Carnival Breeze vs Disney Magic

[ctsvcc]

Hi, I am trying to decide between two cruises :

 

Carnival Breeze 8 day from Miami 3/14/15 : Nassau, St. Thomas, Antigua, San Juan

 

Disney Magic 7 day from Port Canaveral 3/15/15 : Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay

 

This will be our first cruise. Travelling with wife and 12 year old son. Carnival is $2500 for 3 in a mid-ship balcony on the Lido Deck, and hoping to snag a VGT rate on the Magic (79% of categories still avail. according to C r u i s e F i s h and the sailing the week before has a VGT rate) but Carnival will still be cheaper (at least 2000$ I'm guessing). Each ship has their pluses (Guy Fieri burgers, waterslides, less $$$ and stateroom selection on the Breeze, Castaway Cay, rotational dining, Disney pixie dust, better staterooms and smaller and more intimate ship on the Magic). I really really want to go on Disney because I love all things Disney but my wallet disagrees :(. I could have almost two Carnival cruises for the price of one Disney Cruise!

Edited January 2, 2015 by ctsvcc

[moki'smommy]

Add to your list better ports on the Magic.

 

The problem is that you've hit spring break season. The same cruise in February is literally half of what it is on your dates. I trust that you don't have date flexibility.

 

Don't know what to tell you. Carnival vs. DCL is apples to oranges. DCL will give you better service, better entertainment. 12 is a tough age for kid programming--some love it, some hate it. The tween program on the Magic is as good as you'll ever see it, but some kids still hate it. Marvel Academy....well, the dads loved it when they had an "adults only" session on our cruise.

 

Ports....Grand Cayman is one of my favorites. Whatever you do, incorporate Stingray City. The turtle farm is also fun, but will only take about 45 minutes. It is an easy port to do on your own, and relatively safe. Cozumel is one of my least favorites, but Paradise Beach is a decent way to spend the day. A taxi is $30 round trip per cab load (not per person). Don't be suckered into a package--you can get just what you want and save some money. You can also hit starbucks (right at the port) to use the internet--free with code on receipt--and get back on the ship to enjoy it! There is a shopping all right at the port as well. Key West is easy on your own as well. Take the tram on your own and it is a "hop on, hop off" so you can get off anywhere you wish. If you do the tram or train on DCL, it is a single loop with no hop off option. Also, there is a CVS about 3 blocks from the terminal area--great for anything you may have forgotten.

 

Castaway Cay--there are books written on it. Best private island, in part because the ship docks (not tender). And on the Magic, it is not at all crowded.

 

Nassau--again on my least favorites list. High crime rate (up there with Cozumel), dirty, people grabbing at you to braid your hair....just yuk. St. Thomas is an ok port. For us, it is a "been there, done that" place, but there are lots of options and it is easy. Added bonus--since it is US, most cell phone plans cover you here. San Juan--I've had 2 bad experiences there. The old city forts are interesting and fun. After 2 negative visits, I have no desire to return. Antigua--no experience.

 

There is a slide on the Magic--the AquaDunk (different from AquaDuck on Fantasy and Dream). Add to your list soft drinks included on DCL (ok, so you're saving $7 per day....)

 

Personally, I'd go with DCL. Is President's Week an option for you? Rates are a lot lower. There will be tons of kids on the ship as many private schools have the whole week off...

 

If you're ever going to do Disney, do it now.

[moki'smommy]

Another thought--look at the safety record of each of the cruise lines. Check out the videos of the Magic rescuing the guy who jumped overboard from a Carnival ship and watch when the Carnival ship's lifeboat gets tangled in the rigging and can't be lowered...and when the "search lights" are 1/10th the strength of DCL's. You might also check the disease records. Sure, gastrointestinal illness can happen on any ship, but the numbers do perhaps imply something.

 

I'm not saying that DCL is perfect, but I am saying that they put forth a better effort than I've seen on any other line.

[brookeq]

What does your son say?

 

Have you been to any of the ports? I try to pick an itinerary with at least one stop where we haven't been before. What does he (and you) like to do when you are off the ship?

 

We sailed the Carnival Dream last year and tried a Disney Cruise this year.

We honestly enjoyed both. The kids enjoyed both.

 

Carnival has better lunch offerings with all the food stations. It has a casino if you are into that. We had no issues with crazy drunk people like others will say. I am not sure if the Breeze has an adult only pool area. We enjoyed anytime dining on Carnival. It was nice not to feel rushed when we got back from an island.

 

The service we received on Carnival was good. Everyone was nice and friendly and helpful. It was no better or worse then Disney. My kids loved the kids club. They are younger than your son though. There was plenty for the tweens to do on the ship and the ones we saw all seemed to be having a good time.

