Royal Carribbean or Disney?

[Forensicmom]

I wasn't sure where to post this but I need some help deciding which cruise to pick. This is for November of this year and we will have 5 people (2 adults and 3 kids-teens)

 

RC Liberty of the Seas 5 Night Western Caribbean - Family Oceanview cabin

 

or

 

Disney Dream 3 Night Bahamas - Family cabin as well

 

Hubby wants one and I want the other. Tell me the pros and cons of these please.

[1ParticularHbr]

I wasn't sure where to post this but I need some help deciding which cruise to pick. This is for November of this year and we will have 5 people (2 adults and 3 kids-teens)

 

RC Liberty of the Seas 5 Night Western Caribbean - Family Oceanview cabin

 

or

 

Disney Dream 3 Night Bahamas - Family cabin as well

 

Hubby wants one and I want the other. Tell me the pros and cons of these please.

 

Having sailed on both and knowing you'll have teens - Liberty, hands down. Teens will likely enjoy the climbing wall, flowrider, Royal Promenade, Johnny Rockets. The ships are about the same size but Liberty feels much larger due to better use of open spaces.

[PSCruiser]

Assuming the price is about the same, I'd take Liberty.

5 days always beats 3 days, and W Carib. beats the Bahamas.

I've never been on Disney, but have heard nothing but good, however some of the activities might be geared to younger cruisers.

RC, on the other hand has the rock wall, flow rider, ice skating, stuff that teens love.

[Xewrsw]

I was in the same "boat" a little while back. I had booked the Fantasy for my daughter's grad gift but had a teen son cruising with us.

First, are your teens boys, girls, mix? Are the 5 of you planning on 1 cabin?

Older and active teens would prefer the Liberty. Girls might prefer the Disney boat. Teen boys would definitely prefer Liberty.

The cabins on the Dream are large with two split bathrooms and can accommodate 5.

The cabins on Liberty are smaller with one small bathroom. (Unless you are up in the large suite category.) On a regular cabin I don't know if you could even get 5 people booked into one cabin, or want to. So on Liberty it could be tight or maybe a little more expensive because of the cabin set up.

Generally, the price is higher for Disney, but if you do one cabin and go for 3 days that shouldn't be the case. Disney has a stellar reputation and can command the higher price, because they are....Disney

Royal Caribbean and their professional staff have earned them a great reputation for entertaining families too.

**If you look at a Roll Call for your proposed sailing date you might take notice of the age of the kids on that sailing. (My kids were not as excited as I was about Disney and kept asking if the boat was going to be filled with little kids.) After checking the Roll Call, I noticed that most families on my Fantasy sailing date had kids with an average age of 8, so.....I gave in to my kids urging to change to RCCL. (You can check Disney's own roll for call for ages too.)

 

I have agree with the above responses about Liberty, especially with the nagging I got from my kids. 3 days on Disney or 5 on Liberty, Liberty wins hands down. Unless it's a group of teen girls that are crazy about Disney that you have, there is more action for teens on the Liberty and 5 days is always better than 3.

Edited February 13, 2014 by Xewrsw

[Surfguyxxx]

Hmmmm, 3 days vs. 5 days; Absolutely the 5 dayer!!

[okiecruiser71]

This is an RCL board so it's going to skew heavily to RCL.

 

I've been on Fantasy twice. Both were family trips and both were excellent experiences. We've sampled most of the mass market lines and Disney's MDR food is by far and away the best with the possible exception of Celebrity. I suspect Disney spends more per customer on food than the other lines do. Their dining venues are impressive, especially Animator's Palate. Additionally soft drinks are included in your cruise price which isn't a big deal to everyone, but some people like that.

 

Their shows are also more impressive than anything I've seen on any other line. I also like that you can watch first run movies on DCL ships, even in 3D.

 

The cabins on Fantasy are well appointed and the split bathroom is useful.

 

The other items like the Aqua Duck is something that really can't be found on any other line. We saw kids of all ages riding it and I made a point to ride it many times over our 2 cruises with them and I am over 40.

 

Disney's private island is also pretty amazing.

 

With all that being said it is Disney so you will pay for it. I have not been on their older ships so I can't speak to what that experience is like but I have heard great things about Magic and Wonder.

 

There's lots to like about both lines but I think Disney is a slightly more premium experience, that you definitely pay for.

Edited February 13, 2014 by okiecruiser71

[parrothead brian]

Disney hands down. Done both with 8-teens and all preferred Disney. Aquaduck was great for the kids and so were the teen areas. As adults the rooms are nicer(2 bathrooms sort of) more space. Food was good on both but Disney's was a bit better and service is second to none. Biggest downside for me anyway was no casino on Disney. You can also bring soda and alcohol on board as well as free sodas on ship.

