Disney vs. RCCL

[Happy99]

tchrmom -
Specific RCCL questions:

- How long are the lines for the FlowRider?
- How crowded is the H2O ZONE? Is it as crowded as the Mickey Pool (which DD LOVED but DH and I found too crowded!)
- What is there for teens specifically our 13 and 15 year olds? Oldest DS was 13 when we cruised on the Magic and loved the Stack. Our other DS was 11 and he felt like there was not enough for his age (he did not like Ocean Quest), he would have preferred to be in the Stack just hanging out.
- Are there any evening FAMILY activities? We especially enjoyed the family dance parties on DCL. DD who was 6 at the time loved the Promenade Lounge with Chuy and Danielle. There were several little girls who would get up and dance and Danielle would sometimes invite them up on stage with her. DD ate that up!
- What are the kids clubs like? DD did not especially enjoy the kids clubs on the Magic. She says they were "boring". She liked being with us but we did insist a few times that she go in so we could have some adult time. SHe especially liked the Mickey Pool and made several little friends that she would play with everyday at the pool.
- Is there a place to get food during the day out by the pools like on DCL? We really liked the fresh fruit, salads, paninis, hot dogs, fries, etc that we could get on DCL while hanging by the pool.

** I really like the "dec" phones mentioned that RCCL has!!! I hated that there was no way to communicate with older kids on DCL. Do these work well everywhere on the ship??

I may be incorrect on some of these but if I am someone will correct me, I'm sure. I am going from memory here. The last time we cruised RCCL was 2006

Flow rider - you had to sign up for a time so that you weren't wailing in line for a long time

My kids aren't bit into kids clubs and don't really enjoy the ones on DCL as they find the offerings too lame. On RCCL they were DD12 & DS9. DS still didn't care too much for the kids club but would go on formal night because they took the kids to Johnny Rockets for dinner and he didn't have to get dressed up - big thumps up in his book. He also enjoyed the many other things the ship had so he didn't want to be in the kids club. He did go a couple of times when there were specific things he wanted to join in on. He loved the inline skating, the rock climbing, ice skating, miniature golf, etc. He didn't like the salt water pool on the Explorer of the Seas but loved the pools on the Freedom of the Seas. The teen club on our cruise was split from 12-14 and 15-17. DD loved the fact that she got to hang out in the teen club and really enjoyed her time there.

H20 Zone is probably more then twice the size of the Mickey pool. I find the pools on DCL's ships really small given the family environment they have and kids like pools.

The buffets on RCCL, had better hours then the ones on DCL and they are on the same deck as the pool so there is always something there. It is also open for dinner.

We are 4 but traveled with MIL and we chose to go with the grand suite as it was the same price as getting two ocean view rooms. The only downside was the one bathroom but it worked well for us and the bathroom is huge. You cannot price 5 online you have to call them up

 

[Mjasp]

Given the ages of your boys...I'd say go RCI, your DD will love it also.

My kids never liked the kids club on DCL, so I can't compare as when we went on RCI we went with another family and the kids just all hung out, but my neighbors son went on his own to the teen club and loved it.!

 

[motherbear]

Thanks for all the great info. We have done Disney Cruise1 time 4 yrs ago and we loved it. I think I'm a bigger Disney Fan than my Kids though. We just decided a couple weeks ago to try and do something over Thanksgiving, of Course checking out a Disney Cruise was my first thought until the prices came up. We are not a rich family, but we like to get away several times a year to the Beach, Ski trip in the mountains and Disney in Fla. when we can. Doing several trips a year makes it hard for me to Spend alot of money on just 1, like a Disney Cruise. We found a great Deal on the RCI Independence of the Seas new ship for Thanksgiving out of Ft. Lauderdale. This ship has been in London since it's first Sail in April ( I think) and we will be on the 1st cruise out of Fla. I think the reviews and the info on this ship is awesome, but I was worried that my Kids, or ME would be disappointed. After reading all the great info I feel so excited about going, Less than 5 weeks away!!!! Be sure and sign up for web sites like Vacationstogo.com and Cruiseonly.com they send out emails on cheaper cruise prices and specials. RC is the same no matter where you look for a price, but it's an easy way to check and compare. We found out That On Oct. 16th they were having a 1 day Cruise Event and we got another 100.00 off our state rooms and we got 25 on board credit also. We wouldn't have started thinking about a cruise unless we got the emails with great prices. Since Thursday when we booked our room has went UP 400 a night? I thought the closer to a cruise the cheaper they would be, but Thanks again we were able to know about specails and booked at the right time. One thing about this ship is it's hard to find any info on daily activities or special dress up nights so it's hard to plan, I guess this is because this ship hasn't done this iterary before? Have FUN, Fun, Fun on any cruise, any where, any days ,it's better than WORK!!!!

