Would you cruise on Enchantment for $1000 less than Disney Dream?

[VernRDH]

yes:cool:

[Luckybrat]

I'd go with the EOS - But I'm more partial to lemurs than mice - especially ones that like to MOVE IT! LOl, grown woman and I want a picture with a guy in a lemur suit - facepalm.

[mama-of-three]

My husband and I did RCL Vision of the Seas (1st cruise) and it was incredible (2004). I then did Carnival with my mom and daughter (2008). Then we did Disney Wonder to Alaska (husband, me and 6 year old ds). It was awesome. Great food, great service, great characters, great shows, except it wasn't warm enough). That's what I get for trying Alaska when I'm really a warm weather girl.

 

My son loved the cruise and speaks of it all the time. We will be going on RCL Freedom of the Seas Oct 2014 and expect it to be just as good. I am very glad we did the Disney cruise even though it was a bit more expensive.

[beachchick]

Enchantment without even batting an eye, especially because she was stretched a few years (2006?) back with many facilities added (e.g., water park). That $1000 would go a long way toward special excursions, activities, and/or more WDW time (more is better for sure). In fact, if you could swing the days in your schedule, I'd suggest using the money (assuming it's in your budget comfort zone) to add at least 2 or 3 more WDW days. If you look at some of the multi-day/multi-night special packages, you might even be able to add those days and still have money leftover.

 

As always, JMO. I hope you have a blast regardless. How could you not? WDW and cruise--A great time for everyone!:)

 

beachchick

[spookwife]

Enchantment without even batting an eye, especially because she was stretched a few years (2006?) back with many facilities added (e.g., water park). That $1000 would go a long way toward special excursions, activities, and/or more WDW time (more is better for sure). In fact, if you could swing the days in your schedule, I'd suggest using the money (assuming it's in your budget comfort zone) to add at least 2 or 3 more WDW days. If you look at some of the multi-day/multi-night special packages, you might even be able to add those days and still have money leftover.

 

As always, JMO. I hope you have a blast regardless. How could you not? WDW and cruise--A great time for everyone!:)

 

beachchick

 

no water park on EN.. she has the rock climbing wall and the bungee trampoline thingy.

 

and I know someone mentioned Solarium is adult only.. yes, and no.. the pool is 16 and up except during inclement weather, but the area is no longer Kid free since the park Cafe is back there now.

[rolloman]

I have been on Enchantement 5 times and Dream 2 times. I think you have to go with your own feelings. The Disney ship is quite the experience. Your kids will love the ammenities and trust me, they have more to offer than Enchantment. It is what Disney does, entertain kids and kids at heart. This whole idea of the little ones won't remember is ridiculous. It is you the paying parent who gets to see the joy in your child, it is you who forms lifelong memories of a family adventure. The other remark about forget the ship you can see Mickey at the park. Well on the ship character interaction is what it is all about, you can walk right up to the character of your choice at your leasure, no two hour waiting time. Disney has the entertainment, the best private island, the food is better and of higher quality (for instance in the buffet you get huge shrimp and crab all you can eat). The rooms with the split bath and roll over couch are a great convenience and one other lines rarely offer. Entertainment is all Disney and is quite entertaining the first time. Plus the ship is only a couple years old and one of the best out there with the latest technology. Also understand their medical staff is highly trained for dealing with children, again it is what they do. As for the 1000 dollars, you probably will save a big chunk of that with the free soda Disney offers as well as the no restrictions on alcohol you can bring onboard. Listen, I like the Enchantment, and will be sailing her several times more once she gets back into FLorida but the fact remains the Disney Dream is hands down one of the best ships at sea per rankings of various organizations such as Conde Nast Traveler. You stated you have never been on a Disney ship with your family. It sounds to me like your childrens ages are perfect and you are ready for the Disney experience. Even if this will be your only Disney Voyage, I am confident it will create lifelong memories you will cherish forever.

[1ParticularHbr]

Having sailed on both Enchantment and Dream, I'd say pick Disney. I've also been to WDW many times and can say the cruise is a unique Disney experience, unmatched at any of their park properties. Their shows amazing and will be entertaining for all family members. On our Dream cruise last May, we had some of the best dining room service we've ever had. The rotational dining is also nice on Disney.

If you divide the extra expense by the number of days and number of travelers, it's really not much. :) Go Disney!

[drmomsc]

Another vote for the Dream.

 

My boys are 12 and 15. And they still love Disney. We have been on 6 Disney cruises as a family, one Princess, and one RCCL (DH and I have more non-DCL cruises under our belts.)

 

The boys have just reached the age where they like RCCL almost as much as DCL.

 

And even DH and I love the detail that Disney has, we compare the lines the minute we get on a non-Disney ship.

