Disney vs. RCCL

[Scrapbook Stacy]

Thanks for all of the info, I am going to look at the website now!

Stacy

 

[cruisinmama06]

Can anyone explain the category numbers? on RC? We are on the 7th level. and it says Category D2?

RCCL puts their rooms on an alphabetical system. The closer to the beginning of the alphabet, the better your room selection.

Yes and no Fran.

The best categories aren't necessarily the lowest letter. Let's not forget about the Presidential Suite (Cat PS), Royal Suite (Cat RS) and Owners Suite (Cat OS)

I know, it's confusing.

There is even a Suite Guarantee that's Category W. So it's all messed up.

Oh Mari - yes, a D2 is a balcony cabin. There is one higher standard balcony category above this, the D1. Usually the only difference is location. And a D1 is usually a quad.

Deck 7 is fine. We have a tendency to stay at the highest deck possible, only because we spend most of our time at the pool and the kids at Adventure Ocean (both high decks).

We also try to grab the Aft Balconies (VERY back if the ship) because they are extended balconies that are much larger than a standard, and NO price difference from the side balconies. The AFT balconies have loungers on them. They are "coveted" so if you see one, grab it.

I grabbed another one for our next RCCL cruise on Explorer.

This was our Aft Balcony on Independence of the Seas....

 

[cruisinmama06]

His concern is how much everything costs...the excursions, sodas, etc...we read where it was about $60 for the sodas aboard a cruise, we were thinking that the food and drinks, not alcoholic ones of course, were included. We were only planning on a 3 day cruise since this would be our first one. DD wanted to go to Atlantis while we were in the Bahamas, it looks like it costs a lot too to go to their water park. Have you ever been there and if so, do you recall how much it is?

Thank you, Stacy

I agree with the others, your hubby is talking to co workers who are JEALOUS. They don't know the real truth about cruises so they need to talk down about them.

Do this, go to www.rccl.com and check the price for 5 Day Western Caribbean, Enchantment of the Seas for September, 2009 - starting at $229 (resident rate for certain states)

Then tell me how expensive it is to cruise.

Sodas - I have never purchased a soda card for me or for my kids. We drink the "included" beverages like iced tea, apple juice, lemonade, cofee, tea, white and chocolate milk, orange juice (in the am).

My hubby is a soda freak, so he drinks more than 4 sodas/day, which is the break even price for the soda card. It's about $6.99/day per person for a soda card.

Atlantis is expensive, no doubt about it. But it is doable if you keep an eye on the prices. It all depends if you are able to grab a good rate at Comfort Suites or at Atlantis (both give full access to Atlantis slides, pool, beach)

My review on Atlantis is here....
http://cruisingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2008/11/atlantis-paradise-island-bahamas.html

You don't need to do a $200 excursion. There are many beautiful beaches in Nassau. And my favorite excursion is actually swimming with the stingrays at Blackbeard's Cay -- not Atlantis.

 

[TheWog]

I agree with the others, your hubby is talking to co workers who are JEALOUS. They don't know the real truth about cruises so they need to talk down about them.

Do this, go to www.rccl.com and check the price for 5 Day Western Caribbean, Enchantment of the Seas for September, 2009 - starting at $229 (resident rate for certain states)

Then tell me how expensive it is to cruise.

.

I love the Enchantment. What a great time we had on her.

 

[tchrmom]

Personally, I've never had a suite.........but would sure like to see one up close and personal!

 

[Scrapbook Stacy]

Michele, thank you for the help! I appreciate it!

Stacy

 

[Nik's Mom]

I know this is an RCCL Vs Disney thread, but I ended up booking a Carnival cruise instead. We were interested in trying the Oasis, but it is pretty expensive at this point. So we are trying the new Carnival Dream. They have a new category of verandah cabins on deck 2 that we are going to try out. We are paying $3709 for a family of 4 on the Dream. It is a 7 day Eastern Cruise during March. Not too bad of a price.

Next cruise after that will probably be Oasis of the Seas though.

 

[OhMari]

We also try to grab the Aft Balconies (VERY back if the ship) because they are extended balconies that are much larger than a standard, and NO price difference from the side balconies. The AFT balconies have loungers on them. They are "coveted" so if you see one, grab it.

How would I do this?
When I check in?

