** The Official Priced Out Thread **

[soniam]

Celebrity I would not have taken our daughter on, she grew up on DCL. Saying that I thought DCL did ok for her, but there was a lot of screen time especially on the Fantasy which I am not a fan of for kids.

RCCL seems to have a lot to offer with ice skating (some ships), rock wall, flow rider, etc. I wish we would have tried RCCL when our daughter was younger, but can’t turn back the clock, and having anther kid is no longer an option for us.

As far as kids go I think it is between RCCL and DCL. Celebrity did open my eyes to food quality, RCCL could up its game too to match its sister line in food quality.

We are thrifty cruisers and wouldn’t pay for Remy or specialty resteraunts on any line.

To be fair I have always said we aren’t Disney fans, DCL just happened to be our first 12 cruises, so the Disney brand adds zero for us. I know that is not the case for the majority that sail DCL.

Our son isn't big into sports; he likes computers. So DCL fits hims well. I know that RCCL is great for very active kids. I am a Disney fan, but I cruised RCCL before DCL. We don't do a lot of the Disney stuff though, like meet and greets or some of the shows. We really like the movie theater. We thought we would do 1 and done on DCL due to the pricing; however, we have our 3rd booked. That's only 3 in 6 years; whereas, we go WDW or Disneyland at least once a year. I think we will end up doing RCCL for Alaska though. I really want to do a one-way, so that we can spend time on land. DCL doesn't currently offer that

 

[KashasMom]

One thing that you didn't mention is the kid factor. We did Celebrity as adults in April and loved it. I don't think I would do any other cruise line, except maybe some of the even higher end ones, as adults ever again. However, when we take our son, I really do like DCL. There are just so many things for him to do. We did RCCL with him almost 10 years ago, so things have changed. I am sure it's much better now, but it may not live up to DCL, at least for the activities that our son likes. We didn't really check out the kids stuff on Celebrity, because it was rarely open. There weren't very many kids in April, since school is in. I don't think he would have enjoyed the activities as much though. We absolutely love Remy, and that's a huge selling point for DCL. But Luminae on Celebrity sort of made up for it, since we could do that for most meals instead of just 1. I think it's the kids entertainment and accommodations that matter for many of us with kids at home.

For our family, Royal Oasis class ships BLOW DISNEY AWAY! There are great active activities (Flow Rider, Rock Climbing Wall, Ultimate Abyss, slides, ice skating, zip line, etc). The pool deck has 4 family pools and an amazing splash area. Shows are family friendly - and there's a big outdoor screen for movies. SO many food options! On the Allure my daughter and I ate in the specialty restaurants (amazing deal and a freebie from our TA). The food was the best we've ever had on a cruise - and I LOVED that my daughter could join me, unlike on Disney. We love a dinner buffet for those nights where we don't want to deal with a drawn out dinner. Service was excellent and our room was great with so much storage. My daughter outgrew princesses and characters when she was about 7 1/2. The Disney pool is horrible (people soup) - that's a biggie for daughter. She also doesn't go in the kids' clubs. It just made sense for us to move on.

 

[smmco]

For our family, Royal Oasis class ships BLOW DISNEY AWAY! There are great active activities (Flow Rider, Rock Climbing Wall, Ultimate Abyss, slides, ice skating, zip line, etc). The pool deck has 4 family pools and an amazing splash area. Shows are family friendly - and there's a big outdoor screen for movies. SO many food options! On the Allure my daughter and I ate in the specialty restaurants (amazing deal and a freebie from our TA). The food was the best we've ever had on a cruise - and I LOVED that my daughter could join me, unlike on Disney. We love a dinner buffet for those nights where we don't want to deal with a drawn out dinner. Service was excellent and our room was great with so much storage. My daughter outgrew princesses and characters when she was about 7 1/2. The Disney pool is horrible (people soup) - that's a biggie for daughter. She also doesn't go in the kids' clubs. It just made sense for us to move on.

We really liked Harmony. Tons of stuff to do. My kids aren't into sports. They are more computer nerds. The videos of them trying to ice skate is priceless. I watch it every time I need a good laugh. We ate at the buffet a few nights. It's was great. Royal and DCL are both great. Just different.