You can't go wrong with either choice, remember RC is less expensive. BTW we had a nice mix of male/female at all age levels.

[bayportkat]

We loved our Disney cruises-our kids are younger-and wanted to do another. We are a family of 5 (2A, 11, 9, 2) for the trip I just planned. I priced and compared both. On both ships, we can all stay in one room-not sure if you would fit in a regular room on Disney. On RCL, we are in a family room (holds 6-double the size of an inside cabin). Since I haven't been on RCL before, I can only comment on pricing as a comparison-hands down, RCL beats Disney -for us by at least $2000. RCL is even cheaper if we got two rooms as opposed to one on Disney.

 

Disney was fabulous-everything was great and when it wasn't, they took care of it! Disney has a great reputation for service and we have always been pleased with them. That being said, RCL seems to have a pretty good reputation and the huge savings have led us to try RCL on the Freedom.

 

It is a hard decision, but we were able to add 4 days at the Disney Yacht Club to our trip since we saved the money on the cruise, so now we have a fabulous 11 night trip that has Disney and a cruise!

 

Good luck!

[Forensicmom]

Thanks everyone. Our kids are: one boy (will be 20), and 3 girls (10, 13, 15). We love Disney but are not "married" to it.

 

We would get the Family Oceanview cabin on the RC Liberty that sleeps 6. It only has one bathroom but is 358 sq. ft and is supposed to be larger.

 

On the DCL Dream, we can only fit 5 in their family cabin, so we would have to either get two cabins, which would cost a lot more OR leave our son home.

[allie3490]

Sorry but one bathroom for 6 people sounds like a nightmare. We are a family of 4 and got 2 adjoining cabins for the extra space, privacy, and bathroom/shower.

 

 

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[Artemis908]

If you've never done a Disney cruise before, I would say Disney. I loved the shows, they were really good. The attention to detail was incredible and the dining rooms were fun, I loved rotating and experiencing a new place for dinner each night. I loved their island, especially the adults only beach, I wish every cruise line had one.

 

I am a huge fan of Royal though, it's the one cruise line I will always keep on going back to.

 

Does the ship mean more to you than the ports? Because I gotta say I am not a big fan of the Bahamas. We did the dolphin swim, which was great, but I felt that Nassau isn't a great place.

[pooptonofkids]

I'm new to the boards here but not new to cruising. I joined because the wife and I are pumped about Quantum!

 

Anyway...I saw this topic and could not resist posting. This very topic has been discussed by my wife and I numerous times and we both feel the same way...

 

We are a family of 7...4 girls, one boy. Kids range in age from 14 to 4. We have taken the kids on Royal (Adventure and Allure) but in May of 2013 we decided to give Disney Dream a try. Simply put...it is not worth the price premium just to have mouse ears.

 

The ship is smaller with small pools and not enough of them. Sure, they have fireworks at sea and some dance parties but none of it adds up to the price you pay above any other reasonable cruise line. I will leave the ports of call out of it...reason being, every cruise line has a private port now. Disney's Castaway Cay is pure Disney.

 

Don't get me wrong...I'm not a Disney hater. We take the kids to "The World" every other year and cruise on the off year. My point is, you get more of everything on other cruise lines.

 

All of the lines know that people travel and cruise with kids now. They all have tons of things geared for children of all ages and I have a wide range of children.

 

Everything on Dream was fine. Food, entertainment, activities, staff,...it was all fine. All things being equal, you get more for less when you are not paying for Mickey.

[Forensicmom]

I love reading the reviews. Thanks. I realized after I posted the first one that I said 5 people but yes, it's 6 people.

 

For us, we love both but I it really matters whether a 3 night cruise on Disney is better then a 5 night cruise on RCL.

 

For me, I am leaning towards the RCL. The ship seems fantastic and I really like the ports better. Yes, 6 people in one bathroom is going to be tight, BUT splurging for 2 cabins is about $500 more, which I'm not sure is worth it or not.

 

The big question now is, the RCL ship is set to return ON Thanksgiving day. If airfare isn't too expensive, we're leaving this way.

[luvntony20]

For me, I am leaning towards the RCL. The ship seems fantastic and I really like the ports better. Yes, 6 people in one bathroom is going to be tight, BUT splurging for 2 cabins is about $500 more, which I'm not sure is worth it or not.

