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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
I've cruised on RCI, Carnival and Celebrity, 7 or 8 times total, so I have a pretty good feel for how those work and what they offer. We've also been to Disney several times in recent years.
Debating a Disney cruise. Can someone describe what distinguishes them from say a Royal Caribbean cruise? Other than the obvious Disney things like characters etc. Are the same things usually included in the base price?
I'm hoping someone on here has been on both.
I am hesitant mainly because of price and the fact that DS is not interested in characters at all (we went last month and I could only get him to see Lightning and Mater.) He associates Disney with rides and I'm afraid he's going to be disappointed when there aren't any on the ship.
I guess what I am asking is is Disney worth the premium if we don't care about characters? If so why?
TIA!
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Posted 3/16/15 4:48 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Pinkisles
<3
Member since 11/13 2868 total posts
Name:
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Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Besides the characters the main difference that I know is that Disney cruises don't have Casino's on the ships, so they are out for me. I love spending the night in the Casino.
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| Posted 3/16/15 4:52 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Disney does not have casinos or that much of an adult night life. They do have an adult area but it is usually pretty dead. The pluses are that the food is fantastic, best on any line I've been on. The service is amazing. The ships are beautiful and the rooms are big. They have a ton of stuff for kids too do. There is always something going on. Most of the entertainment revolves around kids so you can basically take then anywhere. All the shows are kids friendly and their deck parties are all kid friendly as well. We have done Disney, Carnival, NCL and Royal and Disney was the best overall. We went a few times on Disney and now we do primarily NCL as I like more of a night life/casino and my daughter has a ton of fun on those ships as well.
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| Posted 3/16/15 7:12 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
I have only cruised Disney, but looked into other lines after, and never booked because I felt I would be disappointed.
Characters aside, there is plenty to do on a Disney cruise. The amount of family friendly activities they offer is astounding. In looking at other line's daily activities, they don't even compare. The kids clubs are amazing, and even if your child won't go in them alone, you can visit during open house times WITH them. We did so many family fun activities on our cruise. We built cars out of potatos and raced them down a track in a competition. We played bingo, we learned how to make towel animals, we played trivia games, we watched a first run movie in their huge theater. We saw amazing kid friendly shows. We played a ship scavenger hunt game (mid ship detective), we rode on the Aqua Duck water coaster over and over. We saw fireworks at sea on their Pirates in The Carribbean night.
They clean your stateroom twice a day (not sure if other lines do that, but I've heard no). They give you cold towels when you board the ship from a port. Their dining is pretty fancy, and you have the same wait staff for your entire cruise. They know your names, your children's name, and your likings.
Their staterooms are decent size, the beds are raised, and they have so much storage. They don't look like a box, it's a nicely decorated room. When I look at other ship's staterooms, they just look so drab to me. The upper bunk pull down has a night light above it with stars. Their oceanview rooms have HUGE port holes with window seats.
Their private island is AMAZING!!! LOVED it!! Loved that our boat was the ONLY one there.
We loved the cruise so much, we are going back againn this Summer. I have nothing but good things to say about it!
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| Posted 3/16/15 8:35 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
I have only done disney cruises, but my parents have done tons of cruises with lots of different lines, and disney is far and away their favorite. They say the food and service is light years above what other ships offer. They also love the entertainment. I don't remember it being too kiddie or lacking in any way. The ships are beautiful, and everything is classy. My parents do have dvc points,so the cruise price is a little more reasonable for them, as they use their points.
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| Posted 3/16/15 9:08 PM |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Sounds like you already made up your mind to not take a disney cruise. Go with your gut! My family just had a fantastic time onboard NCL gem... I thought the food improved and I liked a good majority of it and there was a ton of activities for the kids bc it is a Nickelodeon ship... My dd doesn't even watch nick and still enjoyed the characters and their special activities. In your case, I would prob chose a mainstream line over disney for the reasons you stated.
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| Posted 3/16/15 9:16 PM |
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pugmama
April already?
Member since 3/06 5297 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
I have done both and as much as I really enjoyed the disney cruise I do not think it is worth the triple the price of the other cruises.
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| Posted 3/17/15 7:55 AM |
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
We are taking a cruise next year and my ds wants to do Disney. The rest of us really don't.
We love RCCL and it seems that Disney is A LOT more money. I get that many things are included but all I think is there will be A LOT of kids. There is NO casino and while we are not big gamblers, we enjoy to go in there later at night and one of us will stay back with our youngest and the other will go out.
My kids will be older, almost 13 and almost 18 so to me, Disney will be too young for them.
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| Posted 3/17/15 8:33 AM |
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Posted by BargainMama
I have only cruised Disney, but looked into other lines after, and never booked because I felt I would be disappointed.
