disney cruise vs. Rccl? anyone compare?

[232271]

I really want to take another disney cruise, but my husband thinks RCCL would be just as good and it would save us $2000 or more.

Please tell me what you think? I have a 13 and 10 year old and they loved being able to walk around the ship freely. I am afraid with the casinos you might find more singles (with different attitueds) then families and that seems less safe ?

Any advice is appreciated, so I can tell my husband what others have experienced or feel,too.

 

[staceymerrill]

This is a highly personal decision...

That stated, given the ages of your children, I would opt for RCCL to save $2k.....BTW,was this for a Voyager Class ship?

 

[232271]

This is a highly personal decision...

That stated, given the ages of your children, I would opt for RCCL to save $2k.....BTW,was this for a Voyager Class ship?

no it would out of galveston- Rhapsody of the Seas (vision family?), therefore saving airfare, the price of the cruise is
DCL cat. 10 $5070
vs.
RCCL Outside w/balcony $4653 (only 195 sq. ft though)

 

[staceymerrill]

In that case....

Splurge for the extra $2k....IMO, the only ships that come close to DCL in terms of amenities, entertainment, and programming are the newer Voyager Class , especially Nav and Mariner.....

Can you get a discounted airfare for 4 from Southwest Airlines to MCO?

 

[NCRedding]

I prefered DCL to RCCL Radiance of the Seas, in part because some of the usual activities for kids/teens weren't doable (too cold to swim or play mini-golf--this was to Alaska). I thought the food was mediocre compared to DCL and the adult activites were very limited if you don't gamble or bingo. As the cruise wore on, we saw lots more "bands" of kids hanging out, yelling and cussing. The adult areas were not kept adult on RCCL.

We have just returned from an NCL cruise, and actually liked it much better than RCCL, and (DARE I SAY IT) almost as much as Disney.

I have heard that the Voyager class ships do have a ton of things to do on them.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I know DCL is worth the extra 2k, but realistically, it's not always easy convince a DW or DH to spend that much more. (Not speaking from experience, DH and I prefer DCL over others.) However, not everyone who sails DCL is that gung-ho as many of us are.

I'd still say go for RCCL, and maybe your DH will see then, that DCL is better. You'll most likely still have a great time! It's STILL a cruise, and with the ages your boys are, they might like it very well.

 

[232271]

In that case....

Splurge for the extra $2k....IMO, the only ships that come close to DCL in terms of amenities, entertainment, and programming are the newer Voyager Class , especially Nav and Mariner.....

Can you get a discounted airfare for 4 from Southwest Airlines to MCO?

we live in dallas fort worth area, and they do not fly to mco from Southwest here! bummer!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

we live in dallas fort worth area, and they do not fly to mco from Southwest here! bummer!

Hey neighbor! We live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area too. It's ironic that you're thinking of Rhapsody of the Seas, as I was researching the same last night. The airfare to Florida alone + the cost of a cruise adds up fast. The Rhapsody looks like a great ship!

 

[ImMarcik]

I live very close to Galveston and in the future when my DD is older we may try Rhapsody of the Sea as well. But, I wonder if we will get bored easily. My DH does not like to go to casino's although he did show interest in bingo.

 

[mickey2000]

There is life after Disney IMO! Save yourself some money while enjoying new ports. My first two cruises were Disney. My last 6 were other lines and enjoyed them all. Princess, RCCL & NCL all GREAT!!
Canada , Alaska, Hawaii, etc......

 

[got2gp]

We have now sailed on RCCL and DCL and can compare the two, but keep in mind it is a very personal thing. DS was 10 on RCCL and 12 on DCL, he enjoyed both overall, but... at the end of the week on RCCL he was getting bored and was ready to go home, not so on DCL. He liked both the food and the activities better on DCL. He especially loved the lab. For dd, 16, it was more of a toss up, but she loves Disney and that put it over the top for her.

Personally I give the nod to Disney also. Both lines have nice ships, they both attract families and have plenty to do. Disney has, IMO, better food and service, great shows, and nicer cabins. Is it worth an extra $2000? For us, not every time, but we will be back. Whatever you decide to do, it's still a cruise.

 

[prymsu]

My family has been on Disney twice, Carnival several times, Orient once and RCCL six times now. My son is twelve and he really enjoys the kids clubs on RCCL more than on any other cruise line. That being said, I believe it is because the kids clubs don't have the huge number of kids in them. I would say go for it and save the extra bucks. heck for 2K saved you could almost have enough for another cruise!

 

[minniecarousel]

Mickey2000!! You just posted a picture of my next vacation! We're sailing on the NCL Pride of America on 7/23!! I think our cabin will be slightly smaller than our Wonder & Magic cabins (all are outside/balcony rooms.) I don't plan on spending much time in the cabin - hey! Hawaii will be beckoning!
This will be our first non-DCL cruise. We really thought we'd book a West Coast DCL this summer, but we like the idea of the Hawaii island-hopping!

 

[mousebrat]

On the Southwest deal - we live in Amarillo and also suffer from LUV syndrome. We were able to book DING! fares for $76 each way from Amarillo to Orlando by way of Albuquerque. You may be able to drive to Austin or catch a DING! fare to Austin and then book airfare from AUS to MCO separately. You can find fares as cheap as mid-$30s each way to Austin.

Just a thought. Hopefully the deal with Love Field will be resolved soon...

 

[Jsme]

Interesting thread.
I have one question. Which RCCL ship from a Florida port is a good one to cruise on?

 

[AspiringCindy]

While we love RCCL...we opted this time for DCL! Our DDs are 12,11, & 4 and only chose DCL over RCCL because of our youngest child! If I were you, I wouldn't hesitate to cruise on RCCL. They have great ships, good programs for the kids, excellent food and awesome shows! With saving $2000...it seems like a no brainer! The only drawback, the cabins are smaller on RCCL!(but this may not be so with the brand new ships)

 

[westjones]

I must admit, I would REALLY love to try the new Freedom of the Seas when it starts up next year. They have the dates open through spring break 2007, and I mentioned it to DH, but he likes the 4 night cruises better.

But that Freedom of the Seas sounds like it is going to be really something (although they are being somewhat secretive about it all). This one sails out of Miami.

If there was a Voyager class ship out of PC that would do a 4 night cruise, we would consider trying it. DH really doesn't want to do the 7 night again.

If it isn't a Voyager class ship, I would rather just stick with DCL.

I haven't been on a RCCL, so the others may be great. The Voyager class are the only ones that have caught my interest, and in particular, the new Freedom of the Seas (which is going to be more expensive based on the pricing online at http://www.rccl.com -- it was mentioned that you don't really get a discount booking a RCCL through a TA, so these prices are probably what you are going to pay).

DJ

 

[kaseyC]

I must admit, I would REALLY love to try the new Freedom of the Seas when it starts up next year. They have the dates open through spring break 2007, and I mentioned it to DH, but he likes the 4 night cruises better.

But that Freedom of the Seas sounds like it is going to be really something (although they are being somewhat secretive about it all). This one sails out of Miami.

DJ

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.

 

[my3kids]

no it would out of galveston- Rhapsody of the Seas (vision family?), therefore saving airfare, the price of the cruise is
DCL cat. 10 $5070
vs.
RCCL Outside w/balcony $4653 (only 195 sq. ft though)

RCI doesn't add the verandah sq. footage to the size like DCL does. Add maybe 40 sq ft. to the 195.

 

[tezb]

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.