What's your breaking point?

[cruiser21]

I think this is explains why some people don't experience the larger price differential between DCL and other lines. I'm no expert on cruise line pricing, but I know you pay a hefty price for the third (and fourth) person in a cabin on DCL. For example we only paid $599 for our son on the NCL cruise we are taking next month and that's in suite (no clue if the the price would have been lower in a non suite cabin, though you'd think it would have been). I just did a dummy booking on DCL for July 2018 (thinking prices won't have changed much from opening day so probably a better comparison than 2017) and we would have to pay $1435 for our son in a 5A and $1960 in a category V.

I guess it makes sense that DCL charges more for the third and fourth person in a cabin, as that is often a child and they offer such extensive entertainment for children. But if you're like us and your "child" is 19, or still a minor but isn't interested in the clubs (that was our son until he was about 16), then you are just paying for stuff you aren't going to use.

My husband and I sailed on DCL sans child last October. I did check other lines as several had similar itineraries, but the price difference wasn't big enough for us to forgo the Mouse. This summer, sailing with our son, while the real deciding factor was NCL having a better itinerary than DCL for what we were wanting to do, the price difference was significant.

This is so true for two people the price difference may be around 1k, but for 4 it could be 3 or 4 thousand. NCL has the 3/ 4 passenger free. Carnival charges less the 200.00 per person for passengers 3/4. Makes a huge difference.

 

[Erintx7]

I posted above I've got a big age span to cover across three kids... but let's be honest! I need some quality parent alone time too!!!

This is an excellent point. Unlike a lot of people, we started with other cruise lines before we found DCL. We have had a hard time thinking about going back to even RCL. It isn't that their product is bad or that different from DCL but for us personally it is a big difference. DCL does their adult areas so well that other cruise lines don't really compare.

 

[Erintx7]

Why don't you sail on one of RCCL's new ships. You'll get the activities geared to Kids for half the price. If you really want luxury I'd book the Haven on NCL for what your paying on DCL.
It's hard to say wether your kids needs will be met on DCL or not. Mine always have been, but all kids are different.
I would never book any cruise that was outside of my comfort zone in terms of what I'm willing to pay. I absolutely won't do it My vacation would be tarnished before it even started. I believe DCL is worth it to a certain amount. Of course that amount is my own personal comfort zone. I guess you have to figure out what yours is.

Great perspective and so true!! I like to get as much feedback from others as I can so I appreciate your input! I feel willing to bite the bullet and give it a go at least once because I just need to find out for myself what works for our family. I say I'm in shock, but I agreed to do it and paid deposit, so it is not out of my comfort zone at this time. We won't go back to WDW until my youngest is 5 or 6 (and then my oldest will be a teenager) so really wanting to capture some more magic, too. It's a timing thing. Our first cruise didn't feel long enough either so I want to get DH excited with me, and I'd be very open to shopping around when we cruise again (see, have a plan going there haha .

I'm a die hard 'must stay on Disney property when going to the parks' but before that RC trip, we stayed at Hilton Bonnet Creek and just loved it! It was full of locals, too, which I found fascinating (like a big secret!!).

I did read the excellent NCL comparison review here and will park that idea for sure!!

Bottom line- like you said, know your comfort zone and I think shopping around is positive and makes everyone (cruise lines) work harder to get your dollar.

 

[cruiser21]

I posted above I've got a big age span to cover across three kids... but let's be honest! I need some quality parent alone time too!!!

What's going to give the alone time is the kids clubs. All ships have adult area. I would research the clubs and read the reviews. Dcl clubs are kind of a free for all. My kids loved it. Others like the more one on one offered on other cruiselines.
How old are your kids now?

 

[cruiser21]

I guess we posted at the same time because I see the ages of your kids. The teen clubs on DCL are excellent. They do a great job of keeping the kids busy. You won't find a lot of teens just roaming the ship on DCL because they keep them engaged. I like the fact that I can almost always find my kids in the club or the counselors somehow always seem to know where they went. The oceaneers club can be hit or miss with kids. It's pretty chaotic, but mos kids appear to be enjoying it.Mine enjoyed until about age 10 and then it got boring.

 

[Erintx7]

What's going to give the alone time is the kids clubs. All ships have adult area. I would research the clubs and read the reviews. Dcl clubs are kind of a free for all. My kids loved it. Others like the more one on one offered on other cruiselines.
How old are your kids now?

They are 12, 8 and 3 now

 

[Minnie & Daisy]

I think the bottom line for this question and others like it are that no one else can decide for you what is best for you and your family. When you most want to sail, what you are looking for most in a cruise, and how much of your vacation $ you want to spend is entirely personal. No one knows better than you what your financial situation is like and how much you can afford to spend on a cruise or vacation. It all comes down to what is most important, the cost or the cruiseline and date that I want to sail.

 

[Erintx7]

Well said!!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I'm pretty sure there is free self-serve ice cream on all RCCL ships... I had a booking once on the Brilliance (cancelled it) but had that in my list and it's the same for the Anthem.

