Carnival vs Disney

[MelissaE1]

To be fair, my first Carnival cruise will be next week, but we have cruised Royal as a family twice, and Disney a number of times.

 

Disney has mostly priced us out of their line. In early June 2012 the price for 4 in a category 4 balcony was $5200; in 2014 the same exact cruise was over $9000. :eek: That was opening day for Gold Castaway Club, before the general public was allowed to book.

 

I have enjoyed every cruise I have ever been on. Every ship and line has had something going for it IMHO. My kids (now 18 and 22) love the amenities on the bigger Royal ships especially.

 

That said, to us you do get something on Disney that you won't find elsewhere. The upscale decor, the service, the ship maintenance is amazing. But the "magic" if you will is what makes the line. It's the time my daughter was 7 and saw Stitch getting ready to get into the elevator and got so excited but I uncharacteristically did not have my camera with me. Stitch saw how much it meant to her and threw a "fit" on the floor, ignoring his handler, while my husband ran up two decks and got my camera. The resulting "big hug with Stitch" pic is one of my all time favorite photos, and I take a LOT of them. It's the time we were chatting with our Filipino server about my picky son going over to our neighbor's house for one of his few favorite dishes, adobo, and the next night being surprised with a family sized serving made special by the chef just for us. The time our cabin steward did an impromptu towel monkey seminar for our kids, or when a cast member in the store brought her personal pin collection after hours and taught my kids all about them.

 

We will continue to try and enjoy different lines, but if money was no object, we would still cruise predominately Disney. When my husband and I start cruising without our kids and their HS and college schedule restrictions, we will probably go back. We have access to resident rates occasionally and Disney now does "last minute" rates that are quite a bit cheaper than regular fares. If you can find one that works for you, I definitely recommend trying the line. It really does have something uniquely special.

Edited December 30, 2016 by MelissaE1

[alaskaalaska]

We have did one Disney cruise and two Carnival cruises.

 

Personally, I enjoyed both cruise lines.

 

I actually prefer the food on Carnival. My kids would disagree (Disney has chicken tenders around the clock).

 

Everything other than food- I prefer Disney.

 

The sailing we had with Disney was for a great offer- kids sail free. The one time in life where having five children pays off!! It was seriously a killer deal....

 

The prices are the reason we have stuck with Carnival over Disney. I really would like to sail with Disney again.....

 

With that said, we are currently planning our 2017 cruise and it looks like Carnival will win.... We want to go the Bahama's and while DCL has that wonderful Castaway Cay (private island)- I can't justify paying double the price..... So, we will most likely go with Carnival....

 

I will say- that my family is ready to sail Europe and currently Carnival has no offerings for Europe.... So..... 2018 might be the year we go for Disney again..... or we may go with a different line altogether (which is what we are doing for our Hawaiian cruise- Norwegian)

[Club Disney Chandler]

To be fair, my first Carnival cruise will be next week, but we have cruised Royal as a family twice, and Disney a number of times.

 

Disney has mostly priced us out of their line. In early June 2012 the price for 4 in a category 4 balcony was $5200; in 2014 the same exact cruise was over $9000. :eek: That was opening day for Gold Castaway Club, before the general public was allowed to book.

 

I have enjoyed every cruise I have ever been on. Every ship and line has had something going for it IMHO. My kids (now 18 and 22) love the amenities on the bigger Royal ships especially.

 

That said, to us you do get something on Disney that you won't find elsewhere. The upscale decor, the service, the ship maintenance is amazing. But the "magic" if you will is what makes the line. It's the time my daughter was 7 and saw Stitch getting ready to get into the elevator and got so excited but I uncharacteristically did not have my camera with me. Stitch saw how much it meant to her and threw a "fit" on the floor, ignoring his handler, while my husband ran up two decks and got my camera. The resulting "big hug with Stitch" pic is one of my all time favorite photos, and I take a LOT of them. It's the time we were chatting with our Filipino server about my picky son going over to our neighbor's house for one of his few favorite dishes, adobo, and the next night being surprised with a family sized serving made special by the chef just for us. The time our cabin steward did an impromptu towel monkey seminar for our kids, or when a cast member in the store brought her personal pin collection after hours and taught my kids all about them.

