little which does make me uneasy!

DWF

I’m buying a lottery ticket.

As my husband just told me when I showed him this comparison: « Do you see why I’m saying that DCL is asking too much for what they are offer? »

Yes, I see it more than ever. I wanted to book on Disney Wish until I compared with what I could get on Celebrity and Princess. Now we are planning to try any of them starting in 2022 or 2023.

Still hoping that Disney will see the light at some point and offer promos once in a while because I would love to sail with them again... but when you know what you can get somewhere else... Disney Magic, Disney Schmagic.

 

[heathernm6]

We are also trying Celebrity this summer for a Greek Isles cruise on their brand new ship "Apex"! We were able to get a sunset verandah with the upgraded drinks package and $150 OBC/pp for half the price of an inside stateroom on Disney's Greek Isles sailing next summer. Wifi and tips are also included with Celebrity. We will still sail on Disney in the future, but their prices in the Mediterranean are way out of our budget every year and this new ship looks absolutely beautiful so we're excited to try it out!

 

[Kevin O'Brien]

I love Disney Cruise Line and also Fred Olsen cruise line better than other cruises I enjoy animators pallate restaurant and I'm entertained everywhere I go on the ship especially the D lounge and lobby atrium and there's adult exclusive areas too.
The disney wish sounds great fun they got a star wars lounge and frozen restaurant.
I love Castaway cay.
I also like Fred Olsen cruises because it sails around ocean, rivers and the corinth canal.

 

[Kevin O'Brien]

We are also trying Celebrity this summer for a Greek Isles cruise on their brand new ship "Apex"! We were able to get a sunset verandah with the upgraded drinks package and $150 OBC/pp for half the price of an inside stateroom on Disney's Greek Isles sailing next summer. Wifi and tips are also included with Celebrity. We will still sail on Disney in the future, but their prices in the Mediterranean are way out of our budget every year and this new ship looks absolutely beautiful so we're excited to try it out!

The reason why the Mediterranean is expensive because the disney magic on sails there in high season.

 

[Dug720]

I've done Celebrity once and have another one scheduled (I sailed the Edge and am scheduled to sail the Beyond in Feb 2023). I haven't done the suite thing, but I LOVE that on the Edge class ships they have a solo stateroom option with the Infinite Veranda. It's so nice to not have to pay double. And I was very impressed with them. My heart still belongs to Disney, but Celebrity is nice too.

 

[tidefan]

I’m buying a lottery ticket.

As my husband just told me when I showed him this comparison: « Do you see why I’m saying that DCL is asking too much for what they are offer? »

Yes, I see it more than ever. I wanted to book on Disney Wish until I compared with what I could get on Celebrity and Princess. Now we are planning to try any of them starting in 2022 or 2023.

Still hoping that Disney will see the light at some point and offer promos once in a while because I would love to sail with them again... but when you know what you can get somewhere else... Disney Magic, Disney Schmagic.

Yep, Princess is our favorite line outside of DCL. Haven’t sailed Celebrity, but from talking with a number of people that have sailed both, they are similar. One reason we like Princess is for their mini-suites. I also appreciate how most everything is still included, such as room service and things like because of our Captain’s Circle level, we get free laundry...

 

[heathernm6]

The reason why the Mediterranean is expensive because the disney magic on sails there in high season.

We are sailing on July 17th which I believe is similar to the timing Disney is usually in the Med. But regardless, I know those are super popular and there are plenty of people who can & will pay for it so I don't expect we'll see any great deals on those sailings anytime soon unfortunately. We've also been on the Magic before which makes it even harder to justify the cost. But to each his own, I'm happy for the people who choose to go on Disney as I'm sure it's a great trip, but am excited to try Celebrity (and will keep my fingers crossed that at least one of the two Disney cruises we have booked this fall/winter will actually sail ).