DCL vs Others-$$$$

[lmroyea]

I'm just wondering from all you veteran cruisers out there, how do you justify the price of a Disney Cruise versus others. The only cruise I've been on was Disney, but we're now looking to do a longer (7 night) one and we thought it would be a good time to do so, price wise. However, I'm finding that other lines are sooooo much cheaper, and we'll be a party of 4 adults. We actually would enjoy the casino and/or more adult atmosphere of another line (My parents aren't really as "Disney" as me, of course WDW is always mine and DH's home) But where do I even start! It will be my parents' 1st cruise, and after raving about our Disney cruise, I don't want them to be disappointed. But I don't really know how to compare other cruises to Disney. We're looking to do something fairly cheap, but still want quality. Any advice is appreciated. I've tried other boards, and I feel lost, so please help me. If you don't want to post names of cruise lines, feel free to PM me.
TYIA, from a WDW LOVER trying to find a substitute for her cheap parents.

 

[TiaMaria]

I'm just wondering from all you veteran cruisers out there, how do you justify the price of a Disney Cruise versus others. The only cruise I've been on was Disney, but we're now looking to do a longer (7 night) one and we thought it would be a good time to do so, price wise. However, I'm finding that other lines are sooooo much cheaper, and we'll be a party of 4 adults. We actually would enjoy the casino and/or more adult atmosphere of another line (My parents aren't really as "Disney" as me, of course WDW is always mine and DH's home) But where do I even start! It will be my parents' 1st cruise, and after raving about our Disney cruise, I don't want them to be disappointed. But I don't really know how to compare other cruises to Disney. We're looking to do something fairly cheap, but still want quality. Any advice is appreciated. I've tried other boards, and I feel lost, so please help me. If you don't want to post names of cruise lines, feel free to PM me.
TYIA, from a WDW LOVER trying to find a substitute for her cheap parents.

I "justify" it because I like it the best, it works the best for my family, I can afford it....and.....most importantly, I book as early as possible for the very best rates and I book (or rebook) onboard for the very best discounts and OBC's.

So I guess what I am saying is that I don't have to "justify" it. I am just smart about how I book it. I didn't get that way on my own, I learned it from reading all the great tips on this board!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I'm just wondering from all you veteran cruisers out there, how do you justify the price of a Disney Cruise versus others. The only cruise I've been on was Disney, but we're now looking to do a longer (7 night) one and we thought it would be a good time to do so, price wise. However, I'm finding that other lines are sooooo much cheaper, and we'll be a party of 4 adults. We actually would enjoy the casino and/or more adult atmosphere of another line (My parents aren't really as "Disney" as me, of course WDW is always mine and DH's home) But where do I even start! It will be my parents' 1st cruise, and after raving about our Disney cruise, I don't want them to be disappointed. But I don't really know how to compare other cruises to Disney. We're looking to do something fairly cheap, but still want quality. Any advice is appreciated. I've tried other boards, and I feel lost, so please help me. If you don't want to post names of cruise lines, feel free to PM me.
TYIA, from a WDW LOVER trying to find a substitute for her cheap parents.

We have done DCL 5 times and loved every one. We tried RCL twice and had horrible service and the food quality was just as bad We also have done 3 Carnival cruises and found them to be just fine ..no drunk fest or party atmosphere, the food was actually better than DCL

Rob

 

[lmroyea]

Thanks for such a quick reply I guess I'm saying, I don't think Disney is going to be the best fit for this particular trip. So, if you had to pick a 2nd choice, what would it be and why? (Keep in mind my parents are paying for most, so we don't have much of a say in the matter) But I was wondering what would be your 2nd most best experience on a cruise? I believe Disney is the best, but the others in my party are looking for options. It just feels like I can trust people here to be honest, as opposed to some "other sites", and I don't know where else to go. Thanks again.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Thanks for such a quick reply I guess I'm saying, I don't think Disney is going to be the best fit for this particular trip. So, if you had to pick a 2nd choice, what would it be and why? (Keep in mind my parents are paying for most, so we don't have much of a say in the matter) But I was wondering what would be your 2nd most best experience on a cruise? I believe Disney is the best, but the others in my party are looking for options. It just feels like I can trust people here to be honest, as opposed to some "other sites", and I don't know where else to go. Thanks again.

Well you have my vote.... go with Carnival...look into the Glory out of Port carnival

 

[TiaMaria]

Thanks for such a quick reply I guess I'm saying, I don't think Disney is going to be the best fit for this particular trip. So, if you had to pick a 2nd choice, what would it be and why? (Keep in mind my parents are paying for most, so we don't have much of a say in the matter) But I was wondering what would be your 2nd most best experience on a cruise? I believe Disney is the best, but the others in my party are looking for options. It just feels like I can trust people here to be honest, as opposed to some "other sites", and I don't know where else to go. Thanks again.

In the Caribbean market, I'd have to say my 2nd best cruise was on RCCL. I liked the selection of places to eat, good selection of nighttime activities (for adults) and the poolside service was very good.

On the downside - I thought their excursion desks were disorganized - both with booking and operating (as far as meeting place, instructions, etc.). If I sailed RCCL again, I would plan my own excursions.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

I'm just wondering from all you veteran cruisers out there, how do you justify the price of a Disney Cruise versus others.

1. If you are flexible when you cruise, you can find some deals on Disney.

2. There is no way to justify the (usually) higher cost, other than to try other cruise lines. It couldn't hurt to cruise on one (or more) other cruise lines at a discount rate, and see if you like it (some of the rates can be DEEPLY discounted). If you like what you get for the money, then you win...if you don't like what you get for the money, then you come back to DCL, and you win still.