 

[cruisinmama06]

- How long are the lines for the FlowRider?
- How crowded is the H2O ZONE? Is it as crowded as the Mickey Pool (which DD LOVED but DH and I found too crowded!)
- What is there for teens specifically our 13 and 15 year olds? Oldest DS was 13 when we cruised on the Magic and loved the Stack. Our other DS was 11 and he felt like there was not enough for his age (he did not like Ocean Quest), he would have preferred to be in the Stack just hanging out.
- Are there any evening FAMILY activities? We especially enjoyed the family dance parties on DCL. DD who was 6 at the time loved the Promenade Lounge with Chuy and Danielle. There were several little girls who would get up and dance and Danielle would sometimes invite them up on stage with her. DD ate that up!
- What are the kids clubs like? DD did not especially enjoy the kids clubs on the Magic. She says they were "boring". She liked being with us but we did insist a few times that she go in so we could have some adult time. SHe especially liked the Mickey Pool and made several little friends that she would play with everyday at the pool.
- Is there a place to get food during the day out by the pools like on DCL? We really liked the fresh fruit, salads, paninis, hot dogs, fries, etc that we could get on DCL while hanging by the pool.

** I really like the "dec" phones mentioned that RCCL has!!! I hated that there was no way to communicate with older kids on DCL. Do these work well everywhere on the ship??

I can answer these - you don't sign up for the flowrider....you just get in line. Some days are less busy than others. The first day on the ship, the lines are short. hen on port days the lines are short.

The H20 zone is NOT crowded. There are too many areas to go to on Freedom so everyone isn't crammed into a little pool area...this is the H20 zone...

This is the H20 Zone on a SEA day - the busiest time...still not that busy

This is the sports "Main pool" on a sea day (the busiest time)

This is the adult only solarium - I took this late afternoon on a port day

Food by the pool - there is no food by the pool on the Freedom Class. You have to go into the Windjammer buffet. Same floor, just right in the door and down the hall. There is Windjammer (buffet) and Jade (Asian Buffet) next to each other. There IS a sprinkle soft serve ice cream next to the H20 zone

In the Promenade there is Sorrentos Pizza, Cafe Promenade and Ben & Jerry's....

This is the 3 level dining room on the Freedom Class ships....

This is a Grand Suite on Freedom - it is the lowest suite level with perks. Cost of this was $5,800 for FOUR (7 days - Western)

As far as kid activities - yes there are separate teen areas. There are Family events - you can see them all here...just click on Adventure Ocean - then look for Freedom or Liberty pages. There are 2-3 Family activities every day (family karaoke, trivia, dance parties, scavenger hunt, bball tourney, mini gold tourney)

http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb196/cruisinmama06/

 

[Mjasp]

Michele...Just curious, did you go off season for that $5,800 rate?

My friend just got off the Freedoma nd she said there was nothing better than Sorrento's. She loved i tthere and being from NY where you can get all things Italian that is saying alot.

Makes me want to go again sooo bad

 

[GoofyFD]

Great pics.

 

[cruisinmama06]

Michele...Just curious, did you go off season for that $5,800 rate?

My friend just got off the Freedoma nd she said there was nothing better than Sorrento's. She loved i tthere and being from NY where you can get all things Italian that is saying alot.

Makes me want to go again sooo bad

Nope, actually it was Spring Break 2007 (April 2007) - so it wasn't off season at all. Well it wasn't Summer though.

I book these things as soon as booking opens. So I usually get the lowest price...and if there is a price decrease, RCCL gives you the lower price. You just have to call.

