What makes DCL worth more money than other lines?

[DISNEY FANTASY]

That is horrible. I have never had such an experience on any cruise line! And the only room problem I have had was on our Disney Dream cruise a few weeks ago. Not enough a/c but we had a good time anyway!

 

We also had problems with MDR food on RCL I would say hit and miss, some good meals but some really bad. RCL is really bad on desserts.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

My husbands first cruise was Legend OTS Seas to Hawaii. The only thing he remembers from the cruise was that he didn't like the MDR. (Of course, Hawaii and entertainment etc were good tho I can't remember much of the ship itself) for instance, he likes soup and didn't think clear broth with some chives on top qualified as quality soup. We actually enjoy the food on CCL altho some of the portions are odd. Like some teeny tiny apps about one or two bites but some unreal massive entree portions. But getting the meals becomes a chore because our heads were always turning round and round trying to find our waiters... But food on CCL, its better than RCI we thought but it has been since 02 since we were tempted to be on one...

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

[cruisers4ever]

Actually we just got off the Dream today, there were so many adults without kids on the ship, the areas for adults only are made just for people like myself, who enjoy the Disney experience without having little ones. Its like the theme park on water. This ship was not just made for the kiddos I can assure you that! Disney is smart to make areas so attractive and quiet for adults. Its why they are so successful.

Entertainment was magical, the food was incredible and yes, the service was beyond words. People wonder why the price is so much higher, take one and you will see. Attention to detail, Disney has it!

[cruisers4ever]

I totally agree! We loved seeing the little ones dressed up.... and we enjoyed seeing them greeting the characters. Disney is for the young and the young at heart... no children required. While going with grandchildren did add to the fun. they weren't required :)

 

Agree with you! My husband and I had a blast watching the kids reaction to the characters. Heck, I was teary eyed myself at times and proud of it! No, Disney is for ALL ages, its great to feel alive like a child again, Disney did it again!

[e2011]

We also had problems with MDR food on RCL I would say hit and miss, some good meals but some really bad. RCL is really bad on desserts.

 

Agree! Their (RCCL) deserts suck. Except in the pay dining rooms they are 5 stars! If you ever sail on the Oasis or Allure go to 150 Central Park one night. They have a chocolate fudge cake that is out of this world. I have never had any desert on land or sea that good! (And we have a condo in NYC and have dined at some very good restaurants)

[ducklite]

Agree! Their (RCCL) deserts suck. Except in the pay dining rooms they are 5 stars! If you ever sail on the Oasis or Allure go to 150 Central Park one night. They have a chocolate fudge cake that is out of this world. I have never had any desert on land or sea that good! (And we have a condo in NYC and have dined at some very good restaurants)

 

Five stars? Not quite. First of all, no widely recognized rating organization offers five stars. Fodor's doesn't give stars, they give numerical values. Michelin/Mobil grants stars, but only to three, and they don't rate cruise ships. AAA gives diamonds.

 

Have you actually dined at any of the three star restaurants in NYC?

[DisneyKidsDad]

Not sure if this one was listed. The guest laundry. Just found out the RCCL cruise we are going on in May doesn't have one. Very expensive to have the ship do some laundry! :eek:

[boulders]

Not sure if this one was listed. The guest laundry. Just found out the RCCL cruise we are going on in May doesn't have one. Very expensive to have the ship do some laundry! :eek:

 

Actually it's not. Halfway through the cruise, you will be given a laundry bag that you can fill to the brim for about $25.

[DisneyKidsDad]

Actually it's not. Halfway through the cruise, you will be given a laundry bag that you can fill to the brim for about $25.

 

I can do a heck of a lot of laundry on Disney for a lot less than $25. :eek:

[ducklite]

Actually it's not. Halfway through the cruise, you will be given a laundry bag that you can fill to the brim for about $25.

 

Not when we were on the Mariner for a week.

[e2011]

Five stars? Not quite. First of all, no widely recognized rating organization offers five stars. Fodor's doesn't give stars, they give numerical values. Michelin/Mobil grants stars, but only to three, and they don't rate cruise ships. AAA gives diamonds.

 

Have you actually dined at any of the three star restaurants in NYC?

 

LOL! Wow duck, you must be an engineer type! Actually I have my own rating system (which is widely AND completely recognized by ME!) And my numerical values are 1 low to 5 highest. I used very complex mathematical formulas that you would not understand to come up with a final rating for my deserts and yes, the one at 150 Central Park was a 5!

[e2011]

Not when we were on the Mariner for a week.

 

Thats too bad. I would recommend you never go on RCCL again. Too many bad things.

[ducklite]

Thats too bad. I would recommend you never go on RCCL again. Too many bad things.

 

Trust me, not if it were free. My vacation time is too valuable to waste on a crap vacation.

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Actually it's not. Halfway through the cruise, you will be given a laundry bag that you can fill to the brim for about $25.

 

I can do a heck of a lot of laundry on Disney for a lot less than $25. :eek:

 

Actually we did this on RCI and I was very happy with it, I would like DCL to do it, we put a heck of a lot in that bag, for our family of four, and it all came back clean and even pressed, not ironed but wearable. Getting it in the bag was the worst thing then collected and back early the next day, no going to the laundry no powder no time loss, it was great.

