Does Disney Dream Set The Bar High?

We booked a cruise on Liberty for fall next year and are really looking forward to it, but now I'm reading more of the reviews and am wondering what to expect. We've only cruised Disney Dream before but the Disney prices are just too high for our family to be able to cruise every 18-24 months even with the 10% discount from onboard booking (which, now you have to cruise within 18 months to retain) so we opted to try RCCL and are canceling our current Disney reservation.

There seems to be some consistency in the reviews for Liberty in particular when looking at the last 2 years:

-- Customer Service: Particularly the staff being rude or not necessarily engaged in their job?

-- Food: Mediocre at best? Is the Windjammer food really that bad or is it what you'd expect for an included buffet?

-- Dining: Very long wait times or food not being delivered at all?

-- Liquor being removed from bags so they couldn't take it on board? Is there a limit? Is it strictly wine?

At any rate, we had only a few minor complaints regarding our cruise on Disney and it was our first. I don't think we are really picky and maybe these reviews are more the exception. The food on Disney wasn't necessarily outstanding unless you went to Palo or Remy, which we did one night (Palo). The service, we felt, was incredible for the most part. Dinner was slow one night but it wasn't bad. As far as bringing alcohol aboard, I only brought a small bottle of bourbon to keep in the room.

Perhaps I'm over analyzing. I know more people are apt to leave reviews when they are frustrated... Is that probably the case? Any experiences along these lines?

Regarding alcohol, only two bottles of wine per stateroom are allowed to be brought on board, no beer or hard liquor. Royal also does not sell bottles of hard liquor for onboard consumption.

Disney Dream -- 85% approval rate on Cruise Critic Reviews

Liberty of the Seas -- 87% approval rate on Cruise Critic Reviews

YES... you are over analyzing... If you are looking for bad you will find it... if you are looking for good... you will find it!

My suggestion... you booked the cruise... stop reading the review and go with an open mind and decide for yourself.

I hope you enjoy your Liberty Cruise!!

We booked a cruise on Liberty for fall next year and are really looking forward to it, but now I'm reading more of the reviews and am wondering what to expect. We've only cruised Disney Dream before but the Disney prices are just too high for our family to be able to cruise every 18-24 months even with the 10% discount from onboard booking (which, now you have to cruise within 18 months to retain) so we opted to try RCCL and are canceling our current Disney reservation.

 

There seems to be some consistency in the reviews for Liberty in particular when looking at the last 2 years:

-- Customer Service: Particularly the staff being rude or not necessarily engaged in their job?

 

-- Food: Mediocre at best? Is the Windjammer food really that bad or is it what you'd expect for an included buffet?

 

-- Dining: Very long wait times or food not being delivered at all?

 

-- Liquor being removed from bags so they couldn't take it on board? Is there a limit? Is it strictly wine?

 

At any rate, we had only a few minor complaints regarding our cruise on Disney and it was our first. I don't think we are really picky and maybe these reviews are more the exception. The food on Disney wasn't necessarily outstanding unless you went to Palo or Remy, which we did one night (Palo). The service, we felt, was incredible for the most part. Dinner was slow one night but it wasn't bad. As far as bringing alcohol aboard, I only brought a small bottle of bourbon to keep in the room.

 

Perhaps I'm over analyzing. I know more people are apt to leave reviews when they are frustrated... Is that probably the case? Any experiences along these lines?

We are doing our first Royal Caribbean cruise next month. We have done a few Carnival cruises after we a number of Disney cruises. We were hesitant at first after having such good experiences on Disney. However, we ended up enjoying our Carnival cruises just as much and probably more since they cost less than half of what Disney wanted. Disney is a great experience, but it's not worth what they are charging now. Plus there are way too many bratty kids on those ships and parents who don't control them. I expect we will enjoy Royal as much as Carnival, though I do like the look of the Royal ships much better than Carnival.

Regarding alcohol, only two bottles of wine per stateroom are allowed to be brought on board, no beer or hard liquor. Royal also does not sell bottles of hard liquor for onboard consumption.

Ok, that's what I was gathering.

YES... you are over analyzing...

I figured such! Some of the reviews seemed like people just weren't prepared for their cruise...

