- Dec 29, 2022
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RC in that sweet spot (well until Icon)--cheaper than DCL, not trashy like Carnival. At least in terms of perception. IMO, while DCL still pricier, not as much nickel-and-diming as RC, which evens it out a bit.So I live in an area that cruises are a popular option for many and yes RC seems to win out over Carnival and Disney. I will say it would be RC, Carnival, then Disney if I counted all the cruises people I know have been on. Yet, some people feel they HAVE to do Disney and if they do it when one kid is a certain age they need to repeat it. So there is still people who want to do Disney and frankly Disney has less ships so they are not going to get everyone. I am not in that have to group and will stick with RC Oasis and Icon. I unfortunately have an extremely picky family and if there are no trees on the boat (Central park on Oasis and Icon) my family won't go on the ship.
However, I will say I priced out and Icon cruise and wow, $3 to 4k more than what I paid for Oasis in 2022.
Ironically I know many who have done carnival and loved it. I was shocked as I always hated Carnival. We almost did carnival but their Covid policies would have potentially not allowed my son on the ship and we weren't willing to risk that so we went with RC who guaranteed under 5 to be allowed to board unvaccinated. Now I can't get my family to even try Carnival as there are no trees.RC in that sweet spot (well until Icon)--cheaper than DCL, not trashy like Carnival. At least in terms of perception. IMO, while DCL still pricier, not as much nickel-and-diming as RC, which evens it out a bit.
Carnival can be fun for grown-ups -- my mother-in-law is a huge fan -- but the perception is of a trashy booze cruise, and that's not entirely inaccurate for their short trips. They do a lot better than RC if I'm being honest, particularly food and adult activities. But I'd think twice before bringing a kid.Ironically I know many who have done carnival and loved it. I was shocked as I always hated Carnival. We almost did carnival but their Covid policies would have potentially not allowed my son on the ship and we weren't willing to risk that so we went with RC who guaranteed under 5 to be allowed to board unvaccinated. Now I can't get my family to even try Carnival as there are no trees.
I really didn't feel nickel and dimed on RC, but we don't do a lot of the extras like drink packages, dining packages, etc. I am not sure what you don't pay extra for on Disney to know the difference.
Well ironically it was all families that had good impressions of Carnival, but they were all longer cruises. I didn't like it pre-kids and didn't really think about going until I saw positive reviews from similar families to mine. In the end we didn't go on it and probably never will as my family is more picky on what they want. It will be Oasis and Icon for us. Ironically none of my kids even want DCL, they all said no after experiencing RC.Carnival can be fun for grown-ups -- my mother-in-law is a huge fan -- but the perception is of a trashy booze cruise, and that's not entirely inaccurate for their short trips. They do a lot better than RC if I'm being honest, particularly food and adult activities. But I'd think twice before bringing a kid.
Re RC. On DCL, I think main dining is equivalent to the RC upcharge restaurants. All the upcharges on Castaway Cay. A lot of things on the ship. Generally on DCL my only expenses are drinks (and without a drink package, that ends up being ridiculously pricey).
I did the Oasis in 2019 and then again in November. Great ship. The tree thing sounds silly, but it does make the ship feel like it has an actual park onboard which imo is a big mental thing. The Central Park area on RC ships is just a great place to chill out and get away from the action.So I live in an area that cruises are a popular option for many and yes RC seems to win out over Carnival and Disney. I will say it would be RC, Carnival, then Disney if I counted all the cruises people I know have been on. Yet, some people feel they HAVE to do Disney and if they do it when one kid is a certain age they need to repeat it. So there is still people who want to do Disney and frankly Disney has less ships so they are not going to get everyone. I am not in that have to group and will stick with RC Oasis and Icon. I unfortunately have an extremely picky family and if there are no trees on the boat (Central park on Oasis and Icon) my family won't go on the ship.
