Disney vs. RCCL

[cruisinmama06]

Hi, I've never been on RCI so I'm finding it overwhelming to select a stateroom. I'm looking at the Oasis. There are 5 of us (2A, 3C). I know I want a balcony and a travel agent gave me a quote for 2 connecting D4's on deck 8. The total was about $6693. As an alternative, 1 family balcony room was $6362. I think I'd rather have the 2 connecting rooms for more space, more privacy, and 2 bathrooms.

My questions are: is deck 8 a good place to be? It looks like there are a lot of public areas. Will that be noisy? Would it be better to go up to deck 9 or 11? Does the higher deck mean a higher price?

Has anyone been in a junior suite? I think I'm going to ask for a quote on 2 connectings. They're about 100 square feet bigger. I wondered how these compare to the D4.

Finally, what's the difference between a D1 and a D4. They are same square footage, so what is the difference?

Thanks to anyone who can help!

I can't tell if it will be noisy or not. Put it this way, many people are choosing Deck 8 (on Cruise Critic) so it can't be that bad.

The difference between a D1 and D4 is usually how many people can sleep in the cabin and how high the deck is.

I have D1 on Deck 14 that can sleep 4...but let me tell you, to step up to a Junior Suite is a huge price difference on Oasis. More than usual. We had a grand suite on Freedom, we have a Junior Suite on Independence, but a D1 on Oasis...the price had alot to do with that.

With a Junior Suite you get a larger cabin, a walk in closet and a bath tub. With the D categories (and under) you only get a shower.

And some ports allow Junior Suite passengers into the Suite VIP line.

 

[CanadianCruiser67]

I always say the best advertisement is from the people who have been there.
Thank you for posting the RCCL/DCL differences. It helps to make my decision to change cruise lines easier.

Although I love Disney, Mickey and the gang, I found myself questioning why we were on DCL this past Cruise for the additional $$$.
Ds didn't care about Character photos, he didn't seem to care about autographs, he wasn't too terribly interested in the activities planned in the Oceanner Lab (only the computer games) and I honestly think he didn't care if the pool was shaped like Mickey Mouse.
Given this and the increased cost to sail with DCL, my ds and I will also be sailing with another Cruise line in the future.

For a single mom, I have to look at price as being a real objective to us Cruising again, and I don't want to have to starve just to be true to DCL.

Besides, it's nice to see different ports with another Cruise line, although we will miss Castaway Cay (it's so fabulous there).

Maybe down the road, we will sail DCL again, never say never!!


Thanks again for the great post, it sure helps my decision making.

 

[cruisinmama06]

Latest Oasis reveal was live tonight....here are the new kids areas....

Adventure Ocean room for 3-5's, 6-8 and 9-11's, 12-14's...bigger rooms, more to do.

New teens areas

Nursery for 0-2's with NO CHARGE

Imagination Studios by Crayola

Half a dozen rooms for common play area

Adventure Ocean Theatre - the kids will have their own stage and own area to put on a show. Camp Broadway

Adventure Ocean Science Lab

Family Workshop - shows parents in with the kids making things.

 

[DMMarla07860]

everyone I know is excited about Oasis of the Seas, it's like no one has ever seen a new ship before

 

[cruisinmama06]

everyone I know is excited about Oasis of the Seas, it's like no one has ever seen a new ship before

Yeah when's the last time you saw a ship with a zipline, a carousel and a Central Park?

I wasn't this excited about Freedom being new, I actually took a few months until I sailed on her...Oasis is different.

 

[TinksDH]

Hi, I've never been on RCI so I'm finding it overwhelming to select a stateroom. I'm looking at the Oasis. There are 5 of us (2A, 3C). I know I want a balcony and a travel agent gave me a quote for 2 connecting D4's on deck 8. The total was about $6693. As an alternative, 1 family balcony room was $6362. I think I'd rather have the 2 connecting rooms for more space, more privacy, and 2 bathrooms.
.
.
.
Finally, what's the difference between a D1 and a D4. They are same square footage, so what is the difference?

Thanks to anyone who can help!

We just booked on the Oasis yesterday. Another option to the two connecting D4's is to get a balcony room and a room across the hall. It depends on how old your kids are. We have a DD7, DS11 and DS13 who will be 8, 13 and 15 when we cruise. We got a D4 (2 twins and a fold-out couch) on Deck 7 for me, DW and DD, and our two DS's are in a N (two twins)directly across the hall. If your kids are older, you could put them all in 1 inside room (L, which has 2 twins and a fold-out couch) and the two adults could go into a D8 (just 2 twins with no fold-out couch).

