Disney Cruises Vs. Other Cruises

[Bmwdsny]

My DH and i just got back from a 5 day Carnival Cruise 'Truimph' from NYC to Canada. We had a OK time BUT i have to tell you.... [img]graemlins/shakehead.gif[/img] There is nothing else like the Disney Cruise!!! The activites for the kids and adults on the Disney Cruise were far more superior than Carnival, although the shows was very good on Carnival. The food on the Carnival was about the same as Disney BUT, Disney had better choice of restarants and themes. We got bored going to the SAME dining room at the SAME table night after night!! At least Disney had you rotate to different resturants every night. The staterooms are more attractive and cleaner than Carnival!!! I don't think you are going to get that personal touch that Disney has on their passengers on any other cruise lines. I felt i was missing that 'Magic' touch when i was on Carnival. To me, Disney Magic and Wonder was the best cruise and i will continue to use Disney in the future. I am really looking forward to next August 2003 on the Disney Magic with my DH, DD, and DS, my parents and my parents in law!!! [img]graemlins/clappy.gif[/img]

[Mulan]

I'm glad you had a nice time on your cruise and it's great that you can now compare Disney to other cruise lines. I never had the want to cruise before. All of the Carnival Cruise brochures reminded me of a small floating Las Vegas. We do not care for gambling and I do not like Las Vegas style shows. So I never considered a cruise. Then Disney came along! I finally looked into it and decided to book one. We LOVED it. We are hooked. We enjoyed the ship, CM, entertainment and the children's programs so much we doubt that we will ever do a cruise with anyone except Disney. The price of Disney is higher than others, but price isn't everything when you are having a great family vacation. I'd hate to spend any amount of money on a vacation then say "I wish we did something else".

Everyone is different and expects something different for their vacations. My tip for everyone is look at what you expect out of your vacation and go from there. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[stitchfan]

As I've posted elsewhere, I too have been on both Disney and "someone else's" cruise. All I can do is echo your observations. Disney cruise line is vastly superior in both family entertainment and special attention.

We're a pretty staid, conservative family, so the gambling and Las Vegas style shows are completely lost on us. [On the other hand, if you like to gamble, the casino on Paradise Island (Nassau) looked like a pretty interesting and congenial place to lose your money. ]

We, too, liked the dining room rotation, especially Animator's Palate, although Parrot Cay and Triton's were both nice too. [img]graemlins/tasty.gif[/img] I thought the food everywhere was excellent, and the shows at Animator's and Parrot really enhance your dining experience. [img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img]

The best part: something for everyone. My DW is pretty athletic, and there were all kinds of programs for those so inclined. Our DS10 is kind of bookish and shy, but he really had a blast at the Oceaneer's Club, where he made far more friends that we expected. I'm an aquarium fan (see Atlantis on Nassau! [img]smile.gif[/img] ) and heavily into Disney, books, and trying out for the couch potato hall of fame , so the food, beverages, and entertainment all appealed to me.

Castaway Cay was a blast - a day-long beach party. [img]graemlins/party.gif[/img] I understand other lines have their own private islands these days, but I'm sure that no-one could do it as well as Disney.

We liked Disney Cruise Line Web site, where we could study the ship and its features. We also liked the comprehensive packet that they send out in advance of your trip. Best of all, even though we thought we had "studied up" before we went, we found marvelous surprises every day.

This truly is Disney at their finest!

Stitchfan [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by Mulan:
All of the Carnival Cruise brochures reminded me of a small floating Las Vegas. We do not care for gambling and I do not like Las Vegas style shows.

You said it!! That is exactly how i felt when i stepped on to the Carnival ship!!!! [img]graemlins/shakehead.gif[/img] I don't care for gambling myself and that what alot of the activities were on the ship!! Also, the Carnival had 15 BAR Lounges!!! So, I don't particular like hanging out at bars as well!! There were alot of parents who had small kids at the bars which i think it was inappropiate esp. when there were some comedians there talking in 'adult' languages. [img]graemlins/nono.gif[/img] Also, the Kids club at Carnival closed at 10 Pm and if you wanted your kids to stay beyond that time, you will have to pay babysitting fees!!! Oceaneer Club and Lab are just the best for kids and stays open til 12 midnight (they showed movies between 10 and 12 PM and they provide pillow and small matress ) so that the parents can have time to themselves at a bar or whatever late at night. (thank goodness i did not bring my kids on this Carnival Cruise) Disney only has about 2 or 3 bars which is just enough for the family oriented ship!!! [img]graemlins/clappy.gif[/img]

[Beauty]

I couldn't agree more with all that's been said about the crusie. We just took the 4 day Cruise on August 4th. It was unbeleivable. I must say when I looked at the price I was hesitant. I thought maybe I was a little crazy. Then we got out of the car and walked onto the ship. From the moment we walked on to the moemnt we walked off our entire family had a fantastic time.I have a 16 and and 13 year old. I wasn't sure the teen group would satisfy them. I was definately wrong. They both had a grand time. They were even out later than we were. Needless to say I thought the cruise was more than worth the money. [img]graemlins/clappy.gif[/img]