Disney vs. RCCL

[woody73]

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

That's scary!

Woody

 

[runwad]

I'm interested in RCCL and can I not do a booking to just see how much it will be w/o getting to the part of entering all my info? We are a family of 5 so would probably book 2 interior rooms. Is it not like the disney site where I can get one room then add an additional one? Or do I have to do a courtsey hold to check out prices? I hate to call and waste a reps time when I'm just messing around.

 

[TheWog]

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.

Where in Jamaica are you going?

 

[Deffenm]

Thanks for starting this thread it has been helpful. DH and I are going on a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas on RCCL in Sept. for our 10 year anniversary. This will be our first cruise. I am very excited. We are also planning on taking a cruise on DCL in 2011. I can't wait for the 2011 information to be released. Heck, I am waiting on 2010 WDW information to be released so I can book that trip. Who knows maybe I will have our 2011 cruise booked before our 2010 trip to WDW.

 

[alyssasmommy]

Im looking for a safe excursion. I saw one that its called Sandals Beach Break ORA 8. I have to research more.... Its expensive 99 dollars per person but it includes everything. Drinks, Food and the facilities. Still a long way for that cruise but ,I like to know my options.
For Cozumel I will go to Nachi Cocom I did it once with DCL and it was great.
For Grand CAyman Seven Mile Beach break, we will do it on our own its a beautiful Beach.
For Labadee No clue yet.
Ups just realize we are going to 8 Rios. Thanks

 

[mhsjax]

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

You raised her right. lol

 

[msmith07101]

Hi Will5mom, well, my hubby was talking to a co-worker today and he told my hubby that a cruise is very expensive, he was telling him some horror stories, so now we may not be going on a cruise anytime soon....
He has been wanting to go back to Vegas, we have not been back there is 13 years, so, I am thinking that maybe, just him and I can go to Vegas and then we can go back to Disney next summer....

Stacy

Been reading a little of this thread because I wanted to see what people are saying about RCCL...looking at them also as a possibility for a future cruise. Anyway, I just took my first cruise ever, on DCL this May. I had always had a preconceived notion that cruises were expensive for what you got for the money. I also didn't think I would like it. But, I love all things Disney and have always heard how fantastic a Disney cruise is. So, I happened upon a good deal for a 7 night and took the plunge! I LOVED it!! And really, considering all you get...the food, entertainment, broadway quality shows, characters, etc...I think it was well worth it. Sure it is expensive...unless you can grab a deal, but just think if you went anywhere else and added up all those meals, snacks, shows, etc...how much would you spend?? And you get to stop at various ports too?? I think it is the ultimate vacation...loved, loved, loved it!!

 

[TStrickland01]

DW and I have been on RCCL and others, and we tend to return to RCCL. They have just enough of everything. Just enough activities, just enough excursions, just enough private space, just enough adult space. Yes many of the other cruise lines have more in specific areas, but as a balance RCCL averages out better. And considering food, lodging, transportation and entertainment, a cruise is not expensive. Even when looking at one of the more inclusive cruises like Regency or Crystal; comparing them to a all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean is very close and leans towards the cruise.
A little research, and a cruise pops up as an alternative on a regular basis. I still do at least two land based vacations a year, but when I can find a cruise that looks interesting there is nothing to stop us.

 

[Scrapbook Stacy]

Thanks for the info, I too love everything Disney!

 

[TheWog]

Im looking for a safe excursion. I saw one that its called Sandals Beach Break ORA 8. I have to research more.... Its expensive 99 dollars per person but it includes everything. Drinks, Food and the facilities. Still a long way for that cruise but ,I like to know my options.
For Cozumel I will go to Nachi Cocom I did it once with DCL and it was great.
For Grand CAyman Seven Mile Beach break, we will do it on our own its a beautiful Beach.
For Labadee No clue yet.
Ups just realize we are going to 8 Rios. Thanks

Sorry. I meant what port are you going to. RCI sails to several ports in Jamaica: Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and will be going to Falmouth in the future. Which port you go to depends on what type of information you will receive. I am going to assume from the listing ORA8 you will be stopping in Ocho Rios. There are many Sandals in Jamaica as well, but will also assume you are going to OR for that as well. You can get a cab and a day pass to Sandals if you want. Contact the resort directly and they will tell you what the going rate is for the day you are there. Since you are considering Sandals (an adults only resort) I would also reccomend you check out Couples www.couples.com as they also offer a day pass. There is a catamaran excursion that will take you to Dunns River Falls. There is a beach there at the bottom of the falls and you can also climb with everyone else if you would like. There is a beach right at the pier at Margaritaville. It is not the postcard picture of paradise, but it is convenient, safe and has the amenities you would look for. Go through Margaritaville and they keep the hawkers at bay. Again, wouldn't be my first choice for a beach, but it is safe and convenient. You could also do some White River tubing, climb the falls, then enjoy a Cheeseburger in Paradise and save the beach for another day.

have you thought about Paradise Beach in Coz. Seven Mile is one of the most beautiful beaches. We loved it on GC as well. Good luck.

 

[woody73]

. . . RCCL. They have just enough of everything. Just enough activities, just enough excursions, just enough private space, just enough adult space. Yes many of the other cruise lines have more in specific areas, but as a balance RCCL averages out better.

We have been on different cruise lines, and each one has its strengths. RCI offers a good balance, and is reasonably priced.

