Thanks for the review. I’d say to give RCL another try perhaps on a smaller ship.
We have enjoyed RCL, Carnival and Disney. We were loyal to Royal prekids, back before the cuts that have impacted all lines. The smaller ships on RCL have tended to have better quality food in MDR. Disney has disappointed us on various nights in MDR post COVID, on the Magic and Wonder. I blame all lines price cutting and steering us to book specialty restaurants.
Carnival has surprisingly had the best free options, with a yummy sea day brunch and free Italian restaurant lunch. Plus the burgers, pizza, bbq (not great per DW, but I enjoyed the sauces), and wrap place offer fun variety. Guys burgers and the pizza are way better than the pool fare on Disney to me.
Being loyal to Royal has paid off in better perks than Disney. Just the four drinks per day anywhere you want to due to vouchers on your room card is great. We don’t spend money on alcohol beyond that.
Live small music acts are amazing on Carnival, pretty good on Royal and almost non existent on Disney. Bar drink variety follows the same. Gyms are typically better too than Disney.
Disney has the best shop merchandise but also by far the priciest (by double for an tshirt, with a super decline in quality - one wash and ruined last shirt / threads at seam came apart) and lately so picked over clothes wise nothing in my size. Two years in a row no large tshirts.
A knock on Royal that didn’t use to be the case is rock hard beds in all non suite rooms. To me this is almost unforgivable and would be the main driver away from Royal. A knock on Royal and Carnival is one day room attendant service, not a problem without kids but a bit of a pain with kids. We convert the couch bed back ourselves.
Disney concierge has insane pricing compared to when we started. Can typically sail two Royal suite experiences for one Disney concierge. The only equivalent yet still cheaper (though Royal is starting to push these up) are Star class suites. We did Royal Star class out of Alaska for not much more than Disney balcony room. Included tips, drink packages (including in room), all specialty restaurants (to room, including Starbucks and breakfast), priority seats in shows, walk off the ship past security at all ports, behind the scene tours, two story room, etc.
Lately we snag at least a Royal Junior Suite for the price of a Disney balcony.
We’re likely mostly done with Disney as kids (almost 13 and 10) aren’t into the characters and shows as much. The Broadway style musicals are still draws to them on Disney but there were an amazing couple of shows on the Quantum in Alaska. One some didn’t like but was some of the best dancing I’ve ever seen. Both kids do dance and so appreciated the degree of difficulty. We have a Disney cruise in less than 30 days that I plan to soak in lol.
The Edge is a big draw due to the freedom it affords oldest DD but to them the kids clubs haven’t been good on Disney since they combined and pulled out the electronic games. Post COVID initially it was mostly color with broken crayons per kids. But in fairness they’ve never enjoyed Royals kids clubs and used to enjoy Disney’s. They’d rather hang out with us as our favorite cruise pastimes are to play a huge variety of card games while watching amazing views and swimming.
We have enjoyed RCL, Carnival and Disney. We were loyal to Royal prekids, back before the cuts that have impacted all lines. The smaller ships on RCL have tended to have better quality food in MDR. Disney has disappointed us on various nights in MDR post COVID, on the Magic and Wonder. I blame all lines price cutting and steering us to book specialty restaurants.
Carnival has surprisingly had the best free options, with a yummy sea day brunch and free Italian restaurant lunch. Plus the burgers, pizza, bbq (not great per DW, but I enjoyed the sauces), and wrap place offer fun variety. Guys burgers and the pizza are way better than the pool fare on Disney to me.
Being loyal to Royal has paid off in better perks than Disney. Just the four drinks per day anywhere you want to due to vouchers on your room card is great. We don’t spend money on alcohol beyond that.
Live small music acts are amazing on Carnival, pretty good on Royal and almost non existent on Disney. Bar drink variety follows the same. Gyms are typically better too than Disney.
Disney has the best shop merchandise but also by far the priciest (by double for an tshirt, with a super decline in quality - one wash and ruined last shirt / threads at seam came apart) and lately so picked over clothes wise nothing in my size. Two years in a row no large tshirts.
A knock on Royal that didn’t use to be the case is rock hard beds in all non suite rooms. To me this is almost unforgivable and would be the main driver away from Royal. A knock on Royal and Carnival is one day room attendant service, not a problem without kids but a bit of a pain with kids. We convert the couch bed back ourselves.
Disney concierge has insane pricing compared to when we started. Can typically sail two Royal suite experiences for one Disney concierge. The only equivalent yet still cheaper (though Royal is starting to push these up) are Star class suites. We did Royal Star class out of Alaska for not much more than Disney balcony room. Included tips, drink packages (including in room), all specialty restaurants (to room, including Starbucks and breakfast), priority seats in shows, walk off the ship past security at all ports, behind the scene tours, two story room, etc.
Lately we snag at least a Royal Junior Suite for the price of a Disney balcony.
We’re likely mostly done with Disney as kids (almost 13 and 10) aren’t into the characters and shows as much. The Broadway style musicals are still draws to them on Disney but there were an amazing couple of shows on the Quantum in Alaska. One some didn’t like but was some of the best dancing I’ve ever seen. Both kids do dance and so appreciated the degree of difficulty. We have a Disney cruise in less than 30 days that I plan to soak in lol.
The Edge is a big draw due to the freedom it affords oldest DD but to them the kids clubs haven’t been good on Disney since they combined and pulled out the electronic games. Post COVID initially it was mostly color with broken crayons per kids. But in fairness they’ve never enjoyed Royals kids clubs and used to enjoy Disney’s. They’d rather hang out with us as our favorite cruise pastimes are to play a huge variety of card games while watching amazing views and swimming.
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