Advice, please! DCL vs. RCI

[ddgleason]

Okay. Looking at booking our cruise next summer. We have already decided Alaska is our destination. We have a future cruise cert already with RCI (which means onboard credit when we book and we get diamond balcony discount). But as I was making dummy bookings to explore prices, here's what I found: We can go Disney on the Wonder for only 1500 more than RCI on the Rhapsody. We have 3 children (12, 10, and 7). We are big Disney fans but I have never felt justified spending what typically is almost double on a Disney cruise. But 1500 really isn't that much more when I think about it. But on the other hand, we do have the onboard credit and balcony discount. So, can anyone with experience on both DCL and RCI tell me how they stack up in comparison? Is 1500 more worth it for Disney?

[NancyIL]

If you were comparing DCL to Radiance, I'd say go with Radiance. But DCL's mediocre itinerary is actually better than Rhapsody's! Therefore, take your pick of so-so itineraries.

[stretch44]

Okay. Looking at booking our cruise next summer. We have already decided Alaska is our destination. We have a future cruise cert already with RCI (which means onboard credit when we book and we get diamond balcony discount). But as I was making dummy bookings to explore prices, here's what I found: We can go Disney on the Wonder for only 1500 more than RCI on the Rhapsody. We have 3 children (12, 10, and 7). We are big Disney fans but I have never felt justified spending what typically is almost double on a Disney cruise. But 1500 really isn't that much more when I think about it. But on the other hand, we do have the onboard credit and balcony discount. So, can anyone with experience on both DCL and RCI tell me how they stack up in comparison? Is 1500 more worth it for Disney?

 

That's a no brainer for me. Sailed Disney many many times and loved it (all except the medical room which is a disaster). With your kids ages, RCCL has much more for them to do than Disney. Disney can't be beat when sailing with younger kids (7 and younger) but with older children it's hard to beat RCCL.

[FLACRUISER99]

Okay. Looking at booking our cruise next summer. We have already decided Alaska is our destination. We have a future cruise cert already with RCI (which means onboard credit when we book and we get diamond balcony discount). But as I was making dummy bookings to explore prices, here's what I found: We can go Disney on the Wonder for only 1500 more than RCI on the Rhapsody. We have 3 children (12, 10, and 7). We are big Disney fans but I have never felt justified spending what typically is almost double on a Disney cruise. But 1500 really isn't that much more when I think about it. But on the other hand, we do have the onboard credit and balcony discount. So, can anyone with experience on both DCL and RCI tell me how they stack up in comparison? Is 1500 more worth it for Disney?

Did a TA with Disney in April 09 Port Everglades to Barcelona and would sail on DLC again in a heartbeat. IMHO the food was vastly superior and the entertainment was the best on a ship ever. No casino did not bother me because I don't gamble.

[leleala]

I've cruised RCI with adults only and Disney the summer of 2008 with my kids when they were 11 and 10. We are booked on the Oasis July 24th and are so excited. I will be able to tell you more about the experience for my kids when we get back. I am concerned about the smoking on the Oasis. It was so bad on my last RCI cruise in 2007 - Splendour Of The Seas - it limited what we could do on the ship and what public areas we could enjoy. This was a long time ago and things may have changed!

 

Now about our Disney cruise...it was amazing. The service was superior to any I have had on any of my previous cruises. The food was better. Our balcony cabin was well designed for a family with an upper berth and couch for the kids and split bathroom. The kids were never without something to do and LOVED the children's program - which is very well supervised. I loved that smoking was limited to a few areas and only three bars. There isn't a casino, which didn't bother us as we don't gamble much. The cruise was so much better than the others we have been on that my husband and I would go again without the kids - plenty of adult only areas! For me it is definitely worth the extra cash. Good luck figuring it all out!

[nu2cruises]

I too will let you know when we get back. When I told my kids I had booked RCI, they were not happy and said we only want to cruise on Disney, they are 15 and 12. They are now getting excited about it, finally, but not happy they have to share the sleeper sofa. Since I have a girl and a boy, I do get that, especially since my son sleeps sideways, but they will be just fine for a week. We loved everything about DCL. We did Princess to Alaska, and although the cruise was nice, there were so many kids, their age group wouldn't fit in the club. They had to take all the stuff to another area of the ship and have activities there. After the Panama Canal cruise on Disney, it will be hard to top. However, we are going on this trip with an open mind, there are so many activities, and it is always fun to try something new. After everything I have been reading, the ship sounds incredible and we are looking forward to it.

