We chose the dark side - Carnival VS Disney

[kaseyC]

They are offering some really great deals on the Haven right now with the 3rd and 4th passenger free. Less than inside room on a DCL ship. It's tempting...really tempting, but I'm trying to keep my cruise cost minimal since we have some non cruise things we'd like to do next year. I thinks it's been five years since we took a vacation that didn't include a cruise. I guess since I've never been on NCL I won't know any different. Just like people that haven't cruised DCL before won't notice the cutbacks.

I haven't given up on NCL as I said their Haven experience is fantastic. I'm interested in trying the concierge products on other lines now since many seem to be moving towards a Haven like experience. We are trying a Crown Loft suite on the Harmony of the Seas in March and a suite in the Yacht Club on the MSC Seaside for Spring Break 2018.

 

[kaseyC]

Even though the idea of one of those coffin-looking studios creeps me out, I've pondered doing an NCL cruise over Spring Break as there is literally no travel cost for me to get to the port in NYC (I have an unlimited subway card through work deductions, hence the no cost) and trying one.

BUT then I explore the NCL website and I cannot for the life of me figure out their dining system. How does it work if you're not paying extra for food??

Keep an eye on the website or check with a TA, NCL often offers regular cabins (insides and verandahs w/o a single supplement) closer to sailing dates. Also the price for a regular inside can sometimes be less expensive than one of those tiny studios. We did the Breakaway for Spring Break 2015. We had a great time.

You can eat on NCL without paying a cent, there are three main dining rooms that are complementary( 2 casual dress code and 1 with a dressier dress code), the buffet and a 24hr pub style restaurant.

 

[Ofinn]

I haven't given up on NCL as I said their Haven experience is fantastic. I'm interested in trying the concierge products on other lines now since many seem to be moving towards a Haven like experience. We are trying a Crown Loft suite on the Harmony of the Seas in March and a suite in the Yacht Club on the MSC Seaside for Spring Break 2018.

No I haven't given up on DCL either. They are a great cruise line. I could see myself on the Baltic cruise, Transatlantic or one of the many New York cruises next year that won't sell. After our experience on the Magic in June I was so glad I didn't pay full price for that. I love DCL up to a certain price, but I'm not willing to pay what others are willing to pay. Not when I could sale concierge on another line for less money.

 

[kaseyC]

No I haven't given up on DCL either. They are a great cruise line. I could see myself on the Baltic cruise, Transatlantic or one of the many New York cruises next year that won't sell. After our experience on the Magic in June I was so glad I didn't pay full price for that. I love DCL up to a certain price, but I'm not willing to pay what others are willing to pay. Not when I could sale concierge on another line for less money.

I'm haven't totally given up on DCL either but I am definitely done with their concierge product. The suites and perks of many of the other lines are a much better value. I'm sure I mentioned this before but the difference in price for a one bedroom Cat T on the Fantasy and a Crown Loft suite we have booked on the Harmony of the Seas for the same spring break week March 2017 is $17k. Their is nothing in the DCL concierge experience that is worth 17k more than concierge on another line. I know this from personal experience because 9 of my 10 DCL cruises have been in suites.

 

[RedSox68]

My inlaws have done the 7 day they and loved it. I know several people that do the 4 days at least once a year. The people I know that do it like it as a cheap relaxing getaway. I'm pretty sure your not going to find the entertainment options like on DCL, but if you just want to eat, sleep and relax it's fine. What information are you looking for? Maybe I can find out.

The 4-night to Canada we did out of NYC was cheaper than going away to a bed and breakfast or similar getaway. Compared to DCL's 4-nighters, it was less than half for 2 adults in an oceanview!

We have in no way given up on DCL -- still our top line, but not worth the costs for our budget anymore. If we can get more sailings with prices like next year's WBTA, we'd take more cruises.

 

[RedSox68]

Even though the idea of one of those coffin-looking studios creeps me out, I've pondered doing an NCL cruise over Spring Break as there is literally no travel cost for me to get to the port in NYC (I have an unlimited subway card through work deductions, hence the no cost) and trying one.

BUT then I explore the NCL website and I cannot for the life of me figure out their dining system. How does it work if you're not paying extra for food??

Are you talking about the dine any time? If you don't pick one of the seating times, you just show up at the MDR assigned to anytime dining and they seat you (like a restaurant without a reservation). We've only done anytime dining on other cruise lines as we don't like the dining times. We've never had a problem getting into the MDR's. Sometimes you have to wait a few minutes, but we've never waited more than 15 minutes.

