Disney vs. RCCL

[tchrmom]

Thanks for the comparison between Disney and RCCL, makes me feel much better about my choice. I've had to postpone my trip on the magic for this October and move it to next November due to finances. I just booked a 5 night Western on the Enchantment of the Seas for $319.00 each person. the itinery is pretty much the same as DCL with us travelling to Labadee Haiti, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

I just had some questions regarding food and drinks. I've heard you must buy a drink card if you or your kids want pop, if this is true do you remember what that cost?For my 2 kids, the soda package for the 7 day cruise was $64.40....but it is based on the length of your cruise. Did my 2 kids drink $63.00 worth of soda.....NO! However, it is their vacation too, and I know DH and I drank more than $63.00 worth of bar drinks.......so it really didn't matter to me. You do NOT have to buy the card, and if your kids don't like soda, don't waste your money. Lemonade, tea, fruit punch and milk are always available in Windjammers. Water is everywhere too. Also are the snacks and some room service also free or are there additional costs? Room service is free for anything until midnight, I believe....and then itis a small charge. $3.95, for some reason sticks in my head. BEWARE....even with a soda package, canned soda is not free.Was there a lot to do for 14 year olds and were there any excursions you would recommend? In Cozumel we will be doing the dolphin swim so we are looking for suggesstions in Grand cayman. There were TONS of things for my 14 year old to do. She suggest going to that first "meet and greet" on the first night. Everyone is loking for a buddy. We never saw our daughter.....until dinner. We did the dolphins in Grand Cayman, and stayed on the ship in Cozumel. On our first Disney cruise, when we went to GC...we booked through Captain Marvin's Sting Ray City. An excellent excursion! Just remember....the Freedom stays on SHIP'S time (Port Canaveral time). If you book an excursion on your own, keep that in mind because the excursion will be booked in GC time, or 1 hour behind ship's time. If you book and early morning excursion, you will be fine. Just make SURE you are back at the dock, waiting for a tender before 3:00. (Ship's time)

I hope that helps.....and does not confuse you more.

Sorry, I know I'm asking alot of questions, I just like to be prepared.Me Too!

Let me know if you have any more questions....I know it is scary booking a new cruise line after doing Disney.

 

[tchrmom]

My question concerning the RCCL. We are doing Freedom of the Seas, and this is my question. I don't want to carry around to much cash, but could I put some of my cash on a VISA Gift Card?

Cash is not used anywhere on the ship, except the casino. If you want, go to guest services the first day and give them your cash to put on your account. Bars and shops will only accept your room key as payment. You can keep track of how much you have spent each day, by using your TV, and looking at your account. This is very handy to help keep track of your kids spending, if you choose to allow them to charge. We have always let our kids....and it has not been a problem, 'cause they know we check.

 

[OhMari]

Yes, we'd be flying out of Kansas City. I'll check out your suggestion. Thanks for the tip.

Does anyone know of a TA who is giving OBC when booking RCCL? It doesn't seem like DU gives out OBC's for them.

I think Southwest flies into Orlando too.
I didn't get a OBC when I booked with DU, I think I was to close to the sail date. I did get a state discount.

(tchrmom) Cash is not used anywhere on the ship, except the casino. If you want, go to guest services the first day and give them your cash to put on your account. Bars and shops will only accept your room key as payment. You can keep track of how much you have spent each day, by using your TV, and looking at your account. This is very handy to help keep track of your kids spending, if you choose to allow them to charge. We have always let our kids....and it has not been a problem, 'cause they know we check.[/QUOTE]

I understand this, but I was wondering if they will accept a VISA Gift card to pay for those charges. I don't want to use my debit/credit card and my Disney VISA numbers were stolen last time I was at WDW. I'm pretty sure, no one stole them, because a $1.00 download from a music web site was charged. I was told this is how they find legit credit numbers. When the download goes through, then they use my credit numbers for larger purchases.

 

[tchrmom]

I understand this, but I was wondering if they will accept a VISA Gift card to pay for those charges. I don't want to use my debit/credit card and my Disney VISA numbers were stolen last time I was at WDW. I'm pretty sure, no one stole them, because a $1.00 download from a music web site was charged. I was told this is how they find legit credit numbers. When the download goes through, then they use my credit numbers for larger purchases.

