Carnival Sunshine 7 day or Disney 4 day?

[Dreacrusingaway]

Interesting thread. I'm facing the same dilemma. A 4 day Disney is the same price as the 7 and 8 day Carnival cruises I'm considering for next year. My kids are 12 & 8 and I don't know what to do! I mean can the experience really be worth 2x the price?

 

 

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[blueSLC]

7days +1

 

We cruised Carnival twice (both 7 days), and Disney Dream 4 days last Fall. IMHO

1. 4 days is too short to enjoy your cruise, and it is very stressful to keep up with the character meeting schedule on Disney, and half on board are kids, way too many for kids club. ( don't get me wrong, I have two little ones myself)

2. We don't feel service is better on Disney. And don't like Disney has no my time dinning options.

3. Food is subjective, Disney has more higher end item in mdr and buffet, but you pay way way more for it.

 

If you are really into 'mouse' do Disney, if just looking to cruise for fun vacation, Carnival provides very good value, just my two cents.

 

 

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[singbluesilver1]

Ugh do carnival

 

Disney is way overpriced, all they care about is money

 

 

 

 

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[Seago2]

I wouldn't race to sail Sunshine, but that said, I've had the same question you do and ultimately came to the conclusion that if embarkation day was 1/4 of my cruise it wasn't worth it. Too hectic. I would love to sail Disney some time, and NOT for the Mouse factor, but four days is too small and the price is too high.

[wb3690]

I think a 4 day cruise would leave me unsatisfied.

 

However if you are huge fans of the mouse go for that.

 

I'd pick the 7 day all the time!

[mommyto2kids]

We have sailed both. Disney is definitely a very different experience than Carnival.

 

If length of vacation isn't a priority go with Disney.

 

If you think you will be disappointed having only a 4 night cruise you will have a good time on Carnival.

 

 

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[Remus2010]

I would rather go for a 7 day cruise than a 4 day no matter what line it was with. I have never had a problems with carnival. Food has always been good, service has been exceptional and have had a great time, everytime. But I would have a great time even if things were not spectacular, personal choice IMHO. With the exception of NORO or something, lol. If I ever get bad service or bad (tasting) food, I hope id just move on to the next moment and back to enjoying my vacation. :D

 

Have fun which ever you choose.

[moobear67]

Interesting thread. I'm facing the same dilemma. A 4 day Disney is the same price as the 7 and 8 day Carnival cruises I'm considering for next year. My kids are 12 & 8 and I don't know what to do! I mean can the experience really be worth 2x the price?

 

 

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In my opinion, I do not think Disney is worth twice the price of Carnival. If you can go off season on Disney and get a somewhat decent deal, then I say go for it. If you are going during Christmas, spring break, or summer when it's really expensive, you will get more bang for your buck going on Carnival.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

My 3 day on Disney Dream made Carnival Dream look like a wasted week of sea days with trivia and bingo. (I was on both about a month apart, talk about a contrast.) There is no possible way 4 days on Disney (which is what we are doing in 3 weeks woohoo!!) Comes close to the value of 7 day Carnival. Kinda like saying eating a regular restaurant chain us better than eating at a really highly reviewed higher end restaurant, after all, you can eat there many more times for the same money. But its not the same thing.

 

We don't have any kids, but we were amazed by the high end talent on the (admittedly more juvenile but VERY technical) stage shows. (OK by me, I love Disney Music and Broadway which is how this felt.) We loved the dining room shows having interactive animated characters having a chat and playing games, not waiters dancing in samba ruffle sleeves. Our service was like back in the 90s style cruising, crumb cleaners cleaning the tables, never having to ask for something more than once. The private island is the perfect blend of water fun, natural beauty, convenience, food icecream and drinks. I like a fluffy saucy pizza and was totally disappointed by the CCL Dream's thin, next to topping less pizza, so much happier.

 

I almost gave up cruising altogether after our last Carnival, with each year declining more and more. I felt so guilty for being on vacation and trying to smile and appreciate all the hard working staff, but they just either ignored us, scowled at us, or fought at and with each other. It was the unfriendliness ship I have ever been on. night and day on Disney, we could talk with the staff until 2 am! They called us Princesses wherever we went and really treated us like royalty. The food was much more interesting and artistically presented, at least for my tastes, which I know it's subjective.

 

And no one does crows control like Disney, which I wish CCL Dream could have figured out, because I have never waited so long on any ship, CCL or otherwise. Even for beverages and cups or soft serve in the buffet. I can't imagine the crowds on the Sunshine.

