How does Royal compare with Disney

[Frozen2014]

Pick 1-3 (non-meal related) things in the Cruise Compass that you really want to do on any given day. Shows, activities, whatever. For everything else, play it by ear.

Yes exactly..I've noted shows and stuff and we'll take it from there at the time what we feel like doing.

 

[moericus]

I never meant to imply RCCL doesn't have activities constantly going. Especially when you include Oasis and Anthem class ships.

 

[Denise W]

I never meant to imply RCCL doesn't have activities constantly going. Especially when you include Oasis and Anthem class ships.

Agreed. RCCL has way more activities than DCL, and I have been on both lines 8-9 times.
Denise

 

[MSPeeler]

After reading this thread, I have to say I am heartbroken that I am "priced out" of DCL at this point. Everything listed about DCL that isn't included with RCCL, is everything I love. I really want to try RCCL, but I just know I would be in "comparison mode". UGH!

and not to mention, for my boys, they loved Kids Club, daughter was terrified to even try to go to Edge alone (not good at making friends), which was crappy for me but whatever, so I don't think that would change no matter the Cruise line.

We are HUGE Disney fans, love meet n greets, rotational dining (I like having schedules), etc.

I am not sold on switching, but want to be...

 

[starvenger]

After reading this thread, I have to say I am heartbroken that I am "priced out" of DCL at this point. Everything listed about DCL that isn't included with RCCL, is everything I love. I really want to try RCCL, but I just know I would be in "comparison mode". UGH!

and not to mention, for my boys, they loved Kids Club, daughter was terrified to even try to go to Edge alone (not good at making friends), which was crappy for me but whatever, so I don't think that would change no matter the Cruise line.

We are HUGE Disney fans, love meet n greets, rotational dining (I like having schedules), etc.

I am not sold on switching, but want to be...

I think this is where you really need to look at what is more important to you with regards to your cruise. Is the Disney Experience, or is it the cruise itself?

If it's the former, I think you stick with DCL. It probably means less cruising, and perhaps more (long) road trips to beach towns, but you aren't sacrificing what you love about DCL.

If it's the latter, you'll be able to adapt. You will miss the Disney intangibles for sure, but at the end of the day you're on a boat that's going to places you want to go. So long as you keep a positive attitude, you'll enjoy yourself.

 

[jacknsally19]

After reading this thread, I have to say I am heartbroken that I am "priced out" of DCL at this point. Everything listed about DCL that isn't included with RCCL, is everything I love. I really want to try RCCL, but I just know I would be in "comparison mode". UGH!

and not to mention, for my boys, they loved Kids Club, daughter was terrified to even try to go to Edge alone (not good at making friends), which was crappy for me but whatever, so I don't think that would change no matter the Cruise line.

We are HUGE Disney fans, love meet n greets, rotational dining (I like having schedules), etc.

I am not sold on switching, but want to be...

I am a big Disney fan too.... I wanted the 7 day out of Barcelona for 2020 on the Magic.... It was $8300 for oceanview only, OBB, 2A1K. THAT PRICING IS INSANE. For a 7 day out of Barcelona on RCCL next summer, my agent just quoted me $4500 for a room with a balcony. (And $6200 for a suite....) Saving $4,000 is soooo worth it. (Disney magic is nice - but not an extra 4k nice!) Perhaps that will really sell it for you! We might use that money to tack on a week in Paris before our trip. I spoke to my daughter about doing a non-disney ship and she was super excited. But she is getting a little older and not as into the character meet and greets like she once was.... Also, it sounds like there is less reliance on screen time in the RCCL kids club and at the pool. I'm pretty pleased about that because we really try to limit screen time.

 

[mevelandry]

After reading this thread, I have to say I am heartbroken that I am "priced out" of DCL at this point. Everything listed about DCL that isn't included with RCCL, is everything I love. I really want to try RCCL, but I just know I would be in "comparison mode". UGH!

and not to mention, for my boys, they loved Kids Club, daughter was terrified to even try to go to Edge alone (not good at making friends), which was crappy for me but whatever, so I don't think that would change no matter the Cruise line.

We are HUGE Disney fans, love meet n greets, rotational dining (I like having schedules), etc.

I am not sold on switching, but want to be...

Can you be a little more specific on what you love that isn't included with RCCL?

 

[msjprincess]

After reading this thread, I have to say I am heartbroken that I am "priced out" of DCL at this point. Everything listed about DCL that isn't included with RCCL, is everything I love. I really want to try RCCL, but I just know I would be in "comparison mode". UGH!

and not to mention, for my boys, they loved Kids Club, daughter was terrified to even try to go to Edge alone (not good at making friends), which was crappy for me but whatever, so I don't think that would change no matter the Cruise line.

We are HUGE Disney fans, love meet n greets, rotational dining (I like having schedules), etc.

I am not sold on switching, but want to be...

What type of things? Going back over this thread I don't see many things that are different.