Regarding the D1 versus D4 - the D1 has the larger balcony due to the bump out on the side of the ship if I am not mistaken. It's something like 81 square feet versus the 51 square feet of the D4.

We also looked at the Family balcony room, but our kids will be too big to be comfortable AND the 1 bathroom is a drag. They aren't split bathrooms like they are on DCL...

 

[Mjasp]

OK I just priced out the cheapest inside cabin available for 2 adults and 1 child and it came to $3,911 with all taxes and fees, BUT although priced like a Disney cruise because it is Presidents week, I have come to realize that I will be getting so much more.

A category 11 on DCL for that week is $3,911 on an 81,000 ton 10 yr old ship

An inside cabin on Oasis is $3,911...and OMG there is so much to do on the ship, I don't even think I am going to get off at the ports of call

I watched the video and e mailed it to DH, it won't be hard to convince him as he loves RCI. OMG I may even try the zipline?

Time to go to bed and dream of the Oasis LOL

 

[DMMarla07860]

Yeah when's the last time you saw a ship with a zipline, a carousel and a Central Park?

I wasn't this excited about Freedom being new, I actually took a few months until I sailed on her...Oasis is different.

well never saw a ship with those things on it, and not that I want to go on, but my friends do I know. Hey if they want to go on a zipline, carousel, and to Central Park on a cruise they can. I think those things are a waste for cruising, but that is just me because if I want a Central park I can go to the really one in NYC, if I want to go on a Carousel I'll just go to the mall and I wouldn't go on a zipline, but all this doesn't mean I don't want to see pictures of the ship, just means I don't want to go on it, I mean I like ports this ship seems like it would be too big and you would need to spend more time on it then in ports.

 

[cruisinmama06]

well never saw a ship with those things on it, and not that I want to go on, but my friends do I know. Hey if they want to go on a zipline, carousel, and to Central Park on a cruise they can. I think those things are a waste for cruising, but that is just me because if I want a Central park I can go to the really one in NYC, if I want to go on a Carousel I'll just go to the mall and I wouldn't go on a zipline, but all this doesn't mean I don't want to see pictures of the ship, just means I don't want to go on it, I mean I like ports this ship seems like it would be too big and you would need to spend more time on it then in ports.

You have a point. But if I wanted to see Mickey I could go to WDW.

So you can make that argument for any ammenity on a ship.

You are not alone in your feelings. Even some very loyal RCCL cruisers have no desire to sail on Oasis. I think it's all about what you get from cruising. If I didn't have kids, then I wouldn't need all of the bells/whistles. I would be perfectly happy on a smaller ship with no H20 zone.
----------------------------

And to answer the previous question about slides - there ARE at least 2 slides on Oasis from what I could see in the video.

 

[NancyIL]

everyone I know is excited about Oasis of the Seas, it's like no one has ever seen a new ship before

Not everyone is interested in the Oasis! I love Royal Caribbean, but after being on 2 Voyager-class ships this year, I will go back to a smaller RCI ship - unless the itinerary is unbeatable.

 

[NancyIL]

You are not alone in your feelings. Even some very loyal RCCL cruisers have no desire to sail on Oasis. I think it's all about what you get from cruising. If I didn't have kids, then I wouldn't need all of the bells/whistles. I would be perfectly happy on a smaller ship with no H20 zone.

That would be me!

 

[cruisinmama06]

I will go back to a smaller RCI ship - unless the itinerary is unbeatable.

And you know its not going to be. The Oasis will only sail where it can dock...so that means St. Thomas, St. Martin, Nassau, Labadee, Cozumel and Fallsmouth Jamaica.

Nothing exotic or different.

 

[NancyIL]

And you know its not going to be. The Oasis will only sail where it can dock...so that means St. Thomas, St. Martin, Nassau, Labadee, Cozumel and Fallsmouth Jamaica.

Nothing exotic or different.

I wasn't referring to the Oasis about itinerary, but even the Voyager-class ships are a tad too big for me.

 

[Mjasp]

Not everyone is interested in the Oasis! I love Royal Caribbean, but after being on 2 Voyager-class ships this year, I will go back to a smaller RCI ship - unless the itinerary is unbeatable.

Nancy, can you please elaborate on that. Because we were on Explorer and we are going on the Magic next month and after being on both, IMHO, if it wasn't that our friends were going on the Magic, we would not be sailing her again after being on the Explorer.

