Family of 5 accommodations choices & price on RCL vs DCL

[mikewdw]

Family of 5 with kids 19/17/17 next year. Looking at comparisons for RCL vs DCL. We have on 5 DCL cruises (loved each one) On DCL always had verandah room. How are RCL rooms configured, comparison of space, bathrooms, etc.
Also, how many things on RCL are not included as opposed to DCL. We rarely did specialty dining on DCL, really like the main dining. One of the attractions for us on DCL was not worrying about paying for each little thing.
Also, which ships or class of ships would compare to Disney Fantasy & Dream
Any info appreciated!
Thanks
mikewdw

 

[John VN]

Mariner of the Seas we stayed in the Grand Suite Aft - 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Concierge Club access, sleeps 8

 

[cutigerlady]

We have cruised on both and my family prefers RCL. My kids are now 15/11 and we book 2 balcony staterooms for the price we paid for 1 verandah room on DCL. We love two full bathrooms and the extra space. We get the rooms next to each other, but not connecting (costs more). Often the balcony divider can be opened between the two rooms. We eat in the MDR, making reservations for my time dining so that we can get in and out when it is convenient for us. The two extras that we pay for are surf & stream internet (kids use this to watch TV because channels are very limited and it is easy for us to stay in touch with them) and beverage packages (Refreshment for the kids & ours depends on the cost). Most all of the activities are included in the cost and we have never paid to do something. We've been on the Harmony and Mariner and both had more than enough to keep us busy! We are not big shore excursion people and you could get away at both private islands without spending extra to do anything. We had a cruise booked in that 2 BR suite on the Mariner, but COVID happened! Someday, maybe we will get to try it out!

 

[starvenger]

- I would concur on getting two rooms. With 3 essentially adult kids you'll definitely appreciate extra space and an extra shower. A TA should be able to get you adjoining rooms if not connecting ones.
- As for space, I feel like DCL cabins are a little bigger. Configuration is virtually the same apart from not having a split bathroom on Royal.
- Soda package does cost extra but if you buy that in advance via the Cruise Planner it will feel "built in" as it is on DCL. I tend to use vacations to do a fizzy drink detox but that's just me .
- The newer classes of ships (Freedom, Oasis and Quantum class) have more things to do onboard, so I would consider that if your kids are looking for activities. Given their age, they might not even know what they want to do on a ship.
- I think the Royal App has a chat feature that can be used for a fee (ugh) but the internet package might be better for instant communication.

 

[peacefrogdog]

When my kids were 9, 7, 7 we stayed in one DCL cabin that had a bed, sofabed I believe and a pullman. Was doable with kids being that young, but tight. The only added cost we had was dinner for the adults at Palo. At that age, my kids preferred DCL vs RCL. As they got older however, they much preferred RC ships for which getting two rooms worked great for us. The only added expenses we got were the refreshment package and the internet package.

I get how on DCL it is nice to feel you don't have to pay for anything once onboard. However, for those extra things on Royal (i.e. internet, drink package), you pay prior to boarding anyway, so it's the same effect. Plus for us the cost of two rooms on RC, including those extras, has always been cheaper than getting cabins on DCL.

 

[sam_gordon]

When we've cruised with our kids, we've gotten two rooms. Once was connecting (when they were younger) and once not. We've had all 5 of us in a single hotel room numerous times, but that was only for 1-2, maybe 3 nights. Just too cramped for us. We've never sailed DCL, so I can't help you there.

The good thing about items not being included is you can pick & choose what you want and save more money. We don't do any internet package. We do non alcoholic drink packages.

 

[tseitel]

Definitely way more to do on RCL, depending on the ship. I’ve sailed with both, and my daughters actually preferred RCL.
Look up the ship(s) you are interested in - some have a crazy amount of stuff to do, like slides, mini golf, ice skating rink, movie theater, rock climbing wall, laser tag, escape rooms, overhead “walk the plank” type obstacle course, flow rider, VR trampoline, skydiving simulator, the list goes on.
We also rarely eat in the specialty restaurants, but there is definitely a much larger variety of them on RCL, from Italian, Brazilian steakhouse, steakhouse, hibachi, sushi, again, the list goes on. As well as all the complimentary venues onboard, pizza, hot dogs, pub type food, Johnny Rockets (small up charge).
There are a ton of you tube videos showing the ships and cabins so you can get a feel for the size and layouts.
If you book it yourself you can pick what cabin(s) you want, either adjoining or connecting, or you can look at the deck plans and tell the travel agent where you’d like to be.
They do run sales on the soda/ drink packages, and if you drink bottled water you can pre purchase some and it will be in your stateroom upon boarding.
Unless something has changed recently, a room service continental style breakfast was available free, all other room service was a small flat charge (under $10). -order for both rooms and have delivered to one room for just one charge.
Have fun!!!!!