 

[RedSox68]

I never said anyone "needed" it....I was pointing out the different in my experience with both lines. I thought this thread was about trying other lines...if you don't want to, then I couldn't care less.

In 10 Disney cruises, I have only seen the CD once around the ship on one cruise, and that was Brett. The only times we see them are on the stage in the theater, or at the door on the way out of the show. However, I also could not tell you who the CD is on any of the other cruise lines we have sailed as we never go to their shows unless they are having special entertainment.

 

[Ofinn]

The 4-night to Canada we did out of NYC was cheaper than going away to a bed and breakfast or similar getaway. Compared to DCL's 4-nighters, it was less than half for 2 adults in an oceanview!

We have in no way given up on DCL -- still our top line, but not worth the costs for our budget anymore. If we can get more sailings with prices like next year's WBTA, we'd take more cruises.

The WBTA is a great price. I'm considering it. I just have a hard time planning that far ahead. This year it sold out quick and then they had a lot of cancellations. I was surprised by the cancellations. It was priced similar to next years. That happened a lot with some of DCL's European cruises. I heard the CEO from NCL or RCCL on fox business talking about the cruise market in Europe being soft right now. I know Carnival brought the prices down on the Vista quite a bit from opening day. I'm waiting to see to what happens with 10 day Baltic cruise on DCL. It's way, way overpriced like the Iceland cruise was this year. If I'm right all my plans for next year go up in smoke. I will never pass up a great deal on DCL. I just won't take out a second mortgage on my house to sail with them.

 

[RedSox68]

The WBTA is a great price. I'm considering it. I just have a hard time planning that far ahead. This year it sold out quick and then they had a lot of cancellations. I was surprised by the cancellations. It was priced similar to next years. That happened a lot with some of DCL's European cruises. I heard the CEO from NCL or RCCL on fox business talking about the cruise market in Europe being soft right now. I know Carnival brought the prices down on the Vista quite a bit from opening day. I'm waiting to see to what happens with 10 day Baltic cruise on DCL. It's way, way overpriced like the Iceland cruise was this year. If I'm right all my plans for next year go up in smoke. I will never pass up a great deal on DCL. I just won't take out a second mortgage on my house to sail with them.

The WBTA is actually cheaper next year than when we took it in 2007 out of Barcelona for the exact same room. Of course, this one is 3 nights shorter, but still we saved a couple thousand compared to 2007. Just could not pass that up to be back on the Magic!

 

[Love2Cruz]

I've been contemplating where to go for Spring Break next year....I was going to pull the plug on DCL Fantasy, until I thought I must have been losing my mind to pay close to 5K for one week Caribbean for 2 people (in a 7a Verandah)...so I kept looking....Today, just now, on my lunch break, booked the MSC Splendida for a Western Mediterranean cruise in an extended AFT Balcony (my favorite type cabin). The cruise and the airfare came to HALF the price of the Fantasy...but also includes a drink package.
Here's my itinerary: IT was a no brainer for me.

 

[Love2Cruz]

Granted, I will have to pay for a hotel night in Portugal on the way back, and cab fares from the airport to the cruise port....so I might break the 3K mark...but still even with spending money and excursions, I'm still way under 5K and it's Europe and not another Caribbean island.

 

[mevelandry]

I've been contemplating where to go for Spring Break next year....I was going to pull the plug on DCL Fantasy, until I thought I must have been losing my mind to pay close to 5K for one week Caribbean for 2 people (in a 7a Verandah)...so I kept looking....Today, just now, on my lunch break, booked the MSC Splendida for a Western Mediterranean cruise in an extended AFT Balcony (my favorite type cabin). The cruise and the airfare came to HALF the price of the Fantasy...but also includes a drink package.
Here's my itinerary: IT was a no brainer for me.

I have friends who travelled in those places... What I have learned is that Marseille is very poor and dangerous and not to go anywhere further than the Old Port (Vieux-Port) and/or stay in group (excursion recommended). And that in Barcelona and Rome you have to be very careful for pickpockets (other than that, amazing!).

 

[jenf22]

I've been contemplating where to go for Spring Break next year....I was going to pull the plug on DCL Fantasy, until I thought I must have been losing my mind to pay close to 5K for one week Caribbean for 2 people (in a 7a Verandah)...so I kept looking....Today, just now, on my lunch break, booked the MSC Splendida for a Western Mediterranean cruise in an extended AFT Balcony (my favorite type cabin). The cruise and the airfare came to HALF the price of the Fantasy...but also includes a drink package.
Here's my itinerary: IT was a no brainer for me.

