Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

I'm looking into southern Caribbean cruises out of San Juan for my 5 and 8 year old in 2019. It seems like Disney is much more expensive, like double, compared to NCL, RC, Carnival, etc.

Is the extra money worth it? It's a family vacation and I just want it to be kid-oriented.

Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

The Southern Caribbean cruise is very expensive - I looked into that one as well. I couldn't justify the price tag. But I did book a shorter Bahama cruise to be able to sail on Disney, at least for our first time. I am pretty nervous about cruising and after looking into Disney and RC - I just felt like Disney catered to you more and the kids. I thin the RC ships look amazing! but I may save that for when my kids are a little bit bigger (mine are 8 and 6). I also noticed that Disney is a little more all inclusive in the price. With RC you have to pay extra even for a soda drink package.
With that said - RC is definitely cheaper. I personally just would rather Disney for mine and the young kids first cruise.

Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

We did a Disney cruise last summer for the first time and it was one of the best vacations we've taken with DD who was 5 at the time. We went with another family who has a DD the same age so that was a big plus for us since we both have only children. We did a 5 day on the Dream. We are big Disney people so we loved it! We felt that the service was great, food was pretty good (not amazing, not terrible), entertainment was very family oriented. We did a deluxe family cabin with veranda so our room was fairly spacious (for a cruise! LOL). We also liked the split bathroom a lot.

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

We’ve been on 3 DCL cruises, with a 4th one booked next summer (to Alaska!!!!). For us we’re really big Disney people, so it’s worth it. They’re the only Vacations we leave feeling really relaxed. Their kids program is top notch, the kids love it- so you get some adult time!!! And little touches like seeing your drawings animated during dinner, or a free character breakfast (just book it ahead of time) things like that are awesome wuth young kids. The Alaska one is completely breaking the budget Haha but DH and I both turn 40, and want to go to Alaska- so this way the kids will enjoy it too.

Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

I will report back after July!! It will be our first disney cruise!!

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

We do a lot of cruises and have sailed various lines including Disney, RC, NCL, Carnival and Holland America.

For us Disney wasn't any better than other cruises we have been on. We really prefer the newer RC ships, we loved Allure of Seas. My girls are 7 & 9.

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

We have done Disney 5 times, and haven't done any others. We love it, and love the service you get.

I did however book a cruise on a newish Norwegian for next February recently with my friends. I'm struggling to find the same kind of "family entertainment" as we did on Disney. No kid friendly night time shows at all I've been told. Disney is definitely geared toward families, so if that is important, I think it's totally worth it.

The rooms on some of the other lines are TINY with minimal storage and I feel like Disney rooms really max out the space, and the split bath is an awesome thing. I also like that you don't have to "check out" your pool towel. You just get them when you want them. I like that they don't charge extra for your soda/juice, etc. I like that room service is free (most lines are charging now). I like that they have fireworks at sea, and their private island is beautiful and loaded with kid friendly activities. There are two waterslides into the ocean, a ropes structure, kid bikes (adult also), a delicious buffet, games, activities, a kids club, boat rentals, etc. I cannot find this on Norweian's private island. We rented a cabana twice at Castaway Cay (Disney's island), and it was like being in a whole other world! It was so awesome.

I like that the kids clubs are open all day until Midnight. The hours don't change, and they don't charge for nighttime in the clubs. I like that they will feed them in there if your kids are there at Dinner time. I like hands on activities they do. No charge for "specialty" dining (with the exception of the adults only restaurant), or upgrading to shows that cost more money. I also like that they give you 50 free MB of wi-fi to check in at home.

They don't have rock climbing, ice skating, go karts, etc. like the other lines, but I'm finding it's definitely packed with more family entertainment than the others.

Like I said, I haven't cruised anyone else, and all of this is going on my research in various groups, and by looking at their daily entertainment schedules, etc.!

Message edited 3/21/2018 9:53:11 AM.

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

I was looking at a Disney cruise for my family of 4 (3 and 6 yo boys) but couldn't justify the cost. I was hoping some day in the future we could go but prices rising I doubt that will happen.

