Does RCL compare to Disney?

[lakerniner]

We've done Disney 3 years in a row...absolutely loved it!!! They pamper you and your children like crazy! I'm excited about RCL...but my expectations are high.

 

We (wife and I and our 7year old) are going on Adventure of the Seas: Barbados, St. Croix, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia.

 

What about excursions at these locations any suggestions?

[BPWJR]

Are things on Advt that Disney does not have - rock wall (daughter is old enough), ice rink, etc... that offers a few more things to do than Disney. Adventure Ocean compares similarly to the Disney club for kids, do go the first night so she can see and check the Advt Ocean schedule, can be nights she can go to Johnny Rockets with Advt Ocean group and you and wife can have a dinner on your own.

[cruisecrazymama]

Comparing RCI to Disney is like comparing apples to oranges. We've cruised Disney twice. Once in 2000 when our twins were 8, and again this past Christmas when they were 16. No one does children like Disney. The first time we cruised after Disney, we were a little let down. After this last DCL cruise, I can safley say our cruising days with Mickey are over. The twins have sadly outgrown the ship. Still love WDW though. That said, RCI has great childrens programs, and your little one will have a great time.

[kaylorcc]

Having been on both lines, I think you'll find that the two lines are quite similar. They both have, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful ships in the industry, and they both have a lot of activities so you won't be bored. Food is slightly better on Disney, but I've found that the lower prices on Royal outweigh the food quality difference.

 

As to the ports, I've only been to St. Maarten out of the ones you visit, and since you're traveling with a 7 yr-old, you might enjoy the St. Maarten Zoo. It's totally different from zoos in the US. It's much smaller than any US zoo, but some of the animals roam freely around the park and you can get really close to all of the animals. It's a pretty inexpensive taxi ride from the pier to the zoo, and when we were there, admission was free (though they request donations, which we were happy to provide after an enjoyable hr or so spent in the park).

 

Enjoy your cruise! I don't think you'll be disappointed. :)

[Aquahound]

Take this for what's it's worth, as it's only 3rd party info. A guy with whom I work just took a cruise on the Liberty of the Seas (very similar to AOS). He and his family only cruised Disney prior (4 or 5 times) and didn't think they would ever try another cruise line.

 

He described it as "different," and for the better. He found the ship to be amazing and highly favored it over the Disney ships.

 

He told me that his kids enjoyed Adventure Ocean better than the kid's club on Disney. However, they were disappointed that there wasn't a Disney character and a photographer around every corner. The parents, however, found it refreshing. Also, his daughter missed Mickey Mouse on the phone wake-up service.

 

They said that the production shows on Disney were better. However, they enjoyed the ice show better than any Disney show.

 

He told me that Chop's Grille was better than Palo. He did not try Portofino.

 

That's all I remember for now.

[Luv4dacruise]

I would look at it this way. Make sure your comparisons are within reason. For instance, look at the price of a 7 day Disney cruise in a comparable cabin to that of a 7 Day RCI cruise. Can pretty much guarantee the Disney cruise is more expensive. Set your expectations accordingly.

 

Disney is almost in a premium cruise category, where as RCI is complete mainstream.

 

All that being said, i prefer RCI, just can't stand the mouse :p

[Disneycrazymom]

If you notice my screen name you might be surprised at my answer! We cruised with Disney (Magic 7 day) and RCCL (Mariner 7 day x's 2 and Freedom). We liked RCCL more. My kids are now 16 and 9. Our first cruise was Disney when they were 5 and 12. Then RCCL the next 3 summers. They and we like the family activities offered on RCCL better. We liked the skating, rock wall, surf thing. Disney does great shows and the Animators Palate is the best dinning room ever! But that doesn't make up for all the other options RCCL offers. The price is better too! I just get a bit of Disney before or after the cruise at the parks.

[bajathree]

We've done Disney 3 years in a row...absolutely loved it!!! They pamper you and your children like crazy! I'm excited about RCL...but my expectations are high.

 

We (wife and I and our 7year old) are going on Adventure of the Seas: Barbados, St. Croix, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia.

 

What about excursions at these locations any suggestions?

