Disney Cruise Worth the Extra $$?

[ekatiel]

So, we're going to WDW for the first time this May, but DH already has me pricing out Disney Cruises (I think I may have converted him) for 2010. They don't have a ton of dates release yet, that I could find. But from what I could find, it's going to run our family of 4 about $2900 for a 7 night cruise at the cheapest time of year (I think I priced October), in an iterior cabin. DH and I have been on several cruises before (but none with the kids) on Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We live in Houston, so we have the port of Galveston within an hour's drive. I priced out a Carnival 7 day cruise for under $1500 for all four of us, AND we wouldn't have to buy plane tickets! Is Disney REALLY worth all that extra cash? Anybody up for convincing me ? TIA! --Katie

 

[mmouse37]

So, we're going to WDW for the first time this May, but DH already has me pricing out Disney Cruises (I think I may have converted him) for 2010. They don't have a ton of dates release yet, that I could find. But from what I could find, it's going to run our family of 4 about $2900 for a 7 night cruise at the cheapest time of year (I think I priced October), in an iterior cabin. DH and I have been on several cruises before (but none with the kids) on Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We live in Houston, so we have the port of Galveston within an hour's drive. I priced out a Carnival 7 day cruise for under $1500 for all four of us, AND we wouldn't have to buy plane tickets! Is Disney REALLY worth all that extra cash? Anybody up for convincing me ? TIA! --Katie

This is the age old question and asked at least one a month on these boards. Ultimately, only you, will be able to tell if it is worth the extra money and you really need to experience DCL to decide.

We could all tell you all our wonderful experiences onboard, that DCL is more than just a cruiseline, they they have highest repeat cruiser rate in the industry, that their service is excellent and that each cruise is filled with a bit of pixie dust.....but it will be up to you to decide if it is worth it or not!!

We have cruised DCL 17 times so you know my answer...but I enjoy other cruiselines as well but DCL is my all time favorite.

MJ

 

[jilljill]

All dates for 2010 have been released. The Magic will be going to Europe in April and then won't be back until late September.

We've done DCL and CCL and have decided that it is worth the extra money for DCL for the activities and such that are offered. We were bored on CCL on both our cruises and one was on a new ship for 12 days last summer.
Our 14yo DD didn't like the teen activities, or rather lack of them. She stayed with us the majority of the time.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I'll keep my answer short: In my opinion....YES, it is worth the money. Other than DCL, I've only ever cruised Carnival. The difference is huge. The atmosphere, the cleanliness, the "magic". I just love it, and can't imagine ever going on another cruise line without sadly thinking "for a few hundred bucks more I could be on the Wonder"

 

[disneychic]

A lot of people who've never cruised with Disney struggle w/ the price difference between DCL and other cruiselines. The best advice I can give you is that if going on a Disney Cruise is something you and your family are dreaming of experiencing, go for it.

 

[Aurora2009]

I totally agree. We have no plans on using another cruise lines in the near future. We love DCL and recommend them to oour friends all the time. Yes, it is more $$$ but at least you know that your whole family will enjoy it.

 

[Khazid]

Just adding to the chatter...nothing here that hasn't been repeated.

I've been on other cruise lines and DCL 3 times. Honestly, DCL is my pick when we can take it. Like you, I live near a major port (Long Beach, CA), so I know that the lure of the other cruise lines is pretty strong.

My advice would be to get the planning DVD and watch it with the family. If you enjoy the magic of the mouse, DCL will not disapoint.

IMHO the extra money you spend on the premium for DCL experience is worth it.

 

[tvguy]

This is the age old question and asked at least one a month on these boards. Ultimately, only you, will be able to tell if it is worth the extra money and you really need to experience DCL to decide.

We could all tell you all our wonderful experiences onboard, that DCL is more than just a cruiseline, they they have highest repeat cruiser rate in the industry, that their service is excellent and that each cruise is filled with a bit of pixie dust.....but it will be up to you to decide if it is worth it or not!!

We have cruised DCL 17 times so you know my answer...but I enjoy other cruiselines as well but DCL is my all time favorite.

MJ

I agree 100%. We loved it, we hope to do a Disney cruise again. We have done one cruise since Disney, and it was on NCL America. It was far cheaper, and for us, going on any cruise with our family was the top priority, and with 1 kid in college now, and 1 one the way in August, there just wasn't money available for Disney.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

My dad complained so much about this last cruise because it was his first Disney cruise and he could not understand WHY it was so much more, etc. etc. etc. As we were sitting in parrott Cay the first night, he looked at me and said, this is included? I told him yes it was. He said that on the last Norweigen (can't spell sorry) transatlantic they took, only a couple of places were included, anything like Parrott Cay, Animators or Lumiere's were extra. I think by the end of last week he was as converted as (in my own words) a Scrooge McDuck could be. He's actually open to doing another Disney cruise .