[Lita74]

Actually we did this on RCI and I was very happy with it, I would like DCL to do it, we put a heck of a lot in that bag, for our family of four, and it all came back clean and even pressed, not ironed but wearable. Getting it in the bag was the worst thing then collected and back early the next day, no going to the laundry no powder no time loss, it was great.

 

That would be nice!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[sailingaway]

In the last 11 mos, I've been on DCL, HAL and Uniworld. DCL value is in the service angle and special onboard events and services aimed at kids. Hell to me would be a Disney cruise without kids (which there were several adult couples onboard without kiddos--I don't get it:))

 

That would be my brother and sister-in-law ;)

[metairiegal]

That would be my brother and sister-in-law ;)

 

And, dh and myself. :D

 

Next month is our 8th DCL cruise and we don't have kids.

 

P.S.

sailingaway: We are neighbors - I live in Boca Raton. And, my brother lives in Wellington.

[Host Mick]

"What makes DCL worth more money than other lines?"

 

http://www.insidethemagic.net/2013/10/halloween-on-the-high-seas-makes-disney-dream-a-scream-with-extra-spooky-new-celebration-on-disney-cruise-line/

 

^^^ This ^^^

 

Does RCI or Carnival do this for their guests?

[bahacca]

I've been on 2 carnival cruises and 1 disney. One Carnival was when I was a teen. The "kids programming" was a total joke. I realize it was a LONG time ago, but when 3 teens are left to their own devices when no counselors show up, it is NOT a fun vacation. We were left to find other teens, roam the decks and entertain ourselves. Food back then was actually very good.

Just did Disney this past April. I'm older and have 2 DDs, aged 6 and 7 at the time of sailing. KNOWING there were clubs for them and entertainment for them to go to from morning to night was worth the cost. I've read most other lines have times in the day that programming is non-existant and clubs are closed. If I want to go to brunch at Palo at noon, I can drop off my kid. On other lines, club is closed at noon. Also, the cut off ages for the different age groups are more lenient than other lines. I like that they realize "tweens" need their own space-away from little kids, but not quite with the older crowd yet.

Disney caters not just to kids, but to FAMILIES. We had 3 generations with us. Kids were entertained no doubt. My husband and I enjoyed dining at Palo alone and the kids could have been in the clubs(they were with grandma and grandpa, though). THere are things to do on board for the oldest to youngest people on board and lots of things to do together. Some shows on other lines are NOT appropriate for kids. Other than the few that started at 10:30pm and later, ALL shows were for families. I personally LOVED not having a smokey casino on board. We didn't get to see a movie in the movie theater, but next time we probably will. For us, we don't need shopping, rock walls, ice skating, casinos and a ton of lounges/bars. For those who enjoy those, Disney isn't for them. I'm sure if my kids were older and wanted the rock walls, ice skating and such, we'd try another line. But for NOW, we are happy to sail Disney.

[YoungGangMom]

For us it was the customer service and food quality. Having said that, we would choose another line in it's place in the future as it didn't meet our needs in other areas.

[near the beach]

We have a great time on every cruise. Sometimes there were problems. They always were taken care of by the ship staff.

I expect a fun time. I also expect a courteous staff, good customer service, fun shows, a nice cabin, good food and on board fun.

I am hoping the large difference price will be worth it and that everything on the Disney Dream cruise is more than a little better. If it turns out to be the same as other lines then it would not have been worth the extra money.

Our cruise on the Dream is costing more than the total coast of the other three four day’s cruises we have taken.

I am not trying to sound negative. The cost has been what has kept us from sailing on a Disney ship. We love Disney parks and just have to give the ship a try.

[alinnj]

I can do a heck of a lot of laundry on Disney for a lot less than $25. :eek:

 

I save on any line by taking enough clothes and not having to use a laundry ............. I'm willing to pay the extra $500 + for the free soda ! :D

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I save on any line by taking enough clothes and not having to use a laundry ............. I'm willing to pay the extra $500 + for the free soda ! :D

 

I agree! Overpacking is highly underrated! My husband goes through at least 2-3 pairs of undies a day. I pack just about everything I can literally stuff and we have never run out and it has been worth it every time.

 

Doing laundry on a cruise...that would ONLY happen if it was a B2B! That is my dream...

[Host Mick]

I agree! Overpacking is highly underrated! My husband goes through at least 2-3 pairs of undies a day. I pack just about everything I can literally stuff and we have never run out and it has been worth it every time.

 

Doing laundry on a cruise...that would ONLY happen if it was a B2B! That is my dream...

 

Thank you Southwest and your two bags fly free policy!

[NancyIL]

In the last 11 mos, I've been on DCL, HAL and Uniworld. DCL value is in the service angle and special onboard events and services aimed at kids. Hell to me would be a Disney cruise without kids (which there were several adult couples onboard without kiddos--I don't get it:))

There are a LOT of adults who sail on DCL without kids. An adults-only Disney cruise would be heaven to me! :D

:rolleyes: To each his own....for us it is the less kids the better!! Here's hoping our cruise finds all of the kids in school and only tots in daycare!!!

 

I agree with you!

 

As to the OP's question - I am willing to pay a bit more for an occasional Disney cruise. When I want a good itinerary at a reasonable price, I look elsewhere.

Edited November 8, 2013 by NancyIL