We chose the dark side - Carnival VS Disney

[Hundredacre]

Just to play devil's advocate, I think aquadame might have a point. I started reading threads about other lines because they were in the dcl forum. I am not sure I would have bothered otherwise. I have been to the royal forum a couple of times but not much at all. (Snoozefest) I did not seek information on other lines per se but once I started reading about other lines in the context of the dcl cruise experience, I became more interested. I could be wrong. Maybe at this point I would go over there.

 

[steves100]

Nice review.

BTW, Disney has had an app that is very similar (and I believe does not charge for texting) for a couple of years now.

Yes the app provides texting for free

 

[mevelandry]

Just to play devil's advocate, I think aquadame might have a point. I started reading threads about other lines because they were in the dcl forum. I am not sure I would have bothered otherwise. I have been to the royal forum a couple of times but not much at all. (Snoozefest) I did not seek information on other lines per se but once I started reading about other lines in the context of the dcl cruise experience, I became more interested. I could be wrong. Maybe at this point I would go over there.

I could be wrong but I think that if people are aware that there is a "jumping ship" forum category and they are (at least) curious about other cruise lines, they'll visit it as well.

 

[black magic]

Nice review! Did you happen to price out a similar cruise on Disney? Just curious the approx difference

I did do a quick search for a similar Disney cruise, but I don't recall the exact price. I do know that it was at least twice the price and I would have had to include airfare from Houston to Orlando. The bottom line for me was if I were to take the family on a cruise this summer, it had to be on a cruise line other than Disney. I chose the Breeze because it had a lot of kid oriented activities, it was a newer ship and it sailed out of my backyard.

 

[mevelandry]

I could be wrong but I think that if people are aware that there is a "jumping ship" forum category and they are (at least) curious about other cruise lines, they'll visit it as well.

p.s.: Basically, all the webmaster has to do is change the title of the already existing RCCL forum category. I honestly think that discussing all other cruise lines at the same place will attract more Disers.

 

[Ofinn]

I think a forum where people can compare and contrast and write reviews would be very popular. It might even bring some newcomers to the boards. I don't think they have anything like this on cruise critic. People tend to become very defensive when it comes to their favorite cruise line. You would have to be brave to post a negative review on the Carnival forum over there. I've never understood why people get so bent out of shape when somebody doesn't love what they love, but they do. A forum where people can post their opinions without getting attacked would be great.

 

[AquaDame]

Great review Black Magic. I like the "jumping ship" idea. I think most of us will continue to cruise DCL, but would like to explore different options. Sometimes when I 'm doing a google search comparing DCL to other lines I'll come across an old disboards thread form 3+ years ago. It's funny because anybody that even questioned the value in DCL back then got ripped to shreds. The attitude has definitely changed with the rising prices and all the new ships on the market.
I agree the RCCL section on this board is really slow. I would like it to include all cruise lines. I know the DU agency doesn't sell the other cruise lines. I'm not sure why they don't .
I can't wait to report back on the Vista.

I am not sure either, but maybe it is just an issue of having to be an expert at what you sell? Or maybe the cruise lines themselves discourage it since they want TAs that will sell their line? Maybe a TA will be able to chime in sometime....!

I don't think so. I noticed that a lot of people are thinking about/curious about other cruise lines because of DCL prices. I'm sure it would be popular.

Not gonna lie to you, I've received more infos on Disboards' RCCL threads than I have received elsewhere. It may not be "DCL categpry popular" but it's efficient.

I think that creating a whole "Jumping ship" category (With RCCL, NCL, CCL, Celebrity, MSC, HOA,etc) would attract more people than the current "just RCCL" one.

Also, that would mean less "priced out" threads in the DCL one (which can ruin the mood a little for those who are loyal/willing to pay the premium/can still afford it).

Also, I promise to comment on it A LOT.

If you decide to reassign it, the first thing I'll do is creating a thread for the Carnival Victory (which proposes a Bahamas itinerary departing from Port Canaveral very similar the Disney Dream) since I'll be sailing on it is 7 weeks. I'll post tons of pictures and make a very detailed review.

Haha, deal! I asked and it has been forwarded up the chain to the admins to review. They'll have to decide amongst themselves.

I think a forum where people can compare and contrast and write reviews would be very popular. It might even bring some newcomers to the boards. I don't think they have anything like this on cruise critic. People tend to become very defensive when it comes to their favorite cruise line. You would have to be brave to post a negative review on the Carnival forum over there. I've never understood why people get so bent out of shape when somebody doesn't love what they love, but they do. A forum where people can post their opinions without getting attacked would be great.

I think so too - I feel like I made a bad decision for Alaska this last time because it wasn't easy trying to compare by reading individual reviews. I've seen people feel slighted when someone gives a bad review of DCL here, but it happens with every company and doesn't bug me much personally - I like a good objective debate. I'm still in search of my 'other' line too since RCCL fell flat for us. Even if there is a place for it though thats no guarantee there won't be attacks but as long as people let the mods know if it gets out of hand we can step in.

 

[mevelandry]

Haha, deal! I asked and it has been forwarded up the chain to the admins to review. They'll have to decide amongst themselves.

YAY!!!!!