I did however book us on a RC cruise leaving in a month. I thought it was a much better deal but after getting charged for a lot of extras (excursions, drinks, wifi) I didn't consider it's not THAT much cheaper anymore.

Another part of the equation is my DH. His rationale is if we're going to spend mega bucks on Disney, why not go to the parks? We're big ride people so I kind of agree.

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

I’ve been on Disney, Carnival and Norwegian cruises. All with kids.

Disney certainly charges a huge premium (but does have more rooms for families of 5 than other lines). I did not find them to be much better than the other cruises. The best parts are the pirate party with fireworks and the nightly shows (which are very kid oriented). You can meet characters with a small wait. The dance parties are more kid oriented than adult oriented. It’s a whole mentality... people get into door magnets and things like that.

The food on Disney was the worst from all the cruises. Service was the worst too. Note: service and food is good, but comparing, it’s the worst of the cruise lines I’ve been on. Interestingly, the same exact excursions through Disney are more expensive too. I thought the private island wasn’t great as compared to other cruise private islands. I found the entertainment on other ships to be much better all around (And kids were entertained as well by something other than a princess or dancing character).

Disclaimer: this is all with young kids, aged infant to about 5 years old. My kids do love Disney characters and princesses.if they were older, maybe they would get more from Disney... but as they get older, it’s easier to travel and we are getting into bigger experience trips... like skiing and traveling internationally.

My opinion is that it’s best to do a Disneyworld stay instead with another cruise. I loved Norwegian the best for food/service/agenda/activities/shows. I haven’t been in RC or Crystal but have heard great things.

Message edited 3/21/2018 8:10:45 AM.

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

We got a great deal a year or so ago on a Disney cruise. It was a repositioning cruise and it did not go to their private island. WE had a blast!! Again, we paid about $2000 less than what we normally would for that cruise.
It was fun. Kids loved the kid's area and definitely family oriented. Food was good, but the entertainment was awesome. The restaurants keep the kids occupied and entertained while we got to enjoy our meal. They even cut the food for the kids!

I have not been on a cruise in years prior so can't compare. We were looking to go again this Spring break, but the prices are crazy and that doesn't include the flight to FL. We left from NY the last time and flew back from PR.

I would probably do Norwegian next time. I hear great things about it too. Although the slide was fun on Disney.
My boys are a little older now so not as much into Disney anyway.

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

I have only gone on Disney cruises and I think they are great. My cousin has done RC with her kids (newer ships) and has had fabulous experiences. It depends what you’re looking for:

- Disney has the characters if that’s a huge selling point for your kids (my girls are princess obsessed so that basically made the trip for us all... so many more character interactions than the parks). If they don’t care, then it’s not worth it.

-clubs and entertainment are very child friendly, and staff is child-welcoming, but that’s not to say they won’t be on the other ships, esp those that are marketed towards family, you just know Disney does it 24/7 and you won’t run into a wet tee shirt contest

-this seems to be a matter of opinion but the vast majority of people I know (including my parents who are avid cruisers) tend to say that Disney’s food and service and their system for handling crowds is amongst the best in the industry. And their rooms are bigger and family-friendlier. I’ve only cruised Disney, so this is just word of mouth. But, my cousin was able to get 2 rooms on rc for less $ than 1 on Disney, so this may be a moot point anyways!

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

Re: Disney Cruise - Is it worth it?

Everyone has a different opinion but we 100% think it is worth it. I thought the service was amazing (I haven't been anywhere else where the server cut my son's steak into bite size pieces for him). I appreciated all the food choices and liked that my kids could choose from the entire menu. I also liked that I didn't start with a certain price and then that price went up as I added things; it's all included in the one price (except for gratuities.) I like knowing that if I wanted to, I could get on the ship and not spend another dollar. That being said, we do book excursions and visit the stores so that's extra so it's our choice.

I found our cruise (7 nights in 2016) to be relaxing and I have a hard time relaxing with my kids around bc I'm paranoid so that was really important to me. I like that the environment is low key and that I didn't see people drunk or being really loud or inappropriate. I felt safe and that my children were safe.

The overall experinence was so great and worry-free that we just booked another 7-night cruise for this summer. It's all relative as to what is worth it to different people but we highly recommend it.