Why ROyal Caribbean?

[jmrothermel]

this thread is deeply interesting to me...being in a family of five, cost is DEFINITELY a factor. going on a dcl would be a dream, but almost irresponsible for us. my hubby and i are only able to go in the summer months, and well, you know the costs! and spending $7000 on a four or five day cruise???? nah. if i can find a great (and i mean GREAT, folks) deal, i'll certainly go for it cause we have never cruised before and want to, but rc is looking like a plan for us. i would like to know if there are any out there that have sailed both with kids around the ages of mine (8,10, and 12) who were much happier on dcl than on the rc? or if the difference was negligible? i also want to hear more about rc's private island on labadee....it looks kinda sad and rocky to me! am i right or wrong? we are serious beach people, and a small, tired, rocky beach would be a major disappointment.

Labadee is AMAZING. It is not a small rocky beach at all! Actually, it is quite the contrary. It does have some rock walls (big boulder type) but for the sand is white and soft. I'll see if I can post a pic quick

 

[sayhello]

I am confused but why are the disboards promoting RC? Sorry, but nothing compares to DCL in my opinion. Am I missing something?

Yes! You're missing the wonderful experiences that can be had on beautiful ships, in WAY more ports, for way less than DCL.

Sayhello

 

[bumbershoot]

i would like to know if there are any out there that have sailed both with kids around the ages of mine (8,10, and 12) who were much happier on dcl than on the rc? or if the difference was negligible? i also want to hear more about rc's private island on labadee....it looks kinda sad and rocky to me! am i right or wrong? we are serious beach people, and a small, tired, rocky beach would be a major disappointment.

Remember that Labadee isn't RCCL's only private spot. They also have Cococay.

I'll let you know how my 9 year old son likes RCCL right around Feb 4th, OK? That's when we'll be back and rested from a trip including a week-long cruise on Freedom.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

LOVE is board. I have been researching cruise lines for a could months for an anticipated March 2015 voyage for myself and my 14 y/o daughter. DCL is just out of my price comfort zone. I am sure it is very nice, though. I really like itineraries from RCCL. I think they offer awesome activities for tweens/teens and I don't mean a get together to watch movies or have dinner. We hope to depart from Texas.

My boys went to the Living Room (teen club) on the Allure a during our recent 7-night cruise. They both really disliked it. They said it was almost always a place to meet up, hardly ever a place to go for activities. DS16 says they'd have stuff scheduled but never did any of it. He said a minimum of a dozen times during the week he'd go in and see not the first counselor around. He said you could tell when the counselors were absent because the club was complete chaos which he didn't like. When counselors were present they kept to themselves chit chatting amongst themselves. My DS17 hated the teen club and didn't go back after the 2nd day. That's pretty much on-par for him, tho. He generally doesn't connect with kids his age. His brain and interests are just not in the same realm. LOL! DS17 says he never wants to sail RCI again but I think he'll get over that. 99% of the unhappy he had on the cruise was because older cousins were doing things he wasn't down with so now he's all upset with them...so personal/family junk. In less than 3 months he'll be too old for DCL's Vibe, too, so he'll be in that in-between group of older teens/under-21s. He needs to figure out his fun or he can just not go on cruises with us. Right?

 

[mdvlprof]

Incorrect.

Carnival Corporation is the owner of Carnival, Holland America, Cunard, Aida, P&O, Ibero, Costa, Princess and Seabourn lines.

Royal Caribbean International is the owner of Royal Caribbean, Pullmantur, Azamara and Celebrity.

thanks. thought I was losing it....

 

[Torontogal]

Incorrect.

Carnival Corporation is the owner of Carnival, Holland America, Cunard, Aida, P&O, Ibero, Costa, Princess and Seabourn lines.

Royal Caribbean International is the owner of Royal Caribbean, Pullmantur, Azamara and Celebrity.

Thank you for correcting me.

 

[Torontogal]

This dis boards is not owned by Disney. As far as I know they are run by a travel agency that sells other vacations besides Disney. I think they can promote whoever they want.

Didn't say the DIS should not promote them. Simply was inquiring as to why since this seems to be a fairly recent addition to the boards.

