Baltic Prices

[JsMom2]

If you're balking at DCL's Baltic prices, NCL has a much more reasonable alternative. I've never been on the Norwegian Jewel, but DD10 and I were on the Norwegian Jade to the Western Med in December and she LOVED the kids club.

No, they are not Disney, but in the Baltics you won't have much time to notice. For the price of a DCL Baltic cruise, you can take an NCL cruise to the Baltics AND a DCL cruise to the Caribbean, or use the money to upgrade to Business Class on your flights to make your vacation start out smoother.

Prices below are for 2 people cruise only (no transfers or insurance):

DCL Cat 11 Inside - $7743 vs NCL Any Inside - $3536

DCL Cat 9 Outside - $8883 vs NCL Any Outside - $4136

DCL Cat 6 Balcony - $10,943 vs NCL Any Balcony - $4936

 

[luv that cruise]

we are having the same thoughts on the baltic...

5 of us in 2 DCL rooms, cat 6 and cat 11 is... are you sitting down - 21K (i have a reservation, booked on first day available, double checked this price before i posted this)

5 of us in an A3 suite on NCL is about 13K (they don't include taxes and fees in their online pricing so I have to guess - i don't have a reservation)

Same #nights, many of the same ports (but haven't looked close enough to know exact comparison).

A3 has 2 bedrooms, living, dining areas plus access to private courtyard, pool, private deck, private breakfast and lunch venues, plus concierge and butler. We are trying the Pearl in Alaska this summer and if all goes well may cancel with DCL for the baltics.

NCL is definitely not rated as high as DCL in service and lots of people complain that they nickle & dime you, charging for things like softs drinks and juice. So buyer beware and do your homework.

 

[kaseyC]

we are having the same thoughts on the baltic...

5 of us in 2 DCL rooms, cat 6 and cat 11 is... are you sitting down - 21K (i have a reservation, booked on first day available, double checked this price before i posted this)

5 of us in an A3 suite on NCL is about 13K (they don't include taxes and fees in their online pricing so I have to guess - i don't have a reservation)

Same #nights, many of the same ports (but haven't looked close enough to know exact comparison).

A3 has 2 bedrooms, living, dining areas plus access to private courtyard, pool, private deck, private breakfast and lunch venues, plus concierge and butler. We are trying the Pearl in Alaska this summer and if all goes well may cancel with DCL for the baltics.

NCL is definitely not rated as high as DCL in service and lots of people complain that they nickle & dime you, charging for things like softs drinks and juice. So buyer beware and do your homework.

Like you we are booked on one of the DCL European cruises, we are waiting for many of the other cruiselines to release their 2010 itineraries. NCL is one we are considering since DH and I had a very positive experience sailing with them.

DH and I sailed the NCL Jewel in the Med in 2006. We were in one of the Courtyard Villas (an A4 1bdrm) and we had a wonderful cruise. We have also sailed DCL a number of times in suites and IMO, the Suite perks and service from the Concierge and the Butler was much better than the concierge service on DCL.

The whole courtyard experience was like being on a small intimate ship (within a ship). From the private access to deck 14 and the courtyard, sundeck and pool, reserved seating in the theatre and breakfast and lunch in Cagney's (one of the specialty restaurants - no extra charge for Suite guests). As a suite guest the concierge made all of our dining reservations for the length of the cruise and we also had the option of dining ensuite from any of the restaurants on board, served course by course by the Butler.

We were spoiled and I would not hestate to book a suite with them again.

 

[xangav]

I just looked at this as well because I just booked the Baltic cruise with Disney then started reading the cruise meet thread. A few people have jumped ship already.

I looked at NCL and I can book a Penthouse suite for 4, for the exact same cruise itinerary (including Helsinki and Estonia) for less than a cat 11 on DCL.

I booked DCL because we sailed with RCL last summer for an Alaskan cruise and were less than impressed, swore we would rather sail with the mouse every few years than more often with someone else. Oh, the dilemmas.

I guess we should be glad we can even consider options.

 

[kaseyC]

5 of us in an A3 suite on NCL is about 13K (they don't include taxes and fees in their online pricing so I have to guess - i don't have a reservation)

It is a little over 13K w/taxes and fees for a family of 5 in an A3 for the 12 Night Baltic cruise on the NCL Jewel -through NCL's website.

Looking at a few online TAs, it can be booked for even less, about 11K. So doing your homework and shopping around is very important.

 

[shoes99]

We are also going to look at Princess when the 2010 rates come out.

