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Post by tomandrobin on Jun 27, 2023 13:27:05 GMT -5
I have been on 3 Royal Caribbean cruises but none with Disney. Our family of 6 has 3 girls (15, 12, 10) and one boy (7). We love all things Disney and really like Marvel and Star Wars. I have been told Disney Wish is the best cruise ship. I have the seen the prices of DCL. Do you all think it is worth the increased price from others like RCL? And I thought the DVC point costs vs just paying cash was high, so I intend to just pay cash. Do you agree that is the better option? Booking a DCL cruise is on the vacation bucket list. Also, I have seen the DVC-specific cruises. Do you have to use points for that, or can you pay cash as long as you are a DVC member? Thanks! This is right up my wheel house, so to speak.....
My first question back to you is why have you sail RCCL? What is it about RCCL did you not like on the cruise?
DCL is generational....its the only cruise line that draws from multiple generations of a family consistently. For kids, DCL is better suited to the under 12-13 crowd. RCCL is better suited to the 12 and up kids. NCL might have jumped over RCCL in the 12-up kids on their newer ships.
Destination is a huge factor for me. DCL's private islands are best in class, but again RCCL and NCL has really closed the gap the past 5 years. OF course, DCL puts you right into the Disney bubble. No casino on DCL, which for some is a deal breaker. I can go on and on, but want a little feedback first.
Never use points for cruises. Always better to use cash. Rent your points to pay for the cruise.
DVC specific cruises are Charted Cruises for DVC members. They are always more expensive then a comparable regular cruise.
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Post by tomandrobin on Jun 27, 2023 13:28:35 GMT -5
Just found out that MSC cruiseline matches any loyalty status from other cruiselines. I need to see what extras or discounts I get at the Disney “Gold” level. Sad that other cruiselines give you more of a benefit for your Disney loyalty status than Disney does  Its not much..... DCL loyalty program is really lacking, in my opinion.
Early booking is the best perk.
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Post by amdev on Jun 28, 2023 6:27:51 GMT -5
And just to add to what Tom said, the price you pay for a Disney cruise is the price. You could theoretically leave the cruise without paying anything additional (except gratuities) where with the other cruise lines, there are always extra costs. Of course sometimes you can get those things included through promotions they might have but it seems that when it's all said and done, DCL isn't that much more than the others.
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Post by bakerworld on Jun 28, 2023 9:25:52 GMT -5
And just to add to what Tom said, the price you pay for a Disney cruise is the price. You could theoretically leave the cruise without paying anything additional (except gratuities) where with the other cruise lines, there are always extra costs. Of course sometimes you can get those things included through promotions they might have but it seems that when it's all said and done, DCL isn't that much more than the others. We have started to do this - so much is included. I'm over the Spa Services because the technicians are so different in how they service. The beverages are less expensive than WDW. The last two cruises it was hard to sign up for the Tastings - either they were very late, expensive or full. Our March cruise we joined a beer tasting so DH had a lot because I don't like beer. |
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Post by rwethereyet on Jun 28, 2023 9:56:51 GMT -5
Hope, when you find this out, will you let me know how you did it. I would love to know what the Platinum equivalent is for MSC. I believe they sail out of Port Canaveral now, too, but don't quote me on that.
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Post by rwethereyet on Jun 28, 2023 10:05:45 GMT -5
I have been on 3 Royal Caribbean cruises but none with Disney. Our family of 6 has 3 girls (15, 12, 10) and one boy (7). We love all things Disney and really like Marvel and Star Wars. I have been told Disney Wish is the best cruise ship. I have the seen the prices of DCL. Do you all think it is worth the increased price from others like RCL? And I thought the DVC point costs vs just paying cash was high, so I intend to just pay cash. Do you agree that is the better option? Booking a DCL cruise is on the vacation bucket list. Also, I have seen the DVC-specific cruises. Do you have to use points for that, or can you pay cash as long as you are a DVC member? Thanks! I don't believe the Wish is the best ship, in fact, it is my least favorite of all of the DCL ships. The ship is too chopped up as far as areas are concerned. The adult pool and Cove Cafe Areas are very small and inadequate. Too many jewelry shops, like a Caribbean island port. Tables in the main dining rooms are really jammed in close together. And the Wish only does 3 and 4 day cruises at this time-not long enough for me.
