Disney vs. RCCL

[wifeofgrumpy]

Thank you so much for the info on RCCL, actually we're booked again on the Magic May 23, 2008, but I've actually been tossing around the idea of rescheduling it for 2009, and booking the Liberty of the Seas. Our daughter is 12, and still loves Disney, but with the price savings I told them we could probably afford 2 cruises a year instead of 1 every yr and 1/2. Thanks again, Liberty sounds awesome.

 

[wifeofgrumpy]

ok so a newbie to any cruising i take it that rccl is the way to go if you are not doing dcl?? im so sad that disney charges SOOO much more. I want to do the disney cruise so bad since my dd and ds are still young, but for that price i could do rccl and then go to wdw!

My decision is about price, we've done 3 DCL and are booked for our 4th next May. I still feel DCL is magical, I don't think my service on the 3rd was as good as the 1st, but I still love it. On your first cruise with children I would still try to work DCL into your budget, we still get teary eyed when its time to go home. My daughter will be 13 on our next cruise, and yes I am seriously considering changing our reservations from DCL to RCCL

 

[aurorafan65]

We did a 3 day Disney cruise in 04 & a 10 day RCCL in 05 with my son's (5 & 7 in '04) we were on the Grandeur of the Seas which is one of their smaller ships, so it was pretty comparable to the Wonder in terms of size & extra's on-board. We all had a great time, the service was excellent & the kids loved the pool & hot tub. We didn't really do the kid's programs on either trip.
I will say that the rooms we definitely smaller on the Granduer (we had oceanview's on both)

This Aug we're traveling on the RCCL's Freedom of the seas (sister of Liberty), it's a trip that's sponsored by Nickelodeon so it'll be interesting to see how "Nick" the cruise is. We're all interested in seeing the florider, mini-golf & ice rink. I know this trip will be much more 'action-y' as my 10yo says.

That being said however, I also booked us on a 7 day Western Carribean on DCL's Wonder next April. I did it mostly because I thought it would be one last fling before the kids are 'too old' for Mickey. But the programs they offer for kids are cool & both of them (now 10 & 12) are super excited about the Oceaneer's lab & the fact they can be together. Yes price played into it, we're getting an inside cabin due to cost, but that wasn't everything I took into consideration before booking the trip.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Fran - i guess I could call you and ask this..but what are the bracelets for? Is that your charge on the ship?


- your favorite sis

 

[NancyIL]

if you want to do that sort of thing then in my opinion, princess or celebrity are the way to go not RCCL. especially alaska. and I don't know if they have boats that still fit through the canal.

Princess and Holland America have the largest presence in Alaska, with 8 ships each. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have 3 ships each that cruise in Alaska. The largest RCI ships there are the sister ships Radiance and Serenade of the Seas - with just over 2000 passengers. Obviously RCI has much larger ships, but to use them in Alaska would be overkill. (They also can't get through the Panama Canal.) That's why I don't think Disney will ever deploy their new ships in Alaska, as they will be too big.

My DH and I cruised to Alaska in June 2007 on the Coral Princess, and I'll cruise there again at the end of July on HAL Veendam. Princess was great, and I'm looking forward to seeing if Holland America is as good in Alaska as many people report.

 

[tchrmom]

Fran - i guess I could call you and ask this..but what are the bracelets for? Is that your charge on the ship?


- your favorite sis

No.....the white bracelelt lets the flow rider guys know you have signed the waiver the first day. Each day, you sign in at the flowrider and get the colored bracelet. I think it is a quick way for the guys working the flowrider to know if you are tall enough to boogie board (52 inches) vs. stand up surf(58 inches)....and if you have signed the original waiver.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

you rode the flowrider???? where are the pictures of THAT!!!???

 

[joksten2000]

We are going on our 10th DCL cruise next month (EB REPRO) Have sailed Princess(out of NYC) twice and RCCL once (2nd scheduled for Nov 9th) (Cape Liberty, NJ) on the Explorer of the Sea(12 day Cruise) The cabins we could care less about, we only sleep in them, but they are smaller 166sf vs 190 on DCL. The pools are much much better and the smoking policy is excellent, never had a problem on RCCL always have issues on DCL. The food on Explorer was pretty near awful although the Buffet was excellent. We loved the Promenade and that was a big reason why we rebooked. $3,200 with prepaid gratuities taxes & fuel surcharge. The price is right and love not paying airfare, hopefully they will have a new chef, but we will eat at the buffet if not. I loved the steam room and went two to three times a day. The shows were great, close to DCL quality and no smoking in any of the clubs except one.

