Disney vs Freedom of the Seas

[caseymaureen]

We didn't have a real "problem" with the tender, it was just a little inconvenient. Having only been on Disney directly at the port, it was strange having to alot the extra time for waiting for and boarding the tender boats. All of our excursions ended up being a little off schedule so we were always rushing back to catch the tenders...

 

[Float My Boat]

Hello all,
Just thought I would put my two cents in...
My husband and I cruised on the Freedom's second sailing, leaving Miami June 11th for our honeymoon. I have previously sailed on Disney twice, he's sailed Disney once. We had never sailed RCL before. We both agreed that we preferred Disney, even with no kids!
Our first night on the ship our luggage did not show up, and we had a 6 PM dinner time. I asked our room steward if we should go in our very casual travel-wear or wait for the luggage. He said it should be there very soon and that the first not was casual, but maybe not that casual, so we waited. No sign of it, s we decided to just go get some pizza on the promenade. When we got back, still no luggage. Our steward said we should call Guest Relations because much of the rest of the hall had gotten theirs. We called, and to my surprise the guest relations associate was very rude and told me that they had 2000 pieces of luggage to deliver and we should not even call them until after 9pm. I tried to explain that our steward told me to call and that we had missed dinner and he only said, in so many words, that that was our own fault. The luggage ended up getting to the room around 9:30 pm.

We had almost the same experience on our first Disney Cruise! It just depends, I guess.

My husband and I have been talking about doing FOS for our next cruise. Doing 3 consecutive on Disney, we will have covered just about every onboard activity there is to do, and seen all the shows (since they don't change very often). We love DCL but I think it will stay fresher for us if we do something else in between. We have sailed with RCCL before and are very happy with it. Not sure which boat, but leaning towards FOS. My opinion of cruise ships so far seems to be "the bigger the better".

 

[tezb]

We had almost the same experience on our first Disney Cruise! It just depends, I guess.

My husband and I have been talking about doing FOS for our next cruise. Doing 3 consecutive on Disney, we will have covered just about every onboard activity there is to do, and seen all the shows (since they don't change very often). We love DCL but I think it will stay fresher for us if we do something else in between. We have sailed with RCCL before and are very happy with it. Not sure which boat, but leaning towards FOS. My opinion of cruise ships so far seems to be "the bigger the better".

We feel the same way. After 3 DCL cruises, we were ready to try something different. Plus, my boys are older now and were just getting bored w/ DCL. After 2 RCCL cruises since 2004 (most recent FOS last month) we probably won't go back to DCL...maybe someday when we have grandchildren...who knows. We actually like what RCCL has to offer more than DCL at this time.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

We didn't have a real "problem" with the tender, it was just a little inconvenient. Having only been on Disney directly at the port, it was strange having to alot the extra time for waiting for and boarding the tender boats. All of our excursions ended up being a little off schedule so we were always rushing back to catch the tenders...

Disney tenders at a few ports too. Grand Cayman is a tender port and right now so is Cozumel unless that has changed recently with repairs due to the hurricane last year. Everyone had to tender at Grand Cayman, I have a picture with 2 other cruise ships out in the ocean with the Magic. Neither one of which was RCCL.

 

[janets]

What I meant to say, is that Disney has larger cabins as "standard category rooms (category 5-10 range)" that can accomidate 4 people. FOS requires a much more expensive suite (about $10,000) to accomidate 4 people. I found that is was better to book two separate adjoining "promenade" rooms for about $6500 total as compared to one Disney room that cost around $4000. Yes, two rooms are larger than one, but the one room on Disney was fine for us.

Bill, I'm a bit puzzled by this statement. I have been looking at FOS for a trip next November (07) and have a choice of a number of different cabin classes that will accomodate our family of four. I can either book a balcony which I think would be equivalent to a Cat 6 on DCL, or a few classes of oceanview stateroom, which would also be available on DCL. The cost difference is almost $2000 for the oceanview and closer to $3000 for the balcony. Was your problem just that they were sold out when you travelled? Can you elaborate on this? I understand that DCL has a bit larger cabin and the split bath (we have cruised DCL w/ our older son only back in 2001) but are you really saying that these FOS cabins are just too small, even though they are advertised to accomodate 4?