Sorry......I misunderstood. I don't know with 100% certainty.....but since VISA cards are accepted anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted, I feel most certain you could use them. I do know they take Visa....so it only makes sense. I apologize for the confusion.

 

[OhMari]

Sorry......I misunderstood. I don't know with 100% certainty.....but since VISA cards are accepted anywhere Visa credit cards are accepted, I feel most certain you could use them. I do know they take Visa....so it only makes sense. I apologize for the confusion.

Don't worry about it, sometimes I have a hard time typing out, what I am thinking.

 

[barbmouse]

I think the Visa gift card would work like cash. On my FOS cruise I added cash to my onboard account during the middle of the week because I didn't want to charge my card.

I thought I'd add this info too after reading a current thread about kid's charging: On RCCL you can check your charges and those of your kids right in the room using the TV. It lists each persons name and you can see how much they have spent and where. I found this to be very helpful. We gave our kids a weekly spending limit and although neither of them charged to the limit, it was easy to monitor. I'm not sure if DCL does this. I didn't know about it when we sailed with them if they do.

 

[tchrmom]

I'm not sure if DCL does this. I didn't know about it when we sailed with them if they do.

The last time we sailed Disney....(2007) they were still slipping the list of charges under the door. Don't you love THAT surprise!?! It always amazes me how quickly you can spend money on a cruise!!!

But........I guess that is why we work all year long, right??????

 

[Charleyann]

This will be our first and last time on a Disney Cruise. At least with Carnival and RCCL a family of four needing accessible rooms have choices in categories.
With Disney, a party of 4 needing an accessible rooms can only choose Category 3 or Category 5. High end categories with a hefty price tag!

For a 7 day land and Sea package (3 nights Sea) for 2 adults and 2 children for December would have cost $6348.00. Dec. 20-23.

We got category 11 for 4 people, not realizing there were no accessible rooms for $3100. We'll stay there and park wheelchairs outside the cabin.

Just before this Disney cruise, we are taking a 7 day Western Carribean cruise to Grand Cayman, Belize, Honduras, and Roatan Island with a balcony and accessible for $509 taxes in, for the first two people and $349 for the children each. This is with Carnival Cruise lines. Big difference and we had choices too. Could have gotten cheaper for inside cabins or ocean view. Point is the choice difference!

Too me, $3500 difference for being disabled is a rip off!

We Have the Oasis of the Seas already booked for next December. We have balcony rooms (Accessible) overlooking the boardwalk and looking out to the sea. Again we had our choice to pick a cheaper Cabin that would still accommodate 4 people. The room on this new ship for 7 nights was $1200 each....Again much cheaper then Disney with choices....

As much as I love Disney, they are taking away choices and inflating rates so high, the average Joe will not be able to afford anything Disney! You pay for the name and that is all......

Charleyann

 

[tchrmom]

As much as I love Disney, they are taking away choices and inflating rates so high, the average Joe will not be able to afford anything Disney! You pay for the name and that is all......

Charleyann

I agree with you, but be ready flor some flames. Last year, when I started this thread....lots of people were not very understanding. (One guy was down right mean!) They were always pointing out how Disney was more but you got free soda...yada, yada, yada....They were always telling me what AWESOME bargins they got for a Disney cruise....and how much they saved vs. a RCCL cruise. Be watchful. You can still find good rates on a Disney cruise...possibly in a cat. that will meet your families needs. What most people didn't seem to get, was that these "bargins" are at a time when we CAN NOT pull our high school aged children out of school. If they were in elementary school, I'd pull them, and myself, out of school in a heartbeat!
Enjoy your future cruises.....and just keep searching for a bargin. Make sure to post about Oasis! I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Charleyann]

I agree with you, but be ready flor some flames. Last year, when I started this thread....lots of people were not very understanding. (One guy was down right mean!) They were always pointing out how Disney was more but you got free soda...yada, yada, yada....They were always telling me what AWESOME bargins they got for a Disney cruise....and how much they saved vs. a RCCL cruise. Be watchful. You can still find good rates on a Disney cruise...possibly in a cat. that will meet your families needs. What most people didn't seem to get, was that these "bargins" are at a time when we CAN NOT pull our high school aged children out of school. If they were in elementary school, I'd pull them, and myself, out of school in a heartbeat!
Enjoy your future cruises.....and just keep searching for a bargin. Make sure to post about Oasis! I can't wait to hear all about it!