 

We will continue to try and enjoy different lines, but if money was no object, we would still cruise predominately Disney. When my husband and I start cruising without our kids and their HS and college schedule restrictions, we will probably go back. We have access to resident rates occasionally and Disney now does "last minute" rates that are quite a bit cheaper than regular fares. If you can find one that works for you, I definitely recommend trying the line. It really does have something uniquely special.

 

 

This exactly! There's a feeling and Magic that can't be fully explained, it can only be experienced.

 

 

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[Club Disney Chandler]

We have did one Disney cruise and two Carnival cruises.

 

Personally, I enjoyed both cruise lines.

 

I actually prefer the food on Carnival. My kids would disagree (Disney has chicken tenders around the clock).

 

Everything other than food- I prefer Disney.

 

The sailing we had with Disney was for a great offer- kids sail free. The one time in life where having five children pays off!! It was seriously a killer deal....

 

The prices are the reason we have stuck with Carnival over Disney. I really would like to sail with Disney again.....

 

With that said, we are currently planning our 2017 cruise and it looks like Carnival will win.... We want to go the Bahama's and while DCL has that wonderful Castaway Cay (private island)- I can't justify paying double the price..... So, we will most likely go with Carnival....

 

I will say- that my family is ready to sail Europe and currently Carnival has no offerings for Europe.... So..... 2018 might be the year we go for Disney again..... or we may go with a different line altogether (which is what we are doing for our Hawaiian cruise- Norwegian)

 

 

Don't say no yet. Carnival should be announcing the Horizon itineraries any day now. Hopefully, she will follow in Vista's footsteps and do the Mediterranean for summer of 2018.

 

 

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[Club Disney Chandler]

The OP asked is there a reason to sail Disney being that that it costs 3 - 4 times more than other cruise lines, to which you replied:

 

Nope, not one. Save your money and take several Carnival cruises instead.

 

 

That is your opinion, it is not a fact.

 

You continue to post that you priced things out and Disney costs more, and you're correct. Furthermore, nobody here has disagreed with you on that. The problem in your logic is anytime anyone else posts they see value in Disney, you continue to call us out saying we aren't giving factual information.

 

The OP never asked if Disney costs more, they asked is it worth it. Every answer to that question is going to be an opinion, including yours, and yours isn't even an opinion based on experience, because you've never stepped foot on a Disney ship.

 

 

 

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[ducklite]

Don't say no yet. Carnival should be announcing the Horizon itineraries any day now. Hopefully, she will follow in Vista's footsteps and do the Mediterranean for summer of 2018.

 

 

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Oh great, more giant ships clogging up the Med and destroying world heritage sites.

 

 

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[Computer Nerd]

Oh great, more giant ships clogging up the Med and destroying world heritage sites.

 

 

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Boohoo.

[Club Disney Chandler]

Boohoo.

 

 

LOL

 

 

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[ducklite]

Boohoo.

 

 

 

So you don't care about protecting historical treasures? That tells us everything we need to know about you.

 

Venice is already going to kick out the big ships. I'm sure those visiting that area will be thrilled to have to queue up and take a 30 minute bus ride from an industrial port, just like they already have to do in Dubrovnik. Yup, that's how I want to spend my cruise--said no one ever.

 

 

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[jimbo5544]

Oh great, more giant ships clogging up the Med and destroying world heritage sites.

 

 

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Lol, I must have missed the news clips of giant ships "clogging the med and destroying world heritage sites".

 

Everything I hear is a much shortened med season, so you both may win on this discussion.

 

 

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Edited December 31, 2016 by jimbo5544

[Drazil65]

LOL...This discussion is ridiculous, it is like anything else in life, relative to what you will spend for what.