 

That alone can sometimes lead to disappointment when you set the bar so high:eek:

 

Disney is great with the younger kids and as far as the age of yours i don't think anyone will pamper them more than Disney. Also the shows on Disney are of better quality...come on....it's Disney. Now that being said in comparison to some of RCCL's ships Disney pales. I just came off Independence and it was awesome....it was the first freedom class ship I did. If you can I suggest trying to move into one of the Freedom class ships that have all the latest and greatest....my kids are a bit older 10 and 14 but i don't think that after IOS I would be able to get them on a ship without a Flowrider. I think it really depends on the maturity of the child that gae....if she is a mature 7yr old then she will probably love RCCL....if she is a younger 7yr old and a bit shyer she is going to probably like Disney more. Also keep in mind when you are traveling as RCCL will tend to get older kids than Disney...especially during school breaks.

[Heard02]

We've done Disney 3 years in a row...absolutely loved it!!! They pamper you and your children like crazy! I'm excited about RCL...but my expectations are high.

 

We (wife and I and our 7year old) are going on Adventure of the Seas: Barbados, St. Croix, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia.

 

What about excursions at these locations any suggestions?

 

When are you going? We are doing RCL for the first time in a couple weeks. A little nervous about it too......we are huge DCL fans!

Have fun!

[unklez]

We've done Disney 3 years in a row...absolutely loved it!!! They pamper you and your children like crazy! I'm excited about RCL...but my expectations are high.

 

We (wife and I and our 7year old) are going on Adventure of the Seas: Barbados, St. Croix, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia.

.....

 

Some people that travel both say that Disney charges a huge premium due to Mickey. There is not much else different. I think you will like RCL, definitely so if the 7 yo has gotten over Mickey. Adventure is a large, modern, very well equipped ship. Your 7 yo will be fine in their kid camp. Remember, no mickey mouse though :D

[unklez]

Comparing RCI to Disney is like comparing apples to oranges. ..................

 

I do think the comparison is fair. You did the comparison too :)

[DVC_Chris]

I have sailed both lines, and since we have no kids yet, I can't speak to the quality of the children's programming. However, I do think DCL overall offers a better experience. I think the food is a little bit better, the service is better, and at least in the ships I have been on, the rooms are bigger. However, I have always had a good time on RCL, just for the price of a Disney Cruise you can take two cruises on RCL... and the service is not *that* much better. I see DCL as a gateway cruiseline... people who might not normally ever cruise decide to try it because its Disney, they decide they like cruising, then they decide to try other cheaper, more mainstay lines which are almost as good.

[bajathree]

I have sailed both lines, and since we have no kids yet, I can't speak to the quality of the children's programming. However, I do think DCL overall offers a better experience. I think the food is a little bit better, the service is better, and at least in the ships I have been on, the rooms are bigger. However, I have always had a good time on RCL, just for the price of a Disney Cruise you can take two cruises on RCL... and the service is not *that* much better. I see DCL as a gateway cruiseline... people who might not normally ever cruise decide to try it because its Disney, they decide they like cruising, then they decide to try other cheaper, more mainstay lines which are almost as good.

 

The comparison to rooms really is very ship specific:)....Disney ships are older and the rooms are dated compared to Freedom Class ships. Also you say the rooms are bigger and RCCL is half the price....but in reality if you go $ for $ you can put yourself into at least a JS if not a GS for the price of a Disney regular balcony....and thats on a Freedom class ship mind you;) If you are able to jump into a GS verse a regular balcony on Disney the RCCL experience will BLOW Disney away....so if you are going to compare experiences in a cost basis IMO you really need to go $ to $ to be fair.

[Happy ks]

I think any cruise is what you make of it. We sailed on Magic when it was brand new, our first cruise. Logistically, it works out better for us to cruise on this side of the country, so we've done Baja and Mexican Riviera a few times.

 

I still hold the Disney ship to be one of the most beautiful ships sailing. I even thought it was nicer than QM2. It's classy and provides areas for all ages, not just kids. No one can do the kids programs better than Disney, but that's not to say the other lines are doing a poor job, not at all, Disney just has more to offer the kids.

 

We would cruise on a Disney ship again, but we'd only do so during typical school session times, since our kids are nearly grown and too old for the kids programs. We'd go without the kids.

 

Sorry, forgot to add that you can find port information in a more compact space if you go to the Ports of Call boards.

