RC to DCL? Advice

[PoohBearFamily]

We are usually a Royal Caribbean cruise family, but have always wanted to try a Disney cruise. We have a 7 night Royal C. cruise booked this year that were excited about. But we are seriously looking at the Disney Fantasy (we like 6-7 night cruises) out of Port Canaveral for 2023.

Has anyone who typically cruises on RC find Disney cruises to be worthwhile? We have 4 kids under 7 yrs, so I think that there may be more activities for their ages? Opinions of the Fantasy in particular? Is it worth the extra $ to go with Disney?

Thanks!

 

[Marc D]

All cruises are similar in many ways : sea days, port days, shore excursions, buffet, etc. But DCL does some things quite differently, especially shows, main dining rooms, and onboard activities.

All those things are designed with kids in mind. They are family-friendly and Disney-themed. And there are a lot less activities for active teens and young adults than RC. If your family is fond of Disney IPs, then your kids will have something to do at all times. The kids clubs are the best at sea. But the space reserved for kids removes things found on other ships geared for adults, like specialty restaurants, non-themed stores and a casino. It also costs a lot more.

For us, DCL was worth it, at least up until 2020 when we stopped cruising because of the pandemic. Until then, we sailed 13 times on DCL, 3 times on RC and many times on other lines. Without our son, we would have remained on other lines mainly because of costs.

 

[OKW Lover]

Has anyone who typically cruises on RC find Disney cruises to be worthwhile?

We do both. We are Platinum (15 cruises) on DCL and Diamond + or RCL. The first thing to do is tell yourself that its not better or worse, its just different.

The two products are similar by different. Which works for you will of course depend on your likes and dislikes. Your question about "worth the extra $" is what we often get hung up on. We are spoiled by the suite product on RCL as compared to concierge on DCL. The price difference is often huge.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

All cruises are similar in many ways : sea days, port days, shore excursions, buffet, etc. But DCL does some things quite differently, especially shows, main dining rooms, and onboard activities.

All those things are designed with kids in mind. They are family-friendly and Disney-themed. And there are a lot less activities for active teens and young adults than RC. If your family is fond of Disney IPs, then your kids will have something to do at all times. The kids clubs are the best at sea. But the space reserved for kids removes things found on other ships geared for adults, like specialty restaurants, non-themed stores and a casino. It also costs a lot more.

For us, DCL was worth it, at least up until 2020 when we stopped cruising because of the pandemic. Until then, we sailed 13 times on DCL, 3 times on RC and many times on other lines. Without our son, we would have remained on other lines mainly because of costs.

Thank you for this! Good info to think about.

 

[KashasMom]

We love RC Oasis class - our favorite cruises. But I always recommend going at least once with Disney - especially with kids the ages of yours! That's a perfect time. The Fantasy is the best choice as well.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

We do both. We are Platinum (15 cruises) on DCL and Diamond + or RCL. The first thing to do is tell yourself that its not better or worse, its just different.

The two products are similar by different. Which works for you will of course depend on your likes and dislikes. Your question about "worth the extra $" is what we often get hung up on. We are spoiled by the suite product on RCL as compared to concierge on DCL. The price difference is often huge.

Ah, yeah that is what I was worried about too. But maybe worth a try at least once on DCL while our kids are all so little still

 

[Cheburashka]

Ah, yeah that is what I was worried about too. But maybe worth a try at least once on DCL while our kids are all so little still

Don't feel like you "need" to cruise concierge to have a great experience on DCL. On DCL, concierge is basically fluff with not that many perks, relative to other lines. The main perk is getting the best chance to book (and pay $$$ for, a cabana on Castaway Cay- which is very nice but not a necessity for a great cruise).

DCL's staterooms are bigger than similar category staterooms on other mass market lines, and their oceanview windows are bigger than on most other lines. If you book an oceanview family stateroom on the Fantasy, you'll have almost a floor to ceiling window, and the stateroom itself will be spacious. All staterooms except standard insides also have two separate bathrooms. That's a bonus when cruising as a family.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Don't feel like you "need" to cruise concierge to have a great experience on DCL. On DCL, concierge is basically fluff with not that many perks, relative to other lines. The main perk is getting the best chance to book (and pay $$$ for, a cabana on Castaway Cay- which is very nice but not a necessity for a great cruise).

