Is Disney starting to slack compared to other cruises?

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I've been on other cruise lines, and they are nothing compared to Disney in organization and kid-friendliness. For example, RCL closes the pool, kids club, rock wall, etc. and are only open during certain hours (which makes for LONG lines). Disney's kid's club, pool, etc. are for the most part, open all day, and into the night. Carnival has zero for kids under 2. Disney is coming out with a couple new ships, and I'm sure they will be more interactive, but won't be closing hours like other lines.

We just finished our first Royal Caribbean cruise (after 4 on DCL) on Anthem of the Seas and the pools were open late into the night.
I am doing a DCL v. Anthem comparison and I just reviewed the pool section with some pics and you can see there are pics taken when it's dark outside, it was just last week so it's not that it got dark at 7.
I was up there around 10 pm. I also saw a couple of people get into our elevator once with pool towels as we were going to our room at 11 pm and I actually asked them if the pools were open? They said "oh yeah".
Maybe this is Anthem specific but the pools did not close early.
Kids clubs only closed for lunch and dinner but technically they were not closed as during those times they had children in their "Adenture dining" care which I will explain when I do the kids' clubs comparison on my thread.
I'm not saying DCL doesn't excel in kid programming at all, but Royal's program is catching up.
And I believe that at least on the newer RC ships the pools are far superior to what DCL has at the moment.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I agree with you. Nothing beats DCL when it come to kids. People think their kids will out grow it, but the teen clubs on DCL are just as good. If the other cruiselines would keep their teen clubs open all the time like DCL my kids would like them just as much as or maybe more then DCL. The teen clubs on Carnival are very good except for the hours. Teens need a hangout place where they can come and go at all hours and DCL is the only cruiseline I know of that offers that. Most of them keep the clubs open from 7pm to 1am. Now if you have a teen that doesn't like the clubs there is probably more to do on the other ships especially the mega ships with all the activities.

As far as everything else goes food, service etc. I don't think DCL is any better or worse. It just cost more.

We just got off Anthem of the Seas (a week ago) and we were hanging out with a family who had teens in the teen club. They were open until at least 1 if not 2 am.

 

[LSUfan4444]

The demographics on CArnival not much different then DCL

I respectfully 100% wholeheartedly disagree. It's as different as Pop Century is to the Polynesian.

 

[cruiser21]

I respectfully 100% wholeheartedly disagree. It's as different as Pop Century is to the Polynesian.

That was not my experience on my Carnival cruises. Based on my experience I disagree.

 

[LSUfan4444]

The Carnival clientele differs much from from class to class among the ships than does DCL. The clientele you will find on a 4 nights aboard a ship in the triumph class from new orleans is much different than the clientele you will find on a ship from the vista or conquest class. What ship did you sail on?

The cost alone prices the cruise lines to different demographics.

 

[cruiser21]

The Carnival clientele differs much from from class to class among the ships than does DCL. The clientele you will find on a 4 nights aboard a ship in the triumph class from new orleans is much different than the clientele you will find on a ship from the vista or conquest class. What ship did you sail on?

The cost alone prices the cruise lines to different demographics.

I think everyone knows that. They have 20+ ships. They market each ship differently, and I think it's a good business plan. DCL has 4 ships they do one thing and one thing only. Their newer ships were designed for families. Especially the Vista and Horizon.I think that's pretty evident with the family harbor area. I hear people on cruise critic complaining all the time about the number of kids onboard. Kids=parents=grandparents which means it's similar to DCL. I cruised on the Breeze twice when it was new. The demographics were very similar to what I've experienced on DCL. I know Carnival has certain ships that are geared toward the younger crowd. Instead of always criticizing Carnival. Why don't people try one of Carnivals newer ships. They might be pleasantly surprised.
I got off the Disney Dream last month and I saw some pretty unclassy people. I witnessed a guy yelling at guest services about God knows what telling them he'd spent plenty of time in jail and they could lock him up if they wanted. I saw another family that had the full on gangster look going. I won't go into detail on that. Lets not forget the guy that decided to jump off the boat AKA "that only happens on Carnival". Obviously if your going to go on a cheap short cruise on any cruiseline it's going to be a different crowd.

 

[cruiser21]

We just got off Anthem of the Seas (a week ago) and we were hanging out with a family who had teens in the teen club. They were open until at least 1 if not 2 am.

