Cruise - Disney v Carnival

[GoofyforWDW]

Hi there,

I am looking to book a short 4 day cruise to Bahamas. Probably the wrong forum to ask as every loves Disney (so do I) but how does Carnival compare??

I recently went on Disney cruise for my honeymoon and loved it but looking at prices it seems Carnival are substantially cheaper. Im happy to pay extra for the Disney magic but this is nearly 3 times as much!

My question is has anyone been on Carnival recently and if so how was it? Was the food, rooms, entertainment etc good or was you not impressed? If you have been on both Disney and Carnival did it compare at all or was Disney soooo much better?

Thanks

 

[Tim G]

Carnival gives alot more value for money...

But disney adds Magic to your trip

 

[DisneyJoe]

A few thoughts:

Disney staterooms are slightly bigger

No casino onboard a Disney ship, the income from a casino helps keep costs lower on Carnival and others.

Less alcohol consumption on a family oriented ship like Disney...


When are you looking to travel? Disney prices increase as the ship fills (supply and demand)...

 

[hadlicksr]

Each Cruise line has it themes and what is best known for. Carnival tends to be a party boat. There are activities geared toward family but mostly geared toward adults. Disney relates more to the family and as previous post indicated, it really provides the magic. Another to consider is Royal Caribbean. They are second only to Disney in Family fun. If you wanted a Disney Cruise but wanted a better price, I would suggest Royal Caribbean.

 

[shoppingnut]

Royal Caribbean, I didn't like the food, the food was better on Carnival. Not many other lines can compare in the entertainment disney provides, they do after all know how to put on a stage show. Other than that, Carnival is fine, I've been on it a few times and always had a nice time, also RC, NCL and HA. NCL was nice, but my biggest problem with the free style dining was that the restaurants that had the better food, you had to pay additional monies.

 

[palmage]

Carival is to cruise lines what Jerry Springer is to talk television.

 

[GoofyforWDW]

A few thoughts:
When are you looking to travel? Disney prices increase as the ship fills (supply and demand)...

I am actually looking at travelling in January 2009 but at the moment the dates and prices for Disney in 2009 is not available so I have compared January 2008. Maybe thats why Disney looked so expensive, the prices have gone up as little room left.

I loved Disney but it is mostly family stuff and as just me and hubby then I thought I may like Disney. Like the idea of a bit of a flutter in the casino.

The stage shows at Disney were brill but I have seen them now and unlikely to change to by Jan 09.

Was the shows any good on Carnival?

Sorry the only other question is whats included is it the same as Disney all meals and you just need to pay for soft drinks and alcohol? I know gratuities aren't included in the price quoted on the web so need to add them.

Finally how does it work with dining? Is it shared tables and rotational like Disney? Is it only 1 resturant? Looked on site and could not make sense.

Thanks for everyones comments so far.

 

[DisneyJoe]

DCL 2009 pricing was just released.

 

[Tim G]

Carival is to cruise lines what Jerry Springer is to talk television.

Crap!

 

[GoofyforWDW]

DCL 2009 pricing was just released.

Yeah thanks someone else just pointed that to me on another thread! Did not think to check today I had looked late last week! Ooops!

Just checked and Disney cruise cat 9 room on 4/1/09 is $1948.96 where as Carnival for ocean view main deck (I think this is similar to cat 9) is $359 each plus $5 per day fuel plus $40 tip each so total of $838 all in. BIG DIFFERENCE!

Unless I am missing something. Is there anything else anyone can think of that you have to pay other than whats shown on the web price and the Fuel and Tips?

Sorry dont want to book and realise there is lots more to pay onto.

All help very much appreciated.

 

[GoofyforWDW]

Crap!

Can you elabarate?

What are your thoughts or experiences?

 

[Tim G]

Can you elabarate?

What are your thoughts or experiences?

We've done them all... and found except for the price levels no differnce...

Although, (again) Disney brought the Magic.

The Carnival cruise we did, (4x) were not excactly Party Ships, we did not encounter any drunk people, no troubles with small children and we didn't went to the casino...
We had a balcony suite.
On board, great atmosphere... wonderfully furnished, drinks were good, food was good and we had a wonderful time... the employees on board were very friendly...

