Hoping Disney won't do in the direction with their new island that RC uses

[tellingson]

Thank you for your honest answer. I'm sorry you found the food lacking, was it only that one meal? I have had good and bad items in the dining rooms however that goes for both cruise lines, not just RCCL.

The reason I question these quotes about nickel and diming is because they were the very things that kept us from trying RCCL for so long. If I were to believe every thing I read about this then I felt it would have cost me twice as much for RCCL than for DCL. When I finally got the courage to try I realized the untruth about some of those facts and am very glad I gave it a go. I hate that others read this stuff and are also afraid to spread their wings and give it a try purely on these comments. On the other hand, I'm glad some people decide they don't want to jump ship so to speak because that is what keeps my costs so low.

To reiterate, I have never felt any more nickel and dimed on RCCL than I have on DCL. They both have specialty restaurants you need to pay for. They both have candy/ice cream shops you have to pay for. The both make you pay for internet although RCCL's is a bargain in comparison. You pay for your soda on RCCL but since I am saving $2000 (on average) to sail on RCCL that is no issue at all. They both have islands that are very nice with cabanas you have to pay for. They both have shops where you can purchase items. Not a lot of difference, people should not be afraid to give it a go. It's not for everyone but you don't know till you try. If someone is going to post about nickel and diming they need to back it up IMO.

Sure. With respect to the food, I just felt like it would get equivalent food at any local buffet. On DCL, I looked forward to the food every night and each night was pleasantly surprised by the food quality and the entertainment. Each night was a new experience. RCCL just didn't have that for us. And it is entirely possible that the casino smoke on entry just soiled our experience and caused us to not enjoy our meals as much as we could have. We may have to go again to know.

I have only been on the Disney Magic, but RCCL felt like a giant mall. And I don't remember much of the Magic, but that doesn't stick out to me. It has been several years since we have been on DCL so maybe the things that we remember about it are no longer true. Additionally, I didn't like that the majority of the time we felt limited by "does this cost extra"? I don't enjoy asking if something is extra, so this was extremely frustrating. In my opinion, if more things cost extra than don't, then they are nickel and diming you. We definitely felt like this was the case on our cruise. This may also vary by ship. The ship we were on was Oasis of the Seas. If you have a recommendation for a better ship, then let me know and we'll look into it.

My brother's family swears by Royal Caribbean, but they have never been on a Disney Cruise. I can definitely see the appeal of Royal Caribbean, but I didn't have a very good experience. I'm willing to try it again now that we know a bit better how the ship works and room location, but as of right now, I'm not a huge fan.

 

[tinkerone]

Sure. With respect to the food, I just felt like it would get equivalent food at any local buffet. On DCL, I looked forward to the food every night and each night was pleasantly surprised by the food quality and the entertainment. Each night was a new experience. RCCL just didn't have that for us. And it is entirely possible that the casino smoke on entry just soiled our experience and caused us to not enjoy our meals as much as we could have. We may have to go again to know.

I have only been on the Disney Magic, but RCCL felt like a giant mall. And I don't remember much of the Magic, but that doesn't stick out to me. It has been several years since we have been on DCL so maybe the things that we remember about it are no longer true. Additionally, I didn't like that the majority of the time we felt limited by "does this cost extra"? I don't enjoy asking if something is extra, so this was extremely frustrating. In my opinion, if more things cost extra than don't, then they are nickel and diming you. We definitely felt like this was the case on our cruise. This may also vary by ship. The ship we were on was Oasis of the Seas. If you have a recommendation for a better ship, then let me know and we'll look into it.

My brother's family swears by Royal Caribbean, but they have never been on a Disney Cruise. I can definitely see the appeal of Royal Caribbean, but I didn't have a very good experience. I'm willing to try it again now that we know a bit better how the ship works and room location, but as of right now, I'm not a huge fan.

We have only been on the Magic and the Fantasy, we prefer to do 14 day cruises so it's usually B2B's. We have noticed over the years a decline in service and in what they offer. They are still a very good line. We plan to sail again next April with our children and grandchildren.
We are also booked on the Symphony, 14 day B2B, this October. We loved loved loved our last two cruises on this ship. We have also sailed the Oasis, which again we enjoyed very much. I especially love the Central Park area.

We have never had to ask if something was extra and I'm wondering what it was you felt you needed to ask about. If your sailing was a while ago you may not remember and that is understandable. I just have never felt the need to ask that anywhere. We know the specialty restaurants are extra as well as drinks, there is not another thing I would think to ask about though. We purchase drink packages so we don't even worry about that. I can't remember anything else in our day to day experience that was extra.

ETA--thank you for your answers. I like to have good conversations that don't turn into arguments with backs up. My posts are meant to understand not to fight.

