also, cruise prices vary by time of year - and week to week. But your family situation may dictate when you can go. I do think that for younger kids, the
DCL is the best - have been on
Royal Caribbean as well - but the Disney characters, the kids' clubs, the shows - are great (assuming your child would want to participate). If your child doesn't want to participate, then, the DCL is good but not, in my estimation, that much better than say Royal Caribbean give the price differences. Now, certainly, many adults enjoy the Disney atmosphere, the lack of a casino, the Disney shows and as such, that makes the cost difference acceptable. I liked the rotating through the different dining rooms - but on the new ships of other cruise lines, there are more dining options than in the past (copying no doubt from Disney, I suspect). So, what is important is to learn about what the various cruise lines have to offer -
Castaway Cay is a great beach day on Disney - better than other lines private islands, but if you're not interested in a beach day, then that is no benefit to you. Smaller cruise ships often go to less crowded ports of call. But smaller ships may not have as many activites on board for all ages as Disney or Royal Caribbean. I think it especially true with Disney that advance planning and thought into what you want to do - the Passporter Guide is a terrific book on the Disney ships - and of course this board is most helpful.