Need Advice: RCCL or Disney

[Rudi610]

This is my first post, but I have been lurking on these message boards for awhile. Last year, I started doing reseach on taking my family on a 7 night cruise on Disney in summer 2007. Why wait until 2007? My youngest child (boy) will turn 4 that summer and will most likely be potty trained by then and be able to take full advantage of the kids programs. What I did not expect Disney to do was reposition one of their ships to the Europe for that summer, effectively leaving no 7 day cruises on Disney in the Carribbean. The only cruise I have been on was a 4 night cruise on Nordic Empress (now Empress of the Seas) to the Bahamas back in 1995 for my honeymoon. My wife and I enjoyed that cruise and cannot wait to do our next. The only complaint we had was the cruise was too short.

 

Enough of the background, now onto my question. As options to a 7 night Disney cruise, I am considering a shorter Disney cruise or some longer RCCL cruises to the caribbean. One reason I was considering Disney is that their kids programs are second to none and that no other cruise line comes even close. So one option I am considering is a 4 night (too short) Disney to the Bahamas (been there, done that) with maybe a couple of days at Disney World. However, living in central PA, I am an hour from Baltimore and 3 hours from NJ (Cape may) where (at least in 2006) the Grandure and Explorer sail from in the summer on 9 night cruises. What I would like to know is how are the kids programs on the Explorer and Ganduer? Next summer my kids will be 9, 7, and 4 (2 girls and a boy). While RCCL's kids program is not like Disney's, does RCCL's kids program still provide a lot of activities for kids of those ages, especially on the Granduer and Explorer? What type of activities do the kids participate in these programs?

 

Thanks for any advice/help/opinions you can provide.

 

Rudi

[DPurcell58]

The girls would be split up. (6-8) (9-11) unless maybe the 9 yr old wants to go down a group to be w/her sister. The program is great, we took my son on the Voyager last yr and this summer will go on the Explorer out of Bayonne. They have tons of activities, hours are usually 9-12, 2-5, 7-10 with late hours $5per hour. Different hours on port days I think. My son loved the ice skating.

[Tommy's Mommy]

I have never done a Disney cruise so cannot compare the program with Royal Caribbean. I can only tell you from experience you will take your kids out of Adventure Ocean kicking and screaming. You might even feel a little sad that they prefer to be there than with you. It took me a few days to get over that. I have been on the Navigator,sister ship to the Explorer , so I would recommend that. It's a big ship with a variety of activities for everyone. Also, if you have been waiting this long then go for it. I cannot comment on the Grandeur as I have not been on her. Im sure someone else will give you some feedback. Have a good time.

[Drink-in-Hand/Toes-in-Sand]

I would be partial to the 3 day Disney cruise and a few days at the parks. That gives you the best of all possible worlds... But I love the Mouse!

 

Having investigated the Adventure Ocean program I am very sad that some of us "big kids" aren't allowed to participate. My niece and nephew enjoyed it immensely!

 

Whatever you decide, you'll be in for a treat. Have a magical time! :D

[LizzyDragon]

As an Orlando native, I can tell you that going to the Disney parks during the summer is the worst time to go (if that's when you're planning to travel). The reasons for that is that the FL heat can be misrably hot (high '90s, with lots of sticky humidity) and the lines at the parks will be at their longest (90+ minute wait for many popular rides). You will probably have more fun on a long cruise during the summer, and then trying the Disney cruise/parks during the spring or fall, when things aren't so crowded and the weather is much more pleasent.

 

I have been on a Disney cruise before and enjoyed it (although I can't offer info on the activities for your kids) and will be going on my first RCL cruise in May so I can offer comparsion info after that.

[sandylevitt]

We did disney 2 years ago when my youngest was 3 1/2. In 4 days we are going on our first RC cruise. What I liked about disney is that the kids clubs were open almost all the time. They stay open at night until 1am for free. From what I understand, after 10pm we have to pay for it on royal carribean. The other thing about disney is that you have the characters. That made it extra special. We did the the 3 day park, 4 night cruise package, which I thought was great.

 

What I am looking forward to this time, is my adult activities mixed in. Keep in mind that all Disney shows are close to G-rated. Also many of the RC boats overall have more activities to do (rock climbing, ice skating, etc). The ports can be better as well.

 

With my kids having been 3 and 5 at the time, disney was wonderful. Now that they are 5 and 7, they would probably still love the disney experience, but I think they will also love the RCCL as well.

