British Isles Cruise DCL vs Other

[pearljammer]

First to anyone who has ever done the British Isle Cruise. What did you think? Also, did you do it with DCL or another cruise line? We’d love to do this one but looking at an itenerary on another line so it will be interesting to see the costs when they open. Also, after just getting off the Magic, I don’t know that its’ worth spending a considerable amount of money for it when I do hear other lines are just if not more enjoyable. Either way, would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Marc D]

We did the DCL BI cruise when it was A 12-nights cruise. It is our favorite cruise out of our 15 so far, on par with our Baltic cruises.

While we are DCL fans, we find it is less and less worth it to cruise with them in Europe. Last summer, we did the Baltic in a Celebrity suite and the cost per night was 50$ more than a regular verandah on DCL. For that cost, we had gastronomic dining every night, a butler, a large room with a sofa and two bathrooms, plus priority everywhere. On a European cruise, you spend most days off the ship, and the tours are the same across cruise lines.

BTW, I can check the price of the newly released BI cruise. Those are the prices for verandah rooms for a family of 3 (2A/1K 9yo) on the Sept. 11 2021 cruise.

 

[pearljammer]

We did the DCL BI cruise when it was A 12-nights cruise. It is our favorite cruise out of our 15 so far, on par with our Baltic cruises.

While we are DCL fans, we find it is less and less worth it to cruise with them in Europe. Last summer, we did the Baltic in a Celebrity suite and the cost per night was 50$ more than a regular verandah on DCL. For that cost, we had gastronomic dining every night, a butler, a large room with a sofa and two bathrooms, plus priority everywhere. On a European cruise, you spend most days off the ship, and the tours are the same across cruise lines.

BTW, I can check the price of the newly released BI cruise. Those are the prices for verandah rooms for a family of 3 (2A/1K 9yo) on the Sept. 11 2021 cruise.

Many many thanks for that! Interesting as the other cruise line I’m looking at is a few more nights, hitting Scotland more about the same cost as the verandah without family room on DCL. Also, that same costs would include all beverages (alcohol included). So given that, I may now change my direction on where to move my placeholder.

Thanks so much for that as that was most helpful and definitely appreciated.

 

[Pens Fan]

Sadly, I have to agree with Marc D. We loved the one European cruise we took on DCL back in 2015 (Iceland/Norway), but I can't see it happening again. I just can't justify their prices for what basically would be a floating hotel. If we are going to commit to the time and expense of flying over the pond, we want to make the most of it and really explore the European ports.

Most of the European cruises we've considered have very few sea days. We took a 14 day Eastern Med cruise last fall that only had one sea day, and it was day one. So for 13 days in a row we were up early and off the ship exploring. We were so exhausted every night that we just grabbed something to eat and went to bed in the evening. While we did actually enjoy the ship we were on (NCL Jade), the ship was completely irrelevant. This was a trip about the ports and it was fantastic. The extra money for a Disney-fied ship would have been a total waste for us.

 

[EllinK]

We also did the BI when it was a 12 night cruise and it was probably our favorite out of 11 cruises. I can't compare to other lines because we have only cruised on DCL.

 

[belle032]

Sadly, I have to agree with Marc D. We loved the one European cruise we took on DCL back in 2015 (Iceland/Norway), but I can't see it happening again. I just can't justify their prices for what basically would be a floating hotel. If we are going to commit to the time and expense of flying over the pond, we want to make the most of it and really explore the European ports.

Most of the European cruises we've considered have very few sea days. We took a 14 day Eastern Med cruise last fall that only had one sea day, and it was day one. So for 13 days in a row we were up early and off the ship exploring. We were so exhausted every night that we just grabbed something to eat and went to bed in the evening. While we did actually enjoy the ship we were on (NCL Jade), the ship was completely irrelevant. This was a trip about the ports and it was fantastic. The extra money for a Disney-fied ship would have been a total waste for us.

We did the 7 night British Isles on the Magic last September and loved it. HOWEVER, looking at this itinerary, they added another port and took away a sea day. We had 4 ports and 2 sea days and already felt it should have been at least a 9 day cruise. Four ports in 7 days felt like a lot, and I imagine 5 ports would feel extremely busy. We combined that with 2 days in London afterward and we were just exhausted by the end. I think we felt it a little more because these aren't relaxing, hang out at the beach ports. They are very intensive, up early/out late, and go-go-go, at least for us. Like I said, we had a wonderful time, but IMHO, that BI 2021 itinerary is too much crammed into too little time.

We really chose this itinerary for the ports, the Disney aspect came second, even though it was DH & I's first DCL together. Overall, we spent much less time than normal actually enjoying the ship. So going forward, I would look to other cruise lines that offer similar itineraries for a lesser price.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

As a reference my family is booked on a 9 night (6 ports, 2 sea days) BI Cruise with Carnival June 2021. We are 4 in an extended balcony cabin and our price breakdown is:

Cruise Fare: 3516
Taxes/port fees 1044
Pre-paid grats 503.64
Total 5063.64

Thats about 1/3 to 1/4 what I have seen quoted here for DCL.

 

[Debbru]

We just booked the 2021 Norwegian Fjjords/British Isles B2B in an inside sideways room. The total was less than the 2021 9 night Eastern (semi Southern) on the Fantasy. Of course we haven't added in airfare or hotels yet But I thought the prices (for the B2B - not the Fantasy) were reasonable for Disney.

 

[aggiedog]

Not the BI, but we did a Med cruise with concierge on MSC for less than 1/2 of a comparable DCL cruise non-concierge. Saved enough money to spend a week in France before hand.

I love DCL, but can't justify that expense.