[jmom5]

I am definitely a Royal fan, and at this point, I don't see myself going on any other cruiselines after my last experience with Carnival, but if it were me, and $1500 wasn't a huge deal, I would try Disney with kids that age and on an Alaskan itinerary. Mainly because Rhapsody is one of RCCL's smallest ships with not as many ammenities as say the Voyager, Freedom or Oasis classes of ships. At least you know that on Disney there should be a fair amount of kids on it even though it's in Alaska, which tends to attract an older crowd, and maybe a better chance of them making some friends to hang out with.

[QuickGold]

I love Disney but their prices are just too out there. You mentioned the price difference is $1500. That is a lot of money. As in you could cruise on RCI, spend whatever you spend onboard and probably come out ahead that if you booked just the cabin on Disney.

 

Aside from price, I've found the food in the MDR better on RCL. I've found the service better on Disney (no surprise, thats what they specialize in). I've also found the disembarkation process easier on Disney.

[ddgleason]

Okay, here's another question I was thinking about last night. Does Disney have extra pay things? Like restaraunts or activities? I need to figure that in as part of the budget if they do and consider that as part of our final decision. Thanks everyone, so far for the help! You guys are great.

[NancyIL]

Okay, here's another question I was thinking about last night. Does Disney have extra pay things? Like restaraunts or activities? I need to figure that in as part of the budget if they do and consider that as part of our final decision. Thanks everyone, so far for the help! You guys are great.

 

If you want to dine at Palo, the alternative adults-only restaurant, the charge is $15/pp for brunch or dinner.

[CP3o]

But 1500 really isn't that much more when I think about it. But on the other hand, we do have the onboard credit and balcony discount. So, can anyone with experience on both DCL and RCI tell me how they stack up in comparison? Is 1500 more worth it for Disney?

 

For Alaska, that's not a bad difference. Book both and watch for specials while you are calculating if you can. The deposit you get back on the canceled one will help fund the cruise you do take.

 

I factor other "costs" in as well. DCL does not charge for late night child care and is open more often. My kids want to stay after 10pm on RCCL b/c they hype bringing out the fun stuff after 10, so there's a charge for that per hour from 10pm-1am. I factor in soda card costs. Sure, you can go w/o them but we are on vacation, if parents get drinks, the cheapest being $6/7 for one drink, hard not to buy soda card for kid for $4/day to make them happy. Free soda on DCL.

 

A BIG difference in cost could be alcohol too. None allowed on RCCL but DCL has no problem if you wheel in your checkin a 6 pack of beer, a liter of rum and 3 bottles of wine........... you might be able to do a few calculations and get the difference down to $1000 or less.

 

Also, just b/c its DCL, you will bring down your average age sailing significantly. AK has a good mix in summer supposedly but I think there will still be more 40 somethings on DCL than RCCL when we aren't talking about Freedom or Oasis. Older folks sailing w/o their grandkids wouldn't even consider the cost difference and go with DCL to Alaska.

[tracyanns]

If you want to dine at Palo, the alternative adults-only restaurant, the charge is $15/pp for brunch or dinner.

 

And you should dine here if you can as it is worth every penny.

 

If I had to choose and money was no object I would definately choose Disney...not sure I would go on it without the kids but with them, definately. It is something to do atleast once and it will seem less enticing as your kids get older...do it now while you have the chance...I know everyone has their opinions but I do find both the service and food better on DCL than either RCL, CCL or NCL...

[CP3o]

That's a no brainer for me. Sailed Disney many many times and loved it (all except the medical room which is a disaster). With your kids ages, RCCL has much more for them to do than Disney. Disney can't be beat when sailing with younger kids (7 and younger) but with older children it's hard to beat RCCL.

 

I'm not sure I agree with 7-12 being too old to enjoy DCL. We are ready to move on for something new and to save money but I can't say kids outgrew DCL, they target the older kids too when it comes to activities.

