Disney vs. Royal Caribbean

My family (husband, two boys 4 & 7 and myself) have been on two Disney Cruises and absolutely loved them. Our favorites about Disney were the cleanliness of the ships (wipes at every restaurant), the saftey of the ships, the size of the staterooms and the wonderful kids programs. Due to the kids now being in school full days and the intineraries of the dates we have available to vacation this year, Disney is not an option. However, RCI has a 7 day Western Carribean over Christmas break on the Freedom of the Seas. My questions are:

1) Do you think it will be ridiculously filled with kids during winter break?

2) How clean are the RCI ships - do they take cleanliness seriously?

3) If we book a Junior Suite, is it roomy enough for a family of four? Is it worth booking the JS versus a balcony cabin? I have heard the bathrooms are very small in balcony cabins - we are spoiled from cruising Disney.

4) What is your opinion on the safety and activities of the RCI kids programs for 5 and 8 year old boys.

Thanks for any input!

Hi, we too love Disney, but as our children got older we ventured out a little, having done two NCL cruises and now preparing for our second RCCL cruise.

From experience on board ship for our first RCCL cruise (the Legend of the Seas in Europe), and from reading the reviews on line, I can say that the RCCL experience will be a positive one. The ships are clean, open and bright, providing great views from interior and exterior public spaces; the food and entertainment is different, but on par with Disney, and they take cleanliness very seriously on both lines.

Hope that helps some,

Paul

After being on a Disney cruise you worry about Freedom being ridiculously full of kids. Wow I went on a Disney and I would never go again. That was ridiculously full of kids. Tripping over high chairs in the MDR every night. But our 5 and 7 yr old had a ball. I just kept saying to my husband. "Remember this is a cruise for the girls" We also went on Freedom and they loved it. It had a great children's program but was not totally centered around children as the Disney cruise was. No characters walking around , no lines to see the princess etc.... We had a JS on Freedom. They are not big but comfortable for four. I can't remember that our Disney Cabin was any better. Freedoms children pool area was actually nicer than Disney's. And not once did they close the pool because some child went potty in the pool. That happened twice on the Disney. That happens with so many children on board.

Bottom line is your family will enjoy RCCL. Do like I did give it a try then you make a decision for a future cruise.

1) Do you think it will be ridiculously filled with kids during winter break?

2) How clean are the RCI ships - do they take cleanliness seriously?

3) If we book a Junior Suite, is it roomy enough for a family of four? Is it worth booking the JS versus a balcony cabin? I have heard the bathrooms are very small in balcony cabins - we are spoiled from cruising Disney.

4) What is your opinion on the safety and activities of the RCI kids programs for 5 and 8 year old boys.

I haven't been on a Disney cruise but have been a lot of RCI ships. From what I've seen firsthand on RCI and heard about Disney, I would offer this:

1) All ships are likely to have a lot of kids on board over Christmas break. My guess though, is that at any given time, no ship will have as many kids as a Disney cruise!

2) I have always been pleased with the cleanliness of RCI ships, whether old or new. I haven't seen the wipes you mention in the eating areas, but they have hand sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of MDR and Windjammer.

3) If you can afford it, I would definitely suggest a JS over a regular balcony. The room will be bigger, and you'll have a much larger closet as well. I've been in a non-JS cabin on RCI and it's "cozy" with 2 people. You could put 4 in one, but it would not be what I'd call "comfortable."

4) I haven't been on a cruise with my kids, but they did one 2 summers ago with their dad on Mariner and enjoyed the kids'/teen stuff. One was 14 at the time, one was 9, youngest didn't go.

These boards are great! I think you have already convinced me to call and book the Junior Suite. Now I just have to count the days to Christmas ;)

These boards are great! I think you have already convinced me to call and book the Junior Suite. Now I just have to count the days to Christmas ;)

Enjoy! I'm sure your kids will have a great time on RCI.:)

My family (husband, two boys 4 & 7 and myself) have been on two Disney Cruises and absolutely loved them. Our favorites about Disney were the cleanliness of the ships (wipes at every restaurant), the saftey of the ships, the size of the staterooms and the wonderful kids programs. Due to the kids now being in school full days and the intineraries of the dates we have available to vacation this year, Disney is not an option. However, RCI has a 7 day Western Carribean over Christmas break on the Freedom of the Seas. My questions are:

 

1) Do you think it will be ridiculously filled with kids during winter break?

2) How clean are the RCI ships - do they take cleanliness seriously?

3) If we book a Junior Suite, is it roomy enough for a family of four? Is it worth booking the JS versus a balcony cabin? I have heard the bathrooms are very small in balcony cabins - we are spoiled from cruising Disney.

4) What is your opinion on the safety and activities of the RCI kids programs for 5 and 8 year old boys.

 

Thanks for any input!

If you want a Junior Suite for that sailing that holds 4 people you better act ASAP............. Because there is only 1 cabin available in that category left.

