If you couldn't afford a Disney cruise....

[autismgoesdisney]

what's another cruise line you would consider? We would like to cruise possibly in September 2012 out of NYC (or around there). we priced Disney cruise and feel its more than we can afford. We have 3 kids 8, 6 and 4 and would love lots of kids activities, good food, etc.

We never cruised before!

Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ldo]

the issue is a room for 5. Most regular cabins sleep 4 at the most. RCCL has some family cabins--you have to call RCCL to book them. Carnival also has some rooms that sleep 5. I think most of the cruiselines do a very good job with kids. My kids actually prefer the kid's clubs on RCCL over DCL.

 

[clten]

I'd have no hesitation booking Royal Caribbean and the fact that they sail from Bayonne is a benefit. We keep putting it on our to do list but then DCL will come up with something we want to do like Hawaii and the NY sailings). If nothing spectacular is happening with the Wonder in Dec 2012, we're booking RCCL out of Bayonne fall 2012!

 

[TXDCLfan]

what's another cruise line you would consider? We would like to cruise possibly in September 2012 out of NYC (or around there). we priced Disney cruise and feel its more than we can afford. We have 3 kids 8, 6 and 4 and would love lots of kids activities, good food, etc.

We never cruised before!

Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

We have done 6 DCL cruises and also 7 Carnival cruises and have had a great time on Carnival each and every time We found the food on Carnival to be a little better quality than DCL and more choices at lunch time

 

[mmouse37]

Try pricing out two lower category staterooms instead of a cabin for 5...you may find it comes out cheaper.

MJ

 

[kcashner]

It is often less costly to book 2 inside or ocean view cabins rather than one cabin for 5...and you almost double your amount of space. There are cabins that connect with an interior door.

You are talking about DCL's first season of cruising out of New York, thus these command premium prices. I think the Kids free promotion on the west coast has ended, but keep your eyes open for other specials that may happen.

 

[adamsclan]

We have a family of 7. Disney is great but it is fairly pricey. We got a family suite on Royal Caribbean for all of us which is Concierge level for much less than 2 inside cabins on Disney. They have Dreamworks characters and activities on some ships as well.

 

[SeaSpray]

We've cruise DCL and Royal Caribbean and wouldn't hesitate to recommend either line.

 

[tvguy]

Any cruise is better than no cruise.

I've sailed Paquet, NCL RCCL, HAL, DIS and NCL America. Cruising Alaska in June......trip is a gift, love to do Disney again by for a group of 7 spread over 3 cabins, the costs is just out of the question, and the Monday to Monday schedule doesn't work.
We did HAL to Alaska 10 years ago, they are the favorite right now for 2012.

 

[justmestace]

We've cruised DCL, Carnival, Norwegian and Princess. Princess was our LEAST favorite. Liked Carnival's food the best. Can't say one bad thing at all about either Disney or Norwegian.
All of the kids' areas have improved a lot, since the other cruise lines are trying to meet what Disney offers. MUCH better than they were years ago.

 

[OrcaPotter]

We've been on NCL and RCCL. The ship we were on with NCL was the old S/S Norway which has long since been taken out of service and, I believe, sold for scrap. It was a converted ocean liner, so I can't say anything for the modern ships. That cruise was back in 03.

I loved RCCL. We were on the Mariner of the Seas back in 2007. There was plenty to do, really good food, good service, and good entertainment.

I'm anxious to see the DCL difference in 17 days, though.

 

[NancyIL]

I have been on HAL, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Celebrity - and I would choose any of them again for the right itinerary and price. Royal Caribbean would be my top recommendation for families cruising with younger kids.

 

[NancyIL]

Any cruise is better than no cruise.

I've sailed Paquet, NCL RCCL, HAL, DIS and NCL America. Cruising Alaska in June......trip is a gift, love to do Disney again by for a group of 7 spread over 3 cabins, the costs is just out of the question, and the Monday to Monday schedule doesn't work.
We did HAL to Alaska 10 years ago, they are the favorite right now for 2012.

Which ship did you book? Any of HAL's Alaska itineraries are better than DCL's.

