6 grand for a one week cruise?

[tinkerone]

Remember, the $600 difference was before all of the Royal Caribbean sale discounts. Taking advantage of the discounts you come out way ahead on the Oasis. A PM has been sent to each of you.

I did not get a PM but that's okay. The thing with Royal is they never have 'normal' pricing. They always call it a sale. I have been watching their site for over a year now and they always have a 'sale' in one form or another at any given time so, realistically, their sale price is always the regular fare. They joke about it over on CC. Also I have found that no matter what the deal of the week is it is always works out to about the same and always thousands less than DCL
.
What I am trying to say is you never will see what they call their regular price so you need to compare DCL to the RCL price of the day. Hope this is clear.

 

[keaster]

If the $600 was the difference before available discounts, then what is the point of even mentioning that number? Just curious. I don't care what the "full price" for a cruise is--I want to know the cheapest available price. I've actually had someone argue with me that it's not valid to compared the actual price I am paying for my Royal cruise (with discounts) to a full-price DCL cruise (which doesn't currently have any discounts available). She insisted that we have to compare full price to full price to judge value. But why? Who would insist on paying full price for a cruise when a discount is available? Can you even DO that, if the full price fare isn't even listed? Sometimes the defense of DCL prices gets a little convoluted.

Agree totally with This! Why would you not take into account the sale price?

DCL used to do some pretty good sales at one point as well (Kids Sail Free comes to mind) but I haven't seen that one in a long time!

 

[lbus42]

Ibus42, I think your taking this all to personally. I'm sorry you feel that way however no one is trying to tell you what to do. We are saying that we disagree with some of your points, that's all. Your giving your side, we are giving ours. Its all good. If DCL fits you than you don't need to give your reasons, just sail and enjoy. No one has the right to tell you its wrong for you. We do have the right to say its wrong for us. Again though, sorry if you feel any of this is directed at you. Its not. [/QUOTE]

I am taking it personally because some of the posts used wording and phrases that only I have used since this thread started. Therefore, yes I feel that some of this is directed to me. Its my stupidity for posting my opinion on a thread intended to express outrage at DCL and I don't feel that way. I will post any further in this thread.

 

[Ofinn]

Ibus42, I think your taking this all to personally. I'm sorry you feel that way however no one is trying to tell you what to do. We are saying that we disagree with some of your points, that's all. Your giving your side, we are giving ours. Its all good. If DCL fits you than you don't need to give your reasons, just sail and enjoy. No one has the right to tell you its wrong for you. We do have the right to say its wrong for us. Again though, sorry if you feel any of this is directed at you. Its not.

I am taking it personally because some of the posts used wording and phrases that only I have used since this thread started. Therefore, yes I feel that some of this is directed to me. Its my stupidity for posting my opinion on a thread intended to express outrage at DCL and I don't feel that way. I will post any further in this thread.[/QUOTE]


Its fine to post an opinion, but this is a discussion board so you have to be prepared for people to disagree with you. I dont know what outrage to dcl your referring to. I found this to be a pretty civil discussion comparing dcl prices to their competitors. Yes I used some of your phrases, but honestly I feel like anything I post on here is fair game for people to quote or disagree with me.

 

[Ofinn]

I did not get a PM but that's okay. The thing with Royal is they never have 'normal' pricing. They always call it a sale. I have been watching their site for over a year now and they always have a 'sale' in one form or another at any given time so, realistically, their sale price is always the regular fare. They joke about it over on CC. Also I have found that no matter what the deal of the week is it is always works out to about the same and always thousands less than DCL
.
What I am trying to say is you never will see what they call their regular price so you need to compare DCL to the RCL price of the day. Hope this is clear.

I think Carnival is similar to DCl in that there price drops are closer to the sail date. They are so much cheaper than dcl even their peak prices are lower than the best discounts on dcl. I have found it easier to price out rccl on Costco. Their website might actually be worse than dcls.

