Help me decide! DCL, RC or Nassau?

[elphaba91]

I already posted this thread on the DCL forum but someone suggested I post it here too to get a more balanced range of opinions.

My Mum and I are planning to head to Orlando in April/May to visit my sister who's just started her Disney International Cultural Exchange Program. Because it's so far away (10,000 miles and over 22 hours!) we thought it would be nice to do a side-trip too. Originally we planned on going to somewhere in the Caribbean (likely Nassau because of price/distance), but now we are starting to wonder if a cruise would be better instead.

We are obviously both adults (26 and a young 60!) and have travelled quite a lot together. We do like adventure, but we want this leg of the trip to be about relaxation (ideally we'd be heading to Maui but that's not really an option this trip!). Entertainment-wise, we love musicals (we saw 28 last year!) and detest gambling for personal reasons and are quite content lying in the sun or sipping a cocktail! We will be spending quite a bit of time at WDW this trip (our first time!), with both park and non-park days. Oh, and we've never cruised before!

So, of the following options, what would you choose for us?

1. 4 day cruise on the Disney Dream with stops at Nassau and Castaway Cay.

2. 4 day cruise on the Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas with stops at Nassau and Coco Cay. This is about half the price of the Disney cruise.

3. A trip to Nassau staying at a hotel (not Atlantis, possibly the Hilton). I think this would cost around the same as the Disney cruise.

Any advice at all would be much appreciated!

 

[mevelandry]

Here you will find more cruisers that have tried both cruiselines. In my opinion, it's easier to compare value when you have actually tried other cruise lines as well.

I haven't tried RCCL yet but it's part of my plans for 2018 and this is why I post here once in a while.

I have tried Carnival and loved it (the ship was a bit old but entertainment was great and we found food in the dining rooms better than DCL)...

We have done 2 DCL cruises before Carnival and my DH now prefers Carnival over DCL.

 

[suzismini]

If relaxation is your main objective, take the RCI cruise and spend some of the money you save on the spa.

 

[cleophus12]

My personal opinion is that Nassau might be a disappointment. There really isn't much to do there for a four day vacation unless you are just looking for a relaxing beach vacation. We have been several times and rarely venture off the ship or away from the hotel when visiting. Also the Majesty is an older RCCL ship, so it may not meet your expectations for cruising. While the Disney cruise will cost more, you will be on a lovely ship with excellent service and Castaway Cay is gorgeous. To be honest, however, DCL has very nearly priced me out of their market and we are going with RCCL this summer on Oasis. We have cruised repeatedly with both cruise lines, and I'm not hesitant to return to Royal for this trip on this ship. Don't do more than you can afford, but have a good time whatever you decide.

 

[mevelandry]

If you like a nice beach in Nassau, there's Blue Lagoon. DH and I visited it after the hurricane Matthew and they were still fixing the damages. However, we could see that it's a great island...

I also heard good reviews about Atlantis and Balmoral Island.

 

[KashasMom]

My choice would be 7 days on the Oasis out of Port Canveral. Can you do a 7 day cruise? The shows are very good as is the adults only area (Solarium). There are so many dining options including some with a charge, but they are very good. If you don't like gambling, the casino is easy enough to avoid. Personally I think 3-4 day cruises are just too short. If you decide on a land vacation, I'd choose another island over Nassau - even Puerto Rico is better!

 

[ldo]

I have been on 4 day DCL and RCCL to Bahamas. Food on DCL much better in free dining room, rooms larger, entertainment much better on DCL. It seems that RCCL misses Coco due to having to tender/winds more often than DCL misses Castaway Cay. I prefer Castaway to Coco, but Coco is fine to lounge around and have a nice private island experience. So, is it worth it for DCL? Only you can decide. I would not got to Nassau for a vacation. I would take a 4 day cruise.
There are also some good 5 day cruises out of Tampa to Cozumel that you might also consider. It's about 1.5 hrs from Disney on the West coast of Florida. You would have to rent a car. Disney also has a very nice DVC resort at Vero Beach that you might consider, esp. if you get a discount b/c your sister is working at Disney.

 

[KashasMom]

I have been on 4 day DCL and RCCL to Bahamas. Food on DCL much better in free dining room, rooms larger, entertainment much better on DCL. It seems that RCCL misses Coco due to having to tender/winds more often than DCL misses Castaway Cay. I prefer Castaway to Coco, but Coco is fine to lounge around and have a nice private island experience. So, is it worth it for DCL? Only you can decide. I would not got to Nassau for a vacation. I would take a 4 day cruise.

I think both food - and the shows - are subjective. Our most recent Magic cruise was the first time out of 4 DCL cruises that we had decent/good food (still can't get the deserts right though). Out of 7 nights of shows on DCL 1-2 are usually good. The others are pretty corny and the only saving grace are the characters if you're into them. I think all of the shows on Oasis (and I assume Allure) are very good - and family friendly as well. The pools on Oasis are MUCH better (and there are more) than on Disney. We like the newer bigger ships (Fantasy over Magic, etc.) because there are more options - of things to do, places to eat, etc. Many people like the smaller ships. Just depends on what's important to you on a cruise.

For elphaba91 another thing to consider is WHEN you are going. Try to avoid Easter and Spring Break. Not only is that a more expensive time to travel/cruise but any ship is likely to be packed.

Also - one other thing...the rooms are not always larger on DCL. I just did a quick comparison and a May 15th 4 night on the Dream in an inside cabin (169 sq. ft.) is $2,205. The May 14th 7 night on the Oasis in an inside cabin (172 sq. ft.) is $2,119 and the itinerary is more interesting. Wouldn't take me a minute to decide which cruise I'd be taking!

Always so many choices and so many things to consider when booking a cruise! Whatever you choose, you'll have a great time!

 

[ldo]

I was referring to 4 day Rccl majesty to Nassau. Food and shows are, of course, imho. 7 day rccl criises are in a different bracket both menu offerings and entertainment.

 

[mickeymom22]

We have taken a 3-night cruise on the Disney Dream, and we absolutely loved it! The food and entertainment were amazing! Castaway Cay was lovely. We stopped in Nassau. All we did was get off and walk around for a bit so we could say we had been to the Bahamas. It didn't seem like a place I would want to spend a four day vacation in. For the cost, if you aren't a die-hard Disney fan, it sounds like you should go with RCCL. I think our next cruise will be with them. Either way, it sounds like you and your mom are going to have a great time!

Happy Planning!

 

[cleophus12]

I don't think you have to be a die hard Disney fan to enjoy their cruise line. It's a bonus, but not a requirement. Their service is excellent and the ships are in great condition. And Castaway Cay is a destination in itself. DCL will cost you more, but only you know if the extra cost will be worth it.