We've only tried 2 other cruise lines, and so far we like Disney enough to book another cruise this summer (even though it will be more expensive). We will probably try other cruise lines in the future, on some of the newer ships, but so far, we prefer our DCL experiences...so much so that we booked our upcoming cruise while on our previous one.

Again, I can't justify the usual added expense, unless *your* experience is that much better than another cruise line.

Now, for us, it's the level of service and "polish" exhibited on the cruise..and even then, it's not just the "level" of service and polish, but the consistency of it (fit and finish, food, service, diversions, shows, kid's club, etc.)

I'm saying, I don't think Disney is going to be the best fit for this particular trip. So, if you had to pick a 2nd choice, what would it be and why?

I've had my eye on the RCCL "Oasis of the Seas" for sheer novelty factor...*that* should be fun to sail on, even if you never leave the ship!

 

[tigger_ttfn]

We've been on Royal, Carnival, and NCL. Our first Disney cruise is next year.

We loved NCL and the freestyle; however, we found the food in the dining room for dinner to be terrible. (maybe it was just our ship) We ended up eating in the specialty restaurants the remainder of our cruise. Those were great, but the cost added up.

Carnival is good for the traditional cruising and usually has great bargains. The food is wonderful and I didn't notice any crazy drunken partiers.

Unless you want to try freestyle and possibly pay for the wonderful specialty restaurants, then I would highly recommend Carnival.

 

[Phyllisi]

I really think you would enjoy the Carnival cruise line. The ships are newer than Disney (at least the ones we sail on). My daughter acutally enjoyed the childern's programming on Carnival more than Disney. In her words, there is too much free time (computer playing...chill time) on Disney.

Carnival has a deep discount for anyone who has served in the military so we usually chose an aft wrap around balocny (huge deck..2 chairs plus 2 loungers) all for about $2,800 for a 7 night cruise. We see some drunks, just like we see on the Disney line...a few. Carnival changed there image into a mutli-generational cruise line.

Disney does some things better than Carnvial and Carnival does some things better than Disney.

I kind of thought we were done with Disney (have not sailed Disney in 3 years) but they now have discounts for retired military and my daughter wanted to check out the new tween club.

Whatever line you chose will still be better at sea than at home.

 

[rkwier]

I think that with any cruise line, you can have either good or bad experiences. Things like the newness of the ship, how well it is maintained and especially the people working on the ship can be factors of how much you enjoy your time there.

We have sailed with Carnival on two occasions and had two vastly different experiences. The first cruise was an Eastern Caribbean on the Valor sailing out of Miami. This was a beautiful ship and very well maintained. All of the public areas were very clean. All of the staff members were exceptional. Even ones just passing in the hall would ask if there was anything that they could do for you. It was a really wonderful experience.

The second cruise was a Western Caribbean on the Conquest. It was supposed to set sail from Galveston, but we actually sailed out of Houston because of the hurricane damage that Galveston sustained. The Conquest is the same class as the Valor, so the ships were virtually identical. (The Conquest was the first in its class, so it is older.) We even had the same cabin on both ships - the last cabin near the bow on the port side of deck 10. However, the Conquest was NOT well maintained and the public areas were usually dirty. The carpeted areas often had a funky smell. We had to pick up cigarette butts, empty cans and assorted garbage off of our balcony on a daily basis. Our cabin steward and waitstaff were nice, but any other staff member that you came across just ignored you. I even tested it once by looking right at a staff member and saying "Good Morning" - nothing, not even an acknowledgement that I existed. DH asked if we had turned our "cloaks of invisibility" on. If you were out on deck, you were constantly being asked if you wanted to purchase drinks - umm, you just passed by two minutes ago and I told you no... There was absolutley no enforcement of rules - people smoked wherever they wanted, children in adult areas, etc. Honestly, if that had been my first experience cruising, I would never go again.

So, even with the same cruise line, you can have a good or bad experience. My advice with Carnival would be to pick a newer ship, read the reviews about them, and leave from a larger port. Perhaps the staff members are better trained on the cruises that are more "in demand." I am not sure, but I hope that is the case. At any rate, I would personally be trying just about any other cruise line before I go on Carnival again.

 

[zerog]

It is often said that you will end up spending as much on a non-Disney cruise due to gambling losses.

 

[lmroyea]

It is often said that you will end up spending as much on a non-Disney cruise due to gambling losses.

LOL! Yeah I thought of that, but for us Vegas lovers it's part of our entertainment too.

Thank you all, I think I'll check out the Carnival reviews some more, at least I have a better starting place now.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Some of the Disney cruises are only $100-400 more depending on which dates you look at, how many people there are and which category you book. I've been pricing cruises for my sister for the fall and Carnival is only $200 less than Disney for some of the dates and RCCL is actually higher then Disney, now that is for Cat. 12.'s. They don't care what cabin they get as long as they get on the ship! Plus many people who book Cat. 12's get upgrades.

 

[Crystal_27]

I just wonder when you add in all of the things that Disney includes (great resturants included in price, free soda, etc.) if booking through another line is really that much cheaper. I don't think that we'd ever stray from Disney just simply for the fact that I can't imagine another cruise doing it close or better to Disney and, for us, I think that the extra money is worth knowing that Disney is going to do right. Regardless, to the OP, happy cruise planning.