Yikes! Huge price jump in 2018!!

[JW9DVC]

Here is why I share the research we do for each cruise which includes pricing. A few years back, we started seeing the pricing threads pop up, and couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about, because it hadn't hit our cruise time yet. Well then after our second fantasy cruise, we started to see DCL get slightly higher than other lines. Then came 2017 where we saw huge price differences compared to other lines. 2018 saw the gap widen. For the trips we looked at for 3 adults RCCL was 90 per day cheaper than the Wonder and 180 a per day cheaper than the Fantasy. Could we afford it sure, but having been on 12 DCL cruises already, we didn't feel the value was there to spend the extra coin. To be honest I found a lot of opinions on here made me feel better about making the jump.




That class A Disney service has changed from our first DCL cruise. It seems spotty now. Don't get me wrong the service is still good, but it is definately different from our first trip. We will see what we get on another line, as I can't compare to another line yet, but as I have said before I had basically the same crew on our Magic post dry dock trip and the Fantasy 2 months later and those crew were super friendly on the magic and not at all on the Fantasy. It was interesting to observe this.

Also if I am researching my first cruise, I may be only looking at DCL, and if I saw a thread that said hey they are super pricey, but this line is similar, I might look into that other line especially if DCL would be a budget buster for us. This will open up people's eyes, we were DCL only for 12 cruises, but now that we are looking there are some great deals out there on great itineraries we haven't seen before.

Saying all that if someone is crazy about Disney stuff, 1 or 2 cruises are highly recommended, we are just learning that DCL is not setting itself up to attract a lot of longtime repeat buisness, the want the turnover with newer cruisers willing to spend a lot onboard on merchandise and stuff.

Thank you. That is one of the best posts on here for the entire thread.

Disney has always taken well care of us. Maybe that's why we are so partial. From a former cast member that I am. Also getting engaged in front of the castle to being married at the Disneyland hotel. Being DVC owners and about 2,000 shares shareholders. We might be to close.

I'm more than willing to jump ship to save thousands of dollars. If the service was truly the same or better. The kids clubs the rooms and the entertainment. Thanks.

JW

 

[TestingH2O]

The pic I posted of the two cruises is ridiculous. We are booked for the 2017 cruise and paid approximately $5900 and change. The same week next year is a full two weeks before Easter so that doesn't even come into play. No way would I pay an additional $2400 for the same week & same itinerary just because it is DCL.

we booked the same March 18 2017 7 night Fantasy pretty close to opening day last year for around $6,200 for 2A 2 K 9C, and that same class for the 2018 is $8,200 at opening - That is pretty significant. Of course both are Spring Break for Orlando schools but not Easter.

We are also on this cruise in 2017. We moved an opening day booking and it was after the swdas was announced. Even with all that, we aren't paying what they are listing for opening day this year.

 

[ldo]

I also enjoy the various posts (and started the jump ship post). I also do like PP and get my "base price" and then decide if DCL is worth it. We said yes for DCL Norway, no for spring break, and are likely paying big bucks for DCL Alaska 2018. So, it's not about bashing those who pay, IMHO, inflated DCL prices. It's about helping others, giving/getting info, and, yes, commiserating together, which is what an online "community" should facilitate, IMHO. I still think the DCL experience is nearly perfect (DVC as well), except for the high pricing.

 

[WebmasterKathy]

Please note: I have removed several posts from this thread because people were arguing, criticizing others' choices, or simply being unpleasant.

Continue discussing the topic at hand (DCL 2018 pricing) and sharing your own experiences and thoughts, but please refrain from personal or judgmental comments to or about others.

 

[wombat_5606]

Thanks, WebmasterKathy, for allowing the right to comment on those aspects of Disney cruising that we like AND dislike.

 

[DisneySisters]

I also enjoy the various posts (and started the jump ship post). I also do like PP and get my "base price" and then decide if DCL is worth it. We said yes for DCL Norway, no for spring break, and are likely paying big bucks for DCL Alaska 2018. So, it's not about bashing those who pay, IMHO, inflated DCL prices. It's about helping others, giving/getting info, and, yes, commiserating together, which is what an online "community" should facilitate, IMHO. I still think the DCL experience is nearly perfect (DVC as well), except for the high pricing.

I am glad you started this post. Thank you. And what you said above are exactly my feelings. I always have a childlike secret wish that some Disney people read theses posts. Most of all, reading these has given me lots of information and ideas.

 

[ilovebassets]

Disney wanted over $9000 for a standard verandah cabin for our family of four for the Fantasy for Easter week. Decided to book a grand suite (cabin 80% bigger with balcony almost twice as big and full concierge service include free alcohol in the evenings in the lounge) on the Oasis of the Seas for $7000. I'm as big a Disney fan as anyone (see my signature), and we will be gold castaway members after our Alaska cruise, so it saddens me that we will never use the good benefits. But these prices are really not worth it. If we can't enjoy a larger cabin with concierge level service on the Oasis, then something is wrong with us. We will continue to enjoy Disneyworld and DVC at Hilton Head, but DCL is out of our future after our fifth cruise with them next summer.

 

[Disney Obsession]

I love all things Disney, always have and always will. However, we are taking a cruise over spring break in March 2017 for 5 people in a deluxe family verandah room for approximately $4900. That same cruise with the same amount of people over March 2018 spring break in a deluxe family oceanview is $6900. What the what?!?! $2000 increase for a lesser room. That is just all kinds of insane. Oh, and it's a 4 day cruise.

