Avid Cruisers Just off the Fantasy.....

[OKgirl]

Thanks for your thoughts!

We are currently trying to decide what to do. We are booked on the Fantasy during our kids' fall break next year but for roughly the same amount of money we can go back on RCCl, on the Allure while she is still sailing out of Barcelona. The cruise itself is quite a bit cheaper but of course the flights and hotels would be more expensive.

It has been several years since our last cruise on DCL and while my youngest would like to give it another go now that she will be old enough for the Edge, my older two really enjoy RCCL and the various activities they have. Plus, the enjoy the chance to eat at the speciality dining venues and my oldest loved being old enough for the "adult" pool area on our last cruise. She isn't into the clubs so having a quiet place by the pool to relax with a virgin cocktail and a book is her idea of a good time.

As i read more and more I tend to think we would be better off making the switch for fall. Then maybe spring 2021 the youngest and I can do a short cruise on DCL as a mother/daughter trip with the older two are gone on a school trip since DH isn't a huge fan of cruising or Disney.

Please, oh please, take your family to Barcelona! And let me know how your trip goes!

 

[cdoc29]

I don't think that it's necessarily that they don't put out a consistent product across the fleet.

So the RCCL experience is the same across the entire fleet? After my experience I would never recommend anyone ever sail with RCCL if that's how they are on all their ships.

 

[DisneYE]

No way was it 70 percent children and 30 percent adults.

Agreed. I've never seen more than 40% children, if that. Most of the cruises we've been (almost all during school holidays/summer) were 60-70 adults vs 40-30% children.

 

[cdoc29]

No way was it 70 percent children and 30 percent adults.

LOL I agree, at 1500 kids under 12 and another 1000 between 13 - 18 those numbers would overwhelm the Kids Clubs and the message boards would have lit up with all the complaints.

 

[Intr3pid]

The big plus is that as Canadians we can book RCCL in Canadian dollars.

Almost all cruise lines quote you a non-USD rate with a ~2.5% mark-up. The only benefit is, you lock in a CAD/USD rate when you book and then that rate doesn't change.

For DCL, a much better way is to use Disney gift cards issued in CAD - as there is no markup in any currency conversions.

 

[StarSeven7]

Almost all cruise lines quote you a non-USD rate with a ~2.5% mark-up. The only benefit is, you lock in a CAD/USD rate when you book and then that rate doesn't change.

For DCL, a much better way is to use Disney gift cards issued in CAD - as there is no markup in any currency conversions.

Or you can use a credit card with no foreign exchange fees! We’re in Canada and we found one!

 

[tinkerone]

Almost all cruise lines quote you a non-USD rate with a ~2.5% mark-up. The only benefit is, you lock in a CAD/USD rate when you book and then that rate doesn't change.

For DCL, a much better way is to use Disney gift cards issued in CAD - as there is no markup in any currency conversions.

I was speaking of DCL VS RCCL. DCL does not quote a Canadian rate. They are US funds bookings. The problem with that of course is that you can never be sure of the exchange rate. The rate could be 1.34 when you put down your deposit but 1.45 when you pay the rest. Of course it could go the other way as well but you can never be sure. The big issue is that we will never know the true cost of the cruise until final payment. I like that RCCL gives us the option to book in Canadian funds so there is no wondering what the final cost of the cruise will be, we know when we book. For an example, we have a B2B booked on the Symphony of the seas. The cost of that week is $2688 Canadian. Todays exchange is approximately 1.35 which would make the cost of this cruise in US dollars today $1991.00. Next week the exchange rate could be 1.40 which makes the cost go to $1920 US. Final cost would not be known till PIF date. No matter, I know that the cruise will be $2688 and there is no guess work. BTW $2688 Canadian for a week on Symphony is an amazing rate. Equivalent DCL would be about $6000 Cnd.

Also, while most don't agree, I think that Disney gift cards aren't as good a bargain as some think. Its the same problem as booking in US. You never know what rate you are going to get until they are used. So today your $100 Cnd gift card may be worth $$74 US but if the exchange rate goes up next week that same gift card may be only worth $72 US. I prefer to purchase US cash and then it's done. There's no guessing what you are going to get when it's time to use the money/card. Plus it's dollar cost averaging so you almost always come out ahead. JMO and as I said earlier, many don't see this or agree with it.

 

[KashasMom]

So the RCCL experience is the same across the entire fleet? After my experience I would never recommend anyone ever sail with RCCL if that's how they are on all their ships.

Really not sure since I haven't been on the older, smaller ships. Obviously a lot more bells and whistles on the newer, bigger ships so it's a very different experience. I would say that I've never found any cruise line to be 100% consistent across the fleet whether it's RC, NCL, or even Disney.

