DCL & Other cruise lines

[leanne2255]

I've notice quite a few comments about possibly trying RCCL instead of DCL. While we have cruised DCL twice, and loved both trips, we found ourselves getting a little bored. The same shows, the same activities, and not much else. Would love a casino, ice rink, miniaure golf, coffee bar, etc. I will be interested to hear others who have done DCL and are now thinking about "jumping ship" so to speak.

 

[disney6]

We have done two other cruiselines before Disney came out with their own ships, and I have no desire to go on anything other than DCL. Maybe after awhile, but with being on two times, I am still as anxious to go as the first time. I still have not seen the whole ship and haven't done many adult activities so there is much to do and see for me. I cannot tell you how many people we have steered toward Disney and none have been disappointed yet, this incudes families with and without kids. JMO.

 

[winnyis]

years and have another Magic cruise booked for August 28th 2004. But this year - sort of spur of the moment - I booked the 11/1/03 Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas for a change.

While I love DCL - we wanted to try another cruise line just for comparison purposes.

I have no doubt we will have a great time, I just hope that Royal Caribbean can measure up to "the bar" that has been set very high by DCL.

Ginny

 

[tezb]

We will be venturing out to try RCCL Mariner next Summer. After just doing our 3rd DCL cruise, we feel like we need to try something else that has more for older teens and us adults. Just didn't feel this last cruise had enough night life for us adults. Our kids aren't little anymore so we are ready to have some of our lives back again...I think we'll find this w/ RCCL...maybe too much night life, not sure. Also would be nice to have a casino...although we are not big gamblers, we love going to Vegas so it will be fun!

 

[noseybuddy]

Also going to try RCCL summer 2004. My kids 12 1/2 and almost 15 seem more interested in RCCL. We have done many disney trips as a family as you can see and I think they are getting a little tired of it. I love Disney and probably always will but I think I am ready for something new. I am a true Disney fan though, named by Shih Tzu, Belle, getting a Maltese in a few weeks and trying to think of another Disney name to use. Too many Disney things in my house to list!

 

[mytmouse]

Not having sailed on DCL yet, sail date of 10/30/04. I can only go by what I have read on these boards. I have had the pleasure of sailing on both RCCL and PCL, without my DD and DS (they were babies at home with GM). At the time of sailing for both ships, they were the newest ships on the high seas for both fleets . RCCL was my first cruise experience and as it turned out it only took 1 cruise to hook me. My cruise on RCCL was a great trip. Every thing from the service staff to locations visited (I have a fondness of the Eastern Carribean) far exceeded my expectations. It just so happens that on this cruise my DW and I made friends with a couple from Ontario, and have since cruised with them and maintained a very close friendship with them. Followed this with a cruise to Eastern Carribean (where else) (with Barb and John from Ontario ),on the GRAND PRINCESS, the largest ship ever built (these are now know as the MEGA ships)
My experience with Princess has set the standard for my cruise vacations. Everthing we experienced on the magnificent ship was first class. The food was equal or better than any five star resturant I have eaten in (believe me there are many in Phoenix). The wait staff were the finest group on men and women I have seen, our room was kept in first class condition, the entire crew staff offerred first class service at all times.
I am really looking forward to my family cruise on DCL. From reading these boards I have a good idea of the pros and cons of this cruise line. My DW, DD, DS and myself hope that next year flys by. I am quite sure that this cruise will far exceed my expectations as well (hard not to when you are waited on hand and foot). One thing I have learned from cruising is "DONT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF, AND EVERYTHING IS SMALL STUFF". Things can and sometimes do go wrong, just remeber "I'M ON VACATION".
TTFN
GERALD

 

[mac_tlc]

I have chimed in quite a bit on this issue, but once more won't hurt .. We (me 43, DW 44, DD 16, DS 8) have sailed DCL twice, with a third coming in November. Have also sailed RCCL-Voyager class ships twice, with a third coming next October (or earlier if the gods are kind).. It all depends on what you want.. You really can't make a wrong decision... I do think that the RCCL ships have more activities, especially for adults. (more lounges, casino, art auction, many more sports-related activities). DCL has , well, Disney !! Great shows, great movie theater, larger cabins ....

Price usually favors RCCL, and there are 4, soon-to-be-5 ships in the class doing 7-day voyages with three/four different itineraries as opposed to DCL's 1. And next year the VOS comes to NY for a 9-day journey to the Western Caribbean (good for us northeasterners).

I have offered my comparison of the two in the past, and still do .... e-mail me for the web site address....

mac_tlc

 

[kajohn]

My husband and I had sailed RCCL twice without our kids, and loved them. When we decided to take our kids on their first cruise we wanted to try DCL. While the we had a great time, and the kids truly enjoyed it, my husband and I definetly prefer RCCL.

I wrote a trip report several months ago that compared the DCL trip with RCCL, here is the link if you would like to read it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=332407