Can someone compare disney to allure

[waterdave]

Hello i am new to disney forum because im always reading royal caribbeans. I have been on oasis/allure 4 times, and loved it especially for my kids (now 1.5 and 3 years).

 

I love the big ships and everything they offer, But thinking of trying disney next summer. (i tried a smaller ship than allure once - the jewel of the seas- and despite the good service, I didnt really enjoy it in comparison, so am worried that anything smaller than an aircraft carrier isnt fun)

 

Have people that have done both found enough activity and the same quality on disney as rci for caribbean cruises?

[e2011]

We have done the Dream, Fantasy, Oasis and Allure. All are great ships. Of course nothing compares in size and scope to the Oasis class ships. They are floating cities as you know. Disney ships are much smaller at around 130,000 tons. Oasis class is 220,000 tons. Our 4 year old loved all of the aforementioned ships. Disney offers the characters and Disney theme that you will find no where else. Also the Animators Palate is very unique. You cannot go wrong with Disney so I would recommend you try it at least once. Make sure you go on the Fantasy as it has a few more features than the Dream. They made a couple changes that are very nice.

[waterdave]

Thanks for the info. Im just always nervous to invest the big money and then be on board thinking "i wish i was on the allure". when i was a kid my patents took me on a disneyworld 3day/carnival 3 day cruise package, and all i remember was getting to shoot a real shotgun skeet shooting off the back of the boat at age 10, and trying to get lost running down the the hallways. So it will be good to how the disney cruise package changed after 25 years!

[e2011]

I remember the days when you could shoot skeet off the back of the ship! I was 20 when I took my first cruise and did the skeet shooting. WOW! Can you imagine giving people a loaded gun on today's cruise ships?

[Sea-hawk]

If you want big, go to Royal Caribbean . Have been on the bigger and smaller Disney ships and prefer the smaller ones myself. Why do something you wouldn't be happy with. I know I would never set foot on one of those RC Mega Ships. Would not be happy cruising in on a floating mall. Could just hang around the Dallas Galleria where I can swim at the hotel, shop, eat and ice skate.

 

Pick what you will be happy with.

[PopFla]

That's really a classic case of "comparing oranges and apples". They are two vastly different classes of ships with vastly different appeal to cruisers. Personally, I'm not a "party ship" or "casino ship" or "floating city ship" kind of guy, so DCL suits my tastes perfectly. Different strokes for different folks.

[jillyfish]

We were just on Allure this past summer. I have to agree with Sea Hawk; Allure seemed like a mall to me. Including groups of teens hanging around everywhere in the evenings.

 

Every time we walk into Costco, my son points at the BIG Disney cruise banner hanging from the ceiling and asks 'can we go on THAT?!?!?!' I am just beginning my Disney research..........so tell me what activities do the Disney ships offer for a family of 3 to do together? DS is 11.

[steilkurve]

Hello i am new to disney forum because im always reading royal caribbeans. I have been on oasis/allure 4 times, and loved it especially for my kids (now 1.5 and 3 years).

 

I love the big ships and everything they offer, But thinking of trying disney next summer. (i tried a smaller ship than allure once - the jewel of the seas- and despite the good service, I didnt really enjoy it in comparison, so am worried that anything smaller than an aircraft carrier isnt fun)

 

Have people that have done both found enough activity and the same quality on disney as rci for caribbean cruises?

 

Well, we sailed both Allure and Oasis of the Seas as well as Disney Fantasy. While the former can't match the latter in terms of size, I would say Fantasy had enough unique features to keep you as busy and distracted as the RCI ships. My quick evaluation of the two ship classes / lines would be:

 

Activities: Both roughly on par.

Entertainment: Disney better.

Private island: Disney better.

Food: RCI better.

Staterooms: Disney better.

 

Got a video of Disney Fantasy. Shows a lot of the unique features to give you an idea:

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[f1mauro]

Well, we sailed both Allure and Oasis of the Seas as well as Disney Fantasy. While the former can't match the latter in terms of size, I would say Fantasy had enough unique features to keep you as busy and distracted as the RCI ships. My quick evaluation of the two ship classes / lines would be:

 

Activities: Both roughly on par.

Entertainment: Disney better.

Private island: Disney better.

