Cancelled Our Cruise -Going To Universal

[lilsonicfan]

I do not think DCL pricing will come down. The captive audience, which I sometimes fall into, will still pay. New ships are not cheaper than old ships, and if the old ship pricing model still holds, which I suspect it largely will ... anyway.

OP: please make sure to have one of the giant donuts in the Simpsons land. It's honestly delicious.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

And yet you linked US NEWS, but you choose a category that DCL doesn't compete in.
On the exact same site:
https://travel.usnews.com/cruises/disney-cruise-line-293/

Rankings

Disney Cruise Line has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.
#1

• in Best Cruise Lines for Families
• #1
  in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

4.37Scorecard

• 4.0Expert Rating »
  
  
• 4.3Traveler Rating »
  
  
• 5.0Health Rating »

So DCL scored TOP in TWO categories - not just Families, but also in the Caribbean, and a perfect record for health.

Thank you for making my point for me again. DCL is rated one of the top cruise lines by many industry sources.

You didn't say that they were the "best for families" you said they were the best. They are not. My links were literally from a Google search "which cruise lines are the best."

Just because you don't want to sail in a true premium line, doesn't jump DCL ahead of them.

 

[mevelandry]

You didn't say that they were the "best for families" you said they were the best. They are not. My links were literally from a Google search "which cruise lines are the best."

Just because you don't want to sail in a true premium line, doesn't jump DCL ahead of them.

Also, regarding the alleged "perfect score" in CDC vessel sanitation program, not all of them scored 100:

Disney Dream Disney Cruise Lines 4/9/2018 - 100
Disney Fantasy Disney Cruise Lines 7/22/2017 - 99
Disney Magic Disney Cruise Lines 10/21/2017 - 100
Disney Wonder Disney Cruise Lines 2/4/2018 - 97

Yes. Those are (indeed) excellent scores. But the Dream and the Magic are not the only ships who received a 100 score recently:

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/InspectionQueryTool/InspectionWith100Score.aspx

As you can see, 3 RCCL ships scored 100. And with very few exceptions, Carnival, Norwegian and RCCL usually score over 90 points anyway.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

You didn't say that they were the "best for families" you said they were the best. They are not. My links were literally from a Google search "which cruise lines are the best."

Just because you don't want to sail in a true premium line, doesn't jump DCL ahead of them.

Actually I said...

they are considered to be the best cruise line on the waters.

It is true. They are according to some to be one of the best (as evidenced by the same link you post).

I also said:

For 2018, Disney scored Best for Families and Best in the Caribbean from US News.
They have scored #1 cruise lines several years from Business Insider.
Escape gives them 4.3 / 5 stars (the best rating for any cruise line)

In fact, they often hold the #1 or are in the top 5 for a number of categories including: Best Cruise line for Families (as you note), Best cruise line in the Caribbean (based on ratings, itineraries, activities, number of ports of call), Best Cruise Line for Entertainment and best for Cleanliness.

Also true. They in fact hold #1 in 2 of the categories I mentioned and have held awards in the other 2.

There is no one cruise line that will be considered the top on every single list. That would be impossible. First, there are a lot of different categories and cruise lines complete in different areas. Also, that's a very subjective determination.

In any case, all of this is elementary to the question that I was answering. That question was regarding why DCL is so expensive. The question is really "How does DCL view themselves in the industry and what price will people pay for them?" The answer is DCL believes they are a top cruise line and people will pay a premium for their ships. This is evidenced and backed up by the fact that PEOPLE DO. What is not subjective is that DCL is one of the fastest growing divisions of Disney Park and Resorts and consistently beats it's goals and profit margins. As long as that is the case, the price will not lower. As long as they continue to get top ratings in review sites that are consistently visited by the clientele that DCL is aiming for, people will pay a premium for them and they will remain profitable.