 

[tinkerone]

For our family, Royal Oasis class ships BLOW DISNEY AWAY! There are great active activities (Flow Rider, Rock Climbing Wall, Ultimate Abyss, slides, ice skating, zip line, etc). The pool deck has 4 family pools and an amazing splash area. Shows are family friendly - and there's a big outdoor screen for movies. SO many food options! On the Allure my daughter and I ate in the specialty restaurants (amazing deal and a freebie from our TA). The food was the best we've ever had on a cruise - and I LOVED that my daughter could join me, unlike on Disney. We love a dinner buffet for those nights where we don't want to deal with a drawn out dinner. Service was excellent and our room was great with so much storage. My daughter outgrew princesses and characters when she was about 7 1/2. The Disney pool is horrible (people soup) - that's a biggie for daughter. She also doesn't go in the kids' clubs. It just made sense for us to move on.

And OMG, the adult only areas! I thought the Oasis had an amazing adult only area then we went on the Symphony and that showed Royal is, once again, upping their game. Disney could take a lesson on the adult only areas IMO.

 

[tidefan]

And OMG, the adult only areas! I thought the Oasis had an amazing adult only area then we went on the Symphony and that showed Royal is, once again, upping their game. Disney could take a lesson on the adult only areas IMO.

Problem is, those Oasis class RCCL ships aren’t cheap either. I can do something like the Carnival Breeze or Regal Princess for 1/2 to 2/3 of what an Oasis class ship runs...

 

[mevelandry]

Here's the YouTube Link.

I'm watching it right now. Thanks.

This (prices) is madness.

 

[tinkerone]

Problem is, those Oasis class RCCL ships aren’t cheap either. I can do something like the Carnival Breeze or Regal Princess for 1/2 to 2/3 of what an Oasis class ship runs...

While you are right, I will say that I was able to do 2 weeks on the Symphony last November for the same cost of a DCL 1 week sailing. The year before, 2017, I did 2 weeks on the Oasis for less than 1 week on DCL. Its all in the perspective I think. I can definitely do cheaper than RCCL but RCCL is cheaper than DCL and that's where I'm coming from. Add to that I'm Canadian and need to add in exchange (35%) for DCL but I can book RCCL in Canadian funds and its winner winner chicken dinner!
I do want to try the Breeze though, I'm hearing good things.

 

[Magical2017]

The price is right, but not the date. I could only find one Southern Caribbean cruise in 2020, and it is in January. Does anyone know if they will release other dates for Southern Caribbean? RCCL has two in June 2020, though, but I wanted to compare DCL with RCCL.

 

[dcassetta]

The price is right, but not the date. I could only find one Southern Caribbean cruise in 2020, and it is in January. Does anyone know if they will release other dates for Southern Caribbean? RCCL has two in June 2020, though, but I wanted to compare DCL with RCCL.

Because of the limited number of ships, Disney just doesn't do very many southern Caribbean cruises.

 

[KashasMom]

Problem is, those Oasis class RCCL ships aren’t cheap either. I can do something like the Carnival Breeze or Regal Princess for 1/2 to 2/3 of what an Oasis class ship runs...

Our 7 night Harmony cruise was $2,580 for 3 of us on an extended ocean view balcony (which was great). I also had a $100 credit. Thought that was a steal! Close to half the cost of our upcoming Magic cruise. Breeze doesn't compare to Oasis class and based on previous Princess cruises I doubt that the Regal has so many family friendly activities. Oasis class just works for us. We're all lucky that there are enough options to keep us all happy!

 

[FSU Girl]

I think we will end up doing RCCL for Alaska though. I really want to do a one-way, so that we can spend time on land. DCL doesn't currently offer that

You should look into Princess. They get very good picks of ports and have fantastic Alaska itineraries. They do a lot of one ways.

 

[KashasMom]

Most, if not all, of the Broadway quality shows are on YouTube to watch for free in the comfort of your home. Of course you'll have to buy your own soda.

This is good to know! We're traveling with a toddler and not sure if she'll make it through the shows.

 

[tidefan]

Our 7 night Harmony cruise was $2,580 for 3 of us on an extended ocean view balcony (which was great). I also had a $100 credit. Thought that was a steal! Close to half the cost of our upcoming Magic cruise. Breeze doesn't compare to Oasis class and based on previous Princess cruises I doubt that the Regal has so many family friendly activities. Oasis class just works for us. We're all lucky that there are enough options to keep us all happy!

Well, everyone keeps telling us how wonderful RCCL is, but we took one (our only one) back in 2014 on the Serenade of the Seas out of NOLA and it was BY FAR our worst cruising experience out of the 20 or so cruises we have had. Really left a sour taste in our mouth. Why does RCCL bring up luggage through the passenger elevators on embarkation and debarkation days? There were only 2 of the 6 available for passengers. Rock climbing wall only open one day during the entire 7 day cruise? Who tries to put a refrigerator on the loveseat? Who closes ALL food options between 2 and 5pm?

