Why Choose Disney Cruise Line Over Another Cruise Line

[Emiems20]

I am posting this here because I know several of you have gone or are going on the podcast cruise, so you have some experience with the DCL.

My husband and I are looking at doing a European Cruise in the summer of 2012. I realize the prices are not out yet and there is no grantee that DCL will continue in Europe. We are looking at DCL and Royal Caribbean. The Royal Caribbean would be about $500 cheaper for the same length of stay and a slightly better cabin. Is DCL really worth $500 more? I know that if we do DCL (assuming the cruise is the same) I will want to do the shore excursion in Rome and to Pompeii, so that will be an extra cost and then the airline will be more so that $500 could come in handy.

This will be a trip of a lifetime for me, and more than likely the only time we take a trip like this. I have a degree in History and am studying to be a Teacher so I really want to make sure I get to see these places. I have never been on a cruise before so I have no idea what to expect, any advice anyone can give will be greatly appreciated.

 

[mikelan6]

If you are a Disney lover and a Disney fan, take DCL. If you have kids, go on DCL. Otherwise, save the money and go on RCCL.

I've been on both lines and must say that the quality of the ship, service and food is better on DCL. Line to line, I would compare DCL more to Celebrity or Holland America Line than RCCL.

Also, I would recomend you try a shorter cruise, just to see if you like it.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I have never been on a cruise, but my general "choose Disney over x" theory is that I trust Disney. I know I'm not going to have a bad time if Disney is involved.

If something goes wrong, I trust Disney to make it right.

 

[Tink rules]

I went on my very first cruise with Disney in 2008... a 15 night Panama Canal cruise...

I went from planning a 4 night - to see what it was like and if I didn't like it... it was only 4 nights... Then I saw that the prices for a 7 night weren't ALL that far from the 4 nights (depending on what season you sail...) and then my mom mentioned Panama... a dream for her and she was 76 at the time.

We had a BLAST!!! The service is incredible... you get spoiled... yes... I trusted Disney also... they made it so easy. The shows are also family friendly and are very good... They have won several awards for their shows.

After 15 nights... I had to take my mom (Ok not really) dragging her kicking and screaming!!! We didn't want to get off.

Both are nice... I was never bored on Disney... it is a beautiful ship... there is no casino though (which I didn't miss...) I felt very safe on the ship (knowing I was traveling and looked out for that...)

I'd say go Disney if you can... you won't regret it...

 

[two-foxes]

It sounds like your focus of this trip is the itinerary, and not the pixie dust. Try RCCL. Now keep in mind this is coming from someone who has taken 7 Disney Cruises and never stepped foot on another cruise line. But, your post says it all. You will be paying a premium to sail with three circles, and let's face it, probably a much older ship on DCL. A trip to Europe is soooooo not cheap, and every hundred dollars you can save will help you out. And honestly, Disney doesn't do Europe often, and other cruise lines do all the time. I think other lines like RCCL will have more experience in the ports and will have their excursions running super smooth due to their regular itineraries there. I know some members fo the roundtable have happily cruises other lines and have given some very good reviews of the other lines.

Go to cruisecritic.com and take some time to read the reviews of RCCL and the ship you're looking at. Make as informed of a choice as you can, then book it and don't look back

 

[NancyIL]

RCI's Europe itineraries for 2012 won't be out until spring 2011, and DCL won't necessarily cruise to the Med in 2012. However, if the price difference was only $500 for an equal length cruise with a similar itinerary - I'd probably choose DCL. DCL's cruises usually haven't been that close in price to other cruise lines. However, with a 4th ship joining the Disney fleet in 2012, I think prices will have to move downward if Disney wants to fill their ships.