 

[cruisinmama06]

I wasn't referring to the Oasis about itinerary, but even the Voyager-class ships are a tad too big for me.

Ahhhh, sorry I misread that.

I gotcha now.

 

[Mjasp]

You have a point. But if I wanted to see Mickey I could go to WDW.

So you can make that argument for any ammenity on a ship.

You are not alone in your feelings. Even some very loyal RCCL cruisers have no desire to sail on Oasis. I think it's all about what you get from cruising. If I didn't have kids, then I wouldn't need all of the bells/whistles. I would be perfectly happy on a smaller ship with no H20 zone.
----------------------------

And to answer the previous question about slides - there ARE at least 2 slides on Oasis from what I could see in the video.

My DH and I are both excited about going on the Oasis...I sent him the video last night and he said this morning...BOOK IT!
Actually, I would rather stop in the H2O zone and walk through and cool off then go in the pools, so everyone does have different opinions

I'm so excited

 

[cruisinmama06]

My DH and I are both excited about going on the Oasis...I sent him the video last night and he said this morning...BOOK IT!
Actually, I would rather stop in the H2O zone and walk through and cool off then go in the pools, so everyone does have different opinions

I'm so excited

Oh I will be running through the H20 Zone. No doubt.

The zero entry beach pool has my interest though. I can't wait to see that!

 

[NancyIL]

Nancy, can you please elaborate on that. Because we were on Explorer and we are going on the Magic next month and after being on both, IMHO, if it wasn't that our friends were going on the Magic, we would not be sailing her again after being on the Explorer.

It's just my personal preference for a smaller ship with more glass. I was on Adventure OTS out of San Juan in March with 2 of my kids (17 and 23), and on Explorer OTS last week out of Bayonne, NJ with my DH for a 9-night Canada cruise. Both were great cruises, and I'd cruise on either ship again if it had the itinerary I wanted. But if a similar itinerary were offered on a Voyager-class ship and a Radiance-class ship (as the 2009 Canada cruises are on Explorer and Jewel, or southern Caribbean cruises on Adventure and Serenade out of San Juan), I would choose the Radiance-class ship - especially if traveling without my kids. (I don't use the pools, so I have no interest in the whizbang features of the new ships.) I like being able to see outside the ship without having to actually go out on deck - which isn't that easy to do on a Voyager-class ship. The Voyager-class ships have an inward focus towards the Royal Promenade deck, vs. the Vision and Radiance-class ships with one Centrum and lots of views of the ocean.

I've been on only one Disney cruise, and that was the 4-day Wonder in January. The outside of the ship is very attractive, and the cabins are very nice - but I was disappointed in the Wonder's 3-story atrium - which seemed dark to me. Give me an RCI atrium any day!

 

[Mjasp]

It's just my personal preference for a smaller ship with more glass. I was on Adventure OTS out of San Juan in March with 2 of my kids (17 and 23), and on Explorer OTS last week out of Bayonne, NJ with my DH for a 9-night Canada cruise. Both were great cruises, and I'd cruise on either ship again if it had the itinerary I wanted. But if a similar itinerary were offered on a Voyager-class ship and a Radiance-class ship (as the 2009 Canada cruises are on Explorer and Jewel, or southern Caribbean cruises on Adventure and Serenade out of San Juan), I would choose the Radiance-class ship - especially if traveling without my kids. (I don't use the pools, so I have no interest in the whizbang features of the new ships.) I like being able to see outside the ship without having to actually go out on deck - which isn't that easy to do on a Voyager-class ship. The Voyager-class ships have an inward focus towards the Royal Promenade deck, vs. the Vision and Radiance-class ships with one Centrum and lots of views of the ocean.

I've been on only one Disney cruise, and that was the 4-day Wonder in January. The outside of the ship is very attractive, and the cabins are very nice - but I was disappointed in the Wonder's 3-story atrium - which seemed dark to me. Give me an RCI atrium any day!

Thanks for answering That is probably why the Radiance class ships do Alaska. That must be Beautiful!

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks for answering That is probably why the Radiance class ships do Alaska. That must be Beautiful!

Both Radiance and Vision-class ships go to Alaska - and both are beautiful. I don't think RCI's larger ships will ever go to Alaska because they are too big to get through the Panama Canal, and they would overwhelm the Alaskan ports. That's also why I don't think DCL's new ships will ever go there.