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There are other changes as well.
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This is purely to hear all the different responses, but I've never been on a Disney cruise before and am wondering, in your opinion, what makes it a better cruise than the other cruise lines such as Carnival, Norwegian, RCI, etc.?
We made the mistake last year of cruising on the NCL Epic. Too big, mediocre service, upcharges for everything, lines for everything, rooms are much smaller and etc. etc. etc.
DCL is far better for every aspect. Especially the no hidden charges. It was surprising to have an additional $2000 bill at the end of the cruise and we are not big drinkers at all.
There are 18 restaruants and 14 are upcharges from $10 to $40 per person. There are also shows that cost more to see. Having to make reservations for dineer every night is also stressful.
I think that Disney Cruise Line is more inclusive than other lines. There is less "nickel & diming" in terms of soda, snacks, etc. The Children's programming is worlds above other lines and you the fact that DCL offers "adult only" areas on every ship is a plus for adults who want a little "kid free" time!
We have sailed on DCL twice (the Wonder and Magic), and just once on RCI (the Radiance - slightly larger than Wonder/Magic) last summer (to Alaska). I wrote up a summary for my TA with the pros and cons of each.
Pros for RCI:
Mini golf course (DS loved this)
Rock climbing wall (DD loved this)
Main pool seemed much bigger, as well as having a pool undercover (Solarium) for bad/cool weather, which was essential when cruising Alaska. While the Solarium was only open from 10-12 and 2-4 for family swimming, we were there everyday for it. We used the outdoor pool once, when it seems they forgot to turn on the heater in the Solarium pool.
Lots of varied eating places added with the drydock (the ship had gotten out of drydock 3 weeks before we got on, and they basically turned it into a foodie (fee based) ship).
Beautiful glass elevators to the outside.
Interactive TV to add excursions, check your bill, etc. Disney didn't have this the last time we cruised, not sure if it's been added.
It seemed very casual. There were 2 formal nights, one smart casual night, and the rest were casual, which meant most people were wearing jeans to dinner. Not sure if this was because it was Alaska or if it's like that on other ships.
Cons for RCI:
Kids club seemed to have less activities, definitely less hours. You could pay to have them stay late or eat dinner there. DS spent some time there the first few days, but then we got so busy with excursions and such, he never went back. DD never went. She felt very intimidated just turning 12, to be lumped together with 17 year olds. The teen area was very small as well. She is very shy and introverted though, so an outgoing child might not have the same issues.
With all the varied eating places added, many were fee based.
Paying for soda - I got the soda package for the kids and DH. It was worth the money, IMO for them, but we're used to Disney and it being free. Also no drink station, you had to go to a bar to refill.
Staterooms were smaller. Missed the split bath that Disney has.
Big screen added in pool area seemed much smaller than Disney's. Granted, this was Alaska, and no one was out there watching it anyway. It was hardly showing anything anyway, maybe one or two things a day if that.
The main dining was fine, food wise, although seemed to start off strong, and then get weaker (menu wise) as the week went on.
The seating in the buffet was a nightmare (which I guess it probably can be at BBB/Topsiders as well). Since they took up seating area with the addition of two new restaurants, trying to find a seat at lunch (and sometimes breakfast) was hard to come by. They opened those areas for breakfast, but even one day both of those were filled as well.
That said, we still had great service on RCI (on par to maybe just a notch below DCL) and the RCI cruise was half the cost of what a Disney cruise would have been (similar timeframe booked about 5.5 months out). I don't mind paying for Disney service, but not twice the price!
We are still looking forward to cruising on Disney again (hopefully the Dream or Fantasy) but will not hesitate to cruise with another line, at least RCI.
We're cruising with P&O at the end of April and I'm going to be interested to see the difference, but already I can vouch for the "nickel and diming" comment. I cannot believe how much they charge for - like soft drink packages that are free with Disney. It makes you realise what you pay the extra for, as Disney's cruises, certainly when they're been in the Med and up to the Baltic, are a heck of a lot more expensive than other operators.
I've been on RCI, Holland America, and Carnival in addition to DCL:
A) Nobody else does a family cruise like Disney
B) Only Disney has free movies as well as live entertainment - others offer hotel-style pay-per-view movies in the stateroom
C) Operating hours and age-appropriateness of Disney's kids club. On some cruises on other lines, if there are too few kids, they don't bother opening the clubs at all. 4 age groups that align very well with early elementary, late elementary, middle, and high school cohorts. Some lines don't have a teen program at all.
