There is definitely a buffet on DCL, you can eat there or at the places out by the pool. Though, the meals in the dining rooms are really fun! We never dressed formally -- the nicest clothes I brought were jeans. We were going to skip "formal night" but our waiters told us to come anyway and it was fun and totally fine. I thought everyone was dressed casually and we did a European cruise.
I've been on a number of different cruise lines and enjoyed dcl the most. At the teen age, cruises can be really boring because there just aren't many people your age or much to do. I saw teens hanging out together all over the ship on DCL and I think the shows would appeal way more to a younger person than would the shows on other lines. I was just on NCL and skipped all the shows because they all sounded like torture.
You will be able to hang out in the adult areas because your niece will be able to do her own thing with the other kids. I think the oldest teen area will still be fine for her if she's 17, plus the kids meet up there the first day, exchange info and hang out around the ship.
For cheapest prices, book as close to opening day as you can and buy Disney gift cards for 5% off from Target. If you book through Costco, you can get a Costco cash card back.
I thought the kid situation was better on DCL than Carnival, honestly.
I've been on a number of different cruise lines and enjoyed dcl the most. At the teen age, cruises can be really boring because there just aren't many people your age or much to do. I saw teens hanging out together all over the ship on DCL and I think the shows would appeal way more to a younger person than would the shows on other lines. I was just on NCL and skipped all the shows because they all sounded like torture.
You will be able to hang out in the adult areas because your niece will be able to do her own thing with the other kids. I think the oldest teen area will still be fine for her if she's 17, plus the kids meet up there the first day, exchange info and hang out around the ship.
For cheapest prices, book as close to opening day as you can and buy Disney gift cards for 5% off from Target. If you book through Costco, you can get a Costco cash card back.
I thought the kid situation was better on DCL than Carnival, honestly.