Yikes! Huge price jump in 2018!!

[JW9DVC]

Nobody is arguing that DCL should be giving their cruises away at rock bottom prices. The problem is that they are raising their prices faster than the competition. They did this to the WDW parks & resorts and now they are crashing and burning. Resort bookings are down and park attendance is down. The extras they are throwing at AP holders right now is awesome, but that's because they are hurting for attendance and want us spending money at their restaurants and stores. I adore DCL, but I did not book anything for this release. I'll go back to RCCL which I enjoy just as much.

Nothing is being tossed to AP holders here in CALIFORNIA. The tipping point on price happens for a very few. It hasn't happened yet for my family yet. Maybe one day. We pay for DCL because they are the only one for us at the moment.

I'm honestly afraid to try some of the other cruise lines as we have become accustomed to DCL. I though am a deplorable. So...

 

[JW9DVC]

Galveston doesn't count.

Sure it does!

 

[Ofinn]

Sure it does!

No it doesnt because those cruises dont sell and are highly discounted in the end. Therefore no price hikes. Im sure Dcl cant wait until it can pull out of there. I believe they are under contract.

 

[momof2halls]

We are sailing the new MSC Seaside 7 night Caribbean itinerary during our March 2018 Spring break in a Yacht Club Deluxe suite (concierge) for about 12k less than DCL wants for concierge on their Spring Break sailing. IMO, there is nothing DCL offers on a standard Caribbean sailing that makes their concierge experience worth 12K more.

I looked at this cruise line. Their prices are great. Can you tell me anything about them? I have never heard of this company. Thanks!

 

[NoodlesMom]

I've thought the same thing over the last few years. Prices have really gotten crazy, atleast for my budget. Don't loose hope though. We are now gold and sailed spring break 2015 and will be sailing the week before Christmas on GTY rates for less that 4K for a family of 4. We can only sail during peak times. I refuse to pay crazy prices but I've been lucky enough to find sailings that work for us. I hope these GTY rates continue to be affordable.

 

[deanimal]

We sailed with MSC on an Eastern Med itinerary back in 2014 and we thought it was great value. The standard verandah stateroom was very roomy and well maintained, the service was less "American style smiley-friendly" than Disney but very polite and efficient. We actually have two more cruises booked with them, a seven day Baltic cruise this summer ($2800 for seven nights out of Copenhagen, two adults, two children, in a verandah cabin) and have a booking on the MSC Seaside for the last week of March 2018. We've booked a two bedroom, two bath suite for the week for about $5000. (The booking is converted into Cdn dollars on my form so I'm not sure the exact price I booked at in US dollars.) This is at the "Aurea" level, one step down from Yacht Club. I'd love to try Yacht Club but the suites were all booked for this week and we really wanted a suite. The Aurea package comes with an unlimited drinks package, priority embarkation, any time dining in all the restaurants and a one hour massage! All for less than we'd pay to get on the boat that week on Disney.

 

[seacruise]

Just booked the Wonder for President's Day week 2018. It was only about $500 more than the Magic cruise we did in April this year for the same category (5B). Was really expecting it to be a lot higher as that week in Feb is always crazy expensive compared to April. Just looked at the current price for President's Day week 2017 and it is over 2k more than the opening day price we just got for 2018. Still a lot of value in booking early.

 

[hbg4]

For 3 adults, my March 3rd 2018 cruise in a category 8A at ($5,122) is more than my cruise March 4th 2017 cruise in a cat 5E.
Cat 5E on 3/4/17 $4,481. cat 5E 3/3/17 $5,346. Both booked on opening day for 3 adults.

 

[RRB]

You know, if this thread bothers you, you can just scroll past it and not respond. No need to be snarky. There are no rules on this board against discussing price increases and/or perceived value.

I don't think Budzooka was being snarky, I think he is expressing the sentiments of allot of us. I don't understand the threads on this board regarding "jumping ship" and "going to the dark side". OK, so if you think Disney is too expensive, then cruise on RCL or whatever cruise line you want. What is the purpose of posting on a Disney Cruise Line Forum that Disney is too expensive? It's like standing in line to pay for a product and complaining about the price.

 

[JW9DVC]

No it doesnt because those cruises dont sell and are highly discounted in the end. Therefore no price hikes. Im sure Dcl cant wait until it can pull out of there. I believe they are under contract.