 

[tchrmom]

you rode the flowrider???? where are the pictures of THAT!!!???

Hey.......I was in line for that thing EVERYDAY!!!!! It was TOO much fun!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85n7dgsTR_8

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

AH HA HA HA!! That was great!!

my brave big sister!!

 

[NancyIL]

We are going on our 10th DCL cruise next month (EB REPRO) Have sailed Princess(out of NYC) twice and RCCL once (2nd scheduled for Nov 9th) (Cape Liberty, NJ) on the Explorer of the Sea(12 day Cruise) The cabins we could care less about, we only sleep in them, but they are smaller 166sf vs 190 on DCL. The pools are much much better and the smoking policy is excellent, never had a problem on RCCL always have issues on DCL. The food on Explorer was pretty near awful although the Buffet was excellent. We loved the Promenade and that was a big reason why we rebooked. $3,200 with prepaid gratuities taxes & fuel surcharge. The price is right and love not paying airfare, hopefully they will have a new chef, but we will eat at the buffet if not. I loved the steam room and went two to three times a day. The shows were great, close to DCL quality and no smoking in any of the clubs except one.

My DH and I will be on a 9-night Canada cruise on Explorer in October. I was on my first Voyager-class ship in March with 2 of my kids (Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan), and I liked the ship - although I prefer RCI's smaller Radiance and Vision-class ships. I've always had good food on RCI ships, so I'm hoping for a better experience with the Explorer's dining room food than what you had!

 

[lilo62]

So here is the real question, If DCL was more "in" budget would you be even looking at other cruise line, or has your family just out grown DCL due to the teen/tween group. Would love to hear anyone one this..

(for us its alittle of both)

I must concur with LadyZolt...

If Disney offered itineraries and pricing that were competitive with what's currently available with other cruiselines, I'd sail Disney without question. Even tho my DH and I have no kids, we love DCL.

 

[aurorafan65]

We are going on our 10th DCL cruise next month (EB REPRO) Have sailed Princess(out of NYC) twice and RCCL once (2nd scheduled for Nov 9th) (Cape Liberty, NJ) on the Explorer of the Sea(12 day Cruise) The cabins we could care less about, we only sleep in them, but they are smaller 166sf vs 190 on DCL. The pools are much much better and the smoking policy is excellent, never had a problem on RCCL always have issues on DCL. The food on Explorer was pretty near awful although the Buffet was excellent. We loved the Promenade and that was a big reason why we rebooked. $3,200 with prepaid gratuities taxes & fuel surcharge. The price is right and love not paying airfare, hopefully they will have a new chef, but we will eat at the buffet if not. I loved the steam room and went two to three times a day. The shows were great, close to DCL quality and no smoking in any of the clubs except one.

DH & I are booked on a RC out of Cape Liberty on Oct 4 (for our anniversary) on the Explorer - its a 5 day Bahamas. I love the fact we can drive there & not deal with airports (we're outside of Philly) We're trying the cabins that overlook the Promenade. It'll be weird leaving the kids at home & being able to do all the 'adult stuff' on the ship

 

[NancyIL]

DH & I are booked on a RC out of Cape Liberty on Oct 4 (for our anniversary) on the Explorer - its a 5 day Bahamas. I love the fact we can drive there & not deal with airports (we're outside of Philly) We're trying the cabins that overlook the Promenade. It'll be weird leaving the kids at home & being able to do all the 'adult stuff' on the ship

If you're on the Oct. 4 Explorer, you're going to Bermuda - NOT the Bahamas! BIG difference.
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/finda...de=&promoType=&hasSenior=&hasMilitary=&state=

 

[aurorafan65]

If you're on the Oct. 4 Explorer, you're going to Bermuda - NOT the Bahamas! BIG difference.

Yes it is Bermuda - not sure where the Bahama's came from

 

[NancyIL]

Yes it is Bermuda - not sure where the Bahama's came from

Well...they both begin with "B"!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Th OP can tell you all about Bermuda and Bahamas

 

[aurorafan65]

no wonder my dh says I have no sense of direction

 

[tchrmom]

Well...they both begin with "B"!

And THAT is about ALL they have in common..........but it has been a LONG time since I was in Bermuda. (Honeymoon, August 1987.......Oh my.......21 years August 1st!)

 

[NancyIL]

And THAT is about ALL they have in common..........but it has been a LONG time since I was in Bermuda. (Honeymoon, August 1987.......Oh my.......21 years August 1st!)

Both are islands. Well...lots of islands in the Bahamas! Both are mentioned in the Beach Boys' Kokomo song:
"To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama..."