Disney vs. Carnival

[the5beers]

Hi, We are first time cruisers and are stuck between Carnival Conquest and Disney. We are cruising in January of 2006 and have yet to make a desicion on what cruise line to choose. We will be taking with us 3 boys ages, 9, 7, and 4. Carnival is much cheaper, but we also want quality. I am looking for any opinion anyone might have on the 2 and which might be better. If anyone could give us feedback we would appreciate it. Thanks!

[Kokanee]

I have done both cruise lines and would pick Disney over Carnival any day.

You should go over to the Carnival cruise line board and read some of the problems thta have been coming up.

Yes, Carnival is cheaper but remember you get what you pay for.......

[SunFunCruiser]

I cruise Carnival all the time, never had any problems. Will be cruising the Valor in July. While I love DCL, there are plenty I don't like about it too. If I could merge CCL & DCL together I would have the perfect cruise!

I have to say the one thing that DCL has over CCL is the kid's club, your kids should experience this at least once. In Januaray you can get some good rates on DCL, that's when we cruise them. We'll be on the MLK week because they will only miss 4 days of school.

You should post this on the CCL board as well because most people on a Disney board will stick up for them over anything.

The staterooms are the same size on both. I like the changing dining rooms on DCL, I like the food better on CCL, There is more for adults to do on CCL, kids club better on DCL, not that CCL isn't good but the hours are shorter and it's a pain to have the same parent sign the kids in and out. Not sure about the problems that the above poster is talking about, but keep in mind that CCL"s fleet is huge, compared to DCL"s two ships. Of course there will be more problems. I have had my share of minor problems on both cruise lines.

[mikeymars]

I have also done both, and here is my perspective.

 

Disney pros:

 

Disney iconic imagery everywhere, especially in the "production" shows

Nice split baths

Great children's facilities

Variety of revolving dining room environments

 

Disney negatives:

 

Pricey - you pay a huge premium for the Disney name, not a significantly better product

"Eisener" based cheapening of wares: food not as good as it should be for the price, no live music in the main showroom

Ship crammed with travel neophytes who don't know squat about snorkeling, the ports of call or general cruise etiquette

Very limited, generic itineraries (as SunFun implied above, you can only do so much with two ships)

Children's counselors more focused on compliance (following rules) than insuring the kids have a good time

 

Carnival pros:

 

Value - much more overall bang for the buck than Disney

Massive number of ships and itineraries

Incredible live bands in main showroom (the one we heard on the Miracle last week was Broadway quality) and very professional stage productions

Huge variety of food available on Lido deck - not just a single buffet and grill like Disney

Wider variety of public areas (lounges, casinos, spas)

Food in main dining rooms as good or better than Disney and now beginning to rival the more upscale lines

 

Carnival negatives:

 

Does still attract some "party hearty" types (you see them late at night crawling the lounges), albeit not at the levels seen years ago

A little too much emphasis on constantly selling stuff on board (art "auctions," jewelry tables, etc.)

While conselors for kids programs easily rival anything Disney has, facilities are smaller and less elaborate

[the5beers]

Thank you so much for all your input. I appreciate it!

[torpeedo]

Not sure if this is significant to you, but there is no casino on DCL.

[born2crooz]

I think the ship you choose also has a lot to do with it.

 

Carnival's newer, larger ships tend to be more expensive, but also attract a different clientele.

 

Keep in mind that Carnival is no longer the "bargain" cruise line that most people think it is. I've been pricing out cruises and Carnival's price is the same, pretty much, as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity.

 

I will try Disney at some point when I have the extra $$ to splurge. I think Disney provides a great product and hek, if people are willing to pay it, why wouldn't they charge more?

 

Don't let anyone put Carnival down. We have had nothing but great experiences with them and the kids program is probably only second to Disney, although I've heard that Carnival's kids programs give Disney a run for their money.

 

The Conquest is a beauty!

 

If you can afford it, give Disney a try. I would be suprised if you DIDN'T have a great time.

 

If money is an issue, don't hesitate to book the Conquest. Remember, the Disney cruise line isn't going anywhere. Book when you have the $$.

[MrPete]

My daughter, now 6, has been on four cruises.....2 Disney, and 2 Carnival. All four were great times, and she has never used the camps on either lines. She has never stated that one was greater than the other.

 

On Disney, it's about all things Disney plus GREAT and friendly service. And the stop at Castaway Cay is worth the cruise itself. Their rooms and balconies are nice as well. The bathrooms are actually 2 rooms. One with a toilet, and one with a tub....sinks in both. The ship itself is nice and classy.

 

On our first Disney cruise, the food was downright bad. They changed their menus by the time we did our second Disney cruise. You do pay more, and I always recommend to people to do it just once, unless you just don't get the Disney thing.

 

After our first Disney cruise, we said "that was nice", and intended to return to Carnival. We ended up doing it a second time as we went as a group with extended family. Both times we went off season (Sept and March).

 

Everything else goes to Carnival.....including the FUN.

[slgray]

No contest. Disney wins hands down! I've done both and wouldn't even consider Carnivel over Disney, especially with your age children. Disney is significantly more expensive, I agree but your experience isn't even comparable. Spluge on Disney... you won't be disappointed. Just remember the saying.....you get what you pay for.

 

( I am trying the Royal Carribean in 3 weeks with my kids--rock wall, skating, etc., I'm very curious how this one compares to Disney.) Good Luck!

[I Live 4 Cruises]

Younger children (such as the kids that you are taking) will probally enjoy the Disney cruise more because of the atmosphere, Carnival I like better but younger children seemed to like Disney more because of the shows, activities, and they have a great kids program!