Help me convince others to pick DCL over other cruise lines!

[Kyzar1]

We went on our first Disney cruise (first cruise ever for that matter) 5-25-2002. We are starting to plan for another in May of 2004 and are trying to get others to go with us. Now, I'm pretty sure that they'll go on a cruise, the hard part is going to be convincing them to choose DCL over another line like RCCL. There will be no children in our party by the way. I've never been on another line, so I'm not sure what comparisons to make that will show them DCL is top notch. HELP ME!

OR...

Am I being closed-minded about wanting to go only on DCL. Like I said, I'm no cruise buff, but for the amount of money that a cruise costs I'd rather go with the cruise line that I know and the customer service that is guaranteed to be top notch.


So, thoughts, ideas, suggestions?


Thanks,
Kyzar1

 

[cathie]

Disney definitely has the best family atmosphere (fresh water in the pools too!)..we've only been on a Disney cruise once & loved it. From what I've heard about other cruise lines there are casinos, it's smoky & there's lots of partying. Even though you're not taking any kids along, I still think Disney is the best. I guess it depends on what people are looking for in a cruise. We don't like to gamble so we enjoy Disney & the kids love it. Check out Barb & Tony's web site, they have a lot of info about Disney cruises & travel without children . ( I think it's www. CastawayClub.com ) Good luck!!! Cathie

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by Kyzar1
We went on our first Disney cruise (first cruise ever for that matter) 5-25-2002. We are starting to plan for another in May of 2003

Better plan fast, your ship left last month (may 2003) without you!!

Am I being closed-minded about wanting to go only on DCL.
[/B]

If you are, I am too.
There MAY be a staff/client cruise for the company I "work" for early next year. Dh and I have already decided that if it's NOT DCL, we are NOT going.

 

[Kyzar1]

Oops... yeah I guess it goes without saying that I meant May 2004. Thanks for the heads up! What are some things that DCL just flat out does better than others?

Thanks for the replys,
Kyzar1

 

[ohiominnie]

Which May cruise? We'll be on the Western on May 8th.

I couldn't tell you what DCL does better than the rest. I CAN tell you what WDW world does better than other vacation spots we could go to..... and I figure that quality transfers over to the cruise line.

I am not a smoking, drinking, gambling, fancy clothes kinda person. I chose DCL not only because it had the Disney name, but also because it was more family oriented and I figured the people who wanted serious drinking, smoking and gambling probably would go to other cruise lines. Suits me just fine.

Sorry I can't accurately compare the various cruise lines. I'm sure someone here can (who has cruised on something other than DCL)

btw, I think DCL ships just LOOK better!

 

[wdw1972]

I've cruised on 4 different lines. 1 I would never give a 2nd chance to (NCL), 1 I might possibly someday try again but it's not likely (Carnival), so that leaves Disney and Holland America (HAL).

Of the 2, as a person who cruises without kids mostly, HAL is the clear winner in just about every way. However, what makes a great cruise is rather subjective, and is a personal, individual decision each person has to make for themselves.

Where HAL has the edge is in overall atmosphere, service, ambience, fewer kids, more adult-oriented entertainment, and nicer ships. Disney does a good job keeping the kids out of the adult areas, but it's still a pain to encounter kids playing in the elevators, acting up in the dining room, and then there are the bottlenecks whenever the characters come out! Disney has a great product for families traveling with young kids, but for adults traveling without kids, in my opinion HAL, Princess or Celebrity would all be better choices. Some people would throw RCCL and Carnival in there as well, but I'm not as impressed with them.

I've cruised Disney 4 times, and have 2 more cruises on them scheduled for 2003. If I wasn't a dvc member using points, I wouldn't be on the ships, though. When I use my cash to cruise, I stick with HAL.

I hope this helps, but understand this is merely MY opinion, based on what I like from a cruise.

 

[Gillian]

Unless your friends love Disney AND other people's children, I think it would be good to consider other cruiselines. I have mostly good things to say about DCL, but if we didn't have kids or weren't Disney fans, it just wouldn't be the same. DCL is more expensive than other lines too, and it may make it harder to convince your friends that it's worth it.