I'll be on Independence of the Seas (Freedom's Sister ship) in February. My TA is taking a group. She said that the insides started at $499pp I just upgraded our family to an AFT Junior Suite and we are paying $4,300 for all 4 of us. The itinerary has 2 ports that I have never been too - Belize and Costa Maya - then we will also be in Cozumel.

So I could have gotten on that sailing for less than $2,000 for all 4 of us - for a brand spanking new ship.

Even Oasis isn't THAT bad right now. I will be on Oasis for basically the same price of Independence. But I am doing a Balcony D1 on Oasis cause the price of the Junior Suites are up for Oasis.

Oh and I guess I should add the Oasis picture gallery here too...

http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/gallery.php

The next reveal will be the kid and teen centers, the reveal is next week (I think)

 

[Mjasp]

Thanks for the info...On Explorer of the seas we had 2 coneecting Promenade rooms...we LOVED them! Great for people watching, but when I do it again I will do a balcony.

Off to check out Oasis prices My choices are going to be Oasis or the new Carnival ship Carnival Dream.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Great photos... thanks for sharing... so far in my research I'm finding that the newer ships stay in the Carribean. Kinda of a bummer.... I'm not interested in the Carribean at all...

 

[ga9497]

Great photos... thanks for sharing... so far in my research I'm finding that the newer ships stay in the Carribean. Kinda of a bummer.... I'm not interested in the Carribean at all...

The Independence of the Seas is their newest ship and is in Europe in the summers. It was in 2008 and will be in 2009

 

[RJAYL]

I can answer these - you don't sign up for the flowrider....you just get in line. Some days are less busy than others. The first day on the ship, the lines are short. hen on port days the lines are short.

The H20 zone is NOT crowded. There are too many areas to go to on Freedom so everyone isn't crammed into a little pool area...this is the H20 zone...


Food by the pool - there is no food by the pool on the Freedom Class. You have to go into the Windjammer buffet. Same floor, just right in the door and down the hall. There is Windjammer (buffet) and Jade (Asian Buffet) next to each other. There IS a sprinkle soft serve ice cream next to the H20 zone



Hi

Great Pics

We are scheduled for the Liberty in April, I have only 1 question is there a Water Slide?

 

[cruisinmama06]

Great photos... thanks for sharing... so far in my research I'm finding that the newer ships stay in the Carribean. Kinda of a bummer.... I'm not interested in the Carribean at all...

ga9497 is right, the Independence of the Seas is actually home based in South Hampton, England. We get to go on her here because they moved her to the US for Winter, but she does goes back in the summers.

The Radiance class - Brilliance and Jewel of the Seas do the Med and Baltic itineraries - from what I hear, those ships are beautiful.

RJAYL - no, the Freedom class do not have a water slide....the H20 zone has the pools, a "lazy donut" (basically the kids get pushed by a current in a circle), and squirting water, water guns and kid hot tubs...no slides.

Some of the other RCCL ships have slides, but not Freedom class.

Also -For those interested in exclusive use of the Flow Rider - they do rent it out for an hour - $300 - includes 2 instructors.

 

[OurDogCisco]

The Independence of the Seas is their newest ship and is in Europe in the summers. It was in 2008 and will be in 2009

It does Canary Islands and Med. which I'm not interested in those either...

 

[Tinkermom3]

ga9497 is right, the Independence of the Seas is actually home based in South Hampton, England. We get to go on her here because they moved her to the US for Winter, but she does goes back in the summers.

The Radiance class - Brilliance and Jewel of the Seas do the Med and Baltic itineraries - from what I hear, those ships are beautiful.

RJAYL - no, the Freedom class do not have a water slide....the H20 zone has the pools, a "lazy donut" (basically the kids get pushed by a current in a circle), and squirting water, water guns and kid hot tubs...no slides.

Some of the other RCCL ships have slides, but not Freedom class.

Also -For those interested in exclusive use of the Flow Rider - they do rent it out for an hour - $300 - includes 2 instructors.

