Jumping ship from Disney to RCI

[Tara619]

We've been on 3 Disney cruises and with OBB changes and huge price increases, we may never go back unfortunately.

 

We are a family of 3. DS is 8. I'm not very physically active due to an arthritis-like condition (so no rock wall for me). DH is a school principal so our vacation season is limited to the last week in June and all of July. Next cruise will be 2015.

 

There are so many RC ships, how do we decide which one is for us? Any tips for a newbie? I'm so comfortable with DCL, switching lines makes me anxious.

[Clarea]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

You actually have fewer choices on Royal during the summer because many of their ships are in the Med during that time.

 

For 7 day or longer cruises, you will have Freedom out of Port Canaveral, Oasis and Allure out of Ft. Lauderdale, and Quantum out of New Jersey.

 

If you are looking for shorter cruises, then Enchantment out of Port Canaveral and Majesty out of Miami.

 

Since you are probably comfortable with Port Canaveral, I'd look at Freedom.

 

Also, the time frame you mentioned is not available to book yet. Those dates will become available sometime during Spring 2014.

Edited November 18, 2013 by clarea

[LMaxwell]

Do you have a preferred area of departure? Are you looking for a lot of things to do (I know you mentioned a restriction for yourself physically, but do your husband and son like physical activities?).

[denamo]

We've been on 3 Disney cruises and with OBB changes and huge price increases, we may never go back unfortunately.

 

We are a family of 3. DS is 8. I'm not very physically active due to an arthritis-like condition (so no rock wall for me). DH is a school principal so our vacation season is limited to the last week in June and all of July. Next cruise will be 2015.

 

There are so many RC ships, how do we decide which one is for us? Any tips for a newbie? I'm so comfortable with DCL, switching lines makes me anxious.

 

We are long time RCCL cruisers who have recently been on Disney. We found things about both lines we really liked. Didn't really get into too many comparisons. Overall, we enjoyed both. Don't be too anxious about trying RCCL.

I know on the Disboards there is a specific review of some longtime Disney cruisers who cruised on the either the Allure or the Oasis. Their perspective might help you.

We really enjoy the Allure and the Oasis. Lots to do. They have the DreamWorks characters, so that compares to the Disney character experience. Do have photo opportunities with the characters as well. Also have a character breakfast on RCCL. Family activities are held on the Boardwalk.There aren't any FE exchanges per se, but there is a Meet and Mingle you can sign up for to meet cruisers who have posted online. Sometimes roll call groups will do a gift exchange that is done at the Meet and Mingle.

Hope this helps.

[Jimnbigd]

RCI is also sailing year-round from Galveston, Texas (Navigator of the Seas). But if you fly getting from Houston to Galveston is a challenge.

Where do you live? Can you drive to a port?

 

I give up? What is OBB? I doubt it is any of these: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=OBB

Edited November 18, 2013 by Jimnbigd

[Tara619]

Do you have a preferred area of departure? Are you looking for a lot of things to do (I know you mentioned a restriction for yourself physically, but do your husband and son like physical activities?).

 

We don't care about departure location. We're from Ohio and fly instead of long drives. DS and DH do like physical activities. We're not too picky and like most things.

 

Eta: we would like a 7 day cruise to make the most of the $900-1000 flight cost.

 

Are the main dining room dinners good? We don't want to pay for a lot of extras on the ship.

 

Thanks so much for the help so far and the warm welcome.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Tara619

[Tara619]

RCI is also sailing year-round from Galveston, Texas (Navigator of the Seas). But if you fly getting from Houston to Galveston is a challenge.

Where do you live? Can you drive to a port?

 

I give up? What is OBB? I doubt it is any of these: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=OBB

 

OBB is on board booking. Disney gives a 10% discount and on board credit if you book your next cruise while on the current one. But now they say it has to be taken within 18 months and that's too often for our budget.

[Clarea]

We don't care about departure location. We're from Ohio and fly instead of long drives. DS and DH do like physical activities. We're not too picky and like most things.

 

Eta: we would like a 7 day cruise to make the most of the $900-1000 flight cost.