However, I will say I priced out and Icon cruise and wow, $3 to 4k more than what I paid for Oasis in 2022.
Yes, my husband feels "stuck" when on a ship and having central park really helps him. We have done Symphony and Allure, I would really like to try Icon class next but that is $$$$I did the Oasis in 2019 and then again in November. Great ship. The tree thing sounds silly, but it does make the ship feel like it has an actual park onboard which imo is a big mental thing. The Central Park area on RC ships is just a great place to chill out and get away from the action.
While we were on our cruise last week, we booked the Star of the Seas for 2026 which is Icon class. Looks like a pretty cool ship and the water park looks like it could be legitYes, my husband feels "stuck" when on a ship and having central park really helps him. We have done Symphony and Allure, I would really like to try Icon class next but that is $$$$
My friend said after going on RC she preferred Carnival for comedy and the activities were in bigger venues allowing more people. But that the shows and food was better on RC. She said she would go on either ship, but probably be more inclined to book Carnival because she is really into Comedy and didn't like it was basically the same comedians every night on RC which we didn't like one of them so then going to another show is pointless.Throwing in my two cents, RC has always been my favorite (I’m diamond on RC), but recently with Carnival’s new ships (vista and above) I can go on their new ships for about 20% less then a RC Oasis class ship, and I don’t think there is a big enough gap in service/ experience to be able to justify the price difference.
Something high level I’ve always told my friends when trying to convince them to go on a cruise. Carnival is better at lunchtime food with more comfort/basic food and a more comedy/gameshow focused experience. While RC is better at dinner time food with a slightly more “fancy” food experience and more Broadway show focus.
As for Disney I don’t have kids but it’s hard to justify paying more for a 3/4 day cruise then I’d pay for any 7 day cruise on RC or carnival. I personally am not a huge character person either and that is one of the major draws of a Disney cruise.
In my experience on RCL ships, it's always one comedian that is only performing 2-3 nights max. I never saw the comedian once on my last sailing since there were plenty of other more appealing and casual entertainment options.My friend said after going on RC she preferred Carnival for comedy and the activities were in bigger venues allowing more people. But that the shows and food was better on RC. She said she would go on either ship, but probably be more inclined to book Carnival because she is really into Comedy and didn't like it was basically the same comedians every night on RC which we didn't like one of them so then going to another show is pointless.
Tell me more about this drink package....and the drink package wasn't too expensive this sailing which is a plus...
Oops, forgot to reply back to this. I'll keep it short but I mostly had a really fun time! My favorite restaurant was definitely Arendelle. Had the best theming and entertainment. I can't really comment on the two other restaurants because I got really sick on day 2 and wasn't able to try that much food from the marvel restaurant or 1923. I'll just say that 1923 was my least favorite restaurant. It looks nice but it felt lacking to me, nothing really special about it. At least with Worlds of Marvel it has a really entertaining story to it and I really enjoyed the videos they played. As for the shows (Goofy/Minnie, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin) I thought those were fantastic! Aladdin was my personal favorite but I just really love that movie so I'm a bit biased, however Little Mermaid had some really great performances. I would definitely go back on this ship again so I can try the food I missed out on and also the Hyperspace Lounge which I also didn't get to do. It just felt really nice to be back on another Disney Cruise, outside of getting really sick for the last 2 days I enjoyed itSailing off on the Disney Wish today! I believe this is my 8th disney cruise now? I did them a lot as a kid and haven't been on one in 7 years so I don't really remember. I've explored most of the ship already and it's definitely different, has a unique modern vibe that sets it apart very much from the other DCL ships. I'll say that the ship does feel really cramped. Lot of tight and small hallways/spaces it's a little off-putting, lol. Besides that I'm really digging the ship so far. I haven't really tried any of the food yet but I had some of the desserts and my favorites out of the ones I tried are the Oreo Cheesecake and NSA chocolate marquise. I'll post again here on Monday when the cruise is over. Very excited!
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