At any rate, we are looking forward to it. We wanted to try RCCL as soon as we pulled into Nassau on the Dream next to the Allure. Granted, Liberty isn't the Allure, but I know they've refurbed it with the Oasis class in mind.

And now the waiting game...

If you do choose Liberty, you will be able to reserve the ice show in advance, on Royal's website. Reservations do not open at a set time, you just have to keep checking the website.

Disney Dream -- 85% approval rate on Cruise Critic Reviews

Liberty of the Seas -- 87% approval rate on Cruise Critic Reviews

 

YES... you are over analyzing... If you are looking for bad you will find it... if you are looking for good... you will find it!

 

My suggestion... you booked the cruise... stop reading the review and go with an open mind and decide for yourself.

 

I hope you enjoy your Liberty Cruise!!

Well said. I have seen bad reviews for all of the ships we have been on and once we have arrived we had very enjoyable cruises.

If you go into the cruise looking to have a good time, you will have one. :)

Don't worry about it. I have been on Disney / RCCL / NCL / Celibrity. They all understand the hospitality business. I won't rank them (no need to start that discussion here). My last cruise was on the Dream, and I am going on the Enchantment next month, and I have no worries. For alcohol, Disney is unique in my experience - they really do allow you to carry just about anything on board, even at the ports.

The only thing I cannot comment on is the kids programs on RCCL. Did not realize until just now that somehow I never took the whole family on RCCL.

Disney is a great experience, but it's not worth what they are charging now.

It's really incredible. By comparison, we are getting 3 more nights in a larger room for $130 more than what we reserved the Dream for with our 10% discount.

I expect we will enjoy Royal as much as Carnival, though I do like the look of the Royal ships much better than Carnival.

RCCL seems to have a strong loyal following which is what I like to hear. Maybe most of the cruise lines do, but RCCL's seems a bit more prevalent. I can't speak for Carnival, but some friends who've cruised both have come back saying they like RC a bit more.

The only thing I cannot comment on is the kids programs on RCCL. Did not realize until just now that somehow I never took the whole family on RCCL.

Oddly enough, that was one of the let downs on Disney. Family-wise (overall), they did great, but for the younger kids stuff (3-5) there was a particular upset. Some may have been our own doing but we didn't realize it until we were able to talk to someone about the best option.

But that wasn't a make or break. We absolutely loved the Dream. I'm sure we're going to love Liberty. I was just wanting to make sure I wasn't left with some crazy expectations by Disney.

I've never sailed on Disney, but I absolutely love the Liberty of the Seas. I've not experienced the slow, or non-existant food orders. The food was great, in my opinion, but remember, food is very subjective. But, I've only been on the Liberty twice, so it might not be a good sample size. I'll have to work on that :)

We booked a cruise on Liberty for fall next year and are really looking forward to it, but now I'm reading more of the reviews and am wondering what to expect. We've only cruised Disney Dream before but the Disney prices are just too high for our family to be able to cruise every 18-24 months even with the 10% discount from onboard booking (which, now you have to cruise within 18 months to retain) so we opted to try RCCL and are canceling our current Disney reservation.

 

There seems to be some consistency in the reviews for Liberty in particular when looking at the last 2 years:

-- Customer Service: Particularly the staff being rude or not necessarily engaged in their job?

 

-- Food: Mediocre at best? Is the Windjammer food really that bad or is it what you'd expect for an included buffet?

 

-- Dining: Very long wait times or food not being delivered at all?

 

-- Liquor being removed from bags so they couldn't take it on board? Is there a limit? Is it strictly wine?

 

At any rate, we had only a few minor complaints regarding our cruise on Disney and it was our first. I don't think we are really picky and maybe these reviews are more the exception. The food on Disney wasn't necessarily outstanding unless you went to Palo or Remy, which we did one night (Palo). The service, we felt, was incredible for the most part. Dinner was slow one night but it wasn't bad. As far as bringing alcohol aboard, I only brought a small bottle of bourbon to keep in the room.

 

Perhaps I'm over analyzing. I know more people are apt to leave reviews when they are frustrated... Is that probably the case? Any experiences along these lines?

We have gone on three cruises with Disney and have had spectacular times (even without kids), but with their prices the way they are, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and we are trying Royal. I am determined to have a good time!!! We are not hard to please and I already joined the roll call which seems to have very nice people participating ... The only thing I find myself missing is the fish extenders!!! Have fun!!