I was hoping to make our ressies this week, as there is only 1 balcony (Cat D1) available for our sailing date and if I want that, I need to do it soon. So I'm anxious to hear your additional thoughts.

Thanks.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

The cost difference is almost $2000 for the oceanview and closer to $3000 for the balcony. Was your problem just that they were sold out when you travelled? Can you elaborate on this? I understand that DCL has a bit larger cabin and the split bath (we have cruised DCL w/ our older son only back in 2001) but are you really saying that these FOS cabins are just too small, even though they are advertised to accomodate 4?

I was hoping to make our ressies this week, as there is only 1 balcony (Cat D1) available for our sailing date.

I really wanted to book a Promenad Family Stateroom (300 sq feet) and they were sold out. In addition, all larger rooms were sold out as the boat was less than one month old. We booked two adjoining PR rooms at 149 sq ft each for me, wife, and 2 kids. We also had one E2 room (177 sq feet) across the hall with a balcony for my mom. This was a nice setup. The Disney boat rooms seemed much larger (I can't find the square footage on their web site, perhaps they took it off) and the split bathrooms with tubs were nice. The showers on FOS were smaller than a coffin.

The FOS D1 rooms are 181 sq feet and I feel this is way too tight for 4 people. I would reccomend two adjoining PR rooms. I try to avoid the rooms with balconies as we have two small kids and the price is higher than standard rooms. The promenade rooms were very cool with a glass wall that looked into the royal promenade.

I would call FOS and ask them about your options for 4 people. Ask them about square footage and the price difference between booking one room vs two rooms.

If anyone has any info on Disney room sizes, please post here. You can also e-mail me with questions if you wish. Either way, both ships are awesome.

 

[pcump]

would you take a one year old on the disney cruise line?

 

[off to neverland]

At last I have some answers!!! Thanks, Bill, SO much for the detailed info.

We have a DCL cruise booked (our second) and I have been up late the last few nights wondering whehter we should switch to FOS. Though I LOVE DCL, I have to admit I am disappointed with their pools, and coming from nasty Canada weather in the winter, we'd really like some great pool time.

Which was why I was so attracted to Freedom of the Seas!

However......... I"m now totally fine staying with DCL because of several of your comments. First the beeper system for the kids' club. There is no way I could feel comfortable lounging away the day at the pool without that beeper by my side! In the past DCL has been great about paging me when needed and that gives me such comfort. I only want the kids in the clubs if they WANT to be there and they know they can call me on DCL at any time to come get them. If I was on FOS without one, I'd spend much of my time going back to "check on the kids."

Second.......... the enormity of the promenade turns me off. We will be spending time in WDW before and after the cruise, and everything about WDW is big and WOW! factor. I didn't realize it until you wrote about it, but BIG and WOW is what I think we are trying to get away from this trip. It will be a nice break to get on the Magic, which is beautiful and calm, and just relax........ WE don't need a big promenade to overstimulate us some more.

And, with little kids, I guess I'm just not so into the casino-on-board thing and the smoking and drinking that goes with it. I've definitely participated in those things in my life, but at this point, that's not my focus and it's kind of nice not to have to deal with it or even see it on the Magic.

So I can go to sleep at a decent hour tonight, knowing we made the right decision for another great vacation. WE'll definitely do FOS, but when the kids are older, for sure.............

 

[off to neverland]

If you are looking for the square footage of the Disney cabins, you can see it on the DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com website under Disney Cruise LIne -- STaterooms.

 

[carol31j]

Hi Steamboat Bill,

I went on our first cruise--the Caribbean cruise in 1997. Sure, a lot has changed since then. Thanks for all the insights.

But, I loved both the Disney cruise and the Caribbean one.

carol31j

 

[PizzieDuster]

My girlfriend is sailing on the Freedom in a couple of weeks. She's flying to Miami on Saturday, sailing on Sunday - Sunday.

