I love Disney but is this really the best Cuise line for the money?

[Jim&AngieMarriner]

Hi Everyone!!
We are considering going on a Cruise to the Caribbean in 2010 and are doing research on all the different cruise lines. From what we have seen, Disney Cruise lines seems more expensive than almost everyone else. Since it is just going to be the wife and I, is this Cruise worth the cost?

[Figment!]

We've sailed on Princess, Royal Caribbean and Disney Crusie Lines.

Our personal experience was that of the three, Disney had the best service, best up-keep, best nightly entertainment, and best private island.

The quality of amenities offered on-board between the three crusie lines are likely debatable dependent on one's personal tastes; although, the extra touches like Animator's Pallet and on-board Character Meet & Greets are certainly extra touches that only Disney offers.

If Disney had a constantly broader itinerary, we would definatley have done more than 2 cruises with them.

[dmosher]

For me I guess it depends on "what you look for" while cruising. If you like to relax, enjoy on the boat fun and occasionally wander off around tropical ports of call, all the while experiencing Disney specific magic then yes DCL is for you and well worth the money. If you are more into shopping, casinos or more adult entertainment (topless decks yes some cruise lines have them) the obviously Disney is not for you.

We do not have kids and if your not a "kid friendly" person, DCL may be tricky for you, but I have managed to avoid children very well on DCL. There adult specific locations (sometimes permanently, others after a certain hour), but lets be honest; it's DISNEY! The food is better, the rooms are nicer and bigger and even the activities are more fun. Why?... Because it's DISNEY!

In the end it comes down to one simple thing. If you know the magic disney brings at it's resorts and expect the same quality and service when your cruising, then DCL is for you. If your indifferent about the Disney style magic on the seas, then pretty much any cruise lien will do.

D

[DisneyFr33k]

We've been on Princess several years ago and Disney last year with another Disney scheduled for next month. I love the kid friendly atmosphere - we have a 9 and 11 year old - and places for them to go while we do "our thing". I am not a night owl, but my husband (who is) says there is not much to do on the Disney cruise after 11:00. I couldn't tell you, but he says Princess is better for late night entertainment and things to do. I personally love Disney more and find things done better. We docked next to a Royal Carribean boat last year. They were taller and their main deck with their pools overlooked ours. When the Disney cast came out, with Mickey, Donald etc to do an improptu show at the pools, we had both boats singing and dancing. It was fun to watch! Those small differences add up.

But as the post above says, it is all what you are looking for.

[LW_DFREAK]

I absolutely agree with the other travelers who posted above. It is "all in what you are looking for." We have two boys now 6 and 8 and have traveled on DCL twice for the land/sea trips. We are booked on the Mediterranean cruise in August 2010 and can't wait! Could we do it cheaper on another line? Probably. Before children, we were frequent cruise travelers and have sampled most of the lines, but now as a family I would pay the extra $$ to be on DCL. It has everything we need and more...plus I am all about things being clean and having friendly service...especially with children. I also am quite impressed with the kids clubs too and feel my children are happy and safe there. When they are older we will probably branch out to some of the larger ships, but right now DCL is just perfect for what we need. We don't need the late night entertainment or casinos. There is plenty to do on board for all ages so I give DCL two thumbs up

[mickey98]

We have been on DCL 3 times now and our 4th is booked for aug 2010. Yes there are less inexpensive cruises out there. It all depends as other have posted what you are going to do on the cruise.. relax ??, Shore excursions ?? Nightly Entertainment ?? DCL has the best all around atmosphere. Unbeatable for the kids and without kids as we did in August 08 for our anniversary they do a GREAT job on adult only areas.. When we booked our Aug 2010 cruise we considered cruising elseware to save money but came back to DCL. !!!!!!!!

[DakotaDisney]

In the end it comes down to one simple thing. If you know the magic disney brings at it's resorts and expect the same quality and service when your cruising, then DCL is for you. If your indifferent about the Disney style magic on the seas, then pretty much any cruise lien will do.

Most definitely!

I have only been on one cruise and it was a disney cruise. I am not a disney fanatic, but I do love disney. I didn't go on the cruise because it was a Disney cruise, but I went on the Disney cruise, because I generally trust Disney and I like what they had to offer.

I think they pay great attention to detail and service. Are they perfect by no means, but who is.

I also agree with the other posts, in that it does depend on what you are looking for.

I do appreciate the family friendly atmosphere of the Disney cruises.

[Ian]

Based on what I saw of the price differences when we booked our cruise, I can't possibly imagine Disney being worth the extra money.