 

Some people have the extra cash laying around and choose to spend it on high priced experiences, there are those that use credit cards and go into debt for bragging rights to say they did it or to keep up the facade of being like others (some can pay it off and many cannot but dont care), some have the money/cash but are more frugal and will not spend the money, many have a budget and will stick to it, many have no budget and will scrimp and save to take that great vacation (which is different experience for each), its all personal choice, not right or wrong for anyone.

 

To label one cruise line or any purchase (ie: cars, some people will pay what we feel are ridiculous amounts of money to drive a certain vehicle, DH and I laugh at some of the monthly payments (privately of course :rolleyes:), but it is the personal choice of those making the payments. It is a dumb argument, if you do not like Carnival and prefer another cruise line then use it and enjoy it. Crazy conversation!

[Computer Nerd]

The OP asked is there a reason to sail Disney being that that it costs 3 - 4 times more than other cruise lines, to which you replied:

 

 

 

 

That is your opinion, it is not a fact.

 

You continue to post that you priced things out and Disney costs more, and you're correct. Furthermore, nobody here has disagreed with you on that. The problem in your logic is anytime anyone else posts they see value in Disney, you continue to call us out saying we aren't giving factual information.

 

The OP never asked if Disney costs more, they asked is it worth it. Every answer to that question is going to be an opinion, including yours, and yours isn't even an opinion based on experience, because you've never stepped foot on a Disney ship.

 

 

 

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Oh, so false. Disney costs more, that is fact, not opinion which you agreed with. I have not tried to say that Carnival has this and that which no other line has. A certain Disney cheerleader has incorrectly tried to imply that. That is a fact as well.

 

I agree, some people may value what Disney has to offer. Some even may value that more than the price savings for Carnival. To each their own based on what they can afford and what matters to them. But don't sit here and tell me CC is the best island, Disney has the best food, etc...when it simply isn't true because your tastes don't match everyone else's tastes and just because your tastes are different doesn't make them superior just because you spend more money.

Edited December 31, 2016 by Computer Nerd

[Computer Nerd]

So you don't care about protecting historical treasures? That tells us everything we need to know about you.

 

Venice is already going to kick out the big ships. I'm sure those visiting that area will be thrilled to have to queue up and take a 30 minute bus ride from an industrial port, just like they already have to do in Dubrovnik. Yup, that's how I want to spend my cruise--said no one ever.

 

 

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Actually, my response tells you nothing except that I don't agree with your opinion (again, incorrectly stated as if it were fact). I do care about protecting historical treasures. I don't agree with your drama queen opinion that a cruise ship is going to destroy those historical treasures.

[ducklite]

Actually, my response tells you nothing except that I don't agree with your opinion (again, incorrectly stated as if it were fact). I do care about protecting historical treasures. I don't agree with your drama queen opinion that a cruise ship is going to destroy those historical treasures.

 

 

 

Actually it is a fact that the wake from the large cruise ships is destroying Venice--which is why they will no longer be allowed to dock there in a few years. Additionally there are some small ports in the Med that will not allow large ships because they don't want 3000 people disgorged into their small town, as the infrastructure can't handle it and they choose to continue their way of life instead of adding to infrastructure to welcome the big ships.

 

 

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[LMaxwell]

my response tells you nothing except that I don't agree with your opinion

 

Don't worry, it's clear to many of us.

 

This thread is surreal. Makes one want to make a cocktail and take up day drinking.

[jimbo5544]

Don't worry, it's clear to many of us.

 

 

 

This thread is surreal. Makes one want to make a cocktail and take up day drinking.

 

 

"Take up"????