The one thing Disney has over most other companies is the large cabin size. I think HAL also has bigger cabins, but I'm not sure.

My parents thought HAL was great. We are hoping to cruise with Royal Caribbean again soon, when our kids are a little older, even though we love Disney.

RCCL has a great reputation. They have many newer ships with a ton of activities. You don't have to hang out in the casino or party if you don't want to. There is a lot to do on board, more so than on Disney. We thought the food was better, too, and others have said that as well.

I would look into Princess or Celebrity also. Carnival has a reputation for partying, which is not our thing.

The cruisecritic.com message boards are helpful, although not as good as this board.

 

[sjm]

wdw1972
I've cruised on 4 different lines. 1 I would never give a 2nd chance to (NCL), 1 I might possibly someday try again but it's not likely (Carnival), so that leaves Disney and Holland America (HAL).

You say that leasves Disney and HAL, what about Princess, Celebrity and RCCL??

___________________________________________________________________________________


Gillian

My husband and I are not big Disney fans, but we cruised on the Magic, 1/25/03 to celebrate our 60th birthdays and had a wonderful time. We have two non-disney cruises booked, but will cruise on the Magic again some day. We would probably cruise Disney more often, if they had more different itins.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Kyzar1

If you want to cruise with friends and they don't want to cruise Disney, you have many other options. Disney is a great cruise line, but it is fun to try different lines.

sue

 

[Kyzar1]

OK, there have been lots of helpful suggestions here. THANKS!

As another choice we were looking at the RCCL Voyager of the Seas Western Carib cruise. Anyone been on this ship? What is the general consensus on RCCL as a whole?


Thanks again,
Kyzar1

 

[kajohn]

Kyzar1

Cruising is very subjective and depends on the types of activities you like as well as ages etc.

As you can see by my signature we have been on a few cruises, and prefer RCCL so far. My husband and I are in our 30's, and prefer that line. The Voyager class ships, (Voyager being the first of those) are much grander than DCL, with lots of big multi story areas, and the promanade is an experience in itself! There is lots to do, the pool areas are much bigger etc. The cabin sizes are slightly smaller, but if you only have two in your cabin, there is plenty of room to put everything away, and not be crowded at all.

The food was much better in my opinion on RCCL, (although my husband liked the food on DCL), and the service is comperable to DCL, both excellent!

The rates are so much cheaper for RCCL that I would have a hard time recommending DCL to a couple cruising without kids.

Don't get me wrong, we loved our DCL cruise, but we took the kids with us for their first cruise, and I just associate DCL with families, and don't consider it an adult only destination. Of course there are many that do, but when I am taking a trip without the kids, the last place I want to go is on a ship with 800 kids!

I feel the same way about RCCL as most on this board feel about DCL, they only want to do that line. I have another RCCL cruise planned for next year, and plan to take the kids on one in 2005, then I think my DH and I will try Princess or Celebrity, for a change.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[dclwdwlover]

Friends of ours just returned from the RCCL Navigator & LOVED it. Brought no kids with them. WE are die-hard Disney fans, but have to say that the reason we stick with DCL over ALL is that it is always clean, well-kempt, friendly & dependable. They 'aim to please'. Also, my husb. & I don't drink, smoke or gamble, so although there are some attractive things such as the rock climbing wall, skating, other shows, etc. on RCCL, we have stuck with DCL. Now, I've cruised other lines - both of which are not around anymore (American Adventure & Premier (Disney affiliated) - but neither compared with DCL. Looking at the other cruise lines & reading all of the boards & talking with other people - I would definitely stay away from Carnival & the others just don't interest me after comparison.
As everyone says, tho - it's a matter of personal preference. My husb. & I choose to pay a little (?) bit more to be assured a 'magical cruise'. Oh yeah, as far as cruising w/no kids on a 'kids boat' - our 1st trip was our honeymoon & we stayed in the 'no kids zones' & had a fantastic time. Next trip we took them & altered our areas as needed to see the kids. Didn't find the other kids around annoying - probably because we knew we were going to be around kids on the ship & were only around them when we wanted to be. Highly suggest a verandah for complete privacy when desired, tho.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by dclwdwlover
Highly suggest a verandah for complete privacy when desired, tho.