IS it worth 3x the money?

[Van Houten]

We love Royal (their bigger ships) but it's not for everyone.

Larger ships are a very different cruising environment. To me, even Dream seems a bit too big and crowded at times - while Magic feels just about right. But it really is the atmosphere on DCL which makes us go back, and accept (sometimes) exorbitant pricing as compared to other cruise lines. I'm particularly not fond of constant upselling I'd witnessed on my numerous RCI, NCL and Costa cruises in the past.
For the OP - if you kid is not really into Disney bubble, and you are not planning to take advantage of kids clubs and similar activities, then the value of DCL for your family is significantly diminished. Look elsewhere for now, then see if you can find an off-season / last minute deal to try out DCL and compare it for yourself.

 

[All about me]

What ship were you on?

We sailed Liberty of the Seas in November 2011.

I can say three positive things about it:
1) The main pool was great, much bigger and better than the family pool on Disney Wonder or Disney Magic.
2) The selection of food each night in the main dining room was outstanding for an adventurous eater.
3) They had a library.

 

[KashasMom]

Larger ships are a very different cruising environment. To me, even Dream seems a bit too big and crowded at times - while Magic feels just about right. But it really is the atmosphere on DCL which makes us go back, and accept (sometimes) exorbitant pricing as compared to other cruise lines. I'm particularly not fond of constant upselling I'd witnessed on my numerous RCI, NCL and Costa cruises in the past.
For the OP - if you kid is not really into Disney bubble, and you are not planning to take advantage of kids clubs and similar activities, then the value of DCL for your family is significantly diminished. Look elsewhere for now, then see if you can find an off-season / last minute deal to try out DCL and compare it for yourself.

We've actually felt most crowded on the Magic. I've lost track of home many times we've been stepped on and pushed around in the atrium during activities/parties - especially on the Very Merrytime cruises. On the very large ships there are so many places for people to be.

Just curious what kinds of upselling did you encounter?

 

[martinm]

It is NOT worth 3 times the cost to me. It might be to my DW.
I shop DCL for off season rates and book early! It is still more than a competitor but worth it to make the DW happy.
If the itinerary is similar on CCL for instance I book a suite for less than a veranda on DCL.

I love my DCL trips but if I forgo 1 I can cruise twice on another line.

 

[Van Houten]

Just curious what kinds of upselling did you encounter?

Raffle tickets, drink packages, advertisements for paid services under the guise of guest entertainment activities, and so on. All of this is perfectly manageable for an adult, but it is so much nicer not to encounter it in the first place.

 

[Van Houten]

worth it to make the DW happy.

And that is what matters. After our first DCL cruise, we'd only been once on another line, and never looked back. This might change as kids grow up, but for now, it's DCL or no cruising for us.

 

[KashasMom]

Raffle tickets, drink packages, advertisements for paid services under the guise of guest entertainment activities, and so on. All of this is perfectly manageable for an adult, but it is so much nicer not to encounter it in the first place.

Oh, similar on DCL. The water packages (coming through Cabanas), drinks packages (guys by the pool), etc. I just ignore them wherever I am. I know that does bother some people though.


Confused by your posts - "I'm particularly not fond of constant upselling I'd witnessed on my numerous RCI, NCL and Costa cruises in the past." and then "After our first DCL cruise, we'd only been once on another line, and never looked back." Have you been on multiple cruise lines?

 

[Van Houten]

Oh, similar on DCL. The water packages (coming through Cabanas), drinks packages (guys by the pool), etc. I just ignore them wherever I am.

Yes, to some degree - after all, waiters do want to make something in tips, so that is understandable. But having cruise entertainment staff sell raffle tickets prior to start of the evening show to a captive audience in the theatre, and then getting advertised by the cruise director in pre-show speech is a bit more annoying, don't you think?

Confused by your posts - "I'm particularly not fond of constant upselling I'd witnessed on my numerous RCI, NCL and Costa cruises in the past." and then "After our first DCL cruise, we'd only been once on another line, and never looked back." Have you been on multiple cruise lines?

I've done a number of cruises on my own, some with my wife as a couple. We went on the Dream with our son, then took one more cruise on NCL and since then remained exclusive to DCL.​

 

[Dug720]

We sailed Liberty of the Seas in November 2011.

I can say three positive things about it:
1) The main pool was great, much bigger and better than the family pool on Disney Wonder or Disney Magic.
2) The selection of food each night in the main dining room was outstanding for an adventurous eater.
3) They had a library.

#2 is now FALSE for all RCCL ships as they use the same menus ascots the line and it is PITIFUL. Even if I wasn't gluten-free I'd say that - but if you're gluten-free it's even worse.

 

[KashasMom]

Yes, to some degree - after all, waiters do want to make something in tips, so that is understandable. But having cruise entertainment staff sell raffle tickets prior to start of the evening show to a captive audience in the theatre, and then getting advertised by the cruise director in pre-show speech is a bit more annoying, don't you think?

