Lovetocruise2002

We're on the same cruise!!!!! It's our 25th wedding anniversary!!  Booked Grand Suite as I"m a cruise snob as my friend @Sabrinaklai says and it's our anniversary. Still very reasonable considering. Well, as time gets closer we have to chat. Looking forward to meeting you!!

Must be then ? July 27,2002. Very close.

I thought I would provide a post-cruise recap for those who are curious about experiences with both Disney (DCL) and Royal Caribbean (RCI).
We sailed on DCL three times (Fantasy 2013, Wonder 2015, Dream 2016) and our Oasis of the Seas Christmas 2017 cruise was our first on RCI. Here is a quick, high-level comparison between DCL and RCI based upon on our experiences. Of course, this is only our experience and others may vary ?
Websites -
Overall: DCL is much better
RCI's site is notorious for being glitchy; they need some work in their IT department :). That being said, I always had excellent service when I called to follow up on anything that I did online (because I didn't trust that my changes online had been captured correctly)
Embarkation process -
Overall: RCI slightly better
Both were comparable with regards to luggage drop off, parking and security. Both have online check in options which save a ton of time and effort at the port.
{Sidebar for my fellow US Citizens: Please take the advice that so many have shared here before: bite the bullet and get a passport for you and your kids. It will make your life so much easier and safer in the event you need it in a foreign location situation. It makes check in simpler as well, as you don't have to carry multiple pieces of information. Times have changed, doesn't matter what the cruise line websites say, everyone should have a passport. End sidebar}
On each trip with DCL we had some long lines and waits before we boarded. On RCI (Terminal 1, Port Canaveral) once through the quick security stop around 10:30AM, we went up the escalator, turned left and a quick right, and walked up to an empty queue with about 30 agents waiting to assist us! Because we had passports and all online check in completed, printed and signed, we had our Sea Pass cards in about 7 minutes and headed to the chairs to wait. They began calling for all the specialty boarding around 11AM (all Crown and Anchor levels, special assistance, etc.) and our boarding group (3) was called to board by 11:30. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!
Dining food variety and quality -
Overall: Slightly better with DCL
We found the food (main buffet and formal dining rooms) to be comparable for both cruise lines. On RCI we did My Time Dining and liked being able to pick different dining times depending upon our daily plans.
We had breakfast at Johnny Rockets and in the Park Cafe (both included in price of the cruise) a couple of times because it was closer to our room and quicker to get off the ship and both were ok.
Kid Feedback:
On DCL, the "free" soft serve ice cream was open from around 10am-midnight and there was always plenty. On RCI, it was only open from 11:00am - 7:00pm and many times the machines were not really frozen and/or out of order completely. They ran out of chocolate a lot! This was a BIG downer for our kids who LOVED getting a couple (ok, really more like 4+) ice creams a day, especially that last one right before midnight. Also, the kids really missed the variety of theme-ing and activities/interactions offered on DCL.
Dining food allergy concerns -
Overall: Both were exceptional
Our son has a severe tree nut allergy. Disney was great with this and a chef came out to talk to us almost every day to reassure us that his meals would be without contamination.
On Oasis OTS, our Head Waiter (Mariel) and server (Darcey) were WONDERFUL. They were extremely attentive to his allergy concerns. Each night after dinner they brought him the next day's menu where he could pick out what he would have the next evening. This way they could be sure to prepare his meal in the nut free area to ensure no cross contamination. If you are a food allergy parent, you know how wonderful it is to have food service take this issue seriously and alleviate some major worries. Plus, our son thought he was quite special with all the extra attention
Staterooms -
Overall: About the same experience
On Disney, we had a single, ocean view cabin for the 4 of us. On Oasis we had 2 adjoining inside cabins...and it was STILL cheaper than DCL (we'll get to cost later). Cabin layout, cleanliness, etc. are comparable between the two cruise lines.
Stateroom attendants on both were exceptional and they really do make you feel so pampered and relaxed on a cruise vacation. Janice on Oasis was a doll and made sure we had everything we needed, any time of day. Our son spent the last full sea day of our cruise in his bed with a fever (poor thing!) and she continually asked if he needed anything.
The only thing we really missed from DCL stateroom-wise was hearing Disney songs playing in all the corridors!
Entertainment -
Overall: About the same experience
We thought the quality of the shows (headliners, stage productions, comedians) were better on Disney.
But then again, Disney did not have the Oasis of Dreams water/diving show or the Frozen in Time ice skating, both of which were spectacular!
Come Fly With Me in the Opal Theater was a neat production as well, but we missed a lot of it because of where we were seated and due to the big fight – I mean screaming fight - that broke out among several guests seated behind us. After about 10 minutes, my husband got up and asked someone to call security. That was not something we experienced on a Disney ship. Not saying is doesn’t happen but we had not seen that before.
Also, we don’t gamble or smoke, so the one short-cut trip we made through the Casino was a mistake – the smell was pretty awful.
We missed the movie theater on DCL ships as well – it was fun to watch first run Disney movies while at sea.
Pools/Hot Tubs –
Overall: RCI was better
DCLs adult only lounging area was much smaller, even on their “mega ships” like Fantasy and Dream. On RCI we LOVED the Solarium area. I never had trouble finding a chair or lounger somewhere, despite being one of over 6,000 passengers. There was always room in a pool or hot tub, somewhere on deck 15. Lots of lifeguards around.
“Nightlife”
Overall – RCI was slightly better
The sheer variety of venues, from the Champaign bar, to the jazz club, to Vintages wine bar – so much to choose from and all had their own vibe. We had fun dancing on the Royal Promenade during the 70s and 80s dance parties. They venues were more spread out on RCI than what you have on DCL, but it helped you get your steps in for the day!
Cruise Line App-
Overall: DCL’s is better, but the new RCI one is getting closer
The newest RCI App is getting better with every revision. However, we found it was not kept up to date so the kids were disappointed when they missed something because they looked it up on the app and the information was wrong. The details on the Cruise Compasses were correct, but they didn’t carry that in their pockets like they did their phones.
The biggest issue was that we didn’t pay for wireless for the kids so it was hard to keep with them and/or our friends who were also on the ship.
On DCL, anyone can text anyone on the ship if they have the app on their phones – at no charge. So on DCL we could catch up easily, plan to meet, etc. On RCI, we constantly wondered where the kids and our friends were and missed out on doing things together because we didn’t know where everyone was. I do not like the idea of walkies, so next time, if they have not added the free texting feature in the RCI app, we will budget Voom for everyone so we can communicate better.  DCL also has wave phones to communicate and RCI did not have that as an option.
Disembarkation –
Overall: Both equally awesome
Walked off the ship, luggage found and loaded with porter and through customs - total time = 10 minutes at the most, no exaggeration. It’s a well-oiled machine on both cruise lines, mostly because it has to be.
Price/Value
Overall: RCI is the clear winner
A DCL cruise for the same type of cabin, the same number of days and the same ports is more than DOUBLE the cost of RCI.
Whew. That was a lot. Happy to answer any questions or provide feedback on areas I have not already.
We are very much looking forward to our next cruise on RCI (no kids this time!) in Sept 2018 - Anthem of the Seas New England/Nova Scotia to celebrate our 25th anniversary!

