Royal Caribbean v. Disney

[wombat_5606]

I think the free soda on DCL is watered down too. I don't drink soft drinks very often and anytime I got one from the self serve machine, it was horrible.

Frankly, I think choosing a cruise based on free soft drinks is wacky.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

Isn't what we are really talking about here, the experience? It's no different than for amusement parks. There are many other amusement parks in the world other than Disney World, and many with some very fun rides. But there's that something Disney World has that makes it a little more special. Doesn't mean you can't have fun at any other park, but Disney has that something extra that makes you feel like you had a great vacation. Same thing with cruise ships. There are other cruise lines that you can go and have a great time on, no question. But there's that little something extra on DCL ships the others don't have. Not to oversimplify, but that's really what it boils down to.

 

[ldo]

Isn't what we are really talking about here, the experience?
That's it exactly for us! And, sometimes, we're OK with a different (aka not as good, IMHO) experience, esp. if it's a very port intensive cruise, like Europe. We are just having this debate at our house and you summned up what we were thinking. RCCL (NCL, Princess, Celeb) is a fine cruise, just not the DCL experience.

 

[wombat_5606]

Isn't what we are really talking about here, the experience? It's no different than for amusement parks. There are many other amusement parks in the world other than Disney World, and many with some very fun rides. But there's that something Disney World has that makes it a little more special. Doesn't mean you can't have fun at any other park, but Disney has that something extra that makes you feel like you had a great vacation. Same thing with cruise ships. There are other cruise lines that you can go and have a great time on, no question. But there's that little something extra on DCL ships the others don't have. Not to oversimplify, but that's really what it boils down to.

The only thing that they have is Mickey and other characters. What else is there, in your opinion?

You can have a great time anywhere and on any cruise. Disney only has their decor and the characters that inspire it. Nothing wrong with that.

All of these threads that have people jumping ship and despairing of the prices pertains to the constant dialogue that this is the best cruise line. Fewer and fewer people think that way. The people that still believe in that have some misplaced animosity against the ones who voice their opinion.

 

[mevelandry]

Isn't what we are really talking about here, the experience? It's no different than for amusement parks. There are many other amusement parks in the world other than Disney World, and many with some very fun rides. But there's that something Disney World has that makes it a little more special. Doesn't mean you can't have fun at any other park, but Disney has that something extra that makes you feel like you had a great vacation. Same thing with cruise ships. There are other cruise lines that you can go and have a great time on, no question. But there's that little something extra on DCL ships the others don't have. Not to oversimplify, but that's really what it boils down to.

I agree but I find that the opposite is also true:

Some other cruise lines have something that DCL doesn't have...

Like Non-Disney musical revues, casinos, adult comedy shows... (DH and I love it!)

 

[KashasMom]

Isn't what we are really talking about here, the experience? It's no different than for amusement parks. There are many other amusement parks in the world other than Disney World, and many with some very fun rides. But there's that something Disney World has that makes it a little more special. Doesn't mean you can't have fun at any other park, but Disney has that something extra that makes you feel like you had a great vacation. Same thing with cruise ships. There are other cruise lines that you can go and have a great time on, no question. But there's that little something extra on DCL ships the others don't have. Not to oversimplify, but that's really what it boils down to.

There is a very small, tiny bit of that "something" but honestly we've never had that unparalleled service, etc. that some people think only happens on Disney. In fact, our dining room service (both in terms of team AND food) on 3 Disney cruises has not lived up to what we've experienced on other cruise lines (certainly no where near how people rave). There is just not enough of that "something" to justify 3X the price! I'd rather have my character fix at WDW!

 

[mom4fun]

We have booked 2 cruises for 2018. One is with Disney in January on a Southern Caribbean and one on Freedom of the Seas for an Eastern, which I consider more like a Southern itinerary, that is during our spring break that falls over Easter. Disney is not an option for us over Easter because of the cost and quite honestly the itineraries being offered. We only intend to keep one of these. All things considered, they are basically going to cost us the same. I would definitely pick Disney but I really prefer to go on spring break. Has anyone been on Freedom of the Seas? All I ever hear about are the Royal Caribbean newer ships. What would you do?

 

[mevelandry]

I'd love to book RCCL Anthem (Bermuda) for June 2018 but they only have their schedule until may. Does anybody when summer dates will be released?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bree]

We have booked 2 cruises for 2018. One is with Disney in January on a Southern Caribbean and one on Freedom of the Seas for an Eastern, which I consider more like a Southern itinerary, that is during our spring break that falls over Easter. Disney is not an option for us over Easter because of the cost and quite honestly the itineraries being offered. We only intend to keep one of these. All things considered, they are basically going to cost us the same. I would definitely pick Disney but I really prefer to go on spring break. Has anyone been on Freedom of the Seas? All I ever hear about are the Royal Caribbean newer ships. What would you do?

Love the Freedom class ships. Their size is comparable to the Fantasy. The flow rider is a blast and the ice show is just awesome. They have open skate time so bring long pants! Their buffet Windjammer is open at night as a buffet and there is a different theme each night. I love that there is always a pool and hot tub open 24/7. They play movies on deck at night just like DCL. The kids clubs aren't as fancy as DCL, but I find the kids get more one on one attention with RCCL.

 

[ldo]

We have been on 2 sister ships of Freedom. Lots to do and I love the promenade area with the fun pizza parlor, coffee bar, etc. The Freedoms are a great price compared to the newer RCCL. You'll be happy on it. The ice show is great-we usually go back the last day without a ticket to see it again. DH and I usually pay for 3 nights of upgraded dining for the nights that we don't like the menus for the MDR. Our teens just eat in the buffet on those nights (which is quite good). My older teens loved the flow rider and climbing wall.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

We have been on 2 sister ships of Freedom. Lots to do and I love the promenade area with the fun pizza parlor, coffee bar, etc. The Freedoms are a great price compared to the newer RCCL. You'll be happy on it. The ice show is great-we usually go back the last day without a ticket to see it again. DH and I usually pay for 3 nights of upgraded dining for the nights that we don't like the menus for the MDR. Our teens just eat in the buffet on those nights (which is quite good). My older teens loved the flow rider and climbing wall.

Glad to hear that you like the Freedom class. The Freedom of the Seas is our next cruise. We've been on both the Explorer and the Navigator (one class earlier than the Freedom) and enjoyed the promenade on both of those ships. A little concerned with the additional size of the Freedom but I'm sure we'll find a way to cope.

We don't usually do the extra fee dining but I'm seriously considering booking the BOGO offer for the first 2 nights (pay $30 and get to eat at both Giovanni's and Chops) and then booking Sabor at 20% off for another night.