First Med Cruise of the year - I'm back!

[Tink2312]

DD was going to do disney in alaska, but the disney alaskan itinerary was bad in comparison to just about all the other cruise lines...
in the end, she picked the radiance as it had the ports and port times she most wanted...she did the one way southbound from seward alaska to vancouver canada, with a week beforehand in inland alaska..

you can read her trip report from last summer here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1725813&highlight=diy

.

Thanks, I'll bookmark that and read it tonight.

 

[luke]

I'm trying Royal Caribbean for the first time next May and I think whatever room/ ship/ itinerary it's never going to have the Disney "magic" but hopefully it will be an enjoyable trip.

We just got back from a Norway cruise on RCCL's Independence of the Seas after having sailed on Disney's Fantasy in March.

How we longed for disney the whole of the Royal Caribbean trip. Everything was just a 'level below' disney - food was several levels below in fact, leaving us ill and staying in our stateroom for a whole day!

Disney may be more expensive but I shall be sticking with them in the future

 

[disneyholic family]

We just got back from a Norway cruise on RCCL's Independence of the Seas after having sailed on Disney's Fantasy in March.

How we longed for disney the whole of the Royal Caribbean trip. Everything was just a 'level below' disney - food was several levels below in fact, leaving us ill and staying in our stateroom for a whole day!

Disney may be more expensive but I shall be sticking with them in the future

the problem with the disney ships is there is absolutely nothing to do at night other than drink.....you could die of boredom....
if that doesn't bother you then disney is as good as the mass market lines can ever be...

 

[luke]

the problem with the disney ships is there is absolutely nothing to do at night other than drink.....you could die of boredom....
if that doesn't bother you then disney is as good as the mass market lines can ever be...

With our 10 month old son we pretty much get him ready for bed, but him in his pram then stroll til he is asleep and have a drink before going to bed.

Other than the casino I didn't see anything extra on RCCL that you could do of a night than on DCL...?

 

[disneyholic family]

With our 10 month old son we pretty much get him ready for bed, but him in his pram then stroll til he is asleep and have a drink before going to bed.

Other than the casino I didn't see anything extra on RCCL that you could do of a night than on DCL...?

RCCL has lots of entertainment at night - silly games (something i love), piano bar, karaoke (including live band karaoki), dance parties..
and RCCL has all night venues - food, swimming, hot tubs...that's something i really miss on the disney ships...i want to be able to go somewhere at 2 in the morning and get a cup of coffee and cake or whatever....not order from room service...i like to go out.....and not for alcohol...
for those of us night owls, there's much more to do....DH and i were really bothered by the lack of late night places to go on the disney ships....and i mean LATE night (after midnight)...
but again, i haven't been on RCCL yet - i'm going on what DD said and what i've read in reviews and in the cruise compasses (navigators)....i'll let you know how it is for me after august...

 

[luke]

Horses for courses isn't it.

We went on RCCL with my mum and nan (not particular night owls - my nan is nearly 90 after all!!) as well as my wife's mum and her partner.

Now we think they would hate a disney cruise for the reasons you say - they like to be up and about and socialising at night whereas we are never up late and prefer the, how do I put this nicely, clientele that we have experienced sailing with disney over those who were on our RCCL sailing - although we sailed from the UK so maybe RCCL sailing from the US wouldn't be so 'bad'

 

[wayneg]

RCCL has lots of entertainment at night - silly games (something i love), piano bar, karaoke (including live band karaoki), dance parties..
...

You like everything I dislike apart from a piano bar.

On the Magic or Wonder we eat on early dining, watch the evening show, a walk around, couple of drinks in the Promanade lounge and bed, that's a perfect evening for us. On the Disney Dream there was nothing like the Promanade lounge, went into one area, walls were all flashing lights and some silly games being played, stayed approx. 3 mins and we were out, not my type of enjoyment, couldn't find anywhere for a nice quiet drink.

We all like different things, I hate casinos, loud music (unless at a concert) Karaoke, dancing etc. exactly what others look for.

Saying that apart from the casino we didn't find RCCL much different to DCL, everything seemed to close 11-12 apart from a couple of bars/clubs but I am sure it varies ship to ship. Although we didn't go looking or anything, 2am I am tucked up in bed, I am a morning person.

 

[luke]

You like everything I dislike apart from a piano bar.

On the Magic or Wonder we eat on early dining, watch the evening show, a walk around, couple of drinks in the Promanade lounge and bed, that's a perfect evening for us. On the Disney Dream there was nothing like the Promanade lounge, went into one area, walls were all flashing lights and some silly games being played, stayed approx. 3 mins and we were out, not my type of enjoyment, couldn't find anywhere for a nice quiet drink.