Same exact cruise, same exact accomodations:

NCL: $2,900
Disney: $8,600

I'm sorry ... first off, I don't necessarily believe a Disney cruise is that great. I mean, based on the state of the parks, I don't have a lot of confidence that the service on the cruises is all that.

And secondly, I'll deal with a lot less for a cruise that costs 1/3 as much. I mean if it was a $500 difference, no brainer ... I'd cruise with Disney. But for nearly 6 grand more?? I think not.

Also, most of the veteran cruisers I know (i.e. people who cruise 3-4 times per year) say that Royal Caribbean and Princess are the best lines by far. Most rate Disney no more than a distant third place.

[Pixie Power]

In the end it comes down to one simple thing. If you know the magic disney brings at it's resorts and expect the same quality and service when your cruising, then DCL is for you. If your indifferent about the Disney style magic on the seas, then pretty much any cruise line will do.

D

I agree with this 100%!

We've done 7 Disney cruises to date and 4 of them have been just my husband & myself. We've only done one other cruise line (Holland America-DH & I only) and we think Disney is above and beyond.

HTHs!

[Auroring Good Time]

I've been on 6 cruises. 1 with Norwegian, 1 with Royal Caribbean, 1 with Carnival, and the last 3 with Disney. Disney is by far my favorite. The size of the cabins is larger. The food was delicious. The only one comparible would be Carnival for food. Their ship is the cleanest and the staff is friendliest. I went on one of Royal Caribbean's newest ships a few years back and I was not impressed. I definitely prefer Disney over the others however, I am a Disney freak. I am planning another cruise for 2010 which will probably not be with Disney to save on money however, if I had the money, I would cruise Disney again.

[Nurse Kim]

My husband and I are planning our first cruise with no kids. We have never been on a cruise before and I love DISNEY but we aren't going to pay the extra cost to cruise with DCL.

[dixielandings]

I think to accurately answer this question, you have to have sailed DCL and someone else. We have. And we are sailing DCL again this year. And we will sail other lines again as well. "Worth" the money is in the eye of the spender. DCL charges more b/c the details and service are just...better. There is no other experience like a Disney experience, whether on land or sea. Princess, RCL, Norweigian are all great, reputable lines - but they don't have Mickey Mouse on board, know what I mean?

[NJGIRL]

No, I have been on several other lines and they are just as nice and not as expensive. We do the Disney cruise for the kids.

[wildernesslady]

I've done DCL and Royal. Both were great for different reasons. Royal had more adult evening entertainment. Disney had classic shows. Both were fun. Food was great on both also. Up next we have a 7 night Royal cruise followed by 4 days at Disney. The best of both worlds.

[JMTStone]

I have experience from a Princess Western Carib. cruise last year. I can tell you I was dissapointed in all of the things that makes ma happy to cruise with Disney.

On Princess, the kids club was small and not that much fun AND the entertainment was only once a night and you had to be there early to get a seat and it wasn't worth waiting for.

[caryrae]

Based on what I saw of the price differences when we booked our cruise, I can't possibly imagine Disney being worth the extra money.

Same exact cruise, same exact accomodations:

NCL: $2,900
Disney: $8,600

I'm sorry ... first off, I don't necessarily believe a Disney cruise is that great. I mean, based on the state of the parks, I don't have a lot of confidence that the service on the cruises is all that.

And secondly, I'll deal with a lot less for a cruise that costs 1/3 as much. I mean if it was a $500 difference, no brainer ... I'd cruise with Disney. But for nearly 6 grand more?? I think not.

Also, most of the veteran cruisers I know (i.e. people who cruise 3-4 times per year) say that Royal Caribbean and Princess are the best lines by far. Most rate Disney no more than a distant third place.

I would have to agree how can a Disney Cruise be 6 grand more worth it. That's the price of a descent used car. I am sorry but the price of a Disney Cruise is just ridiculous.

[Imalismom]

I have cruised Disney and Carnival. My DD (teenager) hated Carnival - so next time, we will do Disney again.

It all depends on what you want. For me, I love a balcony, but can't afford one on disney - I can on Carnival, because they offer a military discount if you have over 6 months of military service, you don't have to be active duty, or retired, you just have to have proof you served for at least six months.

That all being said, I loved Disney dining much better than carnival. I also loved the way Disney shows are family shows. My DD could not see all the shows on carnival, nor did I even want to.

I love sitting on a balcony all by myself and just reading a book, and enjoying the sea air.

Given the choice, we will do Disney, but if it was only me cruising by myself, I'd do carnival simply because I can get a balcony cheaper than the cost of a inside room on Disney.