 

[Intr3pid]

I was speaking of DCL VS RCCL. DCL does not quote a Canadian rate. They are US funds bookings. The problem with that of course is that you can never be sure of the exchange rate. The rate could be 1.34 when you put down your deposit but 1.45 when you pay the rest. Of course it could go the other way as well but you can never be sure. The big issue is that we will never know the true cost of the cruise until final payment. I like that RCCL gives us the option to book in Canadian funds so there is no wondering what the final cost of the cruise will be, we know when we book. For an example, we have a B2B booked on the Symphony of the seas. The cost of that week is $2688 Canadian. Todays exchange is approximately 1.35 which would make the cost of this cruise in US dollars today $1991.00. Next week the exchange rate could be 1.40 which makes the cost go to $1920 US. Final cost would not be known till PIF date. No matter, I know that the cruise will be $2688 and there is no guess work. BTW $2688 Canadian for a week on Symphony is an amazing rate. Equivalent DCL would be about $6000 Cnd.

Also, while most don't agree, I think that Disney gift cards aren't as good a bargain as some think. Its the same problem as booking in US. You never know what rate you are going to get until they are used. So today your $100 Cnd gift card may be worth $$74 US but if the exchange rate goes up next week that same gift card may be only worth $72 US. I prefer to purchase US cash and then it's done. There's no guessing what you are going to get when it's time to use the money/card. Plus it's dollar cost averaging so you almost always come out ahead. JMO and as I said earlier, many don't see this or agree with it.

I understand all of that, but just realize that you are paying a premium to lock in the rate. That 2.5% premium on top of thousands of dollars of the fare won't be chump change.
Moreover, the rates can go either way. With a Disney gift card, you can call in to use it only when the rates are favourable. If you book a marked-up 'converted' fare price instead, you are out that 2.5% rightaway, so you'd better believe that the currency rate would get worse by more than that over time (and stay that way).

 

[tinkerone]

I understand all of that, but just realize that you are paying a premium to lock in the rate. That 2.5% premium on top of thousands of dollars of the fare won't be chump change.
Moreover, the rates can go either way. With a Disney gift card, you can call in to use it only when the rates are favourable. If you book a marked-up 'converted' fare price instead, you are out that 2.5% rightaway, so you'd better believe that the currency rate would get worse by more than that over time (and stay that way).

I'm really sorry, I don't have any idea what you mean.
If your saying that I am going to pay more because I booked in Canadian dollars that would not be right. Looking at RCCL's exchange rate today it is 1.33 which is far below what the going rate is. From their site....

oday's Exchange Rate
Today's onboard credit exchange rate is listed below. This exchange rate can fluctuate until you make your first purchase using onboard credit. At that time, your exchange rate will be locked



$1.00 USD

1.33 CAD

As for the gift cards I don't believe I said the currency rates couldn't get worse over time. I said I choose to purchase cash so my rate is locked in. In the long run dollar cost averaging almost always wins.

Maybe I didn't understand your post and if I didn't I apologize.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

Thanks for posting your honest review! DH & I just got off the Magic and felt much the same way you did. I posted a review in the DCL vs. Carnival thread. DCL is great, but we do miss beverage packages and adult entertainment and late night activities. We love Disney and cruising in general but we decided that for us, our Disney dollars are better spent at WDW. So we have a cruise on CCL booked for January and a WDW trip in the works for next October!

I, for one, am glad DCL does not offer the beverage package, ala Carnival. Like the addition of a casino, as has been mentioned on other threads, I would consider a change like that on DCL to be a negative. Some of my coworkers are frequent CCL cruisers who always get the beverage package and they freely admit that they are drinking pretty much nonstop all day while on the ship. After all, they are paying an extra $50/night for unlimited alcohol. And while there are definitely those who over imbibe on DCL, I just don't want to cruise where there are lots of people doing this and there is a structure set up basically encouraging it.

 

[belle032]

I, for one, am glad DCL does not offer the beverage package, ala Carnival. Like the addition of a casino, as has been mentioned on other threads, I would consider a change like that on DCL to be a negative. Some of my coworkers are frequent CCL cruisers who always get the beverage package and they freely admit that they are drinking pretty much nonstop all day while on the ship. After all, they are paying an extra $50/night for unlimited alcohol. And while there are definitely those who over imbibe on DCL, I just don't want to cruise where there are lots of people doing this and there is a structure set up basically encouraging it.

Which is why I mentioned, people vacation and cruise differently. You choose to cruise one way and others choose to cruise another. I enjoy a few cocktails, but we like the beverage package because it also includes sodas and specialty coffees. And I like paying for everything up front and not worrying about it while I'm cruising.

