OrcaPotter
Lucky to be local to the Mouse
- Joined
- May 21, 2005
DCL has priced us out (as it has for many, it seems), particularly for the summer months when unfortunately us teachers are limited to traveling. We did RCI 10 years ago on the Mariner of the Seas and had a great time, so we knew that the only non-DCL company we'd be willing to go with would be RCI. My family is older and my parents are at an age when traveling is not easy. We live less than an hour from Port Canaveral, so when it came to budget vs. new experiences (we desperately wanted to do DCL's southern itinerary) we had no choice but to pick budget. To do DCL would've cost just as much as our Aulani vacation 2 years ago; and their fares seem to go up every year--making saving challenging for their special sailings.
What we have loved about DCL is how most of the charges are rolled into your fare; there isn't nearly as much nickel and diming on board. However, at over $3K less than our Fantasy cruise last June in a comparable stateroom on the Oasis, we're willing to compromise. What's been a journey is seeing how much some of the "extras" are on RCI compared to what it would've been on Disney. The biggest sticker shock so far has been the "water package" On the Fantasy once on board, we paid about $40 for a 12 pack of Evian and the soft cooler. This price probably included whatever delivery surcharge, if any. Expensive, but it was very nice to have; my family has a lot of carry-on baggage due to my father's multiple health needs so dragging around a pack of water isn't appealing.
For the Oasis, Evian is the only choice and the price is about the same without any kind of souvenir cooler. The cost of a 24 pack is crazy, but then after a Google search, that seems to be the going rate for 1 liter bottles. It would appear that while RCI does "not allow" you to bring water on board, the rule isn't really enforced if you bring it on board yourself (like Disney). What has everyone's experience been so far? To save a wad of cash, I'm willing to lug a 12 pack from home around in a wheeled bag.
We only drink 1-2 sodas a day, so the soda package isn't worth it for us and we are not really alcohol drinkers beyond maybe a glass of wine and a specialty drink per cruise. We're not big foodies either, but I'd like to try some of the specialty restaurants.
So, those of you who are DCL fans and have been on the Oasis--how was your experience? Did you feel roadblocked often if you didn't have a "package" for certain premium things? I've already had a dream in which I got hopelessly lost on this ship, LOL.
What we have loved about DCL is how most of the charges are rolled into your fare; there isn't nearly as much nickel and diming on board. However, at over $3K less than our Fantasy cruise last June in a comparable stateroom on the Oasis, we're willing to compromise. What's been a journey is seeing how much some of the "extras" are on RCI compared to what it would've been on Disney. The biggest sticker shock so far has been the "water package" On the Fantasy once on board, we paid about $40 for a 12 pack of Evian and the soft cooler. This price probably included whatever delivery surcharge, if any. Expensive, but it was very nice to have; my family has a lot of carry-on baggage due to my father's multiple health needs so dragging around a pack of water isn't appealing.
For the Oasis, Evian is the only choice and the price is about the same without any kind of souvenir cooler. The cost of a 24 pack is crazy, but then after a Google search, that seems to be the going rate for 1 liter bottles. It would appear that while RCI does "not allow" you to bring water on board, the rule isn't really enforced if you bring it on board yourself (like Disney). What has everyone's experience been so far? To save a wad of cash, I'm willing to lug a 12 pack from home around in a wheeled bag.
We only drink 1-2 sodas a day, so the soda package isn't worth it for us and we are not really alcohol drinkers beyond maybe a glass of wine and a specialty drink per cruise. We're not big foodies either, but I'd like to try some of the specialty restaurants.
So, those of you who are DCL fans and have been on the Oasis--how was your experience? Did you feel roadblocked often if you didn't have a "package" for certain premium things? I've already had a dream in which I got hopelessly lost on this ship, LOL.