 

[ilovetexas]

Remember that Labadee isn't RCCL's only private spot. They also have Cococay.

And CocoCay is nice! Not as nice as Half Moon Cay, but still quite nice.

 

[bumbershoot]

Didn't say the DIS should not promote them. Simply was inquiring as to why since this seems to be a fairly recent addition to the boards.

The moderator mentioned in the first thread on the forum that they had had many requests over a long period of time. I figure that plus DU booking RCCL cruises added up to a logical answer.

 

[tmoret]

I have cruised every year at least once if not more on RCI. I have had bad issues with other cruise lines and love the ships on RCI. I am always willing to help answer any questions anyone has on their ships and ports. I love the Oasis and Allure of the seas and have cruised them both many times so once again feel free to ask...

 

[dunnhorn]

I have recently returned from a seven night Eastern sailing on the Freedom of the Seas. If I can answer any questions for you, I would be glad to. I have sailed Disney 19 times, and this was my second Royal Caribbean.

Wow, I would be interested in hearing your perspective. We have sailed DCL 3x and RCI once.

 

[Fastpaks]

Pete (the owner of the board and host of theDis podcast) addressed the addition to the board. He explained that he was receiving requests for it, his company (DU) does book them, and folks were looking at RCCL as a alternative to Disney.

For me, I'm excited this board is here now. Personally, I can't justify a cruise with Disney anymore. They have certainly priced themselves out of our family. We have a cruise with DCL for later this year, but to be frank, if we can't go this year, I'm just going to cancel our resi. My son (10) didn't like the kids club, I was bored at night (I don't care for the shows), and although, I loved the service it wasn't with out some major flaws. I know several families that like to cruise RCCL and DCL. When DCL changed their OBB policy to 18 months to use their cruise or lose benefit, that was the last straw.

 

[keishashadow]

I am confused but why are the disboards promoting RC? Sorry, but nothing compares to DCL in my opinion. Am I missing something?

yes, sailing RCCL is wonderful

Disney fans tend to be very loyal, especially those who have enjoyed DCL sailings. There are so many posts on this board by those dismissing other lines outright based on anecdotal accounts or comparing one of the oldest ships against the DCL amenities.

If anything this will make it easier for those who do want to explore their options to find information to help them make an informed decision.

 

[OKW Lover]

As Pete (one of the boards and Dreams Unlimited owners) has said, the DIS Boards have decided to open a new forum for RCL because of interest. To be sure they are also able to book RCL and hope DISBoarders will use them.

We've sailed on both DCL (9 so far with 3 more booked) and RCL (3 so far with 2 booked) as well as Princess, NCL and (gulp) Carnival. We really enjoy DCL. We are Disney nuts but we also appreciate good customer service. On RCL we recently did the Oasis and had a good time, but it was basically the same itinerary as we've done on DCL. We liked some aspects of RCL, but disliked others.

A couple of PP's have mentioned different itineraries as a reason to book RCL. That's one of the reasons we have another RCL cruise booked - we are going to do an 18-night cruise from Sydney Australia to Honolulu in April. Disney doesn't do that. It will also be the longest cruise we've ever done. Our previous longest is a 14-night Panama Canal cruise on DCL earlier this year.

Depending on how this goes, we might sail again on RCL. Possibly to Alaska. So we will be following this board for a while.

 

[Jerseylicious]

Royal Caribbean and Carnival are in no way associated. Thank goodness! lol (Nit a Carnival fan, but that's just me.)

this thread is deeply interesting to me...being in a family of five, cost is DEFINITELY a factor. going on a dcl would be a dream, but almost irresponsible for us. my hubby and i are only able to go in the summer months, and well, you know the costs! and spending $7000 on a four or five day cruise???? nah. if i can find a great (and i mean GREAT, folks) deal, i'll certainly go for it cause we have never cruised before and want to, but rc is looking like a plan for us. i would like to know if there are any out there that have sailed both with kids around the ages of mine (8,10, and 12) who were much happier on dcl than on the rc? or if the difference was negligible? i also want to hear more about rc's private island on labadee....it looks kinda sad and rocky to me! am i right or wrong? we are serious beach people, and a small, tired, rocky beach would be a major disappointment.

