Honest opinions please-RCCL vs. Disney in Northern Europe

[PHamrick]

I talked to the other two families going and they both decided they'd rather do Disney than wait for the prices. I'm comfortable with it. We got the secret porthole rooms, so we have a porthole but are paying inside stateroom prices. Plus, I could use the OBB, so I'm paying around $7k for the trip. That is ONLY the cruise, not flights or anything else. This is their first cruise and they wanted it to be nice and we are adding on days before and after the cruise, so a longer cruise wouldn't have worked anyway. I really appreciate everyone's comments! I'm really excited about this cruise!

 

[cruiser21]

NCL has been offering the drink packages for quite a while now. At least a couple of years. The "fee" is the gratuity's. I wouldn't worry about the bars being crowded on a port intensive Baltic cruise. A European cruise is a different vibe then a Caribbean cruise. Everyone'e early to bed early to rise and off the ship most of the day.

 

[ldo]

imho, I don't think the dcl prices for a family of 4 in an IN/OV cabin are that bad. We paid $6500 for 2016 Norway and thought it was a wonderful cruise and a decent value. the difference in pricing has to be A LOT to swing me--such as, family of 5 cabin (same layout as DCL, but one large bath) on NCL Breakaway in Baltics for summer 2018 is $6500. 2 In rooms on DCL is $11K or 1 verandah is $14K. We'll be on NCL. RCCL in Europe will not beat $6500 for a family of 5 unless it's shoulder season (late Aug, early June), which we cannot do. DD21 is joining us, so we need a 5th bed. But for 4, DCL for Baltics is about $7K. I would pay that for a family of 4 vs. $5K or so on another line. But with 5 we are priced out.

 

[cruiser21]

imho, I don't think the dcl prices for a family of 4 in an IN/OV cabin are that bad. We paid $6500 for 2016 Norway and thought it was a wonderful cruise and a decent value. the difference in pricing has to be A LOT to swing me--such as, family of 5 cabin (same layout as DCL, but one large bath) on NCL Breakaway in Baltics for summer 2018 is $6500. 2 In rooms on DCL is $11K or 1 verandah is $14K. We'll be on NCL. RCCL in Europe will not beat $6500 for a family of 5 unless it's shoulder season (late Aug, early June), which we cannot do. DD21 is joining us, so we need a 5th bed. But for 4, DCL for Baltics is about $7K. I would pay that for a family of 4 vs. $5K or so on another line. But with 5 we are priced out.

You must be pricing the 7 night because the 11 night Baltics on DCL starts at 11k for a family of four. The Breakaway is 9 nights with an overnight in Russia...much better itinerary then DCL's 7 night.

 

[ldo]

yes 7 night. I would still do the 7 nighter on DCL if I had 4 and could do an IN/OV. We did almost everything in the 2 day private StP tours in 1 long day (11 hours). So, for us, that would be an OK trade off for DCL. But, for 5, it's definitely not an option. The extra day in StP will be a bonus on NCL. Plus, my teens might like the extra sports like ropes course and different entertainment on NCL. We loved the entertainment on the Epic a few years ago.

 

[cruiser21]

yes 7 night. I would still do the 7 nighter on DCL if I had 4 and could do an IN/OV. We did almost everything in the 2 day private StP tours in 1 long day (11 hours). So, for us, that would be an OK trade off for DCL. But, for 5, it's definitely not an option. The extra day in StP will be a bonus on NCL. Plus, my teens might like the extra sports like ropes course and different entertainment on NCL. We loved the entertainment on the Epic a few years ago.

I've got 4 cruises on my radar.
EBTA-dcl
WBTA-dcl
British Isles-DCl
Baltic-NCL
I'm really not sure what we'll do. I'm sure I'll change my a dozen or so times over the next 6 months.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We have only done DCL for Transatlantic cruises. For the port intensive cruises, Baltic, Norway, British Isles, or Mediterranean, we have done other cruise lines, primarily because of the cost. We have never had a bad cruise!

 

[ldo]

the Baltics are amazing. But, add in $250PP for 2 day StP excursion. Worth every cent, imho, but does push the budget up. we are planning to fly back via Iceland air and spend 2 days in there.

 

[Luvmypetz]

Will anyone reach out to their DU TA when RCL releases their 2018 itineraries? Will drop DCL Norway/Iceland 2018 if itinerary similar w/less cost.

 

[ckelly14]

Will anyone reach out to their DU TA when RCL releases their 2018 itineraries? Will drop DCL Norway/Iceland 2018 if itinerary similar w/less cost.

I booked my Disney cruise through DU, but may just call Royal myself and see what it looks like. I probably won't bother her unless I want to book.

Honestly, I rather do everything myself, but the $450 on board credit for Disney is hard to pass up.

There's no question that the Disney balcony staterooms are the most inflated compared to other cruise lines. Unfortunately, my wife will not go on a cruise without a balcony.

 

[mevelandry]

I booked my Disney cruise through DU, but may just call Royal myself and see what it looks like. I probably won't bother her unless I want to book.

Honestly, I rather do everything myself, but the $450 on board credit for Disney is hard to pass up.

There's no question that the Disney balcony staterooms are the most inflated compared to other cruise lines. Unfortunately, my wife will not go on a cruise without a balcony.

Give Royal a call. I have found that when I call cruise lines to inquire for back-up plans, they can go out of their ways to find a deal.

 

[ckelly14]

I know the rest of Europe has not been released yet, but I booked Symphony of the Seas, round trip from Barcelona, with 2 connecting staterooms for a total of 4 people for $6300. This is compared to Disney where I have 4 people in one stateroom for $9800. I like the Disney itinerary much better so I'll probably bite the bullet and keep that cruise, but man, what a difference....

 

[bobbiwoz]

the Baltics are amazing. But, add in $250PP for 2 day StP excursion. Worth every cent, imho, but does push the budget up. we are planning to fly back via Iceland air and spend 2 days in there.

So are we, spending 2 nights in Iceland!

 

[Hubie]

Our 2016 Norway Fjord cruise with DCL we paid $5310.28 for cabin 6088 w/veranda. We also had $100 ship credit for having Disney Visa Card and $150 for booking through our travel agent, but we booked the trip while on the Wonder cruising through the Panama Canal. The key is to book while on board DCL ship for 10% discount and extra ship board credit. Our 2017 Northern Europe cruise with DCL for 6th floor room with veranda is $7024.96. Again we booked while on board the Magic on the Norway cruise.