Disney can cancel the contract if they choose. Since they clearly intend to cruise until 2018 at least. The current contract ends at this year and was renewed for another two. At Disney request! So apparently they have a market.

 

[Ofinn]

Disney can cancel the contract if they choose. Since they clearly intend to cruise until 2018 at least. The current contract ends at this year and was renewed for another two. At Disney request! So apparently they have a market.

I don't know anything about contracts and what the rules are. I just look at discounts. If you don't think these cruises get discounted then you haven't done your research. I can't help with that, but I'm sure you know how to google. New york, San Juan same thing. Next year they actually lowered the price out of New York. The Fantasy keeps going up in price. Hopefully with all the competition coming to Florida this changes. I'm glad your cruise price didn't go up, but there is a reason for that, and doesn't mean their hasn't been huge price increases on the Fantasy and Dream. Disney didn't keep the prices the same out of Galveston out of kindness if these cruises were selling there would be huge price hikes because that's Disney.

 

[JW9DVC]

I don't think Budzooka was being snarky, I think he is expressing the sentiments of allot of us. I don't understand the threads on this board regarding "jumping ship" and "going to the dark side". OK, so if you think Disney is too expensive, then cruise on RCL or whatever cruise line you want. What is the purpose of posting on a Disney Cruise Line Forum that Disney is too expensive? It's like standing in line to pay for a product and complaining about the price.

Maybe people think they will have a welfare system setup? If half the people that complained on these boards about the prices. It does get old after awhile.

We all value money in a certain way. I value my time with family and away from work more than anything. If others are willing to pay. Disney will always hike the prices. Soon we will have minimum wages increase to $15 an hour here in California. The cost of living is going to go up. Yet. That's life if I choose to remain in this state. If you can't afford Disney. Why complain on a Disney board. Go to RCCL and complain. I agree with you.

 

[tinkerone]

Maybe people think they will have a welfare system setup? If half the people that complained on these boards about the prices. It does get old after awhile.

We all value money in a certain way. I value my time with family and away from work more than anything. If others are willing to pay. Disney will always hike the prices. Soon we will have minimum wages increase to $15 an hour here in California. The cost of living is going to go up. Yet. That's life if I choose to remain in this state. If you can't afford Disney. Why complain on a Disney board. Go to RCCL and complain. I agree with you.

If I can afford Disney can I complain on a Disney Board? Just curious as to when its okay and when its not.

As to Galveston, while there is an question as to if prices have increased or not, I would be willing to bet that DCL costs at least, at least, 25% more than any other ship that sails from there. That again tells me that DCL over prices themselves and as has been mentioned, the Galveston sailings are often discounted after the fact.

Why argue. If your happy paying DCL prices then pay them. If you think your getting value for your money then wonderful. I have not seen the value in a while and have opened my eyes to the little tricks they play to make themselves seem like 'they' premier cruiseline. They are good, no doubt, but are they 50% better? There in lies the question. I don't think so but time will tell. You may think so, have a great time.

 

[Ofinn]

Maybe people think they will have a welfare system setup? If half the people that complained on these boards about the prices. It does get old after awhile.

We all value money in a certain way. I value my time with family and away from work more than anything. If others are willing to pay. Disney will always hike the prices. Soon we will have minimum wages increase to $15 an hour here in California. The cost of living is going to go up. Yet. That's life if I choose to remain in this state. If you can't afford Disney. Why complain on a Disney board. Go to RCCL and complain. I agree with you.

Why would anyone go to a RCCL board and complain about DCL prices. They don't care. I'm sure they have enough complaints about there own cruise line. $15 an hour minimum wage. I guess you'll see a lot of small businesses going under. Can't wait to see what the unemployment rate in California is in a few years. If you don't like people to talk about price I wouldn't visit these boards. Disney and pricing is always going to be a hot topic. Not just over here, but on the Resorts board as well.

 

[Ofinn]

If you want to cruise for less then cruise from Texas. Enough said

I liked cruising out of Galveston. I've only done it once. I like the Wonder. I may cruise out of there again in January when I see what discounts are offered. Yeah I like to pay less money. Who wouldn't. I like to cruise 3 or more times a year. I always tell people that want to cruise for less to look at Galveston or San Juan. Is that a bad thing?

