Should I switch to Disney?

[kwazi07]

I am booked on Enchantment in August. Now, for a 3 night Disney cruise in September it is 100 dollars less. I love all things Disney, buy is 3 nights too short?

 

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[kwazi07]

We are on EOTs for 4 nights

 

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[Gemini8]

Hi Andy:

We did a 3-night Disney on the Dream with our granddaughter in January - it was "all about the princesses" and that was our purpose. If you're all about Disney, I'd say "try it" There is a lot for adults and the adults only areas were just that, if you choose. Food was great, cabins were awesome, the staff was superb, entertainment was all DISNEY and totally enjoyable and Castaway Cay was a delight. All things considered, if it's time and $$ and if you are saving, I'd say go for Disney - it's an experience you won't regret trying at least once. Yet here my husband and I are off on a 4-night RCCL Liberty of the Seas cruise to Cozumel in a few weeks, could we have done a Disney, sure, but we're on RCCL for just the two of us. Now when the little baby sister turns 4 - we'll be back on Disney for Princesses ACT II!

Good luck with your decision - either way - GO CRUISING!

[kwazi07]

Hi Andy:

We did a 3-night Disney on the Dream with our granddaughter in January - it was "all about the princesses" and that was our purpose. If you're all about Disney, I'd say "try it" There is a lot for adults and the adults only areas were just that, if you choose. Food was great, cabins were awesome, the staff was superb, entertainment was all DISNEY and totally enjoyable and Castaway Cay was a delight. All things considered, if it's time and $$ and if you are saving, I'd say go for Disney - it's an experience you won't regret trying at least once. Yet here my husband and I are off on a 4-night RCCL Liberty of the Seas cruise to Cozumel in a few weeks, could we have done a Disney, sure, but we're on RCCL for just the two of us. Now when the little baby sister turns 4 - we'll be back on Disney for Princesses ACT II!

Good luck with your decision - either way - GO CRUISING!

 

I am conflicted because we would give up a balcony and a sea day. I am the black sheep in my fam-I love Disney while others are so so. I heard the service is better on Disney. I am reading my DCL guide and am regretting my choice for RCl. Will a Disney lover enjoy RCI?

 

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[Gemini8]

Andy -

Any cruise is a delight! Go be with your family on RCCL and have fun! You will have an awesome time on the Enchantment of the Seas and you will make your own wonderful experience no matter what the service is, the food is, the cabin is or the beach is like....and then watch for resident rates and book a Disney cruise for another time and go with someone else who loves DISNEY! Just another reason to go AGAIN! Don't think it too much.....just CRUISE every chance you can! ;)

[kwazi07]

Andy -

Any cruise is a delight! Go be with your family on RCCL and have fun! You will have an awesome time on the Enchantment of the Seas and you will make your own wonderful experience no matter what the service is, the food is, the cabin is or the beach is like....and then watch for resident rates and book a Disney cruise for another time and go with someone else who loves DISNEY! Just another reason to go AGAIN! Don't think it too much.....just CRUISE every chance you can! ;)

 

Thanks! I have lots of friends who love Disney and I could go with them. How does Disney compare to Royal?

 

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[Gemini8]

Looks like you're new to cruise critic - or you've never posted before....go to the review section and read MEMBER reviews of the Enchantment of the Seas and then read MEMBER reviews for Disney Dream and Magic. The reviews are a great source for insights and information. Happy reading!

[kwazi07]

Looks like you're new to cruise critic - or you've never posted before....go to the review section and read MEMBER reviews of the Enchantment of the Seas and then read MEMBER reviews for Disney Dream and Magic. The reviews are a great source for insights and information. Happy reading!

 

I've actually posted 200 times? Is the count not showing up?

 

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[Can'tWait2SetSail]

Looks like you're new to cruise critic - or you've never posted before....go to the review section and read MEMBER reviews of the Enchantment of the Seas and then read MEMBER reviews for Disney Dream and Magic. The reviews are a great source for insights and information. Happy reading!

 

You are reading it wrong. The first post was the first post on this thread. If you look closer you would see that the OP does indeed have over 200 posts.