Call and ask for Cabin #9280 right NOW !:eek:

You could book a Category D1 on ther aft, those cabins are a little larger then the regular D1's plus they have a very large balcony and great view of the wake if you like that. Cabins to ask for if you go that way are Cabins #1702 and #1402.

You would save $2600.00 going the D1 route instead of the JS route.

Quads go fast during school breaks.

And yes the ship will be loaded with kids!

Good Luck !

Jimbo:)

You kids will be thrilled........our first cruise was on Disney and my girls said while it was nice, they wished we had started out on RCCL. They are all adults now, but really enjoyed the Voyager class as older teens. As "grown ups" their favorite are the Freedom class ships. Enjoy!

$9500 for a JS and $6900 for a D1...Ouch !!!

I feel better now a Grand Suite is $13,600.:D

Jimbo:)

I've only done Disney and RCI. I think the things you'll miss from Disney is the seperate potty in the staterooms (man, that was nice!) and Disney's food and dining experience in general is quite a step up from RCI. That said, the staterooms are small but they work on RCI and the food is mostly decent. My wife and I cruise with a 9yo and 11yo and usually get 2 inside cabins to maximize the space/dollar ratio.

The benefits of RCI over Disney I've found are activities, ships offer more stuff (Voyager and newer), casino, and the ships are active until 2am or later. I remember Disney shutting down at 11, which is fine for most people.

I've only done Disney and RCI. I think the things you'll miss from Disney is the seperate potty in the staterooms (man, that was nice!)

I completely agree about the Disney bathrooms. Being able to have someone showering in one space while someone else is using the toilet or the sink in another space is genius (especially with a wife and 2 daughters :eek:). Why don't more cruise lines follow their lead?

Why don't more cruise lines follow their lead?

$$$$$$$

We thoroughly enjoyed our Disney cruises but our family had an issue with DCL on a cruise and I can't justify the cost compared to RCI. Every time I've compared a Disney cruise vs. RCI, the price is double or sometimes far more than double. Disney is nice, just not that nice.

A JS for four should be fine. We booked a JS when taking our teenage boys last summer. That was when we got the awesome upgrade to an Owner's Suite. Personally, I wouldn't want to do four in a regular OV cabin.

1) Do you think it will be ridiculously filled with kids during winter break? Not really, even if it was def. not as much as disney would have- but theres always a good percentage of kids

2) How clean are the RCI ships - do they take cleanliness seriously?They one-up disney and have hand sanitizer in every corner and a man who will make you sanitize your hands, ive even seen them bleach parts of the ship when there were sick outbreaks on other ships

3) If we book a Junior Suite, is it roomy enough for a family of four? Is it worth booking the JS versus a balcony cabin? I have heard the bathrooms are very small in balcony cabins - we are spoiled from cruising Disney. Not sure, never had that cabin

4) What is your opinion on the safety and activities of the RCI kids programs for 5 and 8 year old boys.There great :DD even if they dont like the kids programs theres so many things to do on the ship, flowrider anyone?

My daughter loved Disney, however, after we tried RCCL she liked it better.

We sailed the Disney Magic, and then the Mariner of the Seas out of Florida.

Disney, well all inclusive, including soda. Shows unbelievable, and service, well it was great.

And Castaway Cay, well it is the best, if they would build a resort their I would save and save and save just to stay their.

RCI-- Well, we paid for soda, and the shows were good. Our daughter loved the Mariner so much we will be sailing another RCI ship this summer, The Freedom of the Seas.

When we sailed on the Mariner we were able to get a Grand suite for what we paid for a cate. 7 on the Magic.

Pricey well, I guess it is what you pay for.

Would we do Disney again. Someday.

But right now with RCI treating us pretty good we will stay with them.

Safe travels.

I'm trying not to hijack... but along the same lines.. We've only cruised Disney as well and are sailing out of a port this fall that Disney doesn't sail out of and have had to choose otherwise. So, I need to know how smokey the RCI ships are in comparison to Disney. We have kids with severe astma that can't handle a lot of smoke. I thought the Disney ships were wonderful with this. I hardly smelled smoke anywhere. Although I am mostly concerned for my daughter's health and safetly, I can't tell you how much I enjoyed being able to sit in the clubs at midnight on the Disney Magic without having to inhale smoke personally.

Anyone have thoughts for me out there?

Mostly not allowed inside the ship.

Only out on the decks or on your balcony.

Q: What is the Smoking Policy onboard?

A: For the comfort and enjoyment of our guests, our ships are designated as non-smoking; however, we recognize that some of our guests smoke. Therefore, to provide an onboard environment that also satisfies smokers, we have designated certain public and private areas of the ship as "smoking areas."

Smoking in public areas is only permitted in designated smoking sections which vary by ship. Generally, smoking is permitted outdoors on only one side of the ship; and smoking is permitted on all private ocean front balconies, including Loft Suite balconies on Oasis Class. To assist in locating areas where smoking is permitted, you will find visible signage posted within all smoking areas and ashtrays that are provided for your use. The location of all smoking venues can also be found in the daily Cruise Compass; or you may contact Guest Services once onboard.

