(I know no characters & pixie dust)
As others have mentioned, there are super-fun Dreamworks cahracters on several of the ships.
One doesn't need "pixie dust" in order to have a nice time. One can have extra-nice things happen without the specter of Tinkerbell. It's not like
DCL does amazing extra things for everyone, and it's just a total bore on every other line.
are there any hidden fees we should know about
I don't feel there are hidden fees on ANY cruiseline. Things are really spelled out, IMO, on EVERY line. I've never had a surprise, personally.
It was not that easy to use My Time Dining on RCCL.
We didn't book anything until embarkation day on Vision (when we had MTD). That day we booked our first night, then an hour later went back and booked the rest of the nights. First night we ate at 6:30ish and the rest of the nights we were at 7, same seat for those nights (next to the table we had the first night), and with the same serving team. EASY.
it seems as though they are a cross between a las Vegas resort with lots of tacky neon lights, concrete flooring on the top decks to walk on / sit in a lounger, and a shopping mall feel inside.
Hmm. Not sure about neon? Pretty lights, absolutely. Pretty bright colors and nice things to look at. Vs the Disney look of deep tones and darker public spaces. I personally prefer the Royal look over Disney. Disney is just like a shopping mall in their shopping district, too. They all have shopping districts.
Don't know what you are talking about with concrete.
Add events like hairy chest contest and belly flop contest in the pool area and that tells you abit more about the variety of clientele they cater to.
Never saw a hairy chest contest.
DH participated in a belly flop contest. He should have won, but flopped in his flop, and everyone was so sad. It was a TON of fun for the people participating and watching. IMO the only reason Disney doesn't have those contests is because of their tiny little pathetic pools.
the pool decks are covered in a composite surface preferred by runners
Yes.
One comparison that appears to be missing is the free coffee - it's terrible on both!
Never even tried the free stuff on Royal, after having such drastically awful coffee on DCL.
Soda/pop - yes it's included on DCL, but don't forget you're already paying a premium on the cruise line, so consider it a hidden fee.
YES. And worse, we don't drink it, so we're helping to subsidize other peoples' "free" soda!
I wasn't sure. my dad aka grandpa was really unhappy about it as well.
What was he unhappy about regarding the pools?
I will say that Disney is WORLDS better than RCL on cleanliness and ship appearance.
Ooh I have to disagree there.
RCL has better food than Disney and better pools
Yes.
WORLDS better kids' clubs
Disagreeing again. DS has been 9 and 10 on royal, and LOVED the kid's clubs on Freedom and Vision. He thought he enjoyed the club/lab on Disney, but once he really saw what the Royal clubs are like, he prefers them.
Given the choice between Disney Fantasy and RCL's Freedom, I'd take Freedom every time in a heart beat
SAME. (though we've only been on Dream, not Fantasy)
And we are doing so this March!