 

[ForMyBoys]

Hi, As an adult I prefer RCI over Disney and felt we got more for our money. However my kids preferred the Disney kids clubs so our next cruise is a short 4 nighter on Disney. However our kids are getting older and I'm looking at different cruise lines for our European cruise. I would choose RCI in a heart beat.

 

[MSPeeler]

I think this is where you really need to look at what is more important to you with regards to your cruise. Is the Disney Experience, or is it the cruise itself?

If it's the former, I think you stick with DCL. It probably means less cruising, and perhaps more (long) road trips to beach towns, but you aren't sacrificing what you love about DCL.

If it's the latter, you'll be able to adapt. You will miss the Disney intangibles for sure, but at the end of the day you're on a boat that's going to places you want to go. So long as you keep a positive attitude, you'll enjoy yourself.

I am a big Disney fan too.... I wanted the 7 day out of Barcelona for 2020 on the Magic.... It was $8300 for oceanview only, OBB, 2A1K. THAT PRICING IS INSANE. For a 7 day out of Barcelona on RCCL next summer, my agent just quoted me $4500 for a room with a balcony. (And $6200 for a suite....) Saving $4,000 is soooo worth it. (Disney magic is nice - but not an extra 4k nice!) Perhaps that will really sell it for you! We might use that money to tack on a week in Paris before our trip. I spoke to my daughter about doing a non-disney ship and she was super excited. But she is getting a little older and not as into the character meet and greets like she once was.... Also, it sounds like there is less reliance on screen time in the RCCL kids club and at the pool. I'm pretty pleased about that because we really try to limit screen time.

Can you be a little more specific on what you love that isn't included with RCCL?

What type of things? Going back over this thread I don't see many things that are different.

Thanks for the replies.

I think it really is the Disney experience that I myself would miss. My kids will miss the Disney character meet n greets, my husband will not like that there is not a movie theater, I'm not sure about the shows, but we love the Disney shows on board thus far (we've only done Fantasy and Dream as we can only sail out of PC at this time).
I don't care which ports we go to, we have only done 1 port excursion and I hated it. I'm there for the ship honestly. I don't like casinos, and don't want to walk through or by one. I don't want to constantly walk by stores which my kids will beg for things in I'm sure. We would love to do an Eastern Caribbean to explore those ports possibly (might like them), but we can only sail during fall break and that's always Western Caribbean week for some reason. Castaway Cay is our very favorite day, we look forward to that beach every time and can't imagine another beach/island being as nice, with free food as well? The kids club, as mentioned, my boys adore and spent much time only the play floor and did many of the "events" that were scheduled and centered around Disney characters. We'll miss the Aquaduck and knowing that we can eat anything and it's included (obviously with a price).

Also, we are a family of 5. I need a room that can fit 5 of us, and online I can not get a quote... SO annoying!

I'm sure I am missing something.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

We're a family of 5 too and are trying RCCL in June for the first time after 6 DCL cruises. I have no idea what we'll think. It will be on the Anthem, which seems absolutely enormous, so I don't even think it's a side by side comparison (we like the Magic class ships). One thing I will say, the rotational dining isn't something I think we'll miss. I will not miss the "sales talk" about receiving all excellent ratings 7 nights in a row Or the excess chit chat. I can't say we've received outstanding service that we'd miss from having rotational dining. We've seen so many of the same shows multiple times, so we're looking forward to something different. I think it sounds like we can steer clear of the casino smoke (I hope) . We have two connecting virtual balcony rooms that sound very cool. My girls were never fans of the kids clubs. I think they have free ice cream!!! Yes, we'll miss Mickey and Minnie in all their fancy outfits, but honestly it will be a weight off that there will be no character lines we'll feel compelled to wait in. I do know I'll very much miss the included all I can drink diet coke! But we're allowed to bring on 12 17oz bottles per stateroom Should be interesting to see what we think! I'll report back!

 

[mousefan73]

this summer we are doing the Oasis of the Seas in June and the Fantasy end of August, I will have a 13 yr old DD and a 14 yr old DS.. I will definately do a trip report comparing the two.. We have done the Dream, so we can already comparte Oasis ...

 

[msjprincess]

I've never had a problem avoiding the casino on Freedom or Oasis class ships. I either go up one floor to the promenade walk acrosse and then down on the other side. On freedom class there is an outside deck on the same deck as the casino so that's also an option.

 

[msjprincess]

We're a family of 5 too and are trying RCCL in June for the first time after 6 DCL cruises. I have no idea what we'll think. It will be on the Anthem, which seems absolutely enormous, so I don't even think it's a side by side comparison (we like the Magic class ships). One thing I will say, the rotational dining isn't something I think we'll miss. I will not miss the "sales talk" about receiving all excellent ratings 7 nights in a row Or the excess chit chat. I can't say we've received outstanding service that we'd miss from having rotational dining. We've seen so many of the same shows multiple times, so we're looking forward to something different. I think it sounds like we can steer clear of the casino smoke (I hope) . We have two connecting virtual balcony rooms that sound very cool. My girls were never fans of the kids clubs. I think they have free ice cream!!! Yes, we'll miss Mickey and Minnie in all their fancy outfits, but honestly it will be a weight off that there will be no character lines we'll feel compelled to wait in. I do know I'll very much miss the included all I can drink diet coke! But we're allowed to bring on 12 17oz bottles per stateroom Should be interesting to see what we think! I'll report back!

