CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[cruiser21]

I guess I'm just a little DIsney brainwashed because it's hard for me to imagine another cruise line catering to kids as well as they do. But those pools and slides look much better than anything Disney has!

I don't think any other cruiseline caters to kids like Disney does. On a Disney ship I feel like it's all about the kids every second of the cruise, and that's not necessarily a good thing once your kids outgrow being the center of attention. That being said I think the other cruiselines offer more for kids to do. It's just the whole cruise isn't focused on kids and family activities.

 

[cyclenut]

I don't think any other cruiseline caters to kids like Disney does. On a Disney ship I feel like it's all about the kids every second of the cruise, and that's not necessarily a good thing once your kids outgrow being the center of attention. That being said I think the other cruiselines offer more for kids to do. It's just the whole cruise isn't focused on kids and family activities.

This is pretty much spot on, although I'll add a little twist. Disney has a laser focus on the family vacation experience. Even the adult shows are limited to "Disney Dirty" so parents can feel comfortable taking their young adult children with them to "the club" after hours. The way the kids clubs and pool decks are designed, the entertainment offered on deck and even the food choices are much more neutral.

The goal of Disney is fun for the entire family and that often means finding that sweet spot known as the middle ground. Nobody offended. Nobody uncomfortable. Nobody left out. A frictonless vacation experience. You can certainly pay less and still have a great time, but I've not seen anyone else do the complete family experience the way Disney does.

 

[cyclenut]

Very happy to hear the Vista is moving the Galveston. We loved the Breeze and considered booking the Vista when on board, but their on board booking incentives were not compelling enough and the Vista was so new, the prices were close to Disney prices. I'm expecting a price drop when they move the ship to Galveston and hoping that as a Texas resident, i'll see a further discount on certain voyages. Our next cruise is Disney PC, which we were able to book at a killer low price. Current prices are nearly double what we are paying.

If we can book Vista at anything close to what we paid for the Breeze out of Galveston last year, I'm in.

 

[cruiser21]

This is pretty much spot on, although I'll add a little twist. Disney has a laser focus on the family vacation experience. Even the adult shows are limited to "Disney Dirty" so parents can feel comfortable taking their young adult children with them to "the club" after hours. The way the kids clubs and pool decks are designed, the entertainment offered on deck and even the food choices are much more neutral.

The goal of Disney is fun for the entire family and that often means finding that sweet spot known as the middle ground. Nobody offended. Nobody uncomfortable. Nobody left out. A frictonless vacation experience. You can certainly pay less and still have a great time, but I've not seen anyone else do the complete family experience the way Disney does.

I know some people enjoy DCL without kids. I can't see myself on a Disney ship once my kids are grown. There just wouldn't be a point for me to spend that amount of money.

 

[cyclenut]

May I add... ?

Maybe DH and I have been lucky twice in a row. Maybe DH and I being the "in bed at 10 PM, up at 5 AM" type of people, we missed it all... But I did not encounter any drunk people. Nor rude people. No partying/extreme partying.

Once again, I do not understand where the bad reputation comes from. I do not understand why some people snob that cruise line.

Carnival earned the bad reputation a few years ago and that reputation continues if you book one of their 3 or 4 day cruises from a number of different ports. We used to live in SoCal and sailed a couple of times on those short cruises. The bartenders were very aggressive at pushing heavy drinking. I witnessed several people who were heavily drunk really push the envelop of public humiliation. I even found a joint in a drawer in my stateroom.

I didn't see the same on the Breeze. Much more similar to the Disney experience, although Carnival was still really pushing the booze more than is typical for a Disney cruise. Wife and I ordered a drink. We were half way done and we were asked if we wanted another. We said no. They walked away. We were nearly done and they just sat the two drinks down on the table. We said no thank you and they tried to talk us into it. All in fun I suppose, but it bordered on rude.

One last thing. The Carnival alcohol package encourages heavy consumption.

 

[cyclenut]

I know some people enjoy DCL without kids. I can't see myself on a Disney ship once my kids are grown. There just wouldn't be a point for me to spend that amount of money.

