starvenger
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2015
Oh, and I should also add that Castaway Cay > Labadee, but at the end of the day a private island/peninsula is a private island/peninsula, and I can't truly complain much about that.
On DCL, there's interaction with characters that actually talk. The character breakfast is free for kids (The Royal one is not that great, so you're not missing anything tbh). But I think that, for the most part (and this would go for other cruise lines as well), there's really not much difference in the "free" amenities.
There's also the rotational dining, but realistically it's not that much different from having different daily meals in the same dining room.
Perhaps a significant thing is that on DCL, you can bring a 6-pack or 2 bottles of wine aboard per person, per port of call. On Royal, you can bring aboard 2 bottles of wine per stateroom (not strictly enforced) during initial embarkation only. DCL does charge $25 for corkage, Royal $15, although on my cruise in August they didn't charge us. YMMV there.
Kids clubs are slightly different. Adventure Ocean (usually) splits the kids into groups by age (3-5, 6-8, 9-11). Registration process is much the same as on DCL.
So here's the thing - I think there are more opportunities to spend your money on Royal vs. DCL. If there's a sale on the Promenade, you can't help but notice it, whereas there's a chance that you may not even get within breathing distance of the shop on DCL. DCL has only two specialty restaurants, while Royal's boats, generally speaking, have AT LEAST two specialty restaurants. So most definitely, a higher percentage of food options on Royal do cost extra (compared to DCL), but don't think of it as "MDR and buffet are free, everything else costs money".
There are, of course, the ubiquitous drink packages. I think DCL might be the only cruise line that doesn't have an unlimited alcohol package. It is what it is.
And let's not forget the casino - perhaps the Exhibit A of places on board that costs money. I like (non-smoking areas of) casinos, but I do applaud DCL for not having one on board their boats.
With shows, if you're on Oasis class you'll be able to book showtimes online about 90 days out from your cruise (works like FastPass+ in that regard), and for those there are at least 3 times to choose from. There may be other shows that are available on a first come, first served basis.
The website can be a pain, btw.
How old are your kids? Unless they’re reading the daily activity schedule they probably wouldn’t even know about the cupcake decorating/jewelry making type of activities. As far as the kids wanting the food that is upcharged, that’s just unrealistic as they are all sit down type restaurants. And the shopping places on the promenade are mostly high end perfume, cosmetic, purses, etc type of places. Honestly on our cruise, the only extras I spent money on were internet, alcohol, and an upcharge restaurant twice for my husband and I.I wasn't meaning that RCCL didn't offer what Disney does as far as whats included. But as you pointed out they have more opportunities to spend additional. That is what I am worried about. That every time I turn around my kids will be wanting things /activities/food that cost extra. Doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do that doesn't but kids always seem to find the stuff that isn't and think its better! I was just wondering how easy/hard it was to avoid those things or if it was kind of in your face.
When I said kids activities being a charge I was referring to things I had read about like cupcake decorating, jewelry making, etc. So maybe I was wrong to say kids since they are probably for everyone.
Are the activities like rock wall climbing, flow rider, ice skating, things like that just come when you want and stand in line or do you have to sign up for them to get specific times once onboard?
Ah, I misunderstood a bit.I wasn't meaning that RCCL didn't offer what Disney does as far as whats included. But as you pointed out they have more opportunities to spend additional. That is what I am worried about. That every time I turn around my kids will be wanting things /activities/food that cost extra. Doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do that doesn't but kids always seem to find the stuff that isn't and think its better! I was just wondering how easy/hard it was to avoid those things or if it was kind of in your face.
You can order appys at Sabor, or go to the ice cream parlor or go to Starbucks/Promenade cafe and get a coffee beverage without the flat upcharge. So while it's unlikely, it's not entirely out of the question. Best solution, to be honest, is to disable their spending privileges when doing the online check-in. But then again my kids are young enough so they wouldn't even question why they can't buy anything with their cards. In about 2-3 years... oy.As far as the kids wanting the food that is upcharged, that’s just unrealistic as they are all sit down type restaurants.
Yeah they switched to a flat fee on Harmony, but IIRC you can still go to the bar area and order food there. Or maybe that's just during happy hour, in which case I don't think they can get the margarita/snack combos...FYI Sabor has changed to a $19 flat fee on some ships.
I've never had a problem with my kids and spending. When they were younger I disabled their spending. Now that they teens I give them a limit. They really don't spend much. On our last cruise I think they bought Ben and Jerrys' once and went to Johnny Rocket's once.
I'm like so many of you and am wanting to book RCL but as a DCL addict I am just having a hard time committing. However, with their current promotions it would save my family nearly $3500 on a 7 day cruise. It's the same dates, same itinerary. If we cruise RCL it will be the Oasis class.
My kids are 10 & 5 (will be 11 & 6 at time of cruise). They love the Disney kids clubs.
I'm an extreme researcher and have spent countless hours reading reviews, looking at photos, and trying to make sure I'm making the best decision.
Advice? Tips? Help!
I have the opposite problem. When it comes to cruising I'm addicted to RCCL. Every time I go to book, I look into DCL and try to convince myself to pony up 2x the $$. I'm sure its awesome, but I know that I have SUCH a good time on RCCL that I can't make myself do it! I imagine it's like this: You can spend $150 on a steak or $30 on a steak depending on the restaurant. The $150 has to be better right (it is), but if you get the $30 steak your still eating steak. Better than the boiled grocery store hotdog that is Carnival Not trying to sound like a jerk. Carnival is still a cruise where a good-time can be had by all, but I feel like the difference between RCCL and DCL can't possibly be as wide as the gap between Carnival and most other cruiselines. Ok my ramble has taken a turn. Bottom line, you will like RCCL.
Absolutely nothing wrong with that! I enjoyed the Carnival cruise I was on; it was my first cruise. Maybe I'm not comparing apples to apples, but my second cruise was 5-6 years later on a much newer RCCL ship and I was likeI like Carnival just as much as DCL... I'm confused.
I have a few thoughts. We have done both DCL and RCI. We have also done a few trips with NCL. RCI was the only one that made disabling my kids charge privileges tough. Like you can't do it online and you can't do it at check in. You must go stand in the REALLY long line at guest services once you board, and they told me there was no way to disable the ability to charge in the arcade....
I was able to do this online on Allure in 2014, as well as recently on Harmony. Since pp noted it was a last minute trip, there could have been some online issues specific to that.The last time I checked in online, I was able to enter my credit card number and then select which guests were allowed to use it. I selected my wife. Then I clicked on one of my children and there were 3 options: Enter a Credit Card, Pay with Cash at the end, or Disable Charging to this SeaPass. I selected the 'disable' option, and set the other daughter's SeaPass to the same setting.