 

This isn't a brand new RCCL ship we are comparing. Rhapsody is smaller and older than Disney Wonder. Not by much, a couple years, but this is not about the flowrider, etc. After a long day touring with family, its dinner and a show and some activities. Family friendly comedians are nice as are the big production shows. Now if you've seen the shows 3 times, kids may not want to see again, but if have never seen.......... hard to beat DCL entertainment.

[jeast]

I haven't sailed in RCI yet, but I would go with DCL if the RCI ship is an older one. Disney's service is amazing, their rooms are large and set up very well. Their service is impeccable, you can bring alcohol if you like, and my nephew (12) LOVED the kids club activities. We called him the invisible boy because he was always there or participating in their age level activities all over the ship.

 

We're sailing RCI next year to experience their freedom class ships, but I understand the smaller ships have significantly less amenities than the larger, new ships.

 

If you love Disney, then you will love the ships.

 

They don't nickel and dime you to death. Shows and activities are free. No expensive build a bear stuff, drinks are reasonable. The only extra you will pay for is dinner or brunch at Palo (brunch ROCKS!).

 

Kids clubs are open till very late at night and it's all free. Pajama parties, movies under the stars, fun stuff at night.

[crzgrl66]

We just returned from our 7 day cruise on Liberty of the Seas. For us, the $1500 would be worth it to cruise on Disney. All 3 of my children (15, 9 & 6) said that they preferred Disney's kids club. I would miss the late night entertainment, but I don't think there would be that party atmosphere on Rhapsody either. I would read some Rhapsody reviews before making a decision. Good Luck.

[HdGDanceMom]

I admit, we are partial to Disney, so my vote is obviously to go with them.

 

My kids are 5 and 8, and can't wait to go back on DCL next summer (we are also going to Alaska, in August). Some points to consider are:

 

RCI has a drink package which is $6/day for adult and $4/day for children. Figure that into your costs. We just got off RCI (Enchantment) a couple of weeks ago, and for the 4 of us, on an 8 day cruise we paid $184. All free for Disney. The only thing you pay for is the alcohol.

 

If you do like to drink, as someone mentioned, you can bring your own alcohol on board

 

You pay nothing for the Kids Club, and its quite extensive on Disney. They are open essentially 8am to 12 midnight, with activities throughout the day. They will take the kids to eat as well. If your kids like the club, you could potentially not see them the whole cruise! There is a great little show with the kids at the end of the cruise, and they get a free "Friend-ship" T shirt for participating. They can also stay in the club while you are onshore...

 

RCI club is free from 9am to 12 noon, you pay $8 per child from 12 noon to 2pm. It is free from 3 to 5pm, and they open up again at 6pm. Anything beyond 10pm will cost you I think $6 an hour on RCI

 

The shows on DCL are no match. Broadway quality sets, costumes, actors, the whole bit. My kids were very disappointed with the RCI shows in comparison (their favorite was Jeff the Jugglar!)

 

Disney had much more to do onboard that didn't cost extra too. I felt like many of the activities on RCI were a fee, and you didn't know how much until you got there. You only pay for your spa services on Disney. They had behind the scenes galley tours, bridge tours, stage tours, etc, etc. Not to mention all the character meet and greets, the Pirates in the Carribean deck party WITH fireworks, and more. The sailaway party on Disney was far more attended and energetic than the RCI trip (not sure there even was a sailaway party....)

 

As someone said, you do pay $15 for Palo, just like Chops, which is $25. Both are very worth the money.

 

High tea/brunch at Palos is offered on sea days on Disney, I think its $10, but could also be $15.

 

There are also movies all day in the movie theater (the smaller theater on the Disney ship) they play Disney movies, as well as movies that have currently been released. Its like a 1920s theater.

 

Rooms are far bigger on Disney. The standard balcony on Disney is about what our Junior Suite was on RCI. The inside staterooms are twice the size as RCI. Disney also has 2 bathrooms, one with a sink and toilet, and the other with a sink and bathtub. Only suites have tubs on RCI (unless the newer ships have them in regular cabins). All Disney cabins have tubs (except for handicapped rooms)

 

Hope that helps! Let me know if you are going, and if you end up sailing in August on Disney! We are on the August 2nd sailing, and have already gotten a small group together of those who are going. There is a fish extender program, where different cabins give each other little gifts throughout the cruise. The kids love that. Let me know if you want more info!