Also, they are not "hidden fees" and you may end up saving a lot of money. It really depends on what you want to do.

We booked the Anthem departing from NYC to the Bermuda. I compared the price with DCL for a similar cruise... We are going to be saving over a thousand dollars and the activities are much much more interesting on RCCL for us.

We are booked on the same cruise same ship this June; did you by chance do a trip report? Was there free ice cream? (one of the important questions we need answered. lol)

 

[mevelandry]

We are booked on the same cruise same ship this June; did you by chance do a trip report? Was there free ice cream? (one of the important questions we need answered. lol)

Unfortunately, we changed our plans. But I'm sailing with Royal in October. It's paid in full so we most likely won't cancel.

 

[anjuan]

I just went on my first RCL cruise on the Allure in September with 2 other adults. I had been on 4 DCL cruises at that point. We stayed in a Junior Suite. We had a good time, but it just wasn't DCL. I had a spring break cruise booked with RCL for my daughter and myself and after the experience I switched to a Disney cruise. In my experience they just don't have the same level of customer service on Royal. We were in a suite and we never saw our cabin steward as an example. My mom had to actually call to get water for her CPAP machine and the second morning they didn't even fold up the couch bed into a couch. We had to call to ask them to do it. I haven't stayed in a suite on DCL, but our room steward has always introduced themselves to us and we've seen them throughout the cruise.

Also, I know others have argued about no hidden fees, but the extra fees for the classes sure wasn't apparent to me before I got on the ship, and I'm pretty good at doing research. They had fees for making bracelets and most of the other activities that I saw. Plus it seemed like they were pushing extras like the galley tour at many different times on the ship. We did the galley tour and the group was so big that you couldn't even hear the tour guide. Plus I hated the smoking that was allowed in the casinos on the ship. The elevators near them were so bad that I couldn't tolerate getting off on that floor.

With that being said, there were things that I did really like on RCL. I thought that most of the entertainment was really good on the ship and a nice switch up from DCL shows (which I also really enjoy). RCL has Disney beat on their pools and deck space- I never had a issue finding a lounge chair, etc. I also liked the shopping available on the ship. The junior suite was really nice for the price with a huge walk-in closet. Also, with the junior suite we had access to the special suite restaurant and ended up finding a server we loved who we requested most of the cruise.

With that being said, they don't have the Disney special touch which is why my next 3 cruises are booked on Disney. My teenage daughter loves DCL as well.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I just went on my first RCL cruise on the Allure in September with 2 other adults. I had been on 4 DCL cruises at that point. We stayed in a Junior Suite. We had a good time, but it just wasn't DCL. I had a spring break cruise booked with RCL for my daughter and myself and after the experience I switched to a Disney cruise. In my experience they just don't have the same level of customer service on Royal. We were in a suite and we never saw our cabin steward as an example. My mom had to actually call to get water for her CPAP machine and the second morning they didn't even fold up the couch bed into a couch. We had to call to ask them to do it. I haven't stayed in a suite on DCL, but our room steward has always introduced themselves to us and we've seen them throughout the cruise.

Also, I know others have argued about no hidden fees, but the extra fees for the classes sure wasn't apparent to me before I got on the ship, and I'm pretty good at doing research. They had fees for making bracelets and most of the other activities that I saw. Plus it seemed like they were pushing extras like the galley tour at many different times on the ship. We did the galley tour and the group was so big that you couldn't even hear the tour guide. Plus I hated the smoking that was allowed in the casinos on the ship. The elevators near them were so bad that I couldn't tolerate getting off on that floor.

With that being said, there were things that I did really like on RCL. I thought that most of the entertainment was really good on the ship and a nice switch up from DCL shows (which I also really enjoy). RCL has Disney beat on their pools and deck space- I never had a issue finding a lounge chair, etc. I also liked the shopping available on the ship. The junior suite was really nice for the price with a huge walk-in closet. Also, with the junior suite we had access to the special suite restaurant and ended up finding a server we loved who we requested most of the cruise.

With that being said, they don't have the Disney special touch which is why my next 3 cruises are booked on Disney. My teenage daughter loves DCL as well.

Wow, interesting! Thank you for these insights. I, too, am taking my 16 yr old daughter along with her friend and her mom,in connecting rooms. First cruise for them, 8th for us; Mostly on DCL, first time on RCCL. Interesting about your steward. We are low browing it in an inside room, but this one has a virtual balcony; am excited to see what that's all about! We usually have an actual balcony lol, but once did the virtual port hole on the Fantasy and an inside on the Magic, but it was just me alone with two of our daughters in that room. Currently trying to figure out what is free and not free on RCCL. Soda not free, hoping ice cream is free, prob will get WIFI and soda package. Just found out we can actually bring on soda and water (and wine) now, which is good. It's only 5 days, but trying to get all my ducks in a row! Thank you for the input!

