Is DCL really WORTH the additional costs??

[ilovewdw]

My title says it all. I am wondering how I can justify paying more for DCL when I can get a cheaper rate from NCL or RCCL or Carnival!

 

I LOVE Disney (notice my screen name) and we go EVERY single year. Do I really need to experience a Disney Cruise, will we REALLY be missing something?:confused:

 

Looking forward to hearing from those who have cruised Disney in addition to other lines as well! :)

[kat89447]

My family did the Disney Wonder in 2005. Our DD (then 7) went with us and she didn't enjoy it. She was in the younger group for the club and unfortunately on that particular cruise there weren't alot of kids her age. So she ended up with a bunch of 4 and 5 yr olds and really wanted to be in the next group. The older group did alot of science stuff and games. She also hated that so much of the cruise was about meeting the characters. The main lobby would have a character and about 200 kids all crowded into it for an autograph session a couple times a day. She is not a fan of crowds. I will say that the balcony room we had was great. Tons of room and we saw dolphins from it pretty often. (we did bahamas, castaway cay) it is more inclusive than NCL or RCCL. Soda was free and juices etc. My father really missed the casino and more stuff for the adults to do. We turned in about 9:00pm every night because on that cruise there wasn't a ton to do as a family and she hated the club. Food was superior, staff was incredible. Overall, I am glad we did it once, I would not do it again. We are going on a NCL this summer (she is now 10) so she will see if that is better. You will feel pampered on DCL but it is really about kids 24/7 and they tend to have run of the ship. They also have a diaper baby swim area which most don't have anymore. Hope this helps.

[karatemom2]

If you love Disney I would say pay the extra and do a DCL cruise at least once. It is a unique experience and a true Disney fan will love all the wonderful touches only Disney offers. We have done two Disney cruises and loved them both. Now that our kids our older and we have discovered the excellent value other lines offer for our family we would probably not pay the extra to do Disney again, but I'm glad we took our two Disney cruises and will always be glad we had the chance to enjoy the special magic of cruising with the Mouse.

[SelectSys]

If you love Disney I would say pay the extra and do a DCL cruise at least once. It is a unique experience and a true Disney fan will love all the wonderful touches only Disney offers. We have done two Disney cruises and loved them both. Now that our kids our older and we have discovered the excellent value other lines offer for our family we would probably not pay the extra to do Disney again, but I'm glad we took our two Disney cruises and will always be glad we had the chance to enjoy the special magic of cruising with the Mouse.

 

Karatemom2 summarized my feelings exactly. Our first two cruises were on the Magic with the last four on RCCL. I actually "blame" Disney for getting our family started with cruising as they sent us a video in the mail that led to first cruise.

 

We really liked both our DCL cruises and I thought the experience was great. The production shows were the best I have seen at sea and the ability to interact with the characters in a relaxed setting (compared to the parks) was something my kids really liked.

 

I continue to look at DCL for another cruise - perhaps the multiple Castaway Cay stop cruise or a west coast cruise - before my kids get out of high school. Like the OP, I wish the prices weren't quite so high on Disney.

 

Good luck!

[gupsmom]

You will feel pampered on DCL but it is really about kids 24/7 and they tend to have run of the ship. They also have a diaper baby swim area which most don't have anymore. Hope this helps.

 

 

I strongly disagree. One thing I LOVE about DCL is that they enforce the adult only area rules. I have 5 children. I love kids...But, when I go to the adult only hot tub at night, I don't want to be splashed by a 12 yr old. RCI (which we really enjoyed) was horrible about enforcing rules. Kids were everywhere and behaving quite poorly. Disney seems to do a much better job keeping the children entertained (through clubs, and various family activities...and when Disney says Adult only, they mean it.

