What Is The Best Cruise Line For Your Money
Ocean cruises are one of the best ways to explore multiple Caribbean islands or the Pacific Northwest without the hassles of booking numerous flights, hotel rooms and rental cars. With so many cruise lines to choose from, finding the best cruise for your money can be challenging.
People stand in line as they prepare to board the Celebrity Edge cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale, … Florida, on June 26, 2021. – Celebrity Edge is the first major cruise ship to restart operations from a US port since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown cruise travel.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is the best overall value for many itineraries. Their fares are competitively priced and are some of the cheapest fares starting as low as $225 per night.
Booking a cheap cruise doesnt mean youre automatically going to have a no-frills voyage or be on a party boat where the celebration never ends, even when youre trying to rest. This cruise line has a reputation for having a good mixture of solo travelers, families and retirees. There are also many on-ship amenities for entertainment, relaxation and dining.
Families are more likely to find childrens programs without the steep cost of a Disney cruise. While the experience isnt the same, children and parents will likely still have a great time. Booking a suite can also be a good option if you have a bigger travel budget but dont want to splurge for a luxury liner.;
Carnival
Norwegian Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Princess
Summary
Getting A Disney Cruise Line Discount
The best way for a return guest to get a discount on the Disney Cruise Line is to book while you are already on a sailing. Youll have two options.
You can either book with the dates that you want to sail, and can choose your exact dates and room. For this, youll need to give a deposit.
Alternatively, you can book a placeholder for a $250 fee. This can be applied to a cruise booked within the next two years. I typically book a placeholder, even if I dont have another cruise planned because its valid for a while.
Depending on the sailing, youll get a discount as well as stateroom credit. To do an onboard booking, youll want to visit the desk on the ship as soon as possible. It can be very busy by the end of your sailing and there is typically a line to talk to a cast member.
Other discounts can sometimes be available for Canadian residents, Florida residents, and members of the military. The Disney Cruise Line special offers page has more specific information on this. They arent always available so youll have to check for details and eligible sailings.
Choose Royal Caribbean For The Largest Selection Of Suite Types And Perks
While Disney ships have three types of suites, a small Royal Caribbean ship could have five, while larger vessels have more than 10 kinds of deluxe accommodations. Junior Suites are essentially giant balcony cabins, while Loft Suites offer two floors, often with multiple bathrooms, bedrooms and balconies. Family Connected Junior Suites combine three cabin types to sleep 10 people, while the Presidential Family Suite can house 14 in a humongous space, including four bedrooms and a balcony with full dining table and hot tub.
And while Disney does offer expanded amenities to suite guests, Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite Class, a tiered perks program available on Oasis- and Quantum-class ships, adds attractive benefits like free gratuities, specialty dining, Royal Genie butlers and alcoholic beverage packages for top-end suites.
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Entertainment On A Disney Cruise
Food and location are more than enough to justify the price difference on paper, but those two items are the only items that increase the relative value of a cruise. In the harder to classify category is the additional entertainment value. Aboard a cruise, you will experience Broadway-caliber shows that each could justify a $100+ price tag. Alternatively, if you wish to catch a movie, each Disney Cruise ship has a movie theater on board that shows Disney movies at sea the same day they are released on land.
And dont think for a minute youre losing iconic Disney Park entertainment like fireworks. Disney is the only cruise line to offer fireworks at sea. These options and many more will add significant additional value to your trip and they are all included in the price of your cruise.
Also, note that you do not miss out on any characters when youâre taking a Disney Cruise. You can see all of your favorite characters on various different Disney Cruise Line itineraries, from the Disney Princesses to the Avengers to Star Wars characters, and of course Mickey Mouse and all his friends are on board, too. When it comes to entertainment and amenities for Guests of all ages, Disney Cruise Line has just as much to offer as the Disney Parks â only itâs all in one place onboard the ship.
Booking A Disney Cruise
While you can certainly book a Disney Cruise on your own, I do not recommend that! Each cruise I have been on has been organized by a travel agent. Travel agents can help you find the right room, right rate, take care of all the details, and give you insight about the ship. Most importantly though, working with a travel agent usually guarantees that you will receive a little gift of an onboard credit.
Now that I have become a Disney Authorized Planner, I can help you plan your Disney Cruise or even your trip to Disney World or Disneyland. As you can see, I have been on all of the ships and can answer any question you may have plus give you some onboard credit with Vacationeers Disney Cruise promo. Email me, and I can help you get started.