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250 nights on RCI = never sick

3 nights on Disney Dream - 2 of us got Noro

hmmmm. Aside from that, I did enjoy my first 2 days on the Dream, but I found even if I had oddles of money to spend on Disney cruises, I'd still chose RCI.

Liberty is an awesome ship. You will enjoy her, I've been on her way more times than I should have. Your kids will have much easier access to Dreamworks characters than I saw on Disney, where the lines were a mile long to access any of the characters even for one photo op.

I didn't find the Disney staff all that great in comparison, RCI staff are very nice, and helpful.

Buffet food is what it is on any ship. I still say Celebrity has the best buffet.

Welcome to Royal and enjoy your cruise.

Been on the Liberty 3 x and love her. Crew was always very pleasant and helpful. Food was good to very good.

Never been on Disney, couldn't justify the price.

I am sure you will enjoy the Liberty.

We booked a cruise on Liberty for fall next year and are really looking forward to it, but now I'm reading more of the reviews and am wondering what to expect. We've only cruised Disney Dream before but the Disney prices are just too high for our family to be able to cruise every 18-24 months even with the 10% discount from onboard booking (which, now you have to cruise within 18 months to retain) so we opted to try RCCL and are canceling our current Disney reservation.

 

There seems to be some consistency in the reviews for Liberty in particular when looking at the last 2 years:

-- Customer Service: Particularly the staff being rude or not necessarily engaged in their job?

 

-- Food: Mediocre at best? Is the Windjammer food really that bad or is it what you'd expect for an included buffet?

 

-- Dining: Very long wait times or food not being delivered at all?

 

-- Liquor being removed from bags so they couldn't take it on board? Is there a limit? Is it strictly wine?

 

At any rate, we had only a few minor complaints regarding our cruise on Disney and it was our first. I don't think we are really picky and maybe these reviews are more the exception. The food on Disney wasn't necessarily outstanding unless you went to Palo or Remy, which we did one night (Palo). The service, we felt, was incredible for the most part. Dinner was slow one night but it wasn't bad. As far as bringing alcohol aboard, I only brought a small bottle of bourbon to keep in the room.

 

Perhaps I'm over analyzing. I know more people are apt to leave reviews when they are frustrated... Is that probably the case? Any experiences along these lines?

I had to delete what I originally wrote because I realized I was getting off track. We've been on one cruise, it was the Disney Fantasy. We sincerely hope they don't set the standard or we will never set foot on a cruise ship again.

Oddly enough, that was one of the let downs on Disney. Family-wise (overall), they did great, but for the younger kids stuff (3-5) there was a particular upset. Some may have been our own doing but we didn't realize it until we were able to talk to someone about the best option.

 

But that wasn't a make or break. We absolutely loved the Dream. I'm sure we're going to love Liberty. I was just wanting to make sure I wasn't left with some crazy expectations by Disney.

Our son loved AO, and RCI does a great job with the kids programs...but, if you follow all the threads on the family forum, it is almost like discussing food on the main forums - so subjective. Some kids love Disney, some kids hated it, some kids love (name your line), but hated (name your line). You will never know which one your kids will enjoy until they try it :)

Our son loved AO, and RCI does a great job with the kids programs...but, if you follow all the threads on the family forum, it is almost like discussing food on the main forums - so subjective. Some kids love Disney, some kids hated it, some kids love (name your line), but hated (name your line). You will never know which one your kids will enjoy until they try it :)

This is true, I think Disney falls in a special class, we've always liked Disney, but there are some people that are fanatical about it. The Disney Koolaid drinkers I think change some of the survey results. If you frequent the Disney chat boards you'll see that any negative comments typically are shouted down quickly and squashed by this group. These people will overlook any problem and suffer any issue just to be right. Again, we've always enjoyed the brand, and there were nice things on the ship as well, but there is a fanaticism about Disney that borders on a cult that is a bit disturbing.

Thanks for all the info, everyone. We are really looking forward to it. Glad to know Disney doesn't set the standard :)

Our first cruise was on the Disney Fantasy and the second cruise was on the Disney Dream. When I first started I thought that no cruiseline would be able to compare. We then sailed Allure of the Seas last summer and all 4 of my children said they would rather sail RCCL over DCL. I I have since sailed on Celebrity and our next cruise is on the Oasis. I loved DCL but I doubt I will return. The cost is just too high to justify it and the other lines have shown to me to give you more for your money.

