Am I missing something?

[Glinda39]

Am I the only one that thinks $8,000 plus for a cruise for a family of four is outrageous? Just did a quick look for the Caribbean in July 2015! Wow!

 

Perhaps you book these years in advance so you have time to take out a second mortgage; someone, please enlighten me.

 

Thank you in advance.

[moki'smommy]

The only thing you are missing is that people are booking those cruises at those rates. I just did a quick check, and many categories are sold out!

 

OK, July is high season. Not my choice of a time to cruise, but for some families, their only option. I had to cancel a May 2015 cruise that I'd booked a long time ago. The price had doubled from the time I booked it till I canceled it. I don't think DCL feels too bad that I cancelled since they will now most likely sell that cabin to someone else for twice what I would have paid. Book early. You can always cancel if you need to. I agree that summer 2015 is outrageous. What about booking 2016. Those dates should be coming out any day now and should start out a lot lower than what you are seeing for 2015.

 

If your heart is set on 2015, there are many cheaper lines out there.

[Loonbeam]

It's supply and demand. Disney only has 4 ships and the lure of the Disney name so they can charge more.

[Stephylynn02]

I love DCL because it is clean, beautiful, and fun! The kids clubs can't be beat... I have to drag DD out of there. I like that the counslers know her name. The cabins are larger, the dining is so much fun, who doesn't like trying a different dining room every night? Fireworks at sea are just plain fun! The adult dining at Remy and Palo are amazing, just love it... good food, and great ocean views. #1 is Disney's private island. Your boat actually docks there and it is the only one the entire day! The staff from the ship work on the island too so you will see familiar faces. There is an adult only section of the beach that is fabulous. There is just so much to do and see on the boat and their island why not Disney? The shows are great, we enjoy the food, atmosphere, extra activities etc. I like that there is no casino to distract us.

 

All of that being said DCL is not for everyone... my dad wasn't thrilled(prob bc no casino lol). For my family its DCL all the way! I tried to book our adult only cruise with another cruise line and just couldn't do it hehe. Also we go at off times so that helps offset the cost.

[xlxo]

Am I the only one that thinks $8,000 plus for a cruise for a family of four is outrageous? Just did a quick look for the Caribbean in July 2015! Wow!

 

Perhaps you book these years in advance so you have time to take out a second mortgage; someone, please enlighten me.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Depends who you ask.... any kid that wants to snort pixie dust will say yes! Especially when they aren't looking at the bills and kids have access to "no adult" zones.

 

How old are your kids?

 

Are these high end suite prices? Personally, I am very happy with Oceanview cabins and travelling in low season for excursions, photos and internet add-ons.... I am so weak.

Edited February 3, 2015 by xlxo

[moki'smommy]

Are these high end suite prices? Personally, I am very happy with Oceanview cabins and travelling in low season for excursions, photos and internet add-ons.... I am so weak.

 

Sorry, I looked up July 2015. No, these are NOT high end prices. The lowest cabins I could find for 4 people (2A,2C in a cat 11) were $7500. Moving to an oceanview put you over $8000. Most of the suites were sold out.

 

These prices were for a week on the Fantasy and did include all taxes and port charges.

[BullDawg91]

That's why we are trying Carnival this summer. The closest comparable DCL cruise was more than double the price. I love DCL, but more than $1000 per day is over the top.

 

 

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[moki'smommy]

That's why we are trying Carnival this summer. The closest comparable DCL cruise was more than double the price. I love DCL, but more than $1000 per day is over the top.

 

 

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And if enough of us felt this way, DCL's prices would come down. But as long as they are filling the ships, the prices will stay up there.

 

My family pointed out an interesting cruise this summer. I replied that it did look nice, but too rich for my blood. Unless someone else was paying for it, forget it!

[chengkp75]

There are reasons that DCL charges the prices they do, just like there are reasons that NCL's Pride of America is so expensive.