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Daytime And Nighttime Entertainment
Disney cruises are filled with both daytime and nighttime entertainment for the entire family. From pools to deck parties, and live shows to character experiences, there are a wealth of activities to do while in port or at sea. In order to find out all of the days activities or upcoming activities, open your DCL Navigator App and find the Personal Navigator. You can heart what you are interested in and the app will notify you 15 minutes before so you dont miss the show or activity. Disney Cruise Line used to print out a paper version of the Personal Navigator, and housekeeping would leave it on your bed at night. Now, it is online; however, you can request a paper copy at the concierge or sometimes they have them on display in the lobby after dinner.
One unique aspect of the Disney Cruise Line is that there are no casinos onboard. This is either a great thing for you or not. I personally love that there is no casino, as it gives more room for other fun activities, but I know there are people who love to cruise because of the casino component.
While the prices for a Disney cruise can be substantial, Disney offers so much entertainment for the money spent. A great way to take advantage of this is to watch currently playing or recently released Disney movies in the Buena Vista Theater. My family was able to watch Star Wars movies, Marvel movies and Pixar movies that had recently been in theaters and one that was currently out in theaters. It was amazing and free!
Food On A Disney Cruise
The first thing to keep in mind with this comparison is that when you are on a Disney Cruise you truly are getting more. Lets look at food first. The Disney Dining Plan entitles you to one Quick-Service Meal, one Table Service Meal, and two Snacks per person, per day, whereas on a Disney Cruise you have unlimited meals and snacks. Admit it: access to ice cream whenever you want sounds pretty sweet! But it goes beyond that.
On our recent trip aboard the Disney Magic, we experienced Rapunzels Royal Table, a dinner show that is at least on par with Cinderellas Royal Table in Walt Disney World. Character meals such as these in the park require two Table Service Meal credits on the Disney Dining Plan.
For many cruisers, breakfast and lunch will be at Cabanas, an all-you-can-eat buffet, which compared to the Disney Dining Plan equates to a 1 credit Table Service experience, not a Quick Service Meal, plus you get one extra meal. But maybe Room Service is more your style. On the Disney Dining Plan, we are back to a two-credit Table Service charge for In-Room Dining at the Disney Resort hotels, whereas Room Service on a Disney Cruise ship is included â you only have to tip.
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Prepare For Alcohol/fine Dining Costs
The food is all inclusive on Disney Cruise Lines.;However, alcohol is not included and costs more.;Be sure to budget how much you intend to drink on the trip.;
Depending on what you order, drinks could cost around $10-$15, or they offer wine and beer packages for an;additional cost.;The top shelf stuff will be considerably higher of course.;
There is also an added charge for dining at Palo, which is absolutely worth it, considering the level of the food and customer service experience there.
Palo is included in my top;4 things to do on a Disney Cruise, along with a few other things you will want to know about.
How Do I Get A Good Deal On A Disney Cruise
If you long to enjoy a voyage on the high seas while experiencing that special Disney magic, root out some deals through some savvy shopping.
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Or If You Like Your Dining Venues To Be Whimsical Rather Than Formal
Disney does a great job at making dinner fun for young cruisers, who might not have the patience for a multicourse meal. Animator’s Palate features different “shows” on the four ships, including conversations with Crush the Turtle from “Finding Nemo” and an animated sequence featuring diners’ drawings. Royal Court and Royal Palace take a Disney castle theme, wowing kids obsessed with Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Even Palo, the adults-only venue, allows people to wear jeans, and the upscale Remy, while requiring dressy attire, has an adorable rat motif, inspired by the movie “Ratatouille.”
Choose Disney If You’re Willing To Pay For The Disney Experience
Disney cruises are notoriously pricey, with inside cabins starting at $160 per person, per night . The line very rarely offers any kind of discount or promotional offer. A three-night cruise on Disney could cost the same as a seven-night cruise on Royal Caribbean. But you can only get the true Disney experience on a Disney ship, and many fans believe the quality of vacation warrants the high price tag.
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Reasons Why The Disney Cruise Is Way Better Than Disney World
Disney World is known as the most magical place on earth, but Disney Cruises are the most magical places at sea!
Disney World is known as the most magical place on earth, but Disney Cruises are the most magical places at sea! Which one should you dish out your next travel fund to to experience? Which one gets you more bang for your buck, more access to adventure, and more VIP treatment? The answer might surprise you.
