Disney or Royal FOS??

[sunrise&set]

I just recently booked FOS for Feb 2011 and got a really great rate for our family of 3 in an aft balcony (D1). I just saw the post about kids sailing free on Disney and decided to check it out. For about $300 more we can sail on Disney Magic.

 

We have always wanted to try the Freedom Class ships, but have also wanted to try Disney though thought this would always be out of our price range. For those who have sailed both (cruisinmama ;)), which would you choose?? Similar itinerary, same departure port, same week. BTW, DS loves Disney but is afraid of the characters.

 

Help!! :D

[jewelmick]

We will be on FOS Feb 2011 (President's Week for winter break.) We have sailed DCL 4 times, this will be our 1st RCL. My DD is 8 and is REALLY looking forward to trying the Flowrider and rockwall.

 

We LOVE DCL but it is really getting expensive. We priced out this cruise, and for the $$ of the inside cabin on DCL we were able to snag the Deck 7 corner aft on FOS.

 

I split the difference by booking 3 days at WDW before the cruise! We can still get our Mickey fix and enjoy the cruise.

 

The Disney Meets are really active on disboards and alot of people decorate their doors. It is an "experience." Nobody does it like Disney. But, I have heard good things about FOS too.

 

For $300 difference I would choose Disney....the characters are really good about not crowding the kids that are scared. They wait for the kids to come to them, and are not all over the place.

[boulders]

It depends on the age of your ds. For 7 and under, I'd choose Disney. For 12 and older, I'd choose RCI. In between, I could go either way. The food and service are better with DCL. RCI has more "active" activities and a casino. I think the kids activities are better with DCL

 

The Magic is an older ship. Their staterooms seem more crowded to me and the mattress I slept on 4 months ago was kind of lumpy. Staterooms higher than an 11 have 2 sinks and a tub though. DCL plays Disney movies on the TV and the screen on deck almost all the time.

 

FOS is newer. I really like the atrium and layout on the newer ships. It's got the flowrider, rockwall, minigolf and waterpark.

[sunrise&set]

Thanks - this is all very helpful! Should have mentioned that DS will be turning 4 on 2/15. We're currently booked on FOS for the 2/6/11 sailing and looking at the same week or his Birthday week for Magic.

[crzgrl66]

For a 4 year old...Disney all the way! I would do Disney this time and next time when he is a little older try RCL. We just went on Liberty of the Seas and although our teen said it was the best, my 9 and 6 year old said they liked it, but LOVED Disney.

[Gatrcruzer]

Although I would normally say that for this age Disney would be a good choice, I noticed that the OP stated that the son is afraid of the characters. Under these circumstances, perhaps Disney is not as good an idea? Then again, I think FOS might be getting some characters aboard as well, although perhaps not by the time the OP would be sailing?

 

It's a tough call. We haven't been on Disney because the cost is so high for what I perceive to be an older ship with not so large rooms. I also worry about it being a bit too child-oriented, and maybe a bit overwhelming (for me, not DD). Then again, it sounds as though it could be a great experience for children, particularly those who love the characters. Good luck, and whatever you decide hope you have a great cruise!

[boulders]

For a 4 year old, definitely Disney. DS5 is generally afraid of people in costume, but he loves it at character breakfasts etc, when the characters approach him.

 

I found plenty to do on the Magic as well.

[Marie51]

I had the same problem with my young grandchildren being afraid of the characters. They stayed frightened the entire cruise. It was horrible. Since the OP has stated that her child is afraid I would say definitely go on FOS. I have always found the food and service on RC to be excellent.

[Julienatul]

I would go RCCL too. We took My DD age 4 and DS 17mo on Disney Wonder this past May and it wasnt a great experience. They are also afraid of the characters. Not only that, the kids club combines the ages now so you get about 200 kids (literally) of all ages running around the club with various activities going on. It is really overwhelming for the younger ones. MY dd never wanted to stay, they paged us after 15min each time we dropped her off and usually I cant get her out of the kids program. The food was terrible and DD would barely eat. The fries tasted like they poured a gallon of salt on them. It also wasnt very relaxing, kids running, screaming, banging on doors down the hallway, dropping food everywhere on deck. Picture chuck e cheese for 4 straight days. The good things are the cabin is nice, the shows are phenomenal and the service is top notch. RCCL and Carnival are a better fit for my family, the food is better, there is a nice mix of adult time and family time and its not so overwheling for my kids.

[sunrise&set]

Well, DH pretty much nixed the Disney cruise. He looked at both ships and wants to stick with RCL this time around, for some of the same reasons you stated. So I think we'll cruise RCL this time and take another Disney trip or cruise in 2012. Thanks for all your input! But keep it coming since we still have time to change our minds!

 

Does anyone know if Disney usually offers the "kids sail free" every winter? We usually cruise Jan-Feb-Mar and it would be nice to know we can take advantage of this offer another time.

 

I would go RCCL too. We took My DD age 4 and DS 17mo on Disney Wonder this past May and it wasnt a great experience. They are also afraid of the characters. Not only that, the kids club combines the ages now so you get about 200 kids (literally) of all ages running around the club with various activities going on. It is really overwhelming for the younger ones. MY dd never wanted to stay, they paged us after 15min each time we dropped her off and usually I cant get her out of the kids program. The food was terrible and DD would barely eat. The fries tasted like they poured a gallon of salt on them. It also wasnt very relaxing, kids running, screaming, banging on doors down the hallway, dropping food everywhere on deck. Picture chuck e cheese for 4 straight days. The good things are the cabin is nice, the shows are phenomenal and the service is top notch. RCCL and Carnival are a better fit for my family, the food is better, there is a nice mix of adult time and family time and its not so overwheling for my kids.