RC vs DCL

[tidefan]

Just did my first rccl after 3 Dcl!!!! Group of forty All I can say is that I gave it a chance back to dcl I go! The two things I enjoyed that Disney lacks for me is the adult entertainment at night I was up to the wee hours in the morning having fun while on dcl nights pretty much over at 11. Second thing is my 9 yr old son enjoyed the kids club on rccl hates Disney to many kids just running around rccl is more structured. Thats it!!! Food was terrible lost a couple of pounds while cruising usually I gain about five. Stateroom was like staying in a two star hotel, omg the showers where tiny I could barely move without banging my elbows on shower doors. But I made the best of it had fun with friends in family Just won't be back any time soon!!!!

I agree about the staterooms. Our balcony stateroom on RCCL was 169 sq. ft. Our inside stateroom on the Magic was 184 sq. ft.

It makes a difference.

 

[bobbiwoz]

i am on the Explorer of the Seas....I wish I could be on my balcony, but the Wifi does not extend to one's stateroom. For me, this is a big disappointment. I am in the library ( at least RCCL has a library!) using the Internet, waiting for my next activity coming up at 2! On DCL, the Wifi has worked in my stateroom.

Brought on just a 4 pack of wine in my carry on, no problem. My DCuz had packed hers with her cosmetics. All the wine came to our stateroom, so no problem there!

Bobbi

 

[bobbiwoz]

A little difference...on RCCL, Purell is used...it leaks on the floor..I know of 2 people who have fell, hurt bad enough....DCL uses wipes...I like DCL's sanitary measures.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Hi Bobbi! Hope you are having fun!!!

I posted this on the CC message board yesterday in the RCI v. DCL thread:

This is my (very personal) opinion....

I have only been on RCI once. Mexican Riviera right after the swine flu shut down in 2009. GS with my two BFFs. We had the best time. But I literally had no idea what I was doing. No seasoned cruiser tactics. We just did what we wanted and had fun. Having no kids or husbands helped haha. Nothing wowed me except the Ice Show and the CC, which I definitely used every night for cocktails. And we loved Allan and the Dragon's Lair. Partied like it was 1999. I remember nothing about our dining team. The stateroom host was nice.

In July 2012 we started our DCL experience. Alaska (for a CME psychiatry cruise -- awesome, right???), the Pixar California Coast cruise Oct 2012, EBTA May 2013, WBPC May 2014, and WBTA Sept 2014. We have only done 7-, 14-, or 15-day sailings. We have never been on the Dream or Fantasy. Three reasons: 1) Seems snobby, but I'm from Hawaii -- why would I want to go to the Caribbean or Bahamas? Ewww.; 2) Sailings are too short; and 3) The ships hold twice as many people and the pools are the same size as the classic ships. It's just one big giant clump of people.

DCL provides a level of service that cannot be matched by RCI, IMO. That intangible thing someone mentioned earlier. They really take care of you, especially kids or people with special needs. The interactions with crew just have a different vibe. We have always requested the same servers. The head servers remember us. Bingo is my kids' favorite (I have 8-year-old twin boys). The Bingo Master calls them up to do the B11 dance and they set up a DVC tent won during a Bingo raffle and play Bingo in it -- on the stage in the Walt Disney Theater for the Final Must Go Jackpot. Our stateroom host on the Alaska cruise literally FOLDED OUR DIRTY CLOTHES (that were originally in a neat pile on the floor) and wrapped the cord of my flat iron around it every single day. Bar server got us extra goodies as the Family of the Day. Movies are incredible and constant day and night. Million Dollar Arm opened on one of our sailings. The movies by the pool are all day and totally awesome! The entertainment (Improv Shmimprov, Villans, Dreams, trivia, etc.) are fantastic. My kids don't go to the club -- literally ZERO times on our 14-night WBTA, so not much to comment on there. When we went to Palo, the servers allowed the boys to dine alone in the MDR for both dinner and brunch. They took care of them splendidly and were tipped well for it. We play catch on Deck 10 in the morning before anyone else is there.

