I can't make up my mind!!Help!!

[jennamonster]

The real problem is the price. We really want to go on a DCL cruise with our 3 kids (11,5,4 months) in June 07, but the cost is incredible. My husband and I have been on a RCL 7 day cruise and loved it. I'm torn... Go RCL for cheaper or spend the bucks and go DCL. My other concern is mainly for the baby. He won't be quite a year old when we go. Will RCL let us have 5 in a room, like DCL??? Is there a nursery on RCL? UGH!!!! I want everyone to have a great time. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[Colinsmom]

I haven't been on a cruise yet so can't tell you what is worth it, but we are planning a Royal Caribbean (RCL?) cruise in March with our two boys, and actually delayed our trip until after the youngest was over a year old. Royal Caribbean does not have a nursery for babies, and the in-room babysitting is only for babies who are at least a year BEFORE the start of the trip (this changed in the last month or so). So with a baby under a year, you have no choice on Royal Caribbean but to keep the baby with you at all times (or bring a babysitter along).

HTH a little!

 

[Love the Mouse]

I can't tell you what to do, because I know that Disney can be expensive. Have you tried some of the discount cruise sites? Sometimes Disney has some cruises on there.

As for DCL, I haven't taken a child on it. DH and I went before DD came along. The Disney Cruise was my 7th cruise...it was the BEST cruise that I have ever been on. We absolutely LOVED DCL. I have been on Carnival, Princess, The Disney Cruise (before it was "The Disney Cruise"...Primere's The Big Red Boat) and have to say that I enjoyed the DCL so, so much!

Cast Away Cay is Fabulous! If the ship just stayed at sea and went to Cast Away, I would be perfectly happy. I would recommend it to anyone.

That being said, yes it is expensive and that is what has prevented us from going again. We have a DVC and can use our points (which we are looking into for next year), but it will take up all of our points. So, we are teetering back and forth. But I know that DH would love to go, so we may have to bite the bullet and just spend the points.

Good luck in your decision. I know you will love the DCL though if you went.

Michaela

 

[HeatherC]

I can see how you are torn. We have taken our kids....ages 5, 8 and 10 on a couple of cruises over the last couple years. Unfortunately, due to the cost, we decided against Disney's cruise...although I'd love to try it.

We have gone on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas with the kids and they are still talking about it. THEY LOVED IT!!! The ship itself is gorgeous and there are tons of activities for the kids. They took ice skating lessons and my oldest tried the rock climbing wall. They also did inline skating and played mini golf....all in addition to the parties and festivities that are planned by the kids club. One night they had a pirate parade where the kids had their faces painted, made their own bandanas to wear and took over the ship. Very cute. We were very surprised, because my kids who were 3, 6 and 8 at the time did not want to leave the kids club. Even the little one who was in a separate group by herself than the other two were begging to go. We were amazed and actually had to say no a few times so we could spend time together as a family. Never thought that would happen with our kids.

Have also done the Carnival Victory with them. They had fun, but not as much as on the Navigator.

If you do decide on Royal Caribbean, I would suggest one of their "Voyager" Class ships ....Mariner of the Seas, Explorer, Liberty, Voyager, Navigator or Freedom. They are wonderful for families.

Also....another thing we loved was that you can get 2 adjoining cabins for your family for only a little more than cramming into one. You just leave the door open in between. This worked out great with the extra space and bathroom alone. We chose Promenade cabins that overlooked the Royal Promenade which the kids loved. I think overall it cost us less than $200 more to have the second cabin.

As I mentioned, I'd love to go on a Disney cruise. But when we were looking, the price was almost $7,500 for a week whereas Royal Caribbean cost us less than $4000 for all 5 of us. That is a big difference to us and allowed us to tack on an extra week at Disney World after the cruise. This was also over President's Week so I think the price was higher than too.

Whatever you decide, will be wonderful!!! Hope this helps you a little bit.

Have fun with your planning!!
HeatherC

 

[bgirl29]

A friend of mine has a boss that would take them on family cruises when her 3 children where younger and Royal Car. would let all 5 of them stay in one room. I think it was as long as the child was under 3 and you do have to ask for permission.

We too would love to take our 3 kids on a cruise but disney is so expensive.