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If you frequent the Disney chat boards you'll see that any negative comments typically are shouted down quickly and squashed by this group. These people will overlook any problem and suffer any issue just to be right.

I don't doubt it. There are those who say Disney can do no wrong. We aren't huge fans of Disney. We went on the cruise because it was partly paid for so we ended up with a great deal. In the end, we had a fantastic time on the Dream. It was our first cruise and that's what sold us on cruising for family vacations. But I couldn't get over the price comparison when looking at what we booked our next one for, even with the onboard booking offer, against other lines who seem to have similar rankings and more to offer.

We then sailed Allure of the Seas last summer and all 4 of my children said they would rather sail RCCL over DCL.

When we were on the Dream, we pulled next to the Allure at Nassau. Seeing that ship is what first made me look into RCCL. My wife and I are determined to sail the Allure in the near future.

I have been on Allure and the Disney Fantasy. We got a great deal on there Fantasy by going right after New Year's week while our kids were still out of school but most others were back to school. We also booked really far in advance which is key with Disney because they don't really have sales and the prices go up, not down.

We enjoyed both cruises but if given the choice I would do another week on an Oasis class rather than the Fantasy again, even for a similar price. The bottom line was that I felt that the Oasis ships had more to offer in terms of activities and did a better job of having a variety of activities and entertainment for both adults and kids. To me, Allure felt like an adult vacation that also provided tons of family fun that my kids enjoyed. Disney Cruise Line was all Disney all the time. Almost no adult-based entertainment. It was great but I just preferred the variety on Allure. Also no casino on Disney.

Food: overall I thought Disney had better food. The buffet was far superior. Service was good on both.

Outdoor areas: FAR superior on Allure. One of the most frequent complaints about Disney - that is very legitimate in my view - is that the pools and deck area are ridiculously inadequate for the size of the ship. The tiny pools (only 2 of them) were like human soup on sea days. And there were no other outdoor meeting places really. Unlike Allure with Boardwalk and Central Park

Staterooms: Disney's are larger and have a split bathroom and small tub. Very nice. It is reasonable to have a family of 4 in a stateroom on Disney. I think it's too tight for comfort on Allure.

Shows: So much variety and something for everyone on Allure. On Disney every night the show was a Disney-themed production show with songs from movies etc. They were well done but I did not need an entire week of those shows.

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Also no casino on Disney.

 

Food: overall I thought Disney had better food. The buffet was far superior. Service was good on both.

The no casino was a big plus for us, To us that is just wasted space and according to the reviews I read a big source of indoor smoke pollution.

As to the Disney food I think I could have smuggled a case of slim jims onboard and eaten better. I did not like the food and sincerely hope that it is better on Oasis.

We have gone on three cruises with Disney and have had spectacular times (even without kids), but with their prices the way they are, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and we are trying Royal. I am determined to have a good time!!! We are not hard to please and I already joined the roll call which seems to have very nice people participating ... The only thing I find myself missing is the fish extenders!!! Have fun!!

 

 

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I'm in the same situation as you. 4 cruises, all on Disney, trying the Freedom next May.

I think DCL's ships are great and they put out a fantastic product, especially for families with young kids, IMO. After all the research I've done on CC and elsewhere I have no doubt we will love our cruise on FOS.

As you said their prices have gotten completely out of hand. With only 4 ships and really no competition for the specific type of cruise they provide, I guess the demand is there. More power to them if they can fill the ships at those prices but for my family the value for the money just isn't there.

OP don't worry about the reviews. Just look at some trip reports for the freedom class ships and you should have a good idea if you will enjoy it. Internet reviews are usually worth about what you pay for them. A lot of the things people lose their minds over I wouldn't give 10 seconds of thought to while on vacation. If you're the kind of person that looks for things to get mad about you'll find some I'm sure, but you don't sound like that type.

I've only done one Disney cruise, my son, then 8, preferred RCCL, so we never looked back.

Honestly, it was probably my least favorite cruise. There was nothing wrong with it, it just fell short for us, especially with what we spent for the trip.