[Disneycrazymom]

I would like to add 2 thoughts to my above post. The differences I see in the 2 experiences. 1. On Royal we get 2 connecting cabins for the same money we would have 1 on Disney. I love the privacy and the second bathroom. 2. My DD9 has never enjoyed the kids clubs on either ship very much. She went some but only for certain activities, so maybe an hour a day? She does love GaGA ball on the Royal ships (I have no idea what it really is but she plans her day around it) Anyway that is why Royal is better for our family. We like to do things together while on the ship. On the Magic the focus seemed to be the kids club and the separate areas. On the Mariner and Freedom we did active activities together. Like mini golf, ice skating, flowrider, Family dance at the disco. For our family having lots of sport/active options is better. Just maybe a different way to help you decide.

[scottishwee35]

When are you going? We are doing RCL for the first time in a couple weeks. A little nervous about it too......we are huge DCL fans!

Have fun!

 

Hi

 

We are DCL fans too,we had been sailing 3 times with Disney then next one next year

 

We booked Freedom of the Seas for April 2011 and we give a try and I am nervous too and what if I dislike it or regard it but I am sure I will enjoy it as it look lovely ship anyway...

 

Scottishwee35

[nycruiser80]

I have sailed both RCI and Disney as well as many other lines and I like both for different reasons.

 

RCI's ships (Voyager/Freedom/Oasis Class) are very innovative.As others pointed out your older kids will enjoy rock climbing, ice rink, mini golf.

 

Disney's ships are a bit more classier with art deco interiors and they do have a great children's program.

 

Entertainment wise I think Disney offers much more of a proffessional production show that truely is broadway style. Beleive me I live 20 minutes from Manhattan and have seen enough Broadway plays in my life time. The only caveat is that Disney shows are Disney shows!!!! If you catch my drift. For me after two nights of them I am done. But then again I dont have children! However I feel the calibur is much better then RCI or Carnival and NCL for that matter.

 

Both lines have great food. But I felt a littel less nickeled and dimes on Disney then RCI. Disney's specialty dining (for adults only) is $10 per person rather then RCI's $20+ per person. And sodas and juices are included on Disney all over the ship! Nice touch and I am not really a sode drinker!

 

Lastly, Dinsey's private island is hands down the best. Ihave been to RCI's, NCL's, Princess and I love Disney's. Paradise.

 

As you can see both lines are great. Give RCI a try and don't have your expectations so high. Go with the flow and try not to compare everything - which is hard to do. Enjoy!

[crusinmama06]

Actually for us, Royal Caribbean is BETTER. ;) We've been on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The service that our kids received on Royal Caribbean Freedom and Independence was worlds above Disney.

 

My own personal opinion is that because there are always a thousand kids onboard Disney, they aren't really special. But when the kids sail on RCCL, the crew go out of their way to interact with the kids. For instance, we can't walk past a RCCL crew member without him/her getting down on the kid's level and greeting them or trying to give them a high 5.

 

Now, my experience on RCCL with kids are on the NEW ships. So the Freedom class has so many ammenities that there is just no comparison to the 1998/2000 Disney ships.

 

You are talking about Adventure. Some differences that you are going to run into on Adventure verses Disney, the Disney ships are fresh water (as are the Freedom class) BUT Adventure is not.

 

The pools won't be as over-run as they are on the Disney ships. Both have adult only solariums (pools).

 

Adventure will have parades through the promenade, not fireworks off the top deck. ;)

 

Adventure will have the rock climbing wall, mini golf and ice skating rink (my kids LOVE those).

 

The kids can have kid dinners at Johnny Rockets (no added charge) with the Adventure Ocean staff (usually 2-3 days per cruise).

 

Royal Caribbean has My Time Dining and now My Time FAMILY Dining. So if you have younger kids, they can be served in the dining room and be finished within 45 minutes. Then the Adventure Ocean staff comes and picks them up in the dining room and allows the adults to continue their meals without the kids. :D

 

We have many people on the Family Board here at Cruise Critic that were die hard Disney cruisers who went on Royal Caribbean and were pleasantly surprised. ;) So feel free to come on over and check out that board.

 

Have a great cruise!