Characters aside, there is plenty to do on a Disney cruise. The amount of family friendly activities they offer is astounding. In looking at other line's daily activities, they don't even compare. The kids clubs are amazing, and even if your child won't go in them alone, you can visit during open house times WITH them. We did so many family fun activities on our cruise. We built cars out of potatos and raced them down a track in a competition. We played bingo, we learned how to make towel animals, we played trivia games, we watched a first run movie in their huge theater. We saw amazing kid friendly shows. We played a ship scavenger hunt game (mid ship detective), we rode on the Aqua Duck water coaster over and over. We saw fireworks at sea on their Pirates in The Carribbean night.
They clean your stateroom twice a day (not sure if other lines do that, but I've heard no). They give you cold towels when you board the ship from a port. Their dining is pretty fancy, and you have the same wait staff for your entire cruise. They know your names, your children's name, and your likings.
Their staterooms are decent size, the beds are raised, and they have so much storage. They don't look like a box, it's a nicely decorated room. When I look at other ship's staterooms, they just look so drab to me. The upper bunk pull down has a night light above it with stars. Their oceanview rooms have HUGE port holes with window seats.
Their private island is AMAZING!!! LOVED it!! Loved that our boat was the ONLY one there.
We loved the cruise so much, we are going back againn this Summer. I have nothing but good things to say about it!
RCCL come twice to your room to clean and have their own private islands too.
Just an FYI as you said you weren't familiar 
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| Posted 3/17/15 8:35 AM |
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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
we've done NCL, RCCL, and Disney cruise with DS, who is 4. we really liked them all. Disney was GREAT... but honestly, so was the NCL Breakaway! I think the newer ships on other cruise lines are starting to "step up" to Disney. the breakaway has a ropes course onboard- even one for little ones that DS got a kick out of, and a couple "thrill" water slides, where the floor just drops out from under you and you go down. Food and service were great.
What we really loved about Disney was their private island. the one we went on stopped for 2 days there- and it was amazing!!! water slides, snorkeling, splash pad area for little ones, bike rentals (even ones with training wheels for little ones), a drop-off kids club right there on the island, BBQ buffet lunch right there, city mini strollers you could borrow (even though DS was 4, we laid it back and he fell asleep in there while DH and i hung out on the beach). The shows at night were great on disney, too.... we felt fine taking DS to them.
so disney defnitely was amazing..... but i do feel like the newer ships on other lines really come close, too.....
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| Posted 3/17/15 9:30 AM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Our primary form of vacation is cruising. We have been on all major lines and recently did our first Disney cruise.
Things that stood out from Disney:
Aquacoaster- my 6 yo loved
The shows were great and kid friendly
We stayed in ocean view room with the split bathroom which was cool
Also Disney includes soda-not sure if that is something that benefits you
After returning I most likely wouldn't be booking another Disney cruise. To me the price just wasn't justified. One of the big draws for me was the kids club which is pretty amazing but my girls didn't like it ( I think had to do with the insane amount of kids in there and very little personal attention).
Good luck with your decision, I'm sure whatever you choose will provide a great vacation for your family
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| Posted 3/17/15 9:39 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
I have been on 2 Royal Caribbean cruises before having kids. I was not a fan but I think I just didn't like cruising.
Took our 3yo and 5yo on a Disney cruise and it was the best vacation ever. The activities truly could not be beat. Kids had a blast.
I would pick Disney if the choice is there.
We recently booked NCL for a European cruise. I wanted to do another Disney cruises but the ship itinerary and the dates didn't work for us. It was between Royal Caribbean and NCL and we picked NCL for its Nickeledean and freestyle meals. I hate assigned seating and times for dinner (both before and after kids).
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| Posted 3/17/15 7:15 PM |
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Posted by Bridex100
I have been on 2 Royal Caribbean cruises before having kids. I was not a fan but I think I just didn't like cruising.
Took our 3yo and 5yo on a Disney cruise and it was the best vacation ever. The activities truly could not be beat. Kids had a blast.
I would pick Disney if the choice is there.
We recently booked NCL for a European cruise. I wanted to do another Disney cruises but the ship itinerary and the dates didn't work for us. It was between Royal Caribbean and NCL and we picked NCL for its Nickeledean and freestyle meals. I hate assigned seating and times for dinner (both before and after kids).
RCCL now has my time dining that you can dine in the main dining room from 5:30pm-9:30pm and earlier and later in the pay dining rooms.
We had a set 8:30pm time last cruise but next time I think we will go that way as sometimes you want to go earlier or around that time and then you have to wait.
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| Posted 3/17/15 8:29 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
You know I hear both ends of the spectrum on this. I know some who love the Disney cruises and raved about them. The liked the food better than RCCL, kids loved the kids area. There are definitely many positives. Those were mostly comparing it to RCCL.
On the flip side. I also know several who considered it a one and done cruise and who said it wasn't worth it. Lines for everything fun, food was ok, no real dining alternative at night if you didn't want the dining room. And believe it or not several said their kids did not enjoy the kids program. Too many kids, not structured enough.