Thus my initial premise - "you expect to pay more for a top restaurant" holds. As long as they are considered by enough people to be worth the cost, the cost is justified and you should expect them to price their service that way.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Also, regarding the alleged "perfect score" in CDC vessel sanitation program, not all of them scored 100:

Disney Dream Disney Cruise Lines 4/9/2018 - 100
Disney Fantasy Disney Cruise Lines 7/22/2017 - 99
Disney Magic Disney Cruise Lines 10/21/2017 - 100
Disney Wonder Disney Cruise Lines 2/4/2018 - 97

Yes. Those are (indeed) excellent scores. But the Dream and the Magic are not the only ships who received a 100 score recently:

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/InspectionQueryTool/InspectionWith100Score.aspx

As you can see, 3 RCCL ships scored 100. And with very few exceptions, Carnival, Norwegian and RCCL usually score over 90 points anyway.

I thought you were done and wanted to just "keep your opinion". However, since you bring it up.

Actually I said they got a perfect score from USNews - which they did a 5/5. For the purposes of USNews, a 97 still puts them at the top ranking.
RCL does have a number of good ships, but overall scored a 4.5 / 5.

Carnival.... I mean, they rate a 4.5. Which I guess is fair this year, but we don't REALLY want to talk about Carnival's health records, do we? I mean 3 days with no toilets?

 

[2DisPrincesses]

Yes OP! After spending Spring Break in Punta Cana (at the Hard Rock), we were supposed to go on a Disney Cruise in the Fall. The kids all requested we cancel the cruise (we had been on one the previous year). and go back to Punta Cana. Even after adding on dive certification and a couple of extra dives, we saved SO much money!!! Love both, but we’re headed back to PC for Spring Break this year too!

 

[mevelandry]

I thought you were done and wanted to just "keep your opinion". However, since you bring it up.

Actually I said they got a perfect score from USNews - which they did a 5/5. For the purposes of USNews, a 97 still puts them at the top ranking.
RCL does have a number of good ships, but overall scored a 4.5 / 5.

Carnival.... I mean, they rate a 4.5. Which I guess is fair this year, but we don't REALLY want to talk about Carnival's health records, do we? I mean 3 days with no toilets?

I had put this part (in the quote) in bold, meaning this was what I was replying to: "However, I also believe what my eyes tell me over that I may have heard from a friend or what someone else on a forum believes." Of course, I could go on and on and post every single link that proves DCL is not on top on every single "Best list" but .... Hélas!... I have a life and Princess Trisha posted a few links already.


You are free to believe whoever you want, but I trust the CDC before USNews regarding health.


Bad incidents could happen to any cruise line. I believe that they did the best they could, healthwise, considering the fire in the engine and loss of power. I don't know that DCL would be that much better in the same circumstances. And I believe Carnival has moved on since (2013)...

And I've sailed on a CCL ship three times since 2016. Never had a problem.


Carnival's health record is usually very good, as I said, with a few exceptions, most of the time over 90 (I put the results from 2016 to 2018):

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/InspectionQueryTool/InspectionResults.aspx

And in case you're interested about Norovirus outbreaks, this link is always interesting too:

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/gilist.htm#2018

 

[TiggerBouncy]

You are free to believe whoever you want, but I trust the CDC before USNews regarding health.

Fair point. The CDC is definitely a better source than USNews. I *think* USNews giving DCL a 5/5 though wasn't to indicate that every ship was a perfect 100, but rather that comparative score gives them 5 stars. I.E. if a restaurant has 5 stars, I don't think that means they have never had a single complaint from anyone ever. That said, USNews probably would have been more accurate to give them a 4.9? That would still put them above all the other lines though.

Of course DCL has an advantage over RCL for example since they only have 4 ships that have to keep that score. With 26 ships or worse Carnival (how many ships do they have?) it's harder to maintain high scores. Averages will win out here and cause the lines with more ships to get lower numbers.

Bad incidents could happen to any cruise line. I believe that they did the best they could, healthwise, considering the fire in the engine and loss of power. I don't know that DCL would be that much better in the same circumstances. And I believe Carnival has moved on since (2013)...

Here is where I will disagree with you - but only specific to Carnival. I will admit though that I am biased against them. They have never been my favorite line to begin with.

