lilbon Posted September 24, 2006 #1 Share Posted September 24, 2006 I have a 17 yr old and 9 yr old boy... should we try a RCL first or a Disney.. We are disney people, but I am not sure if the Disney ship will keep the 17 yr old happy... its our first cruise, so we really have no clue what to expect... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSull58 Posted September 25, 2006 #2 Share Posted September 25, 2006 I really can't compare the two since I haven't been on Disney. I can tell you that RCCL has a great kids program. My 9 yr old will be on her 4th cruise in Nov. She wants to get up there as soon as the program starts and I have to drag her out to get her to bed at night. I haven't traveled with teens but they always seem to be having a great time when I pass by. One of the larger ships may ensure more teens aboard. Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll love cuising. Have a great time!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted September 26, 2006 #3 Share Posted September 26, 2006 That's an easy one, RCCL without a doubt. Especially since your children aren't really addicted to princesses (like mine were) ;) Here's the comparison.... Our last cruise was Disney Magic our next one is Freedom. Your kids are at the age where they will have a better time on a freedom class or voyager class ship at RCCL then on Disney. There is so much more to do on RCCL than on Magic. I personally was not wowed by the service on the Magic. I receive MUCH better service when I stay at a deluxe Disney Resort at WDW. I also received much better service on RCCL. For the price of a category 7 or 8 on Disney, we are getting a grand suite on Freedom. Also with the grand suite include all of the perks of the concierge level, like the conceirge lounge (free drinks), priority embarkation and debarkation, tender tickets, ice skating tickets, gifts delivered to your room, robes, full bath and oversized balcony with lounge chairs, etc. No casino on Disney and the only shopping onboard is a Disney souvenir store. I am not a gambler by any stretch of the imagination but I like to have a casino there at night when nothing else is going on. I found myself looking for things to do on the Magic whereas on RCCL, I always have to decide WHICH activity I want to do for the night. The shows - this advantage goes to Disney. But are your kids going to be wowed by tinkerbell lighting up the theatre or Aladin and Jasmine hovering over the crowd while singing...probably not. Mine were thrilled, but mine are young. In our family we have compromised. For Disney we go to WDW before the cruise then for the cruise we go on RCCL. The kids (age 2 and 6) like WDW much more anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen tev Posted September 30, 2006 #4 Share Posted September 30, 2006 I would agree.Any kids under 10 i would say disney.A 17 year old,definatly Rccl.Of course my daughter is 4 and has done Rccl twice and loved it both times.Depend on your kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disneycrazymom Posted October 2, 2006 #5 Share Posted October 2, 2006 We have done both the Magic and the Mariner. My kids (6 and 13) voted to do the Mariner again next summer! With the money we save on the Mariner we will take an extra vacation to the parks - which makes us all happy! Her is a short comparison. If you have any questions ask away! Both kids clubs are great. Really equal! If you have a young one (under 6) then the Magic is your best cruise because of all the characters. But once they outgrow the characters then the Mariner as it has so much more to do. My kids are both into sports and they loved being able to skate and rock climb and golf! RCI was not so overrun with kids. We did the same week on both ships (Aug 6) but a year apart. Disney had so many kids it was hard to get into the pool! The Magic does have better kids friendly dinning. I like that we switched resturants every night (Artists Palate is not to be missed) and I liked that there was only 1 formal night. -- That said DD6 was fussed over at dinner on the Mariner like she was the Princess! I really think anything she would have asked for they would have found for her. The Magic has fresh water pools and they are not so deep. But it is about the only outside activity. I can tell you both are absolutly wonderful! We have great memories of both. But if the kids prefer the RCI which is less expensive, and has more adult entertainment and more to do then that is wHO we will be sailing with next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari939 Posted October 8, 2006 #6 Share Posted October 8, 2006 We havent been on RCCL, but I can say my two teens LOVED DCL's teen program. They are really good at getting the teens to interact and make friends. They break up the teens for certain activities to make it more focused for the older or