 

[scrappinginontario]

I always tell people that want to cruise for less to look at Galveston or San Juan.

Out of curiosity I just looked at this cruise and it really is a good price! It might be something I consider in the future. I also like that I can fly with Southwest to Houston and out of San Juan.

Hmmmm....might be able to swing another Disney cruise in the future after all!

 

[undertheradar]

We cruise out of Galveston and find that we get more bang for the buck by doing so. We sail concierge, so no discounts added before sailing. Take a look at concierge availability on Galveston sailings, most sailings are sold out for concierge. Add to it that we can drive to the port and it is a win/win for us.

 

[klbrow11]

Galveston or San Juan would be cheaper for us as far as the cruise. However once you add the cost of flights and hotels it costs as much or more than port canaveral. Cruising out of port canaveral means we can drive. We can use dvc points for a room the night before or after. So prices going up for these cruises hurt a bit for my family.

 

[AquaDame]

Lets not forget the interline rate. These are released when DCL gets really, really desperate. I've been lucky enough to book some of these, but the amount available this Fall is surprising. Three years ago these discounts didnt exist. Its funny to me that people think cruises are selling out at full price when a lot of people ate getting 20 to 50 percent off. It doesnt take a lot of research to figure this out.

What ship out there sails 100% at full price? Nothing in the world has 100% of people paying full price for anything. ANYTHING. In line with your Galveston argument, Fall has always been an off time to sail so it makes sense there are a lot of discounts for it. As for how many, only Disney knows that for sure. You sound as if we should all be ashamed of ourselves for paying full price, but as I've said before, its nice you have the option for a nice discount but most of us don't live in Florida nor work in the military or somewhere that allows us to nab an industry rate. I have perks at my work too but I don't point at people that have to pay for Apple products and say how silly they are since I get each new toy for free, or shake my head at people who pay for health insurance which we get totally free aside from a $10 copay at the doctors. It's not nice, nor is it fair. My perks are just different for my circumstances.

If I can afford Disney can I complain on a Disney Board? Just curious as to when its okay and when its not.

Heck yeah you can.

I liked cruising out of Galveston. I've only done it once. I like the Wonder. I may cruise out of there again in January when I see what discounts are offered. Yeah I like to pay less money. Who wouldn't. I like to cruise 3 or more times a year. I always tell people that want to cruise for less to look at Galveston or San Juan. Is that a bad thing?

Everyone would. IF we could get the same discounts we'd do the same. Instead we're cruising twice next year and doing other things for our other vacations. I fully expect that our two weeks in Tokyo will be less than either cruise (airfare aside). Cruises are our "treats" instead of the main course since we generally have to pay full price.

 

[niccikatie]

Maybe people think they will have a welfare system setup? If half the people that complained on these boards about the prices. It does get old after awhile.

We all value money in a certain way. I value my time with family and away from work more than anything. If others are willing to pay. Disney will always hike the prices. Soon we will have minimum wages increase to $15 an hour here in California. The cost of living is going to go up. Yet. That's life if I choose to remain in this state. If you can't afford Disney. Why complain on a Disney board. Go to RCCL and complain. I agree with you.

For a lot of people here it's not about being able to afford it or not. It's about choosing to spend your vacation dollars in a way that you see value. For my first few years on this board it was almost completely taboo to mention you liked any line OTHER than DCL. The party line was "everyone but DCL has poor service and nickel-and-dimes you to death". That mentality has changed, in part because of these pricing threads. Pricing in the cruise industry is very competitive right now for the typical Caribbean/Bahamas cruises - and the promotions out there are including more and more by way of OBC, drink packages, specialty dining, etc. If DCL really wants to command top dollar they need to go BIG on the itineraries to attract people, IMO.

Personally, we have voted with our money. We enjoyed our two Disney cruises (spending two weeks on the Wonder was heaven on earth, truly) but I cancelled the OBB I made during our EBPC. Disney does not offer $2000 more in service & amenities than Celebrity. I can make almost anything work in our household budget, but that's real money I'm going to spend on additional time with my family. I don't think anybody here actually cares that there are people who will pay Disney prices - but these threads offer people who want a Disney caliber cruise a way to discuss other options as well.