 

Are the main dining room dinners good? We don't want to pay for a lot of extras on the ship.

 

Thanks so much for the help so far and the warm welcome.

One of the main differences is that Royal charges for soda and Disney does not. However, you can get a soda package from Royal for an extra $7.48 per day for adults or $5.18 per day for children.

[justKirbo]

Hello! We're in the same boat as you!

 

I hope you don't mind if I piggy back on your thread.

 

We're taking our fifth DCL cruise in May, but after the enormous rate hikes and changes in the OBB, we are also looking at RCCI. We are active and our kids are young (both are nine). We love DCL. We've never been on the Dream or Fantasy, just the Wonder and Magic. We truly enjoy that size ship and feeling as if we're at sea.

 

We are thinking that the bigger boats, although chock full of fabulous activities, are too big. But we worry that the older, smaller ships might be, well, old. I'd love to hear what folks think about their smaller ships.

 

Can four people really fit into their interior rooms? The pictures look so small and I can't figure out where everyone would sleep.

 

Thank you for any advice!

[Koohiichan]

Welcome!

 

So, I should warn you that our Disney cruise was a while ago and did not go well, however, factoring out things Disney couldn't control (weather, missed ports, angry and drunken (yes! on Disney!) passengers, our clingy, will not set foot in the kids club, lovely 3 year-old) here is what we found:

 

1. Disney cabins are bigger and better designed b/c of the separate bathroom areas. However, we are find with Royal's. To the poster with 4 in a room, depending on the ship, try to get a corner AFT. It is the size of a Junior suite with a bigger balcony. Or, look at different cabin types. Maybe you can get a bigger room since Royal is less money, in general.

2. Goes without saying: price is better!

3. Entertainment: Disney did awesome, but always related to Disney! We like the increased variety on Royal and adult-orientated stuff (Love & Marriage, Quest, comedy.)

4. More activities on Royal, expecially for older kidsI think: ice skating, rock wall, flow-rider. Definitely choose a class of ship from Voyager on up since you have an 8 year old.

5.We like Royal's food better, both MDR and buffet. I know its subjective, but that is our experience.

6. Both lines have beautiful ships and great service.

7. No casino on Disney. A little too vanilla for me. Cruise was just for the kid. Now, on Royal, the cruise is for the whole family.

8. Ship not overrun with families and little kids. There is much more of a varied demographic.

 

That's just my humble opinion. You'll never know until you try it for yourself.

 

Cheers,

 

Koohiichan (we are a family of 3, too!)

[crazy4themouse]

One of the main differences is that Royal charges for soda and Disney does not. However, you can get a soda package from Royal for an extra $7.48 per day for adults or $5.18 per day for children.

 

 

 

Not only soda, but you have to factor in kids' club costs. After 10pm it's considered "group babysitting," and it's like $6/hr. And not a cost but a big difference for us when my son was younger and we'd switch between cruiselines is that you get very spoiled to the kids' clubs being open from early in the morning until into the wee hours. My son has always loved the kids' clubs SO much, and just hated how they "kicked him out" several times a day on Princess and Royal, lol. :rolleyes:

 

And while the children's programming as a whole is still fun and all (at least on Royal,) it is very much not Disney... Details and customer service, even (and often especially) for the little ones, is what Disney does best.

 

But as long as y'all are aware of the differences, and go in with an open and informed mind, you'll all 3 have a blast! Some of the things my DS has loved about Royal are the ice skating rink, the bigger pools, the HUGE video arcade, Cafe Promenade, and the mini-golf.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

 

-gina-

[emeraldcity]

I took my DD on her first cruise (Voyager of the Seas) when she was 8. The following year, I took her on her second trip to Disney World. While we were at the park I asked her what was better ... Disney World or a cruise. She didn't hesitate ... at 9 years old, she picked the cruise. So that's what we did the following year!

 

She loved Adventure Ocean and I had to barter with her on subsequent years to spend a few evenings with me at the shows. Now she's in college and is a cruise junkie like her mom.