[OliverTheCat]

I would splurge for the Disney cruise first, and THEN try RCI. I think you will be very very pleased with the kids program on Disney. The vacation plan you stated with the days in park sounds like a great time and will FEEL like a longer vacation. The DCL Land and Sea package would be excellent choice for your family!

 

If you do try RCI, try one of the Voyager class ships (Mariner or Navigator). Lots for kids to do on those ships!

 

DCL is my favorite cruise line, but I do enjoy RCI as well.

[g8rmomx2]

We have been on 5 Disney cruises, with our first on Royal Caribbean coming up in August on the Mariner of the Seas. Have you considered back to back cruises on the Disney Wonder? You would get two stops at Castaway Cay, which is truly outstanding. We haven't done back to back cruises, but would suggest you look into it if you really want to take the kids on a Disney Cruise. Just a thought.

[AlDubya]

As a fan of both RCI and Disney... I suggest you do the shorter Disney cruise and then spend the rest of the trip at Disney World. I think the cruise offers more for you, as an adult... and the Disney World experience will offer a ton to the kids as well.

 

I also agree that, with 7+night cruises, they seem to go by so quick. However, by combining two trips into one, psychologically, it will feel longer. Plus there's just so much for the kids to do and explore in Disney World.

 

Have a great time with what ever you may choose.

[BPWJR]

The same issue last year, Disney taking one of their ships out west to California for the summer, got us looking at RC and as you can tell below signature line, we like what has occurred. Two trips since and Explorer booked for December.

 

Yes, they are differences, no characters on RC, Disney hours are longer without an extra charge, and only one dining room on RC (Disney rotates dining rooms) but no skating rink or rock wall on Disney that older kids might prefer. Also, no casino on Disney if parents want an adult activity.

 

Selected Explorer because that model of Voyager class has the kids pool (Mariner does not) and two daughters (6 & 3) really like kids pool/slide along with other activities and Advt Ocean. Also, as Explorer has a Johnny Rockets, will be at least two kids nights out with Advt Ocean staff for supper if you & wife want a quiet meal together.

 

See the pdf attachment for the Advt Ocean fact sheet with activity guidance.

 

I know I will one day have to go back to Disney in a year or two so my youngest can have the experience, but for now very happy with the RC options.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/pdf/Adventure_Ocean_Fact_Sheet.pdf

[Bonnie Voyager]

I have been on Disney, Explorer, AND Granduer! My favorite ship of all is Explorer, followed by Granduer and then Disney! My Son (now 11) preferred Royal Caribbean to Disney too! Explorer is also his favorite ship! I would, without hesitation, select Explorer of the Seas! Don't get me wrong, we all LOVED Disney, but we preferred Explorer with no question. It was a much better experience for both children AND adults! Just so much to do! Much more than on Disney in our opinions. Granduer is also a wonderful ship but Explorer has more to offer for the children. Have a great time whatever you decide!

[Islandfling]

We had the same questions when we were looking for a cruise this past February. The adventure Ocean program was great and my two kids enjoyed it. What made us choose the RCCL trip on Voyager was the fact that we could get two ajoining rooms for the same price as one room on the Disney cruise. Having two rooms made the whole experience worth it for us.

 

Overall, both lines are great with kids and I think that you will be happy either way.

[Inshape]

I agree with the poster about Disney World in the summer. The kids are going to be whiney from the heat and the longggggg lines. We go in the winter and tack on a few parks but it is literally walk right onto the rides. WOuld never do it in the summer. Also, after years of adding a park to the cruise we came to realize the cruise is soooo much more relaxing giving us family time and then also couple time. A few days at the parks and you will need a vacation.

 

As far as DCL, i hear it is wonderful and esp since your kids are still in the magical years to enjoy it. But they would love the RCL ships and kids clubs too. You are not selling them short by doing a RCL cruise at all. Find which makes YOU and your spouse the most excited about going on and then go and enjoy. Remember it is YOUR vacation!

[Sarah Sue]

I would do RCCL over Disney. We took our 5&6 year old on a 4 night Disney. Our son had outgrown the Disney characters and the kids programs were so over crowded. They don't offer incabin sitting on Disney and my 5 yr old would never have lasted at night with all the kids running around late at night in the kids room. They do put on a movie and have a quiet area, but it's not quiet and makes for cranky little ones the next day. The food was pretty bad compared to RCCL (even the kids agreeded). We went in September and it was still a full ship of children. Other than getting the chance to meet the Disney characters and get there autographs, RCCL's program is just as entertaining. Plus not having to drive or fly to Florida is worth it. We used to live in Dallastown, PA!

