Honest opinions please-RCCL vs. Disney in Northern Europe

[PHamrick]

So, it looks like Disney is releasing it's summer 2018 dates this week, which is very exciting. We are going to take a Northern European cruise in summer of 2018, but are trying to decide between a Disney itinerary and a Royal Caribbean itinerary. Any thoughts you have would be GREATLY appreciated. I know there would be a difference on price, but anything else we should consider?

There would be at least three families who would be interested in going. All of the itineraries go to the same places with few differences.

Sorry, this post is somewhat scattered. I'm a little surprised that Disney is opening its cruises up earlier than RCCL and wasn't really ready for cruise info this soon. Any advice or questions you have to help us make the decision would be greatly appreciated!

 

[keaster]

I think, as you mentioned, the biggest thing will be price. We did the DCL med cruise in 2010 and loved it. However, we got it at a ridiculously cheap rate (we had a balcony room for 3 at around $8200US for the 10 night cruise.).
Also the ship was essentially a floating hotel. With such a port intensive itinerary, we didn't really do much on the ship other than sleep and eat!

I'm curious to see what the prices are this week for DCL. I'm thinking they will be rather high, and we are also Canadian, which means we have to add in the exchange rate as well.

 

[PHamrick]

I think, as you mentioned, the biggest thing will be price. We did the DCL med cruise in 2010 and loved it. However, we got it at a ridiculously cheap rate (we had a balcony room for 3 at around $8200US for the 10 night cruise.).
Also the ship was essentially a floating hotel. With such a port intensive itinerary, we didn't really do much on the ship other than sleep and eat!

I'm curious to see what the prices are this week for DCL. I'm thinking they will be rather high, and we are also Canadian, which means we have to add in the exchange rate as well.

I'm American, so that has its pros and cons this year, huh? I really think this cruise is price dependent. I priced a RCCL cruise with a similar itinerary and for summer 2017 it was $8700. That was with a pretty steep discount on second guests. I agree that with such a port intensive cruise, the boat doesn't matter THAT much, but I would still like a nicer "hotel". Still, depending on the price...this will be a very expensive trip either way! Thanks for the info.

Part of me also wonders if I'll be able to hold out until the week of March 6 when RCCL announces its cruises.

 

[keaster]

I'm American, so that has its pros and cons this year, huh? I really think this cruise is price dependent. I priced a RCCL cruise with a similar itinerary and for summer 2017 it was $8700. That was with a pretty steep discount on second guests. I agree that with such a port intensive cruise, the boat doesn't matter THAT much, but I would still like a nicer "hotel". Still, depending on the price...this will be a very expensive trip either way! Thanks for the info.

Part of me also wonders if I'll be able to hold out until the week of March 6 when RCCL announces its cruises.

You could always put a deposit on one this week when you can book (as first day is usually the best price for DCL)...and then if the RCCL price is better for you just cancel the DCL one and get your deposit back!

 

[PHamrick]

You could always put a deposit on one this week when you can book (as first day is usually the best price for DCL)...and then if the RCCL price is better for you just cancel the DCL one and get your deposit back!

Such good advice! Probably what I will end up doing, just in case! Can't believe I'm booking 2018 cruises now! So happy though

 

[ldo]

we did the vision on RCCL in 2010 and DCL wonder last summer to Norway. For Norway, we loved DCL, but we also had mostly 1/2 days at the ports and did a fair amount of exploring on our own. Our teens had time to watch 7 movies and we had a decent amount of downtime on the ship, saw every show each night, etc.
For N Europe, we had little downtime and it really was more of a floating hotel. RCCL did a good job of having some local entertainment, like Finnish folk dancers and (maybe) Russian violinists, plus a fun fake Beatles, in addition to usual shows. Our RCCL was MUCH less than DCL. We privately booked a Russian tour and DIY in most other ports. We came back dead tired many days, just in time for dinner and some nights did not even get to the shows. We definitely would not have had time to watch 3 much less 7 movies.
We feel the same about the Med. We are out all day and tired and ready for food, quick pool and rest when we get back. Some nights in the Med., we just watch TV as we were too tired to go to the show, that included my 3 kids ages 8-15. The Med is much hotter and a day at Pompeii, etc. takes it out of you. In N Europe, it was more that we had walked a lot and needed to gear up for the next day. Norway was much more laid back with mainly AM outings, back by 2pm at the latest. We also got a rate on DCL Norway that was about the same as other cruiselines, so I could justify taking DCL. For N. Europe, I expect a wider spread.

