CARNIVAL VS DCL: The discussion and comparison thread!

[cruiser21]

I think you've identified the concern. Since Dreams Unlimited does not book Carnival, and they sponsor these boards, they don't have a vested interest in hosting a Carnival discussion. I think it's find that this one exists, but I am surprised.

Up until a couple of years ago they didn't sell Royal. The Royal forum is relatively new. I'm not sure why a travel agency would limit themselves to two cruiselines, but you never know that could change.

 

[cruiser21]

I can't believe a family would pay 10k for a Caribbean cruise. The last time we sailed on the Fantasy was early Dec 2014. We paid around 3500 for the four of us. VGT rate. 10k for Europe maybe....but the Caribbean? I'd use the 6k you save for another cruise or trip to WDW or Universal.

 

[mevelandry]

The small, older ships ARE different. I have sailed the Fascination and Elation and I didn't care for either. They do not have as many public areas obviously. We love trivia and on both it was held in the bar area of the casino! So smokey! My clothes would stink and I would not be able to breathe very well when we would leave. We ended up on the Elation for 7 nights thanks to a tropical storm that closed the port. It was toooo long to be on a small ship.

Trivia was in the Casino on the Carnival Victory too. :/

DH and I are big fans of board games so if we end up being bored, you'll probably find us in the library... or napping.

Technically, we have nothing going on on Nassau day except going to the pool (I've been checking every week in the excursion section, so far, absolutely nothing convinces me to book one), but we'll definitely be off the ship on HMC & GT if weather permits.

I'm mostly worried about the sea day. I tend to get bored on sea days, no matter which cruise line I'm on. But since Carnival is cheaper, I feel less guilty to nap so there's that. :/

 

[mevelandry]

Up until a couple of years ago they didn't sell Royal. The Royal forum is relatively new. I'm not sure why a travel agency would limit themselves to two cruiselines, but you never know that could change.

They started selling Norwegian as well.

 

[hdrolfe]

Trivia was in the Casino on the Carnival Victory too. :/

DH and I are big fans of board games so if we end up being bored, you'll probably find us in the library... or napping.

Technically, we have nothing going on on Nassau day except going to the pool (I've been checking every week in the excursion section, so far, absolutely nothing convinces me to book one), but we'll definitely be off the ship on HMC & GT if weather permits.

I'm mostly worried about the sea day. I tend to get bored on sea days, no matter which cruise line I'm on. But since Carnival is cheaper, I feel less guilty to nap so there's that. :/

Kiddo and I really liked the library on Carnival Magic for playing games. We'd stop by after dinner. I missed that on Royal, at least I couldn't find it on the ship we were on! They had other stuff to do but sometimes it's nice to be a little quiet, and board games are big to pack. Though we do always take a deck of cards just in case.

I should really stop reading on here, I really want to book another trip and am all confused on what to book, cruise? try and all inclusive? go back to Disney for a week? there are so many options out there!

 

[Ben E N]

I can't believe a family would pay 10k for a Caribbean cruise. The last time we sailed on the Fantasy was early Dec 2014. We paid around 3500 for the four of us. VGT rate. 10k for Europe maybe....but the Caribbean? I'd use the 6k you save for another cruise or trip to WDW or Universal.

That shocked the pants off of me too. Somebody is paying it, though. Otherwise Disney wouldn't be charging it. Last summer my mother in law initially booked the Fantasy for our big family cruise of 12 people and then pulled the rug out from under us and switched it to the Carnival Magic. At the time my wife and I were very upset, which is why we booked the Dream over spring break. Well, today I got to eat some crow and let my MIL know about the price differences that I noticed and she got to tell me "told you so". At least I still got a free cruise out of it!

 

[belle032]

I can't believe a family would pay 10k for a Caribbean cruise. The last time we sailed on the Fantasy was early Dec 2014. We paid around 3500 for the four of us. VGT rate. 10k for Europe maybe....but the Caribbean? I'd use the 6k you save for another cruise or trip to WDW or Universal.