First Michelle I have to say you ROCK!!! Thanks so much for all of the info and photos, that was a HUGE help! We are now booked on the Oasis for February 2010 in two cabins, one balcony stateroom and one inside stateroom directly across from one another and our friends are booked in a balcony stateroom right next to us!!!! Our friends were only able to afford a Navigators Verandah on the Magic so now they too get a full balcony. We had them over last night to discuss options and they really liked the look of the Oasis so we are booked.

More Questions:

- Are there lounges where I will feel comfortable enjoying a drink with my kids there also? That was something I enjoyed on DCL - there were several places where DH and I could unwind and relax with the kids and it did not feel uncomfortable to have them with us. Of course we never got to any adult areas (except the pool area a couple of times) by ourselves and that is something I want to be sure we do on the Oasis. We have already told our oldest who will be 15 that he will be on childcare duty in the cabin at least one night. I told the kids they could order room service and they were thrilled.

- How does the Chop House compare to Palo? We LOVED Palo!

- A question about the Oasis - is there going to be a waterslide in the H2O Zone? I have watched the videos on the Oasis website and the in the video about the pools it looks like one of the octopus tentacles is a slide. Any word about this?

I have to admit I am quite sad that we are not cruising DCL. There were so many things I looked forward to sharing with our friends and to doing again. I even had a dream about it last night and almost told DH not to switch us to the Oasis. However, the kids are excited to try this new ship. My boys are totally enthralled with the FlowRider and even my daughter says she thinks this ship and the H2O Zone looks cool. I know as I get used to the idea I will get excited also. I am very disappointed in DCL. If they had not increased prices so much we would not have switched. I am trying to look on the positive side though, in trying another cruiseline we are opening ourselves up to more adventures and I feel we are getting lots more for our money. Plus we will be sailing on a BRAND NEW SHIP!

Ok, I am off to look at the rest of Michelle's photos!

 

[Mjasp]

First Michelle I have to say you ROCK!!! Thanks so much for all of the info and photos, that was a HUGE help! We are now booked on the Oasis for February 2010 in two cabins, one balcony stateroom and one inside stateroom directly across from one another and our friends are booked in a balcony stateroom right next to us!!!! Our friends were only able to afford a Navigators Verandah on the Magic so now they too get a full balcony. We had them over last night to discuss options and they really liked the look of the Oasis so we are booked.

More Questions:

- Are there lounges where I will feel comfortable enjoying a drink with my kids there also? That was something I enjoyed on DCL - there were several places where DH and I could unwind and relax with the kids and it did not feel uncomfortable to have them with us. Of course we never got to any adult areas (except the pool area a couple of times) by ourselves and that is something I want to be sure we do on the Oasis. We have already told our oldest who will be 15 that he will be on childcare duty in the cabin at least one night. I told the kids they could order room service and they were thrilled.

- How does the Chop House compare to Palo? We LOVED Palo!

- A question about the Oasis - is there going to be a waterslide in the H2O Zone? I have watched the videos on the Oasis website and the in the video about the pools it looks like one of the octopus tentacles is a slide. Any word about this?

I have to admit I am quite sad that we are not cruising DCL. There were so many things I looked forward to sharing with our friends and to doing again. I even had a dream about it last night and almost told DH not to switch us to the Oasis. However, the kids are excited to try this new ship. My boys are totally enthralled with the FlowRider and even my daughter says she thinks this ship and the H2O Zone looks cool. I know as I get used to the idea I will get excited also. I am very disappointed in DCL. If they had not increased prices so much we would not have switched. I am trying to look on the positive side though, in trying another cruiseline we are opening ourselves up to more adventures and I feel we are getting lots more for our money. Plus we will be sailing on a BRAND NEW SHIP!

Ok, I am off to look at the rest of Michelle's photos!

GREAT CHOICE! You are going to LOVE RCI, what date in Feb. 2010 did you select and eastern or western??

 

[Tinkermom3]

GREAT CHOICE! You are going to LOVE RCI, what date in Feb. 2010 did you select and eastern or western??

We are on the February 6th 2010 cruise. It is an eastern caribbean which is great since we did a western with DCL.

 

[disneyfinatics]

Nope, actually it was Spring Break 2007 (April 2007) - so it wasn't off season at all. Well it wasn't Summer though.