 

Mind you, I never pay peak price for Disney (or any line) and our Disney Rewards Visa allows us 6 months free financing and our rewards this year literally paid for half of our upcoming cruise. That means we get the DCL experience at the CCL price.

 

4 day DCL vs 7 day on CCL?

 

That is NO contest to me. Here is a suggestion: look up the Navigator for the Disney Cruise and the FunTimes for the Carnival. See which one offers more to you personally. That will help you see if your sea days (all you are getting extra for days sailed) are worth giving up Disney for. (For us, no casino is a big plus, for others, its a minus.) I think a 3 or 4 day is a perfect way to see if it is right for you. Also DCL has an open BYOWhatever policy. No drink packages needed, for soda OR adult beverages.

 

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Edited April 13, 2014 by TwinPrincessMermaids

[mommyto2kids]

My 3 day on Disney Dream made Carnival Dream look like a wasted week of sea days with trivia and bingo. (I was on both about a month apart, talk about a contrast.) There is no possible way 4 days on Disney (which is what we are doing in 3 weeks woohoo!!) Comes close to the value of 7 day Carnival. Kinda like saying eating a regular restaurant chain us better than eating at a really highly reviewed higher end restaurant, after all, you can eat there many more times for the same money. But its not the same thing.

 

We don't have any kids, but we were amazed by the high end talent on the (admittedly more juvenile but VERY technical) stage shows. (OK by me, I love Disney Music and Broadway which is how this felt.) We loved the dining room shows having interactive animated characters having a chat and playing games, not waiters dancing in samba ruffle sleeves. Our service was like back in the 90s style cruising, crumb cleaners cleaning the tables, never having to ask for something more than once. The private island is the perfect blend of water fun, natural beauty, convenience, food icecream and drinks. I like a fluffy saucy pizza and was totally disappointed by the CCL Dream's thin, next to topping less pizza, so much happier.

 

I almost gave up cruising altogether after our last Carnival, with each year declining more and more. I felt so guilty for being on vacation and trying to smile and appreciate all the hard working staff, but they just either ignored us, scowled at us, or fought at and with each other. It was the unfriendliness ship I have ever been on. night and day on Disney, we could talk with the staff until 2 am! They called us Princesses wherever we went and really treated us like royalty. The food was much more interesting and artistically presented, at least for my tastes, which I know it's subjective.

 

And no one does crows control like Disney, which I wish CCL Dream could have figured out, because I have never waited so long on any ship, CCL or otherwise. Even for beverages and cups or soft serve in the buffet. I can't imagine the crowds on the Sunshine.

 

Mind you, I never pay peak price for Disney (or any line) and our Disney Rewards Visa allows us 6 months free financing and our rewards this year literally paid for half of our upcoming cruise. That means we get the DCL experience at the CCL price.

 

4 day DCL vs 7 day on CCL?

 

That is NO contest to me. Here is a suggestion: look up the Navigator for the Disney Cruise and the FunTimes for the Carnival. See which one offers more to you personally. That will help you see if your sea days (all you are getting extra for days sailed) are worth giving up Disney for. (For us, no casino is a big plus, for others, its a minus.) I think a 3 or 4 day is a perfect way to see if it is right for you. Also DCL has an open BYOWhatever policy. No drink packages needed, for soda OR adult beverages.

 

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I love the analogy you make to the different type of restaurants - that is exactly it.

 

There is no comparison of a Disney cruise to a carnival cruise, we sail both enjoy both, but we do not call them comparable vacations.

 

I do think you can begin to comment on the value of a Disney cruise unless you have sailed one.

Having said that we are looking forward to our carnival cruise next month and our disney cruise in February

 

 

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[keishashadow]

OP they are both 'worth it', just depends on what you want to experience

 

If you ask those who have sailed on both lines for some time they would likely agree that both have dumbed down service & food

 

Longest DCL cruise we've taken was 5 nights, with a double visit to Castaway Cay. We are booked on another double-dip 4 night in October that is almost sold out. The on-board booking 10% discount and credit help for repeat bookings but it is still pricey. We have annual passes @ WDW & timeshares there so it's not as bad of a hit on our budget to combine a shorter cruise with a few days in the parks.

 

I stretch our annual travel budget to cover 5 or more trips throughout the year. If I were to be booking one or two trips, perhaps I wouldn't consider options that cost less but still give good value. I have found that what we spend on one 4 or 5 night DCL cruise consistently would afford 2+ 7 day cruises on CCL balcony.

 

For us, DCL is all about the on-board experience, we are Disney geeks:D. The ship is well-designed with great cabins and the entertainment is of near broadway caliber, albeit Disney themed.