Labadee is hands down, my FAVORITE place on this entire earth. It has MANY beaches, ranging from big waves, rocky, quiet, sandy, calm, and a kid's play area. It has a small children's water play area, zip line, roller coaster-type ride, and three big places to eat their complimentary BBQ lunch. The landscape is absolutely paradise. I am TOTALLY a beach person (I live here at the Jersey Shore) and Labadee is most certainly one if the best beach days you'll experience.

 

[jennyjinx3]

I have recently returned from a seven night Eastern sailing on the Freedom of the Seas. If I can answer any questions for you, I would be glad to. I have sailed Disney 19 times, and this was my second Royal Caribbean.

Hi Kristie! I may be picking your brains soon about a RCL Alaska instead of DCL after all!

 

[dpswift]

I am currently dealing with RCCL, sending my parents and 1 sister on a Christmas cruise. If I had to rate RCCL based on their website and the on-line check in process, I would give them a low grade. DCL is MUCH easier to navigate!!!
Based on how the ship (Enchantment of the Seas) looks, I would give high scores (based on pictures alone). If someone gave me a free cruise and I only had to choose between RCCL and Carnival... well, it would be RCCL hands down!!! But I don't think they are even close to DCL!
Everyone always says that cost is a factor, but I find this untrue. DCL may be more expensive up front, but they are more inclusive in their food, activities and drinks (non-alcoholic). RCCL seems to nickle and dime you on everything. So far, setting things up for my parents, I've noticed there is a charge for soda packages, pay to play on the private island, and extra charges for all the restaurants except the MDR. So far, it seems like the cost is coming out about even! I would personally prefer to pay for everything up front and have free access to dining, snacks, etc. versus paying for something every time I turn around.
I cannot judge on service yet, as my family is leaving in about 2 weeks. I am curious as to how they take care of my elderly parents, my father's mobility issues and my mother's food allergies. DCL was superb in this department and my parents were doted on by their dining servers and room host!
So far, if someone asked me if I am pleased with RCCL at this time, I would say NO! I will stick with DCL for my own vacations.
I also went through a travel agent, but she seems to be lacking in knowledge on RCCL and I am left to do most of the work myself. I know that has nothing to do with RCCL, but it has put a dark spot on the experience as a whole.
Is there anything anyone can say to convince me otherwise? Have I put my parents in good hands? What does RCCL have or do better than DCL?

I am sure your parents will be fine. DH and my parents went on the Enchantment a few years back and loved it. It was before they were sailing out of Port Canareval so there were few children on board.

We had an elderly man at our table who had just broken his arm. Our server was wonderful with him. MDR service is one area that we have found RCI exceeds DCL.

 

[Donald_Quackers]

Disney has a charge for all their restaurants except the mdr too.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't get charged for eating at Cabana's, even though that isn't an MDR. I do know you're talking about Palo and Remy. Maybe I'm just not understanding where that comment was from...

To be honest, I am considering my next cruise to be with RCI, but I had 4 awesome Disney cruises.

 

[holden]

It's so interesting how people on these boards seem to be either pro Disney cruises or pro RCCL. I am a Disney lover (been to WDW over 20 times and doing an ABD this summer), but RCCL is our favorite for cruising.

RCCL's ships offer so much more! Rock walls, ice skating, mini-golf, H2O zone, Aquatheater, and now bumper cars! Service is top notch and the ports are fun too.

My kids were disappointed in our Disney cruise. The service was wonderful. The dinners were delicious! But the ship amenities, lunch/breakfast, and staff run group activities were very disappointing. We are used to all that RCCL offers, and DCL just didn't come close.

I know there are many die-hard DCL lovers, but I'm not sure we would do DCL again.

I'm glad to see the RCCL boards here!

 

[choppee]

well, okay! that's helpful to know. i appreciate all the responses about the beach at labadee! i was really worried about that! good to know that we don't have to worry about the quality of the beach. we will keep royal caribbean as an option. anymore experiences/opinions about the beach is more than welcome! please keep them coming!