 

Don't get me wrong- we love RCCL and are trying the Allure this summer. But you have to take your kids on Disney at least once.

 

I know you said you had a crazy work schedule, but if possible, DCL prices can fluctuate greatly. If you can go when school is in session- it may not be so pricey.

[WhenIsLobsterNight]

I have cruised Disney and your two younger children are at the perfect age for it. It is at the higher end of the mid tier level of ships, but they go all out in taking care of the kids. The characters are all over the place on the ship and kids faces just light up when they see one. For example: My six year old was getting her hair braided in that tight Jamaican braid look by the pool one day. She was starting to fall asleep while the Disney employee braided her her. Daisy Duck stepped in and moved the hair person to the side. She clumsily started trying to braid my daughters hair while other passengers were laughing at my daughter who was clueless anything had changed. My daughter did not at first figure out something was going on, but eventually turned around to see what was up and the smile on her face was worth the entire price of the cruise right then and there. As for your teenager though, I think RCCL is going to be better set up for that age group. I did not seen many teens on our cruise. Also remember that Disney does not have a casino on any of their ships if you like to gamble at all. Other than that, things like food quality are pretty similar imo. Disney ships tend to be smaller than the many RCCL ships. The cleanliness of the ship is of no comparison though, Disney keeps the entire ship spotless. I think it is the cleanest of any ship I have been on, and I have sailed several times on five different cruise lines. I think either choice would be a good one, but your kids are at the perfect Disney Princess/Pirate age. This might be a time to spend a little more and go Disney if your teenager is cool with that idea.

[cello56]

I would choose Enchantment, and then take part of that $1000 savings and treat your kids to the Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boutique at either the Magic Kingdom or Disney Village!

 

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/downtown-disney/bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique-downtown/

[katerkat]

We just debated 5-days Disney vs. 7-days RCCL, oceanview vs. balcony, with a $1000 price difference. RCCL won. We're HUGE Disney fans (DS has been to DL/WDW 7-8 times, I used to work in WDW) but the cruise isn't worth the price for us. The shows are great. The food is not. DS is secretly afraid of the characters. My husband loves the balcony. I love saving money.

[fla jack]

Pick up a minivan (Dodge Grand Caravan??)

at Orlando airport. Do your Disney thing &

then drive to Port Canaveral & drop van there

on day of sailing. Free transportation to pier.

Rent another for the return trip to Orlando airport.

Jack

[xxHadleyxx]

We've loved DCL for years, are at their top tier.

 

We have also found in recent years we love RCI.

 

When we did back to back gong from the Disney Magic to the Liberty, both of my kids (aged 12 and 14 at the time) liked both ships equally--for different reasons.

 

This year we had our first sailing on one of Disney's big ships (the Fantasy) and we were ALL disappointed. The ship is GORGEOUS--but poorly planned in many ways (the pools were TINY for the number of guests, the minigolf is so squished and felt like an afterthought, etc) and we were so very disappointing to have a lot of mediocre crew members (that and entertainment have always been the DCL standouts) and an entertainment staff who missed cues and flubbed lines (noticeably to many) multiple times in 2 of the big shows.

 

At the end of the day--my daughter (16 now) prefers DCL, but much prefers the smaller ships and does not feel Disney is worth much of a premium in price, especially for the big ships. My son (14) prefers Royal.

 

My husband and really like both lines and like the variety, but would take the cheaper of the two in the future.

 

So--based on our experiences, I would say take the Enchantment :)

[Smith0154]

Been on Disney once and will never sail with them again until their prices come down, WAY DOWN. I took the Disney cruise with points because we are Disney Vacation Club members, but I would rather be on RCCL for cruising (we are Diamond members).

 

Disney's prices will never come down to the RCCL price range, because they know they have the customer base (Disney frantics), and though I enjoy Disney as well, I will stick with going with Disney on land and RCCL on the sea.

 

Smitty

[Candleonwater]

Having sailed once on Disney, I would say, if the $1,000 won't be missed - sail Disney. Too soon your kids will be too old for Disney. Because Disney cruise prices are so darned expensive, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for more than one sailing.

 

We love Enchantment, but there really isn't a lot to do on the ship...

[beachchick]

no water park on EN.. she has the rock climbing wall and the bungee trampoline thingy.

 

and I know someone mentioned Solarium is adult only.. yes, and no.. the pool is 16 and up except during inclement weather, but the area is no longer Kid free since the park Cafe is back there now.

 

Oh, shoot, that's right it was the splash zone, not the whole water park deal. Sometimes I get them mixed up in my head. (Must remember to check my own memories.)

 

beachchick

[struther1]

I love Disney but $1000 is a $1000, easy choice for me. Enchantment