Are they insane, or what?!?!

[IWORK2CRUISE]

We were fortunate to have sailed both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder in their inaugural years.

We very much enjoyed those 3 and 4 day voyages and the spacious cabins on the ships. Castaway Cay was amazing.

We would like to sail again on DCL and try the new DCL ships but the current pricing is keeping us away.

Two RCI cruises for roughly the same cost are better for us right now!

[spiritkat090909]

We priced Disney out of Galveston for Christmas. For a family of 4, the price is about $10K+ for a balcony including trip insurance. That's about $4K more than a mini suite on Princess or a D1 balcony on RCI. While we enjoy Disney, we find the cruise prices to be astounding. What is even more surprising to us is that apparently the ships are fully booked. Just amazing ...

 

 

Some people are LOOOAADED! With disposable income.

 

Christmas cruise, for children who are spoiled rotten...yeah, I can see some people taking out a loan for their children at Christmas. Really. And of course, those who can afford it...pardon me while I turn positively GREEN with envy.:D

 

I know someone who plans on a large loan some day for his only child's whim & wishes.:confused: Thank God she never asked for Disney at Christmas! But, I suspect it would be cheaper than that future some day loan.

[time4u2go]

It's what you think is important for your family Fake people in wierd costumes or a agood time with your family I know my kids could care less about Disney so save $2000.00 dollars it's not real and tell them that.

 

Fake people in weird costumes? You could be talking about a lot of the passengers on any cruise!:D

 

I'm guessing you've never been on a Disney cruise, have you?

[Friend100]

We priced Disney out of Galveston for Christmas. For a family of 4, the price is about $10K+ for a balcony including trip insurance. That's about $4K more than a mini suite on Princess or a D1 balcony on RCI. While we enjoy Disney, we find the cruise prices to be astounding. What is even more surprising to us is that apparently the ships are fully booked. Just amazing ...

 

For those families who choose to cruise during Christmas from Galveston and are willing to make some sacrifice, they have the choice of Disney (which is 8-nights ... but terrible itinerary though with only 3 ports!) for $5600 for an inside cabin, or like you said a DI balcony on Mariner OTS for 7-nights for about the same price.

[Friend100]

Don't all of the Disney rooms also include a tub? That is a hug bonus for people wiht small kids and something you don't get until you move into higher catagories on the other cruiselines. The rooms also seem to be larger from what I have seen and allow more seperation of kids and adults.

 

Most Disney cabins (for their large insides and above) have split baths - one with a sink and toilet, the other one with another sink and a tub.

 

I don't know about other lines but for Holland America, I know a tub is pretty much standard for oceanviews and above.

[gilboman]

Found a great 6 day cruise on Independence for my family of four next winter. $2,900 seems reasonable for a family of four in an oceanview balcony.

 

Thought I'd price out Disney, since my youngest daughter realllly wants to try Disney. $4,900 for an inside cabin? Are they insane???

 

To get the same price on Disney, we'd have to do a four day. I don't know how I could swallow $2,000 more just because it's a Disney cruise.

 

I'm really shocked people out there are paying that much for an inside cabin!!

 

Well some people want quality first and price second or not impt at all. But an inside on disney is not like an inside on rci, more like oceanview because of the magic porthole. But disney is def not in budget cruising like rci is and take the quality and not quantity approach of rci. I want to go in DCL but for me im not sure if its worth it since i have no kids, maybe better to go on a quality more adult centric cruiseline

[time4u2go]

Found a great 6 day cruise on Independence for my family of four next winter. $2,900 seems reasonable for a family of four in an oceanview balcony.

 

Thought I'd price out Disney, since my youngest daughter realllly wants to try Disney. $4,900 for an inside cabin? Are they insane???

 

To get the same price on Disney, we'd have to do a four day. I don't know how I could swallow $2,000 more just because it's a Disney cruise.

 

I'm really shocked people out there are paying that much for an inside cabin!!

 

Which Disney ship? Is it one of the new ones? If so, that could explain part of the high price.

[Cruising89143]

Well some people want quality first and price second or not impt at all. But an inside on disney is not like an inside on rci, more like oceanview because of the magic porthole. But disney is def not in budget cruising like rci is but ive heard very positive things about them.

 

You have heard? Have you experienced Disney?

[gilboman]

It's what you think is important for your family Fake people in wierd costumes or a agood time with your family I know my kids could care less about Disney so save $2000.00 dollars it's not real and tell them that.

 

Its about quality of experience and not someome in a costume or some gimmicks just for the sake of having it. Disney is quality all around, very very different than ccl/rci experience.

[HUBison2008]

I've never been on a cruise, first one is on Monarch is May, but we honeymooned at WDW and are looking to enjoy our anniversary next year on Fantasy. We don't have kids either.

 

My DH has been begging to go back to WDW because we did have an amazing honeymoon, but we realized something. We love the Disney experience, however, we didn't love the parks as much due to us being adrenaline junkies and wished they had more IOA rides. So we decided to cruise with DCL.

 

It also helps that our anniversary is at the beginning of December which allows us more favorable pricing.

