DCL v RCL Cruises

Which Cruise to Choose?

DISNEY CRUISE LINES VS. ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES

Did you know that I’ve been on over 100 cruises? That’s right, before starting my own travel agency (first Ears of Experience, now the Curated Travel Collection), I was the Director of Operations for a large cruise-only travel company. 

Moral of the story: I absolutely adore cruising. In fact, I truly believe everyone should see as much as they can from the water, whether it’s a river, a canal, a lake, or the ocean. 

(If you’re ready to live out your cruise dream, reach out here and we’ll get you booked on the perfect one for you.)

Today I’m comparing two of our favorite lines to help you choose the right one for your next cruise adventure: Disney Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruises. I’ve been on both dozens of times – here’s how they line up: 

DISNEY CRUISE LINE: WHERE MAGIC MEETS THE OCEAN

Exceptional Entertainment for the whole family: There is truly something for everyone in what feels like The Magic Kingdom at sea! DCL offers Broadway shows, new movie releases in their theater, character meet and greets and fun themed nights like Pirate Night and fireworks. 

DCL also offers teen spa treatments and their adult pool area offers both covered and uncovered areas, which makes for much cooler and sunnier spots in the kid-free zone.

For families seeking an enchanting and immersive experience only Disney can offer, DCL is perfect. Here are some highlights that make it a top choice for many:

Superior Dining and Drinks: DCL includes all sodas in the base fare and offers a larger variety of dining options on the Lido deck (wraps, burgers, salads, pizzas, hot dogs). Their Italian Specialty dining is better than RCL’s Giovanni’s Restaurant chain. They also offer Rotational Dining, where you go to different restaurants, but your servers go with you.

DCL also has an overall better wine and liquor selection throughout their ships, and Meridian Bar and The Rose Bar are our favorite bars between the two lines. They have the best martinis, great wine, and incredible views with indoor and outdoor seating on all but the newest ship.

Luxurious Amenities: With the feel of a classic ocean liner, the staterooms are larger than you’ll find on other ships, and most have a split bathroom for privacy. You also don’t have to check pool towels in and out, a convenience that saves lots of time and hassles as you enjoy all of the swimming options on board.

Tech-Savvy Convenience: The Disney app allows for seamless communication with guest services, reducing the need for in-person visits and waiting in lines. They also just added facial recognition (a service RCL has had for some time), which helps reduce wait times.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES: WHERE ADVENTURE AWAITS

Craving excitement and a huge variety of activities to keep everyone entertained? Royal Caribbean Cruises might be your perfect match, especially if you’re traveling with older children or just other adults. Here’s why:

Foodie Haven: While DCL shines in Italian specialties, RCL offers a wider variety of specialty dining venues (on most of their ships). The Windjammer buffet is open for dinner and has a great international section; we love all the Indian options!

Adventurous Escapes: Royal Caribbean’s private island, “Perfect Day at Coco Cay”, is packed full of things to do, whether you want to sit and chill or take on some adventure. It’s far better than DCL’s Castaway Cay when it comes to variety: you’ll find waterslides, pools, a private beach club, a new adults-only area and more. 

Kid-Friendly Thrills: With a WOW factor designed to appeal to kids ages eight to seventeen, Royal Caribbean keeps younger guests entertained with larger splash pads and water parks, along with lots of other exciting games and activities.

Adult-Oriented Activities & Entertainment: RCL’s ships have a different vibe that trends toward older kids and adults who want the ability to party a little (or a lot!). The entertainment is much more varied with live music, comedy shows, Silent Disco, Aqua shows, Playmakers, and a casino. You’ll also find bigger and more well-equipped gyms, even on the smaller ships, as well as an adults-only pool area.

Advanced Tech: Facial recognition monitors streamline disembarkation and customs processes, since you don’t have to wait in line for customs agents (RCL has had this in place for some time, DCL just added it in the last week or so). Their internet is also far faster than on DCL.

Discounts and Packages: RCL makes it easy to choose what you want to include well ahead of boarding, helping with upgrades and convenience during your trip. Discounts on add-ons like drink packages, specialty dining packages, internet, and excursions are all available if booked ahead of boarding. 