 

[kaseyC]

If you're comparing cruise line to cruise line, I guess it's all relative depending on the individual. We love Disney cruises and prefer to go on those. We took a Nickelodeon Cruise on NCL and while it was about $2,000 less, I thought we didn't get as much for the cost. The only restaurants included in the price were the two buffet style restaurants, if you wanted to have a sit down dinner with waiters it cost extra and if you wanted unlimited refills on beverages you had to buy the special cup, otherwise you had to pay for the beverages that didn't come with a meal (on Disney all our food and non-alcoholic beverages were included). I also felt the character meet and greets weren't as fun as Disney. Each day there were certain times when the characters were scheduled and everyone waited on line to get a picture and then on to the next kid. There was not a lot of interaction with them and you never saw the characters walking around the ship outside of M&G hours like they do on Disney. There was one opening day show and one closing night show but nothing else on other days and there were no movies being shown, either in a theater or on a Jumbo-tron by the pool. They had a big "Pajama Dance Party Breakfast" where the characters all came out and danced with the kids but that was extra too. There also was no "Formal Night" where you could meet the crew and have unlimited cocktails.

As far as service and quality, I'd say both cruises were pretty equal in that the crew were all nice and eager to help in any way, the rooms were clean and very pretty, the food was very good and the spa was first rate but it just didn't have that extra "something" that the DCL has. (in my opinion, others may disagree with me and I am not questioning or judging).

The wonderful thing is that there are so many options and we aren't limited. I would love it if Disney lowered their prices but that's not likely so we will wait and save for a couple of years to go again.

What NCL ship was this on and when? I've been sailing NCL since 2000, the year they introduced Freestyle Cruising and have taken multiple cruises since on each class of ship. There has always been at least one main dining room (usually 2) with waiter service on every ship that was included in the price.

 

[DnA2010]

Whole heartedly agree with where to find the modest increases. I looked about the same week on the Fantasy as the Oasis of the seas sailing from Port Canaveral. It is only $600 more for the Disney ship for my immediate family. Royal Caribbean is running a special right now which was60% off second passenger and then an addtional 30% off the rate, plus $100 OBC. Sure it cannot be easy to compare the two ships at all, but there it is.

Holy what cruise us this? I was pricing spring break and off season also and DCL was always close to twice the price

 

[DnA2010]

How old were your kids when you went on the Oasis?

We had a 2 year old, two 9 almost 10 year olds and a 13 year old

 

[MammaMoe48]

What NCL ship was this on and when? I've been sailing NCL since 2000, the year they introduced Freestyle Cruising and have taken multiple cruises since on each class of ship. There has always been at least one main dining room (usually 2) with waiter service on every ship that was included in the price.

it was the Gem out of NYC in 2012. I felt nickeled and dimed for everything.

 

[Ofinn]

Holy what cruise us this? I was pricing spring break and off season also and DCL was always close to twice the price

He said the 600.00 more was before the sale price on RCCL so I'm sure RCCl was quite a bit less. We don't really know what the actual price difference was.

 

[DnA2010]

He said the 600.00 more was before the sale price on RCCL so I'm sure RCCl was quite a bit less. We don't really know what the actual price difference was.

Well Royals prices are always on sale are they not? I don't think I've ever worked out a price that wasn't

 

[21stamps]

Question-

I've read quite a few people say that they get discounts closer to sailing.. Are these only on GT rates, or across the board?

Our cruise is on 11/26, I'm not willing to change category or location (midship is mandatory), so am I out of luck?

 

[Ofinn]

're'

Question-

I've read quite a few people say that they get discounts closer to sailing.. Are these only on GT rates, or across the board?

Our cruise is on 11/26, I'm not willing to change category or location (midship is mandatory), so am I out of luck?

Public discounts are always GT rates. You would not be able to choose a location. Is this the week after Thanksgiving? I would say there will most likely be GT rates. I have never booked a discounted cruise where I could choose my room, I've never been unhappy with the room I was given. If you want the room you're in then you're out of luck. Enjoy your cruise I'm sure you got a decent price that's a good week to sail or travel anywhere for that matter.

 

[Ofinn]

Well Royals prices are always on sale are they not? I don't think I've ever worked out a price that wasn't

He said the 600.00 dollar difference was before he took off the 60% off second guest, OBB etc. I have not idea how much less it actually was. To make a long story short it seems the difference was much more than 600.00 dollars.