 

[bunnm09]

Thank you for your honest answer. I'm sorry you found the food lacking, was it only that one meal? I have had good and bad items in the dining rooms however that goes for both cruise lines, not just RCCL.

The reason I question these quotes about nickel and diming is because they were the very things that kept us from trying RCCL for so long. If I were to believe every thing I read about this then I felt it would have cost me twice as much for RCCL than for DCL. When I finally got the courage to try I realized the untruth about some of those facts and am very glad I gave it a go. I hate that others read this stuff and are also afraid to spread their wings and give it a try purely on these comments. On the other hand, I'm glad some people decide they don't want to jump ship so to speak because that is what keeps my costs so low.

To reiterate, I have never felt any more nickel and dimed on RCCL than I have on DCL. They both have specialty restaurants you need to pay for. They both have candy/ice cream shops you have to pay for. The both make you pay for internet although RCCL's is a bargain in comparison. You pay for your soda on RCCL but since I am saving $2000 (on average) to sail on RCCL that is no issue at all. They both have islands that are very nice with cabanas you have to pay for. They both have shops where you can purchase items. Not a lot of difference, people should not be afraid to give it a go. It's not for everyone but you don't know till you try. If someone is going to post about nickel and diming they need to back it up IMO.

here is another example then, Royals drinks are significantly more expensive than Disney in my experience. I’m assuming to try to get you to buy the drink package(which in my opinion is in no way worth it unless you’re a very heavy drinker. If you do the math it’s like 5-6 drinks per day which may be fine on a sea day but there isn’t time for that on port days imo)

For example I’m a jack and coke drinker. On Disney I’ve always been charged around $6, on royal it was around 11 or 12. So they are trying to force you into a drink package that I’m sure 50% of buyers don’t get full value for. It’s a rip off.

The fare is way cheaper but it’s not like they aren’t going to get their money back somewhere. Sure you can cruise with no extras but how many actually do?

 

[tinkerone]

here is another example then, Royals drinks are significantly more expensive than Disney in my experience. I’m assuming to try to get you to buy the drink package(which in my opinion is in no way worth it unless you’re a very heavy drinker. If you do the math it’s like 5-6 drinks per day which may be fine on a sea day but there isn’t time for that on port days imo)

For example I’m a jack and coke drinker. On Disney I’ve always been charged around $6, on royal it was around 11 or 12. So they are trying to force you into a drink package that I’m sure 50% of buyers don’t get full value for. It’s a rip off.

The fare is way cheaper but it’s not like they aren’t going to get their money back somewhere. Sure you can cruise with no extras but how many actually do?

Because I do purchase a drink package when I sail RCCL I could not answer this without pulling some old information. I have a cocktail menu I brought home from our last sailing. A Jack Daniels and Coke is 7.95. I don't have any idea what the cost is on DCL so I will take what you say as correct. Not exactly the spread you thought.

I don't know if their drink package is 'worth it' but I buy it for several reasons. One, I'm Canadian and can purchase in Canadian funds before I leave home. US dollars can be unpredictable for us. Two, I don't have to worry about what the bill will be when we disembark, it's paid for. Three, I like to have a glass of wine or two with dinner, I like to have a frozen drink when I am sitting on deck, I like to have water covered when I need it to take off ship, I like to have a can of coke in our cabin fridge for when I need it. I also love that my package covers sparkling water which I also like to have at dinner and a bottle in the cabin fridge. It's not for everyone but I'm glad it's there.

 

[bunnm09]

Because I do purchase a drink package when I sail RCCL I could not answer this without pulling some old information. I have a cocktail menu I brought home from our last sailing. A Jack Daniels and Coke is 7.95. I don't have any idea what the cost is on DCL so I will take what you say as correct. Not exactly the spread you thought.

I don't know if their drink package is 'worth it' but I buy it for several reasons. One, I'm Canadian and can purchase in Canadian funds before I leave home. US dollars can be unpredictable for us. Two, I don't have to worry about what the bill will be when we disembark, it's paid for. Three, I like to have a glass of wine or two with dinner, I like to have a frozen drink when I am sitting on deck, I like to have water covered when I need it to take off ship, I like to have a can of coke in our cabin fridge for when I need it. I also love that my package covers sparkling water which I also like to have at dinner and a bottle in the cabin fridge. It's not for everyone but I'm glad it's there.

No not the spread I remembered. Thanks for the correction. What it really comes down to is different people like different cruising experiences. And thankfully there are options out there to accommodate what we all enjoy doing. Hopefully this current mess happening in the world doesn't mess that up

 

[tidefan]

Just a note. We always find that the 4 Oasis class RCCL ships tend to be, while not DCL prices, much higher than other ships (even RCCL ones). For our money, we would rather go on Princess or Carnival and save 20-40% over RCCL Oasis class ships. I have always wondered why everyone builds up these ships being less than DCL, but ignore the fact that they are still a good bit more expensive than other comparable lines. For instance, we looked at Thanksgiving week last year and took the Regal Princess (awesome cruise, BTW, best buffet I've ever had on a cruise ship) and we paid about $1,500 less for the 3 of us than we would have on either the Harmony, Allure, or Symphony...

