Why is DCL worth the extra cost?

[NancyIL]

So, I haven't read through this whole thread but am I the only one that is getting HIGHER prices for comparable cruises with Royal? Maybe it's the dates or rooms that I am selecting?
I recently put on hold a Western Carribean cruise on Disney Fantasy for first week in March 2017, for 2A 1K, coming in at $4606 for a balcony room (taxes in).
Just priced out Royal - The Western Carribean one week later, oceanview balcony room with sofabed for 2A 1K comes in at $5813 with taxes and fees. The Eastern Carribean same week as Disney comes in at $5134, still more expensive than Disney.

When we did the Panama Canal Cruise back in May, I also priced Royal for the same cruise and it was coming in at $500 more!

Never mind...for 3 people, all I see available with balconies on Oasis are suites.

 

[shelbell77]

Did all the kids on DCL get on your nerves? We have kids but are sailing without them this time (Magic Eastern.) i booked it bc i know DCL and I don't know the others, and didnt have a lot of time to research, but i sometimes think it is crazy to take a Disney cruise while leaving my own kids at home. I do not want to be on a booze cruise, which is how i picture Carnival. Then again, in our early 40s, we dont want anything tooo boring... I do appreciate good service. I am not even sure which other lines to truly consider. Who else do you all recommend who does the caribbean from Florida?

I'm late 30s, have been cruising DCL for 15 years, and always without kids. I'm NOT a fan of kids. I've also cruised NCL, RCCL, and Priciness. Although technically way way more kids on disney than the others, it don't find it bothersome. In fact I've sometimes found it better than my non Disney cruises who have less kids - because Disney does a better job entertaining them. I've heard people complain when we're in port about how many kids are running all over their non-Disney ship - and its a fraction of Disney. and most parents we meet on DCL complain their kids don't want to leave the kids clubs. The exception to this was the 14 night WBPC. I think with 14 nights the kids just get bored and as time wore on they spent less time in the clubs and more time hanging out in stairwells, running the halls etc. I've never noticed this problem on our 7 night cruises.

 

[tinkerone]

When do you go? Let us know how it was when you get back. I am also looking into non- cruise resorts, but I want something with lots of dinner options that we donT have to drive to.

we are going in nov of 2016 after she repositions to p.c., its an 8 night cruise so we are getting an extra day plus saving a few thousand. for sure a win win.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I'm late 30s, have been cruising DCL for 15 years, and always without kids.

We are in our early 40's. Always cruise without my son. My son doesn't want to go on the ship. He always wants to save his vacation time for the park. He's a kid who likes rides and gets bored easily. So when we cruise, we leave him behind and when we go to the parks, we take him.

That said, we have never found the kids out of control on the ships. there are a decent number of areas that are "kid free" and generally although the kids have to walk thorough the adult area because of the layout (that was really poorly done), they don't run around or play there and are good about just walking by. Every now and then I see a kid who wants to get in the adult pool, but their handler usually tells them no and moves them along pretty efficiently.

And of course the kids don't go up to satellite falls at all.

 

[JJsmama]

We are in our early 40's. Always cruise without my son. My son doesn't want to go on the ship. He always wants to save his vacation time for the park. He's a kid who likes rides and gets bored easily. So when we cruise, we leave him behind and when we go to the parks, we take him.

That said, we have never found the kids out of control on the ships. there are a decent number of areas that are "kid free" and generally although the kids have to walk thorough the adult area because of the layout (that was really poorly done), they don't run around or play there and are good about just walking by. Every now and then I see a kid who wants to get in the adult pool, but their handler usually tells them no and moves them along pretty efficiently.

And of course the kids don't go up to satellite falls at all.

good to know. Thanks.

 

[JJsmama]

I'm late 30s, have been cruising DCL for 15 years, and always without kids. I'm NOT a fan of kids. I've also cruised NCL, RCCL, and Priciness. Although technically way way more kids on disney than the others, it don't find it bothersome. In fact I've sometimes found it better than my non Disney cruises who have less kids - because Disney does a better job entertaining them. I've heard people complain when we're in port about how many kids are running all over their non-Disney ship - and its a fraction of Disney. and most parents we meet on DCL complain their kids don't want to leave the kids clubs. The exception to this was the 14 night WBPC. I think with 14 nights the kids just get bored and as time wore on they spent less time in the clubs and more time hanging out in stairwells, running the halls etc. I've never noticed this problem on our 7 night cruises.

