Leaving Carnival...just once?

[viciouslysh]

Some people have said it's totally worth it to take a Disney cruise and some say they still prefer Carnival. I am having such a hard time deciding on whether or not to book the Wonder over Carnival in January. My DD (9yrs old)spends so much time looking into the Wonder AND all of the Carnival ships. She is trying to talk me into booking Disney for her birthday but I think Carnival would be just as much fun. Any thoughts? Thanks!!!

[Valentine's Mom]

I don't have any small children anymore but if I did and could afford it I would give it a try. They are just so into kids and along with all of that Disney magic I think it would be great just to see their eyes light up. JMO:D

[Glama]

We took our kids when they were 7 and 5, honestly, they didn't love it. WAY too many kids, of course, just crawling with little ones, mine could barely get a foot into the swimming pool, and the kids clubs were over crowded and "not much fun" according to my kids. We did like the Disney atmosphere, but we wouldn't sail that line again.

 

They LOVED their Carnival cruises, and if given a choice, would choose Carnival over Disney.

 

Then again, my kids are weird. ;)

[cuise lady]

We did a disney cruise as our first when are kids were 14 and 10 and it is something that I would recommend for all... It is expensive but well worth the $$$...We have since gone on two other cruises that everyone has enjoyed yet will always remember the first...........although after taking the disney it might be hard to come back to carnival:) Enjoy!

[Kudos2Fly]

I don't have kids either, but have herd Carnival has a good kids program. Although Disney is probably the best when it comes to kids. Their main show is even for kids unlike Carnivals. But Disney is MORE expensive then Carnival so if you have kids and can afford theirs prices then go for it.

 

I personally wouldn't go on a Disney cruise.. I can only stand Disney World for a day.. Being on a Disney cruise for 4-7 days is a bit much... for me that is...

 

Enjoy deciding what to do...

[dclark]

for the price that Disney charges, I'd be reluctant to try them. Heck, RCL is almost as expensive as Disney on their big ships.

We tried Princess and prefered it to CCL. On CCL, we just got tired of dancing the waiters, the colors game, same shows and same ships ( like how is the Valor really different from the Glory?).

We'll still do CCL again (probably next summer), but this New Years, we'll be on Princess.

Disney? Don't think so, I'd rather go on two CCL cruises than one Disney cruise.

[dbrucern]

for the price that Disney charges, I'd be reluctant to try them. Heck, RCL is almost as expensive as Disney on their big ships.

We tried Princess and prefered it to CCL. On CCL, we just got tired of dancing the waiters, the colors game, same shows and same ships ( like how is the Valor really different from the Glory?).

We'll still do CCL again (probably next summer), but this New Years, we'll be on Princess.

Disney? Don't think so, I'd rather go on two CCL cruises than one Disney cruise.

 

We were on the Crown last year, the ship was beautiful and the ports were fantastic but we found the lido deck dead by 3pm and were very disappointed in the service. Grandkids want to do Disney but DH could not take all the kids, Christmas was enough for him and I would miss the casino so if they want to do Disney they are on their own. I guess Carnival just proves that we are not to old to have some fun.

[connergirls]

It has been years and years since our Disney cruise so I couldn't comment on how they compare today. But... if you're going to do it, now is the time. Kids LOVE Disney but they grow up and out of it fast. I'm sure your daughter will love it and have those wonderful Disney memories forever :)

[Cruise Doctor]

Carnival's Camp Carnival program for kids is rated higher than Disney's program and has been for 5 years now....The ratings are done by kids....So more kids seem to like the activities on Carnival than Disney....But I am sure that Disney is good too...Just a lot more expensive.....

[Kurbanfan]

I say go ahead and book the Wonder. They also have Adult's only areas, so while the kids are with the kids program you can get away for awhile.

Good Luck!

[halos]

Personally, I feel that variety is the spice of life and Disney cruises look amazing. Try it!

[iamgolden]

I took my kids a couple of years ago on the Wonder, we had a great time. They have since been on two Carnival Cruises also. Disney is expensive, but we had the most wonderful time. Both lines are nice, just different.

[angelsfort]

If it's for your daughters birthday, I say DO IT!! Disney has an entire deck for the kids. She would be in the older kids group, which means she wouldn't have to deal with all the little ones running around where she is...

 

I've been on 5 Disney Cruises... 3 of them with my step-children... and they absolutely LOVED the kids programs! (my step-daughter especially loved it the last time, because she was in a different age group than her brother! So she didn't have to be in the same room with him any longer!! LOL)

 

If you are a Disney Enthusiast, then it's an experience you want to do at least one time!! (or more!!)