It must be the teaching thing, we had to get married in the summer! LOL July 23rd, 1994 

Hi @Dawn T.! Welcome! And you are not the only...I am only on social media here, Shipmate, and Cruise Critic (notice the trend lol).  And I lurked for a while (like years) before joining too! 

My husband and I sailed on the Hurricane Irma shortened Oasis of the Seas in September.  Cruise should have been 7 nights, but was changed to 4 nights.  We both received 7 C&A points for the trip.  

Don't know. We never fill up in the states lol.  It's Costco always for us.

For any Canadian CC if prompted for your ZIP code, just enter the three digits of your postal code following by two zeros. So for example, if your postal code is A1B 2C3, the zip code is 12300

Forget the lottery, I can't even win anything from Starbucks for Life right now.  

I take a slow release Vitamin C everyday and 2 elderberry capsules. And I work in a germ factory (aka school). It works! 

Hi @SaltyNavyCruiser15 ! Welcome to the boards!  What I found initially helpful the first few cruises is just to read lots. The questions will come as you read and then the people here are great at answering them.  Royal is way better than Carnival (although some will disagree with me ?) and IMO it is way better value than Disney (I've done 3 of those in the last few years).  The size of Serenade is comparable to the Disney ships but your money will go a whole lot further on Royal.  Have fun reading.  The links that @twangster posted are great.  And feel free to ask away!

WJ is the place to be for desserts.

You know you're addicted to cruising and have problems when...
You have had multiple conversations with your children (who are only 9, 11) that the long range plans in life are for them to get a great paying job and move south to Florida so that you can follow them and retire there. Then you will not have to endure anymore Canadian winters and can cruise all you want because the kids have great paying jobs.  And you tell them further that since you have served them all these years, they can save and put me on Star class   And they actually know what star class means!
And you know you have problems when....
Older daughter responds back with, "But Florida isn't that safe because of hurricanes."  And your response is, "It's ok.  Just think of all the cruises we could do."