For your safety, smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom or on interior private balconies on Oasis Class that overlook The Boardwalk or Central Park. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, food outlet, theater, hallway or corridor; nor in Central Park, The Boardwalk or The Jogging Track on Oasis Class ships; nor in the H2O Zone on Oasis and Freedom Class ships. A $250 cleaning fee will be applied to the SeaPass account if smoking has occurred inside staterooms or on private interior balconies overlooking The Boardwalk or Central Park onboard Oasis Class ships. Royal Caribbean International kindly asks all guests to please observe the non-smoking areas and to refrain from smoking pipes or cigars in any of the public areas. These requests are made to provide a comfortable shipboard environment for everyone. Guests who violate this smoking policy may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of this Guest Conduct Policy.

Pipe and cigar smoking is only permitted within the Cigar lounge. (If no Cigar lounge exists on a particular ship, there will be a designated area for pipe and cigar smoking).

A guest must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco products onboard. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must always be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard.

Jimbo:)

I've been trying to decide this for a week.

I've sailed RCCL ( and love them ) and I've also sailed the Disney Magic and Wonder.

My kids are older and would probably prefer RCCL. But, being married to James Freakin' Bond, I have to budget casino action into the trip cost. :rolleyes:

I prefer dinners in the different dining rooms on Disney. I also prefer going to the shows on Disney we do this as a family. I love Disney stateroom bathrooms, though I plan on booking two rooms and putting the kids in an inside across the hall this time.

I'm in love with neither itenerary so that doesn't help at all.

Of course, RCCL ( the Freedom ) is cheaper than Disney on the front end. But, adding free sodas, being allowed to bring liquor onboard and no casino about even out the costs on the end for me.

I sure wish I'd figure this out...

Tammymacb,

At least I'm not the only one who can't decide! If it weren't for the fact that we just can't make the Disney itinerary fit our schedule I think I'd still be on the fence. We went ahead and booked a JS on the Freedom - we'll give it a try. I think my boys are getting past the Disney character excitment age - but may be a little too young for the Freedom - not tall enough to do Flow Rider - and some of the excursions they are too young for - but we'll give it a shot and hope they enjoy all the rest of what Freedom has to offer.

I like the My Family Dining option where they come get the kids in the dining room and allow you to finish your meal/dessert while the kids go have fun.

We tried our first RCI cruise this past December on the Liberty of the Seas...My kids loved it! They are boys 9 and 12...and they really enjoyed the swimming pools, hot tubs, ice-skating (remember to bring long pants), rock-climbing, golfing, FlowRider (they were tall enough) and the Promenade. It is a totally different experience than DCL, but it's a great experience! As you can tell from my signature...we still have a DCL cruise booked for next year, but we are also revisiting the LOTS in August. Enjoy both! Now you have more to choose from when planning a vacation!

:D Crystal

I loved Freedom and found the ship to be very clean. The only exception was some wear on the mini golf course. My only child is an adult so I've only heard people say the kids programs are very good. The additional bathroom of the JS sounds like a good idea.

My first cruise was on Disney and I was hooked for the ease it was to vacation with one child.

We just returned from Splendour of the Seas in Europe and have done 2 Norwegian cruises. Totally prefer Norwegian for the choices of foods for children, quality of the children's facilities etc. But we went with RCCL for the itinerary.

Will travel Norwegian if it works on the ports way before RCCL. But RCCL is not awful. My daughter had fun though the club was meager.

We are having this debate.

We have been on RCCL ships in the past and enjoyed them allot (pre kids). Last year we went on the Disney Magic and it was AWESOME. This year I can not justify the cost to do it again and maybe will save for their new ship in a year or two.

My concerns are will the kids enjoy the shows? The camps should be fine although they close at 10 which means e have to get baby sitting or push for early dining so we had some time to ourselves to go to a lounge, show or casino for a little while.

Another nice thing Disney did was the kids ate dinner with us and got their food right away then the camp came and picked up the kids so we could enjoy the rest of our dinner. I liked that as well.

We are looking into the Liberty OTS.

We were on a 3 day Disney cruise earlier this year - the shows are very, very good; Castaway Cay was very nice; the split bathrooms helped a lot; having sodas included at meals and free drink station by pool was a nice part of the package (I believed Disney charged for sodas at other location on the ship); and, the price was very reasonable (although we cruised in January with lower fares and also got the kids sail free promotion). Our kids (girls 9 and 7) were a bit past the age where the characters mattered and the only time they were interested in the kids club were when it got them out of dinner early. We just booked a 5 day Bermuda cruise out of Cape Liberty on the Explorer for June 2011. We have not been on Royal Caribbean since 1996, but it seems like there should be a lot for the kids on the ship. I probably will not get the sode package for the girls, as I would not want them to drink soda all day long (maybe just for their meals.) If allowed at the time we travel, I will bring some soda on for the room.