Ready to choose? If you want a magical experience tailored to families with young children and a touch of Disney enchantment, Disney Cruise Line may be your dream come true. If you seek adventure, diverse entertainment options, and an atmosphere well-suited for adults and families with kids ages nine and up, Royal Caribbean Cruises could be your ticket to an unforgettable voyage. 

Whichever you choose, you’ll be setting sail on an extraordinary journey filled with memories to last a lifetime.

Ready to board? We’re booking cruises year-round, but summer sailings are filling up fast, so reach out here to book today.

Relax, we’ll take care of everything,

Amy Westerman
President
The Curated Travel Collection

Amazing Disneyland® Fun!!!

My husband and I just spent a few days in Disneyland® and had an amazaing time! The Disney100 Celebration® was amazing! We saw the Fireworks, World of Color®, ate fantastic food and just enjoyed oursselves. We rode the new ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway® (so cool), walked through the reimagined ToonTown® and reveled in our favorite attrations - Jungle Cruise® and the Backside of Water®! Now is a fantastice time to head to the Disneyland® Resort!

Key Features of the DLR® App

Before traveling to Disneyland, the Disneyland® App is a must! You can find it on all app stores by looking for this symbol.

This app will make your vacation even more magical. Below I have highlighted some of my favorite features.

1. Make Theme Park Reservations

To ensure capacity is kept to a percentage and allowing people to plan, Disney® came out with the Theme Park Reservation System. This allows guests to choose from (at the time of this post), one park per day for each guest who has a ticket. This can be done through the app, but it takes you off the app to a browser to complete.

2. Buy Park Tickets

Don’t have tickets yet? No problem, you can buy them through the app.

3. Dining Reservations

Sixty days from your check-in date, you can reserve sit down table reservations.

4. Play Disney Parks®

Enjoy some fun while in line with Play Disney Parks®.

5. Get Directions

Want to know how far it is walking to a certain location? This is a super handy feature if you are not familiar with the area. Want to grab a drink at the Grand Californian® before dinner at the Blue Bayou but unsure how far of a walk it is? Bingo!

6. Recreation, Shopping, Spa, Tours, and Entertainment info on the Resort

Here you will find the complete rundown on the happenings around your report. It even gives you the option to call for appointments for things like spa appointments and tours.

7. “My Plans”

Can’t remember where you are having dinner tomorrow night, or you want to make sure everyone has a park pass reservations? It is all here in this section.

8. Mobile Order

This feature was one of my favorites added even before Covid. Want a Dole Whip, but the lines are long? Order online and let them know when you arrive. A freshly made one will be up shortly. They are using this feature now for all quick-service dining. You are not able to enter a quick-service dining area without a mobile order ready for pick up. I find it much less chaotic than the old way of standing in a queue with the whole family waiting to order.

9. Virtual Queue

This is currently the way you get a boarding pass for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway® and Indiana Jones. It can be glitchy but a great feature to avoid the mad dashes for hot attractions. If they get this one down better, I hope to see it at other attractions.

10. Wait times notifications

I use this even while sitting in the office to get a gauge in flow and when the lines are trending shortest. It does depend on the park and attraction but such a useful tool!

11. Chat with Us

If you need to find a phone number or ask a question another new addition to app is to chat with a Cast Member®. Saves time trying to find answers and I cannot love this feature enough.

12. See your PhotoPass® photos

One of the best features of the PhotoPass® is attraction pictures. Regardless, PhotoPass® is fantastic because you get pictures of everyone and they are professionally shot. There are typically a few surprise additions to your photos when they pop up, which makes things super fun.

It is incredible how far this app has come in a relatively short period of time. I hear new features will be coming. I look forward to seeing how they make our vacations even more magical.

Celebrating Pet-Friendly Travel

Road trip season may last well into fall this year, so if you are looking to hit the road with the whole family – pets included! – I’ve gathered tips, guidance, and some pet-friendly hotels to make you into a well-heeled pet-friendly travel advisor.