Wife and I used to say that too but here we are, sailing away as two adults on Disney cruise number 5 for me and 6 for my wife this April.

 

[cruiser21]

Wife and I used to say that too but here we are, sailing away as two adults on Disney cruise number 5 for me and 6 for my wife this April.

We've done 17. We started when my youngest was 5 he's now 13. The prices have doubled or more since we started . My salary has not. 5 more years until they're both adults. I can't imagine what prices will be like in 5 years. I'd like to be in a place where I work less and spend less on vacations. I've really enjoyed having my kids grow up on DCL, but at some point I have to close that chapter of my life....at least until I have grandkids.

 

[mevelandry]

Carnival earned the bad reputation a few years ago and that reputation continues if you book one of their 3 or 4 day cruises from a number of different ports. We used to live in SoCal and sailed a couple of times on those short cruises. The bartenders were very aggressive at pushing heavy drinking. I witnessed several people who were heavily drunk really push the envelop of public humiliation. I even found a joint in a drawer in my stateroom.

I didn't see the same on the Breeze. Much more similar to the Disney experience, although Carnival was still really pushing the booze more than is typical for a Disney cruise. Wife and I ordered a drink. We were half way done and we were asked if we wanted another. We said no. They walked away. We were nearly done and they just sat the two drinks down on the table. We said no thank you and they tried to talk us into it. All in fun I suppose, but it bordered on rude.

One last thing. The Carnival alcohol package encourages heavy consumption.

No server ever brought us new drinks when we did not order it... (I would have refused it).

Most cruise lines have drinking packages now... Disney has wine packages but it's not exactly the same concept.

 

[cyclenut]

We've done 17. We started when my youngest was 5 he's now 13. The prices have doubled or more since we started . My salary has not. 5 more years until they're both adults. I can't imagine what prices will be like in 5 years. I'd like to be in a place where I work less and spend less on vacations. I've really enjoyed having my kids grow up on DCL, but at some point I have to close that chapter of my life....at least until I have grandkids.

I guess if I had done that many, I'd feel differently too. We haven't explored all DCL has to offer yet so we're still having fun with the new we find on Disney ships and destinations. That new will continue with the new ships being launched and a grandkid turns 3 soon, so DCL is probably still in our future for awhile. It won't be exclusive though.

No server ever brought us new drinks when we did not order it... (I would have refused it).

Most cruise lines have drinking packages now... Disney has wine packages but it's not exactly the same concept.

For point of clarification only, it was the bar server and it was the drink of the day so they just had them on the trays. I'm not sure about other drink packages, but I do know the way the Carnival one is structured, you've got to drink a lot to get to a break even point. Maybe it's true for other lines as well. The big reason for the reputation are the short cruises that span the weekends. Those are affectionately called "booze cruises" for a reason. They are cheap, making it easier for groups to get on and drink the weekend away. No driving so no risk of DUI. Lots of locals on those ships.

 

[mevelandry]

I guess if I had done that many, I'd feel differently too. We haven't explored all DCL has to offer yet so we're still having fun with the new we find on Disney ships and destinations. That new will continue with the new ships being launched and a grandkid turns 3 soon, so DCL is probably still in our future for awhile. It won't be exclusive though.



For point of clarification only, it was the bar server and it was the drink of the day so they just had them on the trays. I'm not sure about other drink packages, but I do know the way the Carnival one is structured, you've got to drink a lot to get to a break even point. Maybe it's true for other lines as well. The big reason for the reputation are the short cruises that span the weekends. Those are affectionately called "booze cruises" for a reason. They are cheap, making it easier for groups to get on and drink the weekend away. No driving so no risk of DUI. Lots of locals on those ships.

Yeah you need to drink at least 6 drinks a day but I notice a lot of people get Evian or specialty coffee/ milkshakes to make the package worth it.

 

[cruiser21]

No server ever brought us new drinks when we did not order it... (I would have refused it).

Most cruise lines have drinking packages now... Disney has wine packages but it's not exactly the same concept.

