F.O.S. compared to Disney

[cruisemomof2]

My family really enjoy cruising and typically cruise Disney. However, we were able to get a wonderful deal on the April 10th F.O.S. sailing to the Eastern Caribbean and we jumped on it.

 

Let me just say that the differences were first noticed at the port. Embarkation was a mess. Lines everywhere and most people weren't too happy. I wish RCI would take notes from how Disney processes their passengers, would have been a lot nicer and I wouldn't have felt like cattle being herded.

 

Once we were aboard the ship, we were very impressed. It is beautiful. We immediately went to our cabin, family promenade stateroom. Wow, what an awesome room. We were skeptical about booking an inside room as we never have before. Let me just say, I am now hooked on this room. It was HUGE. The kids had their own private sleeping area and we had a walk in closet. Who has that on a cruise???

 

We quickly changed into our swimsuites and headed up to the WJ for lunch. We weren't dissapointed about the food that day. We figured it was going to be crowded and therefor the food would be so so.

 

The pool area was great, especially the H20 zone. Lots of kids but not too bad. I feel the pool area far exceeds Disney. Spent a lot of time there the rest of the week and never had an issue about finding chairs.

 

We ported at Coco Cay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. I felt that Disney's island was better. RCI just charges extra for everything and this was really noticeable on the island. We paid $60 for our family of four to play an hour at the water park. I only got on the slide once and my 5 year old was never able to get on anything. Big waste of money and time. Due to this, we missed lunch. Oh well, no biggie we thought. Should be lots of food on board.

 

This is when the food quality, or lack thereof, was very obviouse. At best, I would compare it to Golden Corral on a good day. Not at all what we expected. The MDR was the worst. Our waiter couldn't seem to get it together either. We tried it three nights and then said we weren't going to put ourselves through 90 minutes of dissapointment anymore.

 

From there on, we went to Johnny Rockets (again a fee) and finished our week at Chops. We were so hungry for a good piece of chicken that we ate at the Outback in the Orlando Airport on our way home. I understand that prices have gone up for everything, well so have the cruise fares. I don't think they can justify the poor quality. It's just bad.

 

Many other passengers commented on the food while onboard. For some, that will either make or break a cruise. However, I enjoyed the ship so much that I didn't let it ruin my vacation.

 

Now for the good stuff. The cruise director, Graham Seymour, was awesome. He really made the trip a lot of fun. My kids are still singing his jingle for the Cupcake Cupboard. The shows were good. We weren't able to get tickets for the ice show which was upsetting. They should have enough for each passenger to attend at least once. But all in all, we enjoyed the nightly entertainment.

 

The ports were pretty basic of others we have been to so no big surprises there. They try to push all of the jewelry in the ports so beware. My husband was able to make it out with no major purchases this year ;).

 

I have to say that Disney has cruising down to a science. The attention to detail is unparalleled. From the private island, character interaction, kids programs, to food...they blow it out of the water. However, the Freedom is a beautiful ship and has a lot to offer. Just know that if you're used to Disney and thinking about booking on this ship, you will spend a lot of time missing some of the Disney perks. That being said, as long as you know what to expect going in, you shouldn't be dissapointed.

[Luv2Cook2010]

I agree! We just recently cruised with Royal Caribbean for the first time on the Allure. And I did find that I like Disney better. The beds on the Allure were amazing though! Disney's food is amazing! Embarking on RCI on the Allure was easy, really easy! But the crew and customer service on Disney is beyond amazing!!

[CP3o]

Many other passengers commented on the food while onboard. For some, that will either make or break a cruise. However, I enjoyed the ship so much that I didn't let it ruin my vacation.

 

 

This is sort of the "problem" with Freedom class and above. The ships have so many amenities pax like, they will sail full even if food declines, so RCCL has no incentive not to allow the food to decline to the bare minimum acceptable.

 

It will be interesting to see how they fill the ships that do not have Freedom class amenities if they all keep the same menu and quality as most changes are fleetwide. You'd almost think they'd want better food on the ships that do not have some of the Freedom class amenities. These ships may have pax that care more about food than flowriders and H2O zones.

 

But the plan might be to make them pay for the nicer food. See the Radiance getting Giovanni's, Samba's grill, Rita's cantina, Izumi and Chef's Table during drydock.

[TonyFred]

From the times I have checked prices for a Disney Cruise, the food should be better. Havent checked them lately though.