DCL's staterooms are bigger than similar category staterooms on other mass market lines, and their oceanview windows are bigger than on most other lines. If you book an oceanview family stateroom on the Fantasy, you'll have almost a floor to ceiling window, and the stateroom itself will be spacious. All staterooms except standard insides also have two separate bathrooms. That's a bonus when cruising as a family.

Ooh that is all good to know. The Fantasy definitely sounds like the ship to go with. Thanks!

 

[Cheburashka]

Ooh that is all good to know. The Fantasy definitely sounds like the ship to go with. Thanks!

If you do cruise the Fantasy, avoid booking an aft stateroom. Sometimes the Fantasy's aft staterooms have significant vibration issues (more than you'd usually experience on a ship in the aft). I recommend sailing midship or forward on the Fantasy.

 

[John VN]

Don't feel like you "need" to cruise concierge to have a great experience on DCL. On DCL, concierge is basically fluff with not that many perks, relative to other lines. The main perk is getting the best chance to book (and pay $$$ for, a cabana on Castaway Cay- which is very nice but not a necessity for a great cruise).

DCL's staterooms are bigger than similar category staterooms on other mass market lines, and their oceanview windows are bigger than on most other lines. If you book an oceanview family stateroom on the Fantasy, you'll have almost a floor to ceiling window, and the stateroom itself will be spacious. All staterooms except standard insides also have two separate bathrooms. That's a bonus when cruising as a family.

r.e. bold Is that 2 separate bathrooms each with a toilet/commode?

 

[Capitalangel]

r.e. bold Is that 2 separate bathrooms each with a toilet/commode?

One is toilet/sink and one is sink/shower. So two people can be getting ready at a time.

 

[Capitalangel]

The private Islands, to me, have a different feeling. Coco Cay is very busy feeling with the water park/ pool/ island attractions where I feel like I want to try it all. Castaway is less flashy with the attractions being one small off shore slide, bike rentals, and beaches so more sit and relax on a beach chair. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

The kids clubs on the Fantasy are great for your childrens ages.

My family is actually doing the opposite of yours. We have a Disney booked for 2022 with RC to Alaska booked 2023 now that my kids are older. I was able to book connecting verandahs for half the price of all of us in one cabin on DC

 

[John VN]

One is toilet/sink and one is sink/shower. So two people can be getting ready at a time.

THANKS butt it's not the *getting ready* that's most important for us, it's the being relieved

 

[lklgoodman]

The private Islands, to me, have a different feeling. Coco Cay is very busy feeling with the water park/ pool/ island attractions where I feel like I want to try it all. Castaway is less flashy with the attractions being one small off shore slide, bike rentals, and beaches so more sit and relax on a beach chair. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

The kids clubs on the Fantasy are great for your childrens ages.

My family is actually doing the opposite of yours. We have a Disney booked for 2022 with RC to Alaska booked 2023 now that my kids are older. I was able to book connecting verandahs for half the price of all of us in one cabin on DC

Same for us. We cruised to Alaska on Disney in 2014. Wanted to do another Alaska cruise for 2023. My dd is now a teenager so we wanted a ship with more to do. We booked a family club balcony on Norwegian. We have our 8th Disney cruise next month. I'm more excited for our Norwegian cruise than our upcoming Fantasy. OP, the Fantasy is a great ship especially for young kids. We've sailed on her 4 times and are just ready to try something different. And I agree with avoiding the aft. We had an aft cabin once and it was like sleeping on a jackhammer.

 

[tidefan]

Same for us. We cruised to Alaska on Disney in 2014. Wanted to do another Alaska cruise for 2023. My dd is now a teenager so we wanted a ship with more to do. We booked a family club balcony on Norwegian. We have our 8th Disney cruise next month. I'm more excited for our Norwegian cruise than our upcoming Fantasy. OP, the Fantasy is a great ship especially for young kids. We've sailed on her 4 times and are just ready to try something different. And I agree with avoiding the aft. We had an aft cabin once and it was like sleeping on a jackhammer.

Funny about this! Our favorite cruise ever was the 2015 DVC Member Cruise to Alaska, but this summer, we are taking Princess!

 

[Cheburashka]

r.e. bold Is that 2 separate bathrooms each with a toilet/commode?

Each one has a sink with counter space. One also has a toilet, and the other also has a tub/shower combo.