Which cruise line do you like after DCL?

[disneyholic family]

we enjoy royal...find it on par with disney in many areas (though not all)...

although the phone people at royal can be very "non-disney" to say the least...

but once on board the ship, royal has a very good product...

.

 

[owensjro]

We are platinum on DCL and have done 2 cruises on Celebrity. Now when we look at vacations we check both DCL and Celebrity to see who has the itinerary/pricing we like best. We found the service, food, and overall experience to be very nice on Celebrity and our teen loved it as well.

Jim

 

[CamColt]

I voted for NCL but it's basically for the itineraries, not for the cruise line overall. They sail Boston to Bermuda which is convenient for us and we have done it twice. I also would like to some day get to Hawaii and take the cruise they offer there.

Also, besides NCL the only other comparison I have is Premier Cruise Line which no longer exists, so that also added to my choice. There are definitely things on NCL that I don't like at all (not being able to bring on water is top on my list).

 

[cruiser21]

Our favorites are RCI Oasis class. My daughter started to outgrow the princesses around 6 so we decided to give the Oasis of the Seas a try. It was the only cruise she ever asked to go back on.

She went in the kids' club on DCL once, had a bad experience and would never go back so the clubs are not a selling point for us. That isn't a problem because we look at our cruises as all family time. Husband and I don't go to any adult lounges/bars, adult shows, or casinos.

We're not fans of the food on Disney. We don't need to have the same serving team and sometimes really don't like a long drawn out dinner. One thing we really like is having a buffet dinner option. I also loved that I could take my daughter with me to the specialty restaurants when we cruised alone on the Allure (best cruise food ever).

Pools are a big thing for us and Disney's one pool is horrible. Oasis class has 4 that we can use. My daughter also likes the rock climbing wall (and ropes courses on NCL). The only shows we like on DCL are the movie-inspired ones so we stopped going to the rest. On Oasis class daughter loves the musicals, ice skating and aqua/diving shows, which change (not the same for years and years like on DCL). We're not beach people so can take or leave Castaway Cay. We've never had issues with service or room size - we get an oceanview balcony on RCI.

The only Disney cruises we really enjoy are the Very Merrytime cruises. Otherwise when you add everything up it's Oasis class for us.

The kiddie pool on dcl is downright frightening. I've never understood how that is enjoyable for anyone.

 

[Soham KB]

I’ve been on four NCL cruises.
I can definitely say that it is my second favorite.
The entertainment, places onboard, clubs and lounges remind me a lot of DCL.

 

[cgolf]

We are platinum on DCL and have now done two cruises without kids on RCCL and have liked them a lot. We found the food and service to be inline with DCL and at this point in our lives it feels like a good fit for us. We are trying Celebrity next year, but it is on the edge so it won't be traditional Celebrity. We are glad we cut the cord finally from DCL and branched out. Had a lot of concerns that quickly went away once we got on board RCCL in a tenth of the time it takes on DCL without the crush of people

I will say in some places they may have more people out selling stuff, but if you don't engage with them they aren't pushy and didn't try to engage with us.

 

[tlprice]

I've only done DCL, but if I tried another line, it would probably be Princess. It's the only other one my daughter has shown an interest in. I really don't think I'd like the behemoth RCI ships. I prefer the classic DCL ships. I like the smaller, more intimate vibe. If it was just me, I would love to do Cunard or Viking.

 

[KashasMom]

The kiddie pool on dcl is downright frightening. I've never understood how that is enjoyable for anyone.

So is the family pool! It's people soup - all you can do it stand and watch the movie on the funnel vision (or whatever it's called).

 

[KashasMom]

I’ve been on four NCL cruises.
I can definitely say that it is my second favorite.
The entertainment, places onboard, clubs and lounges remind me a lot of DCL.

We've done the Epic, Breakaway, and Getaway with our daughter when she was 3 1/2, 4, and 6. She's now 9 and we found that there isn't enough family entertainment. It's one of the things I'm really not looking forward to on our upcoming Bliss cruise although we'll see Jersey Boys and 2 family comedy shows. We did enjoy the Cirque shows on Epic and Breakaway but that was only 1 night. Some of the parties were fun - although they started very late (and starting later on Bliss). Hoping Alaska will tire us out enough not to notice.

 

[cruiser21]

We are going on our second DCL cruise and second ever cruise next month. I recognize where I am asking this question - so after DCL what cruise line would you pick second?

How old is your son? Does he like the kids clubs? I'm assuming that's your son in your avatar.

 

[Chandra C]

Our favorites are RCI Oasis class. My daughter started to outgrow the princesses around 6 so we decided to give the Oasis of the Seas a try. It was the only cruise she ever asked to go back on.

She went in the kids' club on DCL once, had a bad experience and would never go back so the clubs are not a selling point for us. That isn't a problem because we look at our cruises as all family time. Husband and I don't go to any adult lounges/bars, adult shows, or casinos.

We're not fans of the food on Disney. We don't need to have the same serving team and sometimes really don't like a long drawn out dinner. One thing we really like is having a buffet dinner option. I also loved that I could take my daughter with me to the specialty restaurants when we cruised alone on the Allure (best cruise food ever).