[Rudi610]

Thanks for all the great advice. You guys have answered a lot of my questions about the kids programs at RCCL and Disney. We have friends from church who sailed on Disney and totally loved it. Their kids even liked the cruise better than Disney World. My wife and I sailed on RCCL's Nordic Empress in 1995 on our honeymoon and thoroughly enjoyed that vacation (4 night cruises are too short IMHO). I have also read the RCCL's kids programs (and adult activities) on their Voyager class ships are some of the best afloat (outside of Disney). I would be leaning towards an RCCL vacation. Another advantage would be an RCCL 9 day trip costs about the same as a Disney 4 day when you factor in the travel costs to Port Canaveral (more bang for your buck). Another option I might consider is waiting until the Magic returns from Europe (or is that the Wonder) and take a 7 night cruise in the fall, but we really don't want to pull the kids out of school unless we have to (or wait for the holidays $$$).

 

Thanks again for your advice and comments. Even though I have one cruise under my belt, I have learned a lot from reading these boards.

 

Rudi

 

PS -- Sarah Sue--We actually live in the town right next to Dallastown. Go Lions!

[MrsPete]

Disney cruises are wonderful and their kids' clubs are great; however, I disagree with the assessment that their kids' programs are "second to none". They were wonderful for the preschool crowd, but a bit lacking in the pre-teen group. My children have taken part in equally good programs at many resorts.

 

I believe we've left Disney cruises for good, not because we didn't enjoy them, but because of the prices! Unless you luck into a great deal, Disney's prices are so high that you can literally do two cruises on another line for the price of one Disney cruise! In short, they are good, but they are not TWICE as good.

 

If you do decide to do Disney, I second what another poster said: Do the back-to-back on the Wonder. That'll give you two days at Castaway Cay, which most people say is the best part of a Disney cruise. They really do the private island thing right.

 

I personally do not like the idea of half a week at DisneyWorld, have a week on a cruise. While I love both vacations, I don't like the idea of trying to cram them into one week. The three day portion of the trip isn't long enough for either WDW or the cruise. Plus you'll lose a whole day in moving from the hotel to the ship (or vice-versa), packing and repacking, getting aclimated again . . . if you have only one week, I'd choose one or the other.

 

Finally, I agree with your decision to wait until your youngest is four. The pools are such a big part of cruising for kids, and it'd be horrible for him to see his two older siblings enjoying something that would be denied to him. And four was such a nice age for both my children!

[Homeschoolmom69]

As an Orlando native, I can tell you that going to the Disney parks during the summer is the worst time to go (if that's when you're planning to travel). The reasons for that is that the FL heat can be misrably hot (high '90s, with lots of sticky humidity) and the lines at the parks will be at their longest (90+ minute wait for many popular rides). You will probably have more fun on a long cruise during the summer, and then trying the Disney cruise/parks during the spring or fall, when things aren't so crowded and the weather is much more pleasent.

 

I have been on a Disney cruise before and enjoyed it (although I can't offer info on the activities for your kids) and will be going on my first RCL cruise in May so I can offer comparsion info after that.

 

Being a Florida native too, I also have to recommend NOT doing Disney World in the summer! It really can be miserable, especially if your kids aren't used to being in extreme heat. The fall is my favorite time to go (and believe me, I've been lots of times, in every season). The weather is so much nicer, and the lines are way shorter.

[BPWJR]

QUOTE: Another advantage would be an RCCL 9 day trip costs about the same as a Disney 4 day when you factor in the travel costs to Port Canaveral (more bang for your buck).

 

Also a FL resident here and you just said the deciding factor right above. Wife, I and DD's will take 9 days on a ship any time over 4 in a park :)

[nrdsb4]

We have done both cruises and had a blast on both. We did the Disney cruise at Spring break but were still able to enjoy Disneyworld in spite of the crowds. We stayed on site and took advantage of the extended hours offered only to on site hotel clients and it all worked out fine.

 

I don't think you could go wrong at either, but my main piece of advice would be to do Disneyworld FIRST, then do the cruise. We were so worn out after doing Disneyworld with our small children that it was FANTASTIC to have a cruise to wind down with.

 

As far as the comment about all the Disney shows being G-rated, I would agree with the exception of the Adult only comedy club. NOT G-rated at all.

 

Our kids loved the Explorer also.