Why is Disney so much more than Carnival?

[fla gang]

When we go on Disney it actually works out to be close to the same we would spend on Carnival. The money I would lose in the casino is about the same as the extra cost I would spend for the cruise on Disney. That being said we are on the Magic in November and I am taking the kids and grandkids with me on the Disney Dream next year for my retirement party. Just spending some of my kids inheritance!

[WeAllLove2Travel]

Oh me! Me! I don't really have too many reasons to select Disney for our next cruise besides saying that we've sailed on them.

 

As mentioned before, we don't care much about Disney, even with small children. But I do care about sailing on as many different cruise lines as possible. For the last few years, I've made it a point not to repeat two cruise lines in a row.

 

Logically, I knew that I wanted to do Disney at some point in time even though I don't really care for all the Disney pixie dust. Might as well do it now when the kids are at that age. We'll see what they say about it.

 

 

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I'm in a similar boat with you. I've been interested in sailing with all of the different cruise lines out there in an attempt to find my favorite and experience all of the different nuances of the different cruise lines. I was recently asked which cruise line was my favorite and I simply stated that since I hadn't cruised them all I had no idea. The primary things I look for when I book are itinerary, cost of getting to the port, cost of cruise and length of trip (shorter sailings are better for our family). However, if there are 2-3 that qualify I typically choose the line I haven't yet sailed.

 

Our first DCL is booked for early next year. My kids are young enough to still be interested and I figured I needed to do it now before they're teens who can't bear to part with their devices and wifi. Lol. Currently my kids LOVE Carnival but I'm hoping something else piques their fancy. I may have run my course with Carnival for awhile. Out of three cruises on CCL, our last one was not at all anything I was ready to repeat. It wasn't horrible, as it was great family time and any vacation is better than any day at work. BUT, after cruising other lines between CCL, I'd just rather find a new cruise line to fall in love with. DCL is quite pricey though so hopefully we won't fall too in love with them. [emoji6] Happy sailing!

 

 

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[andrew2346]

Not a Disney Fan for anything besides the customer service. Have sailed Carnival, Celebrity, RCL (many times), Disney (multiple times), and MSC. Here is my personal ranking:

 

Disney Fantasy

Disney Wonder

RCL Anthem

MSC Divina

RCL Explorer

RCL Serenade

Celebrity Summit

RCL Grandeur

CCL Vista

 

Disney is classic elegance very much reminded me of the Titanic :) White glove service in every way. AND you pay for it. I really felt like this was the only cruise line that they Guest Services gave a poop at all. Guess I should say cast members.

 

I was VERY pleasantly surprised by MSC Divinia. I loved the European feel. If you are a good looking female it will take you a long way with the bar staff..lol. The pizza in the buffet was great. The pizza down in the wine bar was ...well...I can't say...think Harry met Sally. The wine! Still had the cattle call feel of the mass cruise lines but my mother and I each paid $700 total for a 7 night cruise in a balcony cabin out of Miami. I mean really : ) I would not hesitate to book MSC again.

 

Anthem was great but a big cold and uncaring. Grandeur felt like home (even though we were only on it for 2 nights when that bad boy caught fire). If you don't need all the bells and whistles I really like RCCL older ships.

 

Carnival felt like just that. It was not my taste. Would I turn down a free cruise? NO! Would I seek out a cruise on CCL? No.

 

Just my 2 cents. In any case a cruise is a vacation so enjoy it!

[jimbo5544]

Not a Disney Fan for anything besides the customer service. Have sailed Carnival, Celebrity, RCL (many times), Disney (multiple times), and MSC. Here is my personal ranking:

 

Disney Fantasy

Disney Wonder

RCL Anthem

MSC Divina

RCL Explorer

RCL Serenade

Celebrity Summit

RCL Grandeur

CCL Vista

 

Disney is classic elegance very much reminded me of the Titanic :) White glove service in every way. AND you pay for it. I really felt like this was the only cruise line that they Guest Services gave a poop at all. Guess I should say cast members.

 

I was VERY pleasantly surprised by MSC Divinia. I loved the European feel. If you are a good looking female it will take you a long way with the bar staff..lol. The pizza in the buffet was great. The pizza down in the wine bar was ...well...I can't say...think Harry met Sally. The wine! Still had the cattle call feel of the mass cruise lines but my mother and I each paid $700 total for a 7 night cruise in a balcony cabin out of Miami. I mean really : ) I would not hesitate to book MSC again.

