Disney or Royal Caribbean

[rkkunk]

We have done DCL 3 times and RCCL 6 times. 

 

We did DCL when our son was younger and the prices were cheaper. We really liked the Disney cruises. We did think that the ships were cleaner, the food a little better, and we liked the entertainment since it was geared towards the kids. (We thought their shows were good, but we like Disney) 

 

When DCL priced us out, we tried Royal. We love the bigger ships because there is so much to do. Our son is in HS now, so he loves the different activities and the shows are geared toward more of a mature audience.

 

I agree, DCL is really good for ages 5-10. I would save up to do a longer 7 day cruise. But for now, I think you would like a Royal ship and your child won’t know the difference. 

[Garyjames220]

And as two adults early 30s, do you think royal is better for us ?

 

 

[Garyjames220]

I was looking up cruises and you can do 12 nights on the anthem around the Caribbean with Free all inclusive drinks deal instead of 7 nights on the fantasy for about 1100 less than Disney would be 😱

[Clarea]

42 minutes ago, Garyjames220 said:

I was looking up cruises and you can do 12 nights on the anthem around the Caribbean with Free all inclusive drinks deal instead of 7 nights on the fantasy for about 1100 less than Disney would be 😱

 

I think you answered your own question.

[Sitzmark]

2 hours ago, Garyjames220 said:

And as two adults early 30s, do you think royal is better for us ?

 

 

Depends if you like Disney or not.  Disney is an excellent product.  Will you use the nursery on either?  You should research these if you are planning on it.  

 

Without the child a couple in their in their thirties would probably prefer Royal.  

[Garyjames220]

10 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I think you answered your own question.

Yes u might be right 

[clean1owner]

On 1/24/2019 at 8:20 AM, Garyjames220 said:

Hey

 

anyone that has sailed with both lines. Who do you like better and why 

 

it won’t be long and we will be planning a trip with a one year old and was wondering who u think is best to go with. I no royal would be a lot lot cheaper and a longer cruise probably. Would pick a Caribbean cruise. What line would u choose 

 

 

 

 

I have done both.  

 

With a child that is only 1, my recommendation would be to sail RCCL and bank the savings for a future Disney cruise.  

 

It's my personal opinion that children should be 8+ before going on a Disney ship. That way they are young enough to still like Disney, and old enough to appreciate all they have to offer. 

 

The best service we ever had on a cruise was with Disney, and our daughter, who was 11 at the time, still remembers how much she enjoyed it.

[PrincessBelle39]

We've cruised both.  We are at a stage now where we find RCI is better suited to our needs.  With a 1 year old I would go Disney solely for the nursery.  

[actuarian]

My wife and I have been on 18 Disney cruises and on 44 Royal Caribbean Cruises so we have a lot of experience on both.  The food is better on Disney and so is the entertainment.  You also get more production shows on a Disney cruise (though without a live orchestra).  However, none of that is enough to justify the price difference that seems to be constantly increasing.  Most of the time, a 4-night Disney cruise costs about the same as a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise, which explains why we have been on so many more Royal Caribbean cruises, even though we are Disney fanatics.   Because we are WDW annual pass holders and Disney Vacation Club members, we can (and often do) supplement a Royal Caribbean cruise with 3 days at WDW and still not spend as much as we would spend on a Disney cruise.  It seems almost like Disney Cruise Line should be pricing themselves out of the market but, somehow, they always sail full!

[Garyjames220]

9 hours ago, PrincessBelle39 said:

We've cruised both.  We are at a stage now where we find RCI is better suited to our needs.  With a 1 year old I would go Disney solely for the nursery.  

Yeah but am now thing it's a lot of extra money and 7 nights instead of 12 just for a better nursery 

Edited January 26, 2019 by Garyjames220

[LuCruise]

I'm a big fan of Disney parks and when you enter, you really feel the magic. 

I've been on Disney cruise once and Royal 5 times (with 5 more booked) and I'm a Royal fan for cruising.  Personally that same magic isn't there on Disney line.  Having said that, I think Disney cruise is perfect for kids 4-8 years or maybe up to 10 years.  It's geared to kids from activities to shows to pools (not that you can actually swim in them) to slides, etc.  Royal caters to everyone...adults and kids.  

