My honest comparison of the Disney Dream vs Carnival Legend (long)

[rdevine10]

I wanted to give a fair review comparison of our experience between Disney and Carnival as it comes up so often here.

 

A little background.- We are a family of 4 ( 2 girls – now aged 9 and 6). We LOVE Disney! We have been multiple times.

 

That being said, I had wanted to cruise Disney since 1998 when the 1st ship was launched. We almost cruised in 2004, but then realized my older daughter, who was a toddler couldn’t swim in the pools and decided to hold off.

 

Fast forward to 2010. I was Disney Dreaming and discovered the Disney Dream was going to be built. We made the plunge and booked our 1st ever cruise on the Disney Dream, 15 months prior to our sailing date (oh it killed me to wait to long!!!!). I planned obsessively, the time flew by (as it does with kids), and finally last April of 2011 we went on our 4 night April break cruise! It was hands down the best, most relaxing vacation we had ever done with kids! We loved it, the worst part was it was just too short!

 

I booked dummy date and played around with it, but I still could never find a sailing close in price to what we paid (for a 4 night). All the Disney advertising with the new ships had really pushed the prices even higher!

 

So, in the end, after much research on cruise critic, a co-workers recommendation, we decided on the Carnival Legend out of Tampa. Below I will compare our experiences. But I will preface it all to say we had a GREAT time on the Legend and I would not hesitate to book Carnival again.

 

Disney Dream- 4 night – Nassau, Castaway Cay (and 2nd not scheduled stop at Castaway Cay) VS Carnival Legend- 7 night exotic Western Caribbean (Cozumel, Belize, Roatan & Grand Cayman).

 

Embarkation:

 

Disney- We got to the port early (Canaveral), got through lines fine, but ended up waiting around for over an hour to get on the ship. The kids were bored. It was not terrible, but it did seem very dragged out. Could partly be my fault for being so excited that we got there so early! Once on board we had a great lunch at the buffet, which we loved.

 

Carnival- Port of Tampa was very efficient. We got there a little later, tried off site parking to save money- at around 11:30. At the cruise port by 11:45. Zipped through our lines, waited all of 10 minutes once we were done and on to the ship we go. Ok, they didn’t announce our name, but truthfully, I didn’t even notice. We were so excited to start our cruise! We ran a couple errands (stopped to make sure we had a table just for our family at dinner, walked around, and had lunch). Buffet choices were great. Lines were similar on both ships. Slightly harder to find a table but, we got on later, so more people were already eating.

 

Winner: slightly smoother in Tampa via Carnival- perhaps only due to experience!

 

Staterooms:

 

Disney- we opted for the inside stateroom with the virtual porthole. It was an 11A. Room was sufficient, but tight at around 165 square feet. Loved the virtual porthole. Small tub was nice for the younger child. Lovely linens. Felt very new and nice. Deck 8- great location. We were happy with the room.

 

Carnival- we booked a balcony guarantee and got upgraded to an extended balcony. Room was BIGGER at 185 square feet and the balcony was twice the size of the standard! Room had a king vs queen bed (nice). Felt clean, but not as new (but not old per say). Then again this ship is OLDER!

 

Winner on the room, hands down Carnival! It might have been a bit older, but it was better space and laid out better. That being said, I know its hard to compare too different categories, but I will add this right here:

 

COST:

 

4 night Dream booked at a LOW price which I still cant match even with the 10% off in an interior room was around the same price at the 7 night in the upgraded baloncy room.

 

POOLS & WATERSLIDES:

 

Disney- the only negative I really didn’t like about our cruise, yes, the pools were crowded. And being from the North East, in April, my kids were EXCITED about swimming. The Mickey pool isn’t really a swimming area, IMO and the Donald pool literally was like a death trap with all the people and such in there, I was scared my 8 year was going to get pushed under and drown! We only used the pool really on our 2nd unexpected day at Castaway Cay. Aquaduck- was awesome, but there were lines! LONG lines! 45 minute lines when we went! We went once (my older daughter went twice- younger one was denied, even though she was 42 inches). Was very fun, but not worth the wait. And to explain our 2nd stop at Castaway, the Aqua Duck actually broke for 24 hours during the cruise. So we went back to paradise. It was a great surprise to me! I was thrilled as so many people got off, we actually got to use the pools, etc. Mickey waterslide- was fun for the kids. Adults not allowed. Seating, was very hard to find chairs near the pool area with the kids.