If you’ve been to Disney World before, you know that they spared no expense in making this Orlando theme park one of a kind. As you walk through the park, you’ll notice how every detail is perfectly Disney, from the jewelled sandy ground beneath Aladdin’s magic carpet ride to the Mickey-themed manhole covers in the Magic Kingdom. But Disney Cruises offer the same exceptional attention to detail along with constantly changing exhibits, shows, and spaces designed to help you sit back and soak in the proverbial pixie dust.
Right now, Disney offers a fleet of four different kinds of cruise ships: Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy. Each has their own unique style;of the Disney brand while offering the same essential packages for families, couples, and kids. Your choice in ship depends on where you want to go, from Alaska to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and even tours around Europe. You can literally see the world while immersed in trademark Disney magic.
Disney Service And Magical Moments
While Disney Cruise Line is more expensive than other cruise lines, most travelers will attest that the Disney experience is well worth any premium you pay.
Why?
Disney is a brand we trust. Those who have experienced Disneys unique touches and flair know what to expect from this company: delightful experiences, wonderful stories, and unexpectedly stellar service. When you come to dinner, your servers will know your name. Your stateroom will be cleaned meticulously each day. Towel animals of all varieties will await you at bedtime turn down service, along with some delicious chocolates.
Every Cast Member you meet is helpful and cheerful.
Just like Disneys movies, parks and hotels, you can count on your Disney Cruise to be safe, clean, and fun, with sprinkles of magic everywhere.
Ive described much of what makes it magical already but Disney Cruise Cast Members are committed to creating Magical Moments for their passengers. A Magical Moment is an act of kindness between Cast Members and guests. These often become special memories that their guests will never forget. They arent assigned to manufacture specific moments; rather Cast Members share Magical Moments because they want to.
On each of my Disney Cruise vacations, I have seen and experienced first-hand a level of service from the Cast Members that I have not seen anywhere else.
Here are a few real-life examples of Magical Moments in action, as related to me by fellow passengers:
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How To Save Money On A Disney Cruise
Ordinarily, a Disney cruise would fall well outside of my budget. However, with Disney Cruise Line introducing two-, three- and four-night cruises from regional UK ports in summer 2021, this may be a great opportunity for families like mine to experience a Disney cruise for a lower price.
If youre considering a Disney cruise on a budget, read on for some money-saving tips
Choose Royal Caribbean If You Love Broadway Shows
Six ships feature Broadway or London West End musicals on every sailing. You can watch “Hairspray” on Symphony of the Seas, “We Will Rock You” on Anthem of the Seas, “Cats” on Oasis of the Seas, “Mamma Mia!” on Allure of the Seas and “Grease” on Independence of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas. And if you love the theater, don’t worry; in rotation with the big production are guest acts and song-and-dance shows developed for the cruise line.
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Benefits Of A Short Disney Cruise
Disney offers an amazing cruise experience. Although other cruise lines have great children’s programming, gourmet food, tie-ups with favorite TV and movie characters and plenty of entertainment options, there’s no other line that combines all of it in quite the way Disney does, while still paying strict attention to the details and quality of service.
For your money, you’ll get spacious, family-friendly cabins with split baths and room-dividing curtains; first-run movies and Broadway-caliber stage shows; a Pirate Night, complete with fireworks; dedicated adults-only hubs; kids clubs that feature Star Wars, the Avengers, Toy Story and more; and character visits with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Chip & Dale and the Disney princesses. You pay more, but you get more, too.
Coffee Shops And Snack Shops
Whats interesting about a Disney Cruise is that the snacks and pastries youll see in the coffee shop or kiosk are all included, but the specialty coffee will cost a little extra.
Drink prices are roughly similar to Starbucks, if not a notch lower. Be sure and ask for the Cafe Fanatic card if youre a regular as your sixth drink will be free.
In addition to the included ice cream, your ship may have some shops with ice cream that costs extra. This can get confusing to kids, so I want to warn you a bit ahead of time. On the Dream youll find Vanellopes, which is stuffed with candies, gelato and ice cream all for an extra charge.
Theres a juice bar on the Dream and Fantasy, but know that it also costs extra.
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Is A Disney Cruise Worth The Extra Money
Disney Cruise Line is known for fabulous entertainment, well-themed ships, and an expensive price tag.
While Disney cruises offer family vacations similar to other mass-market cruise lines, Disney’s cruise costs tend to be significantly higher than other contemporary cruise lines. Then again, Disney Cruise Line fans will tell the Disney cruise product is a higher quality product.
If your family is considering booking a Disney cruise, here what you should consider to figure if Disney cruises are worth the extra cost.