10K?! For the Caribbean! I know we don’t have kids but DH and I could probably spend a month at WDW and do a week long Carnival cruise for that. Priorities definitely different it seems!

We’re doing the 2019 7 Nt DCL British Isles in a Deluxe Oceanview for about $4900. If we had kids I can see the $10K happening easily. I’m choking a little bit on the price we’re paying, but this is probably a one time trip. I’m thinking Alaska may be next

 

[Ben E N]

10K?! For the Caribbean! I know we don’t have kids but DH and I could probably spend a month at WDW and do a week long Carnival cruise for that. Priorities definitely different it seems!

We’re doing the 2019 7 Nt DCL British Isles in a Deluxe Oceanview for about $4900. If we had kids I can see the $10K happening easily. I’m choking a little bit on the price we’re paying, but this is probably a one time trip. I’m thinking Alaska may be next

It's weird how extremely different the pricing for the 3rd and 4th people are on carnival and Disney. For Carnival, its $1300 more, essentially the cost of 1 more person in a different cabin. For Disney, its $3700. What costs on board are they using to justify such an uncharge? As I said, though, as long as people pay it, they can charge it.

 

[mevelandry]

Kiddo and I really liked the library on Carnival Magic for playing games. We'd stop by after dinner. I missed that on Royal, at least I couldn't find it on the ship we were on! They had other stuff to do but sometimes it's nice to be a little quiet, and board games are big to pack. Though we do always take a deck of cards just in case.

I should really stop reading on here, I really want to book another trip and am all confused on what to book, cruise? try and all inclusive? go back to Disney for a week? there are so many options out there!

I got a solution for you: Land & Sea. Pre-cruise stay at WDW, followed with a Carnival cruise, with excursions in all-inclusive resort/beaches.

p.s.: I told my husband we should bring a deck of cards and poker chips. He LOVES Texas Hold'em and I like it too.

 

[cruiser21]

That shocked the pants off of me too. Somebody is paying it, though. Otherwise Disney wouldn't be charging it. Last summer my mother in law initially booked the Fantasy for our big family cruise of 12 people and then pulled the rug out from under us and switched it to the Carnival Magic. At the time my wife and I were very upset, which is why we booked the Dream over spring break. Well, today I got to eat some crow and let my MIL know about the price differences that I noticed and she got to tell me "told you so". At least I still got a free cruise out of it!

Some of the longer European cruises can be well north of 20k for 4 people in a verandah. I’ve seen concierge as high as 50k It’s funny because we’re getting ready to by a new car and are expecting to pay between 25-30k. The car should last 10+ years. It weird to think of a cruise costing more than a new car.

 

[cruiser21]

They started selling Norwegian as well.

Maybe Carnivals next.

 

[Ben E N]

I got a solution for you: Land & Sea. Pre-cruise stay at WDW, followed with a Carnival cruise, with excursions in all-inclusive resort/beaches.

p.s.: I told my husband we should bring a deck of cards and poker chips. He LOVES Texas Hold'em and I like it too.

That's exactly what I did. 4 nights at the Polynesian and then a week on the Magic. Now it's hard to settle back into real life.

Some of the longer European cruises can be well north of 20k for 4 people in a verandah. I’ve seen concierge as high as 50k It’s funny because we’re getting ready to by a new car and are expecting to pay between 25-30k. The car should last 10+ years. It weird to think of a cruise costing more than a new car.

If someone is spending 50k on a cruise, I doubt they are buying a Kia Sorrento to drive around in. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[hdrolfe]

I got a solution for you: Land & Sea. Pre-cruise stay at WDW, followed with a Carnival cruise, with excursions in all-inclusive resort/beaches.

p.s.: I told my husband we should bring a deck of cards and poker chips. He LOVES Texas Hold'em and I like it too.

