Help! I need to compare DCL

[CTJK]

I hate bothing you with this non-Disney question but I knew if there was anyone who knew the answers it would be someone on these boards . Our Family are HUGE Disney lovers and enjoyed our cruise so much on the Magic last year that we are ready for another one. I have recently gone back to work as a Kindergarten Aid so we are forced to schedule our vacations around the school calender. Although, I would love to take the Disney 10 day cruise, it leaves too early. We would like to stick with the eastern or southern Caribbean…so I am forced to look into other cruise lines, specifically RCCL and Princess. Can anyone tell me how they compare to DCL? I am most interested in the children’s programs, (I have a DS 11 and DD 8), dinner menus (both kids and adult), and service.

Our kids loved the kids club so much and we loved having private time. I am hesitant to travel on anther cruise line if it is not as kid friendly. I swear by the Magical Disney Cruise Guide – does anyone know if something like that for RCCL or Princess

I know others have posted questions re: comparison of RCCL and DCL but I couldn’t get the search feature to work…and I know how helpful everyone here is. There is just something about Disney that brings out the best in everyone. Thanks in advance for all your comments and suggestions.

 

[disneyholic family]

i don't have personal experience, but my sister and her family sailed on the Voyager (RCCL)...
she HATED it.....she said that there were many passengers who were obnoxious and rude...
all i can say is, when we sailed on the disney wonder, i didn't encounter anyone rude.....that's not exactly a scientific comparison.....i'm sure other people on the board have been on both cruise lines...

 

[Luckymommyx2]

One reason we're not going on another cruise line is RCCL's kids club. This is the only time hubby and I get alone time and the kids just love the Dis kids club. On RCCL their club times do not run all day. They take 2 hour breaks from something like 12-2 then 5-7 and then close around 9 or 10. (Sorry don't recall the specifics but hopefully you get the idea.) It's just nice to know that the kids can stay as long as they want, or don't want, without having to check the clock every two hours and signing kids in and out. I never thought my two would enjoy the clubs so much but we would take them in after breakfast and had to drag them out just to eat dinner with us and by the end of dinner they couldn't wait to go back again! I don't know about any of the other lines but this is a major consideration for us. Good luck!

 

[CTJK]

Thanks for your quick response. Unfortunately, this is why I am hesitant to sign on with another Cruise line. My kids also enjoyed the clubs ,and this next time they would be in the same club (different ages. but the lab). I am also concerned about how kid-friendlee(sp) the other lines are. My kids are very well behaved and would never even consider running all over ...but this is their vacation too. In addition my BIL and SIL might join us from England. They do not have children...so I am torn between focusing on adult/children pros and cons.

 

[AnnMorin]

We could have done a ten day for less than the seven day is costing. New ports etc....Why didn't we? Our son. HE has been on four disney cruises, he says the ship is like "coming home" like our place at cape cod. He feels comfortable and safe, he knows what to expect. I don't have to worry about casinos etc. He knows dad and I are going to have our time and is willing to go to the lab during it. I don't know if he would feel so comfortable on another ship. On DCL we (starting this year when he was ten) allow him to sign himself out and have some freedom. On a HUGE ship with casino's I don't know if I would feel that was ok. In a few years he will not want anything to do with us, then royal caribbean will be ok, right now when he craves vactions with mom and dad, at least I can spend a lot of quality family time and not feel guilty putting him in the lab when it needs to be dad and mom time. I know he is safe and well cared for!

 

[thegales]

How about Back to Back on the Wonder? It gives you the Disney name and you would probably be able to schedule when was appropriate within your holiday period. It may not have the itinerary you are looking for, but is that okay with the other two items you do get?

 

[kcashner]

We sailed on 2 other ships before DCL existed. Since then, we have done 9 trips on DCL, with number 10 fast approaching. Why? DD loves Disney. The kid programs on the other ships just don't compare. Ditto for the cabins and meals and service.

Now, to be fair, we are comparing 1993 and 1995 ships with the Magic sailings. We just haven't had any desire to try anything else. In fact, when we are in port, DD will frequently look at the other ships and comment about the "poor people on those other ships who are looking at us and wishing they were on the Magic." That says it all. Not only is it the best looking vehicle on the seas, it has wonderful service.

 

[Alex]

We all love DCL but if you can't...you can't
I would suggest investigating a bit. I have heard that some of the other cruise lines are building Kid's clubs to compete with Disney particularly on their newer ships.

 

[NCRedding]

We sailed RCCL on the Radiance of the Seas to Alaska in July of 2003. There were only 120 kids under 12 on the ship, so in numbers, it was much smaller than DCL. My DD age 11 enjoyed the RCCl kids clubs. They do different things and she was more easily able to make friends on the Radiance (since there were only 5 other girls her age in the kids club, they all hung out together) They give cards for times when kids attend the programs which can then be redeemed for RCCL items--DD got a bookbag, t-shirt, keychains, etc. I personally enjoyed the food at the buffet better on RCCL than DCL, and prefered the layout of the buffet area--it was less like a cafeteria style, and more areas that you could go up to without having to stand in line. The dining room food on RCCL left alot to be desired. Most of the entrees were small, and just not the right temp--served lukewarm, whether hot or cold food. Very bland, and just not the quality I've found on DCL. There is also only one large restaurant rather than the 3 rotation restaurants on DCL. I got a little bored with the same room. I also didn't think that the staff tried as hard to please on RCCL as on DCL.

 

[Dancind]

We just finished a 10 day cruise on Celebrity Horizon. Celebrity is owned by RCCL, and I think their kid's programs are set up the same. We won't be sailing Celebrity again. The Kid's program hours were 9-12, 2-5, and 7-10, with "free" slumber parties on formal nights until 1 am. My daughter's group was 10-12, and most of their activities consisted of playing games in an area of the restaurant. The actual Kid's Club was the size of two cabins. She was the only 12 year old girl, the others her age faked their way into the teen program. So she didn't really make any friends, and spent a lot of time in the cabin, if she wasn't at a show with us. The entertainment was pretty awful, and adult activities were pretty limited, too. I guess they expected us to spend our free time at the casino or the art auctions, which we didn't. Thank goodness for port days, they were great! The food was outstanding, though, and there was always an opportunity to eat. The service was flawless but impersonal. It would be a good cruise for an older couple with no kids, and there were many of those on board. Diana

 

[mac_tlc]

We (me (43), DW (44), DD (16), DS (9) )have sailed DCL three times and the Voyager-class ships twice, with two more scheduled. We feel they are worth your consideration, especially since they are usually several hundred $$ cheaper.

I have a comparison of DCL and the RCCL-Voyager class ships on my website. E-mail me for the link if you would like to see it.

mac_tlc

 

[awatt]

Try cruisecritic.com. They have boards for each line. You could ask about the RCCL and Princess kids clubs there and I think you would get some good info there.

We have loved several RCCL cruises,and while those trips were without our kids,I did check out the kids club and the kids were having a ball. In August we also had a great timeon the NCL Dawn . Our girls came with us and LOVED the kids club.

So I think you will find some good non-Disney options out there.

 

[KimDisFan]

We sailed the Navigator of the Sea last June. And it was really nice. My DD(8) enjoyed the Kid's Club, I found hours annoying and inconvient. But she really enjoyed the Rock Climbing wall, ice skating and in line skating. And the pool area on the NOS is way better than on the DCL. I personnal prefer DCL, but would sail RCCL again as well, especially if the cost was right. Each ship has it's + and -. If you chose RCCL, you just need to go with an open mind and realize that it is not Disney.