 

[MiknMinMouse]

I'll keep my answer short: In my opinion....YES, it is worth the money. Other than DCL, I've only ever cruised Carnival. The difference is huge. The atmosphere, the cleanliness, the "magic". I just love it, and can't imagine ever going on another cruise line without sadly thinking "for a few hundred bucks more I could be on the Wonder"

This made me laugh. As we were coming back to the ship in Cozumel our met up with two college guys on the Carnival that was docked next to us. They asked about DCL, and told us that they were on their ship for $300. He made the comment that he bet a lot of people on their ship wished they were with us instead because it was spring break and the ship was one big party.

 

[stsomewhere]

I asked myself this very same question. I could always get a better deal on another line.We have sailed CC, NCL, RC, and HAl multiple times.

We always wanted to try DCl. Last Jan, we were docked next to the Wonder in Nassua. My kids went crazy. They were begging us to take them. Mickey was waving at them from the top deck.

We took advantage of the kids sail for free offer. We took the kids in Feb on a 3 night DCl Wonder cruise. We had a terrific time. We booked a 7 night for August while on board.

For us it is worth it. Our friends are hoping we want to sail DCl in 2010 because after seeing our pics and videos want to go with us.

We enjoyed the family atmosphere, show, and service.

My kids hated our last cruise on CArnival and would rather stay home than sail on them again. They did not like the kids programs or shows.

On DCl, we could not keep our DD-8 out of the lab. She only wanted out durning meals so she could pick what she wanted to eat and durning the shows.


Only you can decide if it is worth it for your family. Good Luck

 

[jodifla]

Well, it depends. I've cruised several lines, including RCL and Carnival and NCL, and DCL three times.

I wouldn't pay top dollar over holiday months for DCL.

But for somewhat more, the DCL cruise does have a lot of nice things for families, particularly if your kids are young. Good shows, lots of family activities.

Once they hit the teen years, I'd say RCL has more going on.

 

[frdeb1999]

We are actually looking into trying Carnival since it now will be sailing out of Baltimore as we would'nt have to worry about airfare. Still have many doubts though since I think we'll be always comparing it to DCL. For us DCL is great and our dd's are all older with the exception of 1 and they still prefer sailing with them. Just a wonderful experience and very friendly staff.....can't say enough good things about DCL!

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for your replies. It does sound like a great experience-- I know the kids would LOVE it. Getting the DVD is a great idea. I'll have to order it. One other factor in our descision is that my ODS (who will be five in the summer) has multiple food allergies. We know, hands-down that Disney will be the best at handling the food allergies-- but for almost $1500 less-- I'd be willing to bring all his food!! Anyhow, thanks for all your responses. DCL is definitely something we'll think about in the future (especially if our WDW trip in May goes well!). --Katie

 

[Mickey_loves_Minnie]

So, we're going to WDW for the first time this May, but DH already has me pricing out Disney Cruises (I think I may have converted him) for 2010. They don't have a ton of dates release yet, that I could find. But from what I could find, it's going to run our family of 4 about $2900 for a 7 night cruise at the cheapest time of year (I think I priced October), in an iterior cabin. DH and I have been on several cruises before (but none with the kids) on Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We live in Houston, so we have the port of Galveston within an hour's drive. I priced out a Carnival 7 day cruise for under $1500 for all four of us, AND we wouldn't have to buy plane tickets! Is Disney REALLY worth all that extra cash? Anybody up for convincing me ? TIA! --Katie

It really depends on what you're looking for in a cruise (are you interested in the ports or the ship or just want to get away with your family), which Carnival ship you're considering, the ages of your children, and so on. I haven't cruised on Carnival, just Disney, Celebrity and Princess. If you were asking if a Disney cruise is worth the extra money vs. Celebrity, I'd say probably not, depending on the price difference. I know Carnival has some great deals, though. But you're going to get very biased opinions here. You could also ask the Carnival folks on http://boards.cruisecritic.com/.

My dad complained so much about this last cruise because it was his first Disney cruise and he could not understand WHY it was so much more, etc. etc. etc. As we were sitting in parrott Cay the first night, he looked at me and said, this is included? I told him yes it was. He said that on the last Norweigen (can't spell sorry) transatlantic they took, only a couple of places were included, anything like Parrott Cay, Animators or Lumiere's were extra. I think by the end of last week he was as converted as (in my own words) a Scrooge McDuck could be. He's actually open to doing another Disney cruise .

Your father must have been confused as to which restaurants were extra and which weren't. NCL has more small "Palo" level restaurants on each ship than Disney does. Their ships definitely have large standard level (in other words, "anything like Parrot Cay") restaurants, and they are included in the cruise price.