 

[JsMom2]

We are also going to look at Princess when the 2010 rates come out.

We did a 10 nt Baltic on the Crown last June/July, and DD10 loved the kids club and the Movies Under the Stars. She was also thrilled that the Dance Captain gave anyone interested a backstage tour of the Production show. Something DCL reserves for adults.

We thought the Princess entertainment was as good as Disney!

We paid a little over $5,000 for 2 of us in a mini-suite - about the size of a Cat 4 on Disney, but only 1 bathroom. Although you do get 2 TVs!

 

[NancyIL]

I want to go to Europe with my 2 adult daughters in 2010, but there's no way I'd ever pay DCL's overinflated prices for anything except the Transatlantics. I hope a lot of people will rethink their bookings with DCL - especially on the Baltic cruises that START at $3649/pp!

 

[tammymacb]

Well you all, this posting made me look at the Gem. I can get a mini suite for considerably less than a Cat 11....

I hadn't booked yet. I keep watching and waiting for a price drop. I may just book another cruise line instead.

So far we've sailed NCL, RCCL, CCL and Disney. DD actually liked Disney 3rd in ranking of kids entertainment. The one cruise we took on NCL was a stinker, but a very old boat and very bad weather...

The Gem is a brand new boat....I'll be checking out Cruise Critic.

 

[JsMom2]

It all comes down to why you want to go to the Baltics. If the main draw is the destination then the cruise ship simply becomes your floating hotel. As long as you only have to unpack once, have meals available 24/7 and childcare when you need it what else do you really need? Based upon my last experience with NCL, I'm pretty confident we'd have a great time on the Gem. But if not, at those prices, who cares? We did the Baltics last summer on the Crown Princess and I barely had any time to enjoy that beautiful ship.

When we did the Magic 11 Day Med trip we were so exhausted we booked a 7day Caribbean on the Magic to recover!

I know everyone needs to do whats best for their family, but I just think its silly to pay that much for a Disney Baltic cruise when you could do a Baltic cruise on another line AND a Disney cruise for the same amount (if not less).

 

[kaseyC]

We are also going to look at Princess when the 2010 rates come out.

We are waiting for Celebrity to release their 2010 European itineraries. We want an Eastern Med or Baltics. It looks like they will be announced in early March. We are very interested in the 3 new ships- Solstice, Equinox and Eclipse. According to cruise critic the Eclipse's home port will be Southhampton but no info on the itinerary.

 

[sbell111]

We'll stick with the Disney cruise. The extra cost is worth it given that we absolutely know that we'll be happy.

 

[NancyIL]

I always book the cheap cabins, so here goes. The June 28 12-night NCL Jewel costs $3854.12 for 3 people in an inside cabin (143 sq. ft.). The June 24 12-night Disney Magic costs $8835.16 for 3 people in a cat. 11 (184 sq. ft.). The $4981.04 price difference would easily pay for 3 airfares to London as well as some excursions. Let me think...a larger inside cabin on DCL vs. my whole trip paid for on NCL?

 

[sbell111]

I always book the cheap cabins, so here goes. The June 28 12-night NCL Jewel costs $3854.12 for 3 people in an inside cabin (143 sq. ft.). The June 24 12-night Disney Magic costs $8835.16 for 3 people in a cat. 11 (184 sq. ft.). The $4981.04 price difference would easily pay for 3 airfares to London as well as some excursions. Let me think...a larger inside cabin on DCL vs. my whole trip paid for on NCL?

So take the NCL trip. No one is trying to talk you into doing anything you don't want to do.

I merely posted that we will pay extra for the sure deal. My decision does play into your dedcision any more than yours plays into mine.

 

[NancyIL]

So take the NCL trip. No one is trying to talk you into doing anything you don't want to do.

I merely posted that we will pay extra for the sure deal. My decision does play into your dedcision any more than yours plays into mine.

I have never felt the slightest inclination towards booking any of DCL's Europe itineraries, except for the EB Transatlantic. Although that is a well-priced cruise, the itinerary doesn't do much for me.

There are a number of variations on northern Europe cruise itineraries. NCL Jewel's is quite similar to DCL's - except it goes to both Helsinki and Talinn, whereas DCL goes to one or the other plus Oslo. When Royal Caribbean releases their 2010 Europe itineraries next month, I expect Jewel of the Seas will have a similar Baltic itinerary. Holland America and Princess tend to go to less well-known ports as well as those more accessible to smaller ships. I don't know which itinerary we will choose, but based on current prices, it will definitely NOT be on DCL.

