IF not DCL, what cruise line?

[rae519]

Many of us are disappointed by the attitude taken by Disney during the 9/4/04 - full refund to those who were forced to cancel, multiple benefits to those who were able to continue the cruise.

After attempting to rebook - those of us who have spoken to DCL Supervisors, have been told that we would have to pay the prevailing rate with no discounts (like those we get when we rebook).

A few people have asked me what cruise line I'd use if not Disney. After 4 years of loyalty to Disney, this is hard but I see no loyalty in Disney to it's repeat customers.

Question: Which non-DCL cruise line have you used and do you recommend it?

Rae

 

[HumanCookie]

Royal Carribean is good too.

 

[ppiew]

I don't necessarily agree with your stance, but you are certainly entitled to your opinion. After cruises on NCL, RCI, SS, and DCL, I have to say that Disney (with kids) is STILL our favorite. It is the larger staterooms and split baths that sell me. SS is magnificent if you don't have children with you. NCL and RCI were somewhat 'rundown' for my taste and the staterooms incredibly tiny. I may be one of the few, but I also didn't think that their food was that great either. Reboarding these ships after shore time was very very lengthy and truly exasperating after the quick reentry with DCL.
I am sorry you are unhappy with the rebooking cost, but I guess it is impossible to satisfy the wishes of everyone, no matter how hard one tries. If you have no other concerns about the DCL cruises, I would certainly reconsider after a brief time and the clouds clear!

 

[CamColt]

I thought I had heard people on the cancelled & shortened cruises were receiving a voucher for 25% off another cruise. Is that not true?

As for other cruise lines, we just got back from a cruise on the Norwegian Majesty. While it wasnt DCL, neither was the price. For what the cruise cost, I thought it was great!

Good luck in your choice.

 

[Minybear]

We just got back Saturday from Holland America Cruiseline and while we were on board we missed the Disney service. We missed the contact with our cabin steward. Missed good conversations with our table servers and little things that Disney does for their guests. Of course HAL is not disney but if you have only cruised with Disney (in my opinion and please don't fame me) it would be hard not to compare the other cruiselines to the good service of Disney.

Now I am not going to recommend HAL due to on our Alaska trip majority of their guests was senior citizens.

I know rae519 that you are upset on how Disney treated you on rebooking due to the hurricane and you have a good right to be angry. In my opinion they should have given you the same price you were already getting to rebook within September. There shouldn't have been a pentalty to their guests on the not 1 hurricane but 2 hurricanes. Sorry to learn on how Disney treated you and due to that fact you are considering looking into going on another cruiseline due to their attitude. (just my 2 cents worth).

Minybear

 

[disneyfreakk]

what is SS ?

 

[ppiew]

SS is SILVERSEA. They have 4 relatively small ships: Wind, Cloud, Whisper, and Shadow. Have cruised them 3 times and it is truly awesome! Staterooms are almost 400 sq st. gratuities, and booze, included in price, service is second to none, food is great. HOWEVER, there are rarely any children on board because there are no childrens programs, menu's, entertainment. Definitely caters to the adult crowd. Excellent choice if looking for an 'adult only' type cruise.

 

[jkovick]

I have sailed on DCL, RCCL and Carnival. All are different and all have their good points. DCL has better shows, RCCL has better food, Carnival has a great price and 24-7 activities. All different experiences but all good ones. I do prefer RCCL over Carnival because their atmosphere and activities ate a little more low key.

 

[HumanCookie]

Minybear,

We were on RCI (Serenade of the Seas) last August 15-22. We had a wonderful time.

There were about 350 children on board. One night, some of the children were dressed as pirates and they paraded on stage singing. It was a blast.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

I've cruised on Royal Caribbean, both on the Voyager-class and Radiance-class ships. While it's a different atmosphere from DCL, I still enjoyed it quite a bit. On RCCL's newer ships, the staterooms are about the same size as comparable categories on DCL. I've never cruised with kids, so I can't really say how these ships would be for them, but they seemed to have a lot to do. As others have posted, I don't feel that they police the 'adults only' areas as well as DCL.

Anyway, I've also cruised HAL, Princess, and Windstar, and while each are a different product, there are things I like (and dislike) about all of them. In my experience, RCCL comes closest to the DCL atmosphere, so I'd start there when looking for an alternative to DCL.

 

[dclwdwlover]

Haven't tried either one, Rae, but I am told by several people that the newer ships of the Princess line is the closest to DCL. The 2nd most favorable one I've heard great reports on is the newest RCL ships.

 

[mrsltg]

Hi Rae-

Give NCL a shot. I really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere. If you don't want too much of a change from DCL, choose one of NCL's newer ships. You're going to get a much better price from NCL and freestyle dining was a nice touch!