 

[Hundredacre]

Dcl has lost us as loyal customers. We will still sail with them, but they are no longer getting all of our vacation dollars. Every time we go to those dvc club presentations we toy with joining- until the last year. We never thought it was an *awesome* deal, just like d the gaming aspect of it. But at every presentation the benefits go down. I don't think other people notice because they haven't been going to presentations over ten years. We finally said we won't ever join. We've come to the realization that we don't really trust Disney anymore. Don't get me wrong we still love disney but they have squandered their brand.

 

[Hundredacre]

Ncl, celebrity, and carnival are all 50% less for our family. All new ships, not older ships. And they come with extras like oceanview verse inside on dcl or on board credit or free specialty dining. Our kids are also super excited to try other cruise lines. They seem especially drawn to the ncl let's go ad campaign. Very excited about the ropes course.

 

[RedSox68]

How many people can and/or will actually pay 13-50k for cruise fare only?
DCL is not a luxury line, and at those prices a lot of well traveled people would rather choose a luxury experience, or are unwilling on a port intensive cruise to justify the difference between other cruise lines. AND- for a Southern Caribbean there are newer arguably 'better' ships at less cost. Those who would choose DCL are probably just doing that for a young child. So to me- there is not enough of a market there for DCL to be able to retain enough repeat travelers who will continue paying 13-50k.

That's what is so shocking to me about their pricing on those itineraries.

Well put. After cruising other lines (and we have done 10 Disney and love their quality), we also discovered how much more you can get for your buck -- we've gotten mini-suites for the price of DCL oceanviews, offered free specialty dining or drink packages or free WiFi or OBC, and continuous sales and discounts on second passengers, on all the cruise lines we have sailed -- except Disney. I'd rather forego the repetitive Castaway gifts as a returning cruiser and have lower prices or other amenities. JMO. If Disney's prices came into the budget ballpark we can comfortably afford, we'd sail them again in a heartbeat, but I don't see that happening anytime soon (unfortunately). So my now earned platinum benefits may go unused

 

[RedSox68]

Dcl has lost us as loyal customers. We will still sail with them, but they are no longer getting all of our vacation dollars. Every time we go to those dvc club presentations we toy with joining- until the last year. We never thought it was an *awesome* deal, just like d the gaming aspect of it. But at every presentation the benefits go down. I don't think other people notice because they haven't been going to presentations over ten years. We finally said we won't ever join. We've come to the realization that we don't really trust Disney anymore. Don't get me wrong we still love disney but they have squandered their brand.

This is an incredible statement -- and thank you for your honesty. My DH and I were talking about that last month when the pricing came out and he felt the same way -- he doesn't trust the way Disney is being run anymore and it is no longer about the loyal fans/passengers -- it's all about corporate greed. I still love going to WDW, I still love their movies, but I am leary of their brand anymore.

And please don't jump on me and give me the "they have to make money" speeches. Of course they do -- every company does -- but it has never seemed so blatantly obviously with Disney as it has the past couple of years!

 

[kaseyC]

it was the Gem out of NYC in 2012. I felt nickeled and dimed for everything.

It's a Jewel class ship. All Jewel class ships have two main complimentary main dining rooms with waiter service including the Gem. So your statement about the ship having only buffets as free is quite misleading. Maybe you missed them some how but I can't imagine how because they take up most of the aft of deck 6 on the ship. I'm sorry you felt nickled and dimed but maybe NCL is being like DCL... not nickel and diming you but offering you "options"!

 

[21stamps]

're'
Public discounts are always GT rates. You would not be able to choose a location. Is this the week after Thanksgiving? I would say there will most likely be GT rates. I have never booked a discounted cruise where I could choose my room, I've never been unhappy with the room I was given. If you want the room you're in then you're out of luck. Enjoy your cruise I'm sure you got a decent price that's a good week to sail or travel anywhere for that matter.

Yes, 2 days after Thanksgiving.

Out of curiosity I checked this morning, there is a GT rate now. I booked in March and no the price isn't too bad. We have 5 nights at WDW, and may fly in late thanksgiving night and add a night, so the midship is important to me..we'll be walking enough at the parks...and I'm not trying to absolutely exhaust my child again.lol