Good info. I feel less worried about it now.

Now, if someone could explain how to make the multiquote work so I could have put thes two responses together.... I did click on multiquote, but wtill failed...

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Good info. I feel less worried about it now.

Now, if someone could explain how to make the multiquote work so I could have put thes two responses together.... I did click on multiquote, but wtill failed...

1. go to the first post and hit quote. You get a message it was added.
2. go to the next post and hit quote. You get the same message.
3. Go to the reply area at the bottom, and there is a new button on the left to "insert quotes". Press it. You get a dialog confirming to add all the quotes you 'saved'. There is also a remove link on eachone if you made a mistake.
4. Profit.

 

[JJsmama]

1. go to the first post and hit quote. You get a message it was added.
2. go to the next post and hit quote. You get the same message.
3. Go to the reply area at the bottom, and there is a new button on the left to "insert quotes". Press it. You get a dialog confirming to add all the quotes you 'saved'. There is also a remove link on eachone if you made a mistake.
4. Profit.

Thanks! Thats the step i was missing.

 

[twiceblessedindeed]

I'm really struggling with selecting another cruise line. What Disney brings for our family is that myself, my mom, and my twins can be equally entertained alltoghter at once. That's a rarity, but with all of our Disney vacations, especially the cruises, its something that we all appreciate. Where else can you take the kids for a full course sit down dinner at a nice place where the kids are not only tolerated but entertained and celebrated while service remains impeccable.

Now, Carnival Breeze will come here to Texas next summer. The waterpark looks awesome. Very tempting. But it's hard to get away from Disney, even with the value of other cruise lines. But my kiddos are less into characters than they were when they were younger, so I definitely want to pursue other options. Plus the Disney Pricetag $$$$$ YIKES, its really hard to justify

 

[joedplumber]

We just booked a 7 night Southern Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean for $4,100 which gives us 2 connecting promenade view rooms. I just priced a DCL 7 night Caribbean cruise for the same exact dates and 2 interior rooms would cost $9,700.00. Talk about sticker shock. Ouch!!!

 

[tinkerone]

We just booked a 7 night Southern Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean for $4,100 which gives us 2 connecting promenade view rooms. I just priced a DCL 7 night Caribbean cruise for the same exact dates and 2 interior rooms would cost $9,700.00. Talk about sticker shock. Ouch!!!

thats the other thing that really excites me about our upcoming rcl cruise. the inside balconies. i know there not for everyone however i can't wait to use our central park one for sitting out in the evenings with a glass of wine. the low lights, the sounds of music floating in the air, the chirping of crickets…..okay, so i'm romanticizing the whole thing. i'm allowed.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

So, I haven't read through this whole thread but am I the only one that is getting HIGHER prices for comparable cruises with Royal? Maybe it's the dates or rooms that I am selecting?
I recently put on hold a Western Carribean cruise on Disney Fantasy for first week in March 2017, for 2A 1K, coming in at $4606 for a balcony room (taxes in).
Just priced out Royal - The Western Carribean one week later, oceanview balcony room with sofabed for 2A 1K comes in at $5813 with taxes and fees. The Eastern Carribean same week as Disney comes in at $5134, still more expensive than Disney.

When we did the Panama Canal Cruise back in May, I also priced Royal for the same cruise and it was coming in at $500 more!

You may also want to check pricing on Liberty of the Seas out of Galveston. It sailed the same routes each week as the Fantasy but leaves on Sunday instead of Saturday. She is going into dry dock in January and are adding some really cool panaramic view rooms that are gorgeous.

We have this one booked for next October for only $3200 for 5 people.

There is a sofa bed to the left of the chairs, a separate area with bunk beds and has 1 and 1/2 bathrooms.

She is also having 3 water slides added in dry dock.

 

[tinkerone]

You may also want to check pricing on Liberty of the Seas out of Galveston. It sailed the same routes each week as the Fantasy but leaves on Sunday instead of Saturday. She is going into dry dock in January and are adding some really cool panaramic view rooms that are gorgeous.