 

as for your original question. We've cruise Disney, Carnival and royal Caribbean. Disney is our favorite and worth the price for us. Also...add up some of the extra costs on the other lines when you figure the price. For example...Disney does not charge for a soda program (it's free) and Disney does not charge to use a life vest on their private island (RCI does). Disney has free ice cream (you pay for Ben and Jerry's on RCI) and you can get Chicken fingers/burgers/etc for free at Pluto's on Disney (Johnny rockets has a cover charge).

 

Jess

[medicmel]

We just returned from a DCL cruise on the Magic and this was our first DCL cruise but we have cruised RCL and NCL previously. We have 3 DD's and we thought we would have some free time since they would be in the Kids Club's. Well it did not work out the way we thought and we have decided that our next cruise will be on RCL. The character interaction was great but our dining room service stunk. It would take upwards of 30 minutes to get a soda refill. They also forgot drinks that I ordered several times. My DW and I decided that we would do a week in WDW and then cruise on RCL.

[crusinmama06]

The adult areas on the Freedom ships are enforced. I didn't see any kids in those hottubs/solarium.

 

As far as Disney verses any other line...we did Magic. It was nice to see. Was it the best cruise ever...nope. The service was bad in the dining room, I agree 100% with medicmel.

 

The shows were fabulous.

 

The extra ammenities - non existant

--no ice skating

--no rock climbing

--no H20 zone

--adult pool was just so so, does not compare to RCCL solarium

--no shopping - except 2 small disney stores

--no extra food areas like RCCL/Carnival except a snack bar and an adult only dining venue

--no golf

 

What they did give over others

--Free soda

--No kids club charge after 10pm like Carnival and RCCL

--Flounders Nursery for those under 3, pay per hour

 

For the price, we got a Cat 6 verandah on Disney Magic for the SAME price as a Grand Suite on Freedom of the Seas. With our GS, we got all of the suite perks...not available at that level on Disney.

 

And for the same price, we could take 2 cruises in a Cat 12 Suite on Carnival...lol.

 

The character meets - you look in the newsletter and it tells you where they will be next. Then you go and line up with 100 of your closests friends, snap snap...$20 dollars please ;)

 

We go to WDW every year too. And we do WDW pre-cruise. But I can guarantee that I won't be getting on another Disney cruise. The service at the Disney resorts is so far ABOVE the service on the Magic. My kids prefer WDW and then a RCCL ship.

[megnsamsgracie]

We did that last year! Since it was December, it was MVMCP time! We did a 7n cruise and then Disney after (wanted to do before but our tickets were already bought for the party!). It was GREAT!

[getoutthere]

We are huge cruising fans, not as big of Disney fans. But for our kids first cruise we thought the Disney cruise would be the best choice. If you are only there for Disney then I think you will be alright, however we were not. I hated the layout of the ship and my kids didn't really care much about the kids club. They were 4 and 7 at the time. The shows were very good as well as the pay restuarant. And the room was probaby the best we have had on any ship but that was about it for us. I didn't feel like the added expence was worth it at all. I think if you are big disney fans and have toddler to preschool kids it could work for you but the cost would be a big consideration. My kids prefered the Carnival Liberty ship better and we are going on the Freedom of the Seas this year which I think will suit all our needs much better. Hope this helps.

[lagbunch8]

Yes.

 

RCCL is also nice but, it's not Disney.

 

My children will never set foot on a Carnival ship as long as I am paying for the cruise.

 

My $.02 Enjoy your cruise whatever you decide.

[lagbunch8]

[quote name=crusinmama06;13726610

 

The character meets - you look in the newsletter and it tells you where they will be next. Then you go and line up with 100 of your closests friends' date=' snap snap...$20 dollars please ;)

[/quote]

 

 

They DO NOT charge you to take photos with the characters. Just FYI.

[crusinmama06]

RCCL is also nice but, it's not Disney.

 

You're right, cause Disney can't compare. :p ;)

 

Go on a RCCL Freedom Ship and then tell me that you liked the older Disney ship more than RCCL Freedom ships.

 

Disney does lots of things very well, cruise ships aren't one of them.