Erin

 

[outahere]

Rae.........

If you go on another cruise line, you probably won't get the orange/mango soup or all the shrimp you can get your hands on.

Back to your question........... the only other ship I've been on was NCL's SS Norway. Unfortunately, she is no longer cruising, because I thought the service, food and overall atmosphere were great. We have friends who have sailed on RCI's Voyager class ships and thought they were very good. They don't have any kids, so they don't have any info there.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Ed

 

[rae519]

After so many Disney cruises, I really feel disloyal to even talk about another line but still it has been a very disappointing experience with DCL in how this past week was handled.

No, those who cancelled the cruise on 9/4 received ONLY a full refund. You could rebook at the current prevailing rate without a penalty (meaning if you wanted to sail next week and it was $500 more than you paid for your 9/4 cruise, you'd have to pay the difference).

(It is the general concensus among those of us who had to cancel due to the Hurricane, that we all want to be treated fair and equally. No one is expecting to get something that the others aren't.)

Disney is NOT listening to us. I highly doubt if even the travel agencies have any input with their high volume, but to read about what the other cruise lines have done for their clients....well, it is very disappointing.

I want to thank everyone for their input - it was ALWAYS the CM's that made the Magic - MAGICAL for us - without them, it could never be the same.

Rae

 

[sstucush]

Rae,

We also cancelled the 9/4/04 Magic. I was anxious to get my kids on a cruise ASAP so I just booked RCCL Explorer of the Seas for May 2005. I don't want to pull my kids out of school any more so there was nothing for us on DCL from the East coast within the next year or so.

My vast cruising experience consists of one magical Magic cruise but I can tell you why I chose RCCL. The big Voyager class ships have skating (ice and inline), a rock climbing wall, mini-golf and the Adventure Ocean kids club compares favorably with DCL in reviews. I booked a Jr. Suite which looks similar in size to a Cat.4 on the Magic.

I am a diehard Disney fan but I'm sure we will enjoy our RCCL cruise. It will be a new cruising adventure and I will try not to compare it to our great DCL cruise. It will be great, just different.

Why don't you join us on the Explorer and we can start a new cruise meet thread on the Cruise Critic board!

 

[CamColt]

Ah, thanks for clarifyng. Again, Im sorry this is happening to you. Hope you are able to have a magical cruise with whatever you choose.

 

[Kitster]

I've been on 2 different Windjammer Barefoot cruises and loved them both.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by sstucush
Rae,

We also cancelled the 9/4/04 Magic. I was anxious to get my kids on a cruise ASAP so I just booked RCCL Explorer of the Seas for May 2005. .

Why don't you join us on the Explorer and we can start a new cruise meet thread on the Cruise Critic board!

What's the date of your cruise? Sounds wonderful!
You can pm me if you'd like!!

CamColt - without running it into the ground, it still bothers me that DCL was dangling the carrot in front of the donkey when the situation in FL was so dangerous and uncertain and remains so for many without homes, power, etc.

We live with tornado weather so I can empathize since 3 months ago our town was hit HARD by several in one night. Many friends were homeless, others without power, and still others just glad to have made it out alive and safe. Worst part was the "lookie loos" who made local traffic a nightmare - emergency vehicles had difficulty getting around, etc. The last thing anyone needed to do was entice someone to come here! Same in Florida - the last people who should have been on the highways and in the air were tourists.

Rae

 

[Mary Anne]

My husband and I have been crusing 25 plus years, I even cruised before that.

Hands down, my favorite line was the old Home Lines. Long gone. Shrimp 3 times a day; lobster 7 nights. Midnight buffets. Those days are long gone on all ship lines.

Personally we enjoy Disney but we also like Holland America and Celebrity.

I just came off the extended 8/28 cruise. I learned a lot on that cruise. No way would I sail more then 7 days in a row. 7 days you come home wanting one more day; by the time I got off the ship yesterday, I truly no longer had any desire to cruise ever again. Yes, we were treated wonderful, I have nothing but good things to say, but bottom line, we doubt we'd sail with Disney again for a long time. Our kids are older and even my oldest said, Mom, there is nothing for me after next year on Disney. I don't want to go back again till I'm way over 21.

We too will be seeking out other lines and seeing what they offer for older Teens/young adults and DH and myself.

 

[rae519]

Thanks Mary Anne for that great story giving both sides. My Mom (75) said something similiar after only 3 cruises - "What's left?"

I am sure you know that we were all glad for you to get those extra days but were concerned for your safety and wellbeing.
Glad you made back to NY okay! NY is home for me also and like Dorothy, there's NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

Rae