Is Disney Worth The Extra Money?

I am planning to take my family of 5 on a 4 day cruise, out of FL, in January. My three children range in ages from 8 - 11.

Is Disney worth the cost or are there other lines we should consider?

Thank you.

Nope, it's not...lol.

Now that being said, we are Disney fanatics and I have 2 Pincess OBSESSED young daughters and even THEY liked other ships better and prefer going to Walt Disney WORLD before the cruise, then taking a non-Disney ship.

I'll give you a few points...

Price

For the price of a Cat 6 on Disney I got a Grand Suite with all of the ammenities and perks of having a grand suite on one of the biggest and newest ships on the ocean (RCCL Freedom of the Seas). So of course, my Verandah on Disney was about half the size of my Grand Suite on RCCL. And they were the exact same price

Service

I was NOT impressed with Disney service. I think other cruiselines (especially RCCL) offer better service and more perks.

Shopping

Just 2 small Disney stores on Disney....there are whole shopping malls on RCCL.

Casino

None on Disney. I am not a gambler by any stretch of the imagination but I like to feed the slots at night every once in a while. And you can't do this on Disney. I was often bored at night on Disney

Kids Camps

Disney does have a great kids program but so does RCCL and Carnival. My oldest (age 7) prefers the others.

Ammenities on the Ship

Your kids are older and will have a better time on a ship with more ammenities than Disney has to offer. They can ice skate, rock climb, go to Johnny Rockets or Ben & Jerrys on RCCL ships.

Characters

Everyone imagines that the characters are just roaming the ship freely....um, not usually. The characters appear at sceduled locations, everyone lines up at that location, pictures taken (of course you can buy the pictures from DCL). My oldest got tired of lining up for the characters at certain times. She is used to the way they are at Disney World where they roam freely.

So with all of that being said. You could get a better experience with a bigger cabin with more ammenities on a non-Disney ship. Disney is nice to do ONCE. But if it's your only cruise of the year, there are better options out there.

When we take cruises out of Port Canaveral we add a few days at WDW. That's what we are doing next month, going to WDW before our Carnival cruise.

Michele:

Thank you for your advise. I am leaning towards taking a 5 night cruise on RCCL Navigator of the Seas out of Ft. Lauderdale.

How do you recommend I go about booking? I will be traveling with 8 people (3 Cabins).

My specific questions are:

1) Should I wait a while until I book and hope the rate drops?

2) What is the best web site or travel agent to go through?

Thank you.

Terpman, if you're serious about doing an RCCL cruise I would advise you to book as soon as you're ready and then monitor the prices. RCCL will honor price reductions if you see one and give them a call. The only exception is if they run a sale that specifies new bookings only. You have several months ahead before your deposit will no longer be 100% refundable if you cancel and rebook something new so you really have little to lose. We always book directly with RCCL and then monitor the prices on their website. If you're uncomfortable with any of the process a good TA can do all of this for you if you book through them.

Cheryl

We felt that Disney was well worth the extra money. It seems that you have made your decision so, I hope you enjoy your cruise!

For little kids 3-6- I think Disney is really neat. My son, age 5 at the time, just loved the Magic of the Disney cruise and he has asked me over and over to go on the Disney Wonder again.

For me, it was a neat experience but I wouldn't spend the money again. Been there, done that.

For kids 8 and up- I'd go on a big ship- where there are tons of things for the kids to do. The Disney ships are small by today's standards and very "kiddie".

Well, all in all Disney is a great ship and company.......but that being said,

I feel 10g's for a 7 day cruise was a bit much!!! Especially that after 10 pm there was NOTHING to do except go to a bar! and you can't bring the kids there. We had gone for xmas and had 2 adjoining rooms, they did a wonderful job with Mrs. Claus and the xmas eve pj book reading by the tree, the snow fall in the ship, the huge xmas tree on castaway cay and even a cute disney stuffed animal for xmas morning. But no casinos, no shows after 10, and no nite life for adults of families.

