I want to do it, but....

[becky_AK]

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!

 

[bumbershoot]

Oasis is too big for my taste, but I say do it.

My son liked the dcl lab but loved the Royal kid club. It’s far more hands on, and the counselors knew him by name (even elsewhere on the ship) by day 2.

 

[Princess Minnie321]

I would do it. That is a lot of money to save. We enjoyed many RCL cruises before we had kids. Next year will be the first with our kids who will be 8 and 5 at the time. We are booked on harmony. We looked at Disney, but the price for harmony was almost 1/2! I have heard a lot of positive reviews of the RCL kids club so we plan on trying it.

 

[msjprincess]

That's a huge savings. I would definitely give it a try.

My kids have never sailed on DCL but they love the kids/teen clubs on RCI. Like bumbershoot said, it's very hands on and the counselors know all of the kids by name.

 

[starvenger]

I'm with everyone else here - you owe it to yourself and your family to at least try a different cruise line. I think you will like it. Probably not as much as DCL, given your self-professed "addict" status, but with those savings you could probably spend some time at WDW as well if you felt like you needed some of that Disney love.

 

[richmo]

I can't speak to the kids clubs since my kids are in their early 20's now, but I recall being a bit apprehensive taking a Royal Caribbean cruise after two DCL cruises (4 night Bahamas and 7 night Alaska). We've done two cruises on RCI since...a 3 nighter Bahamas out of Miami and a 4 nighter Bahamas/Key West out of Miami. Put the 4 of us in an interior stateroom for the 3 nighter -- that wasn't good for two reasons: The room was really small!...much smaller than Disney (at least it seemed that way) and the 3 nighter was more of a booze cruise. So, I was a little apprehensive again doing the 4 nighter this summer. This time just the 2 of us (kids couldn't make it) took a balcony and loved it. And the 4 nighter was such a different crowd...no issues at all, the ship's crew was awesome, CocoCay is really nice, etc. We're all doing a 7 nighter out of Bayonne/Port Liberty next June...two staterooms this time, a balcony for us and a promenade interior for the kids (if they can come). Really looking forward to it!

All things being equal, I'd love to be doing Disney cruises. They are the best that I've been on. But, the cost is so much less on RCI and its not that big a drop in service. I definitely think you'll enjoy it.

 

[Frozen2014]

Oh my gosh...that's a huge difference. When we were looking at Disney Fantasy vs Royal Allure of the Seas, it was a lesser gap and we selected Allure. Our kids were same age as yours when you sail. They absolutely loved the Allure (not sure what ship you are looking at, but it's Oasis class). So much to see and do...rock wall, zipline, flowrider (maybe only older one can do the last two), swimming pools (not as crowded as Disney), activities, parades, ...and the shows are amazing (Broadway, Aqua show that is wow, ice shows, etc). For kids they also have Dreamworks characters...meet and greets, shows (ice and aqua show), character meal.

Also, the Oasis class has fun neighborhoods to explore (Boardwalk, Central Park, Promenade, etc) and a great selection of included meal options.

Our kids had no interest in going to the kids club so I can't comment, but I've heard good things...that they run organized activities. I've seen the compass for the kids and looks like fun. Only thing to comment is that your kids might be in different groups due to their ages.

For me , it is a no brainer. Try Royal's Oasis class.

P.S. - Richmo, we were in a Promenade on Allure and loved the room. The extra seating area is fun. Your kids should like it.

 

[mrp4352]

Have you checked out this trip report? It was one that really helped me get more comfortable with the idea of jumping ship.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/s...ce-aboard-allure-of-the-seas-9-18-25.2810383/

 

[Crusader10hky]

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.

 

[becky_AK]

Thank you everyone for the great information & insight. Such a silly topic to be so worried about - such a first-world problem, right?! I definitely think we will take the plunge and try RCI. As much as I LOVE DCL, the prices just seem so crazy right now. We can do two vacations for the price of one. Thank you again!

 

[starvenger]

Such a silly topic to be so worried about

It is... and it isn't. This is still YOUR money that you are investing into this vacation so why wouldn't you do as much due diligence as you felt was needed?

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 was the same way - I did DCL Fantasy after being on RCL. And it was great. But was it so great that it justified the price difference (around $3000 at the time)? It wasn't. But I'm glad I tried, and I'm not adverse to going again should I find an acceptable price increase between the two.

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.

Interesting analogy. I'd say DCL is more of a $60 steak though - you'd probably get the $150 steak (with complementary sparkling wine) on a Cunard or Crystal ship.

 

[Frozen2014]

Vacations cost lost of money. Vacations mean booking time of work. Vacation mean spending precious time with family (and kids that grow up so fast and everyone is so busy in 'everyday life'). I don't think it's silly topic/delima at all. Not sure about others, but we've only been doing one big trip every 16 months or so. That means, I don't want one wasted or a bad choice. You are familiar and enjoy DCL so of course you'll wonder if you'll get the same with another line. I'm a Royal fan (have been on DCL once with out kids). I often think "we should try NCL sometime", but somehow we just keep coming back to Royal as "we know" what we'll get. And with such a price difference, you'll question if the quality will be less or if not for you. As stated in my post above, with Oasis class, I think you'll all love it. It really is a family friendly ship. One item to note if it matter...If you are going on Allure or Oasis, then there are no waterslides. Harmony and Symphony (coming soon) do have them...so just in case that's important to you. For us, our kids had the best time and didn't need the slides (but we are booked on Symphony in the future).

