Disney vs. Carnival & Fav Room #?

[DisneyCruiser76]

As if there is even any comparison! :rolleyes:

 

I am going on my first Carnival cruise in May, 2008 and I'm keeping an open mind, but not expecting TOO much.

 

Also, is there a specific room # you like to request, and on which ship? We always have stayed in Room 6636 on the Magic...for some reason, when booking, we always ask for it...why do we do that? Wondered if anyone else does the same thing. :)

[mom x4,grandma x4]

That is just too weird!!

we liked 6636 too and have it booked again in 08:D

 

we like deck 6 best because it is a quiet deck.

 

we were also on deck 6 forward on the carnival glory and it was a very nice room and that was all I can say was nice about it, well actually the buffet was awesome, but thats all.

[PoohkinandPiglet]

We always book Deck 5 Forward because of location to the kids clubs, WD Theater, shopping, etc... We typically try to get a SPR for the value or one of the category 8's. I like the short hallways and it's very quiet on that part of the ship. No room is our particular fav just that location.

 

Those long hallways with room after room make me feel a little claustrophobic.

[DisneyCruiser76]

momx4, grandmax4:

 

Take good care of "our" cabin until we can get back to it in August 09 :( That's a looooong way off. We were book on the Costa Maya Double Dip in 09/2008, but had to reshedule because we're more than likely going to fall into the "past 26 weeks pregnant" category this September! :D If so, then our next cruise will be with a new addition! We have no children now, so I am betting it would be a totally different experience.

 

Now, regarding Carnival. I got invited to go along on a girls trip this May. The cruise falls during mother's day, and my mother is going on the girls trip, so I figured, hey, it's not Disney, but it's still a cruise, and my mom wants me to be with her! She and I usually take about 4 vacations a year together. So like I said, I'm keeping an open mind...and keeping lots more money in my wallet then when I cruise Disney, so I'll take it for what it is and try to keep a positive attitude! ;)

[chasekenslee]

Go with an open mind on Carnival. I have cruised both lines and much prefer CARNIVAL! I know that is a major shock to most of you. But in MY opinion, the food and service was so much better on Carnival. My husband and parents agree also. While I enjoyed my Disney cruise, I was not blown away by anything on the ship. I may have had my hopes set to high with all the Disney reviews on this board. Just remember that no matter what line or which ship, enjoy it to the fullest!!!!

[vanna]

Go with an open mind on Carnival. I have cruised both lines and much prefer CARNIVAL! I know that is a major shock to most of you. But in MY opinion, the food and service was so much better on Carnival. My husband and parents agree also. While I enjoyed my Disney cruise, I was not blown away by anything on the ship. I may have had my hopes set to high with all the Disney reviews on this board. Just remember that no matter what line or which ship, enjoy it to the fullest!!!!

 

DITTO to everything she said! :D

[Ellanora]

Now, regarding Carnival. I got invited to go along on a girls trip this May. The cruise falls during mother's day, and my mother is going on the girls trip, so I figured, hey, it's not Disney, but it's still a cruise, and my mom wants me to be with her! She and I usually take about 4 vacations a year together. So like I said, I'm keeping an open mind...and keeping lots more money in my wallet then when I cruise Disney, so I'll take it for what it is and try to keep a positive attitude! ;)

 

Which Carnival ship are you on?

 

It's a tough call for me, I have loved both lines. I may prefer Disney overall just a smidge more, but there were some things that I liked better about Carnival (pizza, grill, desserts). Also, Carnival is a fantastic value for the money. Disney is worth its price, at least January pricing, but not exactly a value.

[Alberto_p_a]

Go with an open mind on Carnival. I have cruised both lines and much prefer CARNIVAL! I know that is a major shock to most of you. But in MY opinion, the food and service was so much better on Carnival. My husband and parents agree also. While I enjoyed my Disney cruise, I was not blown away by anything on the ship. I may have had my hopes set to high with all the Disney reviews on this board. Just remember that no matter what line or which ship, enjoy it to the fullest!!!!

 

Having cruised both Disney several years ago and this past week on Carnival I would beg to differ. The Fantasy is in need of a major overhaul. It is dated, and showing all of it's age. Disney has better equipment and finishes. It has real marble and granite. Fantasy has plastic laminate. It's the difference between a Four Seasons or a Hyatt Regency resort and a Ramada. That's huge!

 

The staff's are equal in attentiveness.

 

Fantasy had a lot of really low class cruisers. Disney had families and I would not hesitate to take a Disney cruise we just my wife as the amenities offered were excellent.

[eyesing2]

What Carnival boat are you on? It seems like there is a wide range of opinions depending what boat you were on. Only thing I liked better on the Holiday over Disney was the bed and premium linens. Oh yeah, and the chocolate melting cake. Yummo! Even so, we still had a great time. Like you said it's still a cruise, after all!

[rtrtx2]

we have cruised Carnival alot, my sons prefer them over disney, royal, and ncl, but you do get a different experience depending upon the ship and intinerary. Now one thing I like about Carnival, their food, entertainment, etc seem to be consistent....what varies is the demographics of the cruisers and ship age, size, etc. We enjoyed our Fantasy cruise but for a Bahamas cruise I wouldn't pick carnival because they do not have a private island, while we didn't find it too party hardy my parents did. But the longer cruises and newer ships offer alot for the $$$$.

