Ohhhh how to choose & convince DH!

[Wes1stTrip2016]

2 adults / 1 child Oct 2017

8A on the Fantasy @ $4780 (love the double portholes - US VI & Castaway)

OR

RC Oasis with oversized ocean view balcony $3491 (Phillipsburg, Labadee & San Juan)

We've never sailed either, but DH is not sold on spending so much more and not get a balcony, so today my goal is to make a PRO/CON list on the 2 ships to present him tonight.

ANY AND ALL input is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[FigmentSpark]

How much more for a DCL verandah?

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

How much more for a DCL verandah?

I haven't asked my TA yet, as I figured it would be well out of reach, but I can check.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

How old is the child?

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

How old is the child?

He will be 6 1/2.

 

[tink1970]

That's a toughie...value is so very subjective.

So PRO/CON for DCL:

1) if your child is into Disney then there's that (characters, shows, on demand Disney movies in the rooms, 1st run Disney movies in the theater)
2) we've never done RCL so I'm not comparing but the DCL splash area and kids' clubs look like so much fun
3) in the same vein, the pools are nice if not overcrowded, so depending on your sailing that may be a pro (for DCL not against RCL!)
4) the ability to get a Mickey bar at dinner for dessert (& through room service)
5) the midship detective agency game (fun for the whole family)
6) the branding...what can I say that's so subjective and vague but...it's just an awesome space (sorry got vague)
7) CC-the perfect day for my family (according to my mother "this is my happy place")
8) (this may not be for you but I like the itinerary better)

CON
1) price
2) no verandah* (some folks are so busy they don't miss it; others like myself try but just can't sail without one)

The cons are pretty significant I admit. No doubt about it. Hard to put a price tag on "magic" (although Disney does a good job of that ). Good luck and I'm sure either cruise will be wonderful!

 

[DisneyPups]

I agree with the PP. It depends on your son's interest in Disney. I think the room itself will be fine, b/c you'll be out and about exploring. But if he has no interest in meeting Disney characters, watching Disney movies, or seeing Disney shows... go with the cheaper. There will be plenty to do.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

I agree with the PP. It depends on your son's interest in Disney. I think the room itself will be fine, b/c you'll be out and about exploring. But if he has no interest in meeting Disney characters, watching Disney movies, or seeing Disney shows... go with the cheaper. There will be plenty to do.

We were just at WDW in Feb and he absolutely loved it - best vacation we've had thus far! We did 3 character meals and he loved meeting all his favorites. He is an thrill seeker and rode every big ride the parks offered.

I've found that the Oasis has DreamWorks characters like Shrek and Kung Fu Panda which is pretty cool.

I've heard so many wonderful things about DCL's kids clubs which is a major pro and I would also like to see the 2 USVI ports as I know nothing of St Marteen or Haiti.

The struggle is real. LOL

I'm blessed this is the worst of the things I have to worry about today.

 

[DisneyPups]

Then it's ultimately what you want? I love Disney. I cruise for Disney... I don't cruise just to cruise. So to me, the upcharge is always worth it, b/c that's what I'm going for. I'll take a vacation to any of these places, if that's what I wanted. I have younger kids though, so Disney is also worth it for them. My last cruise, my DD was 3, but because it was a short cruise, we only accessed the open houses for the kids clubs. It was fun, but you would have to ask yourself if your son will be interested in leaving you to go to the club for the activities. Depends on personality.

My second question was going to be what you already answered... if DCL has the ports you want, then that answers your question right there. My parents have owned time share in St. Maarten for 25 years... it's gorgeous there. But if you're more interested in the USVI ports, and your husband is on the fence either way... I say go for Disney.

But hopefully someone can chime in on the Oasis who has gone with similar age children... b/c their clubs may be awesome too.

 

[Quellman]

I can only list some from my cruises with Disney with kids, have never sailed Oasis.

Disney Environment
Character meet and greets including a breakfast
Inclusive kids clubs
Top Notch Broadway Shows
Fireworks at Sea
Dedicated Kids, Family, Adult Areas
Rotational Dining with different menus each night
Pirate Dress up night
Optional formal/semi formal nights
Castaway Cay
Smaller more intimate ship
No Casino
Smoking only in designated areas
No liquor packages, but has a beer and wine package
Active meet and greet groups to include fish extenders
Disney movies in the theaters, on the pool deck, and on demand in your stateroom

 

[tink1970]

Are other things included in your quote? Because when I plugged in what I knew of your request (2A, 1 C age 8-approximated) for the DCL website it looked like the 7A (navigator's verandah, one of my favorites) were pricing at $4850 (10/7) or $4595 (10/21).