 

[luv2sleep]

Which cruise line offers a similar amount (or close to) of family activities outside of the kids clubs similar to how DCL does. I tried to ask this question on cruise critic but have not received the answer to this specific question. I just keep hearing that the kids like the clubs on the other lines. I don't plan to use them much. I am considering cruises with several sea days but want to pick a ship that offers lots for my son and I to do together on those days. So far that only seems to exist on Disney.

 

[justmestace]

Which cruise line offers a similar amount (or close to) of family activities outside of the kids clubs similar to how DCL does. I tried to ask this question on cruise critic but have not received the answer to this specific question. I just keep hearing that the kids like the clubs on the other lines. I don't plan to use them much. I am considering cruises with several sea days but want to pick a ship that offers lots for my son and I to do together on those days. So far that only seems to exist on Disney.

A lot of the newer ships now have mini-golf and play areas where you can play together. As far as some of the structured activities that DCL has, like the frog races (or whatever they are) I have seen these on NCL...I didn't notice them on Carnival or Princess.

But even on Disney, there isn't going to be a lot to do together, besides the pool, with a four year old....outside of the clubs.

 

[Disney52303]

We cuised on NCL in 2/2011 out of NYC to Florida and Bahamas and my kiddos had a BLAST! They adored the kids club, which had plenty of great activities and evening/dinner events. IMO, the food didn't compare to Disney - we actually liked the fresh pizza and pasta station in the buffet the best rather than the dining rooms. DH and I did try a couple upcharge restaurants during kids dinner events at the kids club. However, I would not let that be a deciding factor and would cruise with them again. We did not do a character week but they have Nickelodeon characters sometimes.

DD was 6 and loved the climbing wall. DS (2) loved the sports court as well in addition to the kids club. We took them to a couple of the shows and they really enjoyed themselves.

We got a fabulous last minute deal which is why we booked NCL. And it's actually a very easy drive to the NYC port.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We cuised on NCL in 2/2011 out of NYC to Florida and Bahamas and my kiddos had a BLAST! They adored the kids club, which had plenty of great activities and evening/dinner events. IMO, the food didn't compare to Disney - we actually liked the fresh pizza and pasta station in the buffet the best rather than the dining rooms. DH and I did try a couple upcharge restaurants during kids dinner events at the kids club. However, I would not let that be a deciding factor and would cruise with them again. We did not do a character week but they have Nickelodeon characters sometimes.

DD was 6 and loved the climbing wall. DS (2) loved the sports court as well in addition to the kids club. We took them to a couple of the shows and they really enjoyed themselves.

We got a fabulous last minute deal which is why we booked NCL. And it's actually a very easy drive to the NYC port.

May i ask which ship you were on and how last minute was your deal?

 

[MrsPotatoHead425]

I have a question for those who have sailed with Carnival.. is it a "party" ship? I have heard so many things about all the party goers, drinkers, people just wanting to hook up, etc. that it turned me away and I decided I would never sail with them.. and then we booked our 1st Disney cruise (4 months to go!) Do you all feel the same way? Is it just full of these type of people or is it a more family friendly "vibe" like Disney puts off?

 

[TXDCLfan]

I have a question for those who have sailed with Carnival.. is it a "party" ship? I have heard so many things about all the party goers, drinkers, people just wanting to hook up, etc. that it turned me away and I decided I would never sail with them.. and then we booked our 1st Disney cruise (4 months to go!) Do you all feel the same way? Is it just full of these type of people or is it a more family friendly "vibe" like Disney puts off?

We have done 7 Carnival cruises all 7 or 8 day in length We have never experienced the " booze cruise" attitude that so many others claim. I have NEVER heard any one else wanting to hook up We have also done 6 Disney cruise and I can tell there are just as many drunks on Disney that are on Carnival.

 

[luv2sleep]

Looks like I'm hearing that NCL and RC would be good choices. NCL has a Hawaii cruise I am looking at. That's a big trip though because you have to fly there and back and then have money to do excursions and rent a car, etc. Looks like fun though. There aren't any sea days so we wouldn't actually need a whole lot to do on the ship.