$8521.06.....I'm gasping!!!!!

[Julia M]

I have a quote of $8521.06 for 2 rooms on deck 7, inside staterooms level 11. If I booked with 12, I couldn't have them assigned near each other and that was importnat to me.

It's for 4 adults (my dh and I and my parents), and our 3 kids (we are putting one kid in with my mom and dad.

So for our family of 5, we are paying $5655.....it seems so expensive!

I'm wondering if we should wait a year and sail in 2006 out of FL.

Is that a usual price for a summer sailing, or is it inflated for the West Coast?

Julia

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I think it IS inflated. (I might be wrong.)

I knew before I booked, that it was going to be higher to cruise out of CA (have been told docking fees are higher.)

I've booked for DH, DD and I a cat 9 for 4344.00 for a 7-day.

We still have until the 10th, to think about it and absorb the shock.

 

[prymsu]

how many times does the ship enter a port on this cruise? Port charges are probably more since there would be more stops, and also not sure, but maybe going through the panama canal there would be fees associated to make that part of the reason the price is higher?

 

[JeffPort]

The California cruise prices are outrageously priced.

We were planning on a Summer-2005 trip last fall, so I noted the comparible summer cruise prices for Florida back at that time. The just-released California-based cruises are running 30%-50% higher than the early bookings would have been on the Florida cruises.

However, it appears that the initial response for Disney has been quite positive. The rates on the cruises have been rising just in the few hours since the announcement (indicating that bookings are brisk). To understand that, you have to understand California. It's a land of "haves" and "have-nots." There are a lot of "haves" out there (very wealthy) who appear willing and able to pay that type of premium to take the family on the Disney boat out of their home port.

The other cruise lines offer nearly identical cruises out of the same port at a tiny fraction of Disney's asking prices. Evidently the "Disney" brand and family-friendly environment commands the kind of premium price Disney is asking it's customers to fork out. It's all about supply and demand. There's only one "Disney" cruise boat and a monster state full of rich people that want to experience it.

As for my family ... we've turned elsewhere for our 2005 entertainment. Maybe a Disney Cruise will be in the cards later. I sure hope they get busy and build a new ship sooner rather than later. That will help smooth out the supply/demand disparity in place right now.

 

[CheapMom]

The repo cruises look resonable- of course you are stranded on the other side of the country- but besides that it's cool. I am shocked at close the prices are for the 14 day cruise vs. the 7 night.

 

[yodasdabomb]

I did a price quote for 5 adults on one of the repo curises with DCL's website and with airfare, and no insurance they quoted me over $14,000!!!!!
I yeah even if I had the money I definatly would have had to do a lot of soul searching to be able to justify that! But maybe I am an idiot and I didn't do it right.

 

[princessdaisy]

and I am not "wealthy"...and I certainly don't have the "haves" ?? yes, it is expensive to live in California but we are not all "rich" and with the magic sailing out of California for the summer...means don't have to pay for airline tickets to FL. and that makes the cost comparable.

 

[Cinderelly516]

The prices for the seven day cruises do seem pretty high. We went on a Mexican Riveria Cruise last year with the same ports on Princess and the price was around $1200 for two people for an inside state room. Just something to think about, you are definitly paying for the disney magic

 

[piglet33]

Wow, I just checked the rate for the 14 day eastbound repo cruise with the cat. 6 room like I already booked at 2pm today and it is now $6,247.67 I can't believe it went up that much in price in only 5 hours. I'm glad that I booked when I did. Guess it's supply and demand.

Renee'

 

[Noelle]

I really don't see that much of a price difference. I looked at an July / August Caribbean Cruise for 2 adults + 2 kids Cat 6 = $6946.20. I booked the July 9th Mexico Cruise same Cat and passengers = $6730.32. If I were go fly out to FL, it's an additonal $1300 in airfare.

Now quotes on other cruise lines, I'm sure are much cheaper.

 

[CheapMom]

Right, Noelle- but those cruises for summer 04 were much cheaper a year ago. I doubt dcl needs to entice people to book early on the CA cruises.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

I usually just lurk around here but after spending the better part of the day on hold I had to say something...
I had already booked 2 category 8's for 3 adults and 4 children Ages 7,5,2 and 1 at the time of sailing next year) for the May 7,2005 Western for $6700. I got a quote today for the same rooms, same people for $9700 for July 2,2005. We live about 20 minutes from Long Beach port so we thought we could spend a little more to avoid the flight with 4 kids under 7 but at that price I'll invest in some good ear plugs for us and anyone else on the plane to FL. Way too much, even for us Californians!!!