We all like different things, I hate casinos, loud music (unless at a concert) Karaoke, dancing etc. exactly what others look for.

Saying that apart from the casino we didn't find RCCL much different to DCL, everything seemed to close 11-12 apart from a couple of bars/clubs but I am sure it varies ship to ship. Although we didn't go looking or anything, 2am I am tucked up in bed, I am a morning person.

I'm totally with you on pretty much all that.

Although there seemed to be plenty of places on the Fantasy for a quiet drink so maybe that's one thing they plussed from the Dream

 

[disneyholic family]

You like everything I dislike apart from a piano bar.

On the Magic or Wonder we eat on early dining, watch the evening show, a walk around, couple of drinks in the Promanade lounge and bed, that's a perfect evening for us. On the Disney Dream there was nothing like the Promanade lounge, went into one area, walls were all flashing lights and some silly games being played, stayed approx. 3 mins and we were out, not my type of enjoyment, couldn't find anywhere for a nice quiet drink.

We all like different things, I hate casinos, loud music (unless at a concert) Karaoke, dancing etc. exactly what others look for.

Saying that apart from the casino we didn't find RCCL much different to DCL, everything seemed to close 11-12 apart from a couple of bars/clubs but I am sure it varies ship to ship. Although we didn't go looking or anything, 2am I am tucked up in bed, I am a morning person.

i'm late night and early morning...
at home we usually go to bed at about 2 am and are up by 6....
i know that on the allure, you can eat at the promenade cafe 24 hours a day..
and there are pools and hot tubs open all night....probably the only time you can actually get into the water without a thousand other people...

but that promenade cafe is something i really really miss on the disney ships..
DH and i would walk around the disney ships at 1 am and there wasn't a soul about...and absolutely nothing to do...everything is closed...
i would have been happy if they had the movie theatre open all night....at least some place to go...but no, nothing on the disney ships at all...

when i complain about not having a food venue open in the middle of the night, people will always say "you can order room service"....
but it's not the food i'm looking for....it's the place to go that i'm looking for...

 

[luke]

I really didn't like the Royal Promenade. At least on the Independence. Always seemed less than clean, there is no natural light and I'm not a fan of everything all being there rather than spread out (like on the Fantasy)

 

[Disneymad]

Well, to get things back on topic of DCL rather than judging RCCL...

We had a Navigators Verandah - is that 7A...can't quite remember? We loved it, nice and sheltered from the wind (it was fairly cool on our first day at sea) but a lovely space to relax and watch as we sailed into/ out of the ports and to look out to sea. Generally the ship was tip top - if you scrutinise every inch of carpet or every wall you will find frayed edges and scrapes/ rust here and there but nothing particularly noticeable and certainly nothing which spoils your enjoyment of the ship. As always with DCL, the ship is super clean and visibly sparkles.

Small world! Not only was I on the June 1st sailing too, but I also had a Navigators - would be slightly freaky if we turned out to be neighbours - we were in 6140.

I have to say I agree with everything you said though - 1st time in a Navigator and loved that cosy little verandah, especially on those breezy sea days - if (when!) I go on an Alaskan cruise I'm totally planning on booking one of these baby's, it would be perfect!

The ship was in fantastic shape as ever, ofc you can find signs of wear and tear if you really hunt for it (but I'm sure that can be said for every ship, even shortly dry dock, there are 1000s of people trampling all over the place), but certainly nothing to ruin your trip. In fact despite being so close to dry dock they were still out painting and varnishing at quiet times just the same as normal to keep her nice and sparkly!

I too, am looking at broadening my horizons with a RCCL cruise next easter-ish on the Freedom, however that didn't stop me booking a 4 nighter on the Dream on board for next Autumn too, hee.

A little excited/nervous (of both Freedom and Dream) as I'm very much a Magic fan-girl, and those are both bigger ships but I try to keep an open mind about that sort of thing. Both ships will be different experiences from the Magic and I'm ok with that. Afterall, it's possible to like more than one thing at once

I guess the question at it's most basic level boils down to - do I enjoy Disney cruising, or do I simply enjoy cruising? I might not like RCCL, I simply might not enjoy cruising in and of itself and it needs that Disney factor to make it fun for me - but there's only ever going to be one way to find out and I look forward to finding out the answer!

 

[disneyholic family]

I really didn't like the Royal Promenade. At least on the Independence. Always seemed less than clean, there is no natural light and I'm not a fan of everything all being there rather than spread out (like on the Fantasy)

that's why i'm interested in trying the Allure of the Seas - multiple neighborhoods....however, the main problem with the allure - everything aimed inside rather than outside towards the ocean..

it will either be the allure or the freedom....there are people who adore both ships, so i'm sure we'll be fine with either...
i'm waiting to see if the price will go down...it actually has gone down a wee bit (final payment was a week ago)...but still more than i'm willing to pay...
crazy that i'm being such a penny pincher in my old age....

