Are the Summer 2017 prices reasonable?

[Ofinn]

The biggest reason that makes such big price difference is the lack of casino. That's it. Every other cruise line has a casino, but not DCL. The revenue from Bingo on DCL is very small compared to the revenue other cruise lines generate from having a casino. DCL is no more greedy than other cruise lines. Their business model is different, that's all. I live in a state with casinos, and they just run things differently from other places of business. You personally may never set a foot in the ship casino, but your fellow travelers are dropping enough money on your behalf to make up the revenue as a whole. With other cruise lines, they are competing to get enough passengers on the ship to get enough revenue from the casinos, whereas DCL is simply charging all the passengers up front. Neither business model is evil nor unethical, just different.

Now, even if DCL added a casino to their ship, their fares will still be slightly higher, because of the Disney premium. By that, I mean, the unique experience that DCL MUST provide. Think about it. the crew members cannot be just courteous and helpful. They have to be cast members. They all have to be trained in Disney lingos, Disney way of service, and above all, you can't have someone who doesn't know the difference between Goofy and Pluto. You can't just have "a princess" on the ship - kids want to see Cinderella be Cinderella, Anna and Elsa be Anna and Elsa, and Tinker Bell to be Tinker Bell. Those training to be "friends with princesses and other characters" cost extra on DCL.

So if you're the kind of person who hates gambling and do not care so much for the Disney characters and Disney experience, I see no reason why you would choose DCL above other cruise lines. But there is a legitimate reason for DCL fares to be significantly more than other cruise lines, and I don't think it's fair to criticize them as if they are being unreasonable. We all have to choose if that Disney experience is worth the extra money or not.

Disney lingo? A lot of them barely speak English.

 

[vinotinto]

Not reasonable. We're literally jumping ship to NCL this summer. I absolutely love Disney, but I like the itinerary, price, and flexibility of the NCl 12-night Grand Med cruise that I'm taking this June. Took a look at the Disney offerings for 2017 (I have a placeholder cruise) and won't be booking that either. Too expensive, and while I love Disney, not enough of a differentiator over the other lines to make me spend that much more.

ETA: once you add the cost of the shore excursions/transportation/lunches at the portS/entrance fees/airfare/pre and post cruise stays and drinks, you are looking at thousands over your cruise fare.

 

[xlxo]

What are the differences between DCL & other cruise lines that make people willing to pay a premium for? Is it the available amenity, the food, the service, or something else? I know DCL has the characters that no one else have, so that's gotta worth something, I supposed.

Depends....

• do you enjoy first run movies? Marvel movies?
• do you like a built-in soda package?
• do you like internet? 24Mbps is great!
• do you like photo packages?
• hands up for wave phone lovers!
• kids clubs space replaces casino's and duty free shops.
• how much are your kids' happiness worth? Pixie dust snorting has it's limits.

 

[swimfin]

Just priced out same cruise (7 day Eastern Fantasy) that we are taking this June for June 2017 and pricing is cheaper because I'm looking earlier and the pricing will be even cheaper if I book while on board this June. I've definitely learned that looking early saves $$$! We booked in early Sept 2015 for June 2016, now I'll book in June 2016 for June 2017 AND while on board for the discounts The price is worth it for us (a family of 3) as we are Disney fanatics and love the ocean!! For us, non gamblers and not big drinkers, DCL is PERFECT!! We LOVE the family focus and the "going out of their way" things DCL does for us! I know we are in the minority as far as family size, but planning a year in advance helps a ton! Cheers!

 

[Danni75]

I do plan a year in advance and still it is now too expensive for us unfortunately.

 

[dclpluto]

Yes they are very reasonable the June 18 2017 10 night cruise for the top room for two people was only 50,585.34 . No I'm not making this up that's all it was. I thought about it too long now it's all booked up. Thought about booking it in my dreams the same dream when I won the powerball.

 

[LivingforDisney]

Yes they are very reasonable the June 18 2017 10 night cruise for the top room for two people was only 50,585.34 . No I'm not making this up that's all it was. I thought about it too long now it's all booked up. Thought about booking it in my dreams the same dream when I won the powerball.

Lol, that's too funny, but you are right on the mark.

