New to RCI from Disney

[SandraLee]

Speaking only for myself, I didn't care for the "two bathrooms" in the Disney staterooms. They essentially took one bathroom and cut it in half, with the result that you can barely turn around in there. It sounds good in theory, but the reality -- even for a small person like me -- isn't all that great.

 

We really did like the bathrooms. We found that even though there really wasn't more floor space, there was more room (and two sinks and two mirrors). Two people could brush teeth at the same time; one person could be doing make-up and hair in one bathroom while the other person was in the other bathroom showering. Never could happen in a regular bathroom setup with all the steam. We thought the bathroom setup was a great advantage.

 

Also, LOVE the ability to do self-serve laundry on the Magic.

[Capt. Johnny]

Keep it going, BUMP!

[logan1_2000]

We have sailed both the Magic (one time - Eastern Carrib.) and Mariner (two times - Eastern and Western Carrib). To me, they are two different products and in many ways difficult to compare because they cater to two different crowds. But, with that said, we prefer Disney because of the AMAZING service. We have sailed on Mariner twice and have had awesome trips, but the service just doesn't compare. Also, Castaway Cay is like no other private island - big time. And, we thought the food on Disney, especially desserts, was better. We like the variety of activities better on Mariner - wow, they know how to keep you moving. We also liked the fast food available on the upper decks on Disney and the option of eating outside at the buffet. That is not avaliable on Mariner - you have to go inside to Windjammers where there is no outside seating. All in all, if the two cruises cost the same, we would pick Disney. But, they are more expensive and our children are getting older and like the activities on Royal Caribbean. Of note, Disney has an absolutely awesome movie theater. :) Mariner has one too, it seats about 20 people - more like a really nice home theater. We looked for it on our first trip but never found it. On our second cruise, we found it and watched a movie - go to the forward elevators and all the way down to either floor 1 or 2. It is so small it is easy to overlook. But, it is there! You will have an awesome trip! Oh, shopping is MUCH better with RCI!!!

 

By the way--Hi Capt. Johnny, nice to see you here prepping for the 3/16/08 Mariner cruise we'll be on!

 

Re: the lack of outdoor seating at Mariner for the Windjammer, that was valuable info that I did not know, and after all this time on the boards had never thought to ask, so thanks. Now of course, you can always carry a plate out to a table somewhere outside near a pool or something, but I know what you mean, its not the same as off the back deck of Beach Blanket/Topsiders. Another reason why the Radiance class ships are terrific options that should not be overlooked by those who are entranced by wanting to go on the biggest or newest ship--there is outdoor dining at the rear of the windjammer on Radiance, and nice rattan furntiure at some areas as well, very relaxed.

[rebeccalouise]

Exploring new ships is always exciting. I think that if you liked Disney, you'll really like Mariner of the Seas.

The staterooms on Disney are bigger and the bathroom configuration is really nice for families.

My son loved the Disney youth program- bar none. He has been on 12 cruises and Disney was his favorite.

I liked Disney but love Celebrity.

I just returned from Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas. I do like being on a larger ship and feel that 90Tons is a great size. Just more to do in general.

Given the choice of both lines, I would go on Royal Caribbean.

Have fun on Mariner- it is nice to try different lines. I've tried them all now.

[BethA]

On DCL I would not call the 'main pool" the Mickey pool. This pool is for small childre. The Goofy pool is supposed to be the family pool, but is small, and of course there is also the adult pool. The pools are not salt water which is great--but they are WAY too small, by the afternoon the Mickey and Goofy pool look gross! DCL is my favorite, but their pool area is lacking.

[andydandy325]

I am "fresh off" Jewel of the seas and it was incredible I have not cruised Disney yet ;) but I have a good website for you to check out so many pictures so little time...

at

 

http://voyager-class.com/

 

pictuers of every inch of the ship

 

hope to help!

[Ashley24]

Disney has an outside deck area with nice padded lounge chairs. Does the Mariner have anything like that?

[ColoradoMom!!]