 

[Dug720]

Wow, interesting! Thank you for these insights. I, too, am taking my 16 yr old daughter along with her friend and her mom,in connecting rooms. First cruise for them, 8th for us; Mostly on DCL, first time on RCCL. Interesting about your steward. We are low browing it in an inside room, but this one has a virtual balcony; am excited to see what that's all about! We usually have an actual balcony lol, but once did the virtual port hole on the Fantasy and an inside on the Magic, but it was just me alone with two of our daughters in that room. Currently trying to figure out what is free and not free on RCCL. Soda not free, hoping ice cream is free, prob will get WIFI and soda package. Just found out we can actually bring on soda and water (and wine) now, which is good. It's only 5 days, but trying to get all my ducks in a row! Thank you for the input!

I know on the Radiance Class ships they have soft serve stuff in the Windjammer (buffet) during lunch and dinner hours - included in the price. Not positive about in between those times. It's not as convenient as on DCL where it's on the pool deck as this is in the buffet area and therefore you can't just run in in your swimsuit and get it. I don't recall there being a separate ice cream shop, but I'm take-it-or-leave-it when it comes to ice cream and would generally rather spend calories elsewhere.

I don't know about the larger classes - I'd imagine that they do have the included soft serve in the buffet, but I think they also have for-pay ice cream elsewhere on the ship.

 

[AngelDisney]

You will enjoy the Oasis. We are huge Disney fans and had only gone on DCL cruises before, but last year decided to try the Liberty of the Seas(not even as nice as Oasis). We were kind of nervous but we went in with open minds and had a blast. We all had mixed feelings, but my kids(teens) all liked it better due to all the activities, like the FLoRider, Ice Skating, rock climbing wall etc.
That said, here are some of my top pros and cons I noticed, at least IMO:

DCL:
Pros:
Better food, much nicer, personal, accommodating wait staff
That special Disney "magic", that "je ne sais quoi" that Disney has
Much more family/kid friendly
Entertainment- hands down WAY better all around, not just shows but the live music, bingo, etc.
Pirate night(and other theme nights if you get one of those)
Pin trading if you/kids are into that
MUCH better photographers and photo nights/options
MUCH better spa/massage

Cons:
Price


-----------------------------------------------

RCCL:
Pros:
Very nice modern impressive ships
Much more activities. Ours had FLoRider, Ice Skating, rock climbing wall, cupcake bakery the kids did a baking class, Ice cream shop, etc.
Johnny Rockets for a casual eating option
Concierge service was very nice if you have a suite
Shopping "mall" if you like that aspect

Cons:
The staff did not seem happy to be there, a few even seemed disgruntled.
Seem to nickel and dime you to death for every little thing
The food services are not set up well for the pool area, especially if you have kids
Entertainment was lacking
The photos were poor quality, seemed like they just handed whoever a camera and told them to take pictures those nights.
Seemed like the masseuses were just whatever random staff didn't have anything to do that day.

After reading this, I think I should stick with Disney.

 

[LSUfan4444]

We are booked on the same cruise same ship this June; did you by chance do a trip report? Was there free ice cream? (one of the important questions we need answered. lol)

Yes, they have free soft serve ice cream.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Yes, they have free soft serve ice cream.

Thank you. Is it just at the windjammer during lunch and dinner, do you know? Or is there a self serve on the pool deck? We'll be on the Anthem

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Okay Stupid RCCL newbie question: no wave phone type of communication, correct? I don't think we're getting wifi. Are the doors magnetic? Can we use dry erase? What is suggested for communication? And are we allowed to decorate doors or rooms? Are walls and ceilings magnetic?

 

[kerry1379]

Perhaps this has been said, but I would also suggest finding some of each ships daily Navigators (can't recall what RCCL calls theirs). See if you like the types of activities on board and if they seem to fit well with you and your family. Personally, for our family-and admittedly it isn't an apples to apples comparison because we took an Alaska RCCL cruise on an older ship that there weren't a lot of kids on-the set up and types of activities on DCL fit my husband and I better than RCCL did. (Not talking about itineraries or port excursions-purely comparison of ships and on board activities.)

 

[LSUfan4444]

Thank you. Is it just at the windjammer during lunch and dinner, do you know? Or is there a self serve on the pool deck? We'll be on the Anthem

Soft serve is on the pool deck. There is hand scooped (free) in the windjammer with some toppings available.

Are the doors magnetic?

yes

Can we use dry erase?

yes

What is suggested for communication?

Depends...we don't usually use anything other than notes IN the room and meet up spots and times throughout the day.

are we allowed to decorate doors or rooms?

yes

Are walls and ceilings magnetic?

yes

would also suggest finding some of each ships daily Navigators (can't recall what RCCL calls theirs).

RCI calls them the Cruise Compass and you can find them here.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Lol Thank you SO MUCH @LSUfan4444 for answering my many and piciune questions!!!! I tried CC but that is not user friendly to me for whatever reason. THANK YOU!!