Is Disney worth the extra money?

How does it differ from other lines.

I am very much a fan or NCL. My first choice is always them, However, next year we are booked already onto NCL but are seriously considering taking my daughter onto a Disney cruise. I have priced it a few times but always found them considerably more exspensive.

Coming from the UK it is quite an outlay for us to fly over, stay and cruise, So my question is, Is it worth the money, how is it different?

If i'm coming across as dumb I apologise, :), Just looking to see the differences between lines.

My little girl will be 6 when we would cruise. and we would look at a Caribbean itinerary

Thanks for any help you can give me..

How does it differ from other lines.

 

I am very much a fan or NCL. My first choice is always them, However, next year we are booked already onto NCL but are seriously considering taking my daughter onto a Disney cruise. I have priced it a few times but always found them considerably more exspensive.

 

Coming from the UK it is quite an outlay for us to fly over, stay and cruise, So my question is, Is it worth the money, how is it different?

 

If i'm coming across as dumb I apologise, :), Just looking to see the differences between lines.

 

My little girl will be 6 when we would cruise. and we would look at a Caribbean itinerary

 

Thanks for any help you can give me..

A few threads that may be of interest:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2085055

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=873742

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=590313

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1593642

The Disney Magic will be cruising out of Dover this summer. They are quite costly cruises, but by the time you factor in the airfare, they might be reasonable for you. There are some June dates out of Copenhagen that are still available at a "discount" which is still too rich for my blood!

Also, there is a trans-Atlantic crossing in September. It is currently sold out, but cabins may open up as the penalty date approaches. Penalty date is in late May. That might be something you'd consider.

And the new dates are supposed to be released next week--booking right after the release date is generally the least costly time because DCL raises the prices as the ship fills.

However, next year we are booked already onto NCL but are seriously considering taking my daughter onto a Disney cruise. I have priced it a few times but always found them considerably more exspensive.

How does it differ from other lines.

This is my interpretation:

All major mass market lines: they are cruise companies that offer a variety of entertainments or activities onboard.

DCL: an entertainment company that is selling their core product (the Disney "Magic") on a cruise ship.

I think the only person to decide if it is "worth" the extra money is you. I think it is, but that is me.

It is different than other cruise lines because it is more family focused, entertainment tends to be better and cleaner (no cursing). Character meets.

Service has been better in my experience.

Not sure that it is any different than other lines aside from what was said earlier, "Disney Magic".

It really depends on the person and family. Many people here will say that it is worth the magic, and that if it wasn't the ships wouldn't fill at such high rates.

For me, the answer is that it was not worth it. We had a fantastic cruise on Disney Fantasy in October 2014. It was a great time and we have some very special memories. We loved many of the unique features that Disney has like the Acquaduck waterslide and the family events. Remy was incredible. Maybe the bext meal I've had in my life! But overall, I didn't think it was worth the cost.

When I go to Disneyland I feel that it is a magical place. It is much better than other theme parks we visit. I know that a trip to Disnleyland is expensive but I've always felt it was a special experience and worth the money. The Disney fantasy was nicer than the Carnival and RCL ships we went on, but not magical to us and not worth the 2 or 3 time higher price (in my estimation.)

If you are a NCL fan the biggest glaring difference will probably be the dining. As far as the main dining rooms, you can't eat when you want and you can't sit with who you want (unless you have that sorted before you go). In our case, we were newbies and sat with seasoned Disney people who were nice but a bit standoffish with our lack of Disney enthusiasm. It made dinner a smidge uncomfortable... but it was only two meals (it was a three night and we ate at Palo one night) so it wasn't too bad. I'm hoping for either friends of ours to go with us on the next cruise, or for us to luck out with new dining companions.

We have cruised other lines, and have not found DCL to be anywhere near 2-3 times higher than those cruises.

On one other line, we did find the "base" price listed on line to be about 1/2 of DCL's starting price. However, despite the same ports, the other line added taxes that were hundreds of dollars more than DCL's "taxes and government fees." Then we added the soda package for my daughter--another $50+. Overall, we paid about 25% less on the other line and got a cabin that was significantly smaller than the smallest cabin on the Wonder (the other ship doing that same cruise). Absolutely, there were things that were better about Celebrity, but there are things that are better about DCL. Per my family, DCL wins.

If another line were double the price (counting all reasonable costs--fare, taxes and fees, soda, "necessary" dinner upgrades), I'd probably at least try the less costly line. But while DCL is often a little more, I haven't seen it 100%-200% more. Note--is a ship advertises 18 restaurants but only 5 are included without an upcharge (per their literature), you are getting into the range of "necessary" upcharges in my estimation.