Any more thoughts out there??:)

[FloridaGram]

I am so glad for this thread. We have sailed 8 other times and spent the first 2 days comparing DCL with other cruises, trying to decide if it was worth the extra money. I have enjoyed all of your input here, some things we had not thought of. This was our first cruise that both kids were old enough for the clubs, so while we can compare ships for adults we can only compare kids club to HAL. (Which was great)

 

My family consisted of 9 adults and 2 kids 5 and under. The kids only went to the club while we went to Palo. Our days were spent at the Mickey pool because that is what the kids wanted to do. So we paid alot of money for the clubs to be as good as they are but did not use them the way alot of people do. Are the family pools on RCI deep or does it have a walkway a preschooler could walk around?

 

For the adults we agreed we would rather go on RCI twice than DCL once for the same price.

 

While the split bathrooms on DCL have their good points, they are way to small. DS is 6'5 and could not stand up straight to shower, I am rather large and could barely fit between the door and the sink in the toilet room. I guess it to be 24 " by counting the floor tiles. It reminded me of an inside cabin bath on ships built in the 70's. It was not comfortable for my daughter to kneel and give her kids a bath.

 

Castaway Cay is the best, I would love to stay on the ship there a couple of days! Half Moon Cay is also great. We hated Labadee when we were there in 02, has it gotten any better? It was sad to see the locals peering at you through the fence, I did not realize we were taking over their public beach, that makes me like it less.

 

We all felt food was better on RCI and we liked Windjammer better. We prefer A/C not outside and Topsiders is too small and you walk in the door to stand in line, we felt like a cattle call and did not eat there. Our memories of cruises are having so many food choices we could not decide what to get for dinner. On DCL we had a hard time picking one thing from the menus some nights.

 

Disney production shows are top notch, I'll give them that. But we are also entertained on RCI so I am not convinced that DCL would be worth it again to see the same shows. Disney does have alot of activities going on, you could not do them all if you tried. We wanted to see some movies just never had time because they always were when something else was going on.

 

In closing, our next cruise will be to try RCI again, this time with the kids trying the clubs because they will be older. Then we may decide to go back to DCL. We had a great cruise there, but we believe we can have a great cruise with RCI for less money.

[TampaMom2Girls]

Sorry to revive a thread that looks like it's getting no activity recently...but ColoradoMom...I'm dying to know...what did you decide??????!!!!!!

[ColoradoMom!!]

Sorry to revive a thread that looks like it's getting no activity recently...but ColoradoMom...I'm dying to know...what did you decide??????!!!!!!

 

Too funny! Well -- we left off with me booked on both the Freedom and Disney for Thanksgiving '08. Then someone suggested that the Mariner would be a step up in size and activities, and the savings might be worth giving up the Freedom. Yes, the Mariner came in $700 less than DCL for two connecting PR's. BUT -- it would be this Thanksgiving for the Western.

 

After I convinced the hubby to go for it again so soon -- swearing that this will be it (yeah - right), I got even greedier and saw the Mariner goes Western Dec. 16th for a song! $1700 less than the Freedom I had booked. Boys will miss 4 days of school -- but they're winding down before Christmas break. So we're booked!

 

I am soooo excited. PLEASE come with us Disney lovers. It is a great deal, and it won't be too crowded!! We're going to stay on Disney property the night before to get a bit of the mouse for Mom.

[Andy99]

We love both lines! You will also!

[cruiserbryce]

we have cruised both lines...we loved our Disney experience and the free soda was great but the only of the 3 lines we have sailed that has offered that. The staterooms are a bit larger on the Disney ship...but all in all for the price we get much more enjoyment out of our trips on RCCL...we found ourselves without a lot to do at night on the Wonder. But if you have a family the experience for the kids seems unbeatable on the Disney ships

[crusinmama06]

I think you made a great choice. We are fresh off of Freedom and it was a WONDERFUL ship but many onboard said that they liked it as much as they liked Mariner. And the price was right.

 

Have a great cruise! :D

[TampaMom2Girls]

ColoradoMom, thanks for checking in!

 

We've been looking into the Explorer for 7/08, but with the rave reviews everyone gives the Mariner, we just might look into that...I'll keep you posted!

 

Enjoy!!!

[Capt. Johnny]

Well after 90 posts I guess I'm glad that this thread has provided some very good information to me as well as others. We are still booked on the Mariner, loved our first Disney Magic cruise, but look like future RCCL customers as our youngest is going to be 12.