 

Anthem was great but a big cold and uncaring. Grandeur felt like home (even though we were only on it for 2 nights when that bad boy caught fire). If you don't need all the bells and whistles I really like RCCL older ships.

 

Carnival felt like just that. It was not my taste. Would I turn down a free cruise? NO! Would I seek out a cruise on CCL? No.

 

Just my 2 cents. In any case a cruise is a vacation so enjoy it!

 

 

 

You have been on the titanic?

 

 

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[stevefrisco]

You have been on the titanic?

 

 

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Have you been on an NCL ship?

[jimbo5544]

Have you been on an NCL ship?

 

 

 

Actually 4, not sure of the reference tho. I can tell you which ones if it helps.

 

 

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[Baatman]

This may be a question best asked in the Disney forum. They would be able to explain what they value about the line and why they think it’s worth the money.

 

Good point!

[RW20]

I love everything Disney. Especially Star Wars!

 

For my money it's a matter of what is worth it. We have always had a great time on Carnival. Is Disney better? Possibly. Can I afford it? Yes. But am I willing to pay that much more knowing I will enjoy my Carnival cruise? No.

 

So instead I cruise out of Port Canaveral and spend time at Disney before and the price is similar to that of a Disney cruise. My next cruise on the Magic is preceded with a whole week of Disney! Can't wait and yes my favourite park is Hollywood Studios! I may not get Star Wars days at sea but I get a whole day of Star Wars there (and Indiana Jones too!)

 

I am so happy to be a mother of boys... the only Disney princess I like is Leia.

[DANCING GRANDMOMMY]

Yes. The entertainment is, well it's Disney. The service is beyond wonderful. The food is great, the dining experience even better. Only cruise lines to have fireworks onboard, well, it's Disney. Soda machines included on the Lido. They don't care if you bring alcohol on board. There is no smoke-filled casino. If I could afford to cruise with Disney I would. It was a wonderful experience. But alas, I can not, so I cruise the line that meets all my needs at a price that allows me to do so annually.

[Domino D]

WHY is Disney so much more than Carnival? Because they are able to fill their ships with people who will pay that amount.

 

I believe in a word it is "axiomatic".

[First and Ten]

Yes. The entertainment is, well it's Disney. The service is beyond wonderful. The food is great, the dining experience even better. Only cruise lines to have fireworks onboard, well, it's Disney. Soda machines included on the Lido. They don't care if you bring alcohol on board. There is no smoke-filled casino. If I could afford to cruise with Disney I would. It was a wonderful experience. But alas, I can not, so I cruise the line that meets all my needs at a price that allows me to do so annually.

 

 

 

2 bottles of wine or 6 beers. Disney DOES NOT allow you to bring liquor/spirits onboard

[meatloafsfan]

Yes. The entertainment is, well it's Disney. The service is beyond wonderful. The food is great, the dining experience even better. Only cruise lines to have fireworks onboard, well, it's Disney. Soda machines included on the Lido. They don't care if you bring alcohol on board. There is no smoke-filled casino. If I could afford to cruise with Disney I would. It was a wonderful experience. But alas, I can not, so I cruise the line that meets all my needs at a price that allows me to do so annually.

The alcohol thing is no longer true. They made a change in 2015. Now it's a bottle of wine or 6 beer per person, no hard liquor and not unlimited.

 

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[Shmoo here]

The alcohol thing is no longer true. They made a change in 2015. Now it's a bottle of wine or 6 beer per person, no hard liquor and not unlimited.

 

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Actually, as I posted earlier, it's 2 bottles of wine/champagne (750ml max size each) OR 6 beers (12 oz max size each). And it can be brought onboard on embarkation as well as from ports of call.

 

Yes, not "unlmited", but it seems like it's enough.

[iloverags2]

One of the biggest reasons for the price difference has to do with no casinos on Disney. Casinos are bread and butter for most cruise lines, and where they tend to make their biggest profits. Because Disney went the route of not adding these, they need to make up the difference elsewhere.

 

However, it would still be more expensive (maybe just not as much) due to supply and demand. Simply, Disney has a loyal following to a fault. I'm one of those followers admittedly, and I also admit I drink their kool-aid. Is it really worth the extra cost? Probably not to most. The food stinks, simple as that (especially if you are a vegetarian). What I do appreciate are the larger staterooms, the elegant decor throughout the ships, and the fact there are many, many areas for adults only. I also love the Broadway caliber shows (albeit all Disney oriented), and the fact I do not need to purchase a soda plan to enjoy soda whenever I want (yes, I get that added cost is factored into the price I pay...it's not free as many like to say!). The service is spectacular on Disney (as Disney service is expected to be); however, most service on all cruise lines is spectacular. Hard to really compare that (although I will say Princess service underwhelmed us).

