What does DCL got that others have not?

Disneydreamer5

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
So as life long Disney fan, I already know that there is such a thing as the Disney difference. However, I have never been so blessed yet to take a cruise with them. I am planning a trip for the DH and I for next year and mostly looking at cruises. The problem is I keep coming back to Disney.;)
My DH feels it will not be right to do without the kids(22,20,19,18,and 15, they always come on vacation with us so this time I just want some alone time with DH being we are going to be celebrating 22 years of marriage, I feel we earned some alone time.:goodvibes) I on the other hand think we will have a totally amazing time and if we are going to spend the money to do a cruise why not go with the best?
So for all of you who are castaway club members and know all the in and outs, could you please tell me somethings I may be able to use to convince him that Disney really is the best choice for our adults only cruise.
 
We've done 18 Disney cruises and 8 of those have just been myself and my DH. About 3 weeks after sailing on DCL for the first time (big extended family cruise), my DH and I sailed on Holland America. Let's just say, we were the youngest couple on that cruise by a landslide. ;) Not that it wasn't great, b/c it did have a lot of nice things to offer, it was just different than Disney. It had an older, more formal atmosphere. There wasn't much to do during the day other than use the pools or go to the art auctions or casino. & at night, things tended to wind down quite early, other than going to the casino, which we didn't really do. The service was great, but again, very formal. We didn't get to know our service team like we have when sailing DCL, nor our stateroom host. While it was a nice cruise, we've only ever cruised DCL since. ;)

Just tell him, with Disney, you know what you're getting. Top notch service, etc. & Let him know you can do as much or as little Disney stuff on the ship that you want.

HTHs! :thumbsup2
 
DW and I have done our 15th, 20th, and 25th anniversary on a DCL. We have been on a total of seven DCLs only one with DD and family. We ALWAYS have a great time on the ship and will continue to take more DCLs.
 
I've only cruised Carnival, but if it were just DH and I, I'd go for Celebrity since I know their food is top notch. DH and I are foodies, though. Maybe I'll change my mind once I actually go on my DCL cruise in April, though. And I sure as heck hope I don't have to wait 13 more years to go on a vacation with no kids! Our 10 year will be this one with kids AND my MIL and SFIL along for the ride.
 


We've only cruised 2 other lines recently enough to count. This summer we cruised on Celebrity. We had a great time, and frankly the food was better than on DCL as was the response the few times we went to Guest Services. As noted, it was a much older crowd although there were kids on board. The price was just over 1/2 of the same cruise on DCL, even after adding in paying for the soda package.

DCL comes out WAY ahead on entertainment. Service, DCL is a bit ahead; not enough to get excited about. DCL has activities for all ages (including adults) a large part of the day--the other line did not, and when they had stuff they scheduled all 3 of the day's activities at the same time!

Points to Celebrity for an EXCELLENT naturalist (this was Alaska). Great lectures and a lot of fun. Overall we were happy with Celebrity but only because it was a very port intensive cruise. Sea days there was not much to do. I can be happy on deck with my book; my family not so much......
 


Every time I try to consider another cruise line, I think of the things I love on DCL, and almost none of them are available on the other lines. And often the price comes out almost the same or less on dcl for us. Granted we book early and pick up the onboard credit with a TA before the final payment date (after we're happy with the details of the ressie, which you cannot alter yourself once a TA has the ressie). For us, we're happily stuck with DCL.

If you like movies, don't forget about DCL's beautiful theater with a great sound system and some movies in 3D. We had a blast watching avengers and John Carter, both in 3D, several times (no additional charge, of course).

Also, Castaway Cay is said by many to be the best private cruise line island, and of all the ports it is by far our favorite. Beautiful! A free snorkle lagoon, beautiful beaches, and it has water slides and a buffet lunch. And yes, adults can have fun on the water slides.

Pictures with the characters is also fun, but some other cruise lines have similar stuff. The self serve (and no additional charge) soda, coffe, tea, hot cocoa, and soft serve ice cream stations are nice to have. I've heard at least some other lines make you wait in line to get a drink. We love the yummie endless food too. And the onboard water coaster is a blast.

But, if you're looking for a wild late night bar scene and casinos, you may not love DCL as much as some other lines. Check out the DCL website for details. Whatever cruise line you pick, have a great time!
 
I'm in my mid-40's and cruised Celebrity (2x Caribbean, 1x Bermuda) before cruising on DCL/Fantasy this past August. Celebrity wasn't bad - quite nice. BUT DCL is just so much better!!!!! I didn't find much difference in the food and the fact that you have 3 dining rooms compared to one was AWESOME!!!! I loved that the adult areas were enforced on DCL and loved the breaks from the kids while they were in the club (they're 5 and 7). I cruised with the kids on Celebrity as well and they had a great time but a better time on Disney. I loved the lounges and activities. I liked the younger crowd (less retirees) closer to my age. On celebrity I found the adult areas sometimes filled with kids and no one doing anything about it.

If I were to do a cruise with my husband or a girls trip with friends or my sister, I would definitely go back to DCL in a heartbeat. I think you could manage to have an almost only adult vacation (not interacting with children) for much of the trip. Way more activities on the ship than Celebrity.

Also - room was MUCH larger as well. Better storage. I don't want to say I'm a convert. Just changed the priority of the lines that I would go to in the future.
 
I have sailed 3 times on DCL (soon to be 4th and final...for personal reasons I may explain on these boards one day!!). I have sailed once on RCCL, the Monarch, one of their oldest and considered a "party" ship. I must admit, although I am always partial to Disney service, the food and entertainment on RCCL was FAR SUPERIOR to DCL. However, the rooms, the service, the ship itself, the atmosphere, the beach...far better on DCL. I will be sailing the Allure soon as well and know it will be wonderful...also looking forward to sailing the Dream in May...also sure to be amazing. Personally, we have fun and enjoy ourselves wherever we go!!!
 