Let us know what you decide...and if you do end up with Royal, let us know what you think.

 

[bumbershoot]

It is... and it isn't. This is still YOUR money that you are investing into this vacation so why wouldn't you do as much due diligence as you felt was needed?

I totally agree.

 

[NephieRN]

Just spent 10 nights (thanks to hurricane Irma) on the Harmony of the seas last month. Prior to that I had sailed RCCL once as a teenager, carnival once as a 20 year old, and Disney 9 times over the past 7 years. I was hesitant because we are Disney people through and through. Our cruise was fantastic. The ship was incredible. So much to see and do and so many amazing food options. Yes I missed the Disney feeling, character meets, and Disney shows. But not enough to keep me from sailing royal again. The service from every single crew member was great. If price were no issue, I would still choose Disney first. But with Disney prices skyrocketing the way they are, I can see more royal cruises in my future. If I were you, I would give Royal a try.

 

[iamporch]

Just spent 10 nights (thanks to hurricane Irma) on the Harmony of the seas last month. Prior to that I had sailed RCCL once as a teenager, carnival once as a 20 year old, and Disney 9 times over the past 7 years. I was hesitant because we are Disney people through and through. Our cruise was fantastic. The ship was incredible. So much to see and do and so many amazing food options. Yes I missed the Disney feeling, character meets, and Disney shows. But not enough to keep me from sailing royal again. The service from every single crew member was great. If price were no issue, I would still choose Disney first. But with Disney prices skyrocketing the way they are, I can see more royal cruises in my future. If I were you, I would give Royal a try.

Not to hyjack this thread but I have gone back and forth with wanting to try RCCL and can't seem to do it. My main concern is all the extras onboard that cost money. I liked not having to say no to my kids on Disney. Everything was included. Yes there is a gift shop and a couple other things that cost money but not much. What cost extras on RCCL? From what I have researched and I could be wrong because I find their website difficult many of the food options are extra, drinks, kids activities. How do the shows work? Do you have to plan ahead and reserve tickets? Are they hard to get?

 

[msjprincess]

Besides soda I can't think of anything that's included on DCL that isn't included on RCCL. Maybe I'm wrong though and forgetting something. There are some restaurants that cost extra. There are plenty of complimentary eateries. It's easy to cruise without spending extra on food if you don't want to.

As far as shows it depends on the ship whether or not you can reserve in advance.

 

[NephieRN]

Not to hyjack this thread but I have gone back and forth with wanting to try RCCL and can't seem to do it. My main concern is all the extras onboard that cost money. I liked not having to say no to my kids on Disney. Everything was included. Yes there is a gift shop and a couple other things that cost money but not much. What cost extras on RCCL? From what I have researched and I could be wrong because I find their website difficult many of the food options are extra, drinks, kids activities. How do the shows work? Do you have to plan ahead and reserve tickets? Are they hard to get?

Alcoholic drinks are extra as they are on Disney but they do have a drink package available. Soda is not free like it is on Disney but is included in the drink package or you can buy a soda package. Kids activities/clubs are free. They do have many restaurants that are extra but you do not have to eat there. They still have multiple free options for every meal in addition to the regular main dining room. Shows we did have to book ahead of time but they do have standby lines for the shows if you don’t book ahead of time. Honestly there really isn’t much that is extra compared to Disney. Both lines have many things you can pay for but you don’t have to.

ETA: children under 3 you have to pay for the nursery but I believe that is the same on Disney.

 

[iamporch]

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?

 

[Frozen2014]

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?

Rock wall climbing, flow rider, ice skating, zipline (on Oasis class) are all included.

Correct, I believe cupcake decorating, jewelry making are extra. We never bothered do don't know the cost.
There are tons of complimentary restaurants that are included. A couple that are not included that may interest your kids is the Dreamworks Character Breakfast (small fee at about $10/pp), and Johnny Rockets for lunch/dinner (but breakfast is included). There is soft server icecream at the pools that is included. Some ships have a separate Ben & Jerries that is extra.

Even if you sign up for all the above, you would still come out paying less than Disney cruise.

For shows, we signed up for everything beforehand on Allure, but you can do standby. The only thing they recommend you do pre-book is the comedy show as it's a small venue.

 

[starvenger]

Besides soda I can't think of anything that's included on DCL that isn't included on RCCL. Maybe I'm wrong though and forgetting something.

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.

Not to hyjack this thread but I have gone back and forth with wanting to try RCCL and can't seem to do it. My main concern is all the extras onboard that cost money. I liked not having to say no to my kids on Disney. Everything was included. Yes there is a gift shop and a couple other things that cost money but not much. What cost extras on RCCL? From what I have researched and I could be wrong because I find their website difficult many of the food options are extra, drinks, kids activities.

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.

How do the shows work? Do you have to plan ahead and reserve tickets? Are they hard to get?

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.