The problem I've experience on Carnival and NCL was the clubs not being open during the day on port days. If you get back on the ship at 2pm the kids have no where to go until 7pm. My kids still enjoyed Carnival and NCL, but they like DCL better because the teen clubs are always open. It won't stop us from cruising on the other lines, but it is worth mentioning.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

The problem I've experience on Carnival and NCL was the clubs not being open during the day on port days. If you get back on the ship at 2pm the kids have no where to go until 7pm. My kids still enjoyed Carnival and NCL, but they like DCL better because the teen clubs are always open. It won't stop us from cruising on the other lines, but it is worth mentioning.

I believe Anthem's teen clubs were open in port, I have the Teen Activity Schedule from our sailing and it shows it was open from 11 am on the 2 days we were in Bermuda.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

The problem I've experience on Carnival and NCL was the clubs not being open during the day on port days. If you get back on the ship at 2pm the kids have no where to go until 7pm. My kids still enjoyed Carnival and NCL, but they like DCL better because the teen clubs are always open. It won't stop us from cruising on the other lines, but it is worth mentioning.

We were very disappointed when we were last on the dcl fantasy that the kids club was not open for secured programming until 5pm on two back to back castaway cay days.

 

[cruiser21]

I believe Anthem's teen clubs were open in port, I have the Teen Activity Schedule from our sailing and it shows it was open from 11 am on the 2 days we were in Bermuda.

That is good to know. I would like to try one of their newer ships. I've sailed on them once, but it was pre-kids 20 years ago.

We were very disappointed when we were last on the dcl fantasy that the kids club was not open for secured programming until 5pm on two back to back castaway cay days.

I know the the Edge opens at 2pm on CC days. It's been 3 years since I've had a kid in the kids clubs. That's too bad they opened so late. It's nice when teens have a place to hang out other then the stateroom. There is nothing worse than a bored teenager.

 

[mevelandry]

I respectfully 100% wholeheartedly disagree. It's as different as Pop Century is to the Polynesian.

I'd like to know what is the difference in demographic between those two?

 

[mevelandry]

The problem I've experience on Carnival and NCL was the clubs not being open during the day on port days. If you get back on the ship at 2pm the kids have no where to go until 7pm.

*Side note: It's not a critic but a question...*

How about spending some times with their parents? Isn't it what family vacations are about? I feel like all I'm reading are complaints about kids clubs hours...

I'm asking because when I was young, when we went on a family vacation it was meant to spend some time together...

 

[NewYorkcruiser]

*Side note: It's not a critic but a question...*

How about spending some times with their parents? Isn't it what family vacations are about? I feel like all I'm reading are complaints about kids clubs hours...

I'm asking because when I was young, when we went on a family vacation it was meant to spend some time together...

We rent a beach front condo almost every summer in Ocean City, MD. ♡♡♡♡ We love OC, but we are with each other every waking moment (and sometimes sleeping moments too) for 8 days. We booked our first DCL trip for this coming December. The first thing I shouted to my kids (11 and 6) was that you were going to spend time in the kids clubs. I love spending time with them on vacation, but I also get tired of not be able to fully relax because I'm alway on guard of where they are and are they safe. If the kids like cruising, I plan to book more purely for the option of having kid care alone. Oh...but not giving up my week in OC. There's nothing like a boardwalk in the summer.

 

[cruiser21]

*Side note: It's not a critic but a question...*

How about spending some times with their parents? Isn't it what family vacations are about? I feel like all I'm reading are complaints about kids clubs hours...

I'm asking because when I was young, when we went on a family vacation it was meant to spend some time together...

We eat dinner together, and go ashore together. There is not a whole lot to do with a teen on a cruise ship. I just did Cruise/WDW with my youngest teen. We were together at WDW every minute and on the cruise I saw him for 30 minutes at Dinner. What we like about cruising is that we can each do what we want when we want. It's a safe place for kids and teens to have some independence.
I personally think it's sad if you have to go on vacation to have family time. What do families do the other 51 weeks of the year? Also families aren't smiles and giggles all the time. There's fighting, stress, drama and tons of challenges. I started aging in dog years as soon as I had kids. Cruising is a great way to decompress, relax and spend sometime alone.

 

[cadien]

Carnival does market themselves as one big frat party. I agree their actual passenger base is more diverse but they did create the image.

 

[Bethany10]

I started aging in dog years as soon as I had kids.