[grand isle joe]

Thanks Cruisemomof2. We have sailed both and tend to agree. Just off the DCL Dream and the food was better than the Magic but limited in scope. The Dream is in its' "break in period and the crew is still finding its' way around.We sailed the Freedom and have to agree with your review but we did enjoy our time aboard. The entertainment on the Freedom was superb IMHO and we do tend to get bored with all the Disney-centric shows.Hope all your families cruises are wonderful.:)

[nicolen1101]

We have cruise RCL several times before and will have our first trip on the FOS in less than 3 weeks (very excited), we are also considering booking a Disney Cruise for next year with our son. It will be his first cruise. I think when it comes down to it we will keep RCL for "our time" trips and then do Disney with our son. Who knows until we try both.

[macbasset]

We too, love Disney cruises and have done 7. There were things I loved about Disney and I always put them on the suggestion card for RCI when we started cruising with them. One was the big screen at outdoor pool and now they have it. I love the restaurant dining rotation on Disney and all the attention to detail, nobody does service better than Disney. I love Castaway Cay and the whole Disney experience. However, we switched to the freedom class ships because we can go 3 times a year as compared to once on Disney for the price. Now, every once in a while, if I get a good deal, DH and I (without kids--- we're in our 60s) will do Disney on our own, but it's the expense that keeps us away. I love the promenade on Freedom; it just feels bigger and more open than Disney; love the parades which Disney did not have. Also, the ice show is terrific and we love to go to open skates. Also, fireworks on Disney is a rare treat at sea. I also like Disney's split bathrooms. However, we have done several 8 and 9 day cruises on RCI for $349 per person by booking last minute and it just can't be beat for those prices! I think Disney food is now slightly better than RCI; originally, in 2005 when we first started on RCI, their food was better, but has gone downhill in last year or so. I love adult restaurant Palo on Disney, their brunch can't be beat. Chops on RCI is pretty good, but not quite as good. We will continue to do RCI several times a year and on special occasions, back to Disney. Waiting for our new granddaughter to be old enough to experience Disney cruise.

[Jnoel]

We were also on the April 10th sailing. It was a 40th birthday cruise so it was just dh and me. We left our 4 kids home. We have the Dream booked for Oct but I was considering cancelling for FOS if we loved it. I agree with your review 100%. Ship is beautiful. Rooms are great, we had a hump on deck 9, loved it. Entertainment and Graham Seymore were awesome! However, it paled in comparison to Disney except maybe for the shows, they were about equal. I will add that I've seen the funniest comedians I've ever seen on Disney. The food was awful except for Chops, Portofino and cupcake cubbard. Loved the orange cupcakes. I did have a great time on FOS ( the drinks are much better). The pools are also better but the overall experience is just not as good as Disney. Especially for kids. Needless to say we're not cancelling the Dream for Oct. I'm not giving up on RCI forever just for now. They really need to improve the food. I don't "love" to eat but I do like to eat food that tastes good. I did love our server Michelle and she did recommend the best things. Strawberry soup was delicious. The lobster was also good. Desserts were just bad except for key lime pie. It just seemed like any special request was denied immediately ( simple as leaving off a sauce) where Disney always accommodates. Bottom line FOS very nice. Disney cruise superb.

[triplefigs]

We are sailing the FOS for the 1st time in June (have sailed on DCL and loved it- going on the Fantasy next summer). Since everyone seems to say the MDR is bad, would you suggest eating at the WJ instead with the kids? What nights were better in the MDR?

 

Thanks!

[12marshall]

We are sailing the FOS for the 1st time in June (have sailed on DCL and loved it- going on the Fantasy next summer). Since everyone seems to say the MDR is bad, would you suggest eating at the WJ instead with the kids? What nights were better in the MDR?

 

Thanks!

 

Honestly I wouldn't listen to everyone about the MDR. On our last cruise last month on Liberty the dining room was packed and the food was excellent.... every night.

 

I think it all depends on what you order and what you like.

 

It also depends on what kind of food you expose your family to.

 

I find that the more complex entrees are typically better than the U.S. comfort food entries (if that makes sense).

 

Check out the chef selections and "prepared" dishes.

Try the Indian dishes... they are almost always excellent.

 

If you don't like an appetizer you can't go wrong with a Caesar salad... they are always good (better than most 5 star restaurant Caesar salads) and the bread is always fresh.