[crusinmama06]

They DO NOT charge you to take photos with the characters. Just FYI.

 

Ok, so there is no professional photographer standing there taking every picture?????

 

YES, you can take your own picture. Just like at WDW. But unlike at WDW, your pictures are printed up into 8x10's and on display, priced at $19.99 per pic (might be more, this was in 2005)

 

I have at least 10 character pics from the Magic sitting around here.

[getoutthere]

Cruisnmama- I agree with you that Disney does alot of things well, just not ships. I suppose if they were my first cruise I'd feel a little differant but maybe not. Disney was my friends first cruise and they feel the same way I do. I do love their private island though.

[karatemom2]

Well I guess I agree and disagree. While I believe that other cruiselines offer a better value than DCL, I would disagree with the idea that they don't provide a great cruise experience. It was our DCL cruise that got us hooked on cruising in the first place. I think like any line they have their advantages and disadvantages.

 

We found the service to be exceptional. It was as good if not better than any other line we have been on and has really set the expectation for all of our subsequent cruises. The food was good if not the best, however, I loved rotating through the three different dining rooms each with their own unique theme. The free sodas are a nice plus. And as far as dining goes, I have never had a meal on any of our other cruises to match Palo, the adults only dining room. To me it is in a league all it's own.

 

The kids clubs were fun, but my kids have just as much if not more fun in the kids clubs on other lines so that in itself would not be enough to get me back to DCL. The pools are the worst and to me a big detractor. The Mickey and Goofy pools are way to small for the amount of kids using them and the Mickey pool is always a strangely disturbing and grossly uninviting shade by the end of a busy day. I really didn't love my daughter using that pool and always showered her well when she was done!!

 

On the plus side, the entertainment is truly high quality with shows rivaling a Broadway production. The movie theater is great and I love how they show first run Disney movies onboard. We were lucky enough to be on board for two different movie premieres. The character interactions I found to be really pretty great. We didn't find the lines to be a problem and I took all my own photos, so never had a need to buy any that were taken by the photographers. On the last evening at the Farewell party all the characters and many of the entertainers come and mingle freely among the guests and I got many of my best shots there. Also the Pirate Deck party and the Sailaway party are the best deck parties I have ever seen on any line.

 

The staterooms are the most spacious and comfortable we have had on any line. Even a standard stateroom is extra roomy with a nice amount of space for a family compared to the standard rooms on other lines.

 

I love the classic look of the ships and the beautiful art deco design of the public areas. And as you would expect from Disney, they are maintained in pristine condition.

 

One big downside for my DH is the absence of a casino and I will add that there is not as much in the way of ongoing activities as we have found on other lines.

 

The biggest downside for me is the exorbidant price. Having a "been there done that" feeling about DCL now, it would be hard for me to justify the added expense when we have such great experiences on other lines, especially Princess.

 

For someone who hasn't done it I do think it's worth it and honestly I would still would love to cruise DCL again if the price and itinerary were attractive enough.

[crusinmama06]

I suppose if they were my first cruise I'd feel a little differant but maybe not. Disney was my friends first cruise and they feel the same way I do. I do love their private island though.

 

Oh I totally agree. The cruise that will always hold the best memories were from RCCL Sovereign. Everything (in my mind) on that ship was perfect. BUT, looking at it now, there is no way I could go on that ship again and have the same feeling. The first is always the most special. :D

 

We weren't able to make it to Castaway Cay (the weather) but I have heard great things about that island.

[gupsmom]

They do take some 8 by 10 pictures (19.99) but the vast majority (excluding formal pics) are 6 by 8. They are $9.99 each or 10 for $84.99....NO obligation to buy any pics. You are also FREE to take pictures with your own camera. The cast member will even take the picture for. While sometimes the line is long, there are also times we've walked right up to the character. We got 5 pictures, with different characters, of our 8 mo old twins in less that 30 minutes.