On the contrary, the next year, we tried the Carnival Sunshine and had a blast. Our daughter particularly loved the ropes course (I do not believe the RCCL ships, even Oasis class have those. I do think some of the NCL ships do). The included food was MUCH better than RCCL. On the Serenade, to get pizza or burgers, you had to go into the Windjammer, there was no poolside grill or pizza option. (There was a small cafe - not very good - located in the Adult area). On the Sunshine, they had Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana (so good), stir-fry, make your own pasta, etc. And, on Carnival it was all included. Also, we liked the room better on the Sunshine than the Serenade.

On Princess, they are just consistent. We did Alaska last year on the Emerald Princess and that was my daughter's favorite cruise. They don't do big productions shows really, but what we liked was that there were always things going on all the time all over the ship. Hard to explain, but we had a great time. And, their pizza is fantastic...

All that being said, we'd like to try the Oasis class. I have a feeling that the older RCCL boats are not the same as the Oasis class...

 

[Dug720]

Well, everyone keeps telling us how wonderful RCCL is, but we took one (our only one) back in 2014 on the Serenade of the Seas out of NOLA and it was BY FAR our worst cruising experience out of the 20 or so cruises we have had. Really left a sour taste in our mouth. Why does RCCL bring up luggage through the passenger elevators on embarkation and debarkation days? There were only 2 of the 6 available for passengers. Rock climbing wall only open one day during the entire 7 day cruise? Who tries to put a refrigerator on the loveseat? Who closes ALL food options between 2 and 5pm?

On the contrary, the next year, we tried the Carnival Sunshine and had a blast. Our daughter particularly loved the ropes course (I do not believe the RCCL ships, even Oasis class have those. I do think some of the NCL ships do). The included food was MUCH better than RCCL. On the Serenade, to get pizza or burgers, you had to go into the Windjammer, there was no poolside grill or pizza option. (There was a small cafe - not very good - located in the Adult area). On the Sunshine, they had Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana (so good), stir-fry, make your own pasta, etc. And, on Carnival it was all included. Also, we liked the room better on the Sunshine than the Serenade.

On Princess, they are just consistent. We did Alaska last year on the Emerald Princess and that was my daughter's favorite cruise. They don't do big productions shows really, but what we liked was that there were always things going on all the time all over the ship. Hard to explain, but we had a great time. And, their pizza is fantastic...

All that being said, we'd like to try the Oasis class. I have a feeling that the older RCCL boats are not the same as the Oasis class...

I have done 3 RCCL cruises, all Radiance Class, and I have never seen them use passenger elevators for luggage. There had to have been some reason they were not using the service elevators.

Generally I have liked them ok - the interior in the lobby is a little flashy for my taste but not Vegas neon, so tolerable. Last summer my experience in the dining room being gluten-free was NOT good. But I would still consider a Radiance Class ship or smaller. I have no desire to cruise Behemoth Class on any line. Way too big for me.

 

[NancyIL]

I have been on more Royal Caribbean cruises than any other cruise line, and I especially like their older/smaller Vision and Radiance-class ships. I don't cruise with kids, so I don't need the bells and whistles that the newer/larger ships have. I generally choose a cruise because it has an itinerary I like at a price I'm willing to pay.

I hadn't been particularly interested in RCI's Oasis-class ships, but the Nov. 25, 2018 Oasis cruise out of Port Canaveral was a bargain, and it cost less than a week at WDW. I enjoyed the cruise, and thought the shows were the best part. However, I have no burning desire to book another Oasis-class ship.

While on Oasis - we were docked next to the Disney Fantasy in Cozumel. My friend and I had a longing to sail with Disney again, so we booked the relatively inexpensive (for Disney) San Juan to NOLA repo cruise on the Wonder for Feb. 2020 shortly after returning home.

 

[tidefan]

I have done 3 RCCL cruises, all Radiance Class, and I have never seen them use passenger elevators for luggage. There had to have been some reason they were not using the service elevators.

Generally I have liked them ok - the interior in the lobby is a little flashy for my taste but not Vegas neon, so tolerable. Last summer my experience in the dining room being gluten-free was NOT good. But I would still consider a Radiance Class ship or smaller. I have no desire to cruise Behemoth Class on any line. Way too big for me.

It was the weirdest thing I've ever seen on a cruise ship. They'd take the luggage up the elevators in the Centrum (the ones blocked off), then just sit all of the luggage out in the Centrum lobby and take it from there. We actually grabbed our bags from the lobby on 8 to take to our stateroom.