 

edit: BTW... I would NEVER eat dinner in the WJ. I would hardly ever eat there for anything but then again I am partial as to how I choose to take in my calories.

[orville99]

Disclaimer: we've done 10 cruises on each line. We haven't cruised DCL since they added the Dream, so I can't speak directly to the crowds in the terminal, but the crowds rushing for the Mickey Ears when DCL announces the first boarding number are no better (or worse) than what we've experienced on FOS out of PC, or Radiance out of Tampa. I've heard that DCL hasn't finished expanding their terminal in PC, so I imagine the crowds are comparable on both lines.

 

As for food, every one has an opinion, and most are out of sync with whatever anyone else's opinion might be, so I won't even go there. The rotational dining on DCL was an interesting twist. The decor pales in comparison to the MDR on any of the RCI ships we've been on, but since we're not eating chandaliers, both served decent food.

 

Public areas: RCI wins hands down - even on their smaller ships.

 

Shops on board - DCL has two (both sell primarily logo stuff), FOS has about a dozen. Even Monarch has more shops than DCL.

 

Pools: Monarch's pools are larger than DCL's, and Monarch is the smallest ship in RCI's fleet

 

Price: when we cruised DCL, we could afford to take two cruises a year (Cat 7 Balcony). On RCI we can now take four D2 balcony cruises for the same price.

[cruisemomof2]

We were also on the April 10th sailing. It was a 40th birthday cruise so it was just dh and me. We left our 4 kids home. We have the Dream booked for Oct but I was considering cancelling for FOS if we loved it. I agree with your review 100%. Ship is beautiful. Rooms are great, we had a hump on deck 9, loved it. Entertainment and Graham Seymore were awesome! However, it paled in comparison to Disney except maybe for the shows, they were about equal. I will add that I've seen the funniest comedians I've ever seen on Disney. The food was awful except for Chops, Portofino and cupcake cubbard. Loved the orange cupcakes. I did have a great time on FOS ( the drinks are much better). The pools are also better but the overall experience is just not as good as Disney. Especially for kids. Needless to say we're not cancelling the Dream for Oct. I'm not giving up on RCI forever just for now. They really need to improve the food. I don't "love" to eat but I do like to eat food that tastes good. I did love our server Michelle and she did recommend the best things. Strawberry soup was delicious. The lobster was also good. Desserts were just bad except for key lime pie. It just seemed like any special request was denied immediately ( simple as leaving off a sauce) where Disney always accommodates. Bottom line FOS very nice. Disney cruise superb.

 

The best dessert I had was at Chops. I was shocked at all of the jello type desserts that were offered. The cheesecake was just like the jello kind in a cup...yuck! We did enjoy the cupcake cupboard. Too bad they don't offer those in the MDR. Oh well, we really had a nice time other than that. In fact, I wish I was on there this week :D. Hopefully my family and I will be sailing soon either with Disney or RCI.

[cruisemomof2]

We are sailing the FOS for the 1st time in June (have sailed on DCL and loved it- going on the Fantasy next summer). Since everyone seems to say the MDR is bad, would you suggest eating at the WJ instead with the kids? What nights were better in the MDR?

 

Thanks!

 

 

I hate to say it but every night we ate at the MDR was not good. I would just plan on eating at the WJ or just suck up the surcharges and eat at Johnny Rockets or the other pay places on board. You will have a great time even without the food. Enjoy your trip!!!

[12marshall]

I hate to say it but every night we ate at the MDR was not good. I would just plan on eating at the WJ or just suck up the surcharges and eat at Johnny Rockets or the other pay places on board. You will have a great time even without the food. Enjoy your trip!!!

 

In my opinion you have chosen the two lowest quality food choices on the entire ship.

 

You have enough time to try them all and make your own decision.

[cruisemomof2]

One other note...if you want to experience the character dining, sign up the first day. However, beware as it is nothing like Disney. Ask your waiter to seat you near where the characters enter the MDR. They do a little dance and it is very difficult to see if you aren't in that area. The staff seems to still be working out the best way to take the characters around so don't expect much. It would be nice if they had staff from the kids clubs to escort the characters since they are used to entertaining the kids. I put that suggestion in my review. Hopefully they will change it going forward.