Again, "worth it" is a totally personal matter. I try to think about what I'd do with the money if I didn't spend it on the price difference I'm considering.

It's frankly something only you can judge. And it's hard to do without trying it out.

We have cruised other lines, and have not found DCL to be anywhere near 2-3 times higher than those cruises.

Never mind - I just saw the poster who said that. I agree it is not that much higher. But it is still (IMO) significantly more expensive.

Prices are significantly different depending on the time of year you travel.

I honestly think it is only something YOU can put a value and worth on.

To me at low season rate it is worth it, at high season rate it is too rich for my kind of money.

Unfortunately without you actually cruising on DCL you will not know if it is value for money, nice to try once on a splurge or way overpriced in your opinion.

The way I would approach it from your situation is you only live once, try it and see if it is a fit and the Disney touches are worth it to you for the times and prices you can vacation/holiday.

Many many thousands of Guests think it is worth it and cruise again. And I read the other day about a couple that celebrated their 100th cruise on a Carnival ship, the same ship for 100 cruises. To them it was worth the money just cruising that one ship over and over and not trying different ships in the Carnival fleet or other lines. To me that would be crazy and I would be bored silly, but to them they got value out of it in their own way, it makes them happy, and each to their own! :)

What I'm trying to say is your value on something and experience of that product may be completely different to mine so only you can make that decision based upon your experience of it.

Try it! I don't think you would regret it either way.

You may decide it was worth the experience but not for you again, or you may fall in love with it and get hooked!

HTH's!

ex techie

To me at low season rate it is worth it, at high season rate it is too rich for my kind of money.

Me too.

I think Disney is doing a pretty good job in creating an image of a premium brand (referring to the global Disney brand for their park, resort, entertainment, and everything goes along it) and be able to charge a premium price for their cruise, which doesn't really belong to the premium segment of the industry. And I am not complaining when the perception of "DCL is too expensive!" is developed so deeply in cost-conscious people's mind. 85% of the time it is a true statement. For the remaining 15%, people who are willing to do their homework or read these threads can have a better chance to find those DCL cruises that aren't that expensive.

I totally agree they aim to project the perception of being a premium luxury line.

And if people do their research as to what dates or cruises sell the best or are less popular due to school breaks you can get a great cruise at a great price on DCL.

A TA would be a great cruise for the OP with only one way fares as moki's mommy pointed out and with the 2016 cruises the OP is looking at could be a steal!

As the OP is from the UK and having a different schooling system and vacation dates to most US states they "should" be able to book a cruise at some time in 2016 that is low season for DCL hopefully!

ex techie

A TA would be a great cruise for the OP with only one way fares as moki's mommy pointed out and with the 2016 cruises the OP is looking at could be a steal!

 

For people who are only looking at today's price for Transatlantic and didn't know what the initial price was ...

Disney Magic 5/15/2015 15-night eastbound transatlantic from Port Canaveral - New York - Newfoundland - Iceland - Oslo - Copenhagen. IMO this is a very good itinerary in DCL's term with a good combination of sea and port days. Initial lowest inside was $1,320 pp. They were all gone on the first day. The next lowest inside was initially offered at $1,500 pp, then jumped to $1,950, then to $2,925 before being all sold out. The current lowest price of all categories is $3,000 pp.

Our kids are Disney nuts. They live near Orlando and have an annual pass. They go to the park at least once a week. They like to cruise and have done Disney ONE time. They loved the cruise BUT said they can get a suite on another ship for the price of an inside on Disney.

Our kids are Disney nuts. They live near Orlando and have an annual pass. They go to the park at least once a week. They like to cruise and have done Disney ONE time. They loved the cruise BUT said they can get a suite on another ship for the price of an inside on Disney.

Good for them. We aren't Disney nuts. We live in Canada and have never been to WDW nor Disneyland and don't have plan to visit there in the near future. We have cruised Disney TWO times and are going to our third one later this year. We are happy with Inside or Balcony, whichever provides better value.

Our kids are Disney nuts. They live near Orlando and have an annual pass. They go to the park at least once a week. They like to cruise and have done Disney ONE time. They loved the cruise BUT said they can get a suite on another ship for the price of an inside on Disney.

I don't know, usually by the time I get to the checkout page on anything but lower-end Carnival ships, those "suites" are either far more expensive than an inside on Disney OR they are "suites" in name only and are actually less square footage than a normal DCL stateroom. (It took me a while to realize that a suite doesn't always mean the same thing on cruise ships.)

For people who are only looking at today's price for Transatlantic and didn't know what the initial price was ...

If you chose to compare prices that were available before you decided to book, with DCL you will only be disappointed!