Food: RCI better.

Staterooms: Disney better.

 

Got a video of Disney Fantasy. Shows a lot of the unique features to give you an idea:

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

 

Thanks to replies like this I am really excited to try the Fantasy in February. Love the Oasis class ships but always open to new experiences.

[rolloman]

Activities: Allure & Oasis by far, not even close.

Entertainment: Unless you are obsessed with Disney only productions....Allure and Oasis hands down,so one sided not worth comparing.

Private island: Disney for sure.

Food: Disney by a long shot.

Staterooms: same Category vs. same Category....Disney.

[waterdave]

Activities: Allure & Oasis by far, not even close.

Entertainment: Unless you are obsessed with Disney only productions....Allure and Oasis hands down,so one sided not worth comparing.

Private island: Disney for sure.

Food: Disney by a long shot.

Staterooms: same Category vs. same Category....Disney.

 

Ok, thanks everyone so far for the info- its a tough call still. its kind of interesting also how rci has pixar characters like shrek and madascar, and ncl has nickelodeans spongbob and dora, then finally disney with the classics we grew up on too. So from a kids favorite characters view- who knows.... I do like the idea of the dining entertainment to keep the kids entertained at the table.

I must say, although rci labadee was ok, it was not magical, i imagine the disney island has a more special appeal to it.

[Shmoo here]

Ok, thanks everyone so far for the info- its a tough call still. its kind of interesting also how rci has pixar characters like shrek and madascar, and ncl has nickelodeans spongbob and dora, then finally disney with the classics we grew up on too. So from a kids favorite characters view- who knows.... I do like the idea of the dining entertainment to keep the kids entertained at the table.

I must say, although rci labadee was ok, it was not magical, i imagine the disney island has a more special appeal to it.

 

Actually Shrek is Dreamworks. Disney has Pixar. In fact, DCL is doing Pixar cruises on their pacific coastal cruises right now.

 

:cutie:

[*Flower*]

The first Pixar cruise sails on the 16th.

 

We're sailing on the last Pixar cruise. It's leaving on October 7th, and when it returns on the 14th- it will be doing a Hawaii 14 night cruise.

 

I've got my cruise documents, and I can't wait!!:D

[rolloman]

Ok, thanks everyone so far for the info- its a tough call still. its kind of interesting also how rci has pixar characters like shrek and madascar, and ncl has nickelodeans spongbob and dora, then finally disney with the classics we grew up on too. So from a kids favorite characters view- who knows.... I do like the idea of the dining entertainment to keep the kids entertained at the table.

I must say, although rci labadee was ok, it was not magical, i imagine the disney island has a more special appeal to it.

 

From a character aspect I would call it a draw. If your little ones are familiar with disney, they will have a blast. Yes, Castaway Cay has the Disney Park feel and has a great beach, we have enjoyed it everytime, but since they added a pier and coaster, zip line,Labadee is quickly closing the gap as the number one cruiseline private destination. The only real negative with Disney is their check in. It is horrible, be prepared for a long wait. Their terminal is too small for the passenger load of the new ships. RCCL purpose built pier 18 has check in down to a science with hardly ever more than a 15 minute wait. Outside of this, you will find the new Disney ships a great cruise experience and welcoming change compared to other lines.

[waterdave]

Ok thanks all so far...

Couple more questions for this group of seasoned disney cruise parents:

Would it make sense to wait until my youngest child turns 3, and then do a disneyworld/disney cruise package?

 

Is there a pool that a non-potty trained baby (between 6 months and 2 years old) can swim in? Allure has a little baby pool next to the kids pool that is specifically for diaper babies.

Also, how is the childcare program for kids 6 months to 3 years old?

 

Last question- is there a cigar bar anywhere on the boat for when the kids and wife are all tucked in?

[Shmoo here]

Ok thanks all so far...

Couple more questions for this group of seasoned disney cruise parents:

Would it make sense to wait until my youngest child turns 3, and then do a disneyworld/disney cruise package?

 

Is there a pool that a non-potty trained baby (between 6 months and 2 years old) can swim in? Allure has a little baby pool next to the kids pool that is specifically for diaper babies.

Also, how is the childcare program for kids 6 months to 3 years old?