 

[jahber]

Nice review! Did you happen to price out a similar cruise on Disney? Just curious the approx difference

Two years ago when we sailed the Carnival Breeze in late October and the Wonder in early Novemver it was $3500 for 2 adults, 2 kids, and 1 baby (you pay regular price for babies on Carnival, but you don't pay gratuities). That was for an 8-night cruise. We sailed a week later on the Wonder for 5 nights for $3200. That was with a really good Florida resident deal. So, Breeze was $200 more for 3 more nights. And that was with a DCL FLR. I imagine the regular rate was well over $1000 more. That was two years ago. Next month we are taking a Royal cruise on Freedom that is less than half than a Fantasy cruise ($3000 vs $7500). In off season.

 

[jahber]

To compare a cruise we would likely do next year in mid-September, a 6-night on the Carnival Vista (2 inside midship rooms for the 6 of us) is $3200. On the Fantasy it's $7200. Thats just a no-brainer for us, even though we live 45 minutes from PC and would have to drive 3 hours to the Vista in Miami.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

To compare a cruise we would likely do next year in mid-September, a 6-night on the Carnival Vista (2 inside midship rooms for the 6 of us) is $3200. On the Fantasy it's $7200. Thats just a no-brainer for us, even though we live 45 minutes from PC and would have to drive 3 hours to the Vista in Miami.

I bet you can on the 8 night on the Vista either before or after your 6 night and it would still be less than the Fantasy.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

BTW, for anyone considering Carnival for European cruises they place no restrictions on alcohol being brought on board on embarkation day or any port stops. People were bringing wine, beer and hard alcohol onboard during our Mediterranean cruise on the Vista with no problems. I don't know if all cruise lines do this in Europe but it was no problem with Carnival.

 

[Ofinn]

I haven't really compared prices on the Caribbean cruises. I like the Vista cruises because it visits ports that are different then DCL and the big ships on other lines. There only so many times I can visit St Thomas, St Martin, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. I'll make an exception for Cozumel it's my favorite Caribbean port. I love getting good Mexican food.
The prices in Europe were really shocking 11k difference between the Getaway and the Magic the same week in June. I ended up booking the Getaway in October which was only 200.00 less then the June cruise. In all fairness if DCL had an October Baltic cruise it would be closer in price to the Getaway, but I'm sure it would still be a 3 or 4k more.

 

[mevelandry]

I am not sure either, but maybe it is just an issue of having to be an expert at what you sell? Or maybe the cruise lines themselves discourage it since they want TAs that will sell their line? Maybe a TA will be able to chime in sometime....!



Haha, deal! I asked and it has been forwarded up the chain to the admins to review. They'll have to decide amongst themselves.



I think so too - I feel like I made a bad decision for Alaska this last time because it wasn't easy trying to compare by reading individual reviews. I've seen people feel slighted when someone gives a bad review of DCL here, but it happens with every company and doesn't bug me much personally - I like a good objective debate. I'm still in search of my 'other' line too since RCCL fell flat for us. Even if there is a place for it though thats no guarantee there won't be attacks but as long as people let the mods know if it gets out of hand we can step in.

Any news from the admins?

I already started a Word file and typed my text (for a thread) just in case.

 

[Dug720]

I'm really going outside the box Christmas week...

After figuring out that as much as I wanted to take my parents on the Fantasy at Christmas, there was no way to know until way after PIF if my sister's contract was going to be extended - and the whole point was so we could be on the ship together. So I am taking the parents on the Magic in February.

And going to Cuba on the fathom Adonia (technically under Carnival's umbrella)!!!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I'm really going outside the box Christmas week...

After figuring out that as much as I wanted to take my parents on the Fantasy at Christmas, there was no way to know until way after PIF if my sister's contract was going to be extended - and the whole point was so we could be on the ship together. So I am taking the parents on the Magic in February.

And going to Cuba on the fathom Adonia (technically under Carnival's umbrella)!!!

Are you doing Fathom at Christmas time? Please, please, please come back here and let us know how Cuba is and what kind of experience you have. Enjoy the Magic, I really want to sail her badly so I can complete a Grand Slam, but it just never works out for us.

 

[Dug720]

Are you doing Fathom at Christmas time? Please, please, please come back here and let us know how Cuba is and what kind of experience you have. Enjoy the Magic, I really want to sail her badly so I can complete a Grand Slam, but it just never works out for us.

Yep! Going to Cuba on Christmas! I will definitely do a full report!! I am soooooo excited!! I know from reading some reports on Cruise Critic that it really is not your ordinary cruise, but that makes it even more exciting for me!

And thanks! The Magic will get me 3/4 of the way to a Grand Slam - so far I've only done the Dream and Fantasy on DCL.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Yep! Going to Cuba on Christmas! I will definitely do a full report!! I am soooooo excited!! I know from reading some reports on Cruise Critic that it really is not your ordinary cruise, but that makes it even more exciting for me!

And thanks! The Magic will get me 3/4 of the way to a Grand Slam - so far I've only done the Dream and Fantasy on DCL.

How exciting and selfless of you! What an amazing experience for you, enjoy yourself.

 

[Dug720]

How exciting and selfless of you! What an amazing experience for you, enjoy yourself.

Thanks!

 

[mevelandry]

French Canadians travel to Cuba a lot (because it's warm and affordable). Many of my friends went there. They all say the same thing: Food is just okay but the beaches are AMAZING. Apparently, it's very safe and that cubans are very charming and welcoming.