@KathyC a similar thing appended to me this weekend with the cruise planner sale. The Kennedy Space Center tour went down more from Black Friday and I used my OBC to purchase. I refunded, credit came back then I repurchased. No problems at all.

I can deal with a Carnival girl unless after a few cruises she still insisted on Carnival, that would be a deal breaker.
A Gold Royal girl?  What's her number? 

True story:
When you end an otherwise okay 1st date because she makes a negative comment about cruising in general

1. I will get my "140" glass block on Freedom this year.
2. I booked the 9 day Group cruise next year so I could get the extra 4 points I needed to get Diamond+ before a 40th anniversary cruise I will be taking in 2020 to the South Pacific
3. I booked a Star class room just so I could experience it.
4. I have read and understood everything, everyone has written in the last 2 pages. (Some of you guys really need to see a counselor! JLMoran?)

You know you're addicted to cruising and have problems when...
You have had multiple conversations with your children (who are only 9, 11) that the long range plans in life are for them to get a great paying job and move south to Florida so that you can follow them and retire there. Then you will not have to endure anymore Canadian winters and can cruise all you want because the kids have great paying jobs.  And you tell them further that since you have served them all these years, they can save and put me on Star class   And they actually know what star class means!
And you know you have problems when....
Older daughter responds back with, "But Florida isn't that safe because of hurricanes."  And your response is, "It's ok.  Just think of all the cruises we could do."

Alternate solution
Look at the BOE meeting agendas posted online for the public See when they actually approved it, just a couple of weeks ago Call the BOE office number Very politely tell the person there that you noticed they had their meeting to approve the calendar, but it wasn't yet up on their web site, and was there anything they could share publicly yet about the holiday schedule Get the final draft of the calendar, marked "Approved", from the nice lady on the other end of the line, and note down the dates Spend the next hour finding all sailings that work with that date range that fit wifey's ask for a possible next cruise  Plan to discuss with wifey later tonight after getting daughter home from choir practice Mentally brace yourself for the possibility she'll say she'd actually rather do a land vacation since it's her choice and her belated 50th birthday trip, and be prepared to honor that while internally wailing, gnashing teeth, and rending ones garments

Or, change your wife's birthday so it coincides with the school calendar. 

You know you're addicted to cruising and have problems when...
You have had multiple conversations with your children (who are only 9, 11) that the long range plans in life are for them to get a great paying job and move south to Florida so that you can follow them and retire there. Then you will not have to endure anymore Canadian winters and can cruise all you want because the kids have great paying jobs.  And you tell them further that since you have served them all these years, they can save and put me on Star class   And they actually know what star class means!
And you know you have problems when....
Older daughter responds back with, "But Florida isn't that safe because of hurricanes."  And your response is, "It's ok.  Just think of all the cruises we could do."

You know you're addicted to cruising and have problems when...
You have had multiple conversations with your children (who are only 9, 11) that the long range plans in life are for them to get a great paying job and move south to Florida so that you can follow them and retire there. Then you will not have to endure anymore Canadian winters and can cruise all you want because the kids have great paying jobs.  And you tell them further that since you have served them all these years, they can save and put me on Star class   And they actually know what star class means!
And you know you have problems when....
Older daughter responds back with, "But Florida isn't that safe because of hurricanes."  And your response is, "It's ok.  Just think of all the cruises we could do."

You know you're addicted to cruising and have problems when...
You have had multiple conversations with your children (who are only 9, 11) that the long range plans in life are for them to get a great paying job and move south to Florida so that you can follow them and retire there. Then you will not have to endure anymore Canadian winters and can cruise all you want because the kids have great paying jobs.  And you tell them further that since you have served them all these years, they can save and put me on Star class   And they actually know what star class means!
And you know you have problems when....
Older daughter responds back with, "But Florida isn't that safe because of hurricanes."  And your response is, "It's ok.  Just think of all the cruises we could do."

This one belongs in the "you know you're addicted when"...
...you consider moving to a certain location just because it's closer to a cruise port....

i may be in a position this coming summer to consider a cross country relocation.  The thought of enduring Florida summers doesn't appeal to me but proximity to multiple cruise ports sure does.  I've lived near the coast in the Carolinas so I don't fear hurricanes (but I do respect them). 
Living close to many cruise ports may be hazardous to my bank account.