Is Disney worth $1600 extra versus Carnival

[MrPete]

From a childs POV:

 

After a Disney cruise at 4, and a 7 day Carnival cruise at 5, I asked DD which she liked better, in preparation of her third cruise.

 

She exclaimed "BOTH", so to her, there was no difference.

[keishashadow]

just wanted to address a few of the comments since the thread is getting into specifics;):

 

*things do wind up a bit earlier than most lines (so do i so it's a good fit lol)

 

*we luv most things disney & the stage shows have been professionally critiqued to be of quality of broadway production values

 

*re gambling (you can get a small fix in nassau casinos) or via bingo;)

 

*haven't used kids clubs there for some time, but as i recall they went late enough for us & there was even a 'sleepover/pj party' of sorts 1 night. They also have babysitting (paid?) for babies in diapers

 

*we found towel animals every night & chocolate:D & 'affinity' swag of some sort or another from being past guests & DVC members

 

*guests can book a 'dummy' cruise while aboard a short sailing (3 night) and earn 10% off any cruise. a strategy many use before booking a 7 nighter. i was able to walk the last discount forward a few times until next summer via our $100 pp DP

 

*food by far the best i've had on any ship, would stack their MDR up against any of the specialty resturants i've tried on other ships

 

*the upper berth for 4th guest seemed to be sturdier/more well designed that others ive seen.

 

*split bath is only in the 'deluxe inside' and above cabins, however; the standard one was sufficient for us too

 

Same for our family....the characters actually frightened my kids and yes, they were everywhere so there was no escaping them....but they have loved every Carnival cruise....so our vote....save money and go Carnival.

 

this happens a lot in the parks too;)

 

A comment re booking: while the kids sail free deal is great, typically the best prices come when the schedule is 1st released when booking DCL. It's not uncommon to see rates rise dramatically as the categories fill. They even now have a tiered system wherein their castaway cay platinum type guests get a few weeks booking advantage.

[lurkernj]

I say go on DCL. My kids were 8 and 5 when we did it and they had a great time. The kids clubs were awesome, character interaction was priceless. It was obviously very family oriented, shows, restaurants, etc, and we did spend a lot of time with our kids as we wanted to experience these things with them, although they did enjoy the kids clubs. Your kids will only be young once and are at a great age to enjoy this experience. There's plenty of time later on for Carnival.

 

This year we are going on our first Carnival cruise, they are 15 and 12. I honestly expect to see them only at dinner and excursions, a little sad, but I think I'll get over it;)

[Marie51]

I am another one whose grandchildren were frightened by the Disney characters.

[dreaminofsun]

I am another one whose grandchildren were frightened by the Disney characters.

 

Many young children (under 4 I'd say) are frightened by some characters. The OP's kids are at the age that I'm sure they would not be frightened. My son was 3 the first time we went to Disney World and he was frightened by Buzz Lightyear even though he loved Toy Story but he ran right up to Minnie Mouse and gave her a hug as she was much less intimidating. I also doubt there are many children who are frightened of princesses. The Characters on the ship are around but they are certainly not in your face and can be easily avoided if one doesn't want to see them.

[heymonkey89]

I couldn't justify spending $1600 more for a Disney Cruise. You've taken your kids to Disney why not have a family vacation that isn't so child themed. You might enjoy not having so many kiddy things around. Plus you could almost do another cruise with that $1600.

[Seattlecruisers98021]

Our first cruise was DCL. If I had been more familiar with cruising and shopped around we probably would have taken a Carnival cruise for 7 days instead of Disney for 5 and still paid less.

 

That said...If money wasn't an issue I would do it again even though my kids are now 20, 18 and 12. However it would have to include Castaway Caye...we wanted to stay there over night....there can't be softer sand anywhere in the world.

 

The customer service was awesome. They all Loved Pirate night and still talk about it!! Having the split bathrooms was wonderful. We feel Disney had more activities than Carnival. They had a GREAT comedian that played well to both adults and kids. I don't get where some are saying there weren't enough adult activities...

 

My vote do it once for the experience if you can afford it!

[dotshub]

We have been on both disney and carnival and disney was definitely not worth the extra cost to us.

[sbnuggie]

Well after much research the past couple of days we decided NOT to book disney cruise. We live 6 hours away from Disneyland so we get a disney fix every year and $1600 is alot to ask I think, especially in light of the final payments being due right before christmas etc... Our kids had a GREAT time at Camp Carnival last month so we won't be cruising DCL, not worth it, especially considering we could take that $1600 and stay at the DL resort for 3 nights before the cruise. Thanks all for your opinions.

[tink24]

We just booked DCL Mexican Riviera for $1503 for 2 adults and 1 child. This was within $40.00 of Carnival's price for the same date. Having been on 2 Disney cruises and about 5 or so on Carnival, I would say that Disney is worth the extra $$$ if money is not an issue for you. Otherwise you can have ALMOST as good a time on Carnival. We were planning to sail on Carnival this year until Disney came out with the Kids Sail Free promo.

[jsjjkelly]

I would suggest to you what we did. Disneyland is a 30 minute drive to the pier in Long Beach where the Splendor docks. Take the $1600 and have a nice vacation there first, then board the Splendor on Sunday.

 

We did 8 days at Disneyland, saw an Angels Game, did Legoland and Knottsberry Farm, and of course the mouse. It turned out to be an awesome vacation.

 

Just a suggestion

Shawn in AK

[sbnuggie]

We just booked DCL Mexican Riviera for $1503 for 2 adults and 1 child. This was within $40.00 of Carnival's price for the same date. Having been on 2 Disney cruises and about 5 or so on Carnival, I would say that Disney is worth the extra $$$ if money is not an issue for you. Otherwise you can have ALMOST as good a time on Carnival. We were planning to sail on Carnival this year until Disney came out with the Kids Sail Free promo.

 

Wow, that's a great price, what holds us back is the pricing for 5 people, we have to get one room as the special offer is for kids free with two full paying adult fares. I tried to get connecting OV rooms via disney and it wouldn't work.

[dmdiver]

Yes! Everything DISNEY does is FIRST CLASS. Six Flags - Hershey Park - Kings Dominion - Williamsburg - are all a poor man's Disney. If you can afford it - Go Disney - like another poster said - look at the Disney Unofficial Web sites (just google UNOFFICIAL DISNEY)- they say and tell it all.

 

We couldn't afford the Disney Cruise - so it's Carnival for us - but we are stopping at Disney World for a short stay before heading home.

 

Ummm, I love Six Flags - worked there a couple of years in high school.

[TexasMommy]

Yeah, the rub is the 5 people in a stateroom. We took advantage of the same Kids sail free offer for MR on DCL. Our price is only 2100 for March 7 night MR. Awesome price. Cat 10A. But having that extra child forces you into the family suite.

 

It sounds like you've made up your mind. Hard choice! I'd pay 1000 more for DCL. 1,600 more maybe....that would be stretching it, but might would considering your kids ages. Carnival is our 2nd favorite line, but DCL is an easy first.