One note, we could have taken, say Adventure OTS and it would have only bit a little bit more, so it is not all RCCL ships...

 

[MomOTwins]

I will say, one thing that did strike me as just going wayyy tooo far in terms of nickel and diming was when I was looking at 2021 Alaska on NCL, and they advertised a "free" drinks package, but charged "gratuities" on the drinks package of $700 for the 7-day cruise for my family of 5 (two adults, three kids that would only be drinking one soda at most). Based on that pricing, with gratuities at 20%, that would assume we'd spend $3,500 total (or $500 per day) on drinks!! It was clear they were simply charging for a drinks package but pretending the package was "free" and they were only charging for tips. I hate that kind of bait-and-switching.

That and the fact that a lot of the kids entertainment was an upcharge too really annoyed me. Go karts=upcharge. Bowling=upcharge. Laser tag=upcharge. Arcade=upcharge. Certain hours in the kids club=upcharge. It'd be the equivalent of going to a theme park and finding out that all the rides cost an extra $10 each on top of your admission ticket price.

Even if the overall cost is still a bit less, I just don't like when costs are hidden. Like hotels that charge "resort fees".

 

[monkeydawn]

No, both are greedy. 100%. One charges double for the same cruise and the other charge cheaper fares only to nickel and dime you later on.

As others have said the nickeling and diming is by choice. Ive sailed CCL, DCL and MSC. Ive never visited an upcharge restaurant (DCL had the worst food out of all 3 IMO but its not like I could do Palo every night even if I had been willing to pay for it). I usually bring whatever allotment of alcohol is allowed. That coupled with whatever free drinks are given is more than enough for us. My fares for CCL and MSC are less than $500 PP, usually half that or less. I paid $2000 PP for DCL. Basically my 4 "free" sodas cost about $400 each. Ironically I had one of my largest bills, excepting tips, at the end of the DCL cruise due to a tasting and popcorn for shows.

Ive said it before, the DCL upcharge isnt worth it to my husband or I by ourselves but we are willing to pay it if that's the line friends want to go on.

 

[belle032]

I will say, one thing that did strike me as just going wayyy tooo far in terms of nickel and diming was when I was looking at 2021 Alaska on NCL, and they advertised a "free" drinks package, but charged "gratuities" on the drinks package of $700 for the 7-day cruise for my family of 5 (two adults, three kids that would only be drinking one soda at most). Based on that pricing, with gratuities at 20%, that would assume we'd spend $3,500 total (or $500 per day) on drinks!! It was clear they were simply charging for a drinks package but pretending the package was "free" and they were only charging for tips. I hate that kind of bait-and-switching.

That and the fact that a lot of the kids entertainment was an upcharge too really annoyed me. Go karts=upcharge. Bowling=upcharge. Laser tag=upcharge. Arcade=upcharge. Certain hours in the kids club=upcharge. It'd be the equivalent of going to a theme park and finding out that all the rides cost an extra $10 each on top of your admission ticket price.

Even if the overall cost is still a bit less, I just don't like when costs are hidden. Like hotels that charge "resort fees".

Not at all trying to be rude or contradicting, but I just booked an Alaskan 2021 sailing on NCL and paid $277 for the “free” beverage package gratuities. I know its not free, however, DH and I always purchase a drink package on cruises so this was a steal for us.

I only wonder if your pricing seems so expensive because it’s calculating for 5 adults. Another poster on a different thread on this board was also getting an outrageous price until she went through the booking and put in the ages of the sailing guests. Then it calculated correctly and was much more reasonable.

Just a thought!

 

[bunnm09]

Not at all trying to be rude or contradicting, but I just booked an Alaskan 2021 sailing on NCL and paid $277 for the “free” beverage package gratuities. I know its not free, however, DH and I always purchase a drink package on cruises so this was a steal for us.

I only wonder if your pricing seems so expensive because it’s calculating for 5 adults. Another poster on a different thread on this board was also getting an outrageous price until she went through the booking and put in the ages of the sailing guests. Then it calculated correctly and was much more reasonable.

Just a thought!

I think the issue is they claim it is a free upgrade but it's not. It's false advertising. No different than when they do "pick one of 5 free offers" and you pick free excursion but then they add on a promotion fee to your bill. They are just giving you something at a discount but trying to call it free to get you to book. Not a fan of that at all

 

[belle032]

I think the issue is they claim it is a free upgrade but it's not. It's false advertising. No different than when they do "pick one of 5 free offers" and you pick free excursion but then they add on a promotion fee to your bill. They are just giving you something at a discount but trying to call it free to get you to book. Not a fan of that at all

I respect your opinion, but that wasn't what my post was about. I'm not trying to argue over what is or what isn't false advertising. I was just trying to offer an explanation to the previous poster about why that cost seemed so expensive. It may or may not help, but thought I'd post as I saw someone else experience the same thing.

