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I sailed on Disney and Royal Caribbean cruise ships the same week: Here's how they ranked

In:
10 Oct 2022

The magic of Disney or the epicness of Royal? 5 things to consider when choosing between two of the most popular cruise lines – Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean and Disney

You’re long overdue for a vacation, but there are so many options for how to spend your precious PTO! With getaways ranging from unique vacation home rentals across the country, cruises across the globe, and even luxurious all-inclusive resorts, the decision can be tough, but let’s be honest here - nothing quite rivals the care-free, thrilling experience that you can only get on a cruise ship. 

Once that you’ve decided you’re ready to hit the high seas, the next decision you have to make is a tricky one – choosing the right cruise.

While any cruise is better than no cruise, you can’t go wrong with the cruise industry’s two prominent leaders – Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line. While Disney is a brand that everyone knows and loves, renowned for world-class guest service and creating magical, family-friendly memories, Royal Caribbean has become synonymous with epic adventures and mind-blowing experiences.

Disney and Royal Caribbean next to each other

Earlier this summer, I sailed on the Disney Wish and Mariner of the Seas the same week, which gave me the opportunity to compare and contrast the two lines in quick succession.

To help you figure out which cruise is best for you, here are five major things to consider when picking your cruise line.

Wallet economics

Disney and Royal Caribbean in Nassau

For most, budget is the big deciding factor when making most of your vacation decisions.

If you’ve ever been to one of the Disney parks, it should come as no surprise that Disney cruises often come at a premium cost. Until the most recent Disney+ subscriber promotion, discounted rates are extremely limited, almost exclusively to military members and Florida residents.

With that in mind, once you’ve locked in your Disney Cruise Line stateroom, if you do manage to see a better rate, you have to cancel and rebook in most cases. Luckily, you can save money on your Disney cruise with Disney Visa rewards dollars using your Disney Visa credit card or by purchasing discounted Disney gift cards from places like Sam’s Club or Costco.

Alternatively, Royal Caribbean is known for offering great sales during the year, ranging from $550 off + 30% off guests, kids sail free, and more. With that in mind, Royal Caribbean also runs sales on their cruise add-ons like drink packages, wi-fi and more.

Read more45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Owner suite balcony

Often cruisers get the option to bid on upgrading to a better category room close to the departure date with Royal Caribbean’s Royal Up program. Just like Disney, Royal Caribbean has their own Visa card that offers rewards ranging from onboard credits and stateroom upgrades to cruises.

Read moreIs the Royal Caribbean credit card worth it?

Freedom of the Seas sailing away from Miami

To put this in full perspective, looking at two similar cruises out of Miami, Royal Caribbean offers a 4-night cruise starting at $896 for two adults, whereas Disney is offering a 3-night cruise for two adults starting at $1734. 

When it comes to counting dollars and cents, the undeniable winner is Royal Caribbean.

Sleeping arrangements

One major consideration that often goes overlooked is your stateroom.

The common misconception is that all cruise staterooms are tiny hole-in-the-walls akin to a can of sardines where you all pack in just to sleep.

Wrong!

With the right stateroom, you can create a home on the high seas that keeps everyone happy, and most importantly, comfy!

Ultimate family suite

Cruise staterooms range from budget-friendly, space-efficient inside staterooms, some with virtual portholes to create a faux window to the seas outside, to luxurious suites like the fun-tastic Royal Caribbean Ultimate Family Suite or the extra-magical Disney Cruise Line Funnel Tower Suite.

While actual staterooms available vary ship to ship, on average, Disney Cruise Line takes the win when comparing the size of the most common stateroom types.

Junior Suite on Symphony of the Seas

For example, an inside stateroom on most Royal Caribbean ships is around 150 square feet, while on most Disney ships, inside staterooms are closer to 170 square feet.

Similarly, ocean view rooms on Royal Caribbean start at 180 square feet compared to Disney’s 204 square feet, with ocean view balcony rooms on Royal Caribbean starting at 188 square feet and Disney’s verandah rooms starting at a stunning 246 square feet.

DCL bed

Although Disney Cruise Line undisputedly boasts the larger rooms, Royal Caribbean is not to be overlooked with its wide variety of room types, including staterooms with a view of their Promenade or Boardwalk area (perfect for people-watching and observing onboard fun right from your interior balcony), a variety of suite class staterooms with upgraded amenities, and the favorite for larger groups – the ultra spacious rooms.

On many Royal Caribbean ships, the ultra spacious ocean view or ocean view balcony staterooms offer a larger stateroom with a separated bunk bed area that’s ideal for adding some privacy and extra space when you’re traveling with a larger crew. The closest option to this on Disney Cruise Line is the deluxe family staterooms. These rooms are slightly larger to accommodate up to five and have a curtain you can pull out to create a partition. 

DCL porthole

Another great accommodation for bigger parties is the connecting balcony stateroom category on Royal Caribbean, which allows two staterooms to share a balcony and even a connecting door inside as well, if you’d like. This creates a spacious option for larger parties. With this in mind, both cruise lines offer swanky one- and two- bedroom suites that come with concierge service and extra perks for when you want both space and to treat yourself to luxury on the high seas. 

Read moreWhat's the best cruise ship cabin for my family?

Obviously, your options for staterooms are plentiful on both cruise lines, and any stateroom is better than being stuck on dry land. That said, there’s no clear winner in this category, so it’s up to you to pick which one better suits your sailing needs.