LOVE this and am totally stealing it for day to day use.

to the topic of kids in clubs, I would agree with what others have said. While I hope to see them more than 30 minutes at dinner, I would like for them to be able to do what they want to do while on the ship. My 11 year old (12 at the time of the trip) is getting more and more independence. I want her to be able to do what she wants to do (of course within reason) it's her trip trip too.

 

[cadien]

*Side note: It's not a critic but a question...*

How about spending some times with their parents? Isn't it what family vacations are about? I feel like all I'm reading are complaints about kids clubs hours...

I'm asking because when I was young, when we went on a family vacation it was meant to spend some time together...

It really depends on the family. I do know many parents whose work hours and commutes mean they see their kids for maybe just 30 minutes during the week, or not at all depending on how early bedtime is. And there are many parents who work weekends of course. Actual shift work like retail or medicine, not just voluntarily spending more time at the office. So they really do have to leave town in order to spend time together.

On the other hand, our son was home with a parent for his first four years. One big appeal of taking him on a cruise when he was 3 was the kids club, especially since he's super social. And it was so nice for someone else to do the literal running around with him and let DH and I spend some quiet time together. We worked opposite shifts so we each got all kinds of time with our son but little with each other. So it's nice that you can go either way with a cruise -- hang out together or separately.

 

[mevelandry]

Carnival does market themselves as one big frat party. I agree their actual passenger base is more diverse but they did create the image.

But it could change. Some itineraries are already more relaxed than others. Also, they are clearly going in a different direction from now on:

"Carnival Cruise Line identifies their target customers as those who like to live life to the fullest, look at the glass as half full, feel comfortable in their own skin and make their own fun. Carnival Cruise Line’s cruises have a broad appeal to families, couples, singles, and seniors and carried more than 730,000 children in 2016."

Source: http://www.carnivalcorp.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=200767&p=irol-products


"BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY
OUT TO PLAY.

Looking for a fun vacation for everyone in your family? Better yet, how about a vacation with basically everything included in the price? From dining and accommodations to entertainment and kids' stuff, we've got you totally covered.

There's something for everyone. And, in terms of fun family activities, you'll be all set.

• Onboard Fun: Serenity adult only area to Twister Waterslide to mini golf, even a seaside theater.

• Kids' Activities: Ages 2–17, kids and teens get a fun-filled, age-appropriate, supervised time of their life.

• Amazing Dining: Casual to elegant, pizza to surf and turf, there's literally something for everyone.

• Entertainment: Chill on the Lido deck or catch a show. Day or night, there's always something fun to do.

• Destinations: Island-hop between places and adventures most kids and adults only dream of."

Source: https://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/specials/family-cruising.aspx


Also, here:

"The name Carnival Horizon not only reflects the ship's unique connection with the sea with so many spectacular indoor and outdoor spaces but also the boundless array of options that guests of all ages are sure to enjoy," said line president Christine Duffy in a press release."

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...carnival-horizon-new-ship-20160729-story.html

 

[RedSox68]

I've been on Carnival and people respected eac other. Didn't meet any obnoxious people. The only time I've heard screaming on a cruise is on DCL and it's always some kid throwing a tantrum. I'm not sure why you think Carnival is like one big frat party. The demographics on CArnival not much different then DCL. In fact school breaks they have over 1k kids on many cruises. My definition of bores is nothing like what you stated.

We have met far more obnoxious drunks in 10 Disney cruises than we met on any other cruise line

 

[RedSox68]

We eat dinner together, and go ashore together. There is not a whole lot to do with a teen on a cruise ship. I just did Cruise/WDW with my youngest teen. We were together at WDW every minute and on the cruise I saw him for 30 minutes at Dinner. What we like about cruising is that we can each do what we want when we want. It's a safe place for kids and teens to have some independence.
I personally think it's sad if you have to go on vacation to have family time. What do families do the other 51 weeks of the year? Also families aren't smiles and giggles all the time. There's fighting, stress, drama and tons of challenges. I started aging in dog years as soon as I had kids. Cruising is a great way to decompress, relax and spend sometime alone.

THIS -- since we started cruising when my daughter was 9, she has loved going off on her own to the clubs and meeting us for dinner. As she got older, she would go off after breakfast -- sit around the ship and draw or read, go to a movie, etc., and meet us back at the room by a certain time for show and dinner. We don't feel like we're not getting enough family time because we are still all together in the same place and sharing our experience at dinner. I love it.