Cabins are beautiful, and the shop is beautiful overall, but I prefer the original ships to the new Wish and I understand the Treasure will be the same as the Wish.
The only way I would book the Wish again is if I was just really wanting to take a short cruise to get away and it didn't matter where it was going.
Keep in mind, this is just my opinion, others love the Wish, but I have been on all of the ships, including the Big Red Boat back in the day, so I can compare all of them.
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Post by mcd on Jun 28, 2023 11:28:33 GMT -5
I have been on 3 Royal Caribbean cruises but none with Disney. Our family of 6 has 3 girls (15, 12, 10) and one boy (7). We love all things Disney and really like Marvel and Star Wars. I have been told Disney Wish is the best cruise ship. I have the seen the prices of DCL. Do you all think it is worth the increased price from others like RCL? And I thought the DVC point costs vs just paying cash was high, so I intend to just pay cash. Do you agree that is the better option? Booking a DCL cruise is on the vacation bucket list. Also, I have seen the DVC-specific cruises. Do you have to use points for that, or can you pay cash as long as you are a DVC member? Thanks! I don't believe the Wish is the best ship, in fact, it is my least favorite of all of the DCL ships. The ship is too chopped up as far as areas are concerned. The adult pool and Cove Cafe Areas are very small and inadequate. Too many jewelry shops, like a Caribbean island port. Tables in the main dining rooms are really jammed in close together. And the Wish only does 3 and 4 day cruises at this time-not long enough for me.
Cabins are beautiful, and the shop is beautiful overall, but I prefer the original ships to the new Wish and I understand the Treasure will be the same as the Wish.
The only way I would book the Wish again is if I was just really wanting to take a short cruise to get away and it didn't matter where it was going.
Keep in mind, this is just my opinion, others love the Wish, but I have been on all of the ships, including the Big Red Boat back in the day, so I can compare all of them.
thank you for the info! Maybe the person that told me that equates the best with new. |
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Post by bakerworld on Jun 29, 2023 12:19:01 GMT -5
I have been on 3 Royal Caribbean cruises but none with Disney. Our family of 6 has 3 girls (15, 12, 10) and one boy (7). We love all things Disney and really like Marvel and Star Wars. I have been told Disney Wish is the best cruise ship. I have the seen the prices of DCL. Do you all think it is worth the increased price from others like RCL? And I thought the DVC point costs vs just paying cash was high, so I intend to just pay cash. Do you agree that is the better option? Booking a DCL cruise is on the vacation bucket list. Also, I have seen the DVC-specific cruises. Do you have to use points for that, or can you pay cash as long as you are a DVC member? Thanks! We've only cruised DCL. In our opinion: Wonder and Magic are cramped and rusty. The Dream, although a bit rusty, is roomier. We haven't experienced the Fantasy. We had wonderful vacations on both Magic and Dream, with our preference towards the larger ship because there is more room and a better adult area. I don't know that we're 'cruisers' because a 5D cruise seems very long to us. Then again my ideal land vacation length is 6D. We cruised Wish twice. It is so new!! We found the dining entertainment better, the movie theaters more comfortable, the adult space is open and aft so we can completely avoid the children area, the funnel vision has better sound so - for me - it's more enjoyable and the buffet always had plenty of seating. There is a level (11?) where you can completely walk around the ship but I think I read somewhere portions of it are sometimes closed. Posters on another board think the Treasure will replace the 7D Fantasy because of the 2024 itineraries having the Fantasy out of Port Canaveral with 4D itineraries. They think the weird running track will be more of an issue. |
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Post by tomandrobin on Jun 29, 2023 13:06:12 GMT -5
Keep in mind, this is just my opinion, others love the Wish, but I have been on all of the ships, including the Big Red Boat back in the day, so I can compare all of them.
Big Red......That was before my time....sort of. |
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Post by BWV Dreamin on Jun 30, 2023 6:14:44 GMT -5
Hope, when you find this out, will you let me know how you did it. I would love to know what the Platinum equivalent is for MSC. I believe they sail out of Port Canaveral now, too, but don't quote me on that.