7As are awesome rooms IMHO. They are at the front or back of the ship but have never been unhappy with one. Of course, if someone needs to be in the middle for possible seasickness then they don't work as well. My first cruise was in rough seas and we were in a 7A. Fortunately DD was fine but I was for a night. Then all was

 

[disneymagicgirl]

If you want the best of both worlds you could use the savings by doing rccl and add a couple WDW days.
Otherwise I would do the dcl choice.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

If you want the best of both worlds you could use the savings by doing rccl and add a couple WDW days.
Otherwise I would do the dcl choice.

That would be an incredible idea, if only we didn't have to be back for school after the 7 night cruise.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

I can only list some from my cruises with Disney with kids, have never sailed Oasis.

Disney Environment
Character meet and greets including a breakfast
Inclusive kids clubs
Top Notch Broadway Shows
Fireworks at Sea
Dedicated Kids, Family, Adult Areas
Rotational Dining with different menus each night
Pirate Dress up night
Optional formal/semi formal nights
Castaway Cay
Smaller more intimate ship
No Casino
Smoking only in designated areas
No liquor packages, but has a beer and wine package
Active meet and greet groups to include fish extenders
Disney movies in the theaters, on the pool deck, and on demand in your stateroom

Fireworks at sea goes to the top of the PRO list - we love fireworks.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

That would be an incredible idea, if only we didn't have to be back for school after the 7 night cruise.

Oh bummer. Mine are missing 6days this year and 5 next. We planned around school breaks both years but they are only long weekends. I refuse to spend the money on holiday sailings so they don't miss any school.

 

[darnheather]

For your son Disney hands down. It's worth the extra IMHO.

 

[ChicosWife]

2 adults / 1 child Oct 2017

8A on the Fantasy @ $4780 (love the double portholes - US VI & Castaway)

OR

RC Oasis with oversized ocean view balcony $3491 (Phillipsburg, Labadee & San Juan)

We've never sailed either, but DH is not sold on spending so much more and not get a balcony, so today my goal is to make a PRO/CON list on the 2 ships to present him tonight.

ANY AND ALL input is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Remember, other cruise lines nickel and dime you for stuff that DCL includes, like drinks! Also, RC doesn't stop at Castaway Cay and that is paradise!!!! For Castaway Cay alone, it is worth the extra. Besides, how often are you really in the room anyway?

 

[Dakota Red]

Remember, other cruise lines nickel and dime you for stuff that DCL includes, like drinks!

But for $1200 less you can buy a drink package and still save money.

 

[tinkerone]

Remember, other cruise lines nickel and dime you for stuff that DCL includes, like drinks! Also, RC doesn't stop at Castaway Cay and that is paradise!!!! For Castaway Cay alone, it is worth the extra. Besides, how often are you really in the room anyway?

I've yet to find this. Yes, you have to pay for a drink package but If I'm paying $8 a day for soda I'm still ahead a ton of money. If you want to order room service in the night you pay a service fee, we have never had the urge to order food that late at night and if we did there are lots of items that can be picked up ourselves where as Disney does not have those options, you would have to order room service to get anything. I have yet to see anything else that they nickle and dime.

Have yet to sail on the Oasis (its coming) however the pluses would be my time dining (your not stuck to 5:45 or 8:30), the adult solarium (it looks amazing!), the pools look bigger, the quick meal options are more diverse, buffet open 24 hours a day.

Don't get me wrong, I love DCL but just can no longer think of it as the only option. The fireworks are less than 3 minutes so I'm not going to pay $$$ for that. I do love their movie theaters however if they weren't there I would do something else that would not keep me indoors. The rotational dinning is a plus but then your stuck to your meal time. Its the one thing I think I will miss, the dinning rooms.

Good luck with your choice and happy cruising.

 

[ChicosWife]

I think you get what you pay for. Nobody beats Disney's quality and NOBODY else has Castaway Cay. This makes the extra cost worth it to me, IMHO.