The other thing about that cruise was that it was the first cruise out of North America after a transatlantic, and I think that it must have been where a number of the crew were between contracts because we had heard that up to 1/3 of the staff left due to a contract dispute. It was so bad that for the first few days, the main bar by the pool (can't remember the name) only had 1 bartender staffed. When we got to Falmouth, we docked next to Oasis, and something like 200 crew transferred over to our ship. My wife also reminded me about an experience we had with MyTime dining. Now, part of this was us where we were used to Anytime dining on Princess, but RCCL kept hounding us (like calling 3 times a day to the stateroom) to make a dinner reservation. We had thought that the whole point of MTD was to show up when you wanted. Anyway, on the first night (which was short staffed), we ate in the MDR and were seated fairly quickly at a 4 top with some friends of ours. We were not greeted with water, then we did not see anyone for over 30 minutes. We asked the Maitre'd and he said, and I quote, "He (your server) has 15 other tables, what do you want him to do?" -- Umm, how about wait on a 16th. Anyway, that was our impression of RCCL. Everywhere we turned there was a service or some other issue. We had a large group on that cruise and it's sort of become a running joke with all of us. We call that ship the "Excuses of the Seas"...

Anyhow, when I get back home to my PC, I'll try to find a picture that I took of the luggage...

 

[Dug720]

It was the weirdest thing I've ever seen on a cruise ship. They'd take the luggage up the elevators in the Centrum (the ones blocked off), then just sit all of the luggage out in the Centrum lobby and take it from there. We actually grabbed our bags from the lobby on 8 to take to our stateroom.

The other thing about that cruise was that it was the first cruise out of North America after a transatlantic, and I think that it must have been where a number of the crew were between contracts because we had heard that up to 1/3 of the staff left due to a contract dispute. It was so bad that for the first few days, the main bar by the pool (can't remember the name) only had 1 bartender staffed. When we got to Falmouth, we docked next to Oasis, and something like 200 crew transferred over to our ship. My wife also reminded me about an experience we had with MyTime dining. Now, part of this was us where we were used to Anytime dining on Princess, but RCCL kept hounding us (like calling 3 times a day to the stateroom) to make a dinner reservation. We had thought that the whole point of MTD was to show up when you wanted. Anyway, on the first night (which was short staffed), we ate in the MDR and were seated fairly quickly at a 4 top with some friends of ours. We were not greeted with water, then we did not see anyone for over 30 minutes. We asked the Maitre'd and he said, and I quote, "He (your server) has 15 other tables, what do you want him to do?" -- Umm, how about wait on a 16th. Anyway, that was our impression of RCCL. Everywhere we turned there was a service or some other issue. We had a large group on that cruise and it's sort of become a running joke with all of us. We call that ship the "Excuses of the Seas"...

Anyhow, when I get back home to my PC, I'll try to find a picture that I took of the luggage...

No, I believe you. I think I remember this discussion before. But in my experience it is not normal operating procedure.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I wonder what the RCCL and NCL booking bump looks like when DIsney releases their new schedule? I wonder if it’s a clear uptake?

We like several people looked at Disney and instead booked RCCL. We’re doing the Arctic Circle cruise next June and I’m honestly super excited. I’ve been wanting to do Norway but Disney has been scheduling them too late in the year for my son’s school. This way we get 11 nights, Norway, and something extra with the fun of going far north. We also got a balcony with a super extension that will hold 2 lounge chairs as well as 2 normal chairs, and I cannot wait to lounge out there with a blanket while we cross the Arctic Circle. I’m so excited about the itinerary that the ship can be a total bust and I’ll still have a fantastic time.

The cost for this is $200 more than what I paid for the Fantasy in a non holiday month.

Which line did you book for this? I would be so interested in doing something like this in September to hopefully catch the Northern Lights.

 

[Kevin Liu]

We also love RCI Oasis class ships.

Pivoting to DCL for the first time next summer for our kids (6,3,3). We are doing the 7 night on the Fantasy in a 00V. I anticipate us going back to RCI after this so needed to splurge a little on Concierge.

 

[travelmomof3]

Call me shocked on recent pricing, too! I was in love with the Greek itineraries and thought we may snag one for next year - um, at $30,000 for a verandah for a family of 5? We could fly first class to Australia for less than that. I think my jaw hit the floor when I tried to dummy book. I was prepared for it to be expensive but just couldn't imagine a cruise for $30k!!!