Forktastic dining options

Main dining room table

The food on a cruise is truly the best part. Did you know the average cruiser gains upwards of seven pounds on a cruise? If you go hungry while cruising, that’s truly your own fault. That said, there are some big differences between the dining experience on Royal Caribbean and that of Disney Cruise Line.

Dinner is where Disney Cruise Line truly shines, as they bring the magic and performance art you’re used to seeing at the parks straight into the main dining room.

Once onboard, you’ll receive a dining rotation to let you know which dining room to report to each night for your decadent dinner show. Disney Cruise Line’s dinner is an event in itself, as each dining room and menu is heavily themed, along with some form of entertainment you’ll enjoy while you please your tastebuds.

Disney Marvel restaurant

These shows range anywhere from musical performances like New Orleans-style jazz to singing along with the your favorite Frozen moments to interactive conversations with digital Disney characters like Crush from Finding Nemo and Olaf or watching Ant-Man and The Wasp showcase their latest and greatest technology. 

While Disney truly does dinner like no one else at sea, Royal Caribbean still satisfies your palette with a diverse list of specialty options that varies from ship to ship.

Each night, you can choose to enjoy your evening meal at the Windjammer buffet, sit down to a divine three-course meal in one of the main dining halls, or you can take it up a notch with the heat of hibachi of Izumi or the mind-boggling wonders of molecular gastronomy found in Wonderland, among a myriad of other options, depending on the ship you’re on.

Pastry

However, when considering dietary options, like vegan and gluten-free for instance, Royal Caribbean doesn’t quite keep up with Disney in this category. All of Disney’s destinations, cruise ships included, truly shine when it comes to special dietary needs. They don’t just give you a few run-of-the-mill dietary friendly options, they craft delicious culinary creations that are on par with everything else they serve.

That’s not to say that you can’t have your dietary needs met on Royal Caribbean, as they also do a great job making sure all diners eat incredibly well, but there truly isn’t a major cruise line that offers the specialty food options that Disney does.

For this particular category, it’s a close call, as Disney wins in the dinner and dietary needs arena, but Royal Caribbean takes the cake for overall dining variety across the ship.

Entertain me!

When choosing a cruise, it’s important to think about what you ideally would like to actually do once you get on the ship.

Are you in need of some intensive rest and relaxation? Maybe you need some dedicated time to really burn some calories or you want to release your inner dare devil? Have you always wanted to try your hand at a blackjack table? Has it been too long since your last live theater show?

With so many things to experience on cruise ships, and with the vast array of options you can find on different ships, knowing what activities and entertainment options you would like can help solidify which cruise line and even which specific ships are perfect for you. 

Senses Spa

If you’re looking for rest and relaxation, Disney Cruise Line surprisingly boasts one of the most unique spa experiences at sea – the Rain Forest Room, by Senses Spa.

This is a private area with a limited number entries (purchased separately), offering guests a number of ways to unwind from steam rooms to hot tubs (on most ships), heated tile loungers, rain showers, and more. This is also the most quiet, zen space you’ll ever find on a cruise ship.

If you don’t want to pay extra for the Rain Forest Room but are still looking for a kid-free place to relax, have no fear, there are adult-only pool and hot tub areas across all Disney ships.

Senses Spa

While Disney ships do specialize in rest and relaxation, they also have a lot to do on their ships. Every ship has a gym with great equipment, including treadmills overlooking the water and a variety of fitness classes (some included, some cost extra). There are also sports courts, jogging tracks, pools and hot tubs, water slides and so much more.

There’s also incredible entertainment for all ages, ranging from first run movies in a relaxed movie theater setting to stellar entertainment akin to the amazing shows you see in the parks. Depending on the ship, there are classics like Aladdin and The Little Mermaid, as well as unique shows like The Golden Mickeys and Seas the Adventure.

Of course, don’t forget about the character experiences across the ship and the infamous Pirate Night on select cruises where you’ll celebrate your inner scalawag with pirate activities and even fireworks at sea.

If you’re ready for some blood-pumping thrills at sea, Royal Caribbean has dedicated their entire fleet to creating a bolder experience at sea that you’d never even think was possible.

Over the past few years, Royal Caribbean has taken cruising to a whole new level by “amplifying” their fleet of ships with a bevy of new experiences from dining and Broadway-style entertainment to never-before-seen activities. For those who can’t sit still, this ranges from ice skating, rock climbing, Flow Rider simulated surfing, and laser tag to RipCord by iFly simulated skydiving, SkyPad bungee trampoline, escape rooms, and so much more.

Read moreTop 14 best free things to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise

If you’re looking to be entertained, the unique Aqua Theater brings you water shows with spectacular stunts and incredible feats of athleticism like you’ve never seen. Once you’ve dried off, you can head to the indoor theater for classic performances like Grease and Mama Mia!, many ships also feature ice skating shows, or you can check out any number of musical acts at venues across the ship. If you’re looking to test your luck with cards or slots, each ship also boasts a casino, with your choice of games to try.

If you’ve never gambled before, don’t worry, at the start of each cruise, there are classes to teach you how to play.

Spa

While there might be a ton of things on the itinerary, there are also great ways to unwind, from adult pool and hot tub areas, to booking your very own spa, mani/pedi, or hair appointment at the Senses Spa, which is the exact same spa you’ll find on Disney Cruise Line as well. 