 

Earlier this year, I offered her the option of a quick getaway vacation for summer (no airfare to be involved). I thought she'd pick the Outer Banks ... nope ... another cruise -- out of Baltimore this time. That ended up getting changed to December and we're 26 days away from heading for Baltimore.

 

With younger kids, I recommend something Voyager class or larger.. although we did Vision class when she was 10 and she had just as much fun. We tend to prefer the smaller ships now, because we feel they result in more social interaction with the other passengers, but whatever you decide ... have a great time. I really think you'll find that the two lines are more similar in experience than different.

 

As for booking on board, you can book a specific cruise or get a Next Cruise Certificate for $100. That gives you reduced deposit for on-board credit when you cruise ... and you transfer it to an actual booking when you finally decide what you want to do. I bought one last April, and converted it 8 months later to a booking for 10 people for April 2014 ... and we only had to pony up $900 more. All three cabins will get the OBC.

[nenner1]

Coming from DCL, Check out Freedom class and above. Personally we prefer Oasis and Allure. (We still cruise Disney though).

 

I have reviews on Independence and Allure coning from the perspective of a Disney cruiser (and make the comparisons). Just check my posts for them. I have one on Oasis coming up, as we just got off her Saturday. I'll be honest, although we love the big ships, this last cruise had me wishing for DCL again (which is coming up this year thank goodness).

 

Biggest adjustments coming from Disney are the kids clubs not being open full days and the charge after 10 PM (and the lack of kids there) and of course, the soda and tea available for free. If you want a drink other than coffee or water on RCCL, buy the soda package.

 

You can have a FANTASTIC cruise on RCCL, just do the reading (the reviews) and the research to prepare yourself. Bon Voyage!

[nenner1]

I know on the Disboards there is a specific review of some longtime Disney cruisers who cruised on the either the Allure or the Oasis. Their perspective might help you.

]

 

Search 'Shrek vs Mickey" and you'll find it. ;)

[hansolosmom]

We've done both.

After our first cruise - a Disney 3 day, we did Grandeur out of Baltimore, it's about the same size as Magic, and it was fine. We've also done Explorer and Freedom along with 2 more Disney cruises.

 

Yes you can fit 4 in a room on RC. We still do it even with 2 teens. The older ships seem to give more options for 4 people in a room then the newer ships. IMO. You have to search for rooms which have either the Pullman & sofa bed or 2 Pullmans. Most of the 4 person rooms are a sofa bed which becomes a double. So it's important to really check the deck plans. There's not the nice dividing curtain between the kids beds and yours.

 

Also no split bathrooms which is my favorite feature in Disney cabins!

 

You pay for soda and there are a lot more pay opportunities depending on the ship. For example Johnny Rockets has a charge for a burger lunch & there's a Ben & Jerry's which is also a cost.

 

But there are no charges for the activities. My guys love the flowrider and pool areas on RC they're so much larger than Disney. And I love the Promenade area on the bigger ships like Explorer and Freedom.

 

For us, when we choose a cruise, we determine Ports of call first, then look at the ships and go from there. We really like Freedom, I think its a perfect sized ship with plenty of activities. For me Oasis is too big. We are trying Quantum next year, so who knows I may have a new favorite after that trip :)

 

I will say, however I haven't found any ship to have service on par with Disney. They do all the extras so nicely and that's why you pay premium for them.

 

Edited to add:

Also if it makes any difference to you, you cannot bring bottles of alcohol on-board like you can with Disney. You are allowed wine, but not hard liquor. (Not sure if that's still Disney policy, last time we cruised we brought rum & vodka with us)

Edited November 19, 2013 by hansolosmom

[Tara619]

Thanks for all the input! I appreciate it!

[drmomsc]

My kids have been on 7 Disney cruises and 2 RCCL cruises. They love both pretty equally now. I agree- do a larger ship.

 

The cabins are smaller on RCCL, so we have done suites both times (I paid the same for our suite on the Navigator as we would have for a standard balcony cabin on DCL!)

 

We loved the shows on Allure (and frankly, though we love the shows on DCL, we were getting a little tired of them after 7 times).

 

The food in the MDR is better on Disney, but we thought the specialty restaurants on the Allure were on par with Palo, and our boys could go.