We did Royal Caribbean (2x) as well...
Stayed in Balcony
At first the ship looks more upscale, but in the end if you look closely, it was all the same as Carnival, but slightly more expensive...

Did the Disney Cruise Line as well (8x) ,
We always have a Balcony suite... same size as Carnival an Royal Caribbean.
indeed slightly bigger state rooms, (some inches)
No casino (who cares, we won't visit anyway) Food was ok, but more expensive than the previous cruise lines.

When we go with Disney Cruise Line we use my Disney employee discount or go by invitation...

But I guess for for guests outside the Disney Company I find it rather expensive... unless they've saved a bundle...

 

[Cubs Brian]

We've been on Disney,Carnival & Royal Carib. My personal favorite was RCCL, the food wasn't as good as disney,& the rooms(on the older ships) are smaller, but the atmosphere & service were outstanding.Our kids 8&4, both boys loved the kids programs on both Dis. & RCCL, but both liked RCCL's just a bit better.Disney is geat, Carnival sucked & RCCL was just a1/2 notch below Disney, but for the price difference, RCCL wins out, but just barely.Check out www.cruisecritic.com for more threads on cruise lines, ships and destinations.Itis a great site, very helpful.

 

[Brwneyedgirl72]

I have been on both Carnival and Disney and honestly, Carnival doesn't even compare. I will admit that Carnival does live up to it's "Funships" tag line, but the food is horrible and the service is the worst I have experienced at sea.

Personally, I am a big fan of Princess, but they only have longer itineraries. Disney is great, and Carnival is alot of fun, but if you give Carnival a try, make sure that your expectations are not too high.

Whatever you decide, have a great time and enjoy everything that ships hve to offer.

 

[GoofyGuySouthFl]

We have been on RCL, Carnival, Disney, & Princess. Of the 4 Carnival would probably be the last one we could choose. Especially if it is on one of their older ships (which are usually the ones that run on the 3-4 night sailings). We prefer RCL over the rest, we loved Disney, but its just much more expensive most of the time.

 

[scarpiapiano]

The big reason that Disney Cruise Line is so much more expensive is that there are currently only two ships in the fleet. I've waited for years for DCL to build more ships and finally its happening. When you consider that the big six cruise companies (Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America and Princess) have around 15 to 20 ships in all of their fleets and that Disney does as much advertising as any of the other cruise lines, it's no wonder that Disney can sail their ships at full capacity with customers paying full price. All of the other cruise lines offer deep discounts for advanced booking. I love Disney as much as anyone but until their prices drop or I win the lottery, I'd never sail on DCL when other cruise lines can give you an equivelant experience at less than half the cost.

 

[scarpiapiano]

We have been on RCL, Carnival, Disney, & Princess. We prefer RCL over the rest, we loved Disney, but its just much more expensive most of the time.

Carnival, RCL and Norwegian are considered to be "standard cruises". Princess, Holland America and Celebrity are considered to be "premium" which I suppose makes them slightly more luxurious. The standard cruises sail alot more in the Caribbean while the premium lines own a much bigger share of the Alaska market as well as European and Mediterranean ports. All of the cruiselines have their strengths and weaknesses but I'd seriously consider one of the premium lines for a great value as well as better service than you'll probably find on the standard cruises.

 

[palmage]

We've been on Carnival twice and Princess twice.
The Carnival ships were just flat gawdy/tacky in their decor.
Misbehaving kids everywhere no parents in sight.
Princess was first class, no comparison.

 

[Rcoaster809]

I have sailed Carnival twice, but I have not sailed Disney (yet). I really want to do a Disney Cruise, and I will some day, but Carnival is just so worth the money that I would rather take a longer cruise with them. The crew is always friendly and accommodating, and the atmosphere is whatever you want it to be. There is the disco, piano bar, casino, you should be able to find something you want to do. They say the shows are "Vegas" style, which means glitzy with skimpy clothing. The ones I saw were well done. For the two of you, I would say try it out.

 

[bfbulldog]

I've experienced both Disney and Carnival and IMO Carnival can't even be in the same sentence as Disney. The Disney ships are immaculate and as long as you don't want to gamble offer a ton of activities throughout the ship. Yes they are more expensive, but I believe you get a far more entertaining and immersive expereince on the Disney ships.