I've never been pushed to buy booze on a Carnival cruise. DCL is the only cruiseline I've been on where they walk around with pre made drinks and try try to get you to purchase them. DCL servers walk around all day with the "drink of the day" on serving platters. I'm sure more people overdue it on Carnival then DCL, but I've seen plenty of drunk people on DCL. It doesn't bother me I'm no saint.

 

[mevelandry]

I have now started to plan our April cruise. It will be a Key West - Cozumel 4 nights cruise departing from Miami.

We plan on staying in a beach front hotel in Fort Lauderdale for three reasons:

1) We were supposed to visit Fort Lauderdale on our last cruise but with a 6 hours delay in our flight we arrived in FLL at night so we had to postpone our plans.

2) It's hard to explain but while it is not a bad place per say, I did not fall in love with Miami like I thought I would so I don't see value in paying the big Miami rates for flights and hotels. I feel like Fort Lauderdale is a big more relaxed and I like it.

3) Huge difference in price for flights... and hotels at least 100$ less in FLL for very similar experience.

In Key West, since we only get half a day there, I've been think of booking the Old Town Trolley (hop on and off). DH and I usually prefer to walk but that would give us the option to get where we want to go a little bit faster. In KW, I would like to see the Hemingway House (strictly for the cats LOL), have brunch at Blue Heaven (and try their Key Lime Pie), eat Frozen Key Lime Pie from Kermitt, walk on Duval street, see the soldier and nurse kissing statue, walk in front of the most haunted places... Maybe see the Southernmost point. We booked this cruise because I've been reading about Key West for a long time, I've wanted to go there for so long. Chose to go in April because there are less risks to be re-routed during that period. I'm very excited.

In Cozumel, we are most likely going to visit Tulum and possibly with a cenote swim. I'm still looking up for details trying to figure out which excursion is the best for us as a lot of them go include Tulum.

I will book through Carnival as I don't mind paying a little bit more. I've been satisfied so far.

 

[cruiser21]

I have now started to plan our April cruise. It will be a Key West - Cozumel 4 nights cruise departing from Miami.

We plan on staying in a beach front hotel in Fort Lauderdale for three reasons:

1) We were supposed to visit Fort Lauderdale on our last cruise but with a 6 hours delay in our flight we arrived in FLL at night so we had to postpone our plans.

2) It's hard to explain but while it is not a bad place per say, I did not fall in love with Miami like I thought I would so I don't see value in paying the big Miami rates for flights and hotels. I feel like Fort Lauderdale is a big more relaxed and I like it.

3) Huge difference in price for flights... and hotels at least 100$ less in FLL for very similar experience.

In Key West, since we only get half a day there, I've been think of booking the Old Town Trolley (hop on and off). DH and I usually prefer to walk but that would give us the option to get where we want to go a little bit faster. In KW, I would like to see the Hemingway House (strictly for the cats LOL), have brunch at Blue Heaven (and try their Key Lime Pie), eat Frozen Key Lime Pie from Kermitt, walk on Duval street, see the soldier and nurse kissing statue, walk in front of the most haunted places... Maybe see the Southernmost point. We booked this cruise because I've been reading about Key West for a long time, I've wanted to go there for so long. Chose to go in April because there are less risks to be re-routed during that period. I'm very excited.

In Cozumel, we are most likely going to visit Tulum and possibly with a cenote swim. I'm still looking up for details trying to figure out which excursion is the best for us as a lot of them go include Tulum.

I will book through Carnival as I don't mind paying a little bit more. I've been satisfied so far.

I agree with you on Miami. I prefer FLL also. Galveston and Vancouver are my favorite embarkation ports in North America. If you ever get a chance you should try to do a cruise out of San Diego. I don't know if you've ever been to California, but it's worth a visit at least once. I have yet to cruise out of San Diego for some reason. It's so close, but the timing is never right.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

We aren't fans of Miami either but we are staying there in June because we can get a good rate on the Loews as my sister works for the company. Love those Friends and Family rates.

I also want to see the cats! Someday.