We did that this year in April It was a lot of fun, though I do think I prefer to do Disney then cruise, we did the cruise first this year which was super relaxing and then got to Disney and Go GO GO! It was nice, in one sense, to not have to worry about rushing off the ship to catch a flight, or have a late flight and nothing to do at the airport. I will admit, if RCL had Mariner there early next year I would do that, but Enchantment doesn't appeal to me. We have been on Carnival Liberty before, it was our fist cruise, I prefer to try a new to us ship, so if it was Ecstasy (I think that's what is moving there?). Carnival Breeze, or perhaps RCL Oasis? Oh, or the Sunshine. That has a nice 5-night cruise, though it is almost the same price as a 7-night. I refuse to go on NCL Epic. That bathroom layout is just bizarre to me! I'm trying to keep it on budget this year. Perhaps Disney will release a discount for early in the year soon. I'd LOVE to try DCL but oh the price... We'd really only be able to do a 3 or 4 night cruise and nothing else.

 

[dcassetta]

Up until a couple of years ago they didn't sell Royal. The Royal forum is relatively new. I'm not sure why a travel agency would limit themselves to two cruiselines, but you never know that could change.

I do not use DU, so I'm not sure when they started selling RCCL. But, the RCCL message board is almost 5 years old.

 

[cruiser21]

I do not use DU, so I'm not sure when they started selling RCCL. But, the RCCL message board is almost 5 years old.

Where does the time go? I think they started selling RCCL around that same time.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I got a solution for you: Land & Sea. Pre-cruise stay at WDW, followed with a Carnival cruise, with excursions in all-inclusive resort/beaches.

p.s.: I told my husband we should bring a deck of cards and poker chips. He LOVES Texas Hold'em and I like it too.

The three Vista cruises we were on always had large groups of people playing cards in Lido at night. They sat around big tables playing Uno, Blackjack, Cards against Humanity or any number of games. They were always laughing and having just a great time. One of those cruises we were with my parents and my moms 2 sisters and played a lot of cards at night, it was awesome. I’m sure people would want to join you And your husband.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

10K?! For the Caribbean! I know we don’t have kids but DH and I could probably spend a month at WDW and do a week long Carnival cruise for that. Priorities definitely different it seems!

We’re doing the 2019 7 Nt DCL British Isles in a Deluxe Oceanview for about $4900. If we had kids I can see the $10K happening easily. I’m choking a little bit on the price we’re paying, but this is probably a one time trip. I’m thinking Alaska may be next

Don’t expect Alaska to be any cheaper if you’re on DCL. We paid $8800 for four of us in 2 insides this past June and that was with the 10% off and it was the first week in June. I have to say it was a great cruise though, Alaska is amazing. I’d do it again but on a different cruise line.

 

[belle032]

Don’t expect Alaska to be any cheaper if you’re on DCL. We paid $8800 for four of us in 2 insides this past June and that was with the 10% off and it was the first week in June. I have to say it was a great cruise though, Alaska is amazing. I’d do it again but on a different cruise line.

Agreed! We would look at other cruise lines for sure. My mom is actually sailing on the Norwegian Bliss to Alaska next month with 3 friends so I can’t wait to hear about it. I think it’s the last Alaska sailing of the year and she got a great deal. She’s definitely not a “cruise snob” but she’ll be candid about the ship and service so can’t wait to hear the review.

 

[martinm]

Yikes I did not know the splendor did away with the adult pool.
I'll have to look into that.
I cruise both lines. I love both lines.
My DW prefers Disney.... I want to cruise more...so I really like Carnival. For my Disney veranda cabin rate, similar sailing, similar season, I can sail w/ carnival twice or get a super suite and really live it up.

80 Days till I sail on the Fantasy again.

 

[RedSox68]

Yikes I did not know the splendor did away with the adult pool.
I'll have to look into that.
I cruise both lines. I love both lines.
My DW prefers Disney.... I want to cruise more...so I really like Carnival. For my Disney veranda cabin rate, similar sailing, similar season, I can sail w/ carnival twice or get a super suite and really live it up.

80 Days till I sail on the Fantasy again.

Yep -- this became our wake up call when we (finally) started looking outside of Disney. When I look back now at even what we paid in the Med in 2007 compared to rates I can get 10 years later on another line it's shocking.