 

Most cruise lines do not make a profit on the cabin price, that covers the overhead. Profit is from the onboard revenue: drinks, shops, spa, excursions, and most importantly casinos. Since DCL does not have casinos, they must make up for that lost revenue by charging more for the ticket price, and then they try to make up for that with better crew attitude and amenities. Those who are willing to pay DCL's price value not having the casino atmosphere onboard.

 

DCL also makes a larger effort to meet child needs, with more North American youth counselors than other lines, better child/youth experiences, etc. Again, it is a question of value for your dollar.

 

If you don't value what exclusives DCL presents, then by all means find a line that meets your expectations. Personally, I prefer NCL and RCI, but then my kids are grown, and no next-gen ankle biters yet.

[axelskater]

It depends on your definition of outrageous. If you think it's too expensive, then you won't enjoy yourself, so you should probably book elsewhere. It doesn't seem that much higher than a Disney World deluxe resort with park admissions for 4 and meals for 7 days. My personal feeling is that if my heart was set on DCL, I would rather skip a year, save up, and be able to do the ship and cabin type I want than take a product which I feel will not be the same as what DCL offers. But others love many lines and can be just as happy on any ship...but I haven't found that so I stick to the two or three I like.

 

 

As for itinerary, I found the DCL Caribbean worth the extra cost

I found their 3 and 4 day Caribbean prices worth it, because you get the Disney atmosphere and the prospect of the parks being an hour away for visiting either before or after your voyage.

 

But....on the other hand I have to say, I priced a Disney Alaskan 7 day for 2 people in a suite. It's 13,000, no airfare, while Oceania is 9,000 in a suite with airfare as well as Internet included. Disney does seem outrageous in that case, since Oceania is a semi-luxury line, and no parks or Castaway Cay to enjoy.

[jwalk03]

1. Book Early. DCL prices are the lowest they are going to get on the day the fares are released. (Except if a cruise doesnt sell out and you can get a GT rate, then booking late might be cheaper.)

 

2. Book during the off season. Prices are lower, ships are less crowded, there are many less school age children on board. Even if you have school age children, dont go during the summer! Pull them out of school for a few days if you have to.

 

3. DCL is worth a premium price. How much of a premium you a willing to pay is the question. I personally would not pay 8K either, but 4-5K during the off season is way closer to the ball park, and the Carribean is GREAT during the off season anyway.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

There are reasons that DCL charges the prices they do, just like there are reasons that NCL's Pride of America is so expensive.

 

Most cruise lines do not make a profit on the cabin price, that covers the overhead. Profit is from the onboard revenue: drinks, shops, spa, excursions, and most importantly casinos. Since DCL does not have casinos, they must make up for that lost revenue by charging more for the ticket price, and then they try to make up for that with better crew attitude and amenities. Those who are willing to pay DCL's price value not having the casino atmosphere onboard.

 

DCL also makes a larger effort to meet child needs, with more North American youth counselors than other lines, better child/youth experiences, etc. Again, it is a question of value for your dollar.

 

If you don't value what exclusives DCL presents, then by all means find a line that meets your expectations. Personally, I prefer NCL and RCI, but then my kids are grown, and no next-gen ankle biters yet.

 

Bingo! The only benefit I saw about the casino on HAL's Westerdam this summer is that it helped me add in stair walking getting to and from the dining room. Even when not open, that space REEKED of smoke, so I'd opt to take the stairs before you got to it down a deck and then go up to the dining room once I'd managed to escape the stench. :)

 

I have never understood the draw of casinos, though, even without the smoke. Which probably explains why I have no desire to ever go to Las Vegas. :)

[blondietink]

Yes, it is an outrageous price and it is not worth it, IMHO.

 

We will probably only ever do another Disney Cruise if there is a last minute getaway price. Once was quite enough.

[moki'smommy]

We love DCL, but I have an acceptably price point in my head. If I can't hit that point, I don't book the cruise.

[Loonbeam]

Every time I see the is it worth it question, I actually have a hard time answering it..