Can honestly say we have not had that experience. What ship/when?

 

[KashasMom]

#2 is now FALSE for all RCCL ships as they use the same menus ascots the line and it is PITIFUL. Even if I wasn't gluten-free I'd say that - but if you're gluten-free it's even worse.

Daughter felt the same way about the horribly slim pickings for Vegetarians on DCL. At least on other cruise lines she has the dinner buffet options. Going on DCL in 2019 with 2 Vegetarians and 1 Vegan...already feeling sorry for them!

 

[Van Houten]

Can honestly say we have not had that experience. What ship/when?

Concordia and Serena on 2007 / 2008, Jewel and Gem in 2009 / 2010 / 2011 / 2013

 

[All about me]

#2 is now FALSE for all RCCL ships as they use the same menus ascots the line and it is PITIFUL. Even if I wasn't gluten-free I'd say that - but if you're gluten-free it's even worse.

Oh, that's sad. Everyone still talks about my grandson eating things that most of us adults wouldn't even try and loving them!

 

[lilsonicfan]

I don't know how RCCL works but I watched a tour of their newest big ship Symphony of the Seas and while I might not choose that ship, there certainly seemed to be an endless supply of places to eat, and I don't think all of them are extra cost places either.

Yeah, for me I'd rather sail the Mediterranean on non-DCL than say I'll skip it because I can't justify the DCL pricing.

 

[cruiser21]

#2 is now FALSE for all RCCL ships as they use the same menus ascots the line and it is PITIFUL. Even if I wasn't gluten-free I'd say that - but if you're gluten-free it's even worse.

How can it be false if it's an opinion? Food is suggestive. Maybe your opinion on the food is false. Who's to say?

 

[Dug720]

How can it be false if it's an opinion? Food is suggestive. Maybe you opinion on the food is false. Who's to say?

The fact that there is a variety IS false. There is nowhere near the variety of foods offered there was on the menu even 2 years ago. THAT is a fact.

Edit to explain... Two years ago, there were at least 12 different menus (I was on a 12-night and we never had a repeat menu), each with a different spice name. There was a "lighter section" just as on DCL, but that was less than 1/3 of the menu. The menu now consists of the same chicken or sirloin or pasta or fish option each night with like 2 other options. It's pitiful.

Further edit... I have liked my first 2 cruises on Royal Caribbean and they have been my second choice because of those. But based on the one I was just on, I will either be finding a new second choice or just not cruising as often. It was a severe decline not just in food but service and entertainment as well.

 

[cruiser21]

The fact that there is a variety IS false. There is nowhere near the variety of foods offered there was on the menu even 2 years ago. THAT is a fact.

She said the selection of food was outstanding. Nothing about the variety. I guess in her opinion it was outstanding and your's it's not. I think DCL food is lacking in taste and variety. Others would say the opposite. Neither statement is false just a difference of opinion.

 

[Dug720]

She said the selection of food was outstanding. Nothing about the variety. I guess in her opinion it was outstanding and your's it's not. I think DCL food is lacking in taste and variety. Others would say the opposite. Neither statement is false just a difference of opinion.

I guess I interpret selection and variety as the same thing when we're talking menus. If you consider 2 different entrees each night plus the same old other 4 an outstanding selection, more power to you. There use to be a much wider selection and variety on RCCL's menus when I cruised them in 2015 and 2016. They have changed them and both selection and variety is much more limited with the new menus. Even their wait staff admits that.

 

[cruiser21]

I don't know how RCCL works but I watched a tour of their newest big ship Symphony of the Seas and while I might not choose that ship, there certainly seemed to be an endless supply of places to eat, and I don't think all of them are extra cost places either.

Yeah, for me I'd rather sail the Mediterranean on non-DCL than say I'll skip it because I can't justify the DCL pricing.

I agree I won't be skipping a 10 day Baltic cruise because I can't afford to spend 20k on DCL. It's seems rather silly to give up something you want to see just because you cant do it on the mouse.

 

[KashasMom]

The fact that there is a variety IS false. There is nowhere near the variety of foods offered there was on the menu even 2 years ago. THAT is a fact.

Edit to explain... Two years ago, there were at least 12 different menus (I was on a 12-night and we never had a repeat menu), each with a different spice name. There was a "lighter section" just as on DCL, but that was less than 1/3 of the menu. The menu now consists of the same chicken or sirloin or pasta or fish option each night with like 2 other options. It's pitiful.

Further edit... I have liked my first 2 cruises on Royal Caribbean and they have been my second choice because of those. But based on the one I was just on, I will either be finding a new second choice or just not cruising as often. It was a severe decline not just in food but service and entertainment as well.

The "lighter" selections on DCL are the same Sirloin, Salmon and Chicken Breast every night. There is 1 other item that is different night to night. The total number of those options also represent about 1/3 of the menu. SO not seeing any difference between RCI and DCL there.