I book these things as soon as booking opens. So I usually get the lowest price...and if there is a price decrease, RCCL gives you the lower price. You just have to call.


How do you know when the bookings are going to open? We would love to do Oasis, but will need to wait until 2011.

 

[cruisinmama06]

More Questions:

- Are there lounges where I will feel comfortable enjoying a drink with my kids there also? That was something I enjoyed on DCL - there were several places where DH and I could unwind and relax with the kids and it did not feel uncomfortable to have them with us. Of course we never got to any adult areas (except the pool area a couple of times) by ourselves and that is something I want to be sure we do on the Oasis. We have already told our oldest who will be 15 that he will be on childcare duty in the cabin at least one night. I told the kids they could order room service and they were thrilled.

- How does the Chop House compare to Palo? We LOVED Palo!

- A question about the Oasis - is there going to be a waterslide in the H2O Zone? I have watched the videos on the Oasis website and the in the video about the pools it looks like one of the octopus tentacles is a slide. Any word about this?

I have to admit I am quite sad that we are not cruising DCL. There were so many things I looked forward to sharing with our friends and to doing again. I even had a dream about it last night and almost told DH not to switch us to the Oasis. However, the kids are excited to try this new ship. My boys are totally enthralled with the FlowRider and even my daughter says she thinks this ship and the H2O Zone looks cool. I know as I get used to the idea I will get excited also. I am very disappointed in DCL. If they had not increased prices so much we would not have switched. I am trying to look on the positive side though, in trying another cruiseline we are opening ourselves up to more adventures and I feel we are getting lots more for our money. Plus we will be sailing on a BRAND NEW SHIP!

Ok, I am off to look at the rest of Michelle's photos!

I swear RCCL owes ME a muffin basket

Congrats on your booking! You should have gone with me on 1/16

I will *try* to answer these question, since you will be on Oasis it will be a whole new ballgame.

--Lounges - they are suppose to have lounges and outdoor music in Central Park - so the kids could sit out there with you if you choose to do that.

--I can't imagine that you will need your oldest as a babysitter at night, even one night. I CANNOT pry, beg or bribe my kids out of Adventure Ocean. There is just too much going on. If they run Adventure Ocean at all on Oasis like they do on the other ships, forget it...you won't see the kids. They have their own circus, parades, pirate parties, etc.

--I have never been to Chops (it's a steakhouse and I prefer Italian) but I have been to Portofino...it is very comparable to Palo's. On Oasis, Portofino will be called "Anthony's Table" and they are adding another specialty restaurant called "150 Central Park"

--Waterslides on Oasis - MAYBE. I was just reading their press release and it says "Families looking for fun in the sun will easily spot Royal Caribbean’s signature H2O Zone, marked by a giant octopus with its slides and water-spraying tentacles and surrounded by fellow water-spouting ocean creatures."

Now I have to go post on the RCCL board and see if anyone else noticed that.

They have TWO flowriders. "The first Beach Pool at sea will have a sloped entry where guests will be able to wade into the water or relax in colorful beach chairs under an umbrella as the water rolls gently beneath." The main sports pool. The adult only solarium (with cabanas)

Oasis will also have the zipline, carousel (boardwalk with kids shops), aqua theatre and REAL grass.

Another little secret - if you book a balcony (D1) look for the "Hump Balconies" - they are the cabins where the ship bows out in the deck plans. The balconies are suppose to be larger there.

I am on Deck 14 - Hump Balcony (can you imagine DECK 14? I am going to be sooo high up)

 

[cruisinmama06]

Nope, actually it was Spring Break 2007 (April 2007) - so it wasn't off season at all. Well it wasn't Summer though.

I book these things as soon as booking opens. So I usually get the lowest price...and if there is a price decrease, RCCL gives you the lower price. You just have to call.


How do you know when the bookings are going to open? We would love to do Oasis, but will need to wait until 2011.

I am obsessive compulsive. It's kind of like around here....you all knew when bookings would open for Magic and Wonder in 2010.

I counted down the days till Oasis bookings opened. I got the info from the RCCL boards.

 

[Mjasp]

Does anyone know if RCI is having their reduced deposit sale?

I think I am going to book the Oasis for Presidents week 2010