IMO-from all the lines we have cruised, some make me just feel more relax or less self conscious. On Disney and Royal I am not as concerned about my less than Barbie doll appearance. On carnival at times I am more aware. The point I am trying to make is I think most all of the cruiselines have similiar and decent products, everyone will feel more comfortable or enjoy one over the other BUT that does not make the others aweful.

Side note of little importance-out of all our cruises, I have had the highest bar tab on Disney ( Mojitos and Konk Koolers). I love anything Disney and can't wait til our March cruise!!

[Dandy8]

Having cruised both Disney several years ago and this past week on Carnival I would beg to differ. The Fantasy is in need of a major overhaul. It is dated, and showing all of it's age. Disney has better equipment and finishes. It has real marble and granite. Fantasy has plastic laminate. It's the difference between a Four Seasons or a Hyatt Regency resort and a Ramada. That's huge!

 

The staff's are equal in attentiveness.

 

Fantasy had a lot of really low class cruisers. Disney had families and I would not hesitate to take a Disney cruise we just my wife as the amenities offered were excellent.

 

We had the same experience with Carnival Imagination...run down, dated, quality of passengers, staff's lack of attentiveness...I will never sail Carnival again!

[poncho1973]

I have never cruised on Carnival... but I have done DCL and RCCL. I have friends with some SERIOUS cruising under their belts, dozens of cruises.

 

We know a couple that just got off the Carnival Sensation, the first cruise they've ever taken. They've seen our pictures from DCL and RCCL, as well as the pictures from our other friends who have cruised dozens of times.

 

Before this couple left, we were all sitting around sharing cruise stories and looking at a few pictures.

 

Last night, we all were sitting around sharing some drinks and chatting. They haven't printed or uploaded any photos yet, but they shared their stories. They want to go with the rest of us on DCL or RCCL next time! They enjoyed themselves, but didn't get to experience the whole "private island" thing... they had multiple bad experiences with drunk college kids (we are all between 28 and 35, so it's not like we're blue-hairs or anything ourselves) and they said that while they felt that they got a good deal as far as price went... they didn't come home with any of the special stories the rest of us tell from our cruises. It was plain.

 

I don't really know if 2nd hand info helps, but I've known this couple for the bulk of my life and that is what they said... "Great price, good food, annoying crowd, plain and not special."

 

I guess we'll have to take them on DCL and get them to compare.

[laujac]

I just got off of the Triumph on Saturday. This was my first Carnival Cruise after cruising the Magic seven times. I went with an open mind... knowing that it would be different.

 

Quite honestly... if I was 20 something... without kids... I would have had a great time. The food was great... and the room layout gives more space to move and more storage.

 

But since I am 40 something... with and 8 and 9 year old... I was disappointed. First of all... way too much smoking in too many areas. Smoking is permissable on ALL open decks of the port side (entire left side of ship)... this means also by the pools. Smoking is also allowed in the casino and many of the bars which are not enclosedby any walls ... meaning my kids had to walk by them to get to the dining room based on the weird configuration of one of the dining halls blocking decks 3 and 4 at midship.

 

Camp Carnival was a JOKE! At most, there may have been 6-7 kids in each session with my daughters age group (6-8 yrs). Each session was usually held in one of the many lounges rather than in the actual playroom. During one of the sessions they were having an adult scavenger hunt which brought many adults into the same room as my daughter's group. I complained to the counselor but was told that there was nothing that they could do... it was scheduled by the cruise director. I felt this was a definite security concern. Finally... at 10pm the program ends... you have to pay a babysitting fee of $6 per hour from 10pm-3am... no matter your child's age. Oh... and they closed one hour before lunch and dinner "to get ready for lunch and dinner" ????....

 

Again... great time for those who do not have younger kids... but if you do have little ones... stick to Disney.

[Manatee Mom]

We just got off disney Wonder. We sail alot and have a ds6 and ds9. the main differences i see

Pools- disney fresh water (kid pool is suppose to be smoke free) music is like listening to Disney Radio(except at adult only pool), CCL salt water (always have problems with smokers) have like island bands, some good some bad.

Dinning- both have set dinning times and tables.

disney you rotate resturants and your servers go with you. great kids menu and if it's not on the menu the server will still get it for you (ie hot dog)

Carnival i thought had much better desserts, more variety of food to choose from each night.

staterooms- are about the same size, the big difference is most of disney rooms have the split bathrooms which is great! but the blowdryers on disney do not work well at all. Disney rooms also all have refrigs. not all carnival ships do.

Disney also does not allow smoking inside your cabins, carnival does.

on some carnival ships the airvents are linked and smoke from nextdoor can come in.

Shows-Carnival are for adults, (T&A)very las vegas like, we like them. Disney show- Dreams is like going to a broadway show. the other 2 were ok. CCL also has comedy, magic and much more (late night). Disney late night is just dancing for adults.

Camp-On both you get beepers. carnival depends on the ship and the # of kids that sailing. We've had great staff & on one my kids refused to go they were so bad (head counsler didn't speak much english & was mean). Only 2 people can sign the kids in/out, which could take 1/2 hr sometimes.

Disney you can register the kids in camp before leaving home. at camp check in before you get on the boat you get their wristbands. No big camp meeting to waste time. They seperate the groups by age. even though 3-7 are in the same room, they break them out by age for activities (CCL does not). 4 people sailing can be put down to sign in/out. which they scan your cards and goes very quickly. DCL also does much better activities, with the kids, it's not just babysitting.

 

Hope this helps.