Serious Decision DCL or RCCL??

[BriarRose3]

Looking for opinions for helping to make our 1st cruise plans Dec 2015. I'm devouring the loads of great board posts regarding both. I seem to only be more conflicted in making the right decision for our family of 5. DH, DDs 17, 8, DS 10.
Because we're cruising over the holidays I know price is more for both but bottom line does anyone know a ballpark percentage difference between the 2 ? Honestly a DCL has been my dream but feel I owe it to the rest of my family to consider both.
Feel free to share your thoughts here. Thanks!

 

[stsomewhere]

We use to sail DCL once a year. But, they have been getting more expensive. We decided to try other lines. We can sail 2 or 3 times a year for our family of four.


We look at dates, cost, ports, and length. The longer cruises always win.

My kids are 15 and 13. They don't want to rock climb, ice skate, or surf on a cruise. They just want to hang out with other teens.

Last year , we booked NCL for a 10 night southern Carbbiena cruise( over Christmas and NYE). It was half the price of a 7 night Fantasy cruise over one of the holidays and less than a 4 night cruise on Magic or Dream.

We just booked a 11 night on NCL for the holidays again this year. It is a lot cheaper.

Royal Caribbean is offering 3rd and 4th free on select cruises .

I just sailed on RC Liberty of the Seas last week. I had a great time. There were things about the ship that I liked and things that I did not.

We sail on Carnival Liberty next month.

 

[pepe3penelope]

We've gone on two DCL cruises and were hooked but it's been getting so crazy expensive every year. For example the same cruise last year for the same cabin is $1300 more this year! We are booked for next spring beak but it's soooo expensive. For four people category 8D (Fantasy eastern caribbean deluxe family ocean view NO balcony) with my travel agent was $6600.

Booked and made deposit yesterday on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas because of 3rd and 4th passengers free!!! Junior Suite (large room with large balcony, priority check in, bathrobes) for $4300. Booked thru my travel agent thru AAA so got a few extra perks.

Hope that helps and good luck!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[drb116]

It really depends on your family, but based on the ages you said, RCL may be a great option.

I have been on both, and this is just my opinion, but in general, I find better adult and older kids activities on RCL and better kids and family activities on DCL. The reason why we choose Disney is for the family activities, which I think are somewhat lacking on RCL.

By family, I mean that there are a lot of things that I can go to with my 6 year old son and enjoy. Things like super sloppy science, anyone can cook, projects, drawing classes, Disney trivia, etc. You will see variations of these on RCL, but they are not designed for 6 year olds.

I would take a look at activities and figure out which things you can see yourself doing and make your decision there.