Will do! I’ll have to check to see if they sail out of PC. They have three new ships and are making major changes to their private island. They want to be a player in the current cruise game and they are really investing a lot of dollars to do so. |
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Post by mcd on Jun 30, 2023 20:51:05 GMT -5
I have been on 3 Royal Caribbean cruises but none with Disney. Our family of 6 has 3 girls (15, 12, 10) and one boy (7). We love all things Disney and really like Marvel and Star Wars. I have been told Disney Wish is the best cruise ship. I have the seen the prices of DCL. Do you all think it is worth the increased price from others like RCL? And I thought the DVC point costs vs just paying cash was high, so I intend to just pay cash. Do you agree that is the better option? Booking a DCL cruise is on the vacation bucket list. Also, I have seen the DVC-specific cruises. Do you have to use points for that, or can you pay cash as long as you are a DVC member? Thanks! This is right up my wheel house, so to speak.....
My first question back to you is why have you sail RCCL? What is it about RCCL did you not like on the cruise?
DCL is generational....its the only cruise line that draws from multiple generations of a family consistently. For kids, DCL is better suited to the under 12-13 crowd. RCCL is better suited to the 12 and up kids. NCL might have jumped over RCCL in the 12-up kids on their newer ships.
Destination is a huge factor for me. DCL's private islands are best in class, but again RCCL and NCL has really closed the gap the past 5 years. OF course, DCL puts you right into the Disney bubble. No casino on DCL, which for some is a deal breaker. I can go on and on, but want a little feedback first.
Never use points for cruises. Always better to use cash. Rent your points to pay for the cruise.
DVC specific cruises are Charted Cruises for DVC members. They are always more expensive then a comparable regular cruise.
We haven’t disliked RCCL cruises. They were recommended by our travel agent. She has also recommended DCL. We just keep hearing how great DCL is, and we love Disney. Don’t really care about the lack of casino. I think on this first DCL cruise we don’t care as much about destinations other than the private Disney island. The older kids like roaming the ship together. The younger kids hang with us or hit the kids club. I assume they would love DCL. Thanks for the info! |
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Post by Eeyorelover22 on Jul 1, 2023 5:37:53 GMT -5
I have been on 3 Royal Caribbean cruises but none with Disney. Our family of 6 has 3 girls (15, 12, 10) and one boy (7). We love all things Disney and really like Marvel and Star Wars. I have been told Disney Wish is the best cruise ship. I have the seen the prices of DCL. Do you all think it is worth the increased price from others like RCL? And I thought the DVC point costs vs just paying cash was high, so I intend to just pay cash. Do you agree that is the better option? Booking a DCL cruise is on the vacation bucket list. Also, I have seen the DVC-specific cruises. Do you have to use points for that, or can you pay cash as long as you are a DVC member? Thanks! I don't believe the Wish is the best ship, in fact, it is my least favorite of all of the DCL ships. The ship is too chopped up as far as areas are concerned. The adult pool and Cove Cafe Areas are very small and inadequate. Too many jewelry shops, like a Caribbean island port. Tables in the main dining rooms are really jammed in close together. And the Wish only does 3 and 4 day cruises at this time-not long enough for me.
Cabins are beautiful, and the shop is beautiful overall, but I prefer the original ships to the new Wish and I understand the Treasure will be the same as the Wish.
The only way I would book the Wish again is if I was just really wanting to take a short cruise to get away and it didn't matter where it was going.
Keep in mind, this is just my opinion, others love the Wish, but I have been on all of the ships, including the Big Red Boat back in the day, so I can compare all of them.
Or like us, we only know the Wish. I have a feeling the ships will be like DVC resorts and we will always love our home resort the most. I always have to consider my stress level and whether DH is lost and he has learned the Wish and loves the food so that’s where we will go for now!  He knows the island (CC) too & loves that food as well. I’m just thrilled he loves it! I should add too…I have some major food issues and a longer cruise is just not worth it as near the end of a M-F I even start to back off on what I eat. Thanks for the comments on the spa services too…seem pricey so won’t try to do those ever. I’m not sure I quoted the correct person on that comment. |
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Post by bakerworld on Jul 2, 2023 6:59:56 GMT -5
Do the post-Covid cruises still offer the 20% DVC discount at the spa on Port days? That was a nice perk. It would almost bring the prices down to reasonable - LOL
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He knows the island (CC) too & loves that food as well. I’m just thrilled he loves it!