From DCL to Carnival, what to expect?

[mevelandry]

Bump...

Where do you book dining? Guest Services?

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I've read over on cruise critic you can do it on the ship on embarkation day in the atrium when you board. I think you can do it online too ahead of time. Have you read any of the reviews or checked the CCL message boards on cruise critic? I've learned so much over there for our upcoming cruise.

 

[mevelandry]

I've read over on cruise critic you can do it on the ship on embarkation day in the atrium when you board. I think you can do it online too ahead of time. Have you read any of the reviews or checked the CCL message boards on cruise critic? I've learned so much over there for our upcoming cruise.

Apparently there are only one or two you can book in advance.

I just subscribed to CC but it seems like answers come faster here.

 

[mevelandry]

Update:

There is already one thing I like more with Carnival than DCL: I am more than a year in advance and I already booked all my reservations for specialty dining (except Green eggs and ham breakfast that we have to book on board) and I can already book my excursions (we have to pay in advance though) too.

 

[WIcruizer]

What to expect? In short, expect nothing to be as good as DL, but nothing is horrible either. It is a cruise afterall! This goes for food, entertainment, ambiance, attitude of staff, décor, etc.

 

[shortkathleen]

I have sailed on both Disney and Carnival. I have sailed on the Sunshine and loved it. We loved the food, especially Guys Burgers and the pizza!! The steakhouse was great, I think it was a $35 fee. We booked it on board.
We also loved the adults only Serenity pool area. The comedy club is fun too! There are so many fun things for the kids to do.
We love Disney cruises but we also love Carnival, they are both great, just a little different. I love that we can cruise three times in a year on Carnival for the cost of one cruise on Disney. Currently I am booked on the Disney Magic for spring break and the Carnival Breeze for summer. The trick to cruising with Carnival is to cruise on their newer and bigger ships. (Dream, Magic, Sunshine, Breeze and Vista)

 

[asamklove]

Vacation is better than work any day! You'll have fun if you choose to have fun. It's all about spending time with people that you love & not worrying about the day to day stuff! You're lucky you are in the process of planning 2 cruises!!!

 

[mevelandry]

I have sailed on both Disney and Carnival. I have sailed on the Sunshine and loved it. We loved the food, especially Guys Burgers and the pizza!! The steakhouse was great, I think it was a $35 fee. We booked it on board.
We also loved the adults only Serenity pool area. The comedy club is fun too! There are so many fun things for the kids to do.
We love Disney cruises but we also love Carnival, they are both great, just a little different. I love that we can cruise three times in a year on Carnival for the cost of one cruise on Disney. Currently I am booked on the Disney Magic for spring break and the Carnival Breeze for summer. The trick to cruising with Carnival is to cruise on their newer and bigger ships. (Dream, Magic, Sunshine, Breeze and Vista)

I have booked the steakhouse (also Cucina del capitano and ... The asian food restaurant --I forgot the name-- too!) and I can't wait to try the burgers.

I especially like the fact that we can get a 7 night cruise for the price of a 4 nights DCL cruise ... and that it is departing from New York. Slightly closer from home!

 

[Sytrace]

I took my Mom and 2 kids on a Carnival cruise a couple of years ago and here is what I found. (I am a TA and have certified with Carnival, Disney, Norweigen, Royal Carribbean and Princess) We just returned today from our 6th Disney cruise but I will focus on comparing what the two cruise lines offer.

Carnival: smaller rooms, but if you get a suite (which is about the same size as a regular room on Disney you will be far more comfortable.
When we went I was not a TA and ended up booking two rooms side by side. One for my Mom and DD and the other for me and my son. It was on the small side with two beds that were about the size of a cot and were separated by a small table. There was a vanity area with a small fridge under it. And there was one bathroom. This was okay as it was just my son and I in the room. He was 9 at the time and did not take a very long time in there. lol

Disney: We usually get the oceanview with verandah with 246 sq feet that sleeps 4 comfortably. We love the split bathrooms, and it works out great now that the kids are older and my daughter is 13 (going on 14) She tends to take her time in the shower, so the split bathrooms are really necessary. lol

Carnival: MDR food was lackluster, BUT the desserts were really good and I know that they are really working on their MDR choices.. The buffet had exceptional choices and had different themes by day. For example, one day it would be Italian, another day, might be American themed, Chinese...etc. This gave many options. Please note this was on the Sensation a few years ago and the newer ships (like Sunshine) are decked out with really cool dining experiences. And I hear the hamburgers at Guys are the way to go.