D) No other line offers a nursery for ages 0-2, with a dedicated childcare staff. The others offer either in-room sitting by moonlighting crew members or a limited-hours "we'll watch your sleeping child in his/her stroller between 11:00pm and 1:00am in the regular kids club area" program (so, no service during the day or dinner hours, only when you might be interested in spending at the casino).
E) No casino on DCL - the space is used for adults-only and kids-only spaces.
F) Re: upcharges - While DCL is very gentle in this regard (soft drinks ordered from the bars, drinks delivered by room service, just one or two extra-cost restaurants), much less hawking of drinks around the pool, etc., no pay-per-view entertainment, somewhat lower drink prices, "free" soda widely available... it's all factored into your fare. As with Disney's pay-one-price theme park tickets, you probably end up paying more for the package than you would pay as-you-go. It just feels so much better to not spend every time you turn around.
G) Food can be a toss-up - I've had very good main dining room meals on all the lines.
H) Room size - Disney, hands-down
I) Split Bathroom - unique to Disney, makes a huge different for families
J) Stateroom design - many subtle differences that make DCL's much more suitable for 3-4 people.
K) DCL is run by an entertainment company, and it shows in every aspect of their entertainment. The other lines are hotel operators first and foremost.
L) While there are more kids on DCL, DCL's kids and teens programs are so good that kids are much less likely to be found hanging around, trying to crash the adult areas, etc. For lines that try to attract families, DCL does a much better job of providing adults-only service.
There are many other differences. I can't stand Carnival's garish decor. It's like being at a cheap casino, as far as I'm concerned. The other lines do better on decor - so no complaints there, other than I like Disney's combination of elegance and Disney "culture" (animation art, music, etc.)
Of Marnie's comments, I'll note that the new ships (Dream and Fantasy) do have interactive stateroom TV for billing, etc. (even photos from the ship's photographers) and that the seating space at Cabanas (pool deck buffet) on the new ships is more generous than any other ship I've been on. Lines are minimal, and there's lots of room to move around with laden trays without dodging other guests or squeezing through narrow pathways.
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There are many other differences. I can't stand Carnival's garish decor. It's like being at a cheap casino, as far as I'm concerned. The other lines do better on decor - so no complaints there, other than I like Disney's combination of elegance and Disney "culture" (animation art, music, etc.)
Thank you for pointing that out, Dave! That's exactly how I feel about Carnival's decor, and yet I can't get people at work to agree with me. It's hideous, at best.
As for RCI, I will say their service has always been top-notch for us, and we have enjoyed the hokey entertainment they provide on their Bahamas itineraries. We much prefer DCL, but I would not hesitate to book RCI again (although their teensy-tiny staterooms leave something to be desired!).
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Seasoned cruiser and HANDS DOWN - DISNEY DOES IT BEST!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Marx
I've been on RCI, Holland America, and Carnival in addition to DCL:
A) Nobody else does a family cruise like Disney
B) Only Disney has free movies as well as live entertainment - others offer hotel-style pay-per-view movies in the stateroom
C) Operating hours and age-appropriateness of Disney's kids club. On some cruises on other lines, if there are too few kids, they don't bother opening the clubs at all. 4 age groups that align very well with early elementary, late elementary, middle, and high school cohorts. Some lines don't have a teen program at all.
D) No other line offers a nursery for ages 0-2, with a dedicated childcare staff. The others offer either in-room sitting by moonlighting crew members or a limited-hours "we'll watch your sleeping child in his/her stroller between 11:00pm and 1:00am in the regular kids club area" program (so, no service during the day or dinner hours, only when you might be interested in spending at the casino).
E) No casino on DCL - the space is used for adults-only and kids-only spaces.
F) Re: upcharges - While DCL is very gentle in this regard (soft drinks ordered from the bars, drinks delivered by room service, just one or two extra-cost restaurants), much less hawking of drinks around the pool, etc., no pay-per-view entertainment, somewhat lower drink prices, "free" soda widely available... it's all factored into your fare. As with Disney's pay-one-price theme park tickets, you probably end up paying more for the package than you would pay as-you-go. It just feels so much better to not spend every time you turn around.
