Other Cruise Lines

[walter]

My wife and I just completed our third 7 day'er on DCL and would like to try a different cruise line. Any suggestions on what other cruise line and/or specific ship? We may like to try the Southern Caribbean or other in Caribbean route. Thanks.
Please note that we were not dissatisfied with DCL, but would like to try something else for a comparison, plus different menus, programming, shows etc.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Right now I am looking a RCCL. You might want to check out their web site. They have a lot of internaries for the caribbean. Their site is hard to navigate but be patient. We are currently looking at the route that goes to Labadee (private island), Ocho Rios, Georgetown & Cozumel.

Good Luck with your search!

 

[lsmac]

We have done both RCCL and Princess. I'll try to compare for you:

RCCL: Voyager of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas.
Pros: Beautiful ships, HUGE, lots to do (almost too much), more families, better itineraries, kids programs were awesome

Cons: ok food (except in Johnnie Rockets: great food), service was friendly, but did not go "the extra mile" that Disney does, rooms are not as big as Princess. They have extra charges for nearly everything.

Princess: Grand Princess.
Pros: Well thought out floor plan, never seems crowded, good food and nice selection, seems to be an older crowd, Service was impeccable, rooms (we had a minisuite) were very comfortable, LOTS to do.

Cons: didn't like the itin as much (eastern carib), older ship; shows some wear and tear and creaks alot, kids programs not as much fun as Disney and RCCL.

See if that helps a bit. I have also heard good things about Celebrity. We have also traveled on Carnival and did not like the experience...but that was five years ago and I hear the "party atmosphere" has been toned down. Of course that is not what my friend said who just sailed on the Destiny!

Any more questions, I'll be glad to help if I can.

Lisa

 

[Gillian]

We sailed RCCL a while ago & can't wait to try one of their newer ship! They sound awesome Labadee also appeals to us so I want to try to find an itinerary that includes it.

I'm hoping that we can find some deals. We're not planning any trips this year & will just take advantage of specials when we find them, either for a cruise or an all inclusive resort.

 

[alexandrew]

I've heard excellent things about RCCL's new Voyager Class ship, Navigator of the Seas.

 

[TnRobin]

I know of three other families that have cruised RCCL and they really enjoyed it. We have considered them for a Hawaiian cruise.

 

[kajohn]

I cannot compare specifically to DCL since we don't sail them until this coming February, but I would definitly recommend RCCL.

My husband and I have cruised both the Voyager of the Seas and the Radiance of the Seas. Both were amazing as far as the ships themselves and the things to do. I felt the service was very good. The cabins while not huge, were very well laid out, with plenty of storage etc. The Voyager class ships are amazing in the royal promenade's 4 story "street" basically down the middle of the ship with shops and bars and a place to eat etc. At both ends are atriums that are at least 7 or 8 stories high with glass elevators opening to the promenade and atrium. The Radiance (while smaller and not a "Voyager" class ship) has wonderful artwork and a block of elevators that are glass to the sea. We sailed that one in Alaska which was great for seeing all the scenery!

I have not sailed any of the older RCCL ships, so I can't comment on them, but both the Voyager and Radiance class ships, are wonderful. The oldest of those is the Voyager and she set sail in the Fall of 1999. All others were built since then.

My husband liked RCCL so much that I had to talk him into our upcomming disney cruise with the kids, he still isn't thrilled with the idea of not going RCCL. Hopefully he will change his mind once he gets there!

Hope this information helps!

 

[nuke]

I just went on a pre-inaugoral cruise of RCCL's Navigator of the Seas last week. It is a beautiful ship!

The wait staff in the dining and buffet restaurants are very friendly. We only saw our room steward once but our room was well taken care of.

The food was really good and I loved Johnny Rockets! I was also impressed with the quality of artwork on the ship and the promenade is cool!

The entertainment was superb! The ice show amazed me and they had a great comedian and the singers and dancers were outstanding.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I've sailed on HAL, RCCL, Carnival, Windstar, and Princess. I thought they were all good in their own way. Well, except Carnival, but I sailed with them a while ago, and am thinking about giving them another shot on one of their new ships.