But....DCL goes to the same ole' places over and over. As stated previously, I'm not going to the Caribbean or Bahamas. And we can't take the boys out of school for 2-4 weeks anymore (they missed a whole month in Sept!)

We had done OBB for their birthday in March (B2B 5-days on the Wonder -- in the Caribbean, actually). As it was getting close to PIF, I asked DH if I should commit. He basically put his foot down and said he absolutely doesn't want to go there. So since I LOVE CRUISING, I looked on RCI and found a sailing on MOS to Japan with actually better dates to accommodate the boys' Spring Break. It was $1500 cheaper to go from a 4A on DCL (biggest non-suite, midship verandah) to the RS on RCI!!! OMG. Who wouldn't do that??? AND we get $895 OBC! So we are super stoked and looking forward to new adventures. And going to Japan!

We will still do two European sailings and the Hawaii cruise (haha) next year with DCL. It also sucks that we joined DVC on the Alaska cruise and now have absolutely zero desire to go to WDW or DLR. The boys have even outgrown Universal. They like Cedar Point the best. King's Island second. No time share there haha.

I think bottom line is they are very different and you can absolutely love both. I'm just happy to make memories with my kids and DH, and to be able to take these amazing vacations!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi Bobbi! Hope you are having fun!!!

...

DCL provides a level of service that cannot be matched by RCI, IMO. ....

We will still do two European sailings and the Hawaii cruise (haha) next year with DCL. It also sucks that we joined DVC on the Alaska cruise and now have absolutely zero desire to go to WDW or DLR. The boys have even outgrown Universal. They like Cedar Point the best. King's Island second. No time share there haha.

I think bottom line is they are very different and you can absolutely love both. I'm just happy to make memories with my kids and DH, and to be able to take these amazing vacations!

hi! Yes, having fun! DCL's service is superior, but there are some RCCL staff who match it! My Starbucks server knew my name after buying once, and says hi every time I pass in the Promonnade! He always makes me smile!

We are on DCL's EBTA in 2015 and Royal's Vancouver to Hawaii as well in 2015... I like DCL MUCH more, but RCCL is fine for the money.

Bobbi

PS. Explorer of the Seas will be going into dry dock soon. It has FAR LESS rust on our balcony than the Wonder has shown on our last 2 cruises. I understand about the width of the Panama Canal, but the Wonder looks sad compared to this ship in that respect.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi Bobbi! Hope you are having fun!!!

...

DCL provides a level of service that cannot be matched by RCI, IMO. ....

We will still do two European sailings and the Hawaii cruise (haha) next year with DCL. It also sucks that we joined DVC on the Alaska cruise and now have absolutely zero desire to go to WDW or DLR. The boys have even outgrown Universal. They like Cedar Point the best. King's Island second. No time share there haha.

I think bottom line is they are very different and you can absolutely love both. I'm just happy to make memories with my kids and DH, and to be able to take these amazing vacations!

hi! Yes, having fun! DCL's service is superior, but there are some RCCL staff who match it! My Starbucks server knew my name after buying once, and says hi every time I pass in the Promonnade! He always makes me smile!

We are on DCL's EBTA in 2015 and Royal's Vancouver to Hawaii as well in 2015... I like DCL MUCH more, but RCCL is fine for the money.

Bobbi

PS. Explorer of the Seas will be going into dry dock soon. It has FAR LESS rust on our balcony than the Wonder has shown on our last 2 cruises. I understand about the width of the Panama Canal, but the Wonder looks sad compared to this ship in that respect.

PPS. We live 15 minutes from Kings Island...if you're heading there this year, how about meeting for dinner?

 

[BethC1952]

A little difference...on RCCL, Purell is used...it leaks on the floor..I know of 2 people who have fell, hurt bad enough....DCL uses wipes...I like DCL's sanitary measures.