 

But remember Carnival is awesome too! Definitely take your daughter on a Disney cruise this time around!! It really is an experience she'll never forget!

[Ellanora]

Go for it - we are. I've now been on 3 Carnival cruises and have another booked in April, but I'm taking my son for a 3 night Disney cruise for his 11th birthday in January. The rates are as cheap as Disney gets, so it makes sense to do it while we can, and before he is too old to participate in the kids' activities. I doubt we'll become Disney regulars due to the cost, but I'm sure we'll have a great time.

[DqALEX]

If I had the extra money I would try Disney with my kids

[viciouslysh]

Thank you for all the input! My DD is keeping score in her notebook on the pros and cons. It really sounds like it woiuld be a great and different experience. I just got pricing, and although w/ airfare and hotel it would pretty expensive, I'm sure it would be something to at least try once!:)

[angelsfort]

Did you get the info directly from Disney?? Cuz they have special deals where you do the parks and a cruise all in one vacation package... (and that also includes the hotel and transportation...)

[viciouslysh]

Did you get the info directly from Disney?? Cuz they have special deals where you do the parks and a cruise all in one vacation package... (and that also includes the hotel and transportation...)

 

 

Well I told them I would go a day early and stay in the park and she told me I could add the transfer from the resort to the port for $70 more per person. Maybe a limo to the port would be cheaper. That woud be $280 for the 4 of us just in transfers.

[pe4all]

Did Disney when the kids were younger, the Disney ships were newer, and the prices much cheaper than now. Our BIL wants us to go on his 2nd Disney cruise with him (his kids are much younger than my teens) - my kids say "no way". Disney's idea of moving restaurants each evening (with your waiters staying with you) was great - variety is the spice of life!! But my kids, now older, much prefer Carnival. My opinion? If you have the money, try Disney. We will be sticking with Carnival - at least for our next 3 cruises!

[BeyondKen]

I have been very tempted to try a Disney cruise.

 

I will probably wait until their 2 new ships arrive - both are larger than the Carnival Glory!

 

Disney Magic seen from the Glory:

[janetz]

Some people have said it's totally worth it to take a Disney cruise and some say they still prefer Carnival. I am having such a hard time deciding on whether or not to book the Wonder over Carnival in January. My DD (9yrs old)spends so much time looking into the Wonder AND all of the Carnival ships. She is trying to talk me into booking Disney for her birthday but I think Carnival would be just as much fun. Any thoughts? Thanks!!!

 

 

Why cruise one line? Yes, Carnival is about the cheapest, but certainly not the best, but you don't know this unless you try others. You may be very surprised. ;)

[lisa702]

We have done Disney cruises 3 times. Twice on the Wonder and once on the Magic. The shows are definately geared towards kids and truly magical. DD loved the characters and when Disney starts accepting reservations for the 2 new ships sailing in a few years we will be back. Until then we are having fun on Carnival. DD8 loves Funship Freddy! :D

[Knights on the Beach]

Why cruise one line? Yes, Carnival is about the cheapest, but certainly not the best, but you don't know this unless you try others. You may be very surprised. ;)

Carnival isn't always the cheapest, either. Both times when we cruised with RCI it was because they were cheaper than Carnival for the timeframe we were looking at. Because we prefer Carnival, we only go on RCI when they are cheaper.

[tracyvansmith]

We did Disney 4 day cruise in 2003. 3 of my kids were teens and the youngest was in the next group under teen. They loved it. Since then we have done Carnival and to this day all my kids pick Disney over Carnival. They like both just if they had a choice it would be Disney.

 

When we cruised Disney there was free pop any time you wanted. The kids programs did not cost any money even when it went to 1am in the morning (movie night). Carnival charges for kids programs that go on in the late evening and night. The supper club was only $10 per person unlike Carnivals $30. Disney rooms are bigger. The shows are way better. The best is Disney own island Castaway Cay.

 

I like Carnival but if I had the money I would chose Disney over Carnival each and every time.

[cruisedawgg]

Some people have said it's totally worth it to take a Disney cruise and some say they still prefer Carnival. I am having such a hard time deciding on whether or not to book the Wonder over Carnival in January. My DD (9yrs old)spends so much time looking into the Wonder AND all of the Carnival ships. She is trying to talk me into booking Disney for her birthday but I think Carnival would be just as much fun. Any thoughts? Thanks!!!

 

You're booking a cruise for your daughter's birthday, and she said she wants to do Disney. She's 9, loves Disney, and wants to go! What's the confusion?

All i'm sayin' is, keep your kids as 'kids' as long as you can. Before you know it, they'll be all grown up & off on their own.

 

PS. EVERYONE in your party will love Castaway Cay.