[Jfeasel]

For service, room size, food and theme Disney wins hands down. Even my husband prefers the Disney experience. However, RCL has more adult activities like the casino. Our kids, even as young teens just love Disney. The kids/teen activities seem better organized than any other ship we've been on and when kids are happy, mom and dad are very happy. If you've never done Disney, I would go with them. We are doing RCL this year strictly because of price but if cost was no problem, we'd go Disney. Hubby and I will cruise RCL at the end of July, but are looking at doing a big family cruise in 2013 to celebrate a high school graduation and we are seriously considering splurging and going for Disney just because of the high-quality of service, food and larger rooms. I never thought of comparing drink prices, but I've never felt the need to pay for the speciality restaurants on any cruise line.

[tammymacb]

We've sailed both and even though I LOVE DCL ( not for characters, but love the non smoking, the food, the dining rooms, the large rooms...I could go on and on ) DD ( 13 ) much prefers RCCL and even CCL.

 

She gets bored with the DCL kids clubs and said "everyone just plays video games, there's nothing to do" but she still had a good time.

 

When booking for our annual January cruise this year, I spent over $1000 MORE to book RCCL, but we'll be on Allure. :D

[morganboys]

im suprised its only $1500 more. I like how everyone raves about disney. With what it costs they have to be superior to all the other lines. If they weren't they would be out of business.

[stretch44]

I'm not sure I agree with 7-12 being too old to enjoy DCL. We are ready to move on for something new and to save money but I can't say kids outgrew DCL, they target the older kids too when it comes to activities.

 

This isn't a brand new RCCL ship we are comparing. Rhapsody is smaller and older than Disney Wonder. Not by much, a couple years, but this is not about the flowrider, etc. After a long day touring with family, its dinner and a show and some activities. Family friendly comedians are nice as are the big production shows. Now if you've seen the shows 3 times, kids may not want to see again, but if have never seen.......... hard to beat DCL entertainment.

 

My post was based off comments from my kids. They loved DCL (as we did also) when they were under 7 years old. After going on Freedom this last fall, they would much rather go on that again than a Disney cruise. Although the Disney theater shows were great, they have lost interest in "Princesses and Peter Pan".

 

You make a very good point about the RCCL ship being an older one. I have never been on one of their older ships so yes, that may be an important factor.

[ddgleason]

Wow! You guys have given great info. I appreciate it. I was surprised that the price difference was only 1500 also. I didn't know soda is free on Disney and you can bring on alcohol. That is really going to influence the decision. And their specialty restaurant is cheaper, however, I don't think the RCI ship we are looking at has a Chops. We like the older ships. We really miss Monarch and we just did Grandeur in June. So we know what to expect for that part. We still have a few things to consider. Mainly the diamond discount and our onboard credit. (but if we do go DCL, we can use that future cruise for something else on RCI! That would be ok!) I think I just may have to sit down and make a list of everything both plus and minus. Thanks everyone! Any other suggestions, I would love to hear them.

[CP3o]

What dates are you looking at? It's really hard to believe only 1500 difference across 5 people. I did a quick check in June to compare Radiance against Disney and Disney was over 7k for a family of 4 in a balcony. You might want to put a hold on the Disney deal before it goes away.

[ddgleason]

We are looking at 2 cabins for both ships. RCI came out to 6800 and DCL was 8300. One balcony and one inside. Low deck on DCL. I want to say it was June 17? Somewhere in that time frame. I like on DCL's website you can add cabins to your booking and it will give you a grand total.

[NancyIL]

I know you're thinking of ships and prices right now, but in Alaska - itinerary is important. You need to decide if you'd prefer Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Tracy Arm out of Vancouver on DCL, or Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm, and Victoria out of Seattle on RCI. You get 3 Alaskan ports with DCL, whereas you get 2 Alaskan ports and 1 Canadian port with RCI. If you are flying, it will usually cost more to fly to Vancouver than to Seattle.

[ddgleason]

Actually for us the specific itinerary is not as important as it would be to others. We have never been to Alaska so anything there is good. We will be happy to go either one. We are going to drive up the coast, not fly, so that is not an issue either.