Disney Fantasy vs. Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Ships

[lawyerboy5555]

We've been exclusive loyal to Royal for at least 20 years, and over the past several years we've been exclusively on the Oasis class ships and love them (although our last voyage on Symphony left a little to be desired, but I digress).  We're looking at the Disney Fantasy for next summer as we CONSTANTLY hear amazing things about the ship, and I'm curious if there are any families who have been on BOTH an Oasis class Royal Caribbean ship AND the Disney Fantasy, who can really help me compare them.  My wife and I would have our 12 year old daughter with us.

 

On the Oasis class, we enjoyed the karoke in On Air, liked walking on the Promenade, we loved the AquaTheater (but I know there's nothing like that on other cruise lines), and enjoyed some of the more casual dining such as El Loco Fresh, Sorrento's pizza, and Windjammer for lunch.   We also liked the open feel of Central Park and the Boardwalk.   

 

Yes, I know some of those are the neighborhood concept exclusive to Royal Caribbean, but outside of the pool deck, does the Disney Fantasy have enough outdoor activities?  I'm curious the general types of onboard activities that aren't just bars/lounges/nightclubs.  

 

The rotating dining concept seems interesting, but I wasn't sure if people were truly happy with it.

 

Are the tweens really happy with The Edge?  That's one area where Royal Caribbean is lacking - their program for tween ages.

 

So, if you've been on both an Oasis class ship and the Disney Fantasy, please reply and let me know thoughts/experiences you can share.  

 

THANK YOU in advance!!!

[LeeW]

I keep trying to convince my son that Oasis class is better than Disney but so far no luck.  Disney balcony cabin that sleeps 4 is around $3500pp for a week on Fantasy (we have a 9 day booked at $4Kpp that might get cancelled).  You can get an aqua suite for that kind of money and a lot more room.  Disney has the characters onboard and a truly fantastic kids area (about 1/2 of a deck).  Your 12 year old could also go the the tweens area in the funnel.  Until she hits 13 she can use the main kids club as well - games, video stuff, science projects, ...  And you really want to do at least 7 days if you go with Disney.

 

Slides onboard are similar to a Royal amped ship.  Pools are similar in size.  Dining is all fixed seating with rotation through the three main dining rooms.  The Animators show with Crush talking to audience is similar to what you see at Disney World.  Food is ok (although avoid the popcorn soup).  The normal balcony cabins are about the size of a mini on Royal and have two bathrooms, one with tub/sink and one with toilet/sink.  On demand movies free (although all Disney).  On deck food is typical take-out.  Soda free and 24 hours (usually).  Better minigolf theming than Royal.  Shows like Aladdin are similar in quality to Royal.  No casino.  The adult areas on deck are actually better than Royal - larger, better loungers and quieter.  The Midship Detective Agency game is fun and takes you all over the ship to a series of animated paintings.  Fireworks one night with the drunkest people we have ever seen on any ship.  Pool deck is usually fairly crowded, but not much different than Oasis.  Water park is fun for kids.  Lots of deck events with characters leading singing and dancing. 

 

The key is how much you like a Disney product.  You have to pay double your normal fare.  But our older granddaughter has been twice (one 4 day Dream, one 7 day Fantasy) and younger has never been.  So we have the 9 day Fantasy scheduled.  And we will enjoy the cruise if it goes.  If it doesn't will likely reschedule for next summer, although older granddaughter will only be able to go to Edge (currently 12).  But we also spent 9 days last summer at Disney World with 11 people, so we very much like Disney.  Suggest you do a search for the Disney Navigator (equivalent of the Cruise Compass).  There are activities running constantly.  And take a look at the Disney Cruise Forum on disboards.  Especially the alphabetical FAQ sticky post at the top of the board.

 

Added:  Character encounters can be a lot of fun.  For example, a large group was getting their formal pictures taken on the staircase.  We were above.  Peter Pan sneaked down into the back of  their group and they didn't see him.  We had a few minutes to talk with him when he snuck back up the stairs and he was disappointed that the art gallery didn't have many pictures of him or Wendy - mostly just of Tink.  All of the characters onboard are like this.  A Disney cruise is an immersion into Disney.

Edited April 30, 2020 by LeeW
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[bearette]

At 12, unless she loves Disney the age of princesses is passed.  I wouldn't spend thousands more. Now if she was 4 or five, then she is right in the princess sweet spot and it would be with it to do Disney.  That said, Disney is a get what you pay for product so it will be wonderful, but the 12 year old won't notice the difference.

[EJanss]

On 4/30/2020 at 1:38 PM, LeeW said:

Added:  Character encounters can be a lot of fun.  For example, a large group was getting their formal pictures taken on the staircase.  We were above.  Peter Pan sneaked down into the back of  their group and they didn't see him.  We had a few minutes to talk with him when he snuck back up the stairs and he was disappointed that the art gallery didn't have many pictures of him or Wendy - mostly just of Tink.  All of the characters onboard are like this.  A Disney cruise is an immersion into Disney.

 

I was just about to choose a RC ship (now that I know their Access cabins are on a par with DCL's), but...at the last minute, it was the ambient Disney-immersion that got me.  I may do RC next, if I can get an Oasis, but for now, I couldn't go five nights without it.  😊

 

For those who do like characters, it's fun on a longer cruise, since--unlike the thousands of anonymous guests that come in and out of the parks every day and are never seen again--the characters are more familiar with the same guests for four or five days, you can get a greet of recognition as they pass by, and there's more chance for a little random fun.

[sunbrookgal]

Ok, 3 Disney Fantasy & 4 RCL Oasis class cruises. We took our granddaughters on all. The first Disney Fantasy they were 3 & 5. Note: the First 3 cruises were Disney and the last 4 RCL. Our Granddaughters are now 9 & 11. I asked them just the other day what would they like to go on if and when the C is over. To my surprise they asked they us if we could book one more Disney Fantasy cruise. 

 

With that said, I agree the Princess theme is awesome for young ones. I will add that Disney has clubs for all , children of all ages up to and including us medicare team. LOL. The Disney product is in my opinion superior to RCL. The dining room experience is as good or better than most all cruise lines we have been on. The entertainment is top notch. No they do not have that wonderful high dive show. Disney truly does it right. The Oasis class ships seem to use out children around 10 PM. Disney keeps the ship open to children thru 11 and more. 

 

The Disney crew is outstanding, RCL has great staff too. We think Disney does that a bit better.OK, my opinion, Disney is  best this side of Viking. (My favorite adult only cruise line). Imagine walking down your hall around 10 PM. Waking back to her cabin is Cinderella (her cabin was down the hall lol). She stops, kneels down and spends several minutes talking to our girls. That young lady was tired you could see. Yet she took the time out to give my husband and I a life time memory. 

 

As I write this I was thinking if you have 12 year olds, that are 12 years old, then add Disney to the list. Yes you could skip the Princess's, the rest of the experience is solid!  Again, my opinion and 6 bucks gets me a Starbucks. LOL. Safe travels ALL! Lets get this C thing gone!

Edited May 17, 2020 by sunbrookgal