It also occasionally gets squirted on your feet. I had the healthiest toes on the ship last month !

We just finished our fourth RCI cruise on 11/15 after 17 cruises on Disney. We absolutely loved every cruise we've taken. I didn't find that the service differed much. We had excellent service on both lines. The rooms are a bit smaller on RCI, but they're also less expensive most of the time. We're an older couple, and have had no problems in any room we've had because of the size. We usually cruise in a Cat 11 on Disney. For the same price, we are able to get a larger room on Royal. We've also done some nice itineraries on both lines--EBPC, two NYC to Canada, along with the usual EC and WC and 4-nights with Disney; two TA's (one EBTA from San Juan to Southampton UK in 2013 and one WBTA from Southampton UK to Ft. Lauderdale (both were 14 nights), one NYC to Bahamas and back, and one Southampton UK to France and Belgium (4 nights).

We will probably cruise on DCL again sometime--when they get some new itineraries and have reasonable prices.

Beth

 

[twopeasonepod]

hi! Yes, having fun! DCL's service is superior, but there are some RCCL staff who match it! My Starbucks server knew my name after buying once, and says hi every time I pass in the Promonnade! He always makes me smile!

We are on DCL's EBTA in 2015 and Royal's Vancouver to Hawaii as well in 2015... I like DCL MUCH more, but RCCL is fine for the money.

PPS. We live 15 minutes from Kings Island...if you're heading there this year, how about meeting for dinner?

No way!!! So awesome! I love Diamondback and Firehawk! We are excited to try the new ride, too. Not sure if we will make it this summer. But if we do, I'd love to meet up! DH grew up in KY/WV, so Kings Island is the one he went to more often. The boys absolutely love Cedar Point, though. Bigger rides. And we stay at Great Wolf Lodge haha. We also went to a Reds game when we were at KI and sat in the front row and were on ESPN haha.

I'm excited to hear that your RCCL/RCI/what am I supposed to call it nowadays? experience had some really awesome CMs. We loved the Concierge Lounge crew. They were so so so nice. And the DJ and bar staff in the club.

I SOOOOO wish we could do EBTA. It has Iceland, right? Love new itineraries. But alas, can't take the boys out again this school year. We also will have to compare our Hawaii sailings (although we are going in the opposite direction). I am super excited for that one. I love sea days!

 

[RVD90277]

I have been on 1 Carnival Cruise, 1 RCCL, 1 Princess, and 3 DCL. My 7th cruise is on DCL.

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned in this thread (although I may have just missed it when skimming) is that DCL is by far the best if you have kids not only because the ship and activities are catered towards kids but also because the passengers are all expecting kids.

When I was on RCCL with my brother and parents, at about the 3rd day we had a conversation with our dining companions about kids. I didn't have kids at the time but my brother did and one of the 2 other couples did so they were showing each other pictures of their kids. The 2nd couple said "oh I'm so glad you didn't bring your kids here. I told my husband that if there are kids at our table, we need to ask to be re-assigned." This is the general attitude of many of the passengers...they see kids and immediately make a face and start walking the other way.

On Princess, it was the first cruise that I took with my family and young 2 year old son. After our early dinner we went to the the big auditorium for the initial welcome from the cruise director. We were early and got good seats in the front but towards the aisle in case my son gets restless so that I can take him out to the hall easily. Well, just as the light turns down, a group comes over and sits right in front of us. During the cruise director's welcome, my son giggled a few times (not during the jokes though) and this older woman in front turns back and says "you should not have kids in here!"

Of course she was wrong as it was a family event but it was also rude for her to come in right before the start of the event and then start complaining that she sat in front of us.

This is typical of cruises that are not on DCL. After going on DCL I have never taken a non DCL cruise with kids and don't plan to.

My only gripe about DCL is that the ship is dead after about 11pm. I like to party a bit (at least I used to back in the day) and all of the adult bars and stuff are completely empty and dead. At 1pm, it's a ghost town on the ship.