 

 

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[Love2Cruz2015]

I just have a question, are those of us who sail Disney AND Carnival cheapos too?:p

 

I booked a cruise on the re-imagined Wonder for Spring Break 2018. I'm going for Gold on DCL, and I'll be Platinum on Carnival next year....so am I cheapo, think that I'm superior (according to Nerd) or just someone who enjoys different cruiselines. I'll take the last one Alex for the daily double.:D

[Badfinger]

I just have a question, are those of us who sail Disney AND Carnival cheapos too?:p

 

I booked a cruise on the re-imagined Wonder for Spring Break 2018. I'm going for Gold on DCL, and I'll be Platinum on Carnival next year....so am I cheapo, think that I'm superior (according to Nerd) or just someone who enjoys different cruiselines. I'll take the last one Alex for the daily double.:D

 

Yes...whenever you sale Walmart...errrr...Carnival you are a Cheapo...or someone who is value minded, or someone who sticks to a budget...or, well, you get the point. :)

[Club Disney Chandler]

I just have a question, are those of us who sail Disney AND Carnival cheapos too?:p

 

 

 

I booked a cruise on the re-imagined Wonder for Spring Break 2018. I'm going for Gold on DCL, and I'll be Platinum on Carnival next year....so am I cheapo, think that I'm superior (according to Nerd) or just someone who enjoys different cruiselines. I'll take the last one Alex for the daily double.:D

 

 

I think you're super cool, but I think I might be one of those superior people too, so what do I know. Still bummed we won't be on the Vista at the same time though.

 

 

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[Club Disney Chandler]

Oh, so false. Disney costs more, that is fact, not opinion which you agreed with. I have not tried to say that Carnival has this and that which no other line has. A certain Disney cheerleader has incorrectly tried to imply that. That is a fact as well.

 

I agree, some people may value what Disney has to offer. Some even may value that more than the price savings for Carnival. To each their own based on what they can afford and what matters to them. But don't sit here and tell me CC is the best island, Disney has the best food, etc...when it simply isn't true because your tastes don't match everyone else's tastes and just because your tastes are different doesn't make them superior just because you spend more money.

 

 

You're funny, I like that in a person. [emoji1360]

 

 

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[OhJinkies]

Disclaimer - I am employed by Disney (though not the cruise line). The industry considers lines such as Carnival, NCL, and RC to be "mainstream" cruise lines. Disney is considered "premium" (along with Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America).

 

It's been a while since I cruised with Disney, as I wait for good discounts, so I've been sailing most recently with Carnival and NCL. But as much as I love cruising, I do consider Carnival to be the "Wal-Mart" of the cruise industry. Just so I can cruise a couple of times per year, I put up with a lot -- worn-out furnishings, tacky decor, lots of orange and neon, and... LOTS of cigarette smoke.

The very obvious difference that has been briefly touched on is that the Disney ships do not operate casinos. That's a huge revenue generator, so their fares are higher. But think of the ships you sail on that do have casinos. All of the Carnival and NCL ships I've sailed on recently have ventilation issues around the casinos. In other words, you can't escape the cigarette smoke. It travels from the casino to the point that many areas around the ship smell like an ashtray. This is a cause for concern for those with young children, allergies (I'm allergic), and respiratory issues. The Disney ships only permit smoking in a few outdoor areas. This makes a huge difference in the indoor air quality.

Another huge difference that was only briefly touched on is the fact that Castaway Cay has a built-in pier so you can easily step off the ship on to the island. No tenders!! I like taking the tram down to Serenity Bay (the adults-only area) for some lovely peace and quiet, lots of shady umbrellas, and an incredible lagoon. There is an adults-only eatery right there (all food included) where I can get an amazing ribeye steak grilled while I wait, or other yummy food.

The dining venues are unlike anything else at sea -- each one is a showplace in its own right, with exquisite attention to detail: from the decor, to the menu, to the entertainment offered, to the way the staff is dressed. And I love how your staff travels with your table from venue to venue.

The overall Disney ship decor is top-notch -- in the style of the grand ocean liners, art deco or art nouveau, with beautiful lobbies, statues, crystal chandeliers. Very classy, with a touch of whimsy.

My last few cruises on Carnival have been on their older ships, and the abundance of neon and choice of decor, colors (even the fonts they use on their signage) verges on tacky.