There is no answer to this question. In the end, you have to decide what is best for you in terms of what will make you happy on a cruise relative to your budget.

This is true of what kind of car you drive, what kind of clothes you buy, etc.

Some will say it's not worth the extra money and some will say it is. So, in the end, you have to decide what is best. It really doesn't matter what we think.

Keith

I think you'll be very happy with RCCL. I've heard very good things from other families about them. We choose only to visit Disney as a land-based vacation because there aren't any casinos on Disney ships. I think our kids would be fine on Disney, but we wouldn't. We've taken them (4 and 9 now) on 2 NCL cruises and just booked a 3rd and they have had an absolutely wonderful time.

Nope, it's not...lol.

 

Now that being said, we are Disney fanatics and I have 2 Pincess OBSESSED young daughters and even THEY liked other ships better and prefer going to Walt Disney WORLD before the cruise, then taking a non-Disney ship.

 

I'll give you a few points...

 

Price

For the price of a Cat 6 on Disney I got a Grand Suite with all of the ammenities and perks of having a grand suite on one of the biggest and newest ships on the ocean (RCCL Freedom of the Seas). So of course, my Verandah on Disney was about half the size of my Grand Suite on RCCL. And they were the exact same price

 

Service

I was NOT impressed with Disney service. I think other cruiselines (especially RCCL) offer better service and more perks.

 

I agree that DCL is weak on repeat passenger perks. For service, no other line has come close in my OHO. (We've sailed Celebrity, RCL and Carnival in addition to DCL)

 

Shopping

Just 2 small Disney stores on Disney....there are whole shopping malls on RCCL.

 

 

True, but the shops are unique and a lot of fun... I think I turn 12 years old again browsing the aisles. Besides, less temptation to spend money.

Casino

None on Disney. I am not a gambler by any stretch of the imagination but I like to feed the slots at night every once in a while. And you can't do this on Disney. I was often bored at night on Disney

 

We have never been bored at night...I can't imagine. There is always tons to do. Even if you don't want to go to any of the lounges or shows you can always gaze at the stars from the hot tub. I agree on the Casino...that is a pet peeve of my husband...my take is it is just one less opportunity for us to spend money...so that is a positive thing in my book. Not so in others.

Kids Camps

Disney does have a great kids program but so does RCCL and Carnival. My oldest (age 7) prefers the others.

 

Every kid is different..most kids will like any well run kids program so that is a good point...and RCCL and Carnival are supposed to have good programs for older kids.

Ammenities on the Ship

Your kids are older and will have a better time on a ship with more ammenities than Disney has to offer. They can ice skate, rock climb, go to Johnny Rockets or Ben & Jerrys on RCCL ships.

 

Characters

Everyone imagines that the characters are just roaming the ship freely....um, not usually. The characters appear at sceduled locations, everyone lines up at that location, pictures taken (of course you can buy the pictures from DCL). My oldest got tired of lining up for the characters at certain times. She is used to the way they are at Disney World where they roam freely.

 

We always felt there were many opportunies to see them between the scheduled appearances in the atrium to the free character breakfast etc... but the only ones that "roam" a lot are chip & dale, Goofy and Stitch. The others occasionally. They all do though. My DD was dancing in the kid's disco and and who came in and started dancing with her and her friends but Snow White?

So with all of that being said. You could get a better experience with a bigger cabin with more ammenities on a non-Disney ship. Disney is nice to do ONCE. But if it's your only cruise of the year, there are better options out there.

 

When we take cruises out of Port Canaveral we add a few days at WDW. That's what we are doing next month, going to WDW before our Carnival cruise.

We have sailed Disney 4 times and feel it is worth the premium money. Now this is for our little ones. I'm not sure for your age range. That is a little more subjective. Also, we always travel off season. They sure do want a lot of money for high season.