[will work to cruise]

Our first cruise was on the Wonder and we had a great time. Our DD's were 6 and 12 at the time. Two years later we did the Mariner followed by a 4 night Wonder, a B2B sort of. We had a fantastic time on the Mariner and couldn't wait to see how it compared to the Wonder. Well, four days later we were off the Wonder and we all agreed that Disney was now in the past for us. We enjoyed RCI much more. For less money and more activities for the girls, it will be RCI for us for the forseeable future. The characters and rotational dining just aren't selling points for us. This is just one family's opinion.

[bruce-r]

We've done Disney 3 years in a row...absolutely loved it!!! They pamper you and your children like crazy! I'm excited about RCL...but my expectations are high.

I think you should adjust your expectations.

[toonjie]

We've done Disney 3 years in a row...absolutely loved it!!! They pamper you and your children like crazy! I'm excited about RCL...but my expectations are high.

 

We (wife and I and our 7year old) are going on Adventure of the Seas: Barbados, St. Croix, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia.

 

What about excursions at these locations any suggestions?

 

Click on my AOS review link for tons of info on what to do on each island. I also have loads of pictures as well on the photo site, including one of the Disney Magic and the AOS docked in St. Maarten. I think you will find that RCI and Disney compare favorably, they are the 2 best cruise lines for kids, both have great ships and crews. From what I've read, the main area that Disney is better in is the food. Oh, and Disney has that awesome sailaway party and fireworks from the ships, but you will gain an ice skating rink and ice show, the royal promenade, rock climbing wall, Johnny Rockets and sailaway from San Juan makes sailing away from Port Canaveral look like a day in the slums, wait to you see the forts and walls of the old city all lit up as you cruise past the Carnival Victory and past the governor's mansion, you'll love it!

[cruzincurt]

We were just on the Liberty of the Seas as we pulled into St. Maarten next to the Disney Magic. Size does matter. The Liberty dwarfed the Magic in sheer size.

 

No stuffed cartoon characters walking around or butter in the shape of mouse ears... but Flowrider, rock wall, ice skating rink, casino, interior promenade, H2O waterpark-like pool, and maybe 20-30 little kiddos and perhaps six strollers tops. Only one screaming kiddo in the late seating dinner. Your choice.

[MEGADAN]

I have sailed both lines, and since we have no kids yet, I can't speak to the quality of the children's programming. However, I do think DCL overall offers a better experience. I think the food is a little bit better, the service is better, and at least in the ships I have been on, the rooms are bigger. However, I have always had a good time on RCL, just for the price of a Disney Cruise you can take two cruises on RCL... and the service is not *that* much better. I see DCL as a gateway cruiseline... people who might not normally ever cruise decide to try it because its Disney, they decide they like cruising, then they decide to try other cheaper, more mainstay lines which are almost as good.

 

I agree. We've done 4 DCL cruises and this Aug is our 5 RCCL Cruise. We have sailed on LOS, FOS, Mariner, Navigator and now back on LOS in August. We sailed DCL last August with a 17 year old and a 15 year old.

We like Disney better. The food, the service and the atmosphere are better on Disney. The rooms are much nicer too but the price is much higher than RCCL. When we sail with a group we have to choose RCCL over Disney because the price is much higher on Disney.

[CruisinEars]

Well, we did DCL Magic last year and just went on RCCL's Mariner for Spring break. We were feeling the same way. We had an incredible cruise on DCL and they made us fall in love with cruising. It was perfect in almost every way. I was quite afraid RCCL would not be the same wonderful experience.

 

And.... it turned out to be okay. I still much prefer DCL for many aspects, but RCCL had some fun activities. We played golf, swam and my dd ice skated 3 times. The pool area is much better on RCCL too. The DCL cabins were way better and so was the food. My kids had a lot more fun in the DCL kids program. RCCL's was very disappointing. Everytime my kids found an activity they wanted to do, we would take them in and then all they did was color or play a game. My dd was bored and we had to make sure to pick her up by 10pm so we wouldn't get charged.

 

We will definitely sail again on both lines. Just tonight we were looking at booking an RCCL Voyager class again for June 2010. We also have a future cruise booked with DCL (date TBD).

 

I think DCL just has a "magical quality" that is hard to emulate.

[unklez]

...........I think DCL just has a "magical quality" that is hard to emulate.

 

That customer perception is what they count on and get away with their prices - on their ships, in their theme parks and in their hotels.