If I need to buy a new car now, I don't look at last years prices, I look at this years current price and what I will cost me now. Last years price or the cruise opening day price are gone and do not matter unless I wan't to postpone my purchase until just before they release the new updated car or wait until the next release of cruise dates?

This is the price I must pay now if I want that product now.

I can't see your issue. It's supply and demand?

If you don't like DCL increasing prices as they sell more Staterooms, either book on the first opportunity after the release date, if they have a close to sail date offer, or sail another line that has discounts in order to fill their ship.

ex techie

I don't know, usually by the time I get to the checkout page on anything but lower-end Carnival ships, those "suites" are either far more expensive than an inside on Disney OR they are "suites" in name only and are actually less square footage than a normal DCL stateroom. (It took me a while to realize that a suite doesn't always mean the same thing on cruise ships.)

There are 5 in my daughter's family so a big difference in price compared to a couple traveling. I've never been on a Disney cruise because Disney isn't my thing. Just passing along the thoughts of my daughter and son-in-law. We took their family on the Oasis of the Seas . I booked 3 Central Park views...they thought they were wonderful and so much better than their cabin on the Disney Cruise....I thought they were small but had a great time with the family.

There are 5 in my daughter's family so a big difference in price compared to a couple traveling. I've never been on a Disney cruise because Disney isn't my thing. Just passing along the thoughts of my daughter and son-in-law. We took their family on the Oasis of the Seas . I booked 3 Central Park views...they thought they were wonderful and so much better than their cabin on the Disney Cruise....I thought they were small but had a great time with the family.

There is no wonder a CP balcony view Stateroom on RCI is going to win over a DCL inside Stateroom even with a DCL virtual porthole!

Overlooking the Central Park and people watching would be a lot better than watching the waves and occasional Character fly by!

ex techie

It is virtually impossible to compare "apples to apples" among the various cruise lines. I've tried. Yes, you must look at the square footage of the room you propose to book if your goal is to compare it to another line. And you must try to compare "living space." I try to subtract that balcony--nice, but not room space. Closets are nice, but sometimes the location can essentially give you a "hallway" that also becomes not useful living space.

And yes, a suite on some ships is smaller than a room on DCL. Bottom line is that if a price comparison matters to you, you just have to do what you can to find the room that best compares to the room on the ship you are considering--regardless of what a line may call that room.

As others have said only you can decide if it is worth it, but having just sailed the Disney Fantasy,here are my thoughts...

They are worth a bit of a higher fare because of the things that they include that others don't (sodas, bring on alcohol, etc). We also had some of the best service we've had at sea.

We sailed on a FL Resident Discount that brought our total for a 7 day sailing for 2 verandah staterooms (2 passengers each) to about $3800. We felt that was worth it for a special week with grandparents.

While we had a great time, our future sailings on them would probably be for short, last minute sailings with a great rate. We live 1 1/2 hours from Port Canaveral so this is realistic for us. If we were to do Alaska, Europe, etc, we would sail RCCL or Princess most likely.

There are things Disney does great, but there are other things we prefer on RCCL. While we loved our server & the dinner experience, we like the flexibility of RCCL with My Time Dining and a buffet option for dinner. We missed the casino (don't gamble a lot, but it's fun to play a little on vacation). The entertainment was definitely great, but we love the variety of entertainment on the larger RCCL ships. DD (4 years) did great in the nursery on RCCL (& children's program on MSC) but hated the children's program on Disney (ages 3-12 are all together). I'm confident, while the facilities on RCCL aren't as great as Disney, she'd do much better in their children's program with children close to her age & a lot of engagement from counselors.

So, my opinion is that it is worth it to spend a bit more and try Disney. You may find that it really is worth it and be willing to pay even more. Worst case, you find it isn't really your preference, but I'm sure you'll still have a great vacation.

 

There are things Disney does great, but there are other things we prefer on RCCL. While we loved our server & the dinner experience, we like the flexibility of RCCL with My Time Dining and a buffet option for dinner. We missed the casino (don't gamble a lot, but it's fun to play a little on vacation). The entertainment was definitely great, but we love the variety of entertainment on the larger RCCL ships. DD (4 years) did great in the nursery on RCCL (& children's program on MSC) but hated the children's program on Disney (ages 3-12 are all together). I'm confident, while the facilities on RCCL aren't as great as Disney, she'd do much better in their children's program with children close to her age & a lot of engagement from counselors.

 

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Were you aware of the option of Cabanas at dinner? No, it isn't a buffet. It is a sit down menu service with a salad bar and a "carved item", casual dress, any time you choose during the open hours. It is not open the first or last night of a cruise. We were VERY impressed. The only downside was missing our servers.