Plus, a lot of the things that melt our heart would be different for you....my dd meeting Cinderella and being 100% convinced she just met the "real" Princess. Catching pixie dust as it falls from the sky and keeping it so she'll "never grow up." Etc, Etc. There is just a "magic" on the cruise for the really young set. Also the nursery is unmatched for the infants.

We sailed DCL when DD was 3,4,5, 6 and are planning to later this year and she is now 7. For 8 and up? Again, subjective.

Whatever you decide I hope you have a great time.

 

Plus, a lot of the things that melt our heart would be different for you....my dd meeting Cinderella and being 100% convinced she just met the "real" Princes.

Yeah but my kids can do that at the Disney Princess and Pirate Party at Walt Disney World or at Cinderella's Royal Breakfast at Walt Disney World the day BEFORE the cruise. :D My oldest is going to be Jasmine this year at Disney and the youngest just picked Belle. So the magic is still there. :)

Posted by Terpman...

How do you recommend I go about booking? I will be traveling with 8 people (3 Cabins).

My specific questions are:

1) Should I wait a while until I book and hope the rate drops?

2) What is the best web site or travel agent to go through?

Book ASAP! Go to the RCCL Critic board and ask about "Happy Hour Specials", "PromoWave" or the latest specials for RCCL (most of those specials though are last minute deals but you never know). Many will be happy to help you figure out what's out there. THEN when you have prices in hand, call RCCL or the travel agent. It's all who you are more comfortable working with. The TA's can't offer any discount lower than what RCCL can offer you so that's why it's good to do your own research.

Navigator is an awesome ship! I keep looking at the pictures and longing to book it. So you made a great choice.

Even though I understand where Cruisinmama is coming from- because for the money and my experience I wouldn't do Disney again.

But I have to say that my son was just thrilled with Disney. It was just magic to him. From the time you drive up to the ship in Port Canaveral- you are treated royally. The staff is so kid friendly. Every aspect of the cruise was flawless. The embarkation process was a very Disney, happy experience. The rooms are much larger than other balcony cabins I have sailed in. The kids program was a real hit with my then 5 year old. He loved seeing the characters in the atrium. He loved having the Captain autograph his book on the last night of the cruise. He loved running into Captain Jack Sparrow on the private island (among other characters). He loved the kid friendly buffet, the unlimited free soda machines with rootbeer. He loved the Mickey Pool with the slide. And I really appreciated the disembarkation process- everyone just gets off when they want- no colors called. We stayed in our cabin until 9AM and then just walked off the ship- no lines at all. Best thing about the cruise in my view.

It was a real pleasure to see his enjoyment. I asked him if he would rather go back to Disney World (he has been twice) or on a Disney cruise and he said "Disney Cruise".

But for me, I really am not planning to do either again. I have stood in the lines at Disney and that isn't for me. Over it. I have done the Disney cruise and it was great for my son but I don't travel exclusively for his enjoyment. Celebrity offers us both what we need- a great kids program and for me a great, sophisticated adult experience also. Its a win-win and half the money.

My first Disney cruise is coming up in January - just a three night, but it will be enough to let us get a taste of what Disney has to offer. I'm really looking forward to it, and my son would be too if he knew about it (it will be a birthday surprise, lol); he has been begging to go on a Disney cruise for a while.

I fully expect to have a great time, and to love all of the special Disney stuff - I've researched enough to know that they have some of the best shows, cool Pirate's party, and Animator's Palate will be special, I'm sure. However, the total cost for this 3 night trip is exactly $20 cheaper than the 7 night cruise on Carnival I am taking this year, same room level. $20 total for 4 extra nights - no matter how good Disney is, and I know it will be good, there's just no getting around that price.

Now for people with babies and toddlers who can use the "extra service" of the better daycare/babysitting hours and the toddler pool that other cruiselines don't have, that helps a little. At least you are getting something extra for the money.

Ellanora- I think everyone should do a three day Disney cruise once. I am really glad we did it and my son's enjoyment made the cruise very special for me.

Have a great time. It will be a nice experience for all of you.:)