 

[hilltopfamily]

I'm not sure that the price is THAT MUCH higher. Julia, the OP, says she'll spend $5655 for her family of 5 (not sure when she is going?). We were on the Magic (Eastern) last summer during the last week in July and spent $6500 just in cruise costs for our family of 5 (2 adjoining Cat. 10 inside rooms)!!!!! And we DID book this early also.

And in regards to AmyJ of Ca's post, prices are always A LOT higher in July than May, since most schools are not yet out at the beginning of May, so comparing these 2 quotes may be a bit difficult. Just look at the 1st week in Sept.! Last year those prices were significantly lower than a couple weeks earlier in August. Same is true of May vs. June, July, & Aug.

 

[yourtravelpro]

Originally posted by Julia M
I have a quote of $8521.06 for 2 rooms on deck 7, inside staterooms level 11. If I booked with 12, I couldn't have them assigned near each other and that was importnat to me.

It's for 4 adults (my dh and I and my parents), and our 3 kids (we are putting one kid in with my mom and dad.

So for our family of 5, we are paying $5655.....it seems so expensive!

I'm wondering if we should wait a year and sail in 2006 out of FL.

Is that a usual price for a summer sailing, or is it inflated for the West Coast?

Julia

It's definitely inflated and I think it's ridiculous. I thought it would be a good idea since I live on the West Coast in Seattle. It's cheaper for me to fly to Orlando and do the Magic in the Caribbean. Too bad they had to raise the prices, but, I guess it is all about supply and demand. Oh well!!

 

[mac_tlc]

I think the CA prices are crazy, but DCL's prices have been venturing that way for a year or two. Supply & demand always rules, but there are better deals on some fabulous ships that do the same itineraries.

DCL may be happier commanding premium prices with only two ships, as opposed to adding a third and risk having their prices go down...

mac_tlc

 

[Linda1]

While we were on the Magic last August we booked for this summer with the intention of changing it to summer 2005 when the dates became available.

We booked 2 cat. 11's for 8/14/04 at $2644.80 each Total - $5289.60. No air, transfers or insurance.

Yesterday I received a quote from DU for 2 cat. 11's for 8/13/05 for a total of $5,250.32 after $200 rebate. No air, transfers or insurance.

We are a family of 4 - 2 adults, 2 children 12 and 14 (at time of sailing)

Now I just have to convince my husband to fly to CA instead of FL.

Linda

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

After I took a breakand calmed downI decided to call DCL back. I got prices for Cat 9 instead of Cat 8 and my price dropped substantially. Now it is only $1,100 more for us too switch from FL in May to Ca in July. That is much better. We can't all fly to FL for $1100 so now we may be a little a head. I don't know if the first CM got some info wrong because this quote was about $2000 less just from switching from deck 7 to deck 2. I suspect it may have something to do with the placement of the infant and the 2 YO in the rooms. The first CM told me it didn't matter which room they were in but the 2nd understood what I was saying about not wanting to pay 2nd or 3rd person rate for the baby. Whatever way he did it, it worked! We are much happier driving 20 minutes than flying coast to coast.

 

[starwood]

Linda1

Have you checked with Costco - we're on 8/13 and got a price for 2 adults and Matt for $3901.74. We had to step down from a cat 6 to a cat 9.

Matt would be thrilled if you guys were on the cruise with us.

P.S. PM me Brett's e-mail again. Matt has been trying to e-mail him and he keeps getting it returned. He had some problems with his address book.

 

[invaderzim]

Disney's prices are always higher than most other lines. However, the reason I was told by a travel expert (not agent) is because Disney only has two ships. Keep in mind, RCL, Holland, Carnival, etc. have a fleet of ships and can offer discounted itineraries because they can spare the ships.

Also, the California rates are higher because of the port fees only, not because Disney is raising them on a whim. They only secured these ports for those few months and since the Magic is not "stationed" out there, they have to pay through the nose for those ports.

I still think it's going to be worth the price to see the Magic brought home next year and I'm glad we'll be on board to see it. I was also told that Disney may be giving something commemorative for those going out and coming back!

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

The price quote for a 7 day Magic, Cat. 11 is almost exactly what we paid for it in march. We booked last August and our price was approx. $1150.00 per person. (Which is really quite expensive for an inside cabin). So, your price for 8 people of about $8500 is about normal for DCL. This is not a higher price than the Caribbean cruises. Just a higher price than other cruise lines.