Before booking that pet-friendly trip, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends travelers make sure their pet:

• Is comfortable and physically able to travel

• Has up-to-date ID tags and microchip

• Has a portable kennel to stay in if you need to leave them in the accommodations unattended?

Pet Travel Checklist

Packing for a pet is a bit different than packing for yourself! Here are a few items the AVMA wants to make sure are on every pet’s packing list.

• The basics like a collar, leash, portable kennel/crate, bed, blankets, toys, food and water bowls and any medications they’re taking

• Your vet’s contact info and a list of vets and emergency vet hospitals along your route and near your destination

• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) and acclimation certificate, if needed by the state you’re visiting

• Up-to-date ID info, plus a recent photo of your pet and Up-to-date medical records

• First-aid kit for your pet

Pet Friendly Hotels

Universal™ Resort Hotels

• Hard Rock Hotel at Universal™ Orlando

• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal™ Orlando

• Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal™ Orlando

• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal™ Orlando

Walt Disney World® Resort

As of 2017, four Walt Disney World® Resort properties are welcoming guests and their dogs, with a maximum of two dogs per room. Each pet-friendly guestroom at these four locations has easy access to pet walkways. At check-in, guests with dogs will also receive "Pluto's Welcome Mat," which includes a mat, bowls, a pet ID tag, disposable bags, puppy pads and dog-walking maps, as well as a special "Do Not Disturb" tag indicating a dog is inside.

Disney's® new pet-friendly resorts and their fees per guestroom:

• Disney's Art of Animation Resort®:  $50 per night

• Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort®: $50 per night

• Disney's Yacht Club Resort®: $75 per night

• Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground®: $50 per night

Additionally, the Four Seasons® Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® continues to welcome pets. Extras include a "Pampered Pets" room-service menu. Plus, pets 17 pounds and under incur no additional fees.

Anaheim Area Pet Friendly Hotels

• Anaheim Hotel

• Anaheim Majestic

• Hyatt Regency Orange County

• Sheraton Park Hotel® at the Anaheim Resort

• Staybridge Suites Anaheim At The Park

10 Essential Things to Pack....

1. Sunscreen

It does not matter what time of year people are traveling, sunscreen is essential for any trip.  Even during the winter months, the sun can be extreme in Florida or in the mountains and protecting themselves with sunscreen is critical.

2. Portable Fans

Another great way to combat the heat is by having portable fans.  These small fans can bring great relief while waiting in lines or for a bus.  There are a variety of different ones that guests can find from Disney® themed to USB chargeable ones.  It is amazing what a small breeze can do in the heat of the day.

3. Portable Cell Phone Chargers

Now more than ever phones are an important part of any vacation.  While at Disney, The My Disney Experience® and Disneyland® apps allow Disney® guests to interact and do more than ever before from their phones.  From mobile ordering to opening resort doors, these apps are key to a magical vacation.  These apps also drain phone batteries quickly.  This is why it is so important to bring portable charger(s) into the park each day; no one wants to get caught at 0% when that special photo is ready to be taken.

4. Good Shoes

Walking is a key part to a Disney® vacation.  From navigating the four parks to the resorts, guests are sure to put in a few magical miles every day of their vacation.  Because of this, it is important to have good, comfortable walking shoes.  Make sure to break them in before heading to Disney®.

5. Snacks

Mickey® pretzels, ice cream bars, popcorn and much more can be found throughout Disney® Theme Parks.  I suggest bringing a few snacks to have with you during the day. “Hangry Pains” seem to hit while you are waiting in line so having a quick granola bar, fruit pack or a bag of goldfish can save the day.

6. Wipes

Wipes are a great item to have on hand.  From cleaning ice cream covered faces to wiping off tables wipes always come in handy. these are important to have in your park bag.

7. Hand Sanitizer

Everyone knows that little kids, and big kids, tend to touch everything.  Having hand sanitizer along for the trip is so important.  Small hand sanitizers make it easy to quickly clean hands after rides, before eating or after kids have touched everything in line.  