Disney: The food is very good in all three rotational dining rooms. The buffet choices are pretty limited on Disney, but what they do have is pretty impressive and tasty. The desserts are outstanding every evening. My DH always orders Mickey bars for dessert and I am partial to trying anything with chocolate. The kids like sundaes, ice cream, and cake. My son loves the Baked Alaska.

Carnival: I bought the soda package and never really had a problem with the additional cost. I do not bring alcohol on board but the drinks that I had on Carnival were quite good and were priced reasonably anyway.

Disney: I love that lemonade and soda are unlimited and easily available. The only time you pay for beverages like that are if you purchase it before a movie or show (it is canned) or at a bar. I bring travel cups from home and get refills that way.

Carnival entertainment: Very lounge and Vegas style. The shows weren't that good and I felt like I was in a really bad vegas revue show. Perhaps they have updated them. I didn't really spend too much time on that type of entertainment. And they have casino too.

Disney: great shows and well produced and their adult show performers also have a family friendly act too. But again, this is not my area of interest so I don't have much experience to share in this area. Disney does not have a Casino.

I hope you have a great experience on the Sunshine. It is always about what you make it and what things you enjoy.

 

[mevelandry]

Thank you for your review. I'm starting to think I am well prepared for Carnival. The size of the room doesn't bother me at all. DH and I are fine with cozy spaces (our house is cozy). It was all about the location (Spa rooms). The only thing that bother me is that I picked an inside room and we usually have a balcony with DCL (I really wanted to save money). I'm curious to see how we'll deal with that.

I'm not a big fan of soda... I wish they had a juice package instead of soda package.

My husband usually hate shows except for stand up comics. He enjoys Casino (I've never been to a Casino).

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I still will point out 2 engine room fires in 1 month and they past record.




I will not sail Carnival due to what I feel are safety issues.

AKK

 

[mevelandry]

I still will point out 2 engine room fires in 1 month and they past record.




I will not sail Carnival due to what I feel are safety issues.

AKK

Engine room fires can happen in any cruise line and from what I heard, they managed it really well. I am not worried at all.

I will sail with them, we're PIF... And I would even if the cruise was not paid in full because the reviews I have read and the videos I saw so far were good enough to make me wanna sail with them.

If we don't enjoy it, we'll try other cruise lines or come back to DCL.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Engine room fires can happen in any cruise line and from what I heard, they managed it really well. I am not worried at all.

I will sail with them, we're PIF... And I would even if the cruise was not paid in full because the reviews I have read and the videos I saw so far were good enough to make me wanna sail with them.

If we don't enjoy it, we'll try other cruise lines or come back to DCL.

I wish you all a safe cruise.

AKK

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Thank you for your review. I'm starting to think I am well prepared for Carnival. The size of the room doesn't bother me at all. DH and I are fine with cozy spaces (our house is cozy). It was all about the location (Spa rooms). The only thing that bother me is that I picked an inside room and we usually have a balcony with DCL (I really wanted to save money). I'm curious to see how we'll deal with that.

I'm not a big fan of soda... I wish they had a juice package instead of soda package.

My husband usually hate shows except for stand up comics. He enjoys Casino (I've never been to a Casino).

We are trying CCL next summer for the first time and from what I've read the "Bottomless Bubbles" package includes juices as well as soda. I've attached a pic of some mocktails you can order with the BB package from any restaurant or lounge. Enjoy your cruise, and engine fires can happen anytime, my aunt had 2 in her Mercedes but I haven't any in my Honda or Toyotas! I'm just sayin'