Pools are a big thing for us and Disney's one pool is horrible. Oasis class has 4 that we can use. My daughter also likes the rock climbing wall (and ropes courses on NCL). The only shows we like on DCL are the movie-inspired ones so we stopped going to the rest. On Oasis class daughter loves the musicals, ice skating and aqua/diving shows, which change (not the same for years and years like on DCL). We're not beach people so can take or leave Castaway Cay. We've never had issues with service or room size - we get an oceanview balcony on RCI.

The only Disney cruises we really enjoy are the Very Merrytime cruises. Otherwise when you add everything up it's Oasis class for us.

So I’d love to know what particular things you like about the very merrytime Cruise! We’ve been on several Disney cruises but haven’t did this one yet, I’m really curious about it! Last year there were actually some of the restricted fare cruises in December and I’m hoping it happens again and I’m in a better financial situation next time around so I can jump on it lol

 

[KashasMom]

So I’d love to know what particular things you like about the very merrytime Cruise! We’ve been on several Disney cruises but haven’t did this one yet, I’m really curious about it! Last year there were actually some of the restricted fare cruises in December and I’m hoping it happens again and I’m in a better financial situation next time around so I can jump on it lol

We like the activities - we've made a gingerbread house twice, made an Olaf ornament, holiday arts/crafts, the parties - the lighting of the (huge) Christmas Tree with snow falling in the atrium. The ship is totally decorated (including a huge gingerbread house) and the characters are in holiday outfits. There are Christmas carolers, Santa meet and greet, Mrs. Claus story time, hot chocolate and cookies, a holiday party on the pool deck, holiday merchandise, ornament exchanges (similar to FE), etc., etc. It's a great time for family photos for Christmas cards - wearing your best ugly Christmas sweater or holiday pajamas (yes, people do).

 

[Chandra C]

We like the activities - we've made a gingerbread house twice, made an Olaf ornament, holiday arts/crafts, the parties - the lighting of the (huge) Christmas Tree with snow falling in the atrium. The ship is totally decorated (including a huge gingerbread house) and the characters are in holiday outfits. There are Christmas carolers, Santa meet and greet, Mrs. Claus story time, hot chocolate and cookies, a holiday party on the pool deck, holiday merchandise, ornament exchanges (similar to FE), etc., etc. It's a great time for family photos for Christmas cards - wearing your best ugly Christmas sweater or holiday pajamas (yes, people do).[/QUOTE

Sounds amazing! I know we would love it!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I can't choose just one. So I didn't vote. We've done Holland America, Princess, and Carnival (and would put them in that order for repeats).

Haven't done Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. But, if the price & itinerary were right, we'd do them.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Sailed DCL, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL and RCCL (But a long time ago and without kids).

NOTE: just reread everything I wrote below and I sound like I HATED my cruises, but I have never had a bad cruise, including on all these other lines, but I did compare to DCL constantly and found a lot lacking.

Celebrity would be my 2nd choice if price wasn't an option, but not on the options for the poll. Food was great and the kids enjoyed it because they were one of only a handful (literally!) of kids in September/Alaska cruise, and we used our OBC to buy a package for them that included them to be able to use the kids club all day (including weird lunch and dinner hours when it was normally closed). Entertainment sucked though, not kid friendly pretty boring. Not much to do at night but enjoy the free drink package. But overall, very much for adults, very "fancy" - not family or kid oriented outside of kids clubs, and many fellow passengers are "anti-kid" - "so glad there are no kids on board" (without knowing we had 2 kids with us). Would probably not be great during peak kid season, but ship was beautiful. First time I went was with my husband and it was very nice without kids of course. Tends to be expensive.

After that I would choose Carnival because at least it is cheap, I thought the food was good - but it has been a few years. Lots of quick dining options and very family and kid oriented.. Rooms are not great but lots of good trivia and things for kids to do. Pool and waters slides for kids. Older kid hated kids club, younger son liked it. Fellow travelers - well the only place I ever had someone admit to me they were going to remove all tips because they just couldn't afford to pay them and didn't realize they would have to. Lots of drinking in excess, especially around the pool. Entertainment - not very good but for comedians. Can definitely veer to the tacky, but certainly not pretentious.

We had a great time on HAL, but mainly because: 1) went with family; 2) played a lot of trivia; 3) lots of hot tubs, which kids loved and 4) hardly any kids so my kids got a lot of attention. But older ship (at least, what we went on), service was worst I have EVER had on a cruise; comically bad I though we were being punked for a hidden camera show (until my sister said, I cannot eat in the dining room another night like this on day 2, complained and we got a new server who was good if not very engaging like on DCL). Definitely skews older and the entertainment reflected that. Musical reviews that probably were being done on the cruises in the 70s; comedians who appeared to do the shows from the Catskills in the 50s, including racist, tasteless humor; supposedly kid friendly, but too risque for my son. Walked out. Thank god they had a library and I was with extended family, as hanging out and reading was all I really had to do at night after trivia ended. Room was tiny and as soon as we got on my son got locked in bathroom as lock was defective. Would probably only do again with fantastic itinerary - I hear they are good for Alaska.