[Friend100]

Well some people want quality first and price second or not impt at all. But an inside on disney is not like an inside on rci, more like oceanview because of the magic porthole. But disney is def not in budget cruising like rci is and take the quality and not quantity approach of rci. I want to go in DCL but for me im not sure if its worth it since i have no kids, maybe better to go on a quality more adult centric cruiseline

 

Sorry to be off topic, but when I was reading some Carnival vs RCI threads, I certainly don't get the impression anyone there thinks RCI is "budget" at all. And I do think that, on my Liberty OTS cruise it was of pretty good quality overall. I haven't done CCL/NCL so I can't compare.

 

My point is, it is all relative.

 

CCL/NCL or RCI?

RCI or DCL?

Suite on Allure vs standard cabin on Azamara/Oceania?

14-days B2B in an inside vs 7-days in a suite?

[billie5]

I don't think anyone can disagree that it's priced at an extreme premium.

Well, you are obviously wrong, since I am somebody and I disagree.:eek:

 

Personally, I will not pay the premium, but how can it be "extreme" if so many people every week show that they do not consider it extreme.

[Cruising89143]

Sorry to be off topic, but when I was reading some Carnival vs RCI threads, I certainly don't get the impression anyone there thinks RCI is "budget" at all. And I do think that, on my Liberty OTS cruise it was of pretty good quality overall. I haven't done CCL/NCL so I can't compare.

 

My point is, it is all relative.

 

CCL/NCL or RCI?

RCI or DCL?

Suite on Allure vs standard cabin on Azamara/Oceania?

14-days B2B in an inside vs 7-days in a suite?

 

RCI, Carnival and NCL are all mass market lines. Within that category they each target a certain demographic. I have cruised all three lines and Carnival is at the bottom of the list when it comes to my experience. They are the budget line of the mass market. RCI and NCL continue to build new ship designs and offer a much better cruise experience. Just read the three boards and you will get an idea of what I'm talking about. :)

[Friend100]

Its about quality of experience and not someome in a costume or some gimmicks just for the sake of having it. Disney is quality all around, very very different than ccl/rci experience.

 

"Quality" is subjective. Different people measures "quality" differently. What matters to me most maybe of least value to you, or vice versa, which is totally fine as we are all different. And "quality" comes with a price too. It is a matter of how much that price is, and whether YOU think it is worth it for YOU or not. I can enjoy both an RCI cruise and a Disney cruise, or a CCL cruise. They can co-exist.

[discru]

We have been on 8 Disney cruises, and I have to say they are AWESOME!!! Ironically, we are NOT big Disney fans. Don't care much for Disney world, like their moves ok, but LOVE the Cruise line. The price can be steep in season (hence we are trying RCL next week). We always book Disney during the kids' fall break and get decent prices. I'm anxious to see how it compares/contrasts to our cruise next week. We are trying to keep an open mind and are really looking forward to trying RCL.

 

Some positive things about a Disney cruise is: you can bring any amount of wine, drinks on board - No problems, no questions. Sodas are free 24 hours a day. The food is amazing. You rotate the dining rooms - very cool. Fireworks at night is amazing. The attention to detail is noticeable. Not a speck a rust, smudge, dull or flaking paint, etc. You feel like you are on a top notch ship. The new wave phones are a great (free) way to keep up with yr kids, travel party, etc. allowing you to text or call each other. The staff really does bend over backward to meet your requests. The kids' programs are out of this world and we feel our kids are having a blast and are being carefully monitored. Now, all that being said...RCL, I'm sure, will have just as many amazing features that will make our trip just as incredible. "Different" doesn't have to mean "bad". We can't wait!! RCL.... Here we come!:)

[ehfl]

You really can't compare RCL with Disney. RCL is a mainstream cruise line. You'll have a great time on either one, so look at your budget and plan accordingly...if price is your major consideration, then balcony cabins don't make sense on any line. If price is not a huge concern, then paying a bit more shouldn't be an issue.

[Kycruisefan]

We cruised Disney in 2006 in an inside cabin and paid the same amount then that we are paying now for a balcony room on the Allure this summer. We thought about Disney this summer but it was double the price of what we are paying for Allure. DCL was great and I would love to go again but the prices are just too high for us.

[lysolqn]

Found a great 6 day cruise on Independence for my family of four next winter. $2,900 seems reasonable for a family of four in an oceanview balcony.

 

Thought I'd price out Disney, since my youngest daughter realllly wants to try Disney. $4,900 for an inside cabin? Are they insane???

 

To get the same price on Disney, we'd have to do a four day. I don't know how I could swallow $2,000 more just because it's a Disney cruise.

 

I'm really shocked people out there are paying that much for an inside cabin!!

 

No, they're not insane. If Disney couldn't get the prices it commands, those prices would come down. Obviously people are willing to pay a premium to cruise Disney and the cruise line would be foolish not to take advantage of that business edge.

 

Doesn't the same hold true for RCCL? People are willing to pay a premium to cruise the largest ships on the seas, thus prices for Oasis and Allure are significantly higher than identical 7-night itineraries offered not only by other cruise lines but by RCCL itself.