 

It will definitely be worth yours and everyone else's sanity to get 2 staterooms. Especially with that many girls...trust me. You can always look at doing an inside and an oceanview room or 2 inside rooms if you're looking to save a few$, but definitely go with 2 rooms.

[notsomadhatter]

Having done both ships I would pick Liberty. We love DCL but the Dream and 3 nights would be my least favorite combination of any of their itineraries.

 

Definitely consider connecting staterooms whichever you choose. Two bathrooms are really necessary for 6 passengers.

[Friend100]

I love reading the reviews. Thanks. I realized after I posted the first one that I said 5 people but yes, it's 6 people.

 

For us, we love both but I it really matters whether a 3 night cruise on Disney is better then a 5 night cruise on RCL.

 

We have done both ships. If the difference were 4-night Disney Dream vs. 5-night Liberty of the Seas (and similar prices) and the kids were of younger ages, then I will prefer Disney. But in your case, I will choose Liberty of the Seas.

[drmomsc]

We love both cruise lines. But 3 days is too short- my teens vote RCCL.

[hansolosmom]

We've done both Disney and Royal. While I LOVE Disney and believe they're service & ambiance is far above the other lines, I would choose the 5 days on Liberty.

[PSCruiser]

I love reading the reviews. Thanks. I realized after I posted the first one that I said 5 people but yes, it's 6 people.

 

For us, we love both but I it really matters whether a 3 night cruise on Disney is better then a 5 night cruise on RCL.

 

For me, I am leaning towards the RCL. The ship seems fantastic and I really like the ports better. Yes, 6 people in one bathroom is going to be tight, BUT splurging for 2 cabins is about $500 more, which I'm not sure is worth it or not.

 

The big question now is, the RCL ship is set to return ON Thanksgiving day. If airfare isn't too expensive, we're leaving this way.

 

Just wanted to mention that Thanksgiving day is a great day for air travel, quiet airports and half-full planes.

 

Also, a help with the tight bathroom problem is to take advantage of the nice shower facilities that every ship has near the gym area. Many ships also have a steam and/or sauna in the same area, so after pool time maybe you can steer the guys in there to free up the room shower.

[TheGaDawgFan]

I've yet to sail either line, but we were faced with a similar choice. We could do a 4 day on the Dream or a 7 day on the Freedom for our Spring Break. We chose the Freedom. The 7 day Fantasy was almost twice the price, and as much as I love Disney nad hear great things about their cruises, I just couldn't justify it. We'll see....

[Gomer Pilot]

Been on the Dream, but not on the Liberty. The Dream to me is too much ship for a three night cruise. You don't even see all of the ship and get comfortable in that time. The premium price to me is not worth it. We went on a 7 night New Years cruise with my two girls who are 4 and 7 for quite a bit less than it was for a four night on Disney. They loved Royal Caribbean and I think you will too.

 

 

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[Big_G]

I would never fly to Florida for a 3 night cruise no matter what line.

[Luvstocruise2]

Since I have not been on RCI yet, I can't wait to see the differences first hand in food and service. Having said that, my perception is Disney is a great experience, but has many things that are irrelevant to me (chararcters, Disney movies, the kids programs,etc.). I actually looked at the Fantasy for a seven day cruise and just about gagged at the pricing. When I booked the 7 day Magic cruise back a few years it was the same price as 7 days on Freedom in February at the time(and Disney had a 25% CDN resident discount at the time that made it doable). The Dream is way overpriced.

 

If you have kids and never did Disney it is worth doing for the experience, but from discussions at the DISboards, I felt the 3 day cruises are not worth it. There were a lot of comments about Dream and Fantasy having way too small pools for both the kids and adults. My at the time 12 year old had fun-spent his time in the pools way more than kids club, but once on that ship was enough even he said.

 

I think Disney makes a killing on these short cruises. There are a lot of DISboard users that seem to be willing to pay any price because it is Disney.

FWIW

[Irene7]

I have cruised both and love both and think they are the best in the industry, but if I had to choose one it would be Disney. My kids are grown and still love to cruise with them. Ships are beautiful and classy, there is plenty to do and if you are a Disney fan you will love the shows. Service is amazing. Pretty expensive though.

 

Also you should ask this on the DCL boards as well.

Edited February 14, 2014 by Irene7

[Irene7]

I would never fly to Florida for a 3 night cruise no matter what line.

 

Funny you mentioned that, because earlier today I booked a 3 nighter on Oasis for Oct 2015. The price is pretty cheap so I figured, why not. But since we will be in Florida, I am thinking of throwing in a few nights at WDW.