This particular category is tough one to choose a winner for, depending on what kind of cruise you’re really looking for, but ultimately, if you’re looking to find some zen, Disney Cruise Line takes the gold, but if you’re in the market for thrills and shenanigans, Royal Caribbean is the undisputed champion in that arena.

Private islands & destinations

Wonder of the Seas docked at CocoCay

While a big part of what makes a cruise special is what happens on the ship, the destination ports are a hugely important consideration, as this is a great way to get a bite-sized taste of places and cultures you’ve never experienced.

Disney Cruise Line boasts 5 very lovely ships with itineraries heavy in the Caribbean, as well as Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, the Mediterranean, and a few other locations depending on the time of year, with new itineraries being added on a regular basis.

The tricky part for Disney Cruise Line is that with such a small fleet in comparison to other cruise lines, they are mildly limited on the variety of available ports and destination options. That said, there are still plenty of options to choose from, including their magical private island, Disney’s Castaway Cay.

Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay is an intimate, Bahamian escape with some really special unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else. For the runners and walkers looking to get some extra steps in, there’s a complimentary, steamy hot 5k course, complete with a finisher’s medal upon crossing the finish line.

There’s also a beautiful bike route that cruises by a lookout tower, multiple cabana areas (including the adults-only Serenity Bay), and a massive snorkeling area with special sunken treasures ready for you to come and find them. In the works for 2024 is a brand new Bahamian private island, Disney’s Lighthouse Point. Little has been released about what should be expected at this new location, but it’s sure to be spectacular.

On the other side, Royal Caribbean boasts an astonishing fleet of 25 ships in varying sizes that offer itineraries visiting over 240 destinations in 61 countries, ranging from the Caribbean and Alaska to Asia and Australia, even the upcoming 274-night Ultimate World Cruise, as well as two fabulous, private islandsLabadee, Haiti, and Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Bahamas.

Labadee aerial

Labadee is absolutely picturesque, with lush, green mountains overlooking a crystalline sea. The coastline is dotted with experiences of all types, from relaxing, private cabanas to epic water slides and aquatic fun, even a roller coaster that will take you on a scenic journey across this totally Instagram-able escape.

Perfect Day at CocoCay seen from ship

Not too far away is the new Perfect Day at Coco Cay, which is no lie, there’s a perfect day awaiting for everyone, no matter your interests. If you’re into high-speed water park fun, there’s Thrill Waterpark featuring Daredevil’s Peak – the tallest water slide in North America. Looking for to soak up some rays in your own private cabana? Check out Coco Beach Club or Chill Island, with incredible snorkeling, private cabanas, and delicious food options.

There’s also Oasis Lagoon for those looking for a party – with the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, a swim up bar and live DJ. There’s truly a little something for everyone at Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

Comparing Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean when it comes to destinations and private islands is a tough call, as they both will take you to amazing places across the world and both offer fun-tastic private locales, Royal Caribbean has more ships departing from more ports with more itineraries across the world, giving you more options to explore on your cruise-cation.

While there are a lot of things to consider when selecting your perfect cruise, any cruise is better than no cruise! Whether it’s the magic of Disney Cruise Line with their classic character experiences and delicious dining room rotation, or the epic adventure of Royal Caribbean featuring giant thrills and endless activities, you’re in for the vacation of a lifetime.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast Episode - Disney Wish vs Mariner of the Seas

In:
18 Aug 2022

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Sylvia recently tried out the Disney Wish and Mariner of the Seas right after each other to compare and contrast Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean.

Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...

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Disney Cruise Line will require kids 5 years and older to be fully vaccinated

In:
17 Nov 2021

In a somewhat surprising announcement today, Disney Cruise Line updated their vaccine requirements for kids.

Disney Cruise Line delays test cruise over Covid-19 test results | Royal Caribbean Blog

Starting on January 13, 2022 guests ages 5-11 must be fully vaccinated to be eligible to cruise.

In emails sent to guests, Disney explained: “We are reaching out with important updated information about the COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for your sailing”.

Disney is the first among the major cruise lines to formally announce this policy. Royal Caribbean, also a family cruise brand, is not expected to immediately follow suit.

Disney's new vaccine policy

Disney Cruise Line gets approval to start test cruises | Royal Caribbean Blog

Disney’s change comes shortly after the recent approval of Covid-19 vaccines by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Many in the industry have been speculating about modifications to vaccinations rules when the CDC’s Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) becomes voluntary on January 15, 2022. The CSO is the CDC's phased approach to allowing cruise ships to resume operations from the United States.

In explaining their new protocols, Disney emphasizes “that the health and safety of the guests and crew is top priority”. In addition to vaccinations requirements for ages 5-11, they note:

  • Prior to January,13, for those guests 5-11 cruising they must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test with 3 days and 24 hours prior to sailing.
  • Guests 4 and under will continue to require testing. Approved tests include NAAT test, rapid PCR test, or lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted.
  • All Guests, regardless of age and vaccination status, are required to take a COVID-19 test (paid for by Disney Cruise Line and administered by Inspire Diagnostics) at the terminal before boarding

Royal Caribbean and kids vaccine mandate

Should you take your kids out of school for a cruise vacation? | Royal Caribbean Blog

Last week, Royal Caribbean’s leadership discussed this issue during the official ceremony for its newest ship the Odyssey of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain explained that he expects updated protocols soon (for smaller children), but that the cruise line will have no new vaccine requirements at this time. He added that he expects there will still be room for unvaccinated kids onboard.