The Disney ships, in addition to extensive space and programs dedicated to kids, also have many adult-only options. Each ship has an adult-only restaurant, Palo. The entertainment district is reserved for adults only at night, with a variety of clubs and lounges. During the day, there is a pool or water-feature area with lounges reserved for adults, in addition to the Senses Spa relaxation areas. So it's not all about kids running around.

The rooms on the Disney ships are incredibly spacious and also very well decorated. I love the "bath and a half" concept as well.

So I will definitely cruise again with Disney when a good sale presents itself. For now, I settle for the value of Carnival, and with NCL as well (with whom I tend to travel with most when the destination really matters -- and I love the freestyle dining and option of solo studios on their newer ships). But there is definitely a difference.

[hollyisu]

My husband and I just back from a 7 day Disney Fantasycruise. We were traveling with my parents, my brother, his wife and their3 kids. I would say that we all walked away with different opinions ofthe cruise. My husband I have been married 12 years and do not havekids. We like to travel and enjoy an occasional cruise because theyare easy vacations that don’t require a ton of planning. We haveprimarily sailed on CCL. We both agree that we would not go back on aDisney Cruise if it were just the two of us. We thought the buffet wasgood but we didn't feel like the main dining room food was that good. Themain pool area was not an option for us in my mind. The two pools were chuck full of kids thatnever left for the bathroom. There were Disneymovies playing constantly. I get thatthis is great for families, but this not my idea of a good time. My brother his family loved it. Their kids were happy and having a good timeand they were able to enjoy a boat drinks and some sun. The constant Disney music and the Star Warsday at sea are “perks” for some people while we found ourselves ready forbreak. On the other hand our 14 year oldnephew was in heaven on the Star Wars Day at Sea. Thekids club was awesome for the 3 and 6-year-old. The 14-year-old loved the teen club.

 

Overall value is in the eye of the beholder. There are people who love DCL and others whodon’t see it being worth the money. Evenwithin our party of 9 there were different opinions. None of them are wrong it all depends on whatyou a looking for.

[Nic6318]

Hi there

 

So, I keep coming back to this thread because people keep adding.

 

I am finally understanding, when likening Carnival to Walmart, people are speaking of the value they get. In other words, if you want to go on a cruise and don't have a lot of money to spend Carnival is a good option.

 

Going back to the OP's questions if there is any reason to spend much more money to go on a Disney cruise, the answer is that yes, it is if that is what you want. If you want to go on a cruise and see Mickey, it is your only option to do both. If you feel that the cruise line (Disney) has more to offer that you are willing to pay a premium for, good for you. That's why there are so many choices in cruising. Why do people compare Disney to Carnival, they are two different products. If you really feel the need to compare Disney to another cruise line, you need to compare it to a comparably priced cruise line.

 

To me the prices on Disney are comparable to Oceania, now tell me which cruise line is better. My opinion is that if you don't want to see Mickey, I wouldn't waste my time on Disney.

[renza]

My husbands first cruise was on Disney. He thought it was awesome. I was not impressed and told him wait till I take u on another ship. 15 years later and at least 15 cruises later we never returned to Disney. We love the new carnival ships and the oasis class royal ships. Forget Disney and the prices.

 

 

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[Shaded Lady]

I have friends in Florida, a young couple (late 30's) who only cruise Disney (although they've tried RCCL, Carnival, Princess etc). They have no kids, are not particularly thrilled to be around a bunch of the rugrats... so I questioned why they sail on DCL!

 

Their answer is that Disney has a lot of adult-only amenities including adult-only areas of the ship, no cigarette smoke to deal with, they don't like casinos so they don't miss it, great food and a grown-up experience everywhere. They feel like they are getting the ultimate cruise experience and actually see fewer kids than they do on the other cruiselines!

 

They take a cruise every year and save their money specifically for Disney. I'm not sure I get it, but since it's their money, I can't argue with it!