I understand there will be flames. But I know the truth! This is the DIS board and most people are pro-disney. I am pro-fun in an affordable manner!

Although Disney does it right in the resorts with deep discount which make it affordable for all....They could still do better! Lets face reality, Disney's All Star Resorts are the average 6 star motel with no frills! They just slap a few Disney icon up to make it appealing for the price. Open the doors and that is where appeal ends!

I have stayed on property on the 192 that offer tons more amenties, mind you, You aren't in the heart of Disney...but mighty near and some are closer to the parks then Disney's own resort hotels!!!!

Again, I love Disney, but they are getting out of reach and out of touch with reality!!!!!

Charleyann

 

[tchrmom]

Lets face reality, Disney's All Star Resorts are the average 6 star motel with no frills! They just slap a few Disney icon up to make it appealing for the price. Open the doors and that is where appeal ends!



Charleyann

This is so true! You have me laughing! THANKS!!!!

 

[Charleyann]

Thhis is so true! You have me laughing! THANKS!!!!

Your welcome. Disney wasn't always like this, just seems over the last few years, things have slipped. Or that maybe it is just me experiencing other places, and realizing
that there is equal or better!

Charleyann

 

[AC7179]

Anyone know anything about Voyager of the Seas sailing out of Galveston? It's a closer to home option for us, but I don't really understand the "classes" of ships on RCCL. Is this a lower "class" and therefore not as nice of a ship as the others, or is it just smaller?

 

[TheWog]

Anyone know anything about Voyager of the Seas sailing out of Galveston? It's a closer to home option for us, but I don't really understand the "classes" of ships on RCCL. Is this a lower "class" and therefore not as nice of a ship as the others, or is it just smaller?

Voyager is actually a huge class of ship. They were the largest ships afloat until Freedom class was launched. You will certainly have a lot of the best amenities onboard. It is a bit older, but I think it is still newer than the Disney ships. You will probably get some great deals as well.

 

[will5mom]

Hi Will5mom, I know what you mean, I am still trying to figure out what to do as well. I REALLY wanted to try for a Disney cruise but I just not sure that I can swing the price...

Stacy

Hi Stacy,
I really want to do DCL, but I'm starting to think for now to try a different cruise line and do Disney when a new ship comes out

 

[NancyIL]

This will be our first and last time on a Disney Cruise. At least with Carnival and RCCL a family of four needing accessible rooms have choices in categories.
With Disney, a party of 4 needing an accessible rooms can only choose Category 3 or Category 5. High end categories with a hefty price tag!

For a 7 day land and Sea package (3 nights Sea) for 2 adults and 2 children for December would have cost $6348.00. Dec. 20-23.

We got category 11 for 4 people, not realizing there were no accessible rooms for $3100. We'll stay there and park wheelchairs outside the cabin.

Just before this Disney cruise, we are taking a 7 day Western Carribean cruise to Grand Cayman, Belize, Honduras, and Roatan Island with a balcony and accessible for $509 taxes in, for the first two people and $349 for the children each. This is with Carnival Cruise lines. Big difference and we had choices too. Could have gotten cheaper for inside cabins or ocean view. Point is the choice difference!

Too me, $3500 difference for being disabled is a rip off!

We Have the Oasis of the Seas already booked for next December. We have balcony rooms (Accessible) overlooking the boardwalk and looking out to the sea. Again we had our choice to pick a cheaper Cabin that would still accommodate 4 people. The room on this new ship for 7 nights was $1200 each....Again much cheaper then Disney with choices....

As much as I love Disney, they are taking away choices and inflating rates so high, the average Joe will not be able to afford anything Disney! You pay for the name and that is all......

Charleyann

I know that there are HA cabins in cat. 11 and cat. 6 on DCL - but do they not sleep 4 people? My mom and I had a HA cat. 6, but it was at the very back of the ship. DCL goofed big time in the placement of their HA cabins - which ought to be near mid-ship elevators and not at the far front or back of the ship.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I'm trying to decide between an Eastern on Freedom or a Western on Liberty of the Seas. I like the western, but I'm worried about Jamaica. Has anyone been on the Western? How did you like it?

