Please help with your opinions.

[lanceboyle]

I am thinking of taking a cruise next year and have priced out many cruise lines.
Disney ALWAYS comes in on the high end.

Now, without people breaking out into an all out fight why would you choose Disney over say Carnival?

 

[pal2pluto]

a definite family atmosphere.....shows are more family oriented, broadway style as opposed to Las Vegas style.

an enforcement of the "adults only" areas.

the magic of seeing Mickey walking towards you, or watching a child absolutely light up at his presence. That is truely the magic!

rotation dining rooms! Not the same restaurant every night.

Castaway Cay......I don't think Carnaval has their own island!

No casinos.

These are all pluses in my opinion........

 

[jrabbit]

Beautiful ship - inside and out - it's not a floating milk carton.

The special horn.

Since it is family oriented, probably a more "mature" cruise. That's not saying we don't have fun, just in a different manner than most "20 somethings"

Palo - the restaurant

Kids clubs not casinos (you can go to them on the islands)

Reasonable music (I know, I'm to old - don't get todays music, just like my parents didn't get mine)

Nicer staterooms from all accounts

Tons of fun stuff to do on the ship - the days and nights are packed with interesting and fun activities

Castaway Cay - absolutly fabulous - 'nuff said

The characters even if you don't go up to see them up close and personal - still fun to see.

Have always felt safe on the ship, more like our nice quiet neighborhood - not a crush of people out of control so our son can have the run of the ship as long as he is responsible and respectful.

 

[floridaminnie]

Plus the staff treat you first class. I can't tell you how many times I went to the restroom with the toliet paper folded and went back a little bit later and they are already cleaning it again and folding the toliet paper again. The staff is first class. They make sure you are taken care of. When my daughter was sick and we had to miss a dinner, everybody involved with our stay made sure we had a dinner from the restraunt delivered to the room. I always go with the saying you get what you pay for!

 

[LisaFB]

We leave in 2 weeks... but I have to say the reason we choose Disney is simply for the Magic of Disney!!!!!!!

 

[pal2pluto]

I remember being on the Sovereign of the Seas (Royal Carribean) and watching the Disney ship pull out......the horn blowing When you wish upon a star, the music, the party noises, the streamers.....and I couldn't wait to see what "my" cruise ship would do. And I waited, and I waited, and I waited.......nothing.... no horn, no streamers, just a small steel drum band in the corner...... No magic......no comparison!

Also, at least on the Sovereign....the cheap rooms are literally HALF the size of the cheapest rooms on Disney!

 

[LisaFB]

Do they really do all that? I had no clue!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

I went thru the same questions!

Recently booked a 4-Day on the Wonder.
Here is what I came up with.
Okay, budget wise, we are limited to a 4-day. I know a three day just wouldn't cut it! As cruise virgins, we wanted to test the waters on a shorter cruise. And, we will be traveling with our son (5). So, there too, a seven day was ruled out.

Next, I have to second ALL the items mentioned so far!

Sure, you can go on Carnival cheaper, but which ship?? No way the older ships that they run on the shorter-cheaper cruises even begin to compare to DCL! Not in all the photos and reviews that I have seen. Sure they have some new fabulous ships on longer cruises, but there I think you lose a lot of the cost difference too.

Carnival does have an island, Labadee, which they do NOT stop at on shorter cruises... (why you may have thought they do not have an island....) No way I am taking a cruise and not spending a day at the beach!! Hands down, by all accounts, Castaway Cay is simply unequaled as a private island, at least in all the photos and reviews that I have seen. Nowhere else will you find an adults-only beach, away from the kids and the crowds. Nowhere else will you find a dock at the private island, meaning a big chance that your ship on another cruise-line will not be able to stop there, because they can't tender everyone ashore due to slightly rough seas.

A princess cruise sounds really really super to me! But, without our son... And, when we have the time and money for at least a 7-day, their shortest cruise length.

And, a biggie that hasn't really been stessed yet.
FUN! FUN! FUN!

You know, it is all up to what you are looking for... Non-stop discos and casinos are just not for me... Bleached and Starched white tablecloths and fine china may be nice, but they do not necessarily mean a fun and exciting vacation. Both of these apply especially if you have kids with you.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

We can cruise on DVC points. DH actually does want a different cruise line besides Disney. However, I told him first we need to pay off DVC. As of now he's coming along with DS10 and myself Nov 30th but very reluctantly.
In a few years we will be on a different line but will keep coming back to DCL till 2042.

 

[Rhonda]

The dining rotation is great! Different themed dining rooms, as opposed to just one big dining room. And you get a show along with dinner! (Parrot Cay, Animator's Palate)

 

[lsmac]

Service and Style! No other cruise has been able to match level of service or beauty of ship. Certainly not any of the Carnival ships! And, yes, I have been on a couple of Carnival cruises. Had fun, but wouldn't do it again. BTW, Labadee is the private island of Royal Caribbean...
Carnival is working to improve their image, however, they still tend to attract a different type of crowd. Meaning, more college students, younger couples etc., Disney caters to adults who want an adult experience without being infringed upon by children, but they also effectively cater to families with children that want the whole entertainment for the kiddies thing. Cruising as a 30-something couple with a teen son, we find that Disney offers enough for all of us, and still maintains the level of service that we like. I personally would rather spend a bit more and get treated like a queen in an elegant atmosphere than spend less and be treated like a number in a Las Vegas casino.
JMHO

Lisa

 

[disboo]

The Wonder is a beautiful ship, too. I like just looking and finding all the great touches, from the original animation art in the stairwells to all the intimate spots to sit and enjoy the bustle around us, both inside and out. And tons to do from early AM to late PM - much of it adult oriented!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Oooops! I did make a mistake when I mentioned Labadee. I was remembering hearing that Carnival is doing a private island, I think on the longer, eastern carribean. Thanks Lisa for the correction.

So sorry for the mix up!

 

[lanceboyle]

Thank you all for your insight, tips and opinions.
We may have to look again at the Disney cruises.
Thanks

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

For us, it was Disney's reputation.
When my Girl Scouts planned thier trip of a life time, and included 3 night DCL. Then they had a prenentation night for the parents...what it will cost, when etc. Used the planning videos from WDW and DCL. At first, when the parents heard cruise, the warining lights went on. But the girls said, "No, a DISNEY cruise!" and all the parents nodded and said Ahh. Even had two moms sign up that night to be included.