 

[peacefrogdog]

I consider myself a RCL cruiser, but I did enjoy the food in the main dining room(s) on DCL a bit more than on Royal. But not enough to be willing to pay more for the base fare.

 

[IndyToThere]

As mentioned, the main thing included with DCL that RCCL does not include are soft drinks. Also, DCL lets you take beach towels as needed (no questions asked), whereas RCCL has you checking out towels and then you check the towels back in... if you don't check in the towel you get charged $25 (ie don't leave your towel on the chair and forget about it).

In terms of room layout, DCL has the split bathroom with a tub, while RCCL has the single smaller bathroom. Although, RCCL offers lots of room types... some of the larger rooms like Jr Suite and above have some really spacious rooms with nice bathrooms.

Both cruiselines offer daily/nightly entertainment. We've enjoyed the shows on both lines. On the ship types, the Voyager or Freedom class on RCCL is somewhat similar in size to the Dream. Having done both types of ships in the same year (2018), I preferred the DCL Dream a touch more than the RCCL ship, due to a more 'magical/nice' feel than the 'shopping/bar' feel of the RCCL ship.

If you're comparing costs on a budget, I'd look at x2 regular size rooms. RCCL is substantially cheaper than DCL. I enjoyed my DCL cruise, but it's hard to justify the cost and probably won't be back until costs become reasonable (if ever), since RCCL puts on a good cruise with similar amenities.

 

[ScooterScott44]

Lots of good comments so far so just adding a little more. We have done both cruise lines, platinum with DCL and about to become diamond on Royal.

At the ages you have and being a family of five, the two staterooms is the way I would go. Sure the DCL stateroom is a little larger and has the split bathroom but for the cost difference, I’m not sure it tips the scales enough to sway me to DCL. The teens will probably enjoy one of the larger ships on RCL. Most of their ships are larger than DCL so plenty to choose from, giving more of a variety of itineraries. There are five Oasis class ships so that group alone is as large as the DCL fleet. If you tried to match the Magic or Wonder in size the RCL ship would be quite old. The Freedom class for RCL is bigger than the Dream class but would not be one of the mega Oasis or Quantum class and might be a good place to start.

The other thing you mentioned was specialty dining. The amount and feel of specialty dining on RCL is different. MDR‘s are pretty similar so if you choose specialty dining it increases the variety. There really are quite a few options and it would not require a suit and tie at most.

Happy planning!

 

[Frozen2014]

Agree with others. Two connecting rooms works really well. And your kids are older so you can probably even just get 2 rooms (ie. not a huge deal if not connecting).

We love Royal and think it's better when kids are older. For your age, I'd select Oasis class (zipline, Abyss, laser tag, waterslides - Allure doesn't have these) or Anthem (bumper cars, iFly), and even Mariner/Independence are fun with the Sky Pad and laser tag (don't think laser tag has started up again since the pandemic but hopefully soon)

 

[DizneyNutz]

We did 8 Disney cruises before we tried a RCL cruise. We are now Diamond members with RCL and will have 140 nights cruising with them next month. I believe with the age of your Children they would probably much prefer one of the Large RCL ships. So much fun things they have to do. We always just did the main dining room then after covid when cruising resumed last July we decided to give specialty dining a try. We have gotten it now the last 6 cruises. It is just a change of pace and offers something a little different than the MDR. Also some can be a fun experience like Wonderland if you are open to trying new outside the box experiences. Happy Cruising

 

[martikus]

RCCL for age of kids with 2 rooms. Can always put them in an inside room across hall to reduce costs.

We’ve never felt need to pay extra except for internet and soda package. Costs still way less than Disney. Shows and activities on RCCL better for teens. Don’t miss water show and ice show if you do oasis class.

We prefer traditional dining as RCCL has struggled with MTD for a couple years and waits can be long. Never with traditional.

We found food better on RCCL than Disney.

 

[Sleepy425]

Your 19 year old will be able to gamble, so that would make the RCCL more fun for them. No gambling on Disney cruises (yeh I know, not a great reason to choose a cruise line, but other people have already touched on other reasons. And although I only gamble maybe $100 per cruise, I still like having the casino there since I don't get to one much on land).