 

Castaway Cay is a lovely island. When on the Dream we find it crowded and glad to escape to the adult beach. However, Half Moon Cay is absolutely beautiful and the cabanas are approx. 1/4 the price of those on Castaway Cay and include some refreshments. Don't believe the sunshine has it on current itineraries but certainly worth exploring other ships that might visit it.

 

imo CCL ships have usually great comedy, casinos (yea!), stellar itineraries and pricing, especially since they extend military rates to those who served honorably vs DCL limiting their's to active/retired/DOD employees:rolleyes:. Our verdict is average to poor as to other entertainment. More than adequate as to cabins, food & service and we are still marveling as to receiving a 'free' 8 night sailing which we booked on the Sunshine...woohoo I would literally pass out if DCL ever offered me a free 'anything' lol.

 

You can bring all the booze you can carry onto DCL ships. If you are a heavy drinker could come out ahead vs a CCL cruise.;)

 

Kids clubs - my kids/GD didn't want to spend much time in either lines' programs, although most people say they can't wedge their kids out of the DCL ones

 

 

Remember lots of free things to do on Castaway Cay! I think we only spent $8 to rent a raft! Free BBQ buffet and soft drink and other non-alcoholic beverages which is quite a perk!

 

 

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I bring ones that cost $1 and they stay on the island;)

Edited April 13, 2014 by keishashadow

[heatherbelle]

I have done both and IMO the longer the better so Sunshine. The kids would love either. One you have characters the other a better water park. The food is better on Disney for adults for the kids they won't notice it. Work out the cost per night and Carnival will of course be the bargain.

 

I did have a 7 nighter booked on the Fantasy this summer and I cancelled it for the Breeze 8 nighter.

 

I am a die hard Disney fan, but I work hard for my salary and I want value for money. Disney is wonderful but at a cost.

Edited April 14, 2014 by heatherbelle

[jpurdy]

I agree with the posters who say 7 days on Carnival is better than 4 on Disney, BUT it depends on what you are looking for in a cruise. I found the service on Disney to be equal to that on Carnival. The shows are much better on Disney, but it's much harder to get a seat to the shows because of it (just get there early!). I found the food to be better on Carnival, but the themed restaurants on Disney are amazing. The rooms are better on Disney. The Aquaduck was neat, but it doesn't go that fast, and it's hard to see out of the clear sides (because of all the water in your face), so I didn't find it all that exciting. Carnival's water slides are better. You get fireworks and a fantastic pirate show on deck on pirate night on the Disney ship. Carnival will be starting a pirate night soon, but probably without the fireworks. Castaway Cay is amazing. Since your child is 8, you might want to do Disney now, then try a Carnival cruise when they are a little older (because they WILL want to cruise again!)

 

This. Go down a day or two early. We stayed at Hilton Grand Vacations Sea World prior to our Disney cruise and it was amazing. So relaxing to get us into vacation/cruise mode. The villa was huge, our grandsons loved the pools and the outdoor restaurant was perfect and family friendly. The larger cabin/split bath Disney cabins are just beautiful and Castaway Cay is wonderful. Rent the bikes and ride out to the lookout tower, snorkel etc. We didn't want to come home.

[Tapi]

Honestly, I'd do DCL with an 8 year old. It's the perfect age for it.

 

 

I agree. There's a very small window in a child's life where they will be young enough to believe all the "magic" associated with Disney but old enough to remember and appreciate it. Because of that, I'd go with the Disney cruise.

 

There will be plenty of other opportunities to sail on Carnival.

 

That's what we are waiting on to "pull the trigger" on a Disney cruise, for our kids to be at the perfect age.

 

 

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Edited April 14, 2014 by Tapi

[gtalum]

Disney does a lot of things really well, but IMHO nothing that they can do can make 4 days better than 7.

 

The same Disney "magic" can be had on land for much less money.

[cruizinisthebest]

If you don't mind paying a premium for a short cruise and enjoy being inundated with Disney, Disney, Disney, then by all means book a cruise with them. For what they charge they should do everything top notch, and I'm sure they do. When we got back into cruising after a break for a few years, DH and I looked into Disney cruises since my daughter is truly enchanted. But the price to make it work wasn't worth it. And while I insist on family vacations being about the kids, those of us that are paying (mom and dad) need to get something out of it too.

I've found a nice balance when looking to incorporate Disney by visiting Orlando pre or post cruise. That works for us. And still comes out cheaper combined than just a shorter vacation on Disney cruiselines. To each his or her own. We typically can only afford one big family vacation a year, so spending $200+ per person per night for half a week is not the best use of our money. Especially when we have to travel from NJ to FL to get to its closest ship. I just might think differently if they sailed out of ports closer to us.