This is no surprise as Royal Caribbean has made a commitment to families throughout their resumption of service. Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, Mark Tamis commented previously “A good 20 to 25 percent of our guests are kids…more than 1 million children sail on Royal Caribbean ships each year”. Royal sees itself as the largest family cruise brand in the world.

Royal Caribbean says kids may be able to cruise under CDC's 95% vaccinated restart plan | Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean’s current testing protocol for kids:

  • Unvaccinated kids aged 2 to 11 must show a negative test result for a PCR or antigen test taken no more than 3 days before boarding day.
  • Kids’ pre-cruise test cannot be taken on boarding day, because that may affect the sample taken during the kids’ test at the terminal.
  • Guests under 2 years of age do not need to complete a pre-cruise test. 
  • In addition to the pre-cruise test, kids will take one or two more tests, depending on the length of the cruise. Royal Caribbean’s test provider will administer these, at no cost to our guests.

When asked about the new Disney vaccine requirement on Wednesady, Royal Caribbean’s International Assistant Vice President of Guest Experience, Aurora Yera-Rodriguez said,“it's been something that we've been talking about during our meetings, but we haven't committed to that yet.

"We're still keeping our involvement over vaccination rule, and we're still talking about it. So I don't know yet. That may come in the future. It may not come. So keep your ears open and we'll continue to assess our protocols in the situation."

Other Cruise Lines

Carnival is in active discussions with CDC to restart cruises in July | Royal Caribbean Blog

Other industry players have had varying approaches to unvaccinated passengers.

Carnival Cruise Line explains “Vaccine exemptions for cruises to the Caribbean will be limited to a very small number of children under 12.”

Carnival did not participate in test cruises, and therefore based on CDC requirements cannot have more than 5% unvaccinated passengers. This capacity restriction creates uncertainty: “If you are an unvaccinated guest, your reservation is not considered confirmed unless you receive an approved exemption, which will be issued within 14 days of sailing”.  They do a make a recommendation though, “if you are a family with children ages 5-11 and want to guarantee your ability to sail together, we encourage you to consider your vaccination options”.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America, and Princess Cruise Line cruises are only sailing with 100% vaccinated guests at this time.

Summary of current CDC Vaccination Requirements

Celebrity Cruises will now accept a mixed combination of mRNA Covid-19 vaccines | Royal Caribbean Blog

Based on the guidance from the CDC and the World Health Organization, approved vaccines include Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Novavax, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines fully vaccinated as 14 days after receiving:

  • A single dose of an accepted 1-dose vaccine
  • The second dose of an accepted 2-dose vaccine
  • The full series of an active (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the US-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials
  • The second dose of any “mix and match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines (administered at least 17 days apart)

Disney Cruise Line delays test cruise over Covid-19 test results

In:
28 Jun 2021

It looks like Disney Cruise Line's return to service will take a little while longer.

Disney announced on Monday its first scheduled test cruise has been postponed due to concerns surrounding test results.

DCL will not start a test cruise it had scheduled on the Disney Dream due to Covid-19 test results “considered positive by the CDC”.

Disney Dream was scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral on June 29 on a 2-night cruise with about 300 volunteer employees onboard. Instead, the simulated voyage will be rescheduled for next month.

A few weeks ago, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had given the Disney Dream permission to conduct a test cruise between June 29 and July 1.

Disney Dream is the second cruise ship to cancel its scheduled test cruise due to Covid-19 onboard, following Odyssey of the Seas test cruises being pushed back a few weeks.

Thus far, only Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas has successfully completed a test cruise.

Test cruises are required by the CDC if a cruise ship will not reach 95% of its cruise passengers being fully vaccinated (along with 98% of its crew members).

Disney and Royal Caribbean rely on many families to sail, and since children cannot be vaccinated, the test cruises are necessary since less than 95% of the passengers will be vaccinated.

Each cruise ship needs to conduct test cruises in order to receive approval by the CDC.

Disney Cruise Line gets approval to start test cruises

In:
01 Jun 2021

Another cruise line has gotten approval to start test cruises by the CDC.

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to receive approval to start test cruises in June, and now it looks as though Disney Cruise Line is the next line to get approval.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given the Disney Dream permission to conduct a test cruise between June 29 and July 1.

In a letter shared by Disney Signature Experiences President Thomas Mazloum, confirmation of the approval was shared with team members.

Thanks to LaughingPlace.com for sharing the contents of the letter.

"I have some great news to share, team.

We received word that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved our application to conduct a simulation cruise in advance of resuming normal operations.

This is a critically important milestone for Disney Cruise Line – and I want to thank everyone who has been supporting our return-to-service plans with such dedication and hard work.

We now have the green light to conduct our two-night simulation cruise aboard the Disney Dream from June 29 to July 1, sailing from Port Canaveral. The ship will sail with volunteer passengers and test our newly developed health and safety protocols, which have been meticulously tailored to the current public health environment. All of these protocols are essential to cruising responsibly, and Disney Cruise Line couldn’t be more committed to making vacation dreams come true as it prioritizes the wellbeing of all who step aboard our ships.