Bottom line: RCCL can be a lot less. Do you want/need the DCL magic or are you looking for a family friendly cruise that you use as a floating hotel?

 

[PHamrick]

we did the vision on RCCL in 2010 and DCL wonder last summer to Norway. For Norway, we loved DCL, but we also had mostly 1/2 days at the ports and did a fair amount of exploring on our own. Our teens had time to watch 7 movies and we had a decent amount of downtime on the ship, saw every show each night, etc.
For N Europe, we had little downtime and it really was more of a floating hotel. RCCL did a good job of having some local entertainment, like Finnish folk dancers and (maybe) Russian violinists, plus a fun fake Beatles, in addition to usual shows. Our RCCL was MUCH less than DCL. We privately booked a Russian tour and DIY in most other ports. We came back dead tired many days, just in time for dinner and some nights did not even get to the shows. We definitely would not have had time to watch 3 much less 7 movies.
We feel the same about the Med. We are out all day and tired and ready for food, quick pool and rest when we get back. Some nights in the Med., we just watch TV as we were too tired to go to the show, that included my 3 kids ages 8-15. The Med is much hotter and a day at Pompeii, etc. takes it out of you. In N Europe, it was more that we had walked a lot and needed to gear up for the next day. Norway was much more laid back with mainly AM outings, back by 2pm at the latest.

Bottom line: RCCL can be a lot less. Do you want/need the DCL magic or are you looking for a family friendly cruise that you use as a floating hotel?

I don't need the DCL magic. We are adding on days in Amsterdam and Copenhagen before and after whichever cruise we take, so I'm leaning towards a 7 day itinerary no matter what. My kids will be 7 and 9 and the rest of the group will be slightly older (just a year or two). No one has ever cruised before except us. We've done RCCL and DCL. Main reason I was leaning towards DCL is because I have an OBB that *might* work out to less than RCCL. But that's a big might. Family friendly is a must though. Thanks for the questions!

 

[ldo]

RCCL in the Baltics will likely have less kids than DCL, but we found the kids clubs to be good, as less kids meant more staff-kids ratio and more attention, IMHO. They are open 9-12, 2-5, 7-10 on sea days usually and all day on port days. Our 9 yr old stayed in the RCCL kids club for 5 hours vs. excursion one day b/c he was tired and it worked out fine. ote, for 12+, teens clubs are only staffed at night and there is not hang out place--most teens met up by ping pong, but if your group has teens and you want more supervision, keep that in mind.
As long as you go in with an attitude that it's a cost-effective travel experience to N Europe vs comparing to DCL, you'll have a great time. FYI, NCL also has the Breakaway in N Europe with some decent pricing.

 

[jenf22]

We did the DCL med cruise in 2010 and loved it. However, we got it at a ridiculously cheap rate (we had a balcony room for 3 at around $8200US for the 10 night cruise.).
Also the ship was essentially a floating hotel. With such a port intensive itinerary, we didn't really do much on the ship other than sleep and eat!

FYI, NCL also has the Breakaway in N Europe with some decent pricing.

We're sailing on the NCL Spirit in 3 weeks on a 10-night Western Mediterranean. Our cost for 2 adults and 1 child, with the Specialty Dining Promo and port excursion promo, was $3100 in a balcony room. It's an older ship and we're not expecting much (the room looks tiny!). But with 8 full port days, we're also just looking at it as a floating hotel. I think the Breakaway is like the Getaway and we've been on her. It's a nice ship with water slides and enough fun to occupy sea days.

You could always put a deposit on one this week when you can book (as first day is usually the best price for DCL)...and then if the RCCL price is better for you just cancel the DCL one and get your deposit back!

This! I would definitely do this. If you can swing the deposit, just hold the cruise that's released first and make up your mind later. Best of luck in your decision!

 

[PHamrick]

We're sailing on the NCL Spirit in 3 weeks on a 10-night Western Mediterranean. Our cost for 2 adults and 1 child, with the Specialty Dining Promo and port excursion promo, was $3100 in a balcony room. It's an older ship and we're not expecting much (the room looks tiny!). But with 8 full port days, we're also just looking at it as a floating hotel. I think the Breakaway is like the Getaway and we've been on her. It's a nice ship with water slides and enough fun to occupy sea days.



