1ST Cruise Carnival or Disney??? HELP!!!!

[hohoz]

We are trying to plan our 1st cruise for June 09 and Can't decide between a 4 day DCL or 5 Day Carnival Inspiration. The 5 day Carnival is 1300.00 less than the 4 day DCL. It will be myself, DH, and DD8.

I have been going on different boards seeing the different reviews on both ships and I still can't decide.

I know the Inspiration has been redone and from the pictures I received from the planner they look great. My DD loves the slides, mini golf, camp carnival. But she also likes Disney. I'm trying to justify the price & 1 extra day. Is DCL really that Damn Good????

[cb at sea]

Disney is a master of entertainment! But, for that price (and 1 day less!) is it worth it to you?

Since you've never cruised, I'd go with Carnival--you'll have a blast, and then you can "work your way up"!

[jwlnroe]

I agree with the above poster.. the extra day really is nice and the Inspiration has just received the evolutions of fun upgrades so it has a waterpark and an adults serenity deck. . plus lots of other renovations to the staterooms and other areas as well. . for that big of a price difference and getting an extra day I would say Carnival all the way. . Have fun!!

[firefly333]

At age 8, you daughter has almost outgrown the Disney appeal, she will probably have just as much fun in Camp Carnival, where some parents like that the groups of children are smaller and their child is not lost in the crowds of children. Unless you think you and your DD will love the disney characters that much more, Id do Carnival instead and then if you find a super deal on Disney later on, then go do that too.

[hohoz]

I'm glad that I can get a "real" reply not when I'm on a Disney board and they say it will be terrible if I pick Carnival. We are going to WDW this year in August so I am leaning toward Carnival. I love Disney to a certain extent but I think 2 years in a row is a little much for me. I know there are people that can do it time and time again but we can take the mouse in small increments.

[minncruisers]

We've done both and the food is FAR better on Carnival than Disney. I'll admit that the children's activities were better on Disney and there are characters galore there too but if your DD will be 8 then I'd say that Carnival will be just as fun for her. Have fun with whichever you choose.:D

[Wylie Coyote]

Can't tell you about Disney...but I just returned from my first Carnival Cruise - 7 nights - and there were bookoos of children. Ranging in age from infant through teens. They were everywhere. I think many familes use Carnival for FAMILY cruising...as Carnival has many children oritented theme activities. I know your DD will not be alone on a Carnival cruise.

[becks2005]

Our family has experienced DCL, Carnival & RCL. We enjoyed each. I think Disney is more stylized, and not necessarily just for the kiddies. We were impressed with the entertainment offerings & dining and if money were not a factor, my vote would be Disney. Hands down.

#2 RCL

#3 Carnival

That being said, we're leaving on a Carnival cruise this weekend! :D

[Sheffie]

I'd do the Carnival ship. More time on the ship, less money . . . a no-brainer.

[ronirp]

To those posters that said that an 8 year old has "outgrown" disney - we just did a disney cruise this winter. DS 9 and DD 15 were in heaven - they loved the kids activities, enjoyed the shows and characters - yes even my "pretend to be sooo mature" 15 year old. That said, we are planning our next cruise (for 2 years from now) and are thinking about carnival - mainly because of the price difference.

[kat89447]

I have never been on carnival but I can tell you my experience with DCL. My DD was 7 and she hated the kids club. I think she would have enjoyed it more if she could have bumped up to the next group but was in with the kids that still had naptime and dress up as their "big" activity. The balcony rooms were great and we spent a lot of time in our room. We saw most of the shows, but outside of that there was not a lot for us to do with her in tow. She liked to watch the characters in the lobby, but they were there for a short time and the crowds were huge. she did not like the idea of being pushed and pulled for an hour to get a picture so she watched from afar. It was neat to see the hidden characters in the ship and the dining was great, but we would not choose this line again as there is very little for adults to do.

[krystalkruzer]

Carnival has a casino and its evening entertainment is more adult orientated.My vote goes for Carnival.There is a very good reason why they are called the fun ships.

[silentbob007]

This is always a tough question ... Carnival had a good kid's program, but Disney is .. well ... Disney (as is evident by the price). From the reviews I've read (never having cruised Disney), they do cruises very well ... BUT ... I have a hard time justifying $1,000 more for ANY one ship over another.

[ChBoxers800]

Since you are torn between the two lines, perhaps activities for you and DH can help make the choice. It is your vacation too!

 

I think that you will find that Carnival offers more actitivies for adults as well as good activities for children. For example, as one other poster said, Disney does not have a casino.

 

So maybe researching things that you and DH like to do will help make the decision for you.

[ahoys]

Carnival has a really good children's program, and you'll have fun yourself. In addition, the Inspiration is from Tampa, which is a great port to sail from. Come in a day early if you can, and visit the Florida Aquarium, which is right at the pier.

[6rugrats]

I am honestly not a Carnival fan, but for that difference, I agree with the poster who said it was a no-brainer! Go for the Carnival cruise.

[Peace2U]

I'm not a fan of Carnival but I couldn't get past the price of a Disney cruise. Way too expensive and too many characters lurking would give me the willies. ;)