Today, as we move closer to restarting our U.S. cruises, I want to spotlight the tremendous resilience and positivity of the team. Your collaboration and continued enthusiasm throughout the pandemic have been nothing short of amazing, as we’ve researched, drafted, revised and refined our comprehensive roadmap for cruising again. It has been no small feat – and I’m extremely proud of everyone.

We will continue to evaluate our health and safety protocols, working closely with the CDC, and make adjustments as we work toward a full resumption of cruising. In the meantime, we can all take pride in the approval of our application with the CDC – a milestone that reflects the incredible talents of our entire team."

Last week, Royal Caribbean announced it receieved permission to start test cruises on Freedom of the Seas, beginning June 20.

These test cruises are required by the CDC if a cruise ship will not reach 95% of its cruise passengers being fully vaccinated (along with 98% of its crew members).

Disney and Royal Caribbean rely on many families to sail, and since children cannot be vaccinated, the test cruises are necessary since less than 95% of the passengers will be vaccinated.

Each cruise ship needs to conduct test cruises in order to recieve approval by the CDC.

Each ship must conduct at least one test cruise, and each simulated sailing must be between 2-7 days in length with a least one overnight stay, including through embarkation, disembarkation, and post-disembarkation testing.

The CDC recommends a minimum voyage length of 3 days with 2 overnight stays.

No mention yet by Disney if or how they will select volunteers for their test cruises.

Royal Caribbean set up a sign up form, which has received over 250,000 people sign ups so far.

Read moreHere's how to sign up to be a volunteer for a Royal Caribbean test cruise

Volunteers on a simulation cruise must meet requirements set by the CDC, including being at least 18 years old and informed of the risks of setting sail on a test cruise during a pandemic. Volunteers may or may not be vaccinated against COVID-19.

If they aren't vaccinated, they'll have to self-certify that they aren't at risk of critical illness due to COVID-19, or give documentation from a healthcare provider. (Cruise lines that can certify that at least 95% of all passengers will be vaccinated are allowed to skip the test cruise requirement, per the CDC.)

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast Episode - Royal Caribbean versus Disney Cruise Line

In:
04 Apr 2018

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It's natural to compare cruise lines to Royal Caribbean, especially when trying Royal Caribbean for the first time after cruising on another line.  This week, we discuss a first-time Royal Caribbean cruiser's experience on Anthem of the Seas, and how it compares to his past Disney Cruise Line voyages.  It's an in-depth discussion of the differences between the two lines, and how the two lines are similar and vary at the same time.

Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...

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A Royal Caribbean primer for the Disney Cruise Line fan in sticker shock

In:
14 Apr 2016

Disney Cruise Line released its Summer 2017 itineraries this week and many Disney Cruise Line fans very surprised by the pricing they found.

With this kind of sticker shock, there are some fans who have come to a similar conclusion as Dave.

If you are someone considering an alternative cruise that is just as fun, relaxing and far less costly as a Disney Cruise, Royal Caribbean is a great choice.  

That being said, we understand there is trepidation about changing cruise lines and leaving the warm embrace of the Mouse.  We are here to tell you that there's nothing to worry about and that a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation is very similar to a Disney Cruise (minus that price tag).

Here is our guide to how you can learn to stop worrying and love the Crown and Anchor.

Step 1: Disney and Royal Caribbean offer similar experiences

Before one can consider a Royal Caribbean cruise, I think it is important to understand that both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer very similar experiences.

Both cruise lines are mass-market cruise lines that target family travel.

Both cruise lines embrace a strategy of building cruise ships that offer guests a lot to do onboard.

Both cruise lines have plenty for kids, parents, adults, grandparents and everyone of all ages to do and see.

In my experience, many ardent Disney Cruise Line fans have cruised Disney Cruise Line solely and a DCL cruise was their first cruising experience.  Give Disney credit, they are great at marketing their products and getting those new to cruising to give their cruise line a try simply because of the name recognition.

Believe it or not, I like the product Disney Cruise Line offers but like you, I also see this, frankly, crazy pricing Disney Cruise Line has and it is why we cruise with Royal Caribbean.

The first step in giving Royal Caribbean a try is to believe me when I say there are things Disney does better and there are things Royal Caribbean does better, but the bottom line is the experiences are more similar than they are different.

Step 2: Looking at what Royal Caribbean offers (besides price)

While price is a big deal, no one should book a cruise purely on cost factor alone. If that were the case, this blog post should be focusing on some other cruise line options.

Royal Caribbean has 24 (soon to be 25 next month) ships in its fleet and there are a few areas of the cruise experience Royal Caribbean greatly distinguishes itself from Disney Cruise Line.

Itinerary variety

Disney Cruise Line only has 4 ships in its fleet today, so it can only offer so many itineraries.  Royal Caribbean's fleet size means you can take cruises from Florida, Europe, Galveston, Baltimore, Alaska, New York, Australia, China and many more destinations for most of the year.

While Disney serves many of those areas too, they do so only occasionally and in many cases, there is not much variety in itineraries offered.

With Royal Caribbean, you can opt to explore more of the world via a cruise ship or visit your favorite spots again and again.

Ship features

Royal Caribbean's cruise ships are built to be meccas of onboard entertainment.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships may offer Broadway shows, ice skating, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, water slides, multiple pools and much more.