 

Disney has the characters and the Disney parties if you are into those things. Not sure if your son would be. The night shows were better on Disney. they also have the movie theatre. It only shows Disney movies of course. There is no casino. You can bring your own alcohol if you want. This makes most of the bars and lounges seem empty (at least on our ship).

 

Castaway Cay is great if you like hanging out at the beach. Its nice to just get off the ship and be there. It was our favorite part of our cruise.

 

We tried Disney and are happy that we did. We all enjoyed ourselves. I don't know if we would do it again since it costs so much more. We have also sailed a few other lines and we have enjoyed them all. so we are about price and itinerary at this point.

[moki'smommy]

They show only movies with a Disney connection--made or distributed by Disney or a Disney subsidiary. Do you know how many Disney subsidiaries there are? Miramax, Lucasfilm, Pixar, Touchstone, etc.....and most new releases are played on the ships.

[ctsvcc]

Add to your list better ports on the Magic.

For some reason it won't let me edit. Edited before' date=' but the option has disappeared.

There is a slide on the Magic--the AquaDunk (different from AquaDuck on Fantasy and Dream)

There are TWO slides on Carnival, which are HUGE. There is a toilet bowl one and your traditional long, fast spinny waterslide. 12 year old son says he is not brave enough to face the AquaDunk, and he said the other one (Twist n' Spout) looks kinda lame.

Is President's Week an option for you? Rates are a lot lower.

Nope' date=' live in Canada :(

If you're ever going to do Disney, do it now.

Totally agree. On safety/diseases, I feel that you would take a risk on going ANY ship. Doesn't matter if your on Carnival, HAL, Celebrity, Princess or Disney, I feel you have to take a risk somewhat when going on a cruise. Sure, some ships might be better than others, but you're still taking a risk no matter what.

What does your son say?

He likes the waterslides on Carnival, not so much Disney. He likes the Guy Fieri burgers on Carnival (food is very important to him, went to a culinary bootcamp at the best culinary in school in Canada) and all the stuff you can do on Carnival ( e.g ropes course, mini golf). But he likes the classic look of the Disney Magic, and he really wants to go to Animator's Palate. And he likes the rotational dining (new food every day!). I guess I'm concerned if he will be bored on Disney.

Have you been to any of the ports? I try to pick an itinerary with at least one stop where we haven't been before. What does he (and you) like to do when you are off the ship?

Never been on a cruise before, so I don't know!

We sailed the Carnival Dream last year and tried a Disney Cruise this year. We honestly enjoyed both. The kids enjoyed both.

I guess that's all that matters, but the Breeze would be better than the Dream (has Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades) and the Magic would be better than the Wonder (re-imagining). Is there a ship that you and your kids enjoyed more than the other?

It has a casino if you are into that.

Nope, not at all.

The service we received on Carnival was good. Everyone was nice and friendly and helpful. It was no better or worse then Disney..

Really?? I would get to know them more being a smaller ship and my server would follow me around on Disney, but I can see your point.

You can bring your own alcohol if you want.

Not into that.

[moki'smommy]

I guess I don't get the point of your post. We tried to give you our opinions of the good/bad of each of the named ships and it sounds like you are negating each of the points we made.

 

Do what you want.

[ctsvcc]

Sorry if I was doing that...:( I was just trying to answer questions. Anyway, thanks for your comments and tips. I really appreciate them.

Edited January 2, 2015 by ctsvcc

[meatloafsfan]

I would do the Breeze.

 

If you choose either early or late seating, you have the same servers every night so they get to know you just like on Disney.

 

Or - on Carnival you have the flexibility of anytime dining - you choose when you eat each night - you're not stuck with 5:45 or 8:15.

 

On Carnival, you can also all go to the Steakhouse one night as a Family (and yes it's worth it - from the amuse bouche, to the appetizer, salad, main course, choice of sides and desserts - mmm, mmm - anda of course, it's topped off with wonderful service). On Disney, Palo is age 18+ so your foodie son isn't welcome.

 

Carnival dinner menus have their "every day favourites" but they also have a daily rotational menu. A great place to see the menus is the zydecocruiser website - http://www.zydecocruiser.net/menus/CarnivalCruiseLineMenus.htm

 

Not only does he post the menus but also pictures of the food.

 

And don't forget to check out the sea day brunch! (included in your cruise cost and it's all ages).

 

In addition to the ropes course, waterslides, dump bucket, toilet bowl, mini golf and mutliple pools and hottubs, Breeze also has the Thrill Theatre and dive in movies (thrill theatre has a cost, dive in movies don't).