 

I understand why Disney is more expensive, and on a dollar for dollar basis I in no way can justify that premium against other lines on the basis of ships, facilities, staff, etc as good as they are.

 

But, there is --something-- about a Disney ship that the other lines don't have in terms of atmosphere. Can't define it, know that I like it. I suspect you could say the same thing about the parks. For lack of a better term, its what's called Disney Magic.

 

Is there a value to that? Probably, depends on the person how much and what their resources are. Fortunately, we're in a position to pay the premium if we choose, but realistically there are other lines out there that are just as good at significantly lower price points.

[ducklite]

We've paid that for three. I don't feel it is outrageous. Considering that most DCL cruises sail mostly full, obviously I'm not alone in that sentiment.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

This reminds me of a conversation that happened back when I was a kid and my family was looking for a new car. My dad's boss had an Impala sedan and Daddy LOVED that car and wanted one. But with 2 kids, a station wagon (yes, I'm dating myself here) was the more practical option. Daddy was talking with his boss and the car shopping came up. When he explained his dilemma, his boss said, "Jim, the point of a car is to get you from A to B. Some of us go in Impalas; and some of us go in station wagons. But as long as the car runs, it gets you there, and that's the point."

 

Same basic principle with cruising. If you want a cruise vacation, there are lots of ways to go. Some of us go Disney, some go RCCL, some go HAL, some go Carnival, etc. But in reality, those lines will pretty much hit the same ports (depending on itinerary) with the main difference for Caribbean cruises being the private island the cruise line may own. It's just a matter of what for you is the WAY you want to get to and from the ports.

[BullDawg91]

I will certainly report back after our Carnival Breeze cruise. I am a huge lover of Disney magic, but I am taking 2 week long vacations for less than one 7 day DCL cruise at the same time of year.

 

Two things might make a difference for us: my kids don't really care for any clubs (they aren't joiners) and we don't really care about Castaway Cay. We go to a lovely beach every year so one day at CC isn't so exciting.

 

I do care about my surroundings and so was very picky about which ship I would sail outside of DCL. I don't want to cruise on a 80's brass and neon nightmare. I also didn't want to sail on a ship where I had to make reservations for shows and such (at least I don't think I'll have to).

 

We'll give it a try and see what happens.

 

 

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[monty913]

It might be the time of year. July is in high demand. We usually go in September and don't pay anywhere near $8000. Disney is one of the pricey lines out there, but I believe well worth it. :)

[trevette1981]

I'll be able to answer this next year. For the price I am paying, I could go on Carnival with a balcony! LOL! I've only cruised on Carnival, so it that's where I looked first. LOL!

 

I only chose Disney because I have a daughter, 3 now, so I tried to get something we both would like- cruise for me and sort of Disney World for her.

 

Hopefully we both love it.

Edited February 4, 2015 by trevette1981

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

I should give my history - realized I forgot that. Just to put things in perspective.

 

First cruise was on the Emerald Seas when I was in 6th grade. Just to do something special for Spring Break as we'd been in a rented house since our move 3 years earlier and had no prospect of moving to our own house (couldn't find one), so they had a kids sail free special or something and my dad booked it. I mainly remember getting REALLY sunburned - and that the pool was only open when we were in ports.

 

Next cruise was on DCL - Dream - in July 2013 to finish up a weeklong family vacation celebrating my parents' 45th anniversary. LOVED every moment of it. So much that I booked on board for a SOLO cruise on the Dream, this time 4-night, over President' Week. And I'm 10 days away from a 7-night Fantasy cruise and have a Wonder cruise booked for Presidents' Week 2016! Clearly I love Disney and it works for me.