Royal Caribbean ships offer adults-only pools, a wide variety of specialty restaurants, unlimited alcohol and drink packages, and a casino.

Many Disney Cruise Line fans that try Royal Caribbean often comment about the wide variety of stuff to do while onboard.

Step 3: Kids, kids and kids

Earlier in this post, Disney's brand recognition was cited as a reason why many choose to cruise with Disney Cruise Line in the first place, but children are also a big factor.

I get it, Disney and kids are nearly synonymous with each other and many parents are concerned how could any other cruise line compare to what Disney offers for kids.

While Disney does a great job with kids and kids programming, Royal Caribbean has stepped up their children's programming in recent years and it is much closer to what Disney offers than you may think.

Royal Caribbean offers complimentary programming for kids in its Adventure Ocean program, as well as teens in their own area.

The dedicated space for kids and breadth of programming has expanded greatly with each new ship class and for parents looking to cruise with children, the child care facilities on Freedom, Quantum and Oasis class ships should offer excellent choices.

Royal Caribbean also features on nearly all of its ships a nursery option, which for an additional hourly cost, can provide day care for children 6 to 36 months old.

Beyond child care, there is lots for kids to do onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.  Mini golf, ice skating, surf simulator, sports decks, video games, aqua parks and soon water slides are just a few of the options available.

In the Cruise Compass, guests can enjoy even more opportunities for activities throughout the day.

Step 4: (Thinking, considering & pondering) Making the jump

I hope by this point in this post you are thinking along the lines of, "I understand there is a huge price difference and the two cruise lines aren't really that different from each other."

If so, ask yourself this question next, "Why am I paying so much more for a Disney cruise?"

Answering this question may be the linchpin in the proverbial decision axle that convinces you to consider taking a Royal Caribbean cruise.

I think it would be foolish to assume every Disney Cruise Line fan that tries Royal Caribbean would be instant super fans and never look back, but I also believe (based on mine and others experience) that there is a good chance that making the switch would still result in a fun family vacation.

Look at the various options available to you in a Royal Caribbean cruise and consider the various itineraries and ships that might match up with what you are considering.

I often remind people considering Royal Caribbean for the first time, odds are they will still have a satisfying vacation on Royal Caribbean and they will either come around to cruise more with Royal Caribbean or opt to stay with the mouse.  In either case, it will be a good learning experience.

At the risk of shameless self promotion, here are some more resources on this blog to help guide you with what Royal Caribbean offers and what might be of interest to you

Have you cruised with Disney and Royal Caribbean? Share your thoughts on how they compare in our comments!

5 ways Royal Caribbean is different than Disney Cruise Line

In:
18 Sep 2015

When it comes to picking a cruise, often folks will consider different cruise lines in their decision of the right cruise for them.  We often receive questions about how Royal Caribbean compares to other cruise lines, especially Disney Cruise Line.

It is a natural comparison since both cruise lines target families and both cruise lines sail out of the same ports.  We wrote an extensive comparison between the two lines but today we have the top 5 ways Royal Caribbean is different than Royal Caribbean.  

If you are considering cruising on Royal Caribbean instead of Disney Cruise Line, here are some reasons why it makes sense.

5. Big emphasis on onboard activities

Royal Caribbean has focused on offering more and more onboard activities on its cruise ships over the years, with an emphasis on activities with a "WOW" factor.

Royal Caribbean ships have an ice skating rink, FlowRider surf simulator, mini-golf, rock climbing wall, sports court, bumper cars, sky diving simulator, X-Box gaming room and that is just scratching the surface.

At night, Royal Caribbean really pours it on with Broadway shows, game shows, trivia, comedians and more.

While Disney Cruise Line does offer things to onboard its ships, Royal Caribbean seems to offer a lot more on its cruise ships.  The Disney Tourist Blog put it best, "On our cruise, 'After Hours' was pretty much a ghost town every night after 11 p.m."

4. Many more specialty dining choices

Royal Caribbean has really invested heavily in specialty restaurants over the last couple of years and that means you will find many more dining options onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

Granted, these specialty restaurants have an additional cost but so do Disney Cruise Line's specialty restaurants. The difference is often Royal Caribbean ships offer much more variety in the scope of specialty dining offerings.

If you relish in trying different cuisines and having a greater variety of selection, a Royal Caribbean cruise can offer you a lot to choose from.

3. Many more itineraries

This comes down to simple math, Disney Cruise Line only has 4 ships in its fleet so the itineraries offered are limited but Royal Caribbean has 23 ships in its fleet, so this means you can cruise to places all over the world nearly year-round.

Royal Caribbean has cruises to the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, China, Southeast Asia, Australia and more. And many of those itineraries are available for a larger portion of the year.    

Disney Cruise Line does serve some of these areas but in far less frequency, so for those looking for a cruise to somewhere beyond the usual, odds are there will be more to choose from on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION BETWEEN ROYAL CARIBBEAN & DISNEY CRUISE LINE

2. Mega ships

Disney Cruise Line boasts the size of its Dream class ships, but their ships are no where near as large as Royal Caribbean's ships.

The Dream class comes in at 129,690 GT and a passenger capacity of 2,500 passengers at double occupancy.  On the flip side, Royal Caribbean has ships like the Oasis class that is 225,282 GT and can handle 5,400 passengers at double occupancy.