 

The pools on RCCL are superior in every way. My kids hate DCL pools (though the Aquaduck is very cool). They love the flow rider too.

 

People have mentioned the kids' club times are different, but we enjoy eating meals together anyway.

 

The lines for pics with the characters are shorter on RCCL.

 

Labadee is beautiful, though my heart still belongs to Castaway Cay (but it's close).

 

I think you will find both lines very comparable. They both have their pluses and minuses. We love them both!

[meatloafsfan]

One of the main differences is that Royal charges for soda and Disney does not. However, you can get a soda package from Royal for an extra $7.48 per day for adults or $5.18 per day for children.

 

But one of the differences here - once you pay for your soda card on Royal, you can get a soft drink ANYWHERE on the ship - on Disney, their included soda is only in the buffet, MDR and one location on the main pool deck.

 

We did some crafts on DCL and was in one of their clubs listening to music (during both the day and evening) and if we wanted a soda, it was $2 a can.

 

You can also get hot (well, warm) food through room service for breakfast on Royal (only continental stuff on Disney).

 

I also found the MDR food to be better on Royal - and nothing on Disney's lunch menus (either MDR or buffet) compares to the Tutti Salad at lunch in the MDR on Royal.

 

Disney has the movie theatre though (a big plus for us) and the on demand tv movies (included) in their cabins. Disney's buffet had a better selection than Royals' and was a better quality. And their fast food stations on the pool deck are the best at sea.

[Clarea]

But one of the differences here - once you pay for your soda card on Royal, you can get a soft drink ANYWHERE on the ship - on Disney, their included soda is only in the buffet, MDR and one location on the main pool deck.

 

We did some crafts on DCL and was in one of their clubs listening to music (during both the day and evening) and if we wanted a soda, it was $2 a can.

 

You can also get hot (well, warm) food through room service for breakfast on Royal (only continental stuff on Disney).

 

I also found the MDR food to be better on Royal - and nothing on Disney's lunch menus (either MDR or buffet) compares to the Tutti Salad at lunch in the MDR on Royal.

 

Disney has the movie theatre though (a big plus for us) and the on demand tv movies (included) in their cabins. Disney's buffet had a better selection than Royals' and was a better quality. And their fast food stations on the pool deck are the best at sea.

Thanks for the clarification, that's significant.

 

Also, regarding the shows, I thought I read here that Disney does not have a live orchestra at the shows. Is that your experience? The live orchestra is one of the things about Royal that we enjoy very much.

[justKirbo]

Thank you for letting me piggyback on your thread. Thanks everyone who has taken the time to answer.

Welcome!

1. Disney cabins are bigger and better designed b/c of the separate bathroom areas. However, we are find with Royal's. To the poster with 4 in a room, depending on the ship, try to get a corner AFT. It is the size of a Junior suite with a bigger balcony. Or, look at different cabin types. Maybe you can get a bigger room since Royal is less money, in general.

Thank you.

 

We've done both.

After our first cruise - a Disney 3 day, we did Grandeur out of Baltimore, it's about the same size as Magic, and it was fine. We've also done Explorer and Freedom along with 2 more Disney cruises.

 

Yes you can fit 4 in a room on RC. We still do it even with 2 teens. The older ships seem to give more options for 4 people in a room then the newer ships. IMO. You have to search for rooms which have either the Pullman & sofa bed or 2 Pullmans. Most of the 4 person rooms are a sofa bed which becomes a double. So it's important to really check the deck plans. There's not the nice dividing curtain between the kids beds and yours.

 

Also no split bathrooms which is my favorite feature in Disney cabins!

 

You pay for soda and there are a lot more pay opportunities depending on the ship. For example Johnny Rockets has a charge for a burger lunch & there's a Ben & Jerry's which is also a cost.

 

But there are no charges for the activities. My guys love the flowrider and pool areas on RC they're so much larger than Disney. And I love the Promenade area on the bigger ships like Explorer and Freedom.