 

We took a Carnival Cruise with our kids, an RCI cruise and 8 Disney cruises. I'm really not in a hurry to re-do Carnival (although I might because of the 2 yr old program). We did enjoy RCI (Explorer of the Seas...but liked Disney better.

 

Jess

[ilovewdw]

I just want to THANK YOU ALL for your views!

 

I think I will DEFINITELY try a Disney Cruise at least once, just not until at least 2010 (we have DS's communion to pay for next year!)

 

I think I LOVE the idea of going to WDW and then following it up with a cruise from Port Caneveral...even if it's NOT a Disney Cruise!

 

Thank you ALL for your insight!!!!!!

[luv2travel2beaches]

I have not been on a Disney cruise but my dream is to take the entire family (our 4 kids and 7 grandkids) and go to Disney World and then on a Disney cruise. But just to let you know we have gone to Disney World and then taken a cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. It works really well, we rent a car at Disney World, drive it to Ft. Lauderdale (about 4-5 hour drive) and get on the ship. Then we fly home from Ft. Lauderdale. We have done this because so far we haven't taken kids with us on the cruise and we couldn't justify the extra $$ for Disney without the kids. It works great and we have had a fabulous time. There are very limited sailings from Port Canaveral to choose from but many more from Ft. Lauderdale.

[stsomewhere]

I strongly disagree. One thing I LOVE about DCL is that they enforce the adult only area rules. I have 5 children. I love kids...But, when I go to the adult only hot tub at night, I don't want to be splashed by a 12 yr old. RCI (which we really enjoyed) was horrible about enforcing rules. Kids were everywhere and behaving quite poorly. Disney seems to do a much better job keeping the children entertained (through clubs, and various family activities...and when Disney says Adult only, they mean it.

 

as for your original question. We've cruise Disney, Carnival and royal Caribbean. Disney is our favorite and worth the price for us. Also...add up some of the extra costs on the other lines when you figure the price. For example...Disney does not charge for a soda program (it's free) and Disney does not charge to use a life vest on their private island (RCI does). Disney has free ice cream (you pay for Ben and Jerry's on RCI) and you can get Chicken fingers/burgers/etc for free at Pluto's on Disney (Johnny rockets has a cover charge).

 

Jess

 

Carnival and RCL you have to pay for kids programs after 10pm.

[gupsmom]

Carnival and RCL you have to pay for kids programs after 10pm.

 

I know. That's what I said. You need to take things like that into consideration. If having adult time at night is important, then you need to take that cost into consideration. If you have 3 kids and you want to be out until midnight for 7 nights. That's over $300 that you need to add to your cruise cost. When you start adding up some of these extras, that you pay for on other lines but not on Disney, it does bring Disney's value up.

 

Jess

[stsomewhere]

I know. That's what I said. You need to take things like that into consideration. If having adult time at night is important, then you need to take that cost into consideration. If you have 3 kids and you want to be out until midnight for 7 nights. That's over $300 that you need to add to your cruise cost. When you start adding up some of these extras, that you pay for on other lines but not on Disney, it does bring Disney's value up.

 

Jess

 

We figured that into the cost of DCL. We spent about $250 on kids after hours service and $50 on their special all night parties.

Plus, all the sodas.

[crusinmama06]

There is no way my 3 and 8 year old are staying out every night past 10pm. I would have miserable kids in the morning. So the free after 10pm babysitting isn't a value to me at all ;)

[stsomewhere]

My kids love to stay up late. We just book an inside cabin and it is very dark. We get to decide when its morning. They usually like to sleep in until 10am. I also, make them take a rest in the cabin before dinner. They are 7and 9.

[crusinmama06]

My kids love to stay up late. We just book an inside cabin and it is very dark. We get to decide when its morning. They usually like to sleep in until 10am. I also, make them take a rest in the cabin before dinner. They are 7and 9.

 

Heck by 10am we are done with our first excursion and heading back for a snack. ;)

 

My kids are early risers, even on vacation.