Disney Cruise Line versus non-Disney

[BeachGurl]

Those of you that have done both Disney and non-Disney cruises, what would you say are the major differences between them? Quality?

[reyalp12]

Good question. I would like to know too. I've only been on Carnival cruises (4 I think) and I'm taking an AUS/NZ Cruisetour on Princess. I've always wanted to go on DCL though. I heard they don't have casinos. Is that true?

[BeachGurl]

Good question. I would like to know too. I've only been on Carnival cruises (4 I think) and I'm taking an AUS/NZ Cruisetour on Princess. I've always wanted to go on DCL though. I heard they don't have casinos. Is that true?

I saw that on some show on Travel Channel actually. No, they don't have them. So what takes the place of casinos on the Disney ships?

[peaches magee]

^ Good clean wholesome fun

I have never been on DCL, only Carnival as well... one guess is, there are loads more kids on DCL. Just a shot in the dark there

[reyalp12]

yeah I'm a sucker for all those travel shows too. that's probably where I heard that.

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

For the record, I've done 4 DCL and 2 Carnival cruises

Not necessarily more children. And even then, they're in their club areas. No for the casinos, and thats part of why DCL is more expensive since they dont have that to off-set it. I think part of it is because they didnt want that crowd on the ships (aka party ships -coughcarnivalcough- )

Quality, yes is better. Non-DCL may be cheaper, but you have to pay for all the extras ($6 a day or so for soda/juice/etc) The wait staff on DCL is great. I can remember the first wait staff I had on DCL which was in '99. I dont remember either of the Carnival staffs.

Lets see, what takes place for the Casinos, they have bingo. The shows every night for the family and then the adult shows every night (which are great. Wonder/Magic Quest is the best game ever) Yes, most things are done by 1130-midnight, but that can happen on other cruise lines as well.

[BeachGurl]

For the record, I've done 4 DCL and 2 Carnival cruises

Not necessarily more children. And even then, they're in their club areas. No for the casinos, and thats part of why DCL is more expensive since they dont have that to off-set it. I think part of it is because they didnt want that crowd on the ships (aka party ships -coughcarnivalcough- )

Quality, yes is better. Non-DCL may be cheaper, but you have to pay for all the extras ($6 a day or so for soda/juice/etc) The wait staff on DCL is great. I can remember the first wait staff I had on DCL which was in '99. I dont remember either of the Carnival staffs.

Lets see, what takes place for the Casinos, they have bingo. The shows every night for the family and then the adult shows every night (which are great. Wonder/Magic Quest is the best game ever) Yes, most things are done by 1130-midnight, but that can happen on other cruise lines as well.

Would you say the food on the DCL is better than non-DCL?

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Would you say the food on the DCL is better than non-DCL?

DCL. Especially if you ever dont like something, they have no problem bringing you something else. Also, you can order as much as you like. You can essentially order one of everything.

[BeachGurl]

DCL. Especially if you ever dont like something, they have no problem bringing you something else. Also, you can order as much as you like. You can essentially order one of everything.

Seriously? That's awesome!

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Seriously? That's awesome!

Yep some people will order one of everything and than share with the table, or something like that. Same goes with if you dont have enough to eat, they're get another order.

[BeachGurl]

Yep some people will order one of everything and than share with the table, or something like that. Same goes with if you dont have enough to eat, they're get another order.

Sounds like I'll need to fast a couple days before the cruise since I'll be eating so much when I go. Hehe.

[reyalp12]

Sounds like I'll need to fast a couple days before the cruise since I'll be eating so much when I go. Hehe.

I assume this will be a religious fast, right? That's the best part...all the food!

[Dizneyusa]

Even though they are the babies in the industry, they are holding their own because they are Disney For me, DCL is it's own little world, while they have most everything of other cruise lines, their dining is on a rotation basis (you have 3 dining areas with each being a new experience - your server and assistant server go with you each night - you are assigned a numbered
table that you will eat at each night in each location) to were on other ships you are usually in one dining room (unless you eat at a specialty restaurant).

There are no casino's onboard but as mentioned in the other post they do have Bingo......that would be per say the only gambling onboard the ship.

DCL's private island has to be one of the best in the industry of cruise lines......that in itself is impressive............

Always make sure to ask when you are booking if they have any FL Resident promo's or Regional Promotions or sometimes they even have special sailings were Kids (based on certain
ages) sail free (the kids still need to pay port charge and tax, but not the base fare).........

**The other thing not to forget (at least this is what DCL is offering now - it can change at anytime) is "IF" you love it and even think you will be going again in the next year to year and
a half - make sure to check out the REBOOKING ONBOARD INCENTIVE that they offer......not just with DCL but ANY CRUISE LINE......most of these offers are at no obligation as long as you cancel by the date that is on the offer. Some do have non refundable deposits but others are without question a win win

Hope you go and if anything you can always try a 3 night sailing Or if you are on the West Coast (CALIF.) you can try the 2 night cruise to nowhere on January 21-23, 2011........

Dana
dizneyusa

[BeachGurl]

Thank God we have a CM discount for cruises! I was looking at 3-night cruises to the Bahamas (because it will be my first cruise and I don't know if I'll be able to handle anything longer) and they're like $400 per person. With the CM discount its only $199 per person.

How does tipping your server/assistant work?

[Dizneyusa]

I would call DCL 800-511-1333 and give them your reservation number and ask them if you can Pre Pay Your Gratuities

Dana
dizneyusa

[Curlee-Q]

I've been on 1 DCL 4 day cruise 1 Norwegian cruise,and I'm going on a Carnival cruise in July. I loved the DCL cruise! There was always plenty to do on board. One of our at sea days didn't have the best weather so we went to see a first run Disney movie in their theater and did a variety of other activities such as drawing lessons. The food was decent and plentiful. We had a late eating time (we had the cm discount so we had the 8 pm dinning time) but there were plenty of opportunities to get snacks beforehand. I don't remember out waitstaff's names but I do remember that our waitress overheard me saying I loved the banana bread that they served at Parrot Cay. For every meal afterwords there was a basket of banana bread on my plate! There was also a time where I didn't like what I had ordered and they had no problem switching it out for me. The shows every night are also incredible...they are way too good to be missed!

[Demeter]

While I haven't been on a DCL cruise, I have been on a Holland America cruise to Alaska and a Princess cruise to the carribean. Both were very enjoyable. There were some things on the Holland America cruise I really liked but not so much on the Princess one and vice versa. While we didn't switch dining rooms for our cruises, we did have the same wait staff each night. They took very good care of us and brought us something else if we didn't like what we had. Most of the shows were good and the activites they offered throughout the day were fun.

My one suggestion for any cruise, is to definitely spend the extra money for a cabin with a balcony. It is so amazing to wake up and see the ocean right outside. Or to watch the sunset while sitting on your balcony with a little room service.

[Dizneyusa]

Another plus is DCL does have one of the best room services on a cruise line.

Also another little tip "IF" you are not sure if you can afford an oceanview or a balcony and you are very happy with an inside, you can ALWAYS check when you are
checking in at the pier and ask if they are offering any upgrade specials prior to boarding

We have had guests go from a inside guarantee to a balcony! So you never know It is always worth asking Sometimes the cruise lines charge and other times they might need your inside cabin and are happy to upgrade you It depends on the sailing

Dana
dizneyusa