One thing I particularly enjoyed on RCI's Mariner of the Seas is hearing the live musicians during the production stage shows. It was so much better than the canned pre-recorded music on other cruise lines.

Woody

 

[cruisinmama06]

How would I do this? When I check in?

AFT Balconies are booked. When you look at the deck plans, they are the balconies at the very back of the ship. So they would have to be booked that way.

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). I will definitely start a post on my experience with Carnival when I return.

Yep, did three Carnival four day cruises, and never again. Ever. Just doesn't even come close to comparing to RCCL or DCL.

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.

Twenty/day to park? Where are you leaving out of? This sounds like NJ? It's not RCCL charging that It's the port. When we parked in NYC for our Carnival cruise, it was $30/day to park.

Jamaica shore excursion, check on www.shoretrips.com

Children's Program - it's free up until 10pm. Then after 10pm it's $5 per hour.

 

[cruisinmama06]

I'm interested in RCCL and can I not do a booking to just see how much it will be w/o getting to the part of entering all my info? We are a family of 5 so would probably book 2 interior rooms. Is it not like the disney site where I can get one room then add an additional one? Or do I have to do a courtsey hold to check out prices? I hate to call and waste a reps time when I'm just messing around.

There should be no reason that you have to put your info in. I make "mock bookings" all the time to check prices.

Go to:
www.rccl.com

Under Quick Vacation Search
--Click on the month, ship, destination
--Click on the date
--Find Cruises

Then "Check Dates & Prices"

THEN "BEGIN RESERVATION" (It really doesn't lock you into a reservation)

Then click on "Save Changes & Continue"

Then pick your category "Select"

Then pick a cabin (its still not locking you into a reservation)

THEN, it will give you the total price with taxes/port fees

Simply exit or back out and try different categories

 

[alyssasmommy]

Sorry. I meant what port are you going to. RCI sails to several ports in Jamaica: Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and will be going to Falmouth in the future. Which port you go to depends on what type of information you will receive. I am going to assume from the listing ORA8 you will be stopping in Ocho Rios. There are many Sandals in Jamaica as well, but will also assume you are going to OR for that as well. You can get a cab and a day pass to Sandals if you want. Contact the resort directly and they will tell you what the going rate is for the day you are there. Since you are considering Sandals (an adults only resort) I would also reccomend you check out Couples www.couples.com as they also offer a day pass. There is a catamaran excursion that will take you to Dunns River Falls. There is a beach there at the bottom of the falls and you can also climb with everyone else if you would like. There is a beach right at the pier at Margaritaville. It is not the postcard picture of paradise, but it is convenient, safe and has the amenities you would look for. Go through Margaritaville and they keep the hawkers at bay. Again, wouldn't be my first choice for a beach, but it is safe and convenient. You could also do some White River tubing, climb the falls, then enjoy a Cheeseburger in Paradise and save the beach for another day.

have you thought about Paradise Beach in Coz. Seven Mile is one of the most beautiful beaches. We loved it on GC as well. Good luck.

Thank you so much I did not know it was an adult only resort.

 

[TheWog]

Thank you so much I did not know it was an adult only resort.

Beaches is the Sandals version of family all-inclusive resort.

 

[CruiserMom]

Question regarding dress attire on the Freedom of the Seas:

We have cruise DCL many times, and are cruising FOS in about a month. I get the impression from the Cruise Critic boards that the dinner attire may be a little dressier than what we are used to on DCL. Has anyone found that to be the case?

Usually on DCL, DH will wear dress pants, dress shirt, and tie on formal and semiformal nights, and I wear a dressy skirt (knee length) and top. On the other nights, DH wears a polo shirt and khaki pants, and I wear capri pants and a nice top and sandals. DD (now 11) usually wears "casual" skirts or capris, and a sundress or church style dress on the formal/semi formal nights.

Will we fit in on the FOS?

 

[xangav]

Question regarding dress attire on the Freedom of the Seas:

We have cruise DCL many times, and are cruising FOS in about a month. I get the impression from the Cruise Critic boards that the dinner attire may be a little dressier than what we are used to on DCL. Has anyone found that to be the case?

Usually on DCL, DH will wear dress pants, dress shirt, and tie on formal and semiformal nights, and I wear a dressy skirt (knee length) and top. On the other nights, DH wears a polo shirt and khaki pants, and I wear capri pants and a nice top and sandals. DD (now 11) usually wears "casual" skirts or capris, and a sundress or church style dress on the formal/semi formal nights.

Will we fit in on the FOS?

We were on FOS in June and I would say there was a mixture. (I don't spend all my time checking out what people are wearing ) but on the whole it did seem that most people did dress up and looked very nice. I think you will be fine. Just enjoy and don't stress about the clothes. We had a great time!

 

[bobbiwoz]

wow, this is an old thread...but right now, I'm considering a 3 night RCCL cruise...from Port Canaveral for next March. I've been on the ship or a sister ship, this one is the Monarch. The one time we tried to land in Cococay, it was a March 10 years ago or so, the ship couldn't get in, so we didn't get to the private island. Has anyone been on Coco cay in March???

Thanks.

Bobbi

 

[woody73]

Has anyone been on Coco cay in March???

We were there in January.

Woody

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were there in January.

Woody

Great! Was it fun? We have gone to the other private island Labadee and enjoyed the restfulness. Would you do it again?

Thanks.
Bobbi