disney cruise vs. Rccl? anyone compare?

[kaseyC]

We just recently booked on Freedom of the Seas for next June...3rd sailing so VERY new! We have done 3 DCL cruises and one RCCL w/ the mariner last summer. We like DCL but now prefer RCCL for our family's needs in cruising. We have 3 older teen boys so the change was a good one. As for the casinos and there being more single people...it doesn't really matter. There were plenty of families/parents in the casinos I thought and the casino doesn't necessarily mean it's a scary place. Just a lot of people having fun and spending money...!! I didn't feel the ship was any less safe than DCL...many more families on RCCL than you would find on the party ship like Carnival.

Wow! It looks like you will be among the first to sail Freedom of the Seas. You will have to let us know how it is. It looks to be an amazing ship. I think it is great how they haved added many options for larger families especially the inside and promenade cabins for larger families.

 

[HIHO...HIHO]

The Freedom of the Seas looks really cool. My eldest DD is in awe of the water park on board.

We are also considering trying it in 2007. I have gotten a few quotes for March of 2007, we would need one of the Royal Family Suites and there are only 4 of them. I was very surprised because quotes were very reasonable considering it is a 2 bedroom suite w/ concierge service. The price was comparable to a Cat. 3 on the Magic.

My DD8 would like the water park also...how did you find out it is on the ship? I have not been able to find out much info on what is on the ship.

 

[kaseyC]

My DD8 would like the water park also...how did you find out it is on the ship? I have not been able to find out much info on what is on the ship.

They have a interactive website. Here is the link below:

http://www.freedomoftheseas.com/?sid=7

 

[westjones]

Does anyone know how much of a down payment you need to put down per person for a stateroom on Freedom of the Seas?

I am seriously thinking of trying it in 2007, but I know nothing about this cruiseline. We know Disney very well (after 6 cruises).

DJ

 

[Jsme]

WOW...makes one think about it doesn't it? I might show this to DH and see if he would consider this in 2007.

Does anyone know how much a of a deposit is required?

 

[my3kids]

RCI deposit is $250 for 7 nights, $400 for 9 nights.

 

[mickey2000]

Cool looking ship with great prices. I will be on the phone Monday! I have cruised with them before and my family was very happy! Thanks!

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

They have a interactive website. Here is the link below:

http://www.freedomoftheseas.com/?sid=7

Wow! That was really cool! It looks like a great ship! I even started doing a little bit of pricing for July & Dec. 2006. I would love to be able to get a room with a verandah for my husband and I, and a Promenade view room for my two daughters across the hall. I am amazed that almost all of the upper categories for the maiden voyage are already sold out.

 

[westjones]

You can get pricing for this cruise at:

http://www.rccl.com

DJ

 

[tezb]

Wow! That was really cool! It looks like a great ship! I even started doing a little bit of pricing for July & Dec. 2006. I would love to be able to get a room with a verandah for my husband and I, and a Promenade view room for my two daughters across the hall. I am amazed that almost all of the upper categories for the maiden voyage are already sold out.

We did this on the Mariner...our room had a verandah and our boys had the PR room. This room was so cool..you can actually see the parade and people shopping at all hrs down below. I wished we had it! This time on the Freedom will will get a regular Interior Stateroom for them as all 3 will be together and the PR rooms will only allow 2 people. I need to cut back to afford the Freedom....so we don't care about the room BUT we will still have a verandah. When I booked w/ them they told me the Freedom is 200.pp more than the Mariner since it is so new. Why wait, you can call RCCL anytime...they are open weekends too!

 

[kaseyC]

You can get pricing for this cruise at:

http://www.rccl.com

DJ

I just wanted to add that you will need to call RCCL or contact a TA to get a quote if you have more than 4 in your family. Their online booking only allows up to 4.

We have a DCL cruise booked for Dec. 2006 -in a midship Cat 3 - so I do not want to give that up. Also my two youngest DDs have not sailed Disney yet so I want them to have that experience. I am pretty sure that we will probably be booking the Freedom for 2007 unless DCL adds a "not to be missed' itinerary.