 

While Nassau isn't somewhere I'd specifically choose to travel to, St. Thomas, Antigua, and San Juan are all lovely places to visit. Magen's Bay in St. Thomas is one of the most breathtaking beaches I've ever been to.

 

You will have a wonderful time no matter which cruise you choose. Afterwards when paying off the bills though - $2000 is a lot of money that can be put to other uses (especially if you catch the cruise bug and want to go again!).

[ctsvcc]

I would do the Breeze.

 

If you choose either early or late seating, you have the same servers every night so they get to know you just like on Disney.

 

Or - on Carnival you have the flexibility of anytime dining - you choose when you eat each night - you're not stuck with 5:45 or 8:15.

 

On Carnival, you can also all go to the Steakhouse one night as a Family (and yes it's worth it - from the amuse bouche, to the appetizer, salad, main course, choice of sides and desserts - mmm, mmm - anda of course, it's topped off with wonderful service). On Disney, Palo is age 18+ so your foodie son isn't welcome.

 

Carnival dinner menus have their "every day favourites" but they also have a daily rotational menu. A great place to see the menus is the zydecocruiser website - http://www.zydecocruiser.net/menus/CarnivalCruiseLineMenus.htm

 

Not only does he post the menus but also pictures of the food.

 

And don't forget to check out the sea day brunch! (included in your cruise cost and it's all ages).

 

In addition to the ropes course, waterslides, dump bucket, toilet bowl, mini golf and mutliple pools and hottubs, Breeze also has the Thrill Theatre and dive in movies (thrill theatre has a cost, dive in movies don't).

 

While Nassau isn't somewhere I'd specifically choose to travel to, St. Thomas, Antigua, and San Juan are all lovely places to visit. Magen's Bay in St. Thomas is one of the most breathtaking beaches I've ever been to.

 

You will have a wonderful time no matter which cruise you choose. Afterwards when paying off the bills though - $2000 is a lot of money that can be put to other uses (especially if you catch the cruise bug and want to go again!).

Thanks for your input, meatloafsfan. I am looking at the Jan. 24 sailing on the DCL Fantasy in a VGT balcony (St. John, St. Thomas, San Juan, Castaway Cay). Only $400 more, miss 2 more days of school. All the extras on DCL would even it out though. Flights are cheaper, too. Edited January 2, 2015 by ctsvcc

[moki'smommy]

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. I have a friend who says it is like flavors of ice cream--we each have our favorites, but they are still largely similar.

 

The Fantasy is beautiful, very high tech, but big. The Magic is a grand dame, in very good shape. Smaller and more intimate than the Fantasy. Carnival is Carnival--different, in some ways better for some people but in other ways not as magical.

 

If you can get them for about the same price, I'd do DCL. Your Fantasy option looks good. BUT I'm a DCL fan. Between DCL and our travel agent, we've seen "miracles" happen. I'm not saying they couldn't/wouldn't have happened on another line, but they went above expectations for us.

 

As noted above, the specialty dining on DCL is adult only. On other lines, it can include families or teens. If son is a foodie, that might be a telling point.

[meatloafsfan]

Thanks for your input, meatloafsfan. I am looking at the Jan. 24 sailing on the DCL Fantasy in a VGT balcony (St. John, St. Thomas, San Juan, Castaway Cay). Only $400 more, miss 2 more days of school. All the extras on DCL would even it out though. Flights are cheaper, too.

 

Fantasy is a wonderful ship. If the cost of the Fantasy is only $400 more than the Breeze, I would strongly consider doing it.

 

The Breeze (and the better prices) will still be there in future. The low DCL price may not be.

[StlCruisingFool]

I just wanted to add that the "shows" are different in Animator's palate between magic/wonder and the newer ships fantasy/dream. I know it probably doesn't make much of a difference but the newer ships show is more "high tech" without giving away everything.

 

 

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[Ex techie]

The shows are a bit different on all four ships AFAIK.

 

Dream has the Crush experience.

Fantasy has Crush and Animation Magic.

Magic has Animation Magic and updated Original show

Wonder has the old Original show.

 

Happy to be corrected.

 

ex techie

[moki'smommy]

The shows are a bit different on all four ships AFAIK.

 

Dream has the Crush experience.

Fantasy has Crush and Animation Magic.

Magic has Animation Magic and updated Original show

Wonder has the old Original show.

 

Happy to be corrected.

 

ex techie

 

Techie--you are correct based on my recent cruises. And there are small differences between Animation Magic on the Fantasy vs. the Magic. Guests might not appreciate these differences if they have not been on both ships within a relatively short time.

 

And the "updated Original Show" on the Magic is really not much like the original Animator's show (currently only on the Wonder).

[Ex techie]

It's a updated, revamped version based on the black and white to color utilizing flat screens and drawing techniques isn't it?