I've sailed with Royal Caribbean on Adventure of the Seas, which is a Voyager-class ship, one of the monstrous ones. The ship was really nice. Just huge - 144,000 tons as oppsed to 83,000 for the Disney ships. Adventure sails a southern Caribbean route from San Juan, with calls at St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados. This is a fun cruise, with great ports of call. In comparison to Disney, I'd give RCCL the edge in food (slightly, and with the exception of Palo), and in things for adults to do. DCL beats them in service hands down. Disney of course has better entertainment for a Disney fan like me.

HAL is probably every bit as good as Disney in my book. Their service is great, the ships are really nice. Food is the best I've had on a cruise ship. I sailed on Zandaam, which now does a similar itinerary to the Magic, but I believe is moving to Asia, and Statendam, a similar class ship, out of San Diego to Mexico. The only thing that I don't like on HAL, as compared to Disney, is that the passengers tend to be a bit older on average, so there is less of the youthful energy you have on a Disney ship.

 

[Rhonda]

After sailing with DCL twice, I never thought I'd switch to a different cruiseline, but Disney's prices have gone up so much this year, that we decided to look into RCCL.

So, we're sailing on the Voyager in March, and I'm very excited! We're going to Labadee, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel! Everything I've read about RCCL sounds wonderful - and the time is going too slow! LOL!

If you want good RCCL discussion boards, check out:
Cruise Critic Message Boards - Royal Carribean

 

[wovenwonder]

We are sailing on the Navigator in 2004 -- our first cruise NOT on DCL -- I know we will have a good time -- but I am slightly afraid that we will miss the MAGIC of a Disney cruise!

For those that like Port Canaveral but want to try one of the new mega ships from the RCCL line --- the new Mariner of the Seas (late 2003) will be sailing out of Port Canaveral!

 

[Entropy]

Other cruise lines? There are other cruise lines?

 

[Pugdog007]

WW:

Is Mariner a Voyager class ship? Do you know what the itinerary will be?

After our May cruise, we will have done all of DCL's itineraries. I can't imagine wanting to do a repeat of any of them... and plan to try a different line for 2004 (unless of course DCL introduces a new itinerary and new shows!)

 

[wovenwonder]

Mariner will be alternating Eastern/Western Caribbean starting Nov 23,2003.....It will sail out of Port Canaveral.

Western Itinerary: Port Canaveral; At Sea; Labadee (private island); Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman; Cozumel; At Sea; Port Canaveral

Eastern Itinerary: Port Canaveral; Nassau, Bahamas; At Sea; St. Thomas; St. Maarten;
2-Days At Sea; Port Canaveral


Mariner will be the new mega ship in the RCCL line.

 

[westjones]

Which one has the ice skating rink?
DJ

 

[wovenwonder]

Originally posted by westjones
Which one has the ice skating rink?
DJ

Right now the Adventurer, Voyager, Explorer, Navigator, and Mariner (could be more?) But the ones listed are the mega ships.

Check out the cruise critic message boards for lots of info.



Dreams Unlimited now books 'other lines' also -- and I remember reading that they are working on a message board for the other lines too. Haven't heard more on the progress though?

 

[Señor Ferrari]

Mariner of the Seas will be a Voyager-class ship. The last in the series. Wovenwonder's list is complete. At least the line does not hold any more options on this series. They are also in the process of building two new Radiance-class ships, Serenade and Jewel. Mariner should be delivered by the end of 2003. Navigator is currently on it's inaugural voyage, I think.

 

[mac_tlc]

We have sailed on the Magic twice, (11/30 would have been #3) and last August sailed on the Explorer of the Seas on its Western itinerary. It is a real toss-up.. The Explorer is a fabulous ship, the Promenade is unique to RCCL's Voyager-class ships and is spectacular. The availability of drinks/snacks is much better on the Explorer. The PRomenade Cafe is open 24 hrs and has a wide selection. The range of activities for adults far exceeds DCL, including a casino, if that's something you like. For something differnet, book one of the Promenade View rooms..interior rooms with a large picture window overlooking the interior Promenade. We had two adjoining ones in August.. Great for people-watching.. Only have double-occupancy though.

Food better on RCCL, with more variety and choices. DCL shows better, but they better be, after all that's their strength.

mac_tlc