younger teens. We traveled with a fifteen year old who had an amzing time. She was friends with a 17 year old who had a great time as well. You dont have to make it all about princesses if you do not want to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilbon Posted October 9, 2006 Author #7 Share Posted October 9, 2006 I am still very confused on what to do... I have looked at both and heard bad and good things about both.. what interest me is the babysitting for the 9 yr old (he is adhd and impulsive). I want the 17 yr old to have a good time.. I would love to have a bit of time w/my husband and some really good food.. is that alot to ask since I will shell out $4000 for either cruise.. (+ or _). Yes I get 2 rooms with Mariner but not sure if having them will make the family happy if the service isn't good (reading the boards) I know its personal taste, but since I have never done it.. I am very aprehensive an would love any advice.. Thanks... confused in Maryland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2threecuties Posted October 9, 2006 #8 Share Posted October 9, 2006 My $ .02: We've been on the Mariner twice and the service was better than any other cruise we've been on :) We've cruised DCL as well. I admit there is something magical about Disney, but it's probably not worth the extra money. We're taking the kids on a cruise during spring break and RCCL was about 1/3 the cost of DCL - that was a no-brainer for me. Being that you have boys, there will probably be more to keep them entertained on the Mariner - the rock wall, basketball, miniature golf, roller blading, ice skating, etc. It seems to be a more 'active' environment. Whatever you choose, you'll have a great time! Tricia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcskids Posted October 9, 2006 #9 Share Posted October 9, 2006 rccl or princess great for kids an teen my youngest crys at the end of every cruise hes 11 now and when he was 10 at the end of our last cruise he ims and e-mail kid all over the world. my 16 year old daughter is a little shy, but they get the kids invoved and they come out of there shell quick, and i have to bring a baseball bat to keep the boys away lol eight cruise youll love it , not to worry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcskids Posted October 9, 2006 #10 Share Posted October 9, 2006 rccl or princess great for kids an teen my youngest crys at the end of every cruise hes 11 now and when he was 10 at the end of our last cruise he ims and e-mail kid all over the world. my 16 year old daughter is a little shy, but they get the kids invoved and they come out of there shell quick, and i have to bring a baseball bat to keep the boys away lol eight cruise youll love it , not to worry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted October 9, 2006 #11 Share Posted October 9, 2006 I am still very confused on what to do... I have looked at both and heard bad and good things about both.. what interest me is the babysitting for the 9 yr old (he is adhd and impulsive). I want the 17 yr old to have a good time.. I would love to have a bit of time w/my husband and some really good food.. is that alot to ask since I will shell out $4000 for either cruise.. (+ or _). Yes I get 2 rooms with Mariner but not sure if having them will make the family happy if the service isn't good (reading the boards) I know its personal taste, but since I have never done it.. I am very aprehensive an would love any advice.. Thanks... confused in Maryland Maybe I am the one who is confused but everyone here said that RCCL had better service than Disney in their experience. I really don't think that Disney is the ship for you. And this is coming from someone who is Disney crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abitaturbodog Posted October 10, 2006 #12 Share Posted October 10, 2006 For what it's worth, my boys, 9 & 10 years old, would PUKE! if I took them on a Disney cruise. lol!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disneycrazymom Posted October 10, 2006 #13 Share Posted October 10, 2006 Don't underestimate the beauty of 2 rooms. We had one cabin on the Disney Magic, but 2 on the Mariner - still paid less BTW. And what a difference! The kids both had their own bed - no sofa to make up or bunk to fight over. They had their own bathroom which helped so much as we were trying to get ready for dinner. DH and I liked have our own space at night too! You can tell from my name that I am all about Disney, but if you are not going for the Characters then there is no real reason to do the Magic IMHO. If you are getting a Magic cabin for $4000 that is a pretty good price though. BTW you do know the Magic will be in Europe next summer? I just wanted to be sure you were not planning for then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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