 

[tchrmom]

I know this is an RCCL Vs Disney thread, but I ended up booking a Carnival cruise instead. We were interested in trying the Oasis, but it is pretty expensive at this point. So we are trying the new Carnival Dream. They have a new category of verandah cabins on deck 2 that we are going to try out. We are paying $3709 for a family of 4 on the Dream. It is a 7 day Eastern Cruise during March. Not too bad of a price.

Next cruise after that will probably be Oasis of the Seas though.

Dream............that's their new one, right? Let me know what you think! I've always been scared to try Carnival, for their past reputation, but I think I would try one of their newer ships.....IF the price was right. And.....it sounds like your price is right!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Dream............that's their new one, right? Let me know what you think! I've always been scared to try Carnival, for their past reputation, but I think I would try one of their newer ships.....IF the price was right. And.....it sounds like your price is right!

I was nervous too, to be honest. But I did a lot of research on Cruise Critic and have discovered that the heavy partying tends to happen on the shorter cruises (3-4 nights). The longer cruises tend to have more families. We'll just have to wait and see.

I am going to tackle this cruise like I did my stay at Pop Century. I really didn't want to stay there, but kept an open mind. In the end, I had a fantastic time and enjoyed the hotel. I'm hoping for the same on the cruise. I will definitely start a post on my experience with Carnival when I return.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Dream............that's their new one, right? Let me know what you think! I've always been scared to try Carnival, for their past reputation, but I think I would try one of their newer ships.....IF the price was right. And.....it sounds like your price is right!

We're booked for the Dream July 2010, and I'll let you know too. As for Carnival's reputation, our family never knew about their reputation until reading cruise message boards. We've sailed the Glory, Liberty and Freedom and had wonderful times. We're also 'foodies,' and found the food way better than RCCL (and DCL.) Service was excellent too. Our DD and her BFF loved the water-slide.

 

[tchrmom]

We're booked for the Dream July 2010, and I'll let you know too. As for Carnival's reputation, our family never knew about their reputation until reading cruise message boards. We've sailed the Glory, Liberty and Freedom and had wonderful times. We're also 'foodies,' and found the food way better than RCCL (and DCL.) Service was excellent too. Our DD and her BFF loved the water-slide.

Thanks for the input! It was such a HUGE leap of faith for us to try something different than Disney. Maybe we should have that same faith here too!
Didn't we sail together in May 2004?

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Didn't we sail together in May 2004?

We certainly did! That was the cruise that the DISboards husbands had issues with the wives packing so many pairs of shoes!

Keep us posted if you decide to sail Carnival Dream (or, ANY Carnival cruise for that matter.) Maybe we'll sail together again!

Priscilla

 

[woody73]

. . . It was such a HUGE leap of faith for us to try something different than Disney.

As much as we like Disney, we wanted to visit new destinations.

So far this year, we have visited 48 ports in 25 countries on RCI and HAL.

Woody

 

[alyssasmommy]

Hi Just booked for 2010. After 6 Dcl cruises I will hope for the best. Anybody has tips for newbies with RCCL?
They told me when I made the reservation that I could request a table for 3. I know every time I have book with Dcl that I always have to go and have my table reassigned, I assume the same with RCCL but the agent said we have to wait until dinner time?
Anybody knows of a safe beach excursion in Jamaica.?
I could not believe they charge 20 dollars per day to park the car.
Do I have to pay also for the childrens program.
Thank you in advance for helping me.

 

[woody73]

. . . Anybody has tips for newbies with RCCL?

Every time you say something costs less or is free on Disney (parking, soda), remind yourself of how many hundreds of dollars you saved by booking RCI.

Woody

 

[tchrmom]

We certainly did! That was the cruise that the DISboards husbands had issues with the wives packing so many pairs of shoes!



Priscilla

Well............Our daughter has fallen in line. For a 7 day cruise, she brought along 12 pairs of shoes. Her philosophy: "You'll never know what you will be in the mood to wear!"

 

[tchrmom]

Do I have to pay also for the childrens program.

Can't help you with this one, as mine are older. I THINK that they charge after 10PM......but I can't promise.

Every time you say something costs less or is free on Disney (parking, soda), remind yourself of how many hundreds of dollars you saved by booking RCI.

Woody

I love it when people say that! $2000 is a LOT of soda, Ben and Jerry's, and Johnny Rockets! AND.....we could afford 2 interior rooms!

 

[woody73]

. . . For a 7 day cruise, she brought along 12 pairs of shoes.

Wow! I think that's a record.

Woody

 

[tchrmom]

Wow! I think that's a record.

Woody

And, sadly, she is only 14......