 

[logan1_2000]

One poster mentioned the fact that he wished RCCL had a Voyager class ship for a 4 nighter. The fact is that they don't, and the Wonder just might be the finest ship sailing 4 night cruises. I am receptive to anyone who can offer alternatives. In fact, one of the next nicest is one that I am going on in February, the newly stretched and rejuvenated Enchantment of the Seas. The Enchantment is a sister-Vision class of the Rhapsody that was mentioned, both launched in '97 (and already RCCL stretched and added features to the Enchantment).We are doing this 4 nighter w/ friends whose schedule and some logistical issues just dont fit Disney's schedules (and we don't want to go to the Bahamas).

I often price out Voyager class ships, and sometimes it offers enough of a lower price to raise my eyebrows. Someday. till then, have two more cruises booked, and won't be for a while that i will have the chance to do another after the double-dip in oct. '06.

 

[my3kids]

Our cruise this summer on RCCL isn't on a Voyager ship but one of the Vision class. Funny, these are the ships that are talked about as the "old" ships on Royal Caribbean message boards, but they are the same ages as the Magic and Wonder....about the same size also.

As I mentioned, when comparing room sizes though, keep in mind RCCL listes the verandah as a seperate figure and DCL lists the room size including the verandah space. As someone else mentioned the website won't give you a clue that a lot of rooms hold 5 people. The suites will all hold 5 with the addition of a roll a way bed which they are happy to provide. (probably not the Jr. Suite, although I never asked so not sure) They also have Family Suites with 2 bed rooms and 2 bathrooms, a living area and balcony. We origionally were booked in one of those suites for less than the cost of 2 interior rooms on Disney for the same week. Their owners, grand, royal suites will all hold 5 though...you just have to call the company or your TA to book them if you have more than 4.

 

[mickey2000]

Our cruise this summer on RCCL isn't on a Voyager ship but one of the Vision class. Funny, these are the ships that are talked about as the "old" ships on Royal Caribbean message boards, but they are the same ages as the Magic and Wonder....about the same size also.

Thats because the Magic & Wonder are also old ships (in ship years, almost like dogs) even though people don't think so...... I must agree with some when they say that they are showing thier age and its time for a new ship !

 

[HIHO...HIHO]

Wow...freedom is the way we will go in 2007! Cannot wait! DCL is great, but they cannot top all of the activities onboard!

 

[Mjasp]

I say try RCCL, After 2 Disney Magic cruises, we are trying Costa Cruise Line. Last week they had a one day sale and kids sail free and a 3 category upgrade, so we got a verandah cabin for our family of 4 during Presidents week for a total of $1,800, the same friends who cruised with us on DCL will be sailing with us in February. For that price I am SURE we will have a great time, different shows and now my kids are getting older (14 and 10) it is time for a change, and if we don't like it we can always go back to DCL, but like a previous poster said "there is life after Disney"

Enjoy

 

[Jsme]

I say try RCCL, After 2 Disney Magic cruises, we are trying Costa Cruise Line. Last week they had a one day sale and kids sail free and a 3 category upgrade, so we got a verandah cabin for our family of 4 during Presidents week for a total of $1,800, the same friends who cruised with us on DCL will be sailing with us in February. For that price I am SURE we will have a great time, different shows and now my kids are getting older (14 and 10) it is time for a change, and if we don't like it we can always go back to DCL, but like a previous poster said "there is life after Disney"

Enjoy

That is a great deal. $1800 for 4 people and three are consider adults. WOW

 

[ksjayhawks]

We have cruised both dcl and rccl. We went on Mariner of the Seas this spring. My ds12 liked the tween/teen club real well. the kids clubs are grouped together and a floor down from sports court and mini golf and inline skate and rock climbing. It isn't far from the promenade and the all night cafe where they would go to get pizza and cookies, etc.

Everyone alwyas worries so much about the casino and all the bars,but to tell the truth you hardly know they are there. You really don't end up in the casino unless you want to go there or are shortcutting to get to a show area. The bars are low key and not down a dark passage like on dcl. Bingo received more announcements and promos than the casino did!

I didn't notice thatmuch difference in our room size, but we are hardly ever there except to change clothes and sleep. I thought there was more storage in the bath and over the vanity.

I would go for a rccl at least once. Go with the attitude that it is not dcl and that you are there to have a good time and you will! We are ready to go on rccl again next year.

 

[DareTooDream]

Mjasp, how were you notified of Costa's one day sale? Did you happen upon it, or do you subscribe to some sort of notification?
Sherry

 

[Firegoalie23]

there are 5 day Voyager class sailing out of cape liberty. I am also booked on the freedom of the seas for 10/15/06 and we have a D1 aft balcony. Can't wait.