NCL we had a great itinerary (Med cruise) but if we hadn't been in the Haven I would have been miserable (but since I WAS in Haven, I was in Heaven ). Ship is TOO big, TOO crowded and everyone has drink packages so all the bars are 3 people deep (except Haven). Other than Haven, service sucked. Non-specialty restaurants always seemed to have a wait at dinner. Didn't go outside of Haven after day 2 but for specialty restaurants. I was "registered" as GF, but literally met servers in the non-haven restaurants that did not even know what that meant. Not a problem if you are in the Haven, but the couple times we ventured out it was so NOT relaxing. Trivia sucked -worse ever of any cruise- actually complained on comment card. Entertainment was usual non-DCL cruise fare - boring, mostly not kid friendly. I have considered cruising on NCL again, but only if in Haven is affordable or REALLY excellent itinerary for a great price. But, my younger son loved the pool, slides, etc (but not the kids club- he was used to being allowed self-checkout and NCL doesn't allow it until you have been there 2 hours, and no wave phone or text to let me come get him earlier). Older son liked the teen club.

RCCL I did years ago with my husband on our honeymoon, we rarely left the cabin but for casino and when we didn't order room service, so...hard to say what I would think with kids today. Price wise they are attractive but not a fan of mega ships. I never use casinos on cruise ships anymore, btw, so used to not having them on DCL and very happy about that. No smoky rooms, no throwing money and time away on useless things on vacation.

I want to try MSC. I don't get Princess - can't figure out what kind of cruise they offer and when I look at cruises the prices are SOOO high, I stop almost immediately. Just appears boring to me, and overpriced.

 

[mevelandry]

We like the activities - we've made a gingerbread house twice, made an Olaf ornament, holiday arts/crafts, the parties - the lighting of the (huge) Christmas Tree with snow falling in the atrium. The ship is totally decorated (including a huge gingerbread house) and the characters are in holiday outfits. There are Christmas carolers, Santa meet and greet, Mrs. Claus story time, hot chocolate and cookies, a holiday party on the pool deck, holiday merchandise, ornament exchanges (similar to FE), etc., etc. It's a great time for family photos for Christmas cards - wearing your best ugly Christmas sweater or holiday pajamas (yes, people do).

Wait... Apparently, I missed the hot chocolate and cookies thing!!!

 

[mevelandry]

(...)
After that I would choose Carnival because at least it is cheap, I thought the food was good - but it has been a few years. Lots of quick dining options and very family and kid oriented.. Rooms are not great but lots of good trivia and things for kids to do. Pool and waters slides for kids. Older kid hated kids club, younger son liked it. Fellow travelers - well the only place I ever had someone admit to me they were going to remove all tips because they just couldn't afford to pay them and didn't realize they would have to. Lots of drinking in excess, especially around the pool. Entertainment - not very good but for comedians. Can definitely veer to the tacky, but certainly not pretentious.

(...)

First of all, I have to say that I am very envious of your cruising experience.

I think you might be very pleased with the new Carnival ships. I have noticed an upgrade in cabins between my first (2016) and last Carnival cruise (2018). Mattresses were more comfortable and the look was MUCH better. They are slowly getting rid of the orange-beige-pink shades.

Not sure what you experienced regarding food but the offering for food is amazing at these days. I have to restrain myself otherwise I would eat all day.

I was surprised by the technology used for their shows on the Carnival Vista (well done) so they definitely have upgraded in that area, at least on the new ships... although I have to admit that I loved the show Vroom on the two cruises I have done on the Victory (amazing performers). DH and I are big fans of the comedy shows. This is one of the best features of Carnival and one of the criterias that brought us back. Hopefully they never cut back on that.

I can't say I have encountered much excessive drinkers (the only guy I met who bragged about drinking a lot was still very much on his feet and just chatty, not obnoxious)... that being said, I always cruise outside of spring break and that might help. The most quiet one was definitely the longest cruise on the Vista.

I'm loving the direction Carnival is taking: more family friendly without focussing exclusively on them (childfree here so I appreciate balance), less "booze cruise".

Regarding tips, this is indeed very sad to know some can barely afford a vacation and have to skip gratuity. That being said, judging by the number of threads I have read here from people wanting to stiff cast members from gratuity, I can say this is unfortunately a problem encountered on many lines and it's not just coming from broke people. I honestly think they should make it part of the rate.

Thanks again for your review. It really makes me crave trying new cruise lines.

 

[starvenger]

Love Royal more than DCL. Not that Disney is bad or anything (far from it), just not the “right” cruise line for myself or my family.

 

[KashasMom]

Wait... Apparently, I missed the hot chocolate and cookies thing!!!

They were by the big gingerbread house in the atrium. Think that was on the Fantasy. Don't remember having them on the Magic.

 

[southerngirl528]

They were by the big gingerbread house in the atrium. Think that was on the Fantasy. Don't remember having them on the Magic.

The Magic and Wonder have far less cavernous atriums than the Dream class ships, which could be the reason they don't do the full sized gingerbread house.