 

The only other cruise I've been on was on Holland America's ms Westerdam this past summer to Alaska. And...well...unless the group I was with for some reason goes back to HAL, I don't intend to cruise them again. It's just not my style at all - not to mention stuff like the sauce for a soufflé dessert one night was left behind until the server noticed I barely touched it (sorry, I can have plain cake ANYWHERE) and was leaving and then was like "Oh! I forget the sauce! I get it now!" I was like "No thanks. I'm leaving." (It was cold by that point anyway.) As a whole I found the crew much less friendly and attentive than on DCL - and I'm not talking holding my hand...I don't need that. I mean just smiling and saying hello. My cabin steward and his assistant were the friendliest - but only after they cleaned the first morning and I guess saw all the DCL stuff I had around (a hoodie was hanging up, I had shampoo and conditioner in the shower along wit a bar of soap, I had a Disney plush on the bed (it travels with me), and I think a couple of other Disney things. I just know I went back to the cabin between our deck race and our stretching clinic and they were with their supervisor who was going over everything with a checklist - and every time I saw them after that they were EXCEPTIONALLY friendly and cheerful (I heard them say hi to others on the hall, and it was nowhere near as exuberant). I kind of think they thought I was a spy or something. But HAL is just not the cruise line for me.

 

I am open to trying other lines (I do have some I won't try...mainly Carnival - I can tell from the ads and everything else that it is just not my style) - I'll be on Royal Caribbean to Alaska this summer, so I'm interested to see what I think of it. But for now, I am definitely happy with DCL, and for me it is worth the up charge for an experience and environment I know I will be happy with.

[kitkat343]

We've never sailed Disney, since the itineraries are more limited, and the prices are much higher. However, since I am pregnant and it appears that disney is the only line that will let you book a nursery in advance, it is quite possible that my family will need to pay a substantial premium to sail on Disney if it is the only cruise line that can guarantee that my family will be able to enjoy our vacation. My 3 year old was very happy on Princess, HAL and NCL so if the prices are too high, my family would have a limited window in which we would sail Disney. But when you combine families in our circumstances, plus people who just love Disney, plus the fact that they only have 4 boats may mean that they are priced appropriately for the market. It's really a question of whether or not their boats sail full, and other forum members who know more about Disney than me seem to indicate that is the case.

[ksy8384]

I have 51 days sailing on Carnival but leave on my first DCL cruise in 10 days. It's my DD16 and I. She chose DCL over a school trip to Italy. The costs were about the same for both. My DH is not a Disney-phile and thinks it is ALL way too high. I am interested to see the differences for myself. I know that there is no way in hades that I will ever get DH on DCL and this may be my last one as well. My DH and I just returned from a 15 day Hawaii cruise that was about the same as this 7 days on DCL. I prefer to cruise more than to pay more and cruise less.

[moki'smommy]

It's really a question of whether or not their boats sail full, and other forum members who know more about Disney than me seem to indicate that is the case.

 

When the ships are not booked full, DCL offers special rates to CMs, FL res rates, military rates, and restricted fares in order to fill them. Basically, an empty cabin is a loss. A cabin booked at a discount may still make a profit thru sales of excursions, stuff in gift shops, spa, photos, etc.

[axelskater]

We've never sailed Disney, since the itineraries are more limited, and the prices are much higher. However, since I am pregnant and it appears that disney is the only line that will let you book a nursery in advance, it is quite possible that my family will need to pay a substantial premium to sail on Disney if it is the only cruise line that can guarantee that my family will be able to enjoy our vacation. My 3 year old was very happy on Princess, HAL and NCL so if the prices are too high, my family would have a limited window in which we would sail Disney. But when you combine families in our circumstances, plus people who just love Disney, plus the fact that they only have 4 boats may mean that they are priced appropriately for the market. It's really a question of whether or not their boats sail full, and other forum members who know more about Disney than me seem to indicate that is the case.

 

Cunard Line offers British nanny service - you can book in advance. I have no children so I have never used it, but it is regularly advertised - they have a nursery staffed with certified British nannies. However not all itineraries allow very young infants, such as the TA (they have to be 1 years old for that)- my guess is because it is 7 days without a single stop, and really no way to get to a hospital if the infant falls ill - except helicopter extraction, which has happened twice on voyages which I have been on, both times for older heart attack victims.