8. Reusable Water Bottle

Free water is available at all of Disney®’s theme parks, but it is nice to have your own water bottle to put it into and carry around.  Consider investing in a water bottle that will help keep water cool or a fun Disney® themed one that the kids will want to use.  During the summer heat, drinking water is so important and having a water bottle with you will help keep you hydrated.

9. Ziploc Bags

Ziploc Bags are a great item to have on any vacation.  From small Ziploc Bags to put phones in during rides or rain storms to larger Ziploc Bags for dirty clothes or masks. Ziploc Bags can very be helpful during a vacation.  I recommend packing your “Park Items” in Ziploc Bags to glide through the security checkpoints. A small paper bag comes in handy when you sit down for meal so you do not have to put your mask on the table.

10. Weather Items

Make sure to pack items for “The Weather” conditions.  Yes, weather happens...  Grab some rain ponchos and umbrellas for rainy summer and fall seasons.  When winter hits, make sure you have gloves, hats, and coats.  If traveling during the summer months, consider purchasing a cooling towel to help keep everyone cooled off during the heat of the day.  Having these items can help keep the magic flowing.

Let’s Travel Soon!

As of this week, we are finally able to book both 2020 AND 2021 vacations at Walt Disney® World Resort! I know that things look a little different right now, so today I am sharing some of my best tips for making the most of your next visit.

Tip #1: Pick the Right Time for Your Family

The first step right now is to decide when you feel comfortable planning a trip. Maybe you are excited to get away for a long weekend to check out the new Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival® this fall. Or perhaps you would like to wait things out and plan a relaxing trip late in Spring 2021. I can now plan trips through September 26, 2021, so we have lots of flexibility to find the time that is best for your family.

Tip #2: Know the Important Policies

There are a few key policies to keep in mind when you are booking a Walt Disney World® vacation:

• Deposits and packages are 100% refundable up to 30 days before travel.

• Packages can be modified (i.e. we can change the dates) up to 30 days before travel with no penalties. This means that if plans change, or you simply want to push your trip out a little further, it is not a problem.

Tip #3: Learn What to Know Before You Go

• You will need a reservation with the Disney® Park Pass System before entering any Disney® Park.

• New health & safety procedures have been introduced, such as temperature screenings, a mask requirement, physical distancing around the parks, and enhanced cleaning procedures.

• Some entertainment options are currently unavailable.

Tip #4: Pack a Personal Park Safety Kit

We all want to go out and have some fun, but of course we want to do so safely. Here are some recommendations for a Park Kit:

• 2 Masks (per person)

• Hand Sanitizer

• Disinfecting Wipes

• Sunscreen

• Hat/Visor/Sunglasses

• SPF Lip Balm

• Cooling Towel

• Resealable Bags (including large ones to assist with bag check)

It is just a few extra things to pack, but taking a little extra precaution can help keep everyone healthy.

Tip #5: Take Advantage of the New Opportunities

There is a lot of talk about what we can't do right now, but not nearly enough about what we can do. Let’s talk about some of the great things going on right now:

• Reduced capacity at the parks means shorter lines and more room to spread out. (I even saw Avatar Flight of Passage with a 5-minute wait yesterday morning!)

• Disney® is getting creative with their character appearances, including Gaston riding down Main Street on his steed and princesses popping up at the train station.

• Restaurants are open, and some are even offering character dining or great spots by the waterfront.

• EPCOT® debuts a new take on its festivals next week, with a blend of some of the best parts of Flower & Garden and Food & Wine.

• Resorts are open, offering relaxing lounges by the pools and easy transportation to the parks.

How The Disney® Company Got Oswald The Rabbit Back…

Last year I was lucky enough to stay at Disney’s Pop Century at Disney World. I had a great conversation with Front Desk Cast Member, Hal of Freehold, NJ (by way of Mountain View, CA) who filled me in.

Before Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney created his first character, Oswald the Rabbit while under contact to Universal Studios in 1927. A year later, Walt left and formed his own company. He had to leave Oswald behind and went on to create Mickey Mouse.