 

Carnival- this ship I chose because of its size. It’s a spirit class ship and its much smaller, and holds about half as many people. We went the same exact weeks just different years. The ship had 2 family pools, one kids pool (more like the mickey thing), one adult pool (we didn’t use on this or Disney), and one waterslide. Ok, my kids got to swim. The pools never scared me at all. You could get in the pool and actually swim, not just stand. (This is probably because of the size of the ships and # of people on it). Was always able to find a chair or table close to the pool. Waterslide- adults allowed on. Only negative, is I wish it was closer to the pool (on other side of ship). But, it probably kept the lines down. Typically was about 4 people wait, once on a sea day we waited about 15 minutes.

 

Winner- Carnival because it was less crowded. But Disney still wins with the aqua duck. Maybe since it was closed for repairs for 24 hours during our cruise it impacted my views on the wait times. But, it wasn’t worth a 45 minute wait!

 

Food:

 

Disney- Loved the buffet. But it was only open for breakfast and our 1st day lunch, if I recall. Loved the dining room with Crush! Was a true highlight! The other dining rooms, IMO were slightly “boring” in theme. Food and service were good!

 

Carnival- Loved the buffet choices. Seems to be open more. Was open even when were were in port (all of the stations). One dining room., but they did have magic tricks and dancing waiters. Food and Service good.

 

I am going to go with Tie here. I liked both, for different reasons. I had no faults with either.

 

Ports of Call –

 

Disney- well, Nassau is OK. Castaway Cay is HEAVEN on earth. Enough said!

 

Carnival- Cozumel, Roatan, & Grand Cayman were amazing. I would easily go back to any. Belize wasn’t our thing. But that’s ok!

 

Winner- well, its hard to compare. Totally different destinations. Both were good for the length of each cruise. Still love Castaway Cay the best out of everything!

 

Kids Clubs-

 

Disney- Ill be honest, my kids didn’t love it. They spent about 3 hours total there the whole trip. No tears, just didn’t want to go bank. That’s OK, its family vacation, I want to spend time with the kids!

 

Carnival- Same as above, they didn’t love it. But, it was located in the forward of deck 5 on this ship and our 1st sea day was very rocky. Got a call overhead 30 minutes after we left that my youngest wanted out. She felt sick. (it was motion sickness). She never wanted to go back after that. Older one didn’t love it either. They normally separate the 5 to 8s from the 9 to 11’s. But, they had them combined on this cruise. Older daughter was not happy with that arrangement.

 

Winner- well, they didn’t like either of them. So who knows exactly who the winner is. I will say at least they went back more than once on Disney!

 

Spa-

 

Disney- I got a rainforest pass. I spent about 2 hours there. I LOVED IT. I still dream about it!

 

Carnival- I got a massage with stones. It was supposed to last 75 minutes. I loved it. But no relaxation room on this ship, and after I realized my massage lasted only 60 minutes, so I was jipped!

 

Winner- well, I loved the rainforest room and at $15 was a bargain! The massage was a special and with tip cost about $150! Not worth it in comparison!

 

Entertainment:

 

Disney- The shows were very kid friendly! The mid ship detective agency was great! The mini golf was fun! There was almost too much to do on the ship! We wanted to experience it all, and 4 days wasn’t enough!

 

Carnival- My kids loved the mini golf! The shows were good! Ok, the costumes were more riske. But, it isn’t too different than something you might see in NYC on broadway or in Vegas. Some of the shows were more entertaining to them than others. They loved the family friendly comedy shows. 2 of the 4 were AWESOME. The other 2 were a little over there heads. We participated in a family scavenger hunt. And me and my 2 girls WON!!!!!! Yeah!

