DCL cruiser trying Carnival - questions!

[planaholic]

Hi everyone

 

I traveled on Carnival Glory back in 2004 when our daughter was 3 and really didn't enjoy it! Since then we have cruised with Disney 3 times and love it!

 

However, it is so expensive we cannot afford it anymore. We did the 12 night Med cruise last year the same cruise next year has gone up £3000 !!!

 

So we are very seriously thinking of booking the Carnival Vista for the 12 night Med cruise next year. I feel it will be much better than our previous Carnival cruise as our daughter is much older, we have more experience about cruising and it is a new ship. Is anyone out there like me and make the switch? How was it? I know they are not the same but I just want reassurance that it's a good choice.

 

Another question I have is that we used to have breakfast in the buffet restaurant on DCL rather than the restaurants - is there something similar on Carnival?

 

Also, what is the adults only area like? We enjoyed it on the Disney ships - is it similar ?

 

Thanks everyone for your help

[Velvetwater]

Hi everyone

 

I traveled on Carnival Glory back in 2004 when our daughter was 3 and really didn't enjoy it! Since then we have cruised with Disney 3 times and love it!

 

However, it is so expensive we cannot afford it anymore. We did the 12 night Med cruise last year the same cruise next year has gone up £3000 !!!

 

So we are very seriously thinking of booking the Carnival Vista for the 12 night Med cruise next year. I feel it will be much better than our previous Carnival cruise as our daughter is much older, we have more experience about cruising and it is a new ship. Is anyone out there like me and make the switch? How was it? I know they are not the same but I just want reassurance that it's a good choice.

 

 

Another question I have is that we used to have breakfast in the buffet restaurant on DCL rather than the restaurants - is there something similar on Carnival?

 

Also, what is the adults only area like? We enjoyed it on the Disney ships - is it similar ?

 

Thanks everyone for your help

 

There is a rather large buffet on Carnival ships every breakfast with lots of choice (even omelettes made to order). There is also a sea day brunch in the dining room on some sea days and as the Vista will have a 'Suess at sea' there will be a Green eggs and ham breakfast event (small charge though) for kids and adults alike.

 

The adult area is called Serenity and on Vista it will be a large space with two hot tubs near the side looking out over the ocean. This thread video shows Vista in her glory and a peek at Serenity and the kids area starts at 5.18:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2202974

 

 

 

By the way, if you are looking at the August twelve day thats the one we are on...its going to be amazing! If you book come and join us over at the roll call.

Edited May 3, 2015 by Velvetwater

[heatherbelle]

Past DCL cruiser here while DS was 11 when he took his first 7 nighter DCL Med cruise. I loved it so much I booked a 7 night DCL cruise for the 2013 and a 7 night DCL Cruise on the Fantasy for the following year (2014).

 

Carnival released their pricing for the Sunshine, it was a no brainer really, we cancelled the 7 night DCL med cruise in an inside and booked a 12 night Med cruise in a balcony cabin:D for less money. My DH was of the opinion if you don't try it you never know. We had such a great time on that, that we then cancelled the Caribbean cruise with DCL and booked the Breeze this was last summer.

 

The only differences are, the food choices are more limited IMO, for example the buffet has less choice than DCL but still lots of choices, no prawns, less choice in puddings. No free fancy cakes in the cove cafe, you have to buy soda. But we can live with that. The shows are not as fancy but who can beat Disney but they are good and we liked the fact that there was a lot more entertainment, shows, comedy club, bands, piano bar, casino.

 

My DS loves Carnival, although I think he would like any cruise to be honest. We are very loyal to Disney and will be heading there this summer, for the 8th time but I cannot justify paying all that money for a cruise. If it wasn't for the free dining plan, we wouldn't stay onsite at WDW.

 

So do not be afraid to try something else and go out of your comfort zone. I thought it would be like a 18-30 holiday in Benidorm, it was nothing like that. Lots of lovely American's and Canadians onboard, hardly any Spanish, chattering watching shows, which happened on my DCL cruise. It was great. Clubs are good for the kids and like velvet says you have senerity.

 

We too have booked the 06/08/16 sailing on the Vista, for a great price.

Edited May 3, 2015 by heatherbelle

[densol]

I've cruised Disney 3 times - Carnival 6 times, with another in July and Vista next year :-)) I won't ever go back to Disney ( I'm DVC and go WDW every year ) I'm just not a fan of the Disney cruises - rather boring with lacklustre food

[Club Disney Chandler]

We too have done DCL 3 times and have number 4 coming up in September. We're also booked for the Vista Mediterranean on June 3, 2016. We just can't justify the DCL prices. We're really hoping to enjoy our Vista cruise but know it's going to be different. With that said I can hardly wait to board the Vista, she is amazing.

[HLGW60]

I have been a DVC Member since 1996 and although I love the Disney resorts , I don't feel using your points for a DCL cruise is a good use of your points and/or cash. I've cruised with Disney, RCL, and Carnival. Carnival is my favorite and we plan to take the Vista on a Med Cruise on May 14, 2016.

Edited May 5, 2015 by HLGW60