Disney vs. Royal Caribbean with 4 year old and 8 month old

[dogsambam]

OK- I know this questionis overdone, but wanted to se some new input. We are planning a cruise with our (when cruising) 4 year old and 8 month old. We have been on RCCL many times, and I booked RCCL Liberty without thinking of Disney (never sailed before). Which is a better choice? I know Royal has all the bells and whistles, and I am trying to figure out why to go ont Disney, other than the characters. Any words of wisdon would be great. Thanks

[lsmommy]

I have only cruised Disney and my girls love it. At 4 years of age the characters are very special and will be a highlight. DCL treats kids like royalty, so happy children make for a relaxing vacation With a child under 3 you are able to use Flounders but there is a cost but I understand RCL does not have any child care for kids under 3.

 

Another plus is DCL has tubs, so it makes it easy to wash the kids and the rooms are a bit bigger.

 

My plan is to cruise DCL until my youngest is a bit older and then try RCCL as I hear it has lots for the older kids.

[cb at sea]

Many RCI ships don't allow non-potty trained kids in the pools. Some do, so check that out, if that's important. I think all of Disney's ships have a "baby pool" area.

Disney's cabins are larger than comparables on RCI.

Both have a good kids program--the 4 yo is old enough for RCI.

[dogsambam]

My 3 year old was on RCCL when she was 1, and we had a babysitter stay with her after she went to sleep. She had a blast, and we brought a baby pool and set it up next to the kids pool. The Freedom class ship do have the kids water play area, and from what I understand a little tiny one for un potty train. but I do not really think my 8 month old will be. Is there any type of baby sitting for the child when they are over 3?

[zetachi]

Disney has a non-potty trained area, but it is far from a Pool. It is a 4 x 10 foot area with some little sprinklers but not an actual pool. I'll probably get flamed but Disney did not appear to check for diapers so there were many in the pools. So that may be a better choice.

 

 

BTW my kids loved it they were 5 and 2 at the time. We are trying RCCL this time and they are now 3 and 7.

[imsmpls]

Having never cruised on Disney, take this for what it's worth...

 

We took DD 4 and DS 3 to DisneyWorld last year. They had a blast! But, they didn't care about the characters one bit! They weren't scared, just completely uninterested. We did a character breakfast and some other photo ops things throughout the park. They were cooperative since the adults seemed very excited but unimpressed.

 

I would choose the cruise with the better kids activities, services, itinerary, etc. I hear Disney has great service (more of a plus for adults than kids). I don't know what the babysitting policy is on Disney but RCCL has in-room sitting that sounds great for keeping the kids on their usual sleep schedules and still letting adults eat at "adult times" and see shows, gamble, etc.

 

I'm sure it will be a great time regardless!

[wrp96]

For an 8 month old, you won't have the option of the babysitting service on RCCL (it starts at 1 year old).

 

On Disney you will have the option of Flounders nursery for the 8 month old.

[boulders]

After having taken a 2 year old on RCCL last year, I would definitely do Disney. We weren't on a Freedom class, so no pool that he could go into There was otherwise very little for him to do except ham it up prior to every Bingo game. We did have the babysitter, but it really was no fun for him. I wish we'd gone Disney.

[crusinmama06]

I've been on Magic and Wonder. I've also been on RCCL Freedom, leaving for RCCL Independence in a few days. :)

 

So, with that being said....take a look at my review of the Wonder. We just did it this past September...it has pictures galore. Pictures of the cabin, the pools (including infant water area), the pirate parties, cabin, etc.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=846086

 

If price is comparable...then you have to do Disney at least once. And this would be the age to do it. They have Flounders nursery. They also have the baby water area (as does Liberty). But on Liberty, you wouldn't have the option of babysitting for the 8 month old.

 

My girls are 4 and 8. My 8 year old is starting to get past the Disney age. She wasn't as thrilled with Wonder as she was with Magic (when she was 5). My 4 year old though was in Princess heaven on Wonder. :D

 

So if you are going to do it, go now. :)

[stsomewhere]

We just got back from a cruise on the Disney WOnder. DD-8 and DS-10 said it was the best cruise they have ever been on.( They have sailed numerous times on RCI, NCL, and 1 time on CC-they hated)

 

We never wanted to spend the money for DIsney. We thought we would try a short cruise. We loved it and booked a 7 night for AUg. on board.

 

Dh and I rated it among the top cruises we have taken. (We compared it with HAL)

[crusinmama06]

We just got back from a cruise on the Disney WOnder. DD-8 and DS-10 said it was the best cruise they have ever been on.( They have sailed numerous times on RCI, NCL, and 1 time on CC-they hated)

 

We never wanted to spend the money for DIsney. We thought we would try a short cruise. We loved it and booked a 7 night for AUg. on board.

 

Dh and I rated it among the top cruises we have taken. (We compared it with HAL)

 

Did you write a review yet? I was wondering how your kids would like the Disney ship. Welcome back. :D

[kser]

I've only sailed on the Disney Wonder. This is my favorite cruise line. We all had so much fun on this cruise line. Went with the family and we had all different ages. The little ones LOVED it. We had a hard time getting them leave the clubs:rolleyes:. I have to say that I can't think of anything negative to say about this cruise line great for kids & adults. There are lots of things for kids to do, it's not just about the disney characters. The pools are great & the programs at the kids clubs are awesome. We didn't have any children under the age of 4 years old with us, so I can't say how the babysitting is, sorry. My 17 year son ( 14 at the time of the first cruise) loves this cruise line he always wants to go back & take his girlfriend, even after we've cruised the other lines. I think you should try it:D. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Good luck and happy cruising:)

[cruisinmama22]

I think the Disney cruise would be much better for your children! We went on the Libery last year- it was nice but not a lot for the little, little kids to do! It is more expensive but there is new sale out today with large discounts with Disney cruises. Good luck!

[ducktoon1]

We did Disney Magic when my kids were 4, 7, and 10. The two younger ones loved it, the older one was bored and prefers Royal Caribbean. For your 4 yr old, Disney has the best kids program at sea of all the ships we've been on, and they devote the most space to them (note that there is no casino on the Disney ships, if that matters to you). The Disney private island is also one of the nicest we've been on.

 

On Royal Caribbean, we have done Freedom Class and Navigator Class. I would recommend those for kids that are older than yours. Unless your 4 yr old is unusually tall, they won't be able to go on the rock climbing wall or the flow rider.