Fast forward to 2005 when Disney® owned the ABC and ESPN network. John Madden and Al Michaels were the hosts of ESPN’s Monday Night Football on ABC. ESPN was making some changes and moving the broadcast to ESPN. NBC (which is owned by Universal Studios) began airing a night football called Sunday Night Football and John Madden moved there as the host. Al Michaels wanted to join John Madden at NBC. Disney® would graciously allow Al Michaels out of his contact but all they wanted in return was Universal Studios to turn over Oswald the Rabbit. Thus, Oswald the Rabbit became a Disney® Character again.

°o°

Mobile Ordering at Disney® Parks

I don’t know about you but that stress of waiting in line and ordering at the cashier is NOT MY JAM! You better know EXACTLY what your giant party ALL want to eat, including drink, sides, and extras when you step up to the plate. Did Betty want BBQ sauce with her nuggs or ranch? Wait, did Grandma want fries or to sub in onion rings?!? Didn’t someone want a slush instead of a Coke?!? AHH! Learn from me — just do it calmly with Mobile Order

So What IS Mobile Order?

For those uninitiated into the Wonderful World of Mobile Order, this part of My Disney Experience® and the Disneyland® App is your way to essentially skip lines while ordering food from a variety of quick, fast-food style locations in the parks.

You can view menus and order from any spot that accepts Mobile Order. You’ll pay online with the card tied to your account or with Disney Dining Plan® credits, then simply alert them in the app once you’re there and they’ll start preparing your food.

You get in a separate (often MUCH shorter) line to grab your food and GO! While everyone else is sweating in the heat waiting in never-ending lines to order, you’ll walk right up and get your food like a BOSS!

Secrets and Tips To Achieve Pro Status!

Secret Menu Items

Mobile Ordering is also a great way to find out about top-secret menu items! 

Look at Menus Ahead of Time

We used to find ourselves ducking and diving through crowds of people craning to see the tiny print on some of the menu boards OR trying to wrangle our squirmy families while we glance through a menu — only to find out there’s nothing the kids will eat. That is NOT how you want to spend your precious Disney® time...trust me.

For instance, say it’s lunchtime, and your kids are HANGRY…but you’re stuck in the middle of the line for Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom®. WHAT TO DO?! Peruse the menu for Flame Tree Barbecue or Restaurantosaurus in the comfort of that air-conditioned queue so you KNOW if your fam will ALL enjoy the food there. You can even place your order before boarding and be chowing within minutes of saving that Iguanodon!

Find Allergy-Friendly Options

If you or someone in your crew has specific dietary restrictions, Mobile Ordering can be super helpful! Many restaurants have an entire “allergy-friendly” section to help you narrow down your choices.

It’s NOT Just For Meals!

Mobile Ordering ain’t just for meals, folks! Want a Dole Whip, don’t want to wait in that line? Mobile Order! You can even get that decadent Dole Whip Pineapple Upside Down Cake!

You can order from a nice shady bench while your family rides the teacups if you want! And not to worry, once you place your order, you’ll receive a window of time you can make your way to the restaurant before you let them know “I’m here!” Take advantage of how the app lets you go at your own pace and eliminate that extra stress that often comes with the formal line and ordering system.

Signs you are a Disney® Addict…

Symptoms Are:

1. Seeing Hidden Mickey’s everywhere....

2. Your Bucket List includes a FASTPASS to Rise of the Resistance....

3. Checking attractions wait times for fun from home

4. Having favorite bathrooms in each Park....

5. You have a “Go-To” Route through the Parks....

6. Wanting to talk Disney to anyone who will listen....

7. When some someone says “You’re Welcome”, you want to sing it back....

8. When someone says “Let’s get down to business “ you want to respond “And defeat the Huns”....

9. You can’t speak Spanish but you can tell everyone to stand clear of the doors....

   Are you addicted to Disney®?

Reasons to use a Travel Agent!

1. I specialize in Disney® Travel!

2. I can help prevent “Rookie Mistakes”.

3. The amount of research needed for a fantastic vacation is time consuming and I can relieve you of that stress.

4. You pay me nothing! Disney® pays my commission.

5. I will provide excellent service including pricing, resorts and Theme Park Packages.

6. Once you book with me, I become the point of contact for all-things vacation related.