Celebrity vs. Disney

[Muushka]

I have been reading this thread with interest because I have never tried Disney since it was always a lot more expensive than any other cruise line that we were considering. Even though it appears to be a step above Celebrity, if I was going to spend that much money for a cruise I would try Regent or Crystal.

 

I don't see where DCL is a step above X. They are both great cruise lines.

[Bridge Maven]

I don't see where DCL is a step above X. They are both great cruise lines.

 

Since I have never sailed on Disney Cruise Lines, I am not in a position to compare them, but I based that comment on several posts on this thread as well as what I have heard from a number of different travel agents.

 

However, there must be some reason why Disney can charge so much more than Celebrity and still fill their ships.

[york survey]

I've had the same problem and concern. Been with disney 8 times and always had a great trip. Never been with celebrity. However I have just booked the baltic from Southampton on 10th July 2010 as we could not stand the disney price.

[Muushka]

Since I have never sailed on Disney Cruise Lines, I am not in a position to compare them, but I based that comment on several posts on this thread as well as what I have heard from a number of different travel agents.

 

However, there must be some reason why Disney can charge so much more than Celebrity and still fill their ships.

 

I guess it depends on what steps you are looking at. If those steps include child activities, character interaction, family entertainment and whimsical things, then yes, DCL is a step above.

 

If you are looking at the overall cruise experience including food, entertainment (not Disney type), ship amenities and such, to me they are comparable.

 

DCL charges so much more because they can! ;) (oops and they don't have a casino, gotta make the cash where you can!)

 

We don't have children, so our opinion might be a little different from what those with children say.:)

[eandj]

X is not spending money on character appearances, shows, big time children activities. Instead they use the fares for other amenities. Cruising Disney just has different priorities. I wouldn't be interested in paying a higher fare for amenities I have no need or interest in. Now if we had a family of younger children to appreciate the atmosphere, then maybe.

It's just a matter of what you want to pay for. I don't think you can go wrong as long as you pick the line that best fits your immediate needs and expectations.

[pumpkin 11]

My uncle just took a Disney cruise last feb. Since they sailed =x= before this they had way to high expecations. They loved the =x= but wanted to bring their kids this time. They came back saying bad service, fair food and a great kids program. They ate at palos but said it was just okay.

Celebrity = elegent, relaxing

Disney = great for kids

[cruise47]

We have sail both cruise lines. Food is very subjective and I will not touch that subject. The main difference to me are the size of the staterooms. Disney staterooms and veranda are larger then Celebrity.

 

However, Disney cruises are higher in costs per person and I would pick Celebrity hands down every time to cruise.

[pumpkin 11]

We have sail both cruise lines. Food is very subjective and I will not touch that subject. The main difference to me are the size of the staterooms. Disney staterooms and veranda are larger then Celebrity.

 

However, Disney cruises are higher in costs per person and I would pick Celebrity hands down every time to cruise.

even though disney rooms are larger, i still think =x= has the most comfertable, big towels, good closit and dawer space, good quality fittings, and full floor-to-celling balcony partitions.;)

[Duane T]

We booked on the Disney Magic's 2007 Mediterranean Cruise. It was very well organized from the moment we landed, the boarding process was a little long due to all the character (Mickey) picture taking before you board. The crew was very well trained. The shows were as good or better for all audiences.

 

Of course, Disney excels at organizing venues and activities for kids. But we also noted they had excellent seminars, shore excursions, and entertainment throughout the ship.

 

There's not casino on the Disney Magic, but they had a variety of programs to keep all adults entertained as well as kids late into the evening.

 

Dining on the Disney Magic is entertaining as you rotate through three dining rooms each with a different theme.

 

Overall, Disney food was very good whether you ate in the dining rooms, Palo, or the buffet.

 

If you have young kids, Disney is a great program, but as you've already noted, more expensive. But it's wonderful to travel on Disney in the Mediterranean.

[Rev. Joe]

Here is how I look at it.

Celebrity and Disney are two of the top lines in the industry. Sailed both, I prefer Disney, just because of the high energy, or maybe because I have sailed them more often. Celebrity was just as nice, with better food some nights, others, not so much. Celebrity also has more choices in food than Disney, like sushi, but the rotational dining is a show in itself on Disney. Entertainment, Celebrity shows were terrible compared to Disneys, but we really enjoyed the cabernet acts on Celebrity. Both ships have a nice feel to them, never saw any bratty kids running around on either ships, as the poster would know. This is a tough choice, since it would be really fun to sail around the Baltic with the Mouse, but the Solstice class are also brand new and it would give you a taste of another line, while being in the ports most of the time. Maybe save the 6000 dollars and wait until the Disney Wonder sails through the Panama Cannal. I vote Celebrity, unless you are a true die hard fan. And for other posters, do not judge another line until you sail on them.

THanks:D

[hcat]

For a port intensive itin the ship is less of a consideration. For a $6,000 price difference--a no brainer! That'll more than cover airfare.

 

If you go with Celebrity, your 11 yr old will have a diff. experience, get to dress up for the formal nights & be more grown up.. I am sure will meet other young people on board.

[Muushka]

For a port intensive itin the ship is less of a consideration. For a $6,000 price difference--a no brainer! That'll more than cover airfare.

 

If you go with Celebrity, your 11 yr old will have a diff. experience, get to dress up for the formal nights & be more grown up.. I am sure will meet other young people on board.

 

I agree, save the 6K.

But in case anyone reading this and has never sailed DCL, they do have formal nights and people do dress for them.:)

[cvaty]

We booked on the Disney Magic's 2007 Mediterranean Cruise. It was very well organized from the moment we landed, the boarding process was a little long due to all the character (Mickey) picture taking before you board. The crew was very well trained.

Mickey´s private security guards.

They have to be very tolerating -which it seems are- with children.

[Lois R]

quote by Rev Joe:

"Entertainment, Celebrity shows were terrible compared to Disneys, but we really enjoyed the cabernet acts on Celebrity"

 

Hi, I hope you meant Cabaret acts:D:);) because you might be

seeing some fun acts if it was alot of Cabernet:)

[gkbiiii]

Kitty:

 

I have never been on Disney however the one knock that I have always read from reviewers, magazines and other cruisers is that the food is not good on Disney. Perhaps that is where people get the impression. I have seen many people even on the Disney board say the food is similiar to what you get in the parks.

 

The reviews on food since Disney started, the lack of a casino and the price have kept me away from a Disney cruise even when my kids were little. I can't see spending that much money for a cruise that is shorter than that on Celebrity.

 

 

I just finnished a Disney Magic cruise of the Western Caribbean in July, the food was outstanding the full trip. I have been to over 63 full service restraunts at the Walt Disney Resort and feel that the meals on the Magic were amoung the best I have had anywhere, including Disney. I loved the rotational dining and my brunch at Polo reminded me of Sunday brunch at Silverado or the Sheraton Palace in San Francisco.

[vickykay]

We did the Baltic cruise on the Constellation last summer - wow what a great cruise! The ship was wonderful and the food terrific as always on Celebrity. I would really suggest that you use the $6000 (that's a lot of money) towards excursions, ports, etc (or another vacation) as they are expensive on the Baltic cruise, esp since it is so port intensive. The ports also are expensive, esp Olso and Denmark. I would recommend a private tour company for St. Petes (we used Red October with other couples we met on the boards. they were fantastic), a few excursions through the ship, and many just on our own (get a copy of Ric Steve's book). The Baltic cruise is a trip of a lifetime - enjoy!