This! I would definitely do this. If you can swing the deposit, just hold the cruise that's released first and make up your mind later. Best of luck in your decision!

Thank you! I think the great thing is we really can't go wrong either way. And if we pay enough attention, we will get an amazing trip for a pretty decent price. I just priced RCCL for *this* summer and for four of us for 11 nights it was $8700 I think. Either way, we are going to be good! Thanks for all the advice.

 

[ckelly14]

I feel like I struggle with this every year I'm looking at a cruise. The result- I haven't been on a Disney cruise yet! My wife isn't very excited about going back on RCCL so we are committed to a Med Disney cruise in 2018. I expect Disney will be about 10-11K and RCCL about 8K for the same itinerary. Yes, I could do a lot with that money, but by God I'm sticky with Disney this time around!

 

[ckelly14]

May have to look at Norwegian as well. I'm pricing it out as $4800 for a mini-suite (about the size of Disney Veranda) with free specialty dining and free drink package!

 

[ldo]

we booked NCL Breakaway. DCL verandah was $21K. I will also look at RCCL when it comes out, but Breakaway has a lot to offer my teens.

 

[scrapycruiser]

We did the Baltic cruise twice. Once on RCCL's Jewel of the Seas and once on the Disney Magic. Loved them both.
Disney will offer some special excursions, like Cinderellas Ball at Catherines Palace. But most of the excursions will be similar. Just check out the ports and the excursions offered. But I'd go with the less expensive cruise. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[ckelly14]

Just booked Rome to Barcelona June 23rd, 2A 2K, 5A $10,328! Will certainly be looking at the new RCCL suite service with the same itinerary at that price, or 2 balcony rooms...

 

[lisaann1170]

I'm in the same boat...some pun intended!

I booked the DCL Northern Europe for 8/9/18, but I'm going to make my final decision when RCCL rates are released. Looking at the 2017 RCCL prices, we can do a longer cruise for a lower prices, so this is going to be a tough call. My kids say they only want Disney. I think they'll live if we decide otherwise!

 

[ckelly14]

I'm in the same boat...some pun intended!

I booked the DCL Northern Europe for 8/9/18, but I'm going to make my final decision when RCCL rates are released. Looking at the 2017 RCCL prices, we can do a longer cruise for a lower prices, so this is going to be a tough call. My kids say they only want Disney. I think they'll live if we decide otherwise!

Fortunately my kids don't know better- I never cruised Disney! I really itching to try it since I'm a big Disney fan and always try some special event or tour when we're at WDW. We're not cruisers much in general, but I figure this is a great way to sample the Italian/French riviera and see where we want to go back. This one-way itinerary is quite good (especially with Genoa and Marseilles) and I don't think I'll beat it with Royal. Guess we'll find out soon.

 

[cheermom2four]

May have to look at Norwegian as well. I'm pricing it out as $4800 for a mini-suite (about the size of Disney Veranda) with free specialty dining and free drink package!

Our family booked the June 25, 2018 NCL Breakaway cruise with basically the same itinerary as DCL and like you mentioned, quite a bit cheaper. My kids would prefer DCL over any cruise line but I see it as a floating hotel with this type of itinerary. We were able to book the mini suite (like you said, same sized balcony room on DCL) for 4 of us plus the drink package and specialty dining package (with their stupid fees) for 9 night and it was STILL cheaper than Disney by 4K

 

[ckelly14]

Our family booked the June 25, 2018 NCL Breakaway cruise with basically the same itinerary as DCL and like you mentioned, quite a bit cheaper. My kids would prefer DCL over any cruise line but I see it as a floating hotel with this type of itinerary. We were able to book the mini suite (like you said, same sized balcony room on DCL) for 4 of us plus the drink package and specialty dining package (with their stupid fees) for 9 night and it was STILL cheaper than Disney by 4K

My only concern is the crowds at the bars and the specialty restaurants when they are essentially giving away these packages. I'm sticking with Disney for now because of the unique one-way itinerary and the chance to add a few days at the beginning and end of the trip to see Rome and Barcelona.

ETA: I'm also not sure about the Epic. I've heard mixed reviews.

 

[cheermom2four]

I'm sticking with Disney for now because of the unique one-way itinerary and the chance to add a few days at the beginning and end of the trip to see Rome and Barcelona.

Ahh ok we are on different itineraries then. I'm doing the Med cruise on DCL this september and doing the northern/baltic cruise on NCL Breakaway