 

Last question- is there a cigar bar anywhere on the boat for when the kids and wife are all tucked in?

 

It's up to you whether you feel your under 3 or a 3 year old will get more out of it. People have traveled with both. I will point out that under 3 will be in the nursery, 3 year olds go to the Oceanears Club.

 

There is a spash area (water spouts and wet floor) for the non-potty trained kids. Not really for swimming but they can get wet.

 

Nursery costs $6.00 per hour and prebooked hours are limited, although you may be able to pick up additional once onboard, if available. I've heard it's quite good.

 

AFAIK, there's no specific "cigar" area on the ships, there are smoking areas. The DCL website doesn't specify whether smoking is only cigarettes, or any smoking materiel.

 

:)

[rolloman]

Ok thanks all so far...

Couple more questions for this group of seasoned disney cruise parents:

Would it make sense to wait until my youngest child turns 3, and then do a disneyworld/disney cruise package?

 

Is there a pool that a non-potty trained baby (between 6 months and 2 years old) can swim in? Allure has a little baby pool next to the kids pool that is specifically for diaper babies.

Also, how is the childcare program for kids 6 months to 3 years old?

 

Last question- is there a cigar bar anywhere on the boat for when the kids and wife are all tucked in?

 

As far as kids club goes I think waiting until 3 years old would be best. The nursery is full of babies and not unusual for lots of crying. Especially on the Dream where they changed the layout where all kids can see parents coming in and out to the check in room. Once a kid sees another kids parents picking them up they start screaming for their parents. On Wonder and Magic they have a two way mirror to avoid this. We would utilize the nursery for dinner and that was it. As stated there never was a problem with getting extra hours if needed.

[CannonFodder]

Ok thanks all so far...

Couple more questions for this group of seasoned disney cruise parents:

Would it make sense to wait until my youngest child turns 3, and then do a disneyworld/disney cruise package?

 

Is there a pool that a non-potty trained baby (between 6 months and 2 years old) can swim in? Allure has a little baby pool next to the kids pool that is specifically for diaper babies.

Also, how is the childcare program for kids 6 months to 3 years old?

 

Last question- is there a cigar bar anywhere on the boat for when the kids and wife are all tucked in?

 

If you are going on the newer, larger ships (Dream/Fantasy), yes, there is a cigar bar. It's actually an outdoor area just outside the Meridian Bar on Deck 12 Aft, set between Palo and Remy (hence the name). The 9th picture in the slide show on the following link is of the cigar area:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/dream/nightclubs-lounges/meridian/

[Pshkbb]

glad someone else asked this! we are tried and true RCCL cruisers and have done Allure/Oasis and other smaller ships there and LOVED them. The kids begged to do Disney and I am hoping it is not too character themed. I LOVE Disney but am not sure I can deal with 24/7 Disney themed kid stuff - that was why we loved RCCL, we actually got to relax!

[swsf99a]

If you are going on the newer, larger ships (Dream/Fantasy), yes, there is a cigar bar. It's actually an outdoor area just outside the Meridian Bar on Deck 12 Aft, set between Palo and Remy (hence the name). The 9th picture in the slide show on the following link is of the cigar area:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/dream/nightclubs-lounges/meridian/

Thank you for the link on the cigar bar...looks great. We are diamond member RCI and Disney people. Have been to Orlando (WDW) with kids at least every other year for 25 years.. our honeymoon in 1977, daughter's wedding in 2006,etc.... Have done one Disney cruise...just me and the wife and have the Fantasy planned for this December 1st. Did not feel overwhelmed by kids ever, there are adult areas. If you like Disney, just enjoy the cruise. Try the Palo and /or Remy for dinner!

[spencersmama]

I wanted to chime in and say that I would personally book the cruise and WDW tip before your youngest turns three. When they are under three, you only pay taxes on the cruise for her. She'll also get into WDW for free. If you eat at a buffet restaurant in Disney World, she will be free. But the trade off is that she won't be able to be dropped off in in the kid's activity area, you would need to bring her to the nursery. We did our first Disney cruise when my daughter was 2. We were allowed to go to the activities, as long as we stayed with her. I don't know if they still allow that. I guess you would have to decide what is more impoortant for the way you cruise - saving money or having adult time.