We always end up back with DCL

[jalapeno_pretzel]

We've only cruised DCL, and only 3 times (with a 4th booked). We've only been in the Caribbean.

If I ever do an Alaska cruise, I would probably go with one of the cruise lines that goes into Glacier Bay and/or has more ports than DCL typically visits.

Not sure if we would ever do a European cruise (we enjoy land based vacations there so far), but if we did, it would also likely be something other than DCL, that is more port intensive. Though, I did see an interesting looking 5 night from Southhampton to 2 ports in Spain on DCL ... could be an option if we had mainly a land based UK trip and then threw in a short cruise. The European cruises that seem the most appealing to me are the ones that have different departure and finish ports ... that way we would be able to explore 2 different areas on either end of the cruise more thoroughly.

 

[unrequited23]

We don't cruise enough to need a ton of itinerary options so that'd not a negative to us. I've looked at other lines but by the time I get a room that has as much space as DCL and also has bunk beds for my kids (they will not share a bed anymore) it's usually almost the same cost. Throw in food allergies, my son's love of DCL kid's clubs, and I can't convince myself to try another line.

We have the same struggle with the bed situation. My research has found that NCL (family balcony) and Carnival have a similar set up on some of the ships. Have you found any others?

 

[Bittersweet & Strange]

For us it's all about the cost of the cruise. We have sailed DCL 4 times but that's over a 12 year span as it took me that long each time to afford the price and often we stayed interior.

Earlier this year we branched out and tried RCL.

Was it Disney? No.

Did we enjoy it? Yes, almost as much.

Who are we sailing with next? RCL.

With my income where it is, it's sail RCL or don't sail at all so, we sail RCL. We're booked on a 7 night cruise next March on the Harmony. A 7 night Caribbean sailing, verandah cabin was 55% of the cost of almost an identical sailing, same week, INTERIOR cabin with DCL.

DCL will always have my heart and if we win the lottery I'll jump back in a heartbeat but, for now, RCL is who we'll be sailing with.

PS - I did notice that the vast majority of those who responded who are able to be loyal to Disney, have sailed MANY times so in a different financial bracket. Not saying it's wrong and is understandable, just possibly a factor (plus itinerary options DCL does not offer) for those who sail DCL exclusively vs those who branch out.

Yes, I agree with the point that the ones who are loyal to Disney may have the luxury of being able to spend significantly more for a premium experience. I'm hoping my POV might be useful to those trying to decide if they should splurge on a Disney cruise or go with a cheaper option.

Let me start by saying that I love Disney. We even own a second property in Orlando and like to visit the parks regularly. But we do not feel that the significant extra cost of a Disney cruise is worth the difference in quality.

We have done 4 cruises on NCL (Europe and the Caribbean), one on Disney (Mexico from San Diego), and one on Royal Caribbean (Caribbean), and we are planning two more on NCL in the coming year. Disney was the third cruise line we tried. We thought the food on Disney was superior to the other two cruise lines, but not enough to justify the extra cost. The entertainment on the other two cruise lines was comparable in quality to Disney, although, of course, without the Disney theming. And on some of the large ships, I think there were more entertainment options than there were on the Disney cruise. The activities available on the small Disney ship we went on were comparable to the activities on the smaller NCL ships. However, the larger NCL and Royal Caribbean ships have more to do than the Disney ship we were on.

Itinerary is also very important. If you are going to be off the boat a lot, the number of activities/entertainment is less important. If you are going somewhere like the Caribbean, we prefer the larger ships with more activities and entertainment on board.

Even with my bias toward all things Disney, I came off our Disney cruise feeling like I wouldn't be doing another one very soon because I feel like I get a lot more for my dollar with other cruise lines. If I can do a longer cruise or even two cruises on another line for the same price as a Disney cruise, I will choose that.

 

[scrappinginontario]

For us it's all about the cost of the cruise. We have sailed DCL 4 times but that's over a 12 year span as it took me that long each time to afford the price and often we stayed interior.

Earlier this year we branched out and tried RCL.

Was it Disney? No.

Did we enjoy it? Yes, almost as much.

Who are we sailing with next? RCL.

With my income where it is, it's sail RCL or don't sail at all so, we sail RCL. We're booked on a 7 night cruise next March on the Harmony. A 7 night Caribbean sailing, verandah cabin was 55% of the cost of almost an identical sailing, same week, INTERIOR cabin with DCL.

DCL will always have my heart and if we win the lottery I'll jump back in a heartbeat but, for now, RCL is who we'll be sailing with.

PS - I did notice that the vast majority of those who responded who are able to be loyal to Disney, have sailed MANY times so in a different financial bracket. Not saying it's wrong and is understandable, just possibly a factor (plus itinerary options DCL does not offer) for those who sail DCL exclusively vs those who branch out.