We have this one booked for next October for only $3200 for 5 people.
View attachment 141731
There is a sofa bed to the left of the chairs, a separate area with bunk beds and has 1 and 1/2 bathrooms.

She is also having 3 water slides added in dry dock.

WOW! going to look into that.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

WOW! going to look into that.

There are only a couple of these rooms on the Freedom class ships and you have to call to book them. We had to pay for 5 to book it but there are only 4 of us, but was still a little more than 1/2 the price of 2 insides on the Fantasy for the same week.

ETA: I should clarify, there are only 2 "Family" panaramic rooms that are pictured, they have several smaller panaramic rooms that sleep up to 4 on the Freefom class ships. The regular panaramic rooms still have the wall of Windows and the new furnishings.

 

[Ofinn]

Thanks everyone for the Rccl and Celebrity information for Hawaii. She has always wanted to do a Hawaii trip, so this will be her chance. I have been there only once and we pumped off the cargo from a off shore buoy.

AKK

We docked next to Solstice. It's a beautiful ship at least on the outside. I'm hoping DCL goes back again in 2017 or 2018. It was such a great cruise I would love to do it again.

 

[Ofinn]

Thanks everyone for the Rccl and Celebrity information for Hawaii. She has always wanted to do a Hawaii trip, so this will be her chance. I have been there only once and we pumped off the cargo from a off shore buoy.

AKK

We docked next to Solstice. It's a beautiful ship at least on the outside. I'm hoping DCL goes back again in 2017 or 2018. It was such a great cruise I would love to do it again.

 

[GVG]

We have sailed on Disney 5 times, and just booked for our 6th for this May. We started when our kids were little, and now even though they are grown and on their own my wife and I still sail on Disney. We have sailed with Sea Goddess, Seabourn, Princess, Carnival and yes even many many years ago on The Big Red Boat. We love Disney service and quality. We just came off a Princess cruise two weeks ago that was a disaster, cold food, no water, no toilets, no AC and a brand new very green crew that was clueless. We will never sail on Princess again. In fact we had a Princess cruise booked for this spring and cancelled it the moment we got home and booked a Disney cruise.

We know with Disney what we will get, we know the quality is there and the ship will be beautiful and lively. Though we are in our 50's we simply do not enjoy the "lifestyle" promoted by cruise lines that cater to my generation. We want fun, lively shows with top talent, great food and a ship that does not look like the only color in the palette was brown.

Oh and one final thing... the adults only beach at Castaway Cay. Worth the cost of the entire cruise. We spend the entire day there each cruise swimming, bike riding and just relaxing under an umbrella listening to the quiet. Last year we did a cruise with two stops at Castaway, best cruise ever.

To us it is worth the money to know that a great time is guaranteed.

 

[NancyIL]

We have sailed on Disney 5 times, and just booked for our 6th for this May. We started when our kids were little, and now even though they are grown and on their own my wife and I still sail on Disney. We have sailed with Sea Goddess, Seabourn, Princess, Carnival and yes even many many years ago on The Big Red Boat. We love Disney service and quality. We just came off a Princess cruise two weeks ago that was a disaster, cold food, no water, no toilets, no AC and a brand new very green crew that was clueless. We will never sail on Princess again. In fact we had a Princess cruise booked for this spring and cancelled it the moment we got home and booked a Disney cruise.

We know with Disney what we will get, we know the quality is there and the ship will be beautiful and lively. Though we are in our 50's we simply do not enjoy the "style" the cruise lines that cater to my generation promote. We want fun, lively shows with top talent, great food and a ship that does not look like the only color in the palette was brown.

Oh and one final thing... the adult only beach at Castaway Cay. Worth the cost of the entire cruise. We spend the entire day there each cruise swimming, bike riding and just relaxing under an umbrella listening to the quiet. Last year we did a cruise with two stops at Castaway, best cruise ever.

To us it is worth the money to know that a great time is guaranteed.

What Princess ship was this?

 

[GVG]

The Emerald.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

The Emerald.

Just out of curiousity, was this pre or post dry dock?

I've been hearing some issues around their first couple of sailings post dry dock.