I have no doubt that DCL will do a great job in Europe in 2010, but at what point do diehard DCL fans say "enough is enough" when it comes to the exorbitant prices?

 

[carmie3377]

I'm glad I found this thread. We've talked about the Baltic Cruise but haven't looked too much into as we first want to make sure we enjoy cruising (planning to take the Dec 5 7 night Eastern cruise through DCL). I decided to look up prices for my party size and can't believe the difference.

DCL
June 12, 2010
12-Night Northern European Capitals
Cat 11 184 sq feet inside state room
$11,702.88 for 2 adults, 2 children ages 4, 11

NCL
June 16, 2010
12-Day Baltic Capitals Round-trip London
Cat AF 285 sq feet state room with Balcony
$5616 for 2 adults, 2 children ages 4, 11

So, for less than half the price of a Cat 11 through Disney, I could get a balcony and 100 more square feet with NCL.

I would be disappointed that NCL doesn't stop in Oslo as DH's ancestors are from Norway but we want to eventually take at least a week long trip to just Norway so we could pass it up this time.

 

[sbell111]

I wonder how comparable the two cruise lines are.

I loved the DCL med cruise that we took a few years ago, so I am comfident that we will love the DCL capitals cruise. I have no experience with NCL, so I did a google search and turned up some pretty horrid complaints. If there is any truth to these, I simply can't afford to risk NCL, even with the cost savings.

<edited to add that I just spoke to my wife on the phone and she agreed that the savings aren't worth the risk.>

 

[kaseyC]

I wonder how comparable the two cruise lines are.

I loved the DCL med cruise that we took a few years ago, so I am comfident that we will love the DCL capitals cruise. I have no experience with NCL, so I did a google search and turned up some pretty horrid complaints. If there is any truth to these, I simply can't afford to risk NCL, even with the cost savings.

<edited to add that I just spoke to my wife on the phone and she agreed that the savings aren't worth the risk.>

You know that can be said for any cruiseline. Google DCL and you can also find some horrid reviews. But also to be fair, DCL has two ships and has been in service for about 10 years. Other mainstream cruiselines have many more ships and have been in the business much longer. So, of course you may find more bad reviews.

I've sailed most of the mainstream cruiselines as well as one of the ultra-luxury lines and honestly, I have never had a bad cruise. I've liked each one for different reasons. I've found that even different ships within the same cruiseline can provide a different experience.

Truly, what others choose to do or who they choose to sail with has no bearing on my life or my experiences. I didn't see this thread as way to convince others to abandon Disney. IMO, I felt Jsmom started it as a discussion of other options out there for those who may be on the fence and/or uncomfortable with the DCL rates but still may want the opportunity to cruise Europe.

 

[NancyIL]

You know that can be said for any cruiseline. Google DCL and you can also find some horrid reviews. But also to be fair, DCL has two ships and has been in service for about 10 years. Other mainstream cruiselines have many more ships and have been in the business much longer. So, of course you may find more bad reviews.

I've sailed most of the mainstream cruiselines as well as one of the ultra-luxury lines and honestly, I have never had a bad cruise. I've liked each one for different reasons. I've found that even different ships within the same cruiseline can provide a different experience.

Truly, what others choose to do or who they choose to sail with has no bearing on my life or my experiences. I didn't see this thread as way to convince others to abandon Disney. IMO, I felt Jsmom started it as a discussion of other options out there for those who may be on the fence and/or uncomfortable with the DCL rates but still may want the opportunity to cruise Europe.

Well said. NCL is the only mass market cruise line that has their 2010 Europe itineraries and prices available for comparison with DCL. When other cruise lines become available to book in a few months, some will no doubt cost more than NCL. But I don't foresee any being as high as DCL until you get to the luxury cruise lines.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

you know- I think we're at the point that "enough is enough" on the expensive baltic cruises. We already switched our 10nt baltic cruise to another cruise. the difference is that we want to cruise DCL (don't know if we'll ever cruise another line- maybe someday...) so instead we're just going to WDW for a week PLUS a 7nt DCL western cruise (May 30th- one of the discounted ones) and all that this 2wk entails TOTAL ends up still about 1/3 the cost of the baltic 10nt. That savings, plus the fact the baltic is very port intensive and who knows if we'd have the money to do anything in all those ports- plus we'd love to go to those places but the kids might not enjoy them as much as us... was a no brainer for us to switch. We're still doing the TA though- it wasn't nearly as expensive. LOL

I just couldn't bring myself to pay THAT much for the 10nt baltic cruise. I just couldn't.