There's no "bad" cruise line or wrong way to vacation. Find out what works for you and your family and enjoy!

 

[wilafur]

Which is why I mentioned, people vacation and cruise differently. You choose to cruise one way and others choose to cruise another. I enjoy a few cocktails, but we like the beverage package because it also includes sodas and specialty coffees. And I like paying for everything up front and not worrying about it while I'm cruising.

There's no "bad" cruise line or wrong way to vacation. Find out what works for you and your family and enjoy!

Agreed, I partake in the beverage package on other cruise lines as well. The ability to buy alcohol, specialty coffees, bottled water, Gatorade and sodas without worry lends itself to the carefree cruise experience for me.

 

[Intr3pid]

I'm really sorry, I don't have any idea what you mean.
If your saying that I am going to pay more because I booked in Canadian dollars that would not be right. Looking at RCCL's exchange rate today it is 1.33 which is far below what the going rate is. From their site....

oday's Exchange Rate
Today's onboard credit exchange rate is listed below. This exchange rate can fluctuate until you make your first purchase using onboard credit. At that time, your exchange rate will be locked



$1.00 USD

1.33 CAD

As for the gift cards I don't believe I said the currency rates couldn't get worse over time. I said I choose to purchase cash so my rate is locked in. In the long run dollar cost averaging almost always wins.

Maybe I didn't understand your post and if I didn't I apologize.

Yes, that's today's exchange rate - which is actually in line with the spot USD/CAD rate at the moment. If you were to sail, say, next week, you would pay close to this rate if booking right now.

But, most of us book a year or longer out. Here are some random fares from RCL's USD and CAD website for next year.

4 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise on Navigator of the Seas - April 27, 2020

Interior cabin in USD: USD 500 per person
Interior cabin in CAD: CAD 685 per person
>> Implied rate: 1.370

7 Night E Caribb & Perfect Day Cruise on Symphony of the Seas - August 1, 2020

Interior cabin in USD: USD 1232 per person
Interior cabin in CAD: CAD 1693 per person
>> Implied rate: 1.374

7 Night E Caribb & Perfect Day Cruise on Symphony of the Seas - October 24, 2020

Interior cabin in USD: USD 1232 per person
Interior cabin in CAD: CAD 1693 per person
>> Implied rate: 1.371

As you can see, you are actually paying more than 3% above the USD rate if you get them to quote it in CAD. So, for you to come out ahead, the rate will have to get worse by more than 3%.

Of course, the benefit is that the rate is locked in - and you have peace of mind. I get it.

 

[Intr3pid]

I, for one, am glad DCL does not offer the beverage package, ala Carnival. Like the addition of a casino, as has been mentioned on other threads, I would consider a change like that on DCL to be a negative. Some of my coworkers are frequent CCL cruisers who always get the beverage package and they freely admit that they are drinking pretty much nonstop all day while on the ship. After all, they are paying an extra $50/night for unlimited alcohol. And while there are definitely those who over imbibe on DCL, I just don't want to cruise where there are lots of people doing this and there is a structure set up basically encouraging it.

That's one of the reasons we avoid the so-called "booze" cruises. Or, when people are on board primarily for unlimited drinks, adult activities, and nightlife. DCL's policies tend to act as filters. So, in Bahamas and Caribbeans - and maybe Europe - we normally stick with Disney.

Not so much in the rest of the world. We are slowly trying out other cruiselines where DCL just doesn't go. In Southeast Asia this December, we are on board Celebrity Millennium out of Singapore. Next year, we are visiting Japan on an NCL cruise out of Tokyo. Travel is a big part of our vacations at the moment, and DCL's lack of new itineraries is how we are thinking of sampling others.

 

[tinkerone]

Yes, that's today's exchange rate - which is actually in line with the spot USD/CAD rate at the moment. If you were to sail, say, next week, you would pay close to this rate if booking right now.

But, most of us book a year or longer out. Here are some random fares from RCL's USD and CAD website for next year.

4 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise on Navigator of the Seas - April 27, 2020

Interior cabin in USD: USD 500 per person
Interior cabin in CAD: CAD 685 per person
>> Implied rate: 1.370

7 Night E Caribb & Perfect Day Cruise on Symphony of the Seas - August 1, 2020

Interior cabin in USD: USD 1232 per person
Interior cabin in CAD: CAD 1693 per person
>> Implied rate: 1.374

7 Night E Caribb & Perfect Day Cruise on Symphony of the Seas - October 24, 2020

Interior cabin in USD: USD 1232 per person
Interior cabin in CAD: CAD 1693 per person
>> Implied rate: 1.371

As you can see, you are actually paying more than 3% above the USD rate if you get them to quote it in CAD. So, for you to come out ahead, the rate will have to get worse by more than 3%.

