DCL vs RC

[bobbiwoz]

We are on the Mariner right now, just left Port Canaveral. Embarkation was a breeze and the buffet choices were excellent, IMO. Just had a slice of pizza, and it would be good enough for lunch.

We’re on this to see what the pool is like on Coco Cay, and if it’s a good one, I think we have a new three night getaway, not that we go that often, but this time around the Fourth of July we like to be in FL, and be in WDW for the fireworks!

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

We haven't been on RC, but Holland American and Carnival and OP asked for "non disney cruises". One thing we make sure of is that it's a newish/updated ship, this way we found the 'clean and comfortable' part to be up to par.

Like others mentioned, entertainment is the big difference. We love the entertainment on DCL, that's just our style. We've tried many of the different entertainment offered on the HAL and Carnival cruises, but we did not find it entertaining.

That said, so far we found something cool on each ship. Carnival Breeze had an awesome do you know your spouse kind of game show, and HAL Eurodam has a wonderful game room we spend a lot of time in.

Food was up to DCL level on HAL. Carnival was not, but we didn't go hungry.

The one big difference we found in our experience of DCL vs. others, is the overall atmosphere. At WDW or DL Cali we love to just sit and take in the atmosphere. We find the same atmosphere (though way more relaxed) on DCL, therefore we're never bored, even when we weren't actually doing an activity. On the other cruises we've found times where we were like 'now what do we do?'

In the end: we've never regretted taking any of our cruises. Other cruise lines are worth it for us for the itinerary/dates (limited choice with DCL) and budget (aka we've got a DCL cruise booked for later, but want to travel now too ).

 

[Ben E N]

I went from sailing on the Dream to sailing on an older Carnival ship within a 4 month period. I was fully expecting to hate the Carnival cruise, but found myself quite pleasantly surprised with what they offered compared to Disney.
DCL does the "wow" factor nicely. Beautiful atrium, clean railings, neat character interactions, but other areas - from dining to nighttime entertainment are just average at best. I am also a DVC owner, and love just about everything Disney, but will probably not do another DCL cruise. Just not worth the extra money compared to other lines.

And this is an older review, but I did a RCCL cruise in 2009, and loved it. It was my first ever cruise, though, so I don't think I had my full critiquing lenses on at the time.