Like I said, I know it's not a free package. And every beverage package requires you pay gratuities on top of said package. But like I also said, DH & I always purchase a beverage package so it is a worthwhile promotion to us.

BTW, we also received the free shore excursion credit offer and no promotional fees were charged. We were only charged dining and drink package gratuities and both promotions were optional.

Everyone is free to choose what works best for them.

 

[MomOTwins]

I respect your opinion, but that wasn't what my post was about. I'm not trying to argue over what is or what isn't false advertising. I was just trying to offer an explanation to the previous poster about why that cost seemed so expensive. It may or may not help, but thought I'd post as I saw someone else experience the same thing.

Like I said, I know it's not a free package. And every beverage package requires you pay gratuities on top of said package. But like I also said, DH & I always purchase a beverage package so it is a worthwhile promotion to us.

BTW, we also received the free shore excursion credit offer and no promotional fees were charged. We were only charged dining and drink package gratuities and both promotions were optional.

Everyone is free to choose what works best for them.

I did put in the ages of my kids, so who knows. For me the turnoff was not the cost, because I could opt out, but the sneaky nature of calling it free when it wasn’t, and calling the charge “gratuities” when they clearly aren’t just giving all that money to the bartenders. I also didn’t like that when I watched their promotional video, basically all the activities they advertised had an added cost. And for our family of 5, those extra charges add up fast: go carts $75 for our family of 5; laser tag $50–yes we don’t have to do it, but otherwise what is the point of sailing on these ships if you don’t get to do any of the activities they advertise?

 

[StarSeven7]

Not at all trying to be rude or contradicting, but I just booked an Alaskan 2021 sailing on NCL and paid $277 for the “free” beverage package gratuities. I know its not free, however, DH and I always purchase a drink package on cruises so this was a steal for us.

I only wonder if your pricing seems so expensive because it’s calculating for 5 adults. Another poster on a different thread on this board was also getting an outrageous price until she went through the booking and put in the ages of the sailing guests. Then it calculated correctly and was much more reasonable.

Just a thought!

That was me!

 

[tinkerone]

I did put in the ages of my kids, so who knows. For me the turnoff was not the cost, because I could opt out, but the sneaky nature of calling it free when it wasn’t, and calling the charge “gratuities” when they clearly aren’t just giving all that money to the bartenders. I also didn’t like that when I watched their promotional video, basically all the activities they advertised had an added cost. And for our family of 5, those extra charges add up fast: go carts $75 for our family of 5; laser tag $50–yes we don’t have to do it, but otherwise what is the point of sailing on these ships if you don’t get to do any of the activities they advertise?

How do you know this? I'd be interested to know.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We went once to Coco Cay since the water park was added. We did not do anything that cost money. I very much liked the pool. I wish it were a bit deeper, and larger perhaps, but my DH and I had a good time. We both very much enjoyed the food choices on the island as well. We have another three day cruise coming up in July, we liked it enough to go back.

 

[cgolf]

Honestly if Disney would charge a high fee for a water park island and add some more up charge dining options or activities aboard, perhaps they would drop the price of the cruises knowing many/most would pay for the add ons. That would allow some budget minded travelers like us to sneak back on to DCL

 

[Bella29]

I have to disagree with the OP and I'm not sure it's fair to judge without having visited Coco Cay. We love DCL and will continue to cruise them every few years as adults without our kids, and someday when we have grandkids for sure, but when we are traveling with our older teens/young adults, RCCL is a way better choice. For our group, RCCL won on:

- Ship activities on the ship were way better - Flow Rider in particular was a huge hit
- Star class suite amenities - loved the concierge lounge, sun deck, and great seating at shows.
- Coco Cay in particular was absolutely amazing - beautiful, clean, and huge with tons to do. We didn't notice any crowding anywhere other than the waterslides. We loved the pools, the shopping, and the food beat Cookies BBQ by a mile. We had no problem paying extra for the thrill-seekers in our party to do the water slides, they loved it. The rest of us chilled by the pool.

Our 3 generation group did agree that other than the islands, the food and dining experiences are way better on DCL. The RCCL main restaurant was seriously blah, same or more crowded tables as on DCL but with more obnoxious unattended children than we've ever seen on DCL. Coastal Kitchen was a much nicer environment than the regular dining rooms, but still not the greatest food. Even the soft serve on the Symphony was blech. (Yet the soft servce on Coco Cay was fantastic - kinda weird!).