Pricing, ARE THEY NUTS?

[Coach Rick]

Ok, just got off the Wonder last Thursday. Great time. We had a Cat 3, and absolutely loved it, so I went to book my next cruise, in hopefully the same room, but man did I get sticker shock! The exact same cruise one year from this one in the same Cat 3 is $2,200 more! How can Disney or ANY company these days justify this kind of increase? I still booked, but in a Cat 6. I am just totally baffled by their ignorance. I put that together with the recent park increases and those absolutely ridiculous dining plan prices and policies, and all I can think is I own a bunch of points in a dying company. They will kill themselves. I have always justified my Disney expenditure by saying it was the biggest bang for the buck. Now it would seem that they are banging alright, they are banging us Disney lovers over the head with a 10 lb frying pan! I am even thinking I can do a 7 day NCL cruise in a balcony room for the same price of a 4 day cat 6 on the Wonder. Mind you, I have no intention of sailing next year anyhow, but wanted the onboard incentives. Next I wonder how soon it will be before they do away with the option of changing sailing dates. I may just cancel and go, dare I say, NCL!

Ok, I got it off my chest, thanks for listening.

[brucechase]

The pricing is because there is only 1 ship in Florida next summer.

Supply and demand.

If they don't fill up the ship, they will reduce the price. I'm pretty sure that Disney is NOT a dying company.

[kcashner]

We're heard some rumors about doing away with the option of changing sailing dates. Reality--it they do that, there will be a marked reduction in onboard rebooking. Many people book with the full intention of moving the dates, others book without knowing whether a particular date will work with a school calendar, etc.

As Bruce said, summer 2010 is expensive as the Magic will be in Europe and they think they'll be able to fill the Wonder at those rates. If the cruises don't sell at those prices, there will either be special offers or general price reductions.

[chuff]

The freedom to change your dates if life makes a sharp left and you suddenly have to is one the great things about DCL. I'd think eliminating that option would have a tremendous negative effect on them. Especially (as already mentioned) with onboard bookings, but with regular bookings as well. It's very comforting to know you can rebook on a different cruise if something comes up - especially when you're making plans a year or more off.

[Coach Rick]

Originally Posted by kcashner

We're heard some rumors about doing away with the option of changing sailing dates. Reality--it they do that, there will be a marked reduction in onboard rebooking. Many people book with the full intention of moving the dates, others book without knowing whether a particular date will work with a school calendar, etc.

As Bruce said, summer 2010 is expensive as the Magic will be in Europe and they think they'll be able to fill the Wonder at those rates. If the cruises don't sell at those prices, there will either be special offers or general price reductions.

I hadn't even thought of that. I was just shocked at the amount of difference. Of course in 2011, I suppose it will still be expensive because the Dream will be here, and the Wonder will be on the left coast.

If they keep raising the prices and changing formulas I am not so sure they will remain as strong as they are. Think General Motors! Who would have thunk they would be where they are today. Check on the stock market shows you can buy a share of "motors liquidation company" MTLQQ for .83 per share! Yeah, I know, apples and oranges. Time will tell...

[kcashner]

I expect that in 2011 the Dream will be expensive but the opening prices for the Magic will be about the same as they have been in the past (pre recession reductions). Once again, if they don't fill, prices will be adjusted. Wonder sailings...who knows. Guess it depends on where she's going.

[Andrew DEREK UK]

From last weeks cruise, I understand on board booking discounts are here to stay, but the discount may be reduced, or restricted on the new ships. At least at the start.

Moving on dates will continue, but swapping to a new ship will mean terms changing to the lower percentage rate.

[kcashner]

Thanks, Andrew.

As you pointed out, when you move an onboard rebooking discount you always have received the discount for the cruise you move TO. For instance, when I booked a cruise with a $500 OBC and moved to a normal, 7 day cruise I got the standard 10% +$200.

It's only fair that you get the discount for the sailing you actually do, regardless of which ship it involves!

[NancyIL]

If you think the Wonder's prices are nuts in summer 2010 - take a look at the Magic's Mediterranean and Baltic prices!

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by NancyIL

If you think the Wonder's prices are nuts in summer 2010 - take a look at the Magic's Mediterranean and Baltic prices!

Oh yeah...I got a quote on one of those...even with the 20% + $400 onboard rebooking deal this was out of my budget. I'm sorry, but....these are very port intensive cruises (less ship, more port) and you can do them for 1/2 the price on other lines!

[mkmommy]

Actually on a per day basis the 5 day Key West is more at 324 per day (based on double occupancy in a CAT 11)the 11 day Med in August is 317 per day. It is when you add in the airfare and excursions that is really adds up.

[kcashner]

Originally Posted by mkmommy

Actually on a per day basis the 5 day Key West is more at 324 per day (based on double occupancy in a CAT 11)the 11 day Med in August is 317 per day. It is when you add in the airfare and excursions that is really adds up.

The 5 day cruises are completely out of line. I can do a 7 day this year for less than a 5 day next year...but as above, supply and demand.

[Evan&Kimberly]

Well if you dont mind can you please tell me how to do one of the count down calendars???

[Dizzyworld]

Originally Posted by kcashner

The 5 day cruises are completely out of line. I can do a 7 day this year for less than a 5 day next year...but as above, supply and demand.

I was shocked too at the prices. As much as I loved DCL, we are off to RCCL next summer.

BTW.........Coach Rick, glad you got your cruise. We were suppose to travel together in '08. I hope your cruise was full of magical times worth waiting for.

[disney1990]

Originally Posted by Coach Rick

Ok, just got off the Wonder last Thursday. Great time. We had a Cat 3, and absolutely loved it, so I went to book my next cruise, in hopefully the same room, but man did I get sticker shock! The exact same cruise one year from this one in the same Cat 3 is $2,200 more! How can Disney or ANY company these days justify this kind of increase? I still booked, but in a Cat 6. I am just totally baffled by their ignorance. I put that together with the recent park increases and those absolutely ridiculous dining plan prices and policies, and all I can think is I own a bunch of points in a dying company. They will kill themselves. I have always justified my Disney expenditure by saying it was the biggest bang for the buck. Now it would seem that they are banging alright, they are banging us Disney lovers over the head with a 10 lb frying pan! I am even thinking I can do a 7 day NCL cruise in a balcony room for the same price of a 4 day cat 6 on the Wonder. Mind you, I have no intention of sailing next year anyhow, but wanted the onboard incentives. Next I wonder how soon it will be before they do away with the option of changing sailing dates. I may just cancel and go, dare I say, NCL!

Ok, I got it off my chest, thanks for listening.

You ask why Disney can do this? Simple -- even though the prices were higher, you STILLED booked a cruise with them. If you though the prices were that out of line, you would not have booked. Disney does it, because they can.