I'm sure it's full of new characters and music with updated lighting effects as well!

 

ex techie

[moki'smommy]

It's a updated, revamped version based on the black and white to color utilizing flat screens and drawing techniques isn't it?

I'm sure it's full of new characters and music with updated lighting effects as well!

 

ex techie

 

The basic concept is similar to the original. The execution is quite an improvement, especially as parts of the original were a maintenance nightmare and often didn't work correctly.

[Ex techie]

Ummmmm! You're telling me????!

 

Hehehehe!

 

ex techie

[moki'smommy]

Ummmmm! You're telling me????!

 

Hehehehe!

 

ex techie

 

Hey, we got to the point where we'd look around so see what was and what was not working--more interesting than the show. OK, that's sad, I know....but to sit there and say "ceiling isn't working this time......"

[cruisingcanaveral]

Well the Magic goes to Castaway Cay, Disney's private island. I loved it there. Wonderful island. I'm going fm automatically go with the Magic because of the first word: 'Disney.' The whole ship has Disney touches that you will notice throughout the cruise. From the crew announcing your family's last name when you board to the hidden Mickeys everywhere, your 12 year old will still enjoy the essence of Disney on the Magic. Having cruised on her recently, I have found that many kids around the 11-13 age had varied opinions on the club designated for them. If they're a 'social butterfly,' so to speak, then they will probably enjoy the club better. With the Wii and Xbox onboard, they'll be gaming with either a friend they met onboard or one that tagged along with them on the cruise. It's small. Not very large at all. There is a couple of other activities to do, but overall, that particular area was not the most appealing to some. There's so many other things that Disney has that Carnival doesn't that it's really useless to list them all. Everything's just better with Disney.

 

 

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[ctsvcc]

Just realized that Jan. doesn't work for us. Does anybody have a guess what the VGT rate would be for the 04/18/15 cruise aboard the Fantasy?

[moki'smommy]

Just realized that Jan. doesn't work for us. Does anybody have a guess what the VGT rate would be for the 04/18/15 cruise aboard the Fantasy?

 

April is not a likely time to have VGT rates. Spring break period extends from late March thru April depending on the school system. This is prime time for cruising. The ships typically fill without discount at this time of year.

[jandj1224]

Having recently sailed on the Carnival Breeze (June 2014) I would highly recommend it. Being frequent cruisers it was one of our best. Not sure if you are interested in sports but they had a great program with lot's of competitive sports each day which my husband loved. They have a great water park that my kids really enjoyed. Can't really think of anything negative to say about the ship or our experience.

 

We will be going on our first Disney cruise later this month and the only reason we are doing Disney is because of children's ages 4 & 6, and I justify the expense as I think they will really enjoy the Disney experience.

[mmrudnick]

We did the Carnival Breeze last April. The ship itself is beautiful. The slides are awesome and the 4d theater was really cool. However, there is a huge difference in the food, service , and fellow passengers on Carnival. I will never cruise with them again. They just do not compare to Disney standards.

 

 

 

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[LuCruise]

For some reason it won't let me edit. Edited before, but the option has disappeared.

...

 

There are TWO slides on Carnival, which are HUGE. There is a toilet bowl one and your traditional long, fast spinny waterslide. 12 year old son says he is not brave enough to face the AquaDunk, and he said the other one (Twist n' Spout) looks kinda lame.

 

...

 

He likes the waterslides on Carnival, not so much Disney. He likes the Guy Fieri burgers on Carnival (food is very important to him, went to a culinary bootcamp at the best culinary in school in Canada) and all the stuff you can do on Carnival ( e.g ropes course, mini golf). But he likes the classic look of the Disney Magic, and he really wants to go to Animator's Palate. And he likes the rotational dining (new food every day!). I guess I'm concerned if he will be bored on Disney.

 

Never been on the Carnival but have been on Disney Magic. We looked at different cruise lines when booking our upcomming crusie and so am interested in your post as Carnival looks like a blast too (we considered Disney, RCL and Carnival is up there too). We also noticed the big extra cost for DCL.

 

Based on your response above, I'd go with Carnival. The waterslides look like so much fun, plus you mention other activites for him there such as mini golf. If he was younger, then I'd say Disney but he's at that middle age. I don't know how the meals work on Carnival but however it works, you'll most likely be fine and I'm sure like any cruise, there are tons of options. And you mention the famous chef on Carnival.

 

Perhpas do a search on the internet to get a copy of the daily activities on each ship (i.e. cruise compas...if they all call it that)

 

Either way, you can't go wrong.

 

PS - I also noticed that after a bit (time based?) the Edit button disappears. Not srue why?

Edited January 8, 2015 by LuCruise