 

Entertainment on Disney is first class, but it's all Disney shows.

Entertainment on Royal has more variety.  I find the entertainment on older Royal ships good - the production shows a bit tacky but still enjoyable, and for headliners it depends on who you get...but I love every evening with dinner and a show.  On newer ships (Oasis, and I assume Quantum) and some others like Independence, they have first class Broadway shows which is great.  And then you have ice shows, Aqua shows (Oasis) and other unique things...all amazing.

There are tons of activities on Royal and they are even amping up existing ships adding more (slides, sky pad, laser tag, etc).  

 

Again...we love the parks but for cruising we find more for our kids at Royal (who are 13 and 9 years now).  And to be honest, I think there are too many princesses on Disney that our son would skip a lot of stuff to avoid them.  

 

For OP with a 1 year old, paying the additional cost would be lost so I would do Royal now for them....and in a few years, try Disney for their child.

Edited January 26, 2019 by LuCruise

[Garyjames220]

5 hours ago, LuCruise said:

I'm a big fan of Disney parks and when you enter, you really feel the magic. 

I've been on Disney cruise once and Royal 5 times (with 5 more booked) and I'm a Royal fan for cruising.  Personally that same magic isn't there on Disney line.  Having said that, I think Disney cruise is perfect for kids 4-8 years or maybe up to 10 years.  It's geared to kids from activities to shows to pools (not that you can actually swim in them) to slides, etc.  Royal caters to everyone...adults and kids.  

 

Entertainment on Disney is first class, but it's all Disney shows.

Entertainment on Royal has more variety.  I find the entertainment on older Royal ships good - the production shows a bit tacky but still enjoyable, and for headliners it depends on who you get...but I love every evening with dinner and a show.  On newer ships (Oasis, and I assume Quantum) and some others like Independence, they have first class Broadway shows which is great.  And then you have ice shows, Aqua shows (Oasis) and other unique things...all amazing.

There are tons of activities on Royal and they are even amping up existing ships adding more (slides, sky pad, laser tag, etc).  

 

Again...we love the parks but for cruising we find more for our kids at Royal (who are 13 and 9 years now).  And to be honest, I think there are too many princesses on Disney that our son would skip a lot of stuff to avoid them.  

 

For OP with a 1 year old, paying the additional cost would be lost so I would do Royal now for them....and in a few years, try Disney for their child.

 

Yeah I think we are going to go with royal and it's 12 nights instead of 7

 

you might be right to try Disney in a few years but the way they keep raising there prices that might not even be an option 

[PopeyeDaSailor]

On 1/24/2019 at 9:38 AM, tallnthensome said:

Ask yourself if you want to pay 40% more to see people in costumes .... or just for a one year old at that. You’ll be surrounded by kids your whole cruise. Don’t waste your money on Disney. 

 

This.  I have a 12 and a 6 year old and we're sailing on Symphony this May.  I looked into Disney but a room with a standard balcony was like $7,700 for a week.  For that money you can get a Grand Suite on RCCL and all the upgrades that come with it.  Which is exactly what we did.  I also booked during a "Kids Sail Free" promotion and our Grand Suite ended up costing $5,000 for the week!  $2,200 less than a Disney cruise for a bigger room, all the Suite benefits plus the kids programs of RCCL.

 

No brainer, considering we can take our kids to Disney world if they want to see Mickey which we have done multiple times since my parents are retired right near Disney world.

Edited January 27, 2019 by PopeyeDaSailor

[Cruise a holic]

IMO Royal Oasis class ships much better.  You have wonderful options for both adults and children.  I think the entertainment options on Royal are  far superior to Disney.  Food better, many specialty options for dining-and activities on Royal.   While we do not use the Casino, it is an option on Royal.  I would also suggest that if you can afford it, do a grand suite or above on royal-  

 

The perks are so much better then Disney.  Which is very expensive for what they give you.  If you are a Disney "freak" you will like Disney better.

[Garyjames220]

Think that’s us decided to go with royal