Then there's the Freedom, Quantum and Voyager class ships that are all significantly larger than anything Disney Cruise Line offers.

Size is not everything, but with a larger ship you get more to do onboard for kids, teens and adults.  These larger ships include so much to see and do onboard, having access to it all makes a big difference.

1. Price

Perhaps no difference between these two cruise lines is as pronounced as the price.

Disney Cruise Line charges a premium for its brand name, but on average, a Royal Caribbean cruise will cost you significantly less for a very similar experience.

I conducted a few checks for prices between the cruise lines to illustrate the differences.  I tried to pick sailings on the same date and same or nearby ports with the same stateroom category at the lowest price I could find.

These prices were accurate as of the date this blog post was posted.

Disney Fantasy 7-night Western Caribbean (April 2, 2016) - Verandah (11A): $4,683.38
Freedom of the Seas 7-night Eastern Caribbean (April 3, 2016) - Balcony (E3): $3,194.32

Disney Fantasy 7-night Eastern Caribbean (July 16, 2016) - Inside (11C): $4,791.00
Allure of the Seas 7-night Eastern Caribbean (July 17, 2016) - Inside (N): $2,536.06

Disney Wonder 7-night Alaska Cruise Itinerary A (August 1, 2016) - Verandah (07A): $6,851.38
Explorer of the Seas 7-Night Alaska Sawyer Glacier Cruise (August 5, 2016) - Balcony (E3): $4,334.02

Disney Magic 12-night British Isles Cruise Itinerary A from Dover, UK (June 5, 2016) - Verandah (07A): $13,185.56
Navigator of the Seas 10-night Canaries Cruise from Southampton, UK (June 6, 2016) - Balcony (D3): $4,325.12

Disney Magic 7-night Western Mediterranean Cruise Itinerary B (August 27, 2016) - Verandah (07A): $4,922.80
Harmony of the Seas 7 Night Western Mediterranean Cruise (August 28, 2016) - Balcony (D8): $3,976.98

As you can see, the price difference between the two cruise lines is often thousands of dollars.  

You can tout all the things you can get on Disney Cruise Line gives you for free that Royal Caribbean may charge you for but I think most cases, the price difference more than makes up the difference.

Having sailed both cruise lines extensively, I can tell you that both cruise lines offer a very similar experience: great dining, terrific crew and fun onboard.  So why pay so much more for one over the other?

First time cruisers: Comparing Royal Caribbean to Disney Cruise Line

In:
22 Dec 2014

For many families, they have to pick the right cruise for their vacation and there's no doubt two of the titans of the family cruise market are Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line.  We get so many questions about this topic that we wanted to look at how they compare to each other.

It should be noted right away that picking a cruise line over another is quite subjective and there's always going to be differing opinions on this, but we try to remain as objective as possible.

What Royal Caribbean does well

Royal Caribbean has a few "core competencies" where it generally exceeds at and these are areas that if important to you, could sway your opinion

Latest and greatest

If you want to cruise on the newest cruise ships with the latest uber-cool cruise ship innovations, then Royal Caribbean is the line for you.  They build new ships quite regularly, with another four cruise ships on order as of this blog post.

Besides bragging rights, these new ships offer the latest in cruise ship trends as well as the very best in accommodations, dining, technology and entertainment.  We love older ships but there's no beating a brand new ship for what it offers.

World wide itineraries

From the Far East, to Australia to the Middle East, Europe and Alaska, there's lots of Royal Caribbean ships sailing these waters throughout the year.   Its ships sail to every continent except Antarctica on cruises ranging from three nights to 18 nights.

Because Royal Caribbean has a substantially larger fleet than Disney, Royal Caribbean has been focusing on serving the international markets to expand its market share and that's resulted in a lot of itinerary variety to choose from.  Often, there's a Royal Caribbean ship in one of these major regions in addition to the well-represented North American cruise corridor.

When you're looking for something more than another cruise to the Bahamas, it's hard to beat what Royal Caribbean offers.

Unlimited alcohol packages

Simply put, you can get reasonably priced unlimited alcohol packages on Royal Caribbean ships that give you a fixed price for your onboard consumption.  

Adults will be able to know in advance how much this cost will be and even pre-pay it to help break up the cost of the trip.  While we personally find the unlimited drink packages to be more than what we need, many adults enjoy the convenience of the packages.

LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST EPISODE COMPARING ROYAL CARIBBEAN TO DISNEY CRUISE LINE

What Disney Cruise Line does well

If you're wondering what Disney Cruise Line does better than most, here's a quick rundown of our experience.

Overall dining experience

Excluding specialty restaurants, we think Disney Cruise Line's complimentary restaurants are quite well planned. Guests get to try a different restaurant each night with the same wait staff "following" them around between restaurants.

In addition, the restaurants on Disney Cruise Line are not just rooms with food.  Each restaurant has a unique look and feel to it and they stand out in terms of their atmosphere.

For sailing of 4-nights or more there are different themed menus. So, even though you eat in the same dining room again you'd have a different dinner. At times they are themed to the region for example Mediterranean or Taste of Alaska.

Free soda

If soft drinks are your thing, there's no beating the complimentary soda available on Disney Cruise Line.  

Royal Caribbean charges per soda or offers beverage packages that cover them, but on Disney Cruise Line offers unlimited fountain soda, regular coffee, tea and water.  

