I am deeply torn between NCL, Virgin, RCCL, & DCL... please help me choose!

[NeutralNovice]

I've been sooo torn on what I want to do... So many variables--if anyone can give me some advice, I would appreciate it!

 

A bit about me--I like being on the biggest and/or newest ships.  I've been on PCL, NCL, and RCCL.  I really liked my experience at all of them but mostly NCL and RCCL.  Now that I am centered on my career with a stable income, I want to get the best of the best and book the suite/concierge categories.  I have no kids.  I love to eat and gamble. I like activities like Escape Rooms, Mini-golf, Games, musicals, acrobatic arts (cirque du soleil).  I also love Disney and Disney Parks.  Here is what I've been mulling over for awhile now...

 

DCL

* Disney Treasure, 7-Nights, Concierge Family Cabin w/ Verandah - ~$12,000

* OR Disney Wish, 4-Nights, Concierge Family Cabin w/ Verandah - ~$8,000

    * PROS

        * I LOVE Disney, I've always wanted to go on DCL

        * Dining experience looks like a lot of fun

        * I will probably love all the Disney-themed shows

        * Port Canaveral is Embarkation so it's close to Disney and I can use DVC for pre and post stays.

    * CONS

        * There will probably be A LOT of kids.

        * No casino (though this may also be a good thing lol)

        * Based on videos I've seen, there don't seem to be too many on-ship activities like an escape room, mini golf, or other games

        * The most expensive, by far

     * QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

        * Since this would be my first cruise with them, I would have zero status and therefore lowest reservation "power."

        * I don't know if Concierge is worth the price.  Like how hard is it to get seats at a show without concierge? And how hard is it to get reservations at one of the              specialty restaurants?

 

NCL

* Prima - 7-Nights - Haven Owner's Suite w/ Large Balcony - ~$12,000

    * PROS

        * Their food options look really good.

        * They seem to have quite a bit of fun activities that I would like.

        * Casino

        * Go-Karts!

    * CONS

        * Everything seems to have an upcharge

        * The most expensive non-DCL cruise.

        * A YouTube Cruise reviewer I like gave NCL and the Haven some bad marks. (Cruise with Ben and David)

        * New York Embarkation

     * QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

        * The last time I cruised with them was on the Breakaway 10 years ago.  I don't know how much they have changed since then.

 

RCCL

* Utopia of the Seas - 4-Nights - Grand Suite 1-Bedroom - ~$5,000

    * PROS

        * Their food options look really good, especially that new "Immersive Train" experience

        * They seem to have quite a bit of fun activities that I would like.

        * Casino

        * Port Canaveral embarkation

    * CONS

        * For a ship this large, 4-Nights doesn't seem like enough.  I would probably want to add a 3-Nighter.

     * QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

        * The last time I cruised with them was on the Harmony in 2019.

        * Of the three cruises I've been on, RCCL is my favorite.

        * I remember getting something called "The Key" which actually worked out pretty well in terms of benefits--maybe I can save some $$ by just stepping down to non-suite cabin and buy into Key program.

 

VIRGIN

* Valiant Lady - 5-Nights - Brilliant Suite - ~$4,500

    * PROS

        * Their food options look really good.

        * Casino

        * Adults Only!

    * CONS

        * Miami Embarkation

        * Not many of the activities I would like - most stuff seems to be clubs/bars.  I am no fun and don't dance lol.

     * QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

        * Never been on Virgin and I am afraid I am not "hip" enough.

        * I wish the Korean BBQ Place had an option of party-only seating.

 

 

Sorry for so much text!

 

[Essiesmom]

Take a look at MSC in the Yacht Club.  EM

[leaveitallbehind]

Can't determine your preferences - only you can do that.  But I will say that IMO I would not do any cruise under 7 nights.  From your list, that would eliminate all but NCL and the 7-night Disney.  But neither of those cruise lines would be my first choice - in particular since you have no kids and many kids will be on either one.

 

Maybe consider Celebrity - adult demographics with few children.

 

 

[ShipsandDipper]

We love Disney parks and go often.  We do not have kids. We tried DCL last year and it felt way more kid-centric than the parks, even though they do have adults-only areas. It was a nice cruise, a fine cruise, but we didn’t feel like it was that much better than RCCL for us. 

[Shmoo here]

4 hours ago, NeutralNovice said:

DCL

* Disney Treasure, 7-Nights, Concierge Family Cabin w/ Verandah - ~$12,000

* OR Disney Wish, 4-Nights, Concierge Family Cabin w/ Verandah - ~$8,000

    * PROS

        * I LOVE Disney, I've always wanted to go on DCL

        * Dining experience looks like a lot of fun

        * I will probably love all the Disney-themed shows

        * Port Canaveral is Embarkation so it's close to Disney and I can use DVC for pre and post stays.

    * CONS

        * There will probably be A LOT of kids.

        * No casino (though this may also be a good thing lol)

        * Based on videos I've seen, there don't seem to be too many on-ship activities like an escape room, mini golf, or other games

        * The most expensive, by far

     * QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

        * Since this would be my first cruise with them, I would have zero status and therefore lowest reservation "power."

        * I don't know if Concierge is worth the price.  Like how hard is it to get seats at a show without concierge? And how hard is it to get reservations at one of the              specialty restaurants?

 

I can only address the DCL questions.

For me, personally, I don't think concierge is something I'd like.  One thing, concierge doesn't get priority seating at the shows (unless things have changed).  We also have been able to get reservations at the extra pay dining options (on the classic and dream class ships) since our first DCL cruise.

 

Another thing, both the Wish & Treasure don't "measure up" to what many previous DCL cruisers feel a Disney ship should be.  I can't answer that, as I haven't been on either one, yet.  I probably will take one cruise on each of them in the future so I can form my own opinion.

 

Depending on the cruise, it's possible the number of children could be high or low.  And, DCL has very good and large kid's clubs areas, keeping most of them out of the way.

[Crazy planning mom]

You seem like Royal the most.  Why not do a B2B on Utopia or as someone suggested try Celebrity.