I think to determine if the price is worth it you have to evaluate what you personally are looking for in a cruise. IMHO there are cruise lines and ships for everyone and I believe it is important to pick what fits your tastes and personality best. Just as you will find people rave about Carnival or NCL others can't stand those lines or ships but love Celebrity or RCCL or Disney. So what is great for my kids and family might not work for yours. I know several who have been on Disney, Celebrity, RCCL and NCL. It is interesting to hear how they compare them. One family sails in suites some of the time. They loved all but for different reasons and won't sail NCL without being in the haven. Her kid actually liked RCCL kids club the best. Their trip had what they said was plenty of kids, but not an overload of kids. Another family I know, also sails that same group of cruise lines but choose celebrity because the kids get the most individual attention and they had constant activities planned all day. It was very structured and her children could easily look through the activities and choose those they were most interested in.
I think it partly boils down to what style your child enjoys. From everything I have read and heard from those who sailed. The kids clubs fall under one of two categories. More structured activities and time vs more open play with activities. For those whose kids are better entertaining themselves (grabbing board games, video games, dress up, or whatever) and meeting people in an open play with some planned activities some lines might fit you better. They may not like a program where they are told now it is time to do x activity. But if your child prefers more personal attention, more structured activities with some open choices one of the other lines might be a better fit. Also the week you pick can make a big difference. School break where the kids club is at capacity with 2000 kids might not be a good experience if they are at their breaking point versus say a quieter time with 200 kids on board.
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| Posted 3/18/15 5:52 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Dining on Disney btw (dinners) is much more structured in some ways than other lines. There only offer early or late seating, no real dinner buffet. If you don't book early you could miss out on the early dinner. Whereas, RCCL, Celebrity and NCL all have a buffet at dinner, some have multiple specialty restaurants or at least a couple, all have an anytime dining choice available if you choose. Disney on the other hand you get early or late seating, but you do rotate through several reataurants giving you a different experience every night. For some though the lack of a non other options (like the buffet if your kids are cranky and might not do well in the dining room) is less appealing. You would need to do room service I believe, as the alternative if you want a family meal (or the kids club feeds them and adults can do the specialty restaurant on Disney).
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| Posted 3/18/15 6:01 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Posted by Lillykat
Dining on Disney btw (dinners) is much more structured in some ways than other lines. There only offer early or late seating, no real dinner buffet. If you don't book early you could miss out on the early dinner. Whereas, RCCL, Celebrity and NCL all have a buffet at dinner, some have multiple specialty restaurants or at least a couple, all have an anytime dining choice available if you choose. Disney on the other hand you get early or late seating, but you do rotate through several reataurants giving you a different experience every night. For some though the lack of a non other options (like the buffet if your kids are cranky and might not do well in the dining room) is less appealing. You would need to do room service I believe, as the alternative if you want a family meal (or the kids club feeds them and adults can do the specialty restaurant on Disney).
We cruised on the Dream, and you could eat dinner outside of your scheduled rotation at "Cabanas", which is the buffet restaurant for lunch and breakfast (dinner is table service). We had early dinner seating, and I hated it. 5:15 was way too early to eat, having to get back to your room, shower and get ready by like 4pm. I much prefer the later seating, so one night we just ordered room service (free!).
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| Posted 3/18/15 10:38 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Posted by Lillykat
Dining on Disney btw (dinners) is much more structured in some ways than other lines. There only offer early or late seating, no real dinner buffet. If you don't book early you could miss out on the early dinner. Whereas, RCCL, Celebrity and NCL all have a buffet at dinner, some have multiple specialty restaurants or at least a couple, all have an anytime dining choice available if you choose. Disney on the other hand you get early or late seating, but you do rotate through several reataurants giving you a different experience every night. For some though the lack of a non other options (like the buffet if your kids are cranky and might not do well in the dining room) is less appealing. You would need to do room service I believe, as the alternative if you want a family meal (or the kids club feeds them and adults can do the specialty restaurant on Disney).
For the most part, we loved the Disney cruise. My main peeve was the dinner and show timing. If I remember correctly, early seating dinner was 5:15. The evenings shows were at 6 and 8. 8pm is much too late for us. Every night, we would go to the early dinner and rush so that we could get to the show a few minutes late. What irritated me the most was that you had the same waiter and he spent the first 15 minutes greeting guests at the front of the restaurant. There would be dozens of waiters with no one at their table but we HAD to wait for our waiter. We wanted to be in and out so that we could make the 6pm show and it just didn't work well. The best show was the same night as our Animator Palate dinner and we felt really rushed.
We still had a wonderful vacation but I think the dinner timing could use work.
I really loved the idea of freestyle dining on NCL. We upgraded to the ultimate dining package so we will be able to eat steak, Japanese or Italian any night at any time. They also have better adult shows like Cirque and Blue Man Group.
Message edited 3/18/2015 12:09:18 PM.
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| Posted 3/18/15 12:08 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Disney cruise v. mainstream line?
Thanks all! You gave me lots of stuff to think about!
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| Posted 3/21/15 8:30 PM |
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