DCL vs RCCL and Teens

[FreeTime]

Hi,
We have sailed on the Disney Wonder several times when our girls were younger. When the Fantasy originally came out we wanted to sail on it but never found the opportunity. Now that my girls will be 13 & 14 when we sail, I am debating as to whether we should sail on Oasis of the Seas instead as there are more entertainment options. For the same dates, both with Western itins, an OV stateroom is $6687 on DCL and $4513 on RCCL. Is there enough stuff for young teens to do on the Fantasy to justify the price? Which would you choose?
Thanks

 

[stsomewhere]

My teen son loved Oasis of the Seas.

He told me that it is harder to make friends on Oasis since it is so big.

He does love DCL. We just went on Magic in March and there were not a lot of teens aboard. He was bored.

That being said..He asked us to book Fantasy for next Aug.


My kids 15 and 12 are very open to sailing on other lines. We look at cost/ports when making a determination.

I would pick RC because After 6 cruises on DCL, I am getting tired of the same shows and activities. Plus. over a $1000 savings.


ETA: We cruise at least twice a year. Once on Disney and another on a different line for variety.

 

[DCW]

My son turns 18 and for his Birthday asked for a cruise on the Fantasy the week before his B-day so he could enjoy all the teen stuff. We offered the Oasis and he still wanted the fantasy. He even comsidered DCL and RCCL as an adult, but opted to be a teen one last time.
He still keeps in touch with, teens he has met form bout our previous curises 5 years ago and last year.

 

[nzdisneymom]

My boys were 12 and 13 when we sailed on Freedom of the Seas and had plenty of DCL experience under their belt including Ocean Quest (which is now like the Edge). They were not happy with the youth programming for the 12+ on RCCL. They liked some of the scheduled programming but there were too many gaps in the day when the space was open but there was no youth counselor available for supervision. The boys were not comfortable being there without adult supervision and some of the other teens were causing trouble (nothing bad, just some altercations similar to ones we've seen on DCL but the difference was that on DCL, a CM was there to intervene).

Anyway, we have since sailed on Carnival which had more activities and more supervision (and their space was NEVER open UNLESS supervision was there) but at 15 and 17 they stick by DCL as the best option for teens. At least for teens with their interests - they aren't interested in dance parties and it seemed that was a lot of what was offered for the teens. They like the variety that DCL has - some "dance parties" but also just supervised hanging out playing cards, board games, video games, etc.

OP, you might want to look on cruise critic to find out about Youth Activities on Oasis particularly for the age your children are. We did that before we booked Carnival in 2011 so we'd have an idea of whether there would be enough supervision and enough activities for them to do (there were). RCCL may have changed their youth programming since we sailed with them in 2009 but our kids specifically asked to NOT book on Royal Caribbean unless it was going somewhere fabulously amazing (not Caribbean) or after they were 18

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks for the feedback! I went ahead and book a 3 night on the Dream (instead of 7) to keep the cruise cost down (but am kicking myself thinking for only $1500 more I could get 4 more nights on RC) the we will activate our AP's either before or after the cruise. The next cruise I will then switch to RC.

Having several sailed on a 3 night before, since there are no sea days with the slide be open on port days? We probably won't get off the ship in Nassau. Been there too may times.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

If you havent done the dolphin or sea lion at BL, you might think twice for Nassau. If you have, than I dont' blame you for hanging around the nice ship.

Ps. We paid the same for 3 days on Disney Dream as we did with 7 Days on Carni Dream. In so many ways, it was so very very much better. I still think you made a good choice...

ps. again. Carn Legends has run the same show for all 3 yrs we have cruised them (and Ive been in it twice and have had friends in it the time I wasn't.) Lots of cruise lines run the same shows...

 

[tajz90]

We sailed RCCL after multiple DCL sailings. My sons were 16 and 10 at the time. My oldest called it Royal Boribbean.

They were in the room early each night because the kid/teen activities closed down early every night.

They still prefer Disney and the oldest is now 20.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

That is a funny post.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Count me in with the group whose teens prefer DCL over other lines.

We'd rather save to sail on DCL, than to settle for a less expensive line. IMHO, there's no comparison.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Hi mickeyhugger,

I know as a 30 somethings couple, we absolutely loved our DCL and were thoroughly entertained and not run ragged, too busy, or too bored. (I have pics of my DH in his mid 30s coloring in the kid's coloring book at the MDR table!)

But I would like to hear as the voice from that demographic, what it is that you in particular liked about it from the teenage aspect, so that way those of us travelling with teens will know?

 

[MrsMas]

I have a 17 yo DD. She has never been to the teen clubs on DCL (Wonder or Dream) but she loves DCL. She said maybe we can try RCCL but definitely not Carnival. We looked at NCL too but we end up on DCL.

 

[disprincess4ever]

I'm a teen who got hooked on disney cruising! And no, I was not super in love with Disney before sailing. I'd without a doubt do a Disney cruise with teens, they will have a good time

 

[linkandclover]

My 16 and 13 yo love DCL over RCL

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My teens still love DCL. (16 & almost 13) For port intensive cruises like Alaska & Med I tried to look at other lines. With Alaska, ds16, then 14, came running in from the other room to plead with me to stick to DCL. Luckily the onboard booking perks help level the field for DCL.

Then back in Dec when I booked the Med, I compared DCL to similar itineraries on RCCL & NCL, knowing we'd have 4 consecutive, long days in port & little time on the ship. When ds12 saw NCL's webpage on my computer he said, "Oh no! Really mom?"

He's so upset about the rehab of the Magic.
As if all his childhood memories, all warm & fuzzy, will be torn out, esp when they mentioned the lobby. I'm glad we'll get to sail on her one more time before construction starts.

 

[oliverdj]

Hi! Well my kids are not teens yet but I got a call back from RCCL because we were considering this cruise line for next year. (Allure specifically)

Well after sailing with disney last September, & the answers I got from this agent, I don't think we will cruise RCCL anytime soon.

Pro : price is about 1300$ lower than DCL

Cons:

You can not carry on your liquor, only 2 bottles of wine per stateroom.
Drinks for kids & adults are not included (except whatever juice or lemonade at the buffet. (Extra 800$ for us)
Specialty dinning, drinks & dessert are additional (head cover charge)
The rooms are much smaller, the cat 5a on the dream is what they call a junior suite & I can't book it unless 5 ppl are traveling in my party :/ & was 1400 more$
I believe I've also read in these forums that the kids club don't have wave phones, so there is no way of contacting the parent (correct me if I'm wrong)

By the end of the day you would have spent so much more rather than just booking with DCL & not have to worry where you are getting charged.

My 2 cents, thanks for reading