Disney vs. NCL (Nickelodeon)

[Tallyfins]

My family and I have primarily sailed on Carnival over the years (pre and post kids). My two sons are 11 and 6 and have always enjoyed Camp Carnival. My wife would like to take them on a Disney cruise before they get much older and don't think stuff like that is cool anymore (at least for the 11 year old!) :)

 

I have researched the prices on Disney as well as NCL and would like to hear from others what they think about the two cruise lines (rooms, kids activities, etc.) We are looking to do a 7-day cruise around Spring Break 2013. The price for Disney (balcony) is ~$6100 and for the same room on NCL it's about ~$4225. Both of those are MUCH more than we typically spend on Carnival, but I'm willing to pay more if it's actually worth it and the kids will enjoy it.

 

The kids like all of the Disney stuff as well as the Nickelodeon stuff. I couldn't find too much detail on the Nickelodeon cruises on the NCL site. It seemed kind of vague about what they do for the kids. All the info/posts I've read on Disney, everyone has raved about it.

 

Price aside, which one would you recommend for the kids?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

TF

[Warm Breezes]

My family and I have primarily sailed on Carnival over the years (pre and post kids). My two sons are 11 and 6 and have always enjoyed Camp Carnival. My wife would like to take them on a Disney cruise before they get much older and don't think stuff like that is cool anymore (at least for the 11 year old!) :)

 

I have researched the prices on Disney as well as NCL and would like to hear from others what they think about the two cruise lines (rooms, kids activities, etc.) We are looking to do a 7-day cruise around Spring Break 2013. The price for Disney (balcony) is ~$6100 and for the same room on NCL it's about ~$4225. Both of those are MUCH more than we typically spend on Carnival, but I'm willing to pay more if it's actually worth it and the kids will enjoy it.

 

The kids like all of the Disney stuff as well as the Nickelodeon stuff. I couldn't find too much detail on the Nickelodeon cruises on the NCL site. It seemed kind of vague about what they do for the kids. All the info/posts I've read on Disney, everyone has raved about it.

 

Price aside, which one would you recommend for the kids?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

TF

We sailed Disney when our kids were 4 & 7, and then again when they were 7 & 10. We sailed NCL Epic last year when they were 14 & 17. In between we have sailed mostly CCL with one other NCL cruise. My kids loved Disney when they were younger. I was so glad we did it then, as I don't beleive I will pay the premium again until I have Grandkids to spoil. That age was perfect for them for the Disney experience and I don't regret splurging then. NCL Epic is a Nickleodean cruise but my kids were to old to get much out of the "nickleodean" experience. We did see character meets, breakfasts, slime time being done or posted in the dailies and my kids would have probably appreciated it like they did Disney when they were younger.

 

Now for the comparisons (mostly subjective stuff and my opinion only): You pay more for Disney but you get Castaway Cay, better food, larger better laid out rooms, soda included, you can bring your own alcohol, and you get the Disney Experience (which IMHO tops nickleodean hands down). Entertainment and service was excellant on both Epic and the Disney ships we have been on. Epic has a casino that Disney does not have and excellant basketball/soccer courts. Keep in mind that our Disney cruises were 8-11 years ago. Many things could have and probably did change in that time frame.

 

I think I would have a tough decision if I were you. I would probably take the splurge and do Disney at that age....but my kids were really into Disney then. The price difference would make the choice tough though. Luckily there wasn't a nickleodean cruise going when I had to make that decision. Good luck and have fun no matter which you choose.

[ltzol]

We have been on the Disney Magic (twice) and on the Norwegian Epic.

 

My husband and I like Norwegian best - the entertainment options were wonderful. Never a dull moment. We also loved freestyle dining. No mad rush to change and get to dinner, and we honestly never waited long for a table when we got there.

 

My DD, who was 9 and 10 on Disney and 11 on Epic, liked Epic best.

 

My DS, who was 5 and 6 on Disney and 7 on Epic, liked Disney best.

 

Disney was our entree into cruising, but I highly doubt we will pay the premium to sail that line again.

 

My next dream cruise is Allure/Oasis, but the kids are older and I don't want to pull them from school (all our previous cruises were in January) and the Spring Break prices are prohibitive!

 

Good luck! I am sure you will have a wonderful time on either line.

[Keith1010]

I highly recommend Disney and the kids will love it and I am sure you will too.

 

Your children are at the perfect age to love the cruise but with each passing year your olds child might show less interest. So, I wouldn't wait and I would go with Disney without any hesitation.

 

Keith