FYI. The soda package is only about $70 a week.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

FYI. The soda package is only about $70 a week.

Thanks I can actually get it for $60 in my cruise planner now, but I can't rationalize spending that much since we can bring on a 12 pk and we'll be off the ship for two of the days (I only drink soda in the day for lunch, never with dinner). Just seems steep so I figure I can buy a few cans if I need to.

 

[bbel]

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the replies.

I think it really is the Disney experience that I myself would miss. My kids will miss the Disney character meet n greets, my husband will not like that there is not a movie theater, I'm not sure about the shows, but we love the Disney shows on board thus far (we've only done Fantasy and Dream as we can only sail out of PC at this time).
I don't care which ports we go to, we have only done 1 port excursion and I hated it. I'm there for the ship honestly. I don't like casinos, and don't want to walk through or by one. I don't want to constantly walk by stores which my kids will beg for things in I'm sure. We would love to do an Eastern Caribbean to explore those ports possibly (might like them), but we can only sail during fall break and that's always Western Caribbean week for some reason. Castaway Cay is our very favorite day, we look forward to that beach every time and can't imagine another beach/island being as nice, with free food as well? The kids club, as mentioned, my boys adore and spent much time only the play floor and did many of the "events" that were scheduled and centered around Disney characters. We'll miss the Aquaduck and knowing that we can eat anything and it's included (obviously with a price).

Also, we are a family of 5. I need a room that can fit 5 of us, and online I can not get a quote... SO annoying!

I'm sure I am missing something.

Most cruise lines have private island --with food included-- that are just as good as Castaway Cay (if not better, depending on who you talk to).

I think RCCL have characters meet and greet.

Some cruise lines make up for movie theaters by having either dive-in movies or presenting movies in their main theaters which is almost as good as a movie theater.

Not all ships are the same, on some ships you can easily avoid the casinos. And they do not necessarily have more shops than DCL does.

As I always say: there's life after DCL. There are some things DCL do better and some things other cruise lines do better. When you are aware of the main differences, sometimes you can do things to compensate if something is missing. Like, with the 1000$+ you'll save, you can certainly add the soda package and still have the money left for other things and/or excursions.

 

[bbel]

Most cruise lines have private island --with food included-- that are just as good as Castaway Cay (if not better, depending on who you talk to).

I think RCCL have characters meet and greet.

Some cruise lines make up for movie theaters by having either dive-in movies or presenting movies in their main theaters which is almost as good as a movie theater.

Not all ships are the same, on some ships you can easily avoid the casinos. And they do not necessarily have more shops than DCL does.

As I always say: there's life after DCL. There are some things DCL do better and some things other cruise lines do better. When you are aware of the main differences, sometimes you can do things to compensate if something is missing. Like, with the 1000$+ you'll save, you can certainly add the soda package and still have the money left for other things and/or excursions.

I know I've only ever worked on them, but I prefer coco cay over castaway cay (as I'd never chose to cruise a Caribbean itinerary), and the next time I go to coco it will be even better and no more tendering!

Royal is ending their DreamWorks partnership at the end of the month, but I dont think that's a deal break for most people.

And I think at least Radiance class on royal has a movie theatre and the oasis class ship have a family theatre where they show DreamWorks and Disney movies and do puppet shows. And on top of that most afternoons theres a movie in the main theatre and/or other venue and by the pool throughout the day (including Disney classics and the live actions).

If your kids dont beg for things on Disney then they're probably not going to on other lines either, unless they're into designer brands and watches and jewelry... theres a lot less toys and only basic kid friendly things in the stores (stationary, magents, candy, travel games, caps, one or two options of bears)...

I totally agree that on every ship I've been on with one, the casino is totally avoidable and you actually have to make an effort to find it, not avoid it.

If you're a fan of the aquaduck, there's ships out there with many more options of water slides, for all ages and thrill seekers...

I totally agree that there is life after dcl. Dcl taught me that I love the ocean and ship life, it will always be extra special to me, i wasnt even really a Disney fan before life at dcl. Disney will always be number one and I'm so thankful for all the amazing and precious memories....but I am so glad I moved on.

But I get it, if you're adamant that it's only Disney for you then you're going to see many problems in other lines, and find multiple reasons for not giving it try. If Disney is for you, have fun. But other cruise lines are far from the downgrade that many people seem to think they are...

 

[msjprincess]

On Allure this past November they showed movies at the Aqua theater, family movies at the theater in Adventure Ocean and 3D movies during the day in the main theater.



ETA
And I agree that most of the shops are not filled with things that kids would want. I would guess there are definitely more things that a kid would want in the stores on DCL ships.

 

[mevelandry]

(...) But other cruise lines are far from the downgrade that many people seem to think they are...

I agree with everything you said... And especially this!