Of course, the benefit is that the rate is locked in - and you have peace of mind. I get it.

I just did one for Symphony for Oct. 31st, 2020 using our preferred Central Park cabin

USD 1999.00 for two
Cnd. 2710.00 for two
Implied rate 1.3556

This is one of the cruises we will be on which is why I chose it. I also applied discount rates that applied to us on both bookings. I always book when bookings first come available so that's not an issue here either. The big difference I find is RCCL will go down sometimes. DCL never does. When I first booked this cruise the cost was $3397. I have been able to reprice this several times and it is now $2688 and I have $150 OBC. So even if I were to pay 2 or 3 cents more per dollar I have made that up in spades. BUT I still say I have made a good deal because I have booked in Canadian dollars and that means I don't have to worry about the fluctuating rate of the US dollar, its done. You may not remember when the US dollar cost us 1.65 but I do.
And if the rate drops so will the cost of my cruise, I will just call RCCL and have them reprice. I can't lose. Again, its dollar cost averaging. You may pay a few cents more today but a few cents less tomorrow. It averages out.

 

[Kpitts17]

LOL I agree, at 1500 kids under 12 and another 1000 between 13 - 18 those numbers would overwhelm the Kids Clubs and the message boards would have lit up with all the complaints.

yeah... I'm sure it feels crowded and a lot of kids especially during halloween, but the numbers don't add up. That would mean every cruiser would have to be a family and that family would have to be two parents and 3 children and minimum. it's possible, but not likely.

 

[Intr3pid]

I just did one for Symphony for Oct. 31st, 2020 using our preferred Central Park cabin

USD 1999.00 for two
Cnd. 2710.00 for two
Implied rate 1.3556

This is one of the cruises we will be on which is why I chose it. I also applied discount rates that applied to us on both bookings. I always book when bookings first come available so that's not an issue here either. The big difference I find is RCCL will go down sometimes. DCL never does. When I first booked this cruise the cost was $3397. I have been able to reprice this several times and it is now $2688 and I have $150 OBC. So even if I were to pay 2 or 3 cents more per dollar I have made that up in spades. BUT I still say I have made a good deal because I have booked in Canadian dollars and that means I don't have to worry about the fluctuating rate of the US dollar, its done. You may not remember when the US dollar cost us 1.65 but I do.
And if the rate drops so will the cost of my cruise, I will just call RCCL and have them reprice. I can't lose. Again, its dollar cost averaging. You may pay a few cents more today but a few cents less tomorrow. It averages out.

The other reasons have nothing to do with the CAD vs USD rate quotes. With RCL, you can reprice in USD as well. You can get your onboard credits in USD too. Dollar cost averaging only helps when you are losing. We just don't like to lose 3% off the top -- for the amount of cruising we do. But, like I said, peace of mind is a good enough reason for people to pay a premium, and I get it.

 

[bakerworld]

We've only cruised DCL and never with kids. We only do have half the dinners. We also thought the theater productions were geared to the very young. We don't dress up for Pirate or Marvel nights but we enjoy the fireworks. We've scheduled our 6th cruise with DCL. We've never been on another cruise line. My sisters were on RCL, NCL and Princess. I showed them the Navigator and both said that the cruises they were on didn't offer that degree of choice.

We like the Trivia shows, the musical groups in the lounges, the adult areas that are specific to adults, the various tasting activities, the movie theaters, and the spa. We spend most evenings in the Sports bar. We enjoy the quiet late night on the top of the ship. Castaway Key is lovely - we sit in the family area to enjoy watching the kids in the water.

The fact that the OP was bored might be why we enjoy DCL and it's slower pace. We do the short cruises and return to WDW for a few days before returning home.

 

[tinkerone]

The other reasons have nothing to do with the CAD vs USD rate quotes. With RCL, you can reprice in USD as well. You can get your onboard credits in USD too. Dollar cost averaging only helps when you are losing. We just don't like to lose 3% off the top -- for the amount of cruising we do. But, like I said, peace of mind is a good enough reason for people to pay a premium, and I get it.

We're going to have to agree to disagree. Since you never just lose or win over a long period of time (booking a year or two in advance fits this description), dollar cost averaging does indeed help, you just need to understand how it works. And the reason I brought up the repricing is because I was making the point that while you feel RCCL is costing us more because its not the 'best' rate I feel that the rate gets better as their pricing goes down.

Again, lets agree to disagree. Your not seeing what I'm saying and I must say, some of your thoughts are confusing me. Were not staying on a steady stream here. Hope your future cruises are great, sounds like you have some good ones booked.