I don't care about the lack of a casino since I don't really gamble.

 

[michyi]

I am so thankful for all of the comments, opinions, and ideas. I am really leaning toward DCL. I figure that if I save my rewards from my Visa for the next 2 years I should be able to take a small chunk out of the payment. Also, my kiddos are only going to be young once. My DH and I work and don't live a "fancy" life, so I don't mind paying extra to make our family vacation magical. I have no doubt that RCL, Carnival, and NCL are awesome... Disney just has a magical element for the kids that the others don't. I'm sure that if we enjoy this cruise, we will use the other lines (as I won't be able to afford DCL time after time) and the kids will want to do more "grown up" activities. I really like RCCL Freedom, NCL Escape, and Carnival Breeze. All beautiful ships.

I'm thinking the Magic... I like a big water slide, animation classes, cooking classes, etc.

*****Also, love King's Island. Every couple of years we make the 5 hour journey from Michigan and stay at the Great Wolf Lodge and go to King's Island for a few days. We are way closer to Cedar Point, but really love KI.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I don't care about the lack of a casino since I don't really gamble.

Same here. I dont understand the appeal of a casino...for a lot of people, thats a deal breaker. I personally dont care.

 

[twopeasonepod]

I am so thankful for all of the comments, opinions, and ideas. I am really leaning toward DCL. I figure that if I save my rewards from my Visa for the next 2 years I should be able to take a small chunk out of the payment. Also, my kiddos are only going to be young once. My DH and I work and don't live a "fancy" life, so I don't mind paying extra to make our family vacation magical. I have no doubt that RCL, Carnival, and NCL are awesome... Disney just has a magical element for the kids that the others don't. I'm sure that if we enjoy this cruise, we will use the other lines (as I won't be able to afford DCL time after time) and the kids will want to do more "grown up" activities. I really like RCCL Freedom, NCL Escape, and Carnival Breeze. All beautiful ships.

I'm thinking the Magic... I like a big water slide, animation classes, cooking classes, etc.

*****Also, love King's Island. Every couple of years we make the 5 hour journey from Michigan and stay at the Great Wolf Lodge and go to King's Island for a few days. We are way closer to Cedar Point, but really love KI.

ITA that your kids will only be young once. You have many years of RCCL ahead of you when they are older, but only a few more DCL preferred years. My kids aren't into the characters too much (one will stand in line for Pluto, but like once in 14 days haha). Whatever you choose, it will be better than going to work!

We love the classic ships. You will love the Aqua Dunk. And others have told me that the pools are the same size on the big ships with a gazillion more people. My friend told me she could basically put one leg in the pool during a Dream sailing in Oct.

And you should give CP a try! The rides are bigger and better than KI, and your kids will love it! Cincinnati is definitely nicer than Sandusky, though. But maybe GWL is cheaper because of that?

 

[IamTinkerbell]

As a newly retired family. Royal has better prices for the cruise. It is their (all cruiselines) business to get you to spend more. Lots of shopping advertised. Lots of ads on room tv for shore excursions. Nevermind Bingo and other games. Royal lots more to do late at night. Yes! Service on board sometimes pushy to get you to buy drinks etc. VS Disney well first of all the activities run out at midnight. No casino, the service is really a step up on Disney and I have no complaints about Royal Carribean. Just something about the Disney touch to treat you better. I love the rotational dining on Disney but was not bored on Royal in the same dining room. Disney did a better match at finding table mates for us. The entertainment quality is equal. Superior! Disney includes soft drinks in price of cruise. Royal you buy drink package or card. The touch of Disney Characters on board is fun and usually you find adults in line for photos too. I am currently booked on a Disney Cruise in May (fewer children 2 weeks on board school still in session). Shopping today for a Royal Carribean. Keep your Disney and get Royal too. Cruising is what you make it. ENJOY YOURSELF!

The only real plus I have found is Disney has self service laundryrooms and Royal doesn't. So any necessary laundry you pay to have cleaned.