We were SO close to booking this as well. We're on the NCL Spirit 10-night on 22-Mar-17 right now but were looking at switching to this cruise because the price is incredible. The reason we didn't was because our 10-night goes to Livorno and we really want to see Florence/Pisa. You really can't get there any other way, can you? If we could get there from Genoa, I think we'd take this cruise instead. Also there is chatter on the NCL boards about drydocking Spirit in "spring 2017" but the ship has a full itinerary. So hoping they don't just up and cancel our cruise...

 

[Ofinn]

I have friends who travelled in those places... What I have learned is that Marseille is very poor and dangerous and not to go anywhere further than the Old Port (Vieux-Port) and/or stay in group (excursion recommended). And that in Barcelona and Rome you have to be very careful for pickpockets (other than that, amazing!).

I've read just the opposite about Marseille on recent Vista trip reports. I guess I'll find out next month.

 

[RedSox68]

I have friends who travelled in those places... What I have learned is that Marseille is very poor and dangerous and not to go anywhere further than the Old Port (Vieux-Port) and/or stay in group (excursion recommended). And that in Barcelona and Rome you have to be very careful for pickpockets (other than that, amazing!).

This is always the warnings you read. They were telling us this when we went 10 years ago. There were also voluminous warnings about the gypsies and how they trick you and hand you things and then scream that you didn't pay them. We never saw any of that. We kept our cameras close and had tamper proof bags and/or waste wallets. We never had any problems because we stayed aware of our surroundings -- but nowadays you have to do that anyway!

In Marseille we took the DCL excursion to LeBaux and Avignon. Wonderful countryside and wonderful excursion.

 

[Ofinn]

I've been contemplating where to go for Spring Break next year....I was going to pull the plug on DCL Fantasy, until I thought I must have been losing my mind to pay close to 5K for one week Caribbean for 2 people (in a 7a Verandah)...so I kept looking....Today, just now, on my lunch break, booked the MSC Splendida for a Western Mediterranean cruise in an extended AFT Balcony (my favorite type cabin). The cruise and the airfare came to HALF the price of the Fantasy...but also includes a drink package.
Here's my itinerary: IT was a no brainer for me.

Granted, I will have to pay for a hotel night in Portugal on the way back, and cab fares from the airport to the cruise port....so I might break the 3K mark...but still even with spending money and excursions, I'm still way under 5K and it's Europe and not another Caribbean island.

Nice. Yeah, I can't even bring myself to spend 5k for four people on a Caribbean cruise. We have just been to the Caribbean so much it's not worth spending that kind of money no matter how great the ship is. Now I might consider spending 6k to cruise in the Haven. Of course that would include drinks, specialty restaraunts, gratuities and internet. If it was a suite with concierge services, a butler, and just a total splurge I might do it.
I like hearing about your plans. You have given me the confidence to try something new.

 

[mevelandry]

I've read just the opposite about Marseille on recent Vista trip reports. I guess I'll find out next month.

I don't know about other people reviews... I tend to trust my friends on this one.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I don't know about other people reviews... I tend to trust my friends on this one.

Hmm, well Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France so there is definitely poverty as in any large metropolitan area. You won't see this though if you are just visiting the major tourist attractions. It's also no more dangerous than any other large city. Stereotypes like these are totally unnecessary to spread around. The French get a bad rap just like Carnival does and it is totally unwarranted. I love France, the French people and culture and have been several times and we are planning another visit soon. I wouldn't take my children somewhere that put them in harms way (like NYC, see I am assuming here).

 

[RedSox68]

Hmm, well Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France so there is definitely poverty as in any large metropolitan area. You won't see this though if you are just visiting the major tourist attractions. It's also no more dangerous than any other large city. Stereotypes like these are totally unnecessary to spread around. The French get a bad rap just like Carnival does and it is totally unwarranted. I love France, the French people and culture and have been several times and we are planning another visit soon. I wouldn't take my children somewhere that put them in harms way (like NYC, see I am assuming here).

THIS. Thank you!

 

[Love2Cruz]

Marseille is my embarkation port, so I won't be touring much. I have also heard it's not a safe port for several reasons that I won't get into here....it's just my starting point, I may just go to the old port to buy some French pastries and soaps before I board...but I don't intend on touring much at that port. Though I heard Aix de Provence is beautiful, but a bit of ways from Marseille.

This ship looks beautiful. I went on the Orchestra this summer and this one is about 2 years younger. It also has a covered pool so even if weather is so so, my DD might be able to enjoy the pool. March is good touring weather, don't have to worry much about heat and crowds as you do as the summer....though we're giving up the beach...but with this itinerary, I'm sure there will be lots to choose from. I get the beach year round here so I'm fine with that.