I should also clarify, it was 100% worth it to me to sail less frequently and save, save, save so that we could sail DCL when my DD was younger. I was only willing to branch out and try another cruise line when she was a teen. Until then it was DCL every few years or nothing.

Friends are trying MSC this week. Looking forward to hearing about their experience.

 

[tink1970]

I’d like to be able to fall in love with Viking, too. When I see photos of it, I think “adult answer to Disney.” Are they as serene and peaceful as they seem? I know guests contribute to this aspect, but background music, frantic entertainment (trying to pump up the audience)?

Yes, although-disclaimer-DH and I are early to bed/rise types so we don't do much of their entertainment. To be fair, that's one of their biggest criticisms (if you watch the youtube videos)...that there isn't enough, LOL. We did go to a music trivia once in the bar and that was a bit noisy but it was in one area so not spilling over into many other public areas.

I have definitely found, overall, the Viking experience to be serene (excellent word!) -from the lack of children and casinos, to the common areas (usually), to the Scandinavian decor-it's different from DCL but a nice different, if that makes sense. Homey touches like the faux fireplace in the spa and the throws on the couches in the bar area seem to be small but nice details that take coziness to a second level. It's fun to walk through the common area and see a half completed jigsaw puzzle, take afternoon tea on a sea day or just enjoy a book from the library. Obviously I'm a fan

 

[imbelle]

When I cruise with DCL, I see the ships as a destination within themselves. When I cruise on other lines, I see the ships basically as floating hotels that provide transportation between ports. DCL is my first choice if I can get the itinerary that I want, but I am also looking forward to doing a Viking Danube Christmas market cruise this December.

 

[Joysnote]

I have been excited to try Viking once the kids are out of the house. I just watched a review from Gary Bembridge (tips for travelers) on YouTube and am now a little hesitant. He went on an Alaska sailing and felt the crowd was quite old. I believe he is his mid 60’s and felt most people were at least 10 to 20 years older than him.

Instesting, we are going to be mid fifties to 60 on ours but our adult children low 20's are joining too, we have 4 rooms. Looking at video's seems definitely like we are going to be on young side at our age and our adult children will probably be only ones in that age range, LOL but we all want to do the Christmas markets so it seems like you do that a lot on your own anyhow rather then excursions with the whole ship like on other River cruise itineraries.

Joy

 

[Joysnote]

Yes, although-disclaimer-DH and I are early to bed/rise types so we don't do much of their entertainment. To be fair, that's one of their biggest criticisms (if you watch the youtube videos)...that there isn't enough, LOL. We did go to a music trivia once in the bar and that was a bit noisy but it was in one area so not spilling over into many other public areas.

I have definitely found, overall, the Viking experience to be serene (excellent word!) -from the lack of children and casinos, to the common areas (usually), to the Scandinavian decor-it's different from DCL but a nice different, if that makes sense. Homey touches like the faux fireplace in the spa and the throws on the couches in the bar area seem to be small but nice details that take coziness to a second level. It's fun to walk through the common area and see a half completed jigsaw puzzle, take afternoon tea on a sea day or just enjoy a book from the library. Obviously I'm a fan

Thanks, good to know, I am excited. We did the Disney Norway Cruise in 2022 but the Viking Norway looks very good too, so that might be next after our Christmas Market cruise. I was a little worried the food might be too limited on Viking because we are mainly vegetarian but looking through the sample menus they had for the meals seems like our kind of food, we are not too fancy but like more on the healthy side. I like that they have herb garden on our ship.



Joy

 

[auntlynne]

I have been excited to try Viking once the kids are out of the house. I just watched a review from Gary Bembridge (tips for travelers) on YouTube and am now a little hesitant. He went on an Alaska sailing and felt the crowd was quite old. I believe he is his mid 60’s and felt most people were at least 10 to 20 years older than him.

I think I watched that video, too.

…Okay, I just rewatched it.

Unless your plans require the participation of those elderly strangers, I think it shouldn’t be a big factor.

Disney should have prepared you for a cruise that shuts down by midnight (truly, sooner).

Other than his words, did you notice anything that would be a detractor for your own personal style of cruising?

I can imagine anywhere there is a line, it would move more slowly.

The biggest scare for me is the price.

 

[auntlynne]

Yes, although-disclaimer-DH and I are early to bed/rise types so we don't do much of their entertainment. To be fair, that's one of their biggest criticisms (if you watch the youtube videos)...that there isn't enough, LOL. We did go to a music trivia once in the bar and that was a bit noisy but it was in one area so not spilling over into many other public areas.