G) Food can be a toss-up - I've had very good main dining room meals on all the lines.
H) Room size - Disney, hands-down
I) Split Bathroom - unique to Disney, makes a huge different for families
J) Stateroom design - many subtle differences that make DCL's much more suitable for 3-4 people.
K) DCL is run by an entertainment company, and it shows in every aspect of their entertainment. The other lines are hotel operators first and foremost.
L) While there are more kids on DCL, DCL's kids and teens programs are so good that kids are much less likely to be found hanging around, trying to crash the adult areas, etc. For lines that try to attract families, DCL does a much better job of providing adults-only service.
There are many other differences. I can't stand Carnival's garish decor. It's like being at a cheap casino, as far as I'm concerned. The other lines do better on decor - so no complaints there, other than I like Disney's combination of elegance and Disney "culture" (animation art, music, etc.)
Of Marnie's comments, I'll note that the new ships (Dream and Fantasy) do have interactive stateroom TV for billing, etc. (even photos from the ship's photographers) and that the seating space at Cabanas (pool deck buffet) on the new ships is more generous than any other ship I've been on. Lines are minimal, and there's lots of room to move around with laden trays without dodging other guests or squeezing through narrow pathways.
I have yet to experience the Dream ship but I do feel Disney does it best with customer service and space is ample. Food and entertainment is top notch and no casinos. My hubby and I have been on both the Magic and Wonder a total of 5 times.
I did a family reunion cruise with my dad and young wife and four kids ages 4, 6, 9, & 12, my brother and wife and niece 3, husbands brother and wife and niece 5 and nephew 11, and us (no kids). Our cabins were all near each other, dad had the Walt Suite, while the rest of us had one bedrooms suites. We had a blast and a huge dining table that ironically was not as chaotic as I thought it would be. All the kids loved the a blast and loved the Ocean-ears Club and I can't remember the other club but us big kids actually had a vacation to relax and enjoy the cruise for the 7 days.
Everyone loved Castaway Cay and at least twice a year I get asked if we are going on a family cruise again?
DCL is the best, hands down!
Beautiful, large staterooms...
Immaculate from top to bottom...
Crewmembers that genuinely want you to have the most magical vacation...
Areas where the kids can play, and where the adults can relax...
Broadway caliber shows...
DH and I cruised Carnival on our honeymoon. We were not impressed. DMIL, DFIL, and DBILs have cruised Norwegian several times and loved it. That being said, DBIL also told me that he was probably the youngest one on the ship! On our last DCL cruise we were docked next to Carnival when at Nassau. The ship was EMPTY. they virtually shut down while in port. The only thing that shuts down on DCL while in port are the shops. DH and I have decided that we'll never cruise anything other than DCL again, even when DD is grown.
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Looking forward to another Christmas with The Mouse!!
We cruised carnival for our honeymoon in1998. I swore it was a big waste of money and i would never cruise again. Unless you like lots of drinking and the parties that go with it on carnival. The ship was boring and the shows were classless. In 2010 we took our little boys on a 3 night cruise on the wonder. It was night and day difference. I will just say that we are booked for a 7 night on the fantasy in october. Maybe i just never grew up and am just a big kid but i Love Disney!
For what its worth i think that disney has discovered some mental drug because i cant get enough & am always saving up for my next disney fix.
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Planning a trip to WDW is like planning a wedding... If you expect things to be flawless, you will be sadly disappointed. If you know that there will be less than perfect times & decide to just laugh them off, then you will be excited when you find the magic all around you.
Ok, I haven't been on any cruise ships beside Disney's so I may not be qualified to compare. I do know why we always go back to cruising with Disney though:
- The ships are beautiful, well maintained, and clean.
- The staff has been nothing but friendly on all our cruises.
- The Disney touches can't be found anywhere else.
- We love the main dining rotation system.
- We love the adults only pool area.
- The shows are amazing.
- The food as always been top notch.
- The staterooms are spacious, especially with a split bath.
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that are free with Disney. It makes you realise what you pay the extra for, as Disney's cruises, certainly when they're been in the Med and up to the Baltic, are a heck of a lot more expensive than other operators.
We much prefer DCL, but I would not hesitate to book RCI again (although their teensy-tiny staterooms leave something to be desired!).
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