A2Juju

One of things I really dislike about the mega ships is they put a ton of cabins for mass bookings. I can't stand an over crowed ship. I would rather sail on a ship with less cabins at a higher price, hands down. So for me, it is $3,200. better for many reasons.

Good point Irene... the strange thing that I found on our cruise last week (RCCL LOS) is that despite being a sold out Spring Break cruise, I felt like it was much less crowded and definately less chaotic than our Disney spring break cruise last year. i think the difference is in the number of different locations available for gathering (Royal Caribbean had exponentially more options for hanging out alone or in groups) and apparently in the number of deck chairs available (we never had a problem getting a chair on RCCL and I remember feeling like I had to get out to the deck early to "save" a chair on Disney).

Just adding thoughts based on my cruise last week. I have to say, Royal Caribbean really impressed me in ways I was not expecting. Despite that, I'll be on a 12-night European cruise with Disney in July.

I am a Disney loyalist who just retruned from a Royal Caribbean 6 night W Caribbean cruise. I agree with much of what others have said but would add the following:

1. Cabins - Disney wins. Love the bathroom, rooms are pristine, and wave phones are free and very useful. Not being able to communicate on Royal Caribbean was tough.

2. Food - Disney wins and RCCL isn't even a close second. Nothing remarkable at all. I was impressed with food on Disney and appreciated that I could eat well despite food allergies (not true on RCCL).

3. Soft Drinks - Disney free soda was great for kids but my kids are water drinkers so that didn't matter to us. On RCCL you can go to any food location or bar and get water lemonade coffee or tea for free 24/7.

4. Pools - RCCL wins - no contest. Disney pools are stupid, way too small, have limited hours, and are designed for 4 year olds. RCCL had an entire deck of water options - pools, splash park, hot tubs, and many are open 24/7 and none were too crowded (we were on a sold out spring break cruise). Towels were free on both cruises and we never had to check them out so I don't think that's their policy anymore.

5. Entertainment for adults - RCCL wins, no contest.

6. Entertainment for kids - okay so here's where there big differences. Disney wins. .. sort of. For my 13 year old twins, Disney offered more structured activities and the club was open all day and night. They loved it and made tons of friends and we barely saw them the whole cruise. On RCCL, clubs were meeting places more than activity centers. There was little interaction with staff and clubs aren't open with structured activities in the same way as disney. My kids are independent and self sufficient so they enjoyed RCCL just as much as disney and met tons of friends. They also appreciated the RCCL activities such as sport court, flow rider, rock climbing, ice skating and pools that they can be in without toddlers. Note also that the RCCL teen clubs have soda fountains and all kids get soda (don't have to buy the plan).

For my 10 year old.... both RCCL and Disney totally miss the mark with the 9-10 year olds. On Disney they are mixed in with little kids and the activities are cookie decorating and crafts.... my 10 year old wants gross motor and sports. The plus is that Disney takes the kids to different parts of the ship - bingo in the lounge, scavenger hunt on different decks, etc. RCCL has a dedicated club for 9-11 year olds but they never leave the one room they have. There are no scavenger hunts or sport court times or anything. So that was a disappointment. Overall.... I was not wowed by either for this age. My son spent used the club to meet friends and they explored the ship on their own for hours at a time, went swimming etc. And one other difference - Disney clubs for the under 12 crowd stay open til midnight. On RCCL they charge you $7/or after 10pm.

Lastly... If price matters - ROYAL Caribbean is the clear winner. It was a difference of more than 30% in cost compared to the same cruise on Disney. I don't think Disney delivered $4000 more in value.