 

It's really a matter of choice. We do look for seasons when rates are lower, and discounts we can take advantage of (which are becoming fewer are more far between sadly). If you do your research, you may find a Disney cruise for you. But there is no reason to pay the additional cost just to say you sailed on Disney. :)

[Kristi Williamson]

At the risk of being booed off the stage, I have to admit our family aren't Disney fans, period. Not even the resorts. We prefer Universal if we're forced into a theme park.

 

I wouldn't pay a cent for their cruises. I loathe the character stuff and my kids weren't crazy about it, either. (Yep, we took them to Disney for a week to see if they liked it because we didn't want them to miss that experience) They thought it was OK, but much prefer RCCl, Carnival and RV drives across the country. It's just not for us. It feels like a crowded, consumer junk hole with decent shows that are upped a notch by ending with fireworks that most people remember more than the show. I hate crowds and the theme songy stuff drives me batty. ...shrug... To each their own, though.

 

We do intend to try Viking and Oceania one day once the kids are grown and gone. We only have about 5 years to go!!!! :'):o:o:loudcry:

[DCLCrazy]

At the risk of being booed off the stage, I have to admit our family aren't Disney fans, period. Not even the resorts. We prefer Universal if we're forced into a theme park.

 

 

 

I wouldn't pay a cent for their cruises. I loathe the character stuff and my kids weren't crazy about it, either. (Yep, we took them to Disney for a week to see if they liked it because we didn't want them to miss that experience) They thought it was OK, but much prefer RCCl, Carnival and RV drives across the country. It's just not for us. It feels like a crowded, consumer junk hole with decent shows that are upped a notch by ending with fireworks that most people remember more than the show. I hate crowds and the theme songy stuff drives me batty. ...shrug... To each their own, though.

 

 

 

We do intend to try Viking and Oceania one day once the kids are grown and gone. We only have about 5 years to go!!!! :'):o:o:loudcry:

 

 

 

As an avid lover of all things DCL, I have to tell you I abhor Disney World. DCL is far better than any day spent at Magic Kingdom. Don't judge DCL based on your time at DW. When we do go to DW all we can think about is the difference in service and friendliness of the Cast members. Always disappointing compared to the service of the Cast Mates on DCL. The heat and the lines at DW always ruin a good time.

 

 

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[45014]

we enjoy carnival cruises, but have been on two disney cruises. If you have kids, it is worth every penny. It is magical.

 

 

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i think not!!!!!

[TNcruising02]

My first cruise was on a Disney ship. Everything about it was wonderful. I don't think any other ship compares to what Disney can offer for young children. My youngest was 17 at the time of our Disney cruise, so not a young child, but he and the two friends he brought with him had a great time. Really, everything about the ship was amazing. I can't think of one one single negative thing.

 

Every other cruise I have taken since then has been on a different cruise line. I have no desire to cruise on a Disney ship again because I would rather cruise with less children on board and see shows other than Disney shows. My preferences don't take away from how great the Disney cruise was. It was wonderful.

[DCLCrazy]

i think not!!!!!

 

 

 

Why are people being so rude on this board thread? There's no reason for the multiple exclamation points. That's another selling point to DCL. Class of people.

 

 

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[bUU]

Why are people being so rude on this board thread?

It almost seems like the Royal Caribbean board.

 

 

 

This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

[Saint Greg]

Why are people being so rude on this board thread? There's no reason for the multiple exclamation points. That's another selling point to DCL. Class of people.

 

 

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[YOUTUBE]VSKn8RlD7Is[/YOUTUBE]

[DCLCrazy]

[YOUTUBE]VSKn8RlD7Is[/YOUTUBE]

 

 

 

That's hilariously appropriate. I love that show. Thanks for the laugh. 🤣

 

 

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[meatloafsfan]

Why are people being so rude on this board thread? There's no reason for the multiple exclamation points. That's another selling point to DCL. Class of people.

 

 

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Yes because Disney has a different clientele (I say dripping with sarcasm). Look at how many people on this thread have sailed both. Disney does not have a better class of guests.

 

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[DCLCrazy]

People don't understand sarcasm when they read these days. It's a dying art.

 

 

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[S.S.Oceanlover]

Why are people being so rude on this board thread? There's no reason for the multiple exclamation points. That's another selling point to DCL. Class of people.

 

 

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why is that rude???????????

 

You need a thicker skin around here if that's going to upset you.:)

 

Bill