 

[luke]

that's why i'm interested in trying the Allure of the Seas - multiple neighborhoods....however, the main problem with the allure - everything aimed inside rather than outside towards the ocean..

As am I, allure or oasis I'd really like to try.

Back to DCL then ( ) we are thinking of going back on the Magic in the med next year, had even looked into a cheeky 4 nighter this year but just works out too much for what it is

 

[disneyholic family]

Well, to get things back on topic of DCL rather than judging RCCL...



Small world! Not only was I on the June 1st sailing too, but I also had a Navigators - would be slightly freaky if we turned out to be neighbours - we were in 6140.

I have to say I agree with everything you said though - 1st time in a Navigator and loved that cosy little verandah, especially on those breezy sea days - if (when!) I go on an Alaskan cruise I'm totally planning on booking one of these baby's, it would be perfect!

The ship was in fantastic shape as ever, ofc you can find signs of wear and tear if you really hunt for it (but I'm sure that can be said for every ship, even shortly dry dock, there are 1000s of people trampling all over the place), but certainly nothing to ruin your trip. In fact despite being so close to dry dock they were still out painting and varnishing at quiet times just the same as normal to keep her nice and sparkly!

I too, am looking at broadening my horizons with a RCCL cruise next easter-ish on the Freedom, however that didn't stop me booking a 4 nighter on the Dream on board for next Autumn too, hee.

A little excited/nervous (of both Freedom and Dream) as I'm very much a Magic fan-girl, and those are both bigger ships but I try to keep an open mind about that sort of thing. Both ships will be different experiences from the Magic and I'm ok with that. Afterall, it's possible to like more than one thing at once

I guess the question at it's most basic level boils down to - do I enjoy Disney cruising, or do I simple enjoy cruising? I might not like RCCL, I simply might not enjoy cruising in and of itself and it needs that Disney factor to make it fun for me - but there's only ever going to be one way to find out and I look forward to finding out the answer!

we have the magic booked for next august (2014)...

no need to be nervous of the Dream - she's gorgeous!!
definitely try out the interactive mystery game....my sister and i did it (ages 62 and 57) and we thought it was a lot of fun - and it takes you all over the ship, so a good way to see the whole ship..

also, be sure to visit the fitness area- really nice view of the water and lots of great equipment..

also, i found the rainforest pass to be well worth it on the Dream..
i only bought it on the last day and was sorry i hadn't purchased it for the entire cruise...we really really enjoyed it...

also, the locker rooms in the fitness area are fantastic!!

let's see....what else...

for the first time, i took early dining and i found, much to my surprise, that i much prefer early dining....for one thing, you eat sooooooooo late for late dining it's crazy...
but i also found that the later theatre shows were much less crazy with children.....i guess that the early dining eaters didn't take their kids to the shows....that's the only thing i could figure because we had a lot fewer kids in that later show than what i've experienced in the early show..

what else...

that's all i can think of right now, but i'm sure i'll think of something else

 

[disneyholic family]

As am I, allure or oasis I'd really like to try.

Back to DCL then ( ) we are thinking of going back on the Magic in the med next year, had even looked into a cheeky 4 nighter this year but just works out too much for what it is

we're booked on the magic for the four nighter out of barcelona next summer (2014)...we were originally booked for 2013, but i moved it to 2014....
that 4 day in 2014 was the only one that worked with everyone's schedule (DD and husband, DS and wife, DH and me)...
DDIL is a spanish speaker (from chile), so i guess we'll spend a few days in barcelona beforehand with her as our translator...

i did the onboard booking when i was on the Dream - i was able to book 2 rooms at the onboard booking price....and then i added one more so that all 6 of us will be on that one..

 

[disneyholic family]

and one final thing - for those of you thinking of alaska, i strongly recommend you consider a one way cruise....
as of now, disney only does a round trip (either out of vancouver or seattle), which is a strike against them...

a one way cruise (either beginning or ending in alaska) allows you the opportunity to see the main area of alaska (not where the cruise ships go)..

once you've already made that very very very very very very very long trip to alaska, it would be a shame not to spend some time either before or after your cruise, doing a bit of inland touring (to see Denali, ride the glass domed train, etc.)

 

[disneyholic family]

As am I, allure or oasis I'd really like to try.