For kids and those that just love a good Coke, it's a big cost savings when you consider how much Royal Caribbean would charge to drink the same amount onboard their ships.

Stateroom size and offerings

Since it's inception, Disney Cruise Line has offered more space and options in its staterooms than anyone else in the cruise industry,

While Royal Caribbean has narrowed the gap in recent years with its newer ships, Disney Cruise Line offers more square footage and bathtubs in the majority of staterooms.

Inside staterooms on the Disney Dream (one of Disney Cruise Line's newest ships) have square footage of 169 square feet, whereas on Oasis of the Seas inside staterooms begin at 150 square feet).

Blurred Lines: How the two compare in other areas

Both cruise lines do a lot of things well and it's harder to pick a winner among the two without getting into some real personal opinions.

Entertainment

Disney came into the cruise space with its well known ability to create compelling shows.  Disney puts on a lot of stage shows that garner rave reviews and they also offer character meets with Mickey, Minine and many other characters and princesses.

Disney Cruise Line also offers fireworks at sea, whereas Royal Caribbean does not.

Royal Caribbean has really upped its game in recent years.  Many Royal Caribbean ships feature Broadway shows such as Cats, Mamma Mia, Chicago and more.  Royal Caribbean has also partnered with DreamWorks Animation to offer just as many character meets, film showings and general character interactions as Disney.

For adults, Royal Caribbean's entertainment may be a stronger choice given their shows gravitate to them more so than children and there's also a greater variety of shows to choose from.  In addition, Broadway shows are of a higher caliber display than Disney's shorter shows based on their films.

Activities

You will find plenty of onboard activities for both cruise lines.  Bingo games, dance lessons, demonstrations, tours and more can be found on both cruise lines.  Both lines also offer swimming pools, sports courts, spas, gyms, shows, bars and entertainment lounges.

Royal Caribbean offers ice-skating rinks, rock climbing walls, surf simulators, mini-golf, movie theaters and a lot more.  Oh and did we mention there are no casinos on Disney Cruise Line?

Disney Cruise Line offers a water coaster, water play areas for kids, and slides in their pools.  There's also scavenger hunts, trivia, tasting classes, and more on Disney Cruise Line.

Child Care

Both cruise lines offer child care included in the price of the cruise.  

Both lines offer kids clubs for children, young teens and teens.  In general, Royal Caribbean's clubs are more structured in terms of their daily routine but Disney Cruise Line has a more "open" policy to their child care programs, that encourage the children to explore and try what they find interesting.

Both lines do have nursery options that have a per-hour cost.  

Private islands

Both cruise lines have private islands the cruise line operates that offer a very well-maintained and beautiful destination.  With good weather, it's hard to really which is more beautiful than the other (beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right?).

Disney Cruise Line has Castaway Cay in the Bahamas that is widely regarded as a beautiful island with lots to do for adults and children.  We also find the beach sand to be softer and less rocky than Royal Caribbean's.  

On Castaway Cay you will find 5k races, great snorkeling, and a private beaches for adults.

Royal Caribbean has two private islands, Labadee in Haiti and CocoCay in the Bahamas.  Both islands are gorgeous and a great place for a beach day.  Given their respective locations, western and eastern Caribbean itineraries usually include a stop at one.

Labadee also offers an aqua park, zip line and roller coaster for an additional cost.  CocoCay is more basic in its offerings and also requires tendering to get to the island.

The crew

Both crews do an admirable job at keeping their guests happy.  From customer service, to wait staff to the people that turn down your bed, both cruise lines work hard to keep guests smiling.

Disney has built a reputation over many decades for a hard working staff that is always looking to improve.  From its theme park origins, the Disney Cruise Line crew members want to make your cruise better and offer tremendous service.

Royal Caribbean's crew is just as good, with their service always looking to "WOW" its guests.  For the crew, wow is more than a marketing slogan, it's the group mantra.  You will find smiling faces and a can-do attitude onboard Royal Caribbean that is always asking how can they make your cruise better. 

The X-Factor: Cost

There is a big difference between Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean that is hard to ignore and that is the cruise fare price.

Royal Caribbean is usually considerably cheaper in cruise fare compared to Disney Cruise Line.  In a study by the Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean's prices were on average 60-70% less than Disney for very similar cruise experiences.

To put this in perspective, seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises out of Port Canaveral in the second half of 2015 were over $7200 for an inside cabin (depending on date) compared to Royal Caribbean's prices of about $2200 - $3000.  That's a lot of money.

We are the first to admit the onboard experience of a Disney Cruise and a Royal Caribbean cruise are very similar, so it's hard to justify the prices Disney Cruise Line charges for their product.

Summary

After reading all of this, you have to start deciding which aspects of your cruise vacation are more important to you to pick the right choice.

Given the fact this blog is centered around Royal Caribbean cruising, it's obvious where our allegiance lays but it's important to recognize what the competition does well too.  Royal Caribbean is far from perfect and when you look at the right cruise for you, it's always important to have as much information as possible.

In a nutshell, Disney Cruise Line offers a wonderful product with lots of entertainment and plenty for the kids.  Royal Caribbean counters with phenomenal ships, lots of options to choose from at a great value.

I also wanted to give a big thanks to Scott from Disney Cruise Line Blog for making sure I was fair to Disney Cruise Line in this post.  Check out his blog for some really good coverage of all things DCL.

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