 

Winner- well, we enjoyed both for different reasons. I will say, in quite honesty I was sort of glad to not see the Disney character and wait in line for the 50th time to see Tinkerbell, etc. Maybe its because we have done Disney so many times. I would rather be exploring other things or having other fun!

 

Drinks:

 

Disney- all the soda you want is included. Don’t tell me its free. You ARE paying for it with the higher prices! Alcoholic Drinks were comparable in cost.

 

 

Carnival- well, we could of bought a soda card, but to be honest, I don’t like my kids drinking a lot of soda (bad mom right?). The lemonade, water and ice tea were just fine for us. And no extra cost. We did let them get a soda or smoothie at dinner and it was still cheaper to just buy one soda a day than the card.

 

Photos:

 

Disney- The organization and viewing of the photos via your folder was MUCH easier. That being said, the lines were very long for pictures on the more formal night.

 

Carnival: You had to play where’s waldo to find your pictures. It took a LOT of time and was annoying. That being said there were SO many photo stations for pictures they were practically begging you to get your picture taken. Never waited more than 1 family for pictures, even on formal nights!

 

Seems they could both learn something from the other here! And PS: why do they charge so much for the pictures! I would buy more if they were not so overpriced! (both lines!)

 

Debarkation:

 

Both were fine and quick. We did self debarkation on Carnival. No issues with either.

 

Over all opinions:

 

Disney is 5 star. Beautiful ship. Great customer service. I loved it and would choose them all of the time if they were closer in cost!

 

Carnival is very nice. Our ship was older and you could see it wasn’t cared for the same was at the new Disney boat. But, it was nice and we really enjoyed it! 98% of the staff was really great. 2% could of improved it notch!

 

Décor- well, Disney was classic. Carnival was more vegas. But, honestly neither was something I focused on a lot.

 

Casino- Disney didn’t have one. Carnival- never played, but it was the only smoky area on the whole ship! We avoided walking though it.

 

Smoking over all- I don’t recall any issues on the Dream, I was slightly disgusted once on the Legend. I was sitting at a table (apparently on the smoking side of the Lido deck) and some guy came over to my table and smashed his cigarette out practically in my face and left it smoldering in my face. So, I moved it all to an open table next to me. Was pretty rude. And no I didn’t realize I was on the smoking side.

 

Drunks:

 

Just want to say, I saw 2 drunk people on my Carnival cruise. About the same as what I saw on Disney. Maybe the shorter carnival cruises are drunk fests, but this boat wasn’t.

 

Overall-

 

I still love Disney and would chose it every time if we could swing the price, but when cost is a factor, and it IS for us, I wouldn’t hesitate to chose Carnival.

[Mom2B&Z]

Thanks for posting, this is a frequent topic for debate and you have certainly added good information! You've also reinforced our decision that DCL is not for us. We too prefer smaller ships which are child-friendly, but not child-focused.

Interestingly enough, we did a similar western Caribbean itinerary on the NCL Star and Belize was the highlight of our trip :) We're all different and that's what makes this place so interesting!

[Friend100]

Thanks for the review.

 

Cost for the more popular DCL itinerary ... I will agree, especially in peak season they are $$ comparing to Royal Caribbean, and $$$$$ comparing to Carnival. But if you look at low season and comparing to RCI Freedom/Oasis class ... not that bad.

 

And if you look at some of the less-than-popular itinerary for DCL (due to combination of reasons like length of cruise, timing, which directly tied to demand), price can be quite comparable. December 2012 Panama Canal is a good example ... but it is difficult for families with children to take 14 days off in early December :(

 

Also, for Disney, the standard verandah cabin is 246 sq ft and the family verandah cabin is 299 sq ft, all with the split bathrooms.

[crusinmama06]

You have found exactly what we have. We call the Disney pools the "Lobster Tanks". Swimming is very important to my girls and they want to enjoy their time in the water. The pools are way too small for the amount of children onboard.

 

Disney Wonder

 

We like our space ;)

 

RCI Indy

 

I always say that Disney is great to try, if you find a great price. But I would never pay a premium for it. The other cruise lines are just getting better at this family cruising thing and providing VALUE. ;)