Disney Cruise...Am I mad?

[nibbo]

Hi All

Having just got my flights so much cheaper, I'm thinking of doing the 4 night Bahamian cruise on the Disney Dream instead of the 4 night cruise with Royal Caaribbean. The Disney cruise is about £800 more but having only ever been on Disney cruises before I have a feeling that we may be disappointed if we go with Royal Caribbean.
Has anyone who have done both cruises any thoughts on this or am I mad even thinking of spending an extra £800 just so it's a Disney Cruise?

Cheers

Nick

 

[Chilly]

What is it about the Disney cruise that you liked?

If the things you liked are also on RCCL then you are prob ok but if its DCL specific things you liked, spend the extra.

 

[nibbo]

What is it about the Disney cruise that you liked?

If the things you liked are also on RCCL then you are prob ok but if its DCL specific things you liked, spend the extra.

Well just loved the whole experience. The whole ship was immaculate, food was to die for, service was excellent, the shows, the general atmosphere of the whole ship, Castaway Cay. I could go on and on. No doubt Royal Caribbean are excellent too but seeing as it could be our last family holiday here (I say that every time lol) as the girls are now 16 and 18 I just want it to be a holiday to remember for being just right.

 

[Chilly]

Well just loved the whole experience. The whole ship was immaculate, food was to die for, service was excellent, the shows, the general atmosphere of the whole ship, Castaway Cay. I could go on and on. No doubt Royal Caribbean are excellent too but seeing as it could be our last family holiday here (I say that every time lol) as the girls are now 16 and 18 I just want it to be a holiday to remember for being just right.

I wonder at 16 & 18 would they prefer RCCL?

 

[nibbo]

I wonder at 16 & 18 would they prefer RCCL?

Not a chance, they love it. They went mad at me when I suggested staying at a non Disney hotel! My eldest was moaning last night that I'd told them all the plans and she was disappointed there weren't any secrets this year. We've always kept something back as a surprise, so I guess if I choose DCL then that will be the surprise as we turn up for the DCL cruise and they're expecting the RCCL one.
The new boiler will have to wait another year lol.

 

[wayneg]

Done 6 DCL & 2 RCCL. enjoyed all 8.
Some things are better on DCL, some on RCCL but Disney are an all round better experience.

I was looking at our dates in Nov for 2 adults outside cabin, DCL £921.22, RCCL £408.91. While I prefer Disney they are not worth those kind of prices.

We cruised Disney last August paid £350pp for 4 nights, can't get prices anywhere near that now £600pp for same cruise next August.

I am sure many people will stick with Disney they have a great product but they have outpriced me.

 

[jtlover]

I would just like to point out that we thought the same with our DD that she wouldn't want to come with us again but like a boomerang she does every time. Maybe it has something to do with us paying

I think you are answering your on question with how you are responding to others. We are going on our first and fist Disney cruise this September and can't wait.

Happy planning. If it was me I would pay the extra and go with Disney only because you know what you are getting for your money

 

[nibbo]

Done 6 DCL & 2 RCCL. enjoyed all 8.
Some things are better on DCL, some on RCCL but Disney are an all round better experience.

I was looking at our dates in Nov for 2 adults outside cabin, DCL £921.22, RCCL £408.91. While I prefer Disney they are not worth those kind of prices.

We cruised Disney last August paid £350pp for 4 nights, can't get prices anywhere near that now £600pp for same cruise next August.

I am sure many people will stick with Disney they have a great product but they have outpriced me.

I'm won't tell you how much ours is then!

 

[nibbo]

I would just like to point out that we thought the same with our DD that she wouldn't want to come with us again but like a boomerang she does every time. Maybe it has something to do with us paying

I think you are answering your on question with how you are responding to others. We are going on our first and fist Disney cruise this September and can't wait.

Happy planning. If it was me I would pay the extra and go with Disney only because you know what you are getting for your money

I've got a feeling ours are going to be the same and always want a free holiday to Disney, but you never know.
I'm just waiting for a quote back from Dreams Unlimited so I can get the $150 stateroom credit and then I think I'm going to book it. I've talked myself into it!

 

[disneyholic family]

if you want to go on RCCL go on their 7 night ships..
the 4 night ship is the monarch of the seas if i'm not mistaken - an old sort of dumpy ship....not at all on the same level as the magnificent ships RCCL sends out on its 7 night cruises..

 

[wayneg]

if you want to go on RCCL go on their 7 night ships..
the 4 night ship is the monarch of the seas if i'm not mistaken - an old sort of dumpy ship....not at all on the same level as the magnificent ships RCCL sends out on its 7 night cruises..

You are correct, but we sailed on Soveriegn of the seas, she was even older and still a quality ship. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Sovereign

Monarch 3 years newer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Monarch_of_the_Seas

Not sure which ship RCCL uses for 7 nighters but they usually use a larger newer ship.