[north29]

Anyone who complains about Port Canaveral, embarkation must have hit it exactly at the wrong time(we have done that), over all we have found it better than most other ports. The food considering what you like on RC or Disney is nothing more than good banquet food, sometimes it is better on one ship or another, but all cruise lines are looking to save money, and take what ever to the limit customers(cruisers) will accept.

Funny but. all ships food is different even with the same menus, maybe it is the suppliers or cooks etc.

[morganboys]

we haven't sailed dcl but i would say you really can't compare disney with the others. its like comparing your local amuzement park with walt disney world. both are fun but they aren't quite in the same ball park. Everything should be better on disney if I have to pay that much more to cruise with them.

[Tiffny111]

Thanks OP for posting this comparison. We have cruised Disney and absolutely love it! We have also cruised RCL but never with the kids. We have a trip booked fro Christmas on the FOS and I am skeptical. I know that Disney costs more but we had such a great time its hard to try anything else. I've wanted to go on the Freedom since she came out so I don't doubt that we wont have a blast I just need to make sure that I don't try to compare. I see that you did not get to see the ice show. Is there anything that we can do to guarantee a ticket like get in line early or something like that. I thought that anyone could just go to the show but it looks like thats not the case.

[Jnoel]

Thanks OP for posting this comparison. We have cruised Disney and absolutely love it! We have also cruised RCL but never with the kids. We have a trip booked fro Christmas on the FOS and I am skeptical. I know that Disney costs more but we had such a great time its hard to try anything else. I've wanted to go on the Freedom since she came out so I don't doubt that we wont have a blast I just need to make sure that I don't try to compare. I see that you did not get to see the ice show. Is there anything that we can do to guarantee a ticket like get in line early or something like that. I thought that anyone could just go to the show but it looks like thats not the case.

 

You'll have a great time. Just go with the right expectations. It' s not Disney but it's still a fun cruise. As for the ice show, one person from your party needs to get in line one morning to get tix handed out at 8 am. The line moves quickly. Very painless.

[spectroman]

Ok people, I have been on disney three times, and the food was terrible.I work for them in another division of the company, I am glad I did not pay full price to go on something that I felt was sub par. Here is my thing, I work for Disney and I actually hate our brand because for example we could put dog feces in a box and sell it to people and they would buy it and say how magical it is and the person that sold it was so nice, but in the end you still got a piece of crap. its nice but I see everyday people getting overcharged for a experience because it has the Disney name on it! I am not bitter, I just want to see fairness and executives that do not rest on the name of Disney but continue to innovate. I love RCI because every new class of ships is innovation and they are not afraid to try new things and their service is better!

[grand isle joe]

Ok people, I have been on disney three times, and the food was terrible.I work for them in another division of the company, I am glad I did not pay full price to go on something that I felt was sub par. Here is my thing, I work for Disney and I actually hate our brand because for example we could put dog feces in a box and sell it to people and they would buy it and say how magical it is and the person that sold it was so nice, but in the end you still got a piece of crap. its nice but I see everyday people getting overcharged for a experience because it has the Disney name on it! I am not bitter, I just want to see fairness and executives that do not rest on the name of Disney but continue to innovate. I love RCI because every new class of ships is innovation and they are not afraid to try new things and their service is better!

 

.....O.K.............any luck in selling that bridge in Brooklyn yet?....:cool:

[TBMVette]

You'll have a great time. Just go with the right expectations. It' s not Disney but it's still a fun cruise. As for the ice show, one person from your party needs to get in line one morning to get tix handed out at 8 am. The line moves quickly. Very painless.

 

This is correct. No problems getting the ticket to one of the four shows.

[cruisemomof2]

This is correct. No problems getting the ticket to one of the four shows.

 

We made it down late and were not able to get tickets. We checked back at the service desk the rest of the week and no luck either. I wish they would allow you to prebook the show as they do on the Oasis and Allure since they know the space is limited.

[cruisemomof2]

In my opinion you have chosen the two lowest quality food choices on the entire ship.

 

You have enough time to try them all and make your own decision.

 

This is only my opinion. I found the burgers at JR's to be A LOT better than at the WJ. Though one can not live on burgers all week, the WJ had a decent dinner selection the few times we went.

[Jimnbigd]

I'm sure one reason Disney charges more is: No casino. I bet other lines makes a ton from the casinos.

Also I bet Disney sells less alcoholic drinks -- another source for profit for other lines.

 

OP: Did you try Cafe Promemade or Sorrentos?