 

[Bree]

Just want to mention that the owners of these boards (Dreams Unlimited Travel) also sell Royal Caribbean, Celebrity & Norwegian Pride of America (Hawaii).

 

[alltwelve]

Royal Caribbean: 25 ships
Disney: 4 ships

Disney can charge more because they have less staterooms to sell; I just wonder (no pun intended) when the tipping point will occur

 

[wombat_5606]

Royal Caribbean: 25 ships
Disney: 4 ships

Disney can charge more because they have less staterooms to sell; I just wonder (no pun intended) when the tipping point will occur

I think it already has for a lot of seasoned Disney cruisers.

 

[cgolf]

I think it already has for a lot of seasoned Disney cruisers.

The next tipping point is going to be for new cruisers, not sure what that will take.

I will say that on our B2B trip last January, the future cruises desk rarely had a guest at it, we saw less than 5 when we walked past. This differed greatly from what we had seen in the past where you always had to wait in line.

 

[ldo]

interesting. our Magic cruise in Norway this summer had a packed future cruise desk every time I looked.

 

[cgolf]

interesting. our Magic cruise in Norway this summer had a packed future cruise desk every time I looked.

Not sure if it was because it was a 4 and 5 night cruise, but it was definitely something we have never seen before. Perhaps it was more newer cruisers that didn't know about the discount? I know we didn't the first time.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I'm a big fan of cruising and other cruise lines. I have 5 cruises booked for next year, 2 Carnival, 1 Royal, 1 Celebrity and 1 Disney. 1 of the Carnival cruises is back to back with the Disney cruise. Moving forward, the prices seem to be getting even higher on DCL while I can still find decent prices on other lines. Year over year increases of 15-20% aren't acceptable to me. I consider it price gouging, not just inflation.

For 2017, "all in" DCL is coming in at $750 more than our Carnival cruise (All in is everything that costs - cruise fare, gratuities, Soda, bottled water, casino, and alcohol [we don't do excursions] minus OBC and Casino cash), and that's with an OBB discount. We have 1 balcony cabin on DCL but 2 Lido deck inside cabins on the Carnival Magic so I consider the accommodations to be about equal in value.

I am okay to pay an extra $250 a week per person for DCL. Not thrilled but okay. I can see tangible value for that amount.

If we weren't gamblers though, the difference would be substantially higher and I can not justify DCL if it costs an extra $2000 a week. I just don't see the tangible value for that.

Each year it gets to be more and more of a difference.
DCL - for us - is now a consideration, not a necessity.

 

[Laundress]

I will definately feel the pinch of the price increase. I find at this time DCL is the only line that fits for me and my family. We will have to save a little longer in-between trips.

 

[RedSox68]

They have pretty much all the same stuff DCL has, with the exception of the mouse and characters.

And the dining rotation and fireworks -- which are unique to Disney cruises only. However, they are not enough to have me pay those prices anymore. We've enjoyed plenty of amenities and good customer service and a great crew on other crew lines. No, there are no characters -- but if I crave them I can go to DisneyWorld with all the money I will save

 

[RedSox68]

I did the Dream twice and I would like to do the Wonder. When their new ships come out, will probably try one too. Other than that, I don't see myself sailing DCL a whole lot as my DD gets older. I can get better food and the same service on other lines for half the price....and with more adventurous itineraries.

I, too, am hoping to try sail on one of the new ships -- guess I better start saving now LOL

 

[RedSox68]

Disney wanted over $9000 for a standard verandah cabin for our family of four for the Fantasy for Easter week. Decided to book a grand suite (cabin 80% bigger with balcony almost twice as big and full concierge service include free alcohol in the evenings in the lounge) on the Oasis of the Seas for $7000. I'm as big a Disney fan as anyone (see my signature), and we will be gold castaway members after our Alaska cruise, so it saddens me that we will never use the good benefits. But these prices are really not worth it. If we can't enjoy a larger cabin with concierge level service on the Oasis, then something is wrong with us. We will continue to enjoy Disneyworld and DVC at Hilton Head, but DCL is out of our future after our fifth cruise with them next summer.

Don't give up on using your gold benefits. We became platinum in 2014 and I thought that was it. I thought we'd never get those platinum benefits because I wasn't willing to pay the future price hikes. Then along came the WBTA 2017 and the pricing came in cheaper than we paid in 2007! I thought there had to be a mistake -- but there wasn't. We got the same stateroom and all and it was $2,000 cheaper. Granted, it's four less nights, but still. So there may be future cruises that appeal to you that maybe aren't as popular that you can get a good price on. If not though -- enjoy all the monies you will save by branching out. To me, that's more important than dedication to one line.

 

[mevelandry]

And the dining rotation and fireworks -- which are unique to Disney cruises only. However, they are not enough to have me pay those prices anymore. We've enjoyed plenty of amenities and good customer service and a great crew on other crew lines. No, there are no characters -- but if I crave them I can go to Disney World with all the money I will save

Oh yeah, the fireworks. Right, Norwegian stopped them last year.

Not gonna lie, it doesn't add value for me. In Montreal each year during summer we have a firework contest and many countries are participating. In comparison, Wishes in Magic Kingdom is ... Meh. (Still fun, though.)

I was not aware that DCL was the only cruise line with dining rotation. I have to admit that it feels like eating in a new restaurant every night. But just like you it has no impact on my cruising choices.