I have definitely found, overall, the Viking experience to be serene (excellent word!) -from the lack of children and casinos, to the common areas (usually), to the Scandinavian decor-it's different from DCL but a nice different, if that makes sense. Homey touches like the faux fireplace in the spa and the throws on the couches in the bar area seem to be small but nice details that take coziness to a second level. It's fun to walk through the common area and see a half completed jigsaw puzzle, take afternoon tea on a sea day or just enjoy a book from the library. Obviously I'm a fan

You’ve described an essentially perfect cruise.

I am fine with natural liveliness in Trivia (I will play it nearly chance I can get). And I skipped nearly every theater show on my last NCL 14-N cruise. Just went for a “clean” comic I had seen in YT (didn’t realize that until I got there).

I’m guessing the dining rooms don’t have the din of a school auditorium that exists on most shops’ MDRs? I notice no mention of dinner entertainment?

 

[anjuan]

We've tried RCL (Allure) and NCL (Prima) and are back to DCL. RCL was to try something different and we sailed NCL last year for the 10 night Iceland and Norway itinery. RCL was ok. I thought the NCL Prima was a beautiful ship and the food was really good, however the level of service just wasn't up to Disney. Also, the crowd seemed older than DCL, which was one of the reasons my daughter wanted to stick with DCL.

I would try another line again in the future for the itinerary. But our preference is DCL.

 

[disney2you]

I honestly never thought I would a cruise person but Disney announced the Wish and I saw all the IP on the ship and the videos and so I caved and did the Wish to Castaway in December last year. I'm now addicted to DCL, 2 cruise now and 3 more booked. I don't know what I would do on another cruise line though besides drink lol. I love meeting all the characters, the Disney themed dining, and just exploring the ship. For me, I think it is more about the ship and the ports are just extra bonus. Like I don't think I could cruise anywhere I actually really wanted to visit just because I'm so used to planning everything myself and getting to tourist attractions early is key for low crowds (esp in Europe and Japan), maybe when I'm older and less spry.

 

[gatordoc]

Did RCCL (Caribbean), Princess (Alaska), and Carnival (Bahamian) prior to ever sailing Disney. Each of these was to travel with friends, but none of them impressed us enough to ever try again. Then we did our first Disney cruise (7-night on the Fantasy), and when my wife turned to me as we were driving home after the cruise and said “I wish we were back on the ship”, I knew we were hooked. We’re up to 38 Disney cruises now, with more booked over the next year and a half plus, and have loved every one. A few years ago we decided to try Celebrity after hearing so much about it, but had a miserable onboard experience.
Definitely understand that different experiences are attractive to different people, but we’ve found our sweet spot with Disney and are very happy.

 

[FastPasser.]

Anyone else who has gone on DCL having a hard time considering another cruise line such as Royal Caribbean?

Not me, just the opposite. I did the RCCL Wonder of the Seas super ship and looking forward to doing it again. I discovered that bigger is more fun.

 

[tink1970]

You’ve described an essentially perfect cruise.

I am fine with natural liveliness in Trivia (I will play it nearly chance I can get). And I skipped nearly every theater show on my last NCL 14-N cruise. Just went for a “clean” comic I had seen in YT (didn’t realize that until I got there).

I’m guessing the dining rooms don’t have the din of a school auditorium that exists on most shops’ MDRs? I notice no mention of dinner entertainment?

(@Joysnote I tried to address your thoughts but realized you were discussing river cruises primarily and I've only been on Oceans! Hopefully the river will also be a good experience for you especially the Christmas Markets. I've done two with another line and it's such a beautiful time to go to Europe and a wonderful way to go )

The MDR -well main "sit down" can be loud just because the acoustics aren't great and people are excited describing their day but nowhere near DCL level and there is no show, no. The only time I found the buffet (yes, all 3 meals have a buffet! Sometimes lunch has a theme -usually outside -it's nice ) was when people were LOUDLY facetiming grands on their ipad.

I don't eat beef or pork and try to eat poultry/fish sparingly so after 2 weeks the offerings might become boring/repetitive but you would hopefully be fine...food is so difficult/subjective! They had a wonderful black bean burger for lunch at the pool grill on our first cruise and changed it to a veggie burger which was not quite as delicious but definitely still good on our second cruise. With the availability of sorbet/gelato and pizza at every meal (there was other non meat available-just doesn't stand out!), I was never going to go hungry--eat like a 5 year old, yes but hungry...no.

