Disney Fantasy vs NCL Getaway for Honeymoon?

[airrn]

I wasn't sure if I should post this here or under NCL forum to get a good comparison. We are doing a 5 day cruise on the Disney Magic in Oct with our kids and his mom and sister. They are then flying home, and we are doing a second cruise by ourselves. We had pretty well settled on driving up to Port Canaveral and sailing out the next day on a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on the Disney Fantasy in a veranda room. But of course, I have to go play around and find more options. For about $900 less, we can do a 7 night Eastern Caribbean on NCL's Getaway in a Minisuite with a large balcony. Disney goes to Castaway Cay, while NCL goes to Tortola (would love to see the baths!) so both itineraries appeal to us.

 

We have been on 3 short Disney cruises and not been on any other line. We do have a 7 night booked in Oct 2016 on the Getaway with the kids (got it for half the price of a Disney). I know that NCL has an $8 charge for room service and has several premium restaurants you have to pay for (on Disney, we probably wouldn't do Palo on the 7 night) and would probably only do the steak house. We will get a spa pass on which ever one we go with too. I'm open to trying NCL, but I'm worried being our honeymoon we will miss the Disney quality. I guess what I'm asking is those that have been on both, is there a big enough difference between them that we will notice?

[havoc315]

I've done 2 NCL cruises, but never on the newest ships (The Gem, the Dawn), and I've done the DCL Fantasy.

 

My advice is 2-sided:

 

First off, DCL is indeed far superior in most ways. Far superior service. Better entertainment from what I've seen, but the Getaway may take it up a notch. I get the impression that the Getaway/Breakaway feels too crowded for many people, while I find the Fantasy to have a very laid back classic cruise line feel. Less nickel and diming on Disney, which adds to the vacation feel. Better ADULT activities on DCL, except casino. What I mean by this -- NCL does not do a good job segregating kids from adults. Maybe the Getaway is a little better, but I found Disney does a much better job of adult-only areas. Satellite falls is a very peaceful area, completely free of children. The adult restaurants are truly adult only, the bars are truly adult only, even the coffee house is truly adult only. On the other hand, on NCL, I felt there were kids everywhere, all the time.

 

So I strongly prefer Disney....... BUT....

 

As you have done DCL a bunch of times, you might enjoy the change of pace of NCL. Freestyle dining has advantages -- eat in any number of restaurants, any time. Overall, the food is not that great (DCL is slightly better, and it isn't DCL's strongest suit either).

If this was your first cruise, and you liked Disney entertainment in general, I'd suggest Disney. But you may enjoy getting something new.

 

Some notes -- A Minisuite is NOT a suite. It's just a fair sized balcony cabin. It is pretty misleading that they call them minisuites. NCL has FANTASTIC suite privileges, none of which apply to the minisuite.

 

The nice thing for us when we did sail NCL -- For the price of a DCL balcony, we could often get a REAL suit on NCL. And the real suites are pretty darn nice. Particularly for a honeymoon, if you can afford to step up to the real suite -- you may like having a butler and concierge dote on your needs. Have your butler serve you white linen dinner service in the cabin, etc.

[dexddd]

IMO, Go with the Fantasy. We sailed the BA last year (sister ship to GA) and six months later sailed the Fantasy. We've gone back and forth between NCL and DCL but the Fantasy trip blew the BA trip out of the water. We did have a good time on the BA but the Disney experience was just fantastic. Plus the Fantasy cost about $400 million more than the BA/GA as I've read and it shows.

[moki'smommy]

Tortola and the baths were one of my favorite excursions. A lovely day.

 

You got a great review above. I would look at the cost of the Fantasy and compare that to a real suite on NCL (cost is usually about the same). Then decide which service level suits you better.

 

I don't like the "nickel and dime" on NCL. That, to me, is a big negative.

[airrn]

Thanks everyone. We were leaning more towards DCL just because we have never been on the Fantasy (been on all the others). If it was just an adult trip, we would try the Getaway, but since it's our honeymoon, I think we want to make sure the trip is high quality. We just wanted to make sure our perceptions were accurate since we hadn't tried NCL, and it sounds like they are. We will wait till next year to try it out. The kids will get a big kick out of the rope course.

[dexddd]

Thanks everyone. We were leaning more towards DCL just because we have never been on the Fantasy (been on all the others). If it was just an adult trip, we would try the Getaway, but since it's our honeymoon, I think we want to make sure the trip is high quality. We just wanted to make sure our perceptions were accurate since we hadn't tried NCL, and it sounds like they are. We will wait till next year to try it out. The kids will get a big kick out of the rope course.

 

They improved on the Dream when they made the Fantasy and added a few features. So if you have been on the Dream, the Fantasy is only better.

[Winston Wolf]

FWIW I've sailed Breakaway (Getaway's sister ship) in a M6 Lg Balcony Mini-suite and found it to be fantastic. The balcony is huge and the location can't be beat on the ship. If you choose getaway, try to board early to snag some Vibe passes, especially if this is a trip w/o kids.

[ruley3]

I have been on both ships and I think they both have PROS to consider.... The Spa on the Getaway was terrific for a pass for the week!! And the Cagney Steak House was scrumptious and my favorite spot... The Fantasy was beautiful and I am very much a die hard Disney person so the atmosphere is never a disappointment.... I am sure you will enjoy whatever you decide!!

[airrn]

I have been on both ships and I think they both have PROS to consider.... The Spa on the Getaway was terrific for a pass for the week!! And the Cagney Steak House was scrumptious and my favorite spot... The Fantasy was beautiful and I am very much a die hard Disney person so the atmosphere is never a disappointment.... I am sure you will enjoy whatever you decide!!

 

Thanks everyone! We ended up going with the Fantasy and can't wait! Fiancé said after reading the replies, it was time to go big or go home lol.