Forgive me DCL....

[ivanova]

Got my 2/27/2005 cruise docs earlier this week - alas, not for DCL though - I'll be doing the Western Caribbean out of Galveston, TX on the Carnival Elation.

How should I prepare myself ('cuz I know I'll be comparing every last detail to DCL).

 

[CPM]

Just don't compare. They ARE completely different cruises. We also cruise Carnival and I like it for many reasons, but I also like DCL for many reasons.
I'm also sure if it's the Elation, you paid a lot less for that cruise then a DCL. Keep that in mind <G>.
have a great cruise!! It will be fun.

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Please be sure to post a report letting us know how Carnival was. We are sailing on the Carnival Miracle in June and I'm really worried that I won't like it as much as the Wonder.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Susan, you can't compare them 100%. There are some things the same and some things different. One huge difference is the casino on Carnival. I have cruised on many different lines, they all have their good and bad points. I would have to say the food on the 2 Carnival Cruises I sailed was top rate. The food on the Wonder was Institutional at best. The shows on Carnival are not Disney, but I thought Disney Dreams was a luke warm redo of the smae old same old. Carnival ships are HUGE, and have lots of bars and lots of late night adult activites. The Disney ships are not so huge, but certainly beautiful.

Go and enjoy it for what it is, a great week on a ship! Have a fabulous time, but don't fall overboard!

 

[wide awake]

We were on the Elation for our first cruise. It is an older ship, and the decor is NOT the Magic. We had a good time, the food was good, activities fun...but it was a completely different experience. I got off the ship knowing I'd had a good time, but not feeling the need to book another cruise...we sailed on the Magic because we got a BIG military discount...on that cruise I refused to get off the ship until I had another booked. I would sail the Elation again, but I would not expect the Magic.

 

[CPM]

Please be sure to post a report letting us know how Carnival was. We are sailing on the Carnival Miracle in June and I'm really worried that I won't like it as much as the Wonder.

Even the Elation won't compare to the Miracle. the Miracle is a bigger class of ship and much newer.
From cruising both I can tell you it is a completely different experience. Like comparing apples to oranges, not in a bad way but just different.

 

[ivanova]

....but don't fall overboard!

No kidding

 

[slabeaume]

My daughter and I took the Elation cruise in July 04. WE really had a good time. The dining was very good---I'd say even better than on the Magic. The entertainment was very good. Snorkeling in Belize was fantastic! Touring Chichen Itza from Progresso was great. If Damian is still in the piano bar be sure and go there---he is Great! We also enjoyed the art lesson at the art auctions. Keep in mind---it's leaving out of Texas and 99% of the passenger are from Texas---it's very apparent! Not bad, just very Texan. The only real disappointment was no adult pool area and the rooms are considerably smaller.

If you'd like to see my pictures from the ship, check out---
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4286255003

Note the ship we're docked next to at Cozumel!

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

From cruising both I can tell you it is a completely different experience.

I know this is a Disney Cruise board, so I won't bore anyone with all my Miracle questions, but could you please PM me with some info on the ship? Will there be activities for my older kids, they will be 17 & almost 21 when we cruise? How are the restaurants? And how are the staterooms in comparison to the Wonder? We have two guaranteed category 8 rooms (I think that is what they are...they are balcony rooms).

I'm starting to get excited about this trip, but I'm also a little nervous with recent reports of people disappearing off of Carnival ships (I know, you can't live your life in fear of something that will most probably never happen).

 

[ericamanda01]

Don't worry about it and just have a fantastic time!

 

[MarkLem]

I think it's a great idea to go on other cruise lines. Different shows, different ports, etc. Disney does not have a corner on the market for great cruise experiences.

 

[alexandrew]

Dont compare, because there is no comparison....

 

[pppiglet]

I said I would probably never go on a carnival cruise, but got an ad in the mail today for JC Penney's that said "spend $75 on your JCP card and get a free companion cruise with booking of a cruise." Sooooooo ....love to spend at JCP...might just do this! I don't know if I can afford DCL again.

 

[CPM]

Dont compare, because there is no comparison....

have you been on other cruiselines?

 

[alexandrew]

RCCL 2x
Carnival
Celebrity
Princess....

The only ships that come "oh so close" to DCL for an excellent and upscale family cruise experience IMO are the newest RCCL Voyager class ships, particularly Mariner and Navigator...

Nothing wrong with Carnival....you just cant compare 99% of their ships (except Legend) to DCL.....service and overall experience is incomparable....

 

[slabeaume]

I didn't mention our servers earlier (on the Elation), but they were top notch! Perhaps it just depends on who you get.

 

[CPM]

RCCL 2x

Nothing wrong with Carnival....you just cant compare 99% of their ships (except Legend) to DCL.....service and overall experience is incomparable....

I guess that's a matter of opinion. We had just about the worst servers on our Wonder cruise a few weeks ago. I have never had a bad server on CCL. I'm sure they have them there too, just never had one. Even the cabin guy was just okay. He never asked when we liked our cabin cleaned or any special requests. I only saw him once. On CCL they always ask what are needs are.
There are things I like and dislike on both. If I could combine the two I would have the perfect cruise.
As soon as my children are older I doubt I will cruise DCL. Thier kid's club is great. The shows are geared towards kids too, so are the movies. I like the idea of moving to different restaurants, although the food really needs to be upgraded for the price you pay.
I like DCL for what it is, but there is better out there.

 

[ivanova]

have you been on other cruiselines?

Nope.

 

[ladytampa]

got an ad in the mail today for JC Penney's that said "spend $75 on your JCP card and get a free companion cruise with booking of a cruise.

I didn't know JCP had a travel service until ppiglet posted. I went to the JCP site, but it doesn't say how much it is to join. Can someone post some info on it?

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Nothing wrong with Carnival....you just cant compare 99% of their ships (except Legend) to DCL.....service and overall experience is incomparable....

Does this mean that you've been on 99% of their ships? Wow, I wish I could afford to cruise that much! Please tell me how the Miracle was? Being true Disney fans, I am a little bit worried about not liking the Miracle, but since it is only 7 days, I'm sure it will be fine. Just curious what your thoughts on it are.