Back to DCL then ( ) we are thinking of going back on the Magic in the med next year, had even looked into a cheeky 4 nighter this year but just works out too much for what it is

by the way, the oasis will be in europe for 4 cruises next year (i think it's 4 cruises, plus two TAs)..
it's coming to europe for dry dock - i'm pretty sure it's next year...i'll check..

anyway, it's an opportunity to try it out without having to get yourself all the way to fort lauderdale..

however, i've heard the prices are crazy high....i haven't checked them so i don't know...

 

[luke]

by the way, the oasis will be in europe for 4 cruises next year (i think it's 4 cruises, plus two TAs)..
it's coming to europe for dry dock - i'm pretty sure it's next year...i'll check..

anyway, it's an opportunity to try it out without having to get yourself all the way to fort lauderdale..

however, i've heard the prices are crazy high....i haven't checked them so i don't know...

Yep I saw that, sadly not during school holidays though

 

[Tink2312]

We just got back from a Norway cruise on RCCL's Independence of the Seas after having sailed on Disney's Fantasy in March.

How we longed for disney the whole of the Royal Caribbean trip. Everything was just a 'level below' disney - food was several levels below in fact, leaving us ill and staying in our stateroom for a whole day!

Disney may be more expensive but I shall be sticking with them in the future

How did you find the ports of call in Norway? We're doing Alesund, Stavanger, Flam and Kristianstand on Adventure of the Seas at the end of May next year.

I think comparing another cruise line to Disney is like comparing apples to oranges in some respects - we all love Disney and the fact that the cruise centres around my favourite characters, movies, history and music just puts the icing, cherry and sparklers on the cake for me. However, Disney's itineraries are limited and to cruise to other places, you have to diversify to another line.

Well, to get things back on topic of DCL rather than judging RCCL...

Small world! Not only was I on the June 1st sailing too, but I also had a Navigators - would be slightly freaky if we turned out to be neighbours - we were in 6140.

I have to say I agree with everything you said though - 1st time in a Navigator and loved that cosy little verandah, especially on those breezy sea days - if (when!) I go on an Alaskan cruise I'm totally planning on booking one of these baby's, it would be perfect!

The ship was in fantastic shape as ever, ofc you can find signs of wear and tear if you really hunt for it (but I'm sure that can be said for every ship, even shortly dry dock, there are 1000s of people trampling all over the place), but certainly nothing to ruin your trip. In fact despite being so close to dry dock they were still out painting and varnishing at quiet times just the same as normal to keep her nice and sparkly!

I too, am looking at broadening my horizons with a RCCL cruise next easter-ish on the Freedom, however that didn't stop me booking a 4 nighter on the Dream on board for next Autumn too, hee.

A little excited/nervous (of both Freedom and Dream) as I'm very much a Magic fan-girl, and those are both bigger ships but I try to keep an open mind about that sort of thing. Both ships will be different experiences from the Magic and I'm ok with that. Afterall, it's possible to like more than one thing at once

I guess the question at it's most basic level boils down to - do I enjoy Disney cruising, or do I simply enjoy cruising? I might not like RCCL, I simply might not enjoy cruising in and of itself and it needs that Disney factor to make it fun for me - but there's only ever going to be one way to find out and I look forward to finding out the answer!

We were in 7124, so not really neighbours at all I debated the what I would have for Alaska (when I hopefully go in 2016) but I'm still unsure on the navigators and in fact I think I'll just book at oceanview. Some days during this cruise it was a bit chilly to sit out and Alaska will be so much colder, I don't think I'd use the balcony that much. However, if we are lucky enough to do a TA, a navigators will be a must. The memory of us sailing into Villefranche the second night (which sadly happened because of a medical emergency and I pray the passenger was ok) whilst I sat on my verandah watching the twinkling lights of the coastline approaching, will stay with me forever. We were port side so we had an awesome view!

Glad you enjoyed your trip too

 

[luke]

How did you find the ports of call in Norway? We're doing Alesund, Stavanger, Flam and Kristianstand on Adventure of the Seas at the end of May next year.

I think comparing another cruise line to Disney is like comparing apples to oranges in some respects - we all love Disney and the fact that the cruise centres around my favourite characters, movies, history and music just puts the icing, cherry and sparklers on the cake for me. However, Disney's itineraries are limited and to cruise to other places, you have to diversify to another line.

Stavanger was a very nice place, very picturesque with some nice streets and shops and the like, but not all that much to see.

Kristiansand was the one we missed due to being ill (told you the food and cleanliness was bad ) although our relatives who took our son out with them said we didn't miss all that much.

Oslo was the best. Did the open top bus then had a look round. Very nice city although it doesn't look like your cruise goes there?

I agree to some degree about the itineraries on disney, we have already basically done the one you just did (two years ago - except it had a day in Mallorca too) hence we are looking at the 12 day one next year which starts off like the standard 7 day Med but then goes to Greece, Turkey and Malta too