 

[mevelandry]

I agree with you on Miami. I prefer FLL also. Galveston and Vancouver are my favorite embarkation ports in North America. If you ever get a chance you should try to do a cruise out of San Diego. I don't know if you've ever been to California, but it's worth a visit at least once. I have yet to cruise out of San Diego for some reason. It's so close, but the timing is never right.

Never visited California... Definitely on my list. Would love to see L.A., San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Monterey.

Vancouver is also on my list.

 

[mevelandry]

We aren't fans of Miami either but we are staying there in June because we can get a good rate on the Loews as my sister works for the company. Love those Friends and Family rates.

I also want to see the cats! Someday.

Stayed in Miami with a Friends and Family rates... but 300$ USD is 400$ CND for us... Still expensive. Hotel was nice though. We stayed at the Marriott Stanton. Our room was fantastic and we had a partial ocean view.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Stayed in Miami with a Friends and Family rates... but 300$ USD is 400$ CND for us... Still expensive. Hotel was nice though. We stayed at the Marriott Stanton. Our room was fantastic and we had a partial ocean view.

Wow, that doesn't sound like a good rate at all. We can stay at any Loews (other than NY) for $75 +tax, resort fee and parking (as needed).

 

[mevelandry]

Wow, that doesn't sound like a good rate at all. We can stay at any Loews (other than NY) for $75 +tax, resort fee and parking (as needed).

I would say that F&F vary (In NYC, we always get good rates around 125$...) The hotel was pretty expensive for that night without the F&F rate. That type of rooms was around 450$ USD without it.

 

[lspst8]

Has anyone here been on the Carnival Magic? We are thinking of trying it in January because the price seems so affordable (2500 for our family of 4 in a cove balcony room). We have only cruises with DCL, so we are a little nervous to try something new.

 

[mevelandry]

Has anyone here been on the Carnival Magic? We are thinking of trying it in January because the price seems so affordable (2500 for our family of 4 in a cove balcony room). We have only cruises with DCL, so we are a little nervous to try something new.

Have not tried the Magic yet but I've seen her name appear among the well liked ships of Carnival like Vista, Breeze, Sunshine, Dream and Conquest (and probably Horizon since it's like the Vista).

I recommend that you get as much information as possible in order to get to know Carnival and the way it works, that way, you will be able to "place your expectations where they need to be". Some things you'll like more on DCL, some you might end up liking more on Carnival.

Main differences:

-DCL replaces everything that has a scratch. They will replace wallpaper that has a black mark on it.
Carnival may wait a bit longer to replace stuff (although I have to say that I have noticed they were giving much more TLC to the Vista than the Victory). That being said, when there was problems in our cabins (even some I had not notice), they were very proactive in repairing it ASAP. Just don't expect to see "brand new" everywhere.

-No rotational dining or themed dining room (if you like themes, there is a Dr. Seuss Breakfast and the decorations are cute!) but DH and I agree that the included food is much better on Carnival. And when the ship is Fun Ship 2.0 you get even more choices!

-Specialty dining --Cucina del capitano, Jiji Asian Kitchen, Fahrenheit 555 and Chef's table-- is just as good as Palo/Remy but more affordable (lower rates per person).

-More events/parties that are for adults.

-More sales (if you like to shop or buying souvenirs, you are going to love the last day on the ship because they have a lot of sales on that day).

-Non Disney musical revues

-Comedy shows every night or almost every night.

-Carnival have Hasbro game events and a library filled with books and board games that you can play.

-Less characters on the Carnival ship but there is a Towel Elephant, Dr. Seuss Characters and Mr & Mrs Potatohead, they announce it on the Fun Times.

-There is a casino. You might have to go through them in order to go from one place to another. As long as you don't have asthma, it shouldn't be a problem.

-They don't announce your name when you get on the ship.

-On certain ship, Carnival has more sport activities/equipment than the DCL ships.

-Unless you get a Cloud 9 Spa room (so you get Elemis products), Carnival shampoo and shower gel aren't great. I'd recommend to bring your own.