 

We sailed Disney when our kids were younger and it really was great. The food was excellent, the entertainment was great and the kids were so occupied they were pretty much unseen. LOL. I had one unfortunate experience with a waiter on Disney that apparently had some issues with sanity. I have never had issues with staff on any other cruise, so I am thinking it was an isolated incident. I can't wait to have grandkids so I can use them as an excuse to cruise Disney again.

 

I also enjoyed my Carnival cruises. I have my first RC coming up shortly, so I can not compare yet, but I am sure it will be wonderful. To paraphrase a previous poster, all cruises are great!

 

I choose a cruise by what I am looking for. Our last cruise, I had won a trip for 4 to Orlando in a contest so I added a short Carnival cruise (the price was SO affordable) to that trip with our young adult kids. This upcoming cruise I wanted to leave locally and go to Bermuda. I got a pretty decent rate and OBC with an online TA so I am happy!

 

Think about what you want out of your cruise and see which line fits those desires best. It is great to try new things.

[hansolosmom]

We've been on both & enjoyed both, but there are differences.

 

Our first cruise was a 3 day on DCL and it got us hooked. Loved the trip but it was way too short!

 

Disney -

rooms are bigger

Bathrooms are split (love that feature) and all rooms have tubs

No casino

You can bring alcohol on board

Absolutely incredible service (I don't think any other line is as good in that area)

 

RC

More activities - rock wall etc

Pool area is usually bigger/nicer

 

There are definitely pros & cons to each but IMO either would be fun

[Raenstoirm]

I am conflicted because we would give up a balcony and a sea day. I am the black sheep in my fam-I love Disney while others are so so. I heard the service is better on Disney. I am reading my DCL guide and am regretting my choice for RCl. Will a Disney lover enjoy RCI?

 

I am a certified Disney freak (you don't want to see my post count on the Disney forums ;)), but I have never been on DCL. I can't justify the price. Our first cruise was booked on DCL, but I found a 7 night RCCL for cheaper than the 3 DCL nights, so we switched brands. From one disney nut to another, you will love Royal. :D

[mulan1123]

I am a certified Disney freak (you don't want to see my post count on the Disney forums ;)), but I have never been on DCL. I can't justify the price. Our first cruise was booked on DCL, but I found a 7 night RCCL for cheaper than the 3 DCL nights, so we switched brands. From one disney nut to another, you will love Royal. :D

 

I went on my first wdw visit in Nov and loved it!! However, I was on Oasis last January and loved it too!

 

I do agree with Raenstoirm that I can not justify the price of DCL. As much as I love Disney, RCCL is cheaper and there is so much to do.

[CruizinTigers]

My family and I have cruised with DCL five times, and RCI nearly as often. Just a few observations about the two:

 

1. Both have excellent food and service

2. Cabins on DCL might be a smidgen nicer, but over all comparable

3. Disney entertainment and children's programs are the best on the sea, IMHO. But RCI is no slouch, and might be a close second in each category.

4. The biggest difference between the two lines (again IMHO) is price and the company that stands behind it. Any comparable cruise (same duration, same destinations, same cabin type) will be significantly more expensive on DCL. As an example, I priced a 7 night eastern Caribbean cruise last July for both - each left from Port Canaveral one day apart, went to the same islands, and same class cabin. DCL was well over $2000 more. As far as the company behind the cruise, from personal experiences with both, I feel that Disney is totally unsympathetic, not caring towards their loyal patrons. All they care about is their all mighty dollar. RCI I find to be the complete opposite - will go out of their way to make the customer happy.

5. Our last cruise was with DCL and feel a tremendous drop in quality, customer service and the amenities while on board. We used to feel like sailing with Disney was a magical experience, and worth a little more in cost. Not so based on our latest cruise. We have a cruise upcoming in July with RCI. Will judge then if they too have a drop in quality (meaning it may be an industry trend) or whether it is a DCL issue.

 

Hands down, I would recommend RCI. If you've never done DCL and have small children, I'm sure you (especially them) will enjoy. I wouldn't discourage from doing it once. But three days for me is too short, and losing the balcony and more time - it's a no brainer for me. RCI all the way!

[ryano]

Never been on DCL but I will never do another 3 night cruise on any cruise line.

 

With that said, I see you are in Tampa. If I lived within a couple hours of the port it would be different

Edited April 4, 2014 by ryano

[Friend100]

If you want a nice cruise, good food and a balcony, then Enchantment OTS. If you want a magical experience and Castaway Cay, then Disney Dream.