 

Thanks so much everyone, and I hope this thread helps others as well!!:D

[far733]

What a great thread! I am trying to decide between a 4 night Bahama cruise with DCL's Wonder or a 7 night western caribbean cruise on RCI's Mariner OS cruise for me and my family (DW 25, DS 8, DD 7, DS 3 1/2). Neither one of us are HUGE Disney fans, so we are unsure what to do. I definatley get a better value with RCI than DCL (not to mention a longer cruise!), but DW thinks kids will enjoy DCL better. DW and I cruised on Radiance OS in January of 2007 and enjoyed it! Which one would be better for us?

[QTMichele]

Thanks...lol. :D

 

I STILL have him convinced that the cruise in August is $1,000.

 

Shhhhhhhhh

 

OMG I can't stop laughing! That sounds just like what my mom told my dad about the cost of my wedding 10 years ago!!! :D He still has no clue how much it cost... ;) And to think I have TWO younger sisters!!! :D

[SherriZ366]

What a great thread! I am trying to decide between a 4 night Bahama cruise with DCL's Wonder or a 7 night western caribbean cruise on RCI's Mariner OS cruise for me and my family (DW 25, DS 8, DD 7, DS 3 1/2). Neither one of us are HUGE Disney fans, so we are unsure what to do. I definatley get a better value with RCI than DCL (not to mention a longer cruise!), but DW thinks kids will enjoy DCL better. DW and I cruised on Radiance OS in January of 2007 and enjoyed it! Which one would be better for us?

I would also post on the RCCL thread with questions about Adventure Ocean particularly on the Mariner for the two age groups of your kids. Also, you know that Disney has no casino if that is important to you.

[lagbunch8]

You have provided great info so far, My DS12 will be with us and that was one factor in choosing RCCL this time. We will have our nephews DS 12 & 9 as well so we are out of the much younger age bracket.

 

This is totally great info from everyone and I'm soaking it all in. Please keep this going!!:D

 

 

I think you will enjoy the MOS. When my kids are older we will transition to RCCL. The shows and food are much better on DCL and the soda is free but, the pool area on MOS is much better (with kids that age). The dining room on MOS is very nice. Wait until you see the promenade!!

[lagbunch8]

What a great thread! I am trying to decide between a 4 night Bahama cruise with DCL's Wonder or a 7 night western caribbean cruise on RCI's Mariner OS cruise for me and my family (DW 25, DS 8, DD 7, DS 3 1/2). Neither one of us are HUGE Disney fans, so we are unsure what to do. I definatley get a better value with RCI than DCL (not to mention a longer cruise!), but DW thinks kids will enjoy DCL better. DW and I cruised on Radiance OS in January of 2007 and enjoyed it! Which one would be better for us?

 

I think with the ages of your kids DCL would be better for you. My family just took our first family cruise on DCL last month and it was fantastic! Try RCCL when the kids are older. DCL is worth every penny.

[CP3o]

What a great thread! I am trying to decide between a 4 night Bahama cruise with DCL's Wonder or a 7 night western caribbean cruise on RCI's Mariner OS cruise for me and my family (DW 25, DS 8, DD 7, DS 3 1/2). Neither one of us are HUGE Disney fans, so we are unsure what to do. I definatley get a better value with RCI than DCL (not to mention a longer cruise!), but DW thinks kids will enjoy DCL better. DW and I cruised on Radiance OS in January of 2007 and enjoyed it! Which one would be better for us?

 

I think you should do Disney first, will be great for the kids. If the kids like cruising, try Mariner next year or year after. I think everyone with kids should try Disney at least once. Save money by booking two inside cabins or OV instead of verandah. You won't have much time for watching the waves on a short cruise, lots to do on Disney.

[ColoradoMom!!]

OK - that was wierd! I just linked this thread to another post - didn't mean to post here!

Sorry!!

[crusinmama06]

OK - that was wierd! I just linked this thread to another post - didn't mean to post here!

Sorry!!

 

Yeah yeah, you just wanted to see your posts again. ;)

 

BTW, I can't believe you are leaving in 6 days! You HAVE to come back and tell us all about it. :D

[ColoradoMom!!]

Yeah yeah, you just wanted to see your posts again. ;)

 

BTW, I can't believe you are leaving in 6 days! You HAVE to come back and tell us all about it. :D

 

Thanks Michele! I always enjoy reading your posts - thanks for all the great advice and insight!

Yes, we're almost ready to go - I can't believe it either! I will come back and report.:) Can't wait!