We just got back from our first Disney cruise 2 weeks ago but I thought I'd give you my opinion. We have been on both Royal Caribbean and Carnival before going on Disney. DH and I both agreed there is just something so special about Disney. The ship was beautiful, not tacky like some other ships. As a Disney fan I was able to appreciate and love all the decor from the light fixtures to the paintings on the wal because they were Disney themed. On other cruise lines, they just weren't a big deal. It's silly but it makes a difference. The entertainment is hands done much better on Disney (especially if you love the characters as much as we do). Plus, you get a fireworks show! I love fireworks! And if you go to Castaway Cay it is amazing!! Such a beautiful island and great relaxing day with no worries about food, transportation, dealing with turning down locals for things they are selling, etc. We had an amazing time on our Disney cruise!
 
I have been on Carnival (once with a group), Princess (2times), Royal Carribean (once), Disney (2 times, soon to be a 3rd).

If I had to pick - its DCL all the way. For me its the entertainment. When I have gone on Princess it was because of price and itinerary. But I have been bored stupid on their ships. My mom and I were so much younger than everyone. I also did NOT like the food.

Carnival I went with a large group and did not care at all for the entertainment or food.

Royal Carribbean I will go on again. The food was quite good and the price I could not beat. Also, since Disney has raised the single supplement, I believe that I will be sailing with RC on all my future single cruises. Due to price, Disney will now have to be done with a group which is a bit difficult because my family and friends are not into cruising.

Other differences:
I like that DCL includes the soda package
I like that DCL has the transfers included if you purchase Disney air
DCL has a gift for returning guests.
Once at a crowded port, very hot/sunny with no shade. WHile we were waiting for a tender, DCL brought out a stand and gave guests water and lemonade. The other cruise ships did not offer this to their guests waiting in hot tender lines. DCL just has little differences like that.
 
I don't think you will find a nicer boat out there than the Dream/Fantasy. Definitely the sexiest looking ship leaving the port. Not being a huge floating white whale helps.
 
Selcuk in Palo on the Wonder!!! Best service ever- and an all around great guy :)
 
I have sailed 3 times on DCL (soon to be 4th and final...for personal reasons I may explain on these boards one day!!). I have sailed once on RCCL, the Monarch, one of their oldest and considered a "party" ship. I must admit, although I am always partial to Disney service, the food and entertainment on RCCL was FAR SUPERIOR to DCL. However, the rooms, the service, the ship itself, the atmosphere, the beach...far better on DCL. I will be sailing the Allure soon as well and know it will be wonderful...also looking forward to sailing the Dream in May...also sure to be amazing. Personally, we have fun and enjoy ourselves wherever we go!!!

I'm sorry but I disagree, I've been on the Monarch 4x/ when it was out here in LA, it nowhere compares to a DCL. The shows were much better on the Wonder, its a cleaner and bigger ship and has a separate adult area which the Monarch is woefully lacking. Not enough lounge chairs on Monarch. Although the food was about the same :).

The Allure sounds great, although huge !!! have a great time .
 
Phil'sFrontier said:
I don't think you will find a nicer boat out there than the Dream/Fantasy. Definitely the sexiest looking ship leaving the port. Not being a huge floating white whale helps.

Or a floating apartment building. We sailed out next to the Carnival Splendor and some RCCL boat back in June, and I felt like I was in a Rolls Royce. People were lined up on the other boats to look at US!!!
 
So as life long Disney fan, I already know that there is such a thing as the Disney difference. However, I have never been so blessed yet to take a cruise with them. I am planning a trip for the DH and I for next year and mostly looking at cruises. The problem is I keep coming back to Disney.;)
My DH feels it will not be right to do without the kids(22,20,19,18,and 15, they always come on vacation with us so this time I just want some alone time with DH being we are going to be celebrating 22 years of marriage, I feel we earned some alone time.:goodvibes) I on the other hand think we will have a totally amazing time and if we are going to spend the money to do a cruise why not go with the best?
So for all of you who are castaway club members and know all the in and outs, could you please tell me somethings I may be able to use to convince him that Disney really is the best choice for our adults only cruise.

DH and I cruised on the Fantasy this May for our anniversary. Our kids were younger than yours (15, 13, 12) and we left them at home. Personally, I would have preferred Celebrity, but that isn't what you asked. Plus, I really enjoyed the Fantasy. Here are some things you can use to convince your DH.

1. We were seated in the MDR with another couple close to our age with no kids. Also celebrating their anniversary.
2. Dinner at Remy was the most fabulous meal EVER!
3. Dinner at Palo was pretty darned good, too.
4. Adults only areas on the ship are fabulous. (except the pool)
5. Seeing movies in the theater is great.
6. Etc. Etc. Etc.

You can spend as much or as little time around kids as you want and the ships are beautiful. Whatever you choose, enjoy your anniversary.
 
I've done 3 princess (1 old ship, 2new) and just now driving home from the Fantasy. Honestly I'm sick out of my min of the cruise director (Leslie) telling us how awesome they are! Seriously if I had a dollar for every time she said the words "Disney differentiator" , well my cruise would be about half price

Seriously though, the room was very spacious and well laid out, and the secure oceaneers lab/club was excellent, but that's it. Food was mediocre, entertainment was so-so (although Leslie kept spouting how their shows were better-than -broadway), and the pools are way too small for the number of passengers

With kids, I'll likely do Disney again. For my wife and I, it's not worth the cost: I'll look at celebrity from what I'm hearing here

Btw, I'm a Disney LOVER and DVC member since 94'. I'll be posting a full writeup soon
 

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