As for age...I was in my late 40s on my first Viking (Australia/NZ) and was definitely in the younger demographic on that trip, but on my second one in the Adriatic, there were several family groups-happily leaving their littles at home, lol, so I think as with most cruises it depends on the itinerary. I don't mind the older folks except when I'm hungry and at the buffet it's taking a while for someone to decide what to eat (sigh-and that's really on me!) I've seen Gary's reviews and I think he's just a different type of cruiser than I am-give me a nice spa, some lovely weather and a place to read a book and I'm happy. Anyway...back to our regularly scheduled DCL trip.

ps-They only had trivia twice on the 15 day Australia/NZ and we missed one (eek) thinking it would be like DCL and held daily-um no-it was SO HARD...with 2 Gen Xers, and 4 Boomers on our team we were proud to get 12/20 ,probably my worst score in a long long time LOL. DH, who has won sports trivia on DCL a time or two and is accustomed to being seen on ship and acknowledged as the Sports Trivia Winner was especially crushed

 

[hertamaniac]

MSC (only if it’s my husband’s family, ugh MSC)
Royal Caribbean (I had to pay for all the extras to get the better food)
DCL alway my first choice.
Avoid MSC

I just returned from a 12-day MSC cruise in the Caribbean and Mexico. I've done Carnival, Celebrity and NCL over the past several decades. MSC's private island, Ocean Cay, is jaw-dropping beautiful.

MSC tops them all. The food, service, music and shows were all exceptional.

 

[o&smom]

Instesting, we are going to be mid fifties to 60 on ours but our adult children low 20's are joining too, we have 4 rooms. Looking at video's seems definitely like we are going to be on young side at our age and our adult children will probably be only ones in that age range, LOL but we all want to do the Christmas markets so it seems like you do that a lot on your own anyhow rather then excursions with the whole ship like on other River cruise itineraries.

Joy

Sorry, was referring to Viking Ocean. I do think river cruises tend to lean a little older across the board, but that would not stop me either.

 

[o&smom]

I think I watched that video, too.

…Okay, I just rewatched it.

Unless your plans require the participation of those elderly strangers, I think it shouldn’t be a big factor.

Disney should have prepared you for a cruise that shuts down by midnight (truly, sooner).

Other than his words, did you notice anything that would be a detractor for your own personal style of cruising?

I can imagine anywhere there is a line, it would move more slowly.

The biggest scare for me is the price.

I was just surprised as their advertising for Viking ocean has always shown a younger crowd. I believe Gary has been on them in the past, and it stood out to him to mention it. Maybe Virgin has drawn away a lot of the younger crowd.

 

[Retiredcruiser]

When I cruise with DCL, I see the ships as a destination within themselves. When I cruise on other lines, I see the ships basically as floating hotels that provide transportation between ports. DCL is my first choice if I can get the itinerary that I want, but I am also looking forward to doing a Viking Danube Christmas market cruise this December.

Couldn't agree more with the analogy of floating hotels on other cruise lines. We are loyal to DCL (have sailed on each ship) and after taking a cruise on another line we come back to DCL, walk onto the ship and refer to it as "home"!

We sailed RCCL recently to Alaska (atrocious experience) and will never sail them again. We are booked on Virgin and Celebrity as well to try new itineraries but there truly is no place like home !

 

[Mousefan mom]

We don't cruise enough to need a ton of itinerary options so that'd not a negative to us. I've looked at other lines but by the time I get a room that has as much space as DCL and also has bunk beds for my kids (they will not share a bed anymore) it's usually almost the same cost. Throw in food allergies, my son's love of DCL kid's clubs, and I can't convince myself to try another line.

Now if in the future we cruise without kids, I don't see us doing DCL.

We did a RCL last spring--and that was the stark contrast, if we had been w/out our kids (and they are teens now so I assumed they had "aged out" of Disney) it would have been absolutely fine--but the kids got very bored on the RCL (we were on a quantum class ship) and we found out very soon the teen clubs were jam packed and too small, much of the arcade was broken, they took out the sky jumps, and everything seemed to cost extra they would be interested in. They respectfully asked to stay home if we do another cruise.

Had it been just myself and my husband, a totally different story--we did save money, the service was just as good as I had experienced on Disney, the food was good after the first night (they seemed to have some organizational kinks the 1st night until people got their dining straightened out and it was a long wait, food a little cold, etc.).

With the costs of everything being what they are these days (we used to be able to go to WDW as a family 1-2 times a year, and now we are lucky if it is 1 every 3 years), we have had to adjust travel or not travel at all--and RCL was perfectly fine and enjoyable--but if I had kids, I might not cruise with them again but I'd try a non-disney (we are now considered adult only and looking at other lines like MSC, Celebrity, Carnival, etc.) adult cruise in a heartbeat. Be selective of the ship--especially with Carnival, and remember that the beauty and relaxation and being pampered feeling of a cruise DOES extend beyond DCL...I also don't love the limited itineraries of DCL (I am done with Nassau sailings) and unfortunately the new private island seems a huge disappointment to me--so other reasons to try other cruise lines! MSC ship docked next to ours seemed spectacular by the way--and my inlaws just went on MSC and loved it.