First PCL Cruise comparison to DCL

[thechief]

We did our first PCL cruise on March 18th on the Caribbean Princess. Our previous experience had been 6 times on DCL. Here are my thoughts.

 

Staterooms: DCL has better staterooms. Two heads/bathrooms make it easier to get ready. Decor on DCL heads is all tile. Closet space goes to PCL. DCL supplies a couch in a standard stateroom that can be a bed.

 

Verandah: Goes to PCL. Twice as large, which may explain the smaller stateroom. Glass on verandah under the railing never got cleaned. We were on the Caribe deck.

 

Meals: DCL is more family friendly so menu is restaurants is not as diverse. Food quality was very much equal. Really liked the option on PCL to dine at anytime. But on DCL you also have the same servers for every meal. On PCL we found a server we liked and had the ability to reserve a table with him each night.

 

Sterling Steakhouse: Overpriced and not up to standards. I feel it falls between Ruth's Chris and Outback, being closer to Outback. They call it "Premium" beef. What is that? It sure was not "Prime." DCL does not offer a steakhouse. Extra price was ridiculous for what you get.

 

Sabatini's: Another disappointment. The inability to order specific items was a downer. We had to sample everything. Overall quality was lacking. Palo on DCL is superb.

 

Brunch: Offered only on DCL in Palo. Absolutely superb. Set aside two hours for a dining event that is memorable.

 

Entertainment: Really enjoyed PCL. More adult oriented without a doubt. There was a show we wanted to attend everynight. Wife enjoyed the MUTS.

 

Ease of getting around: DCL ships are easier to navigate for the passenger. More straight lines and you did not have to go up a deck to go down to another deck.

 

Buffets: PCL. Breakfast goes to the Horizon buffet on PCL. Much better selection of items and the made to order omelettes were not over cooked.

 

Bars/Nightclubs: PCL. We got hooked on the Lobby Bar before dinner. Nice atmosphere and conversation.

 

Cleanliness: DCL. There were always personnel on DCL cleaning, vacuuming, painting, shining etc... Overall the DCL ships seemed in better condition and upkeep.

 

Islands: DCL Castaway Cay was nicer. Not as "commercial" feeling as Princess Cay.

 

Price: PCL handsdown the winner. We cancelled a DCL for 2 pass. and booked a PCL for 4 pass. because of price. We took 4 on a PCL 7 day for only $400.00 more than 2 on a like DCL cruise with the same itinerary.

 

We couldn't help but compare PCL and DCL the entire cruise. We were very happy with DCL. Once we got home and started to really compare the two lines we decided that PCL was much better than we originally thought. We will be back. Soon.

[Druke I]

Many times on Princess, and once on Disney.

 

Two very different cruise lines - we enjoy both - something for everyone.

 

Isn't it wonderful we have so many choices?

[dsfitz]

Because we have children, we are doing the 4 day DCL Bahamas cruise this summer. It is twice as much as the same cruise on the Carnival Sensation we did last year - but figured we needed to try Disney at least once while the kids are the right age to enjoy it.

 

Thanks for providing the comparison - sounds consistent with what I have heard elsewhere.

[spongerob]

Thanks for a very objective comparison. One thing I admire about Disney is that they carve out a market niche then excel within the boundaries they set for themselves. That means that they're not for everyone and you will definitely pay more, but should also feel that you have gotten a fair value in the exchange.

 

Obviously, DCL would not be able to do what they were in full competition in all markets all the time and faced much stiffer competition.

[KKB]

Your comparison is almost identical to ours!

 

For adults, we see no reason to pay 30% more for DCL!

 

DCL: DEFINITELY better beds...personally I DON'T like the double bath.

PALO rocks!

GREAT sports bar!

GREAT nightclub area.....UNFORTUNATELY NO ONE was there!

(these positives are all nice...but don't make up for the 30% price difference, plus w/ DCL you do have the kids factor...though there are places to go to avoid them)

 

PCL: Better dining room food

Better closets

Better pools set up for adults

Better adult-oriented activities

More active nightclub

More intimate spaces (on Star at least)

Casino:D

 

Similar: cleanliness, service & amenities

 

We MIGHT try DCL again w/ kids (Disney GETS kids)...but may try RCI for MUCH cheaper!

[MayBride]

I read somewhere on Cruise Critic that the kids program on the Crown Princess was better than DCL's. I thought that was pretty impressive!!!

[TrojanJulez]

Thank you for this comparison! We have 1 Disney Cruise under our belts, and we will be sailing Princess this June, so I was anxious to read your opinions. :)

[Coral]

I am a little confused on pricing - I thought Disney cruises were almost 2x as expensive as Princess cruises were?

 

I have heard that DCL cabins are very nice as they were designed with families in mind. Princess's cabins really are not.

[whale-watcher]

...DCL: DEFINITELY better beds...personally I DON'T like the double bath....

Do the cabins each have 2 separate bathrooms, or just a double set of fixtures in a single bathroom?:confused:

[TrojanJulez]

Do the cabins each have 2 separate bathrooms, or just a double set of fixtures in a single bathroom?:confused:

They call it a "Split Bath", because technically each one is not a "complete" bathroom - 1 has a toilet and sink, the other has a shower and sink. It's nice because the toilet-bathroom has the hairdryer, meaning someone can be drying their hair while someone else is in the shower. The split baths make it a lot faster for multiple people to get ready!

[whale-watcher]

They call it a "Split Bath", because technically each one is not a "complete" bathroom - 1 has a toilet and sink, the other has a shower and sink. It's nice because the toilet-bathroom has the hairdryer, meaning someone can be drying their hair while someone else is in the shower. The split baths make it a lot faster for multiple people to get ready!

Does sound convenient for cruising with kids. Thanks.

[KKB]

Just got an email for a "sale" on DCL...YEP, TWO times as high as Princess!

 

DCL cabins w/ families in mind...I guess so...we had a family suite for 5. It was COZY and the split baths...well, I'd rather have one large one. There is a mirror w/ outlets in the room. We HATED the family suite...can't use balcony when kid is sleeping as you would have to crawl over them...TV was on the kid's side of the room! (the side w/ murphy bed/bunk/fold out bed). SOOO we had to be in room early, can't watch TV, can't get to balcony...NOT ideal, IMO. Might be better w/ teens. (ours were 10, 7 & 5)

 

I think connecting rooms is a FAR better idea. 2 inside connectings was far cheaper than a family suite. MUCH more room, adult privacy, still 2 baths. And you can get connecting on Princess for FAR less.