She's excited for her lil daughters to play in the H2oZone... and the other pools.. Look at the guy in the pool....it gives you an idea just how big this pool area is! And there are TWO with a stage in between! And I didn't realize that the H2oZone water park has it's OWN pool too! Not to ;mention the Solarium is the adult only pool. So that's 3 pools for kids/adults and 1 pool for adults only!

http://community.webshots.com/slideshow?ID=549903721&key=eRAFkz

From California, I love watching her sail out of port about 3:30 pm on Sundays, if I can remember to get to the computer! I love this site.... You can move your mouse to the right - zoom in and out, and watch it sail pass South Beach, all the way out! Pretty cool. She is going to tell me everything, we sail on 4/8/07.


http://live6.truelook.com/face/newf..._Herald/PLAY__________/Cruise+Port+ship+docks

 

[tjeagle]

Thanks for the objective reviews! I have been feeling a bit guilty about the cost of the DCL. I have a friend taking another cruise for 1/2 the cost of ours! I do feel, especially after reading your review Disney is the cruise for us....at least for now!

 

[Steamboat Bill]

Sorry for the delay in responses....I was on vacation in San Antonio.

To pcump:
Our first DCL trip was a 4-day cruise my 18 month old son. He was too young for kids club and we had to pay extra for baby stting. We had a MUCH better time when we went on a 7-day crusie when he was 4yo and could visit the real kids club. I would advise caution with any cruise with kids less than 3yo. That said, you will still have a blast, but it will be MORE fun when they are old enough for kids club and you can seperate from the kids and enjoy some adult time.

To off to neverland:
We love Whistler BC in the summer!!! The pools are the one area where FOS blows DCL away. The pools on FOS are NEVER crowded and the H2O zone and flowrider are a total blast. However, the kids club on DCL blows away FOS. You must make a choice and I think you are making the correct one for a family with kids. The promenade on FOS is not as bad as you may think...but DCL is a more intimate and classy ship and I think the Disney crew are better than FOS crew. When the kids get older, then you can try RCC FOS.

To tjeagle:
This is a great example of "you get what you pay for" as both DCL and FOS are the two of the best family cruises available. There are many bargains cruises out there, but the ship, food, pools, entertainment, and kids activities will not equal DCL or FOS. If you are truly on a budget, you can still have a blast on a budget cruise, but this is one vacation where I choose not to skimp. You will NOT regret your decision.

 

[misseulalie]

Thanks for the great report. I am in between RCCL and DCL for the Med next year, we have rooms booked on both while we decided what to do. It seems with two small kids (3 and 5) we may stick to Disney for now. From what I am reading, RCCL seems better for tweens and up (10-11+) My DD are still obsessed with Disney Princesses and the Disney "Magic".

 

[Steamboat Bill]

To Misseulalie:
I believe you are making the best decision for your family and kids.....it will be a blast. I wish I could join you.

 

[PizzieDuster]

I finally added my RCCL pictures to my Webshot page, we sailed last Spring Break on the Explorer of the Seas, after 3 DCL cruises. My teens wanted anything that was non Disney at their age.

http://community.webshots.com/album/553065095Hmmdml

We rebooked for the Freedom of Seas, April 8, 2007

http://community.webshots.com/slideshow?ID=551140882&key=VbBlXn

But my kids are older. If they were younger, I would stay with DCL. This is just my opinion... I know, I know.... don't need to so.... calm down.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

But my kids are older. If they were younger, I would stay with DCL. This is just my opinion... I know, I know.... don't need to so.... calm down.

We are of the same opinion!!!!

I laughed at your "stirring the pot" smilie...some people are way too serious. Both cruises are excellent, I just liked DVC better for younger kids and FOS for older kids.

 

[michboro]

Does anyone have any navigators listing daily activities on Freedom of the Seas? Thanks

 

[Steamboat Bill]

I did not save them

Perhaps you can call RCCL to see if they are online or maybe someone can scan them for you....but they are 4 pages x 7 = 28 scanned images.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

I just spoke with a friend of mine who called me from his room on FOS for August 27-Sept 3.

He booked a 10th floor suite and has membership to a secret Concierge room where they book all the excursions, spa treatments, ice show, meal reservations, etc....He said it was awesome.

This was NOT know to me as we booked a regular room and had to sand in line for all that.