I got an email yesterday from cruisedirect.com, 4 nt NCL cruise from Miami $179pp 7 nts $379. there are some bargains for cruises out there. This from Seatlle caught my eye, probably same price with Disney but looks OK for the price http://res.cruisedirect.com/travel/cruise/sailplan.rvlx?CruiseItineraryID=231124&promotionID=5734853

 

[disneyholic family]

You are correct, but we sailed on Soveriegn of the seas, she was even older and still a quality ship. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Sovereign

Monarch 3 years newer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Monarch_of_the_Seas

Not sure which ship RCCL uses for 7 nighters but they usually use a larger newer ship.

I got an email yesterday from cruisedirect.com, 4 nt NCL cruise from Miami $179pp 7 nts $379. there are some bargains for cruises out there. This from Seatlle caught my eye, probably same price with Disney but looks OK for the price http://res.cruisedirect.com/travel/cruise/sailplan.rvlx?CruiseItineraryID=231124&promotionID=5734853

the monarch gets really terrible reviews on CC.

DD is going on radiance of the seas out of seward alaska southbound to vancouver - it looks like a nice ship

i'm hoping to go on the oasis next year

 

[nibbo]

if you want to go on RCCL go on their 7 night ships..
the 4 night ship is the monarch of the seas if i'm not mistaken - an old sort of dumpy ship....not at all on the same level as the magnificent ships RCCL sends out on its 7 night cruises..

I've just booked the Disney Dream. RCCL have a different ship for the Bahamas next year but still looks a dumpy ship lol.

 

[wayneg]

I've just booked the Disney Dream. RCCL have a different ship for the Bahamas next year but still looks a dumpy ship lol.

Enjoy

 

[heatherbelle]

Well done on booking a cruise. The prices for the Fantasy for this August are now lower than they were for the same sale date last year. I can remember our dates coming out at £3000 for the three of us in an inside. Now I could get a veranda for 2700 or an ocean view for 2100, so a bargin to be had. I think the prices for a guaranteed stateroom are more or less the same as opening day. So it might be worth while checking for a bargin before your pay in full date next year.

If you like the cruise rebook another one onboard. You can always keep moving the date of the cruise if it doesn't suit. For example last year whilst onboard I booked two dummy cruises. Disney allocated me to the cheapest one, Dec 12, I only had to pay 10% deposit. I got $200 OBC from Disney and 150 from dreams. When the Med was released I moved one cruise to that, paid the extra deposit that Wa due, and the other one moved it to a Dec 2013, which I have no intention of taking, but when 2014 goes on sale, I will move it to something I may take. You can just keep moving the date to suit, you just have to bear in mind that you may have to add to the deposit paid as it may be more. I wish UK TA's were like UK ones.

 

[wayneg]

The prices for the Dream for this August are now lower than they were for the same sale date last year. I can remember our dates coming out at £3000 for the three of us in an inside. Now I could get a veranda for 2700 or an ocean view for 2100, so a bargin to be had. I think the prices for a guaranteed stateroom are more or less the same as opening day. So it might be worth while checking for a bargin before your pay in full date next year.

We sailed 21st August last year on Disney Dream inside 10a cat, cost $1,698 for 3 adults. This August nearest 4 nighter would be $2,626 in same cat, next August similar at $2,547, way too high for 4 nights for me unfortunately.

 

[disneyholic family]

I've just booked the Disney Dream. RCCL have a different ship for the Bahamas next year but still looks a dumpy ship lol.

i'm booked on a 4 night on the Dream for this october..
i went through all the comparisons before i booked it since the Dream was so expensive in comparison..
really the nicest ship for 4 day cruises is the Dream - the other cruise lines put their dumpiest ships on that route...

if it were up to me, i would have taken a 7 day cruise on the oasis or allure for less than the cost of the 4 night on the Dream...
but i'm taking my mom and sister and they don't have time for a 7 day cruise - so the Dream it is!!

 

[Ware Bears]

I've just booked the Disney Dream.

I don't think you're mad - we were on your first cruise too and have spent the time since saving for our next one. We seriously looked at other cruise lines but, as I knew we would, ended up booking with DCL! I think when it's just DH and I holidaying we'll bite the bullet and try a cruise out of Southampton (the non-flying from a port half an hour away from home will hopefully take the sting out of missing the Disney touches) but whilst our DDs are still coming with us it'll still be DCL for us.

I would just like to point out that we thought the same with our DD that she wouldn't want to come with us again but like a boomerang she does every time. Maybe it has something to do with us paying

LOL! I think you have a very valid point there - our eldest two will be 21 and nearly 19 so are long past the age of having to come with us but they both are!

 

[disneyholic family]

I don't think you're mad - we were on your first cruise too and have spent the time since saving for our next one. We seriously looked at other cruise lines but, as I knew we would, ended up booking with DCL! I think when it's just DH and I holidaying we'll bite the bullet and try a cruise out of Southampton (the non-flying from a port half an hour away from home will hopefully take the sting out of missing the Disney touches) but whilst our DDs are still coming with us it'll still be DCL for us.

there are some really nice ships that cruise out of southhampton!!
if i had such nice ships within non-flying distance of me, i'd be on them in a flash....no need for the exorbitantly expensive DCL, that's for sure!!!!

 

[Ware Bears]

True - but I still harbour hopes that DCL will sail from Southampton one year and now they've opened a new terminal ..... fingers crossed