 

[AnnaS]

We will be going on our 7th cruise in May. I browsed the 2017 prices and I think they are getting out of hand.

I think we are ready to start looking and booking other cruise lines. As much as we love Disney, no casinos, great cruise - it's time to start exploring/see different shows. Maybe we will alternate.

 

[MUN]

Yes they are very reasonable the June 18 2017 10 night cruise for the top room for two people was only 50,585.34 . No I'm not making this up that's all it was. I thought about it too long now it's all booked up. Thought about booking it in my dreams the same dream when I won the powerball.

Do you think DCL is charging too much by asking $50,585.34? Would you have been happier had the top room only cost $40,585.34? Oh, you also wrote that room has been booked.

MUN

 

[daisyx3]

I didn't have a problem with mine. I booked a 5 night double dip, July 9 2017, for $3600 in a 5E for 2 adults. That included OBB discount. I have never been on another line; I am taking DCL #4 and 5 next year. I don't gamble, I don't care about duty free shops (don't really drink so booze is not a big draw for me), don't mind the Disney stuff, just like to relax. Don't have any intention of cruising to Europe (want to go to England someday but not with any current unrest) or Alaska (don't like the cold). I'm a teacher too so it's spring break or summer for us until I retire. I am hoping to get an early spring southern caribbean when that happens.

 

[ctnurse]

I think the prices for 2017 are ridiculous and this will be the first summer we will not be booking DCL. Our NYE 2016/17 Fantasy cruise might be our last cruise. It was less expensive than the spring break 2017 and the summer 2017.

I have be looking at All-Inclusive resorts in the Seychelles and Maldives for Easter 2017 and they are less expensive than the 10 and 11 night Southern Caribbean Cruises DCL just released. I think that is crazy.

We have also booked a RCCL Med Cruise this fall. DCL has already left Europe and we wanted to plan a holiday so we booked RCCL. We are really excited about trying RCCL.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I didn't have a problem with mine. I booked a 5 night double dip, July 9 2017, for $3600 in a 5E for 2 adults. That included OBB discount. I have never been on another line; I am taking DCL #4 and 5 next year. I don't gamble, I don't care about duty free shops (don't really drink so booze is not a big draw for me), don't mind the Disney stuff, just like to relax. Don't have any intention of cruising to Europe (want to go to England someday but not with any current unrest) or Alaska (don't like the cold). I'm a teacher too so it's spring break or summer for us until I retire. I am hoping to get an early spring southern caribbean when that happens.

I hate being cold too (which is why I live in Arizona) but love cooling off in Alaska. July/August are really quite pleasant. We've been on six DCL cruises but refuse to pay their outrageous prices for Alaska. We've cruised Alaska five time on three other cruise lines with better itineraries.

 

[dclpluto]

I

Do you think DCL is charging too much by asking $50,585.34? Would you have been happier had the top room only cost $40,585.34? Oh, you also wrote that room has been booked.

MUN

I really don't care what they charge for the top room I can't afford it. It's all about supply and demand

 

[ludari]

I thought the summer prices where high and so did my TA. I know that summer cruising is a little more expensive considering that is when most kids are out of school and families cruise.

 

[SonyaShay]

Booked opening day for June 2015 and for June 2017. June 2017 cruise is only $150 more than 2 years prior. Once I take into account my OBB I am actually SAVING $500 over the cost of my cruise in June 2015.

 

[NancyIL]

$1300 difference on DCL is great! When I have looked at stuff for Western Caribbean, the RCCL room was about $3000 cheaper. The room would be a little bit smaller, ~20sqft, but the balcony is twice as big. That's without any discounts we get for previous RCCL cruises or current RCCL deals. We still went with DCL, but I felt the difference was worth it for the amenities we get on DCL, including Castaway Cay. Alaska is whole other story. The price difference there is easily twice amount or more for DCL. I think DCL has to be more competitive in Europe. However, their transatlantic is pretty pricey and doesn't have great itineraries compared to RCCL. I agree about researching.

Disney's Transatlantic cruises have been considerably more expensive lately, beginning with the May 2015 TA that had a very nice itinerary. Even at the higher prices, they are still among DCL's best values - along with the Panama Canal cruises.