 

For us, when we choose a cruise, we determine Ports of call first, then look at the ships and go from there. We really like Freedom, I think its a perfect sized ship with plenty of activities. For me Oasis is too big. We are trying Quantum next year, so who knows I may have a new favorite after that trip :)

 

I will say, however I haven't found any ship to have service on par with Disney. They do all the extras so nicely and that's why you pay premium for them.

 

Edited to add:

Also if it makes any difference to you, you cannot bring bottles of alcohol on-board like you can with Disney. You are allowed wine, but not hard liquor. (Not sure if that's still Disney policy, last time we cruised we brought rum & vodka with us)

Thanks for all of this.

 

 

 

I thought I hit the quote mark for the post above mine. Anyway, I've only done four previous cruises on DCL, but I've never seen a live orchestra at the main shows. They might exist, but not on the cruises we've taken with them.

Edited November 19, 2013 by justKirbo

[nenner1]

But one of the differences here - once you pay for your soda card on Royal, you can get a soft drink ANYWHERE on the ship - on Disney, their included soda is only in the buffet, MDR and one location on the main pool deck.

 

 

Yes but bar service has declined significantly. (Due to the increasingly popular all you can drink packages? Maybe.) This past week on Oasis we suffered for LONG waits to buy drinks at the bars, and the poor folks with their soda cups just stood and stood. They are in no hurry to serve those folks. Although- the Freestyle machines are all over too, and those are really awesome! :)

[xxHadleyxx]

We have sailed, with our kids, 10 times on DCL (81 nights total) and 7 times on RCI (58 nights total)--they both really like both lines,as do we.

 

As teens, both kids prefer RCI--DS14 in particular (and we did sail the Fantasy last year, which was both kids' least favourite DCL ever, surprisingly enough!). We have never even sailed the Oasis and Allure (and only once on the next larger class, Liberty) and my kids still prefer the larger number of activities, and what they tell me is normally a much better teen staff.

 

 

We find each line has pluses and minuses and it is best not to compare too much, but that overall they are about equal experiences onboard--which means the better prices and itineraries pull us to RCI these days.

 

Thigs DCL does better (IMO):

 

Food It's better and the rotational dining and really interesting rooms and shows at dinner are unique to the line and a lot of fun.

 

Main Production Show Entertainment The live stage shows are the best we have seen, and all are family friendly. They are very language based though and all have a Disney theme.

 

Keeping adult areas adult (at laest this used to be really good--it had slid a lot on our last DCL, not sure if that is a trend or was a one time thing)

 

Bigger staterooms

 

Better sailaway and deck parties

 

Things RCI does better:

Activities Rock walls, ice skating, flow riders, more ping pong and foosball tables, etc--MORE to do when there is not an organized activity. Many fun options for the older kids and teens and young at heart.

 

Other entertainment cabaret an variety acts tend to be better quality than DCL, there is more live music around the ship, etc

 

better teen programming most of the time the staff is much more responsive and works harder to involved all the kids than what mine have encountered in the teen clubs on DCL

 

price and itinerary.

 

Thanks for the clarification, that's significant.

 

Also, regarding the shows, I thought I read here that Disney does not have a live orchestra at the shows. Is that your experience? The live orchestra is one of the things about Royal that we enjoy very much.

 

That is correct. There is no live orchestra on DCL.

[xxHadleyxx]

Another big difference that you might not realise:

 

on DCL you can carry on all the alcohol you want. On RCI you can carry on two 750 ml bottles of wine per stateroom and NOTHING else.

 

If you drink and currently bring your own this might impact your bottom line. On the flip side, we run into far less out of control drinking on RCI than on DCL, this may be one reason why.

[xxHadleyxx]

Two years ago we sailed on the Disney Magic, got off, walked to the RCI Liberty of the Seas and got on for a cruise of the same length visiting mostly the same ports. Being so close together made comparing/contrasting easy. I wrote the following up then if you are interested in seeing how we thought those two stacked up at the time:

 

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2803659

 

That was after only our second RCI cruise, BTW--so some of what I felt then may not be equal to what I said above after several other cruises.

Edited November 19, 2013 by NHDisneylover

[Clarea]

...That is correct. There is no live orchestra on DCL.

Thanks, we would miss the live orchestra.