[ehfl]

We've always enjoyed the 3 night RCL cruises. I think a 3 night Disney cruise would be great as well. Variety is a good thing, so explore your options.

[LMaxwell]

I have wanted to try Disney to see what the hype is about and for a change of speed, however in your case, and this is only my own point of view, if you have others that are booked now that are already happy with what they have (4 day, balcony, sea day) and change that on them you have to be prepared if they aren't happy or moan about what they are missing. Its a tough spot. If it were myself and my spouse I may be inclined to make the change, but if it is multiple family members I don't need the aggravation of it.

[kwazi07]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. How is Castaway Cay compared to Coco Cay?

 

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[FLACRUISER99]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. How is Castaway Cay compared to Coco Cay?

 

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Castaway Cay has a dock so you don't have to tender.

[Dharma517]

I have sailed with DCL about 5 times and RCCL about 6 times. I am a fan of both. With and without kids on DCL btw.

 

So really you can not compare Enchantment of the seas to the Disney Dream. That isn't even a fair comparison. I would compare one of the newer ships Oasis/Allure with all the bells and whistles. As well...nobody has an island like Castaway Cay..nobody. Disney is more upscale for sure and the service/food beyond compare.in my opinion.

 

However, still I would choose RCCL in this instance for the balcony and the extra day. The cruise is what you make of it. RCCL is a great cruise line and the family will enjoy it..and its a long vacation.

 

If it were just you and the hubby I would go more upscale but still you are going to have the kids and you will be in "MOM MODE" still so they luxury of disney might be a little wasted on you. That is just the way I look at it.

 

Either way....have a great time...Im jealous!

[notsomadhatter]

I love Disney but the extra night tips me to EOS.

 

I'd do Enchantment this time and look for a last minute/Florida Resident rate in the offseason for Disney. And do a 4 night because you need to experience Palo for brunch. ;)

[spookwife]

I am booked on Enchantment in August. Now, for a 3 night Disney cruise in September it is 100 dollars less. I love all things Disney, buy is 3 nights too short?

 

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I have sailed both EN and Disney( Magic)

 

food on disney SUCKED quite frankly. it actually came every close to ruining an otherwise nice cruise.. Service, kid free areas, everything else.. as good or better than Royal/EN.

 

that being said 3 days on any ship is too short.

[gjkubel]

I have sailed both EN and Disney( Magic)

 

food on disney SUCKED quite frankly. it actually came every close to ruining an otherwise nice cruise.. Service, kid free areas, everything else.. as good or better than Royal/EN.

 

that being said 3 days on any ship is too short.

 

And I found the food on Disney superior to RCCL (and that seems to be the general consensus, BTW).

 

I agree with others, though, that is not a fair comparison because the Dream is literally in a completely different class than Enchantment. But you aren't even comparing apples to apples between cruises either -- number of nights, type of room, etc... The real comparison would be how much more would the same cabin on the four night Dream cruise cost? Then, you could ask us whether it would be worth it.

 

Though, to answer your immediate question, I'd rather do three nights on Disney going to Castaway Cay, then four nights on Enchantment.

[jenster1974]

I did a DCL with the family, 7 night, as my first cruise. I was B-L-O-W-N away by the DCL. It was clean and the staff was friendly and it was Disney without being in your face Disney, know what I mean? I have since sailed twice with Royal Caribbean, once on the LIberty and once on the Majesty. You really need to compare apples to apples when looking at the ships. Liberty was comparable, Majesty wasn't even close. The entire time I was on the Majesty I found myself saying "You would never find that on a Disney cruise."

 

My friends took their first cruise on DCL last April on a 3 night. I told her it wasn't enough time and she laughed at me. Guess what she said when they got home? 3 nights is not enough time. I personally think you need an entire week on a Disney cruise. If you're looking for a quick get away go with another cruise line.

[Friend100]

Though, to answer your immediate question, I'd rather do three nights on Disney going to Castaway Cay, then four nights on Enchantment.

 

And this will be my gut instinct too ... assuming I was at a point, like the OP, that I am debating between these two options. My heart will tell me to go with Disney and I will call my TA to book right away. However, my brain will tell me that having a balcony and with 1 more night make more sense.