 

[tchrmom]

I'm trying to decide between an Eastern on Freedom or a Western on Liberty of the Seas. I like the western, but I'm worried about Jamaica. Has anyone been on the Western? How did you like it?

We did the eastern on Liberty in June 2008. We did western June 2009. Personally, I liked the eastern for the 3 sea days....however, we have been to ALL those ports many times on Disney. The western was nice b/c we had NEVER been to Jamaica.....and had not been back to Grand Cayman since our very first Disney cruise. Having a ship with sooooo much to do, like the Freedom and Liberty, it is nice to have those extra sea days. (Can you say FFF-LLL-OOO-WWW-RIDER?!?!)

The thought pf going to Jamaica made me EXTREEMLY nervous! However, it was a great experience....(except for leaving Dunns River, I'll explain later)
We booked directly through the Dunns River Shuttle Company. They were waiting for us at the pier. I believe I booked them for 10:00AM. They took us to the Falls, and made arrangements to pick us up, and offered to drive us any where we wanted. The Falls were undescribable! Purchase WATERSHOES.......not flip flops before sailing. I bought us cheap ones at Walmart, and they did great. We chose to climb without a guide. I was tricky, but you could go at your own pace, and stop and enjoy the view whenever you wanted. As the day progresses, more people arrive, and you are almost forced to climb as a group, holding hands. My advice is to try and be the first ones there. I should say it is tricky, but DH was able to do it, and 2 weeks before our trip, he fell and chipped his ankle, and had been in a "boot". He wore a brace, and went slow, but did it with the help of our 17 year old son. Everything is great, until you leave. You are forced to exit through a market place. Now, we had already decided that we really didn't want to purchase anything.......but they are ALL OVER YOU as you walk through. We had decided to just keep walking and say "no thank you"....and not stop. However, one FORCEFUL guy, got in my husbands way and started yelling at "rich Americans, who come to his country to see the sights and spend all their money on fancy cruise ships, but can't spend money in the markets to help the people". I was very proud of DH, who kept walking and kept his cool, he just slowly made his way to the exit, not saying a word. (Internally steaming!) There are VERY nice Jamaican women at the very end, saying " no pressure to buy here, look if you like"........it made me want to buy from them, but we had made our decision. Once we exited, our shuttle van was there, waiting. He took us to Margaritaville, which is a short walk to the ship. (great margaritas here....HUGE plates of nachos too! Great DJ!)

All in all, the harasser would not keep me from going again.....it is just too awesome of an experience. I had read they vendors were pushy....I should have been better prepared. IF you are the type to loose your cool easily, this might not be the place for you. They were very "down" on Americans. I'm not sure he thought about the port charges we paid to his country, or thought about how we hired a Jamaican owned company to shuttle us around, and then tipped them extra for being so helpful.
It was a beautiful place to visit! Let me know if you have any other questions about Jamaica.

 

[TheWog]

I'm trying to decide between an Eastern on Freedom or a Western on Liberty of the Seas. I like the western, but I'm worried about Jamaica. Has anyone been on the Western? How did you like it?

We have been to Jamaica a few times - cruise stop and land based vacations. We love Jamaica. Some have had bad experiences, others have had great experiences. I believe Liberty goes to Montego Bay. You can get a ship sponsored excursion that can be lots of fun. You can go to a local all-inclusive or go to a beach nearby. Ocho Rios is too far away for a fun excursion. Negril is also pretty far away, so I would say stay closer to port in Mo' Bay. We are looking at Freedom specifically so we can take our son to Jamaica. We want to do Dunns River Falls and the White River tubing excursions.

 

[alyssasmommy]

Hi , Im also looking to book with Royal Caribbean nex year but have so many questions since we have only cruised with Disney.
1-What is the earliest time to board?
2-Where do we make reservations for Portofino and Chops, and also are the open only for dinner?
3-Do we need to reserve for the shows or they have specific times like Dcl?
4-Can we bring our own Sodas?
5-Do they have any Special Nights like Pirates of the Caribbean that we need to be prepared for?
6-Are we able to change dinning assigments and request a table for 3 ?
7-Do they show movies?
Is there anything I need to book walong with my reservation.
Thank you all so much .