For first-time cruisers, would you rather pay $2500 extra for Disney Magic Veranda over Carnival Breeze balcony?

A couple taking a 3.5-year-old girl on a trip. From Galveston to Cozumel or Progresso, both take five nights. For everything, Disney will cost roughly $5,000, while the carnival will cost $2,500.

Disney merchandise may be valued up to $2500 more.

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Disney when she’s more mature. For her, it will mean more.

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@Adele This is the right response.

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@Adele “Oh but they’ll have so many wonderful memories” I had more than one person tell me about taking their toddlers & infants to WDW. I tried to remind them they couldn’t remember anything from that age. One couple “fired” me after using me as their agent for over five years. Then came back from Walt and apologized. A cruise won’t be as burdensome as WDW (no “it must be two, look at the kids over Dad’s shoulder”) but unless she’s potty trained the only kids programs she can participate in you’ll pay for.

Edit: Backtrack on my comments. She’ll likely be five by then. DCL wins. But not at that price! $500/nt/person is too much. We’re paying $2300 for a balcony for a seven night on the Harmony

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Go to Disney, that is, if you can afford it. These days, the carnival is a touch rowdy due to fights and inebriated brawls.

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@Candy Although I haven’t heard of any fights on Galveston cruises, I’ve been told they’re a lot “rowdier” than 2019 cruises. Especially on the shorter 3, 4, and 5 night trips.

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Although I am aware that Disney products are better, if my child was 3.5 years old, I honestly would not pay the extra money. She won’t recall it. When she gets older and can look back on the experience, I would cruise Carnival and save for Disney. Spend a little portion of the money you’ve saved on a specialized dining experience and the Dr. Suess breakfast at Carnival.

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Depending on how important $2500 is to you.

Disney is a high-end item. The entertainment, ships, and staterooms are all better than the carnival in every aspect. Not that carnival is awful, mind you. It’s not. However, it isn’t as good as Disney.

I would travel to Disney if I had a toddler or little child. When the kids were younger, we used to do that. My kids are older now, so we typically roll with Norwegian or RC.

We took two Carnival cruises, and both times there were an excessive number of drunks and wild parties. It appears that more of that element is drawn to Carnival. Though they were a slight irritation, they did not destroy the experience.

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@Gordon Consider Royal Caribbean. We are spending $2300 for seven nights on a balcony on the Harmony of the Seas. In addition, they provide four and five night sails.

The TA in me came out. On the Mariner of the Seas (otS), for five nights. $1370 on November 29, 2025 for a balcony. Costa Maya and Cozumel. Children sail free of charge and receive BOGO60 (60% off second person).

We adore taking sail from Galveston. Although we’ve started spending the night before in a nearby hotel and receiving the 1030 check-in, it’s only an easy four hours’ journey from Austin. It also stops the automobile trouble fairy from coming.

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She won’t be able to undertake most of the activities Disney ships offer at age 3.5. Might want to hold off on visiting Disney for a few more years.

But with five nights, Carnival might attract a lot of boisterous, inebriated partygoers. It used to be 3–4, however many have noticed that there are still a lot of unruly people at 5.

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Disney cruise experience is unique for kids, making it a no-brainer for those willing to pay $2500 without strain.

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Even though many others have already responded, I’ll repeat Disney once more. Personally, I don’t think I’ll ever go on a carnival cruise again.

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@Jemmy Disney cruises are fantastic. I think your three-year-old girl would love meeting the princesses. If you can afford it, go Disney. Quality is also amazing. With the amazing servers. Also soda is included. you’ll have to pay for drinks on carnival.
Magic also has a movie theater, which is often overlooked. But how cool is it to go chill the afternoon away in a movie theater watching a newly released Disney movie.

You should do a longer cruise. Five days is just too short. By the time you get settled, it’s already time to leave. If you’re brave, do a transatlantic cruise. They are a better deal for your time and usually not as packed. Best cruise we ever had was the Florida to Spain 14 day on Magic.

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@Mboks first time I went on a cruise without a movie theater, I was super confused. My first seven had them. like, isn’t that an essential feature? :frowning:

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@Jemmy All the newer ships that I’ve been on, don’t ever prioritize movies. Certainly no theater. The new Norwegian ship didnt even play movies on the pool deck…ever. What a waste of the enormous pool screen

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@Jemmy The castle was a composite of three Scotish castles with further inspiration from The Highlander. Yeah, movies are great, but the shows are other worldly. We saw the PremEar of Brave on the Disney Fantasy, at 0001 Atlantic Standard Time. And the next two days there were speakers from some of the production crews. Did you know how hard snow was in animation “way back then”?

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It’s ridiculous to pay $2500 more for an entirely different cruise.

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Absolutely not. When my daughter was six or seven, we took her on her first cruise. She can’t recall anything about it at all. Go ahead and waste your money if you want to spend $2500 on transient memories. When she can truly remember it, I’d rather save that much and take her to Disney.

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@Meech The child may not remember this excursion, but the parents will remember it, with their child. I value the memories I have of going wonderful places with my kids when they were toddlers.