Disney vs. Royal

[coldflame]

Sail Disney in their lowest category interior or sail FOS in a Suite for an extra $140...HMMM...what to choose...Oh the dilemma;)

 

Yes. The difference used to be tolerable ($500-700 for same room type) and thus why we kept sailing with them (see sig). But they have priced us out this year and the next (unless we can find a very good VGT last minute deal).

[lalenalei]

If you look at **********, you can see that the line for DCL is significantly higher than RCI. We love DCL but also enjoyed Mariner in March. DCL also doesn't offer the variety of destinations that RCI has. IMO the service is better on DCL - there is just something about it that is magical.

 

For comparison, we are on four upcoming DCL cruises:

 

Dover to Barcelona $296 per day/pp

5 nt Med $366 per day/pp

Hawaii $230 per day/pp

Greek Isles $435 per day/pp!!!

 

These are all for category 4 (first two are A, second two are B - this is the largest sized room that isn't a suite). It's just a little bit larger than a regular verandah.

 

We are also four people: 2A, 2C.

 

In March we were in the RS, and paid only $274!

 

We are doing a B2B on Mariner at Xmas/NY in an OS and paid $330 and $310. Way cheaper than anything on DCL, for sure!

[mominva]

There are more teens on RCCL. If your kids are in this age group and enjoy the teen clubs, they might have more fun on RCCL. We loved DCL, but I think my teens meet more friends on RCCL.

[briehon]

I have been on 5 DCL cruises, 2 RCCL and 1 Carnival. I have enjoyed them all and while Carnival can't compare to either, we had an amazing vacation every time. I do however think you can save a bundle on DCL by carrying on your own liquor. For some and on certain cruises/staterooms, it comes out in the wash that way.

[coldflame]

Way cheaper than anything on DCL, for sure!

 

These below are the lowest advertised fares for 7-nighters in October (which is as low season as it gets), for inside cabins, 2 adults, 2 children:

 

Edited July 23, 2015 by coldflame

[barbon2]

Have been on both.

It's really a toss up.

If I had to pick, I would do Disney with younger kids and RCCL with the older ones.

I think Disney dining is more geared to the kids, quick moving, etc.

Disney ships feel wider to me and less cramped.

 

Barb

[Threedrones]

We are obviously in the minority here, but we prefer RCCL over Disney. We found the service on DCL far worse than RCCL. The MUCH higher cost is not justified by fireworks and free pop. That's right, I'm from the the North. We don't say soda here.

[John&LaLa]

We are obviously in the minority here, but we prefer RCCL over Disney. We found the service on DCL far worse than RCCL. The MUCH higher cost is not justified by fireworks and free pop. That's right, I'm from the the North. We don't say soda here.

 

Bless your heart

[TheGaDawgFan]

I think you misspelled 'a lot'. The difference between DCL and RCCL can be in the thousands of dollars. If your income is such that couple of thousand dollars doesn't make a difference, then you probably fall in their demographic. Their prices have increased pretty dramatically in the last 3 years and now you can't find a 7-nighter in balcony rooms for less than $6000 (and in October/low season).

 

I have a spring break 7 night booked in a balcony, and 3 people were around $4K. I think the key is to book early. Prices keep going up until the ship is close to sailing. Of course, it's still probably $1K more than RCCL would be, but I want to try Disney at least once. We'll also have the Star Wars at sea that my son will love.

[TheGaDawgFan]

I have a spring break 7 night booked in a balcony, and 3 people were around $4K. I think the key is to book early. Prices keep going up until the ship is close to sailing. Of course, it's still probably $1K more than RCCL would be, but I want to try Disney at least once. We'll also have the Star Wars at sea that my son will love.

 

Wow, I just looked, and the price is over $7K now for the same cruise. I WOULD NOT book for that price.

[lalenalei]

I have a spring break 7 night booked in a balcony, and 3 people were around $4K. I think the key is to book early. Prices keep going up until the ship is close to sailing. Of course, it's still probably $1K more than RCCL would be, but I want to try Disney at least once. We'll also have the Star Wars at sea that my son will love.

 

 

I should've also mentioned that each one of my DCL sailings was booked on opening day for Gold and Platinum members (different loyalty rankings). We can book one day before the sailings are even open to the public. Definitely the lowest prices.

 

My RCI cruises were not booked on opening day but the prices are higher now.

[LuCruise]

I enjoy reading RCCL vs Disney, and have written one myself. As you can see from my signature I've done many DCL. However, thanks to previous employment by Disney (Parks), I enjoy rates significantly LOWER than Royal Caribbean.

 

Wow...that's great that you've been able to cruise both lines so much.

So...what do you prefer?

[Duke Mazer]

Someone posted you can bring your own alcohol and its mentioned sodas are included. SO WHAT!

This yearthe DCL cruise was $1500 more than the RCL cruise we took (fam of 3). For a 2016 cruise it was $2000 more to go with DCL.

I was looking at a Winter 2017 cruise it's almost $3000 more for us canadian because of DCL only sells in US funds.

I'm sorry but with $3000 I'm getting a second cruise!!

 

There is no way I'm getting twice the serviceand frankly, if I need to bring in $3000 worth of alcohol on a 7 day cruise, may I should not be cruising.

 

I want to take my DD so badly on a DCL cruise and don't mind paying a premium for quality service and a "Magical" cruise, but, $3000 extra is not a premium it's amost DOUBLE!!

 

In my opinon DCL is clealry geared towards kids, so they are not looking to attrack life long cruisers, so I think they figure they can gouge people for a couple of cruises kids grow up and don't want disney no more, so on to the next family to gouge. RCL at least in seems to gear it business on ongoing loyalty so it's ship attract kids and then offer Teen activity and then offer adult attractions.

[jayblue]

Disney will always provide excellent customer service. However, while other cruiselines are offering new and innovative ships, Disney is slow to add to their fleet of 4 ships, which limits them.

 

Don't get me wrong. I am a HUGE fan of Disney and all its magic, but eventually they will need to catch up in this manner.

[sasha96]

We've done two on DCL and have cruised Royal a few times too. Disney knows how to do service and it is at such a level that is hard to match in the travel industry. The rooms are a great size too and I love the split baths. The food was excellent as well. Also, the kids clubs were unlike any other ships/lines we've been on. I don't miss a casino and we aren't drinkers.

 

That being said, after a few cruises, I felt there needed to be more variety in the entertainment on DCL. I know to expect characters and Disney shows. But I think they could still keep the feel of their brand with shows that are more varied and of interest for a wider demographic (i.e. an acrobatics show with a Lion King type theme). The fireworks didn't impress me (on DCL or NCL Breakaway), but I'm from NY (they can't do Grucci from a ship).

 

I like variety and trying different lines/ships to some degree, but the price is what keeps me from going for a third with DCL. For the price i got my balcony rooms on Oasis and Harmony I could get one Verandah on the Fantasy (all while on school vacations). Royal has a lot to offer and does come out my favorite cruise line, but DCL isn't far behind.

Edited July 24, 2015 by sasha96