[nonna5]

I have priced Disney out of Galveston on many dates and their prices are much much more than any ship that will be sailing out of Galveston at the same time (Carnival, Princess, Royal). Needless to say they will not be getting my money.

[Amberle3]

Part of the reason for the big price difference with Disney is because, well, it's Disney. Anything Disney costs more. But another part of the reason is the lack of casino onboard. Apparently cruise ships make a very tidy profit off the casino and that helps to keep the fares lower.

[hubofhockey]

Part of the reason for the big price difference with Disney is because, well, it's Disney. Anything Disney costs more. But another part of the reason is the lack of casino onboard. Apparently cruise ships make a very tidy profit off the casino and that helps to keep the fares lower.

 

 

Just a hunch that they are probably selling less liquor as well since so many parents are with their kids. But price is a function of supply and demand. Disney doesn't have many ships and that helps them keep the supply down and prices up. It's not a great strategy for growth because that "disney experience premium" demand might not be there beyond what present demand can handle. They are not a mass market line and don't play in the same landscape as the others. Now, they seem to be focusing on the 4-day cruises as add ons to Disney vacations. If I were going to spend that kind of money, I would go on a real premium line and not Disney. As for the Allure, as I explained on the thread that was shut down, I am paying less than $2,800 for a week in April 2013 for two in an ocean view balcony. If there is a premium in there somewhere, it's not that big and, in my mind, it relates to all of the upgraded entertainment only available on Oasis/Allure. So, the extra cost, to me, is a bargain.

[Friend100]

As for the Allure, as I explained on the thread that was shut down, I am paying less than $2,800 for a week in April 2013 for two in an ocean view balcony. If there is a premium in there somewhere, it's not that big and, in my mind, it relates to all of the upgraded entertainment only available on Oasis/Allure. So, the extra cost, to me, is a bargain.

 

I don't know which week you have in April 2013, but I can get $2720 (with some minor obstruction, or $2842 with no obstruction) for 2 people on Disney Fantasy for a week 4/20/2013 Eastern Caribbean in an oceanview verandah, plus $200 OBC.

 

My point again, it really depends on timing, itinerary (and basically the supply/demand of that particular cruise) and what people are comparing against, sometimes the difference in $ term isn't that much. Whether you think it is apples-to-apples comparison then is an individual's preference.

 

edit: it took a company years to build a brand that is perceived as premium and that they can charge a premium price (whether you believe it is premium or whether you are willing to pay the premium is a different issue), I will continue to look for opportunity to get good deal. But at the same time, if it is overpriced for a particular itinerary I am interested and I can find better value elsewhere, I certainly won't hesitate to cruise another line.

[Friend100]

Just a hunch that they are probably selling less liquor as well since so many parents are with their kids. But price is a function of supply and demand. Disney doesn't have many ships and that helps them keep the supply down and prices up. It's not a great strategy for growth because that "disney experience premium" demand might not be there beyond what present demand can handle. They are not a mass market line and don't play in the same landscape as the others.

 

Re liquor I agree. Because people carry your own liquor onboard DCL as much as they want as long as they are all carry-on and not in checked luggage.

 

Re strategy for growth ... Disney Cruise Line is part of a media and entertainment conglomerate. Their core business is ... well ... entertainment and not really cruising, but it just happens that some years ago they decided to own a few boats and sell their product on them.

[ducklite]

Based on my personal experience, the Disney experience is superior to the RCcL experience. Add in that DCL allows you to carry on alcohol instead of treating you like a naughty child and doesn't nickel and dime for sodas, ice cream, and hamburgers, sailing with them is far less of a hassle.

 

Not everyone is on a tight budget or really cares what they pay, as long as they are getting the experience they want. Why do you think Discover Cove can get away with charging $300 per person for a single day at their resort--and that's just the daytime, no hotel room included.

[Wilda]

We have been on 8 Disney cruises, and I have to say they are AWESOME!!! Ironically, we are NOT big Disney fans. Don't care much for Disney world, like their moves ok, but LOVE the Cruise line. The price can be steep in season (hence we are trying RCL next week). We always book Disney during the kids' fall break and get decent prices. I'm anxious to see how it compares/contrasts to our cruise next week. We are trying to keep an open mind and are really looking forward to trying RCL.

 

Some positive things about a Disney cruise is: you can bring any amount of wine, drinks on board - No problems, no questions. Sodas are free 24 hours a day. The food is amazing. You rotate the dining rooms - very cool. Fireworks at night is amazing. The attention to detail is noticeable. Not a speck a rust, smudge, dull or flaking paint, etc. You feel like you are on a top notch ship. The new wave phones are a great (free) way to keep up with yr kids, travel party, etc. allowing you to text or call each other. The staff really does bend over backward to meet your requests. The kids' programs are out of this world and we feel our kids are having a blast and are being carefully monitored. Now, all that being said...RCL, I'm sure, will have just as many amazing features that will make our trip just as incredible. "Different" doesn't have to mean "bad". We can't wait!! RCL.... Here we come!:)

 

Be sure to come back and let us know what you think of Liberty! My guess is your kids are going to love the "different" bells and whistles that come with a Freedom class ship:D