For example... has the Triumph REALLY moved on since 2013? Did you know that it FAILED the CDC inspection in November last year with a 78?
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/...-ship-passes-new-cdc-sanitary-inspection.html

Earlier in 2017 the Paradise failed with an 83.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article192829164.html

Fair enough - both ships passed after re-inspection. But that doesn't exactly build my confidence in the brand.

Although not a health violation SPECIFICALLY, Carnival just has trouble after trouble.
Earlier this year the hall flooded on the Dream.
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/...with-water-due-to-issue-with-fire-system.html

2 people fell overboard in January (presumed dead) on 2 separate ships.

February they had a fight between... what... 20+ people?

As a brand, Carnival just can't stay out of the headlines with negative news. Never has.

Although as I said, that is specific to them, and does not reflect on RCL and NCL (both of which I consider to be respectable lines) as well as some of the others (Celebrity and Princess come to mind).

 

[mevelandry]

Fair point. The CDC is definitely a better source than USNews. I *think* USNews giving DCL a 5/5 though wasn't to indicate that every ship was a perfect 100, but rather that comparative score gives them 5 stars. I.E. if a restaurant has 5 stars, I don't think that means they have never had a single complaint from anyone ever. That said, USNews probably would have been more accurate to give them a 4.9? That would still put them above all the other lines though.

Of course DCL has an advantage over RCL for example since they only have 4 ships that have to keep that score. With 26 ships or worse Carnival (how many ships do they have?) it's harder to maintain high scores. Averages will win out here and cause the lines with more ships to get lower numbers.



Here is where I will disagree with you - but only specific to Carnival. I will admit though that I am biased against them. They have never been my favorite line to begin with.

For example... has the Triumph REALLY moved on since 2013? Did you know that it FAILED the CDC inspection in November last year with a 78?
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/...-ship-passes-new-cdc-sanitary-inspection.html

Earlier in 2017 the Paradise failed with an 83.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article192829164.html

Fair enough - both ships passed after re-inspection. But that doesn't exactly build my confidence in the brand.

Although not a health violation SPECIFICALLY, Carnival just has trouble after trouble.
Earlier this year the hall flooded on the Dream.
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2018/...with-water-due-to-issue-with-fire-system.html

2 people fell overboard in January (presumed dead) on 2 separate ships.

February they had a fight between... what... 20+ people?

As a brand, Carnival just can't stay out of the headlines with negative news. Never has.

Although as I said, that is specific to them, and does not reflect on RCL and NCL (both of which I consider to be respectable lines) as well as some of the others (Celebrity and Princess come to mind).

I've followed all news. It is nearly impossible to miss one because Carnival bashing is popular.

Here are my comments:

-CDC inspections have very severe criterias (as they should). I don't know if you have read reports but it's quite interesting. My house would probably score -25.

-Pipes can break anywhere. (It happened on Disney ships as well, by the way. I've read reports right here.) I invite you to read about how fast everything was repaired and how the passengers were compensated.

-People don't "fall" from cruise ships. They either climb where they shouldn't or they commit suicide. It is extremely sad but I don't see how the cruise line is at fault there.

-I heard about "the" fight but I don't think your numbers are accurate.

-Statistically speaking, bad stuff has more chances to happen on a cruise line with 20+ ships than on a cruise line with 4 ships. Just like there is more crimes happening in a town of 2 000 000 than a town of 10 000.

-I hear about incidents on other cruise lines too but I think people pay more attention to Carnival incidents because the Triumph incident stood out.

I have noticed that other cruise lines CDC "failed inspections" never make the news.

Google "DCL incidents". I know cruisemappers has compiled some of them. As I said, bad luck happens.

P.s.: I realize we totally highjacked this thread (we should continue this discussion on the Carnival vs DCL thread) and suggest we return to OP's subject if you don't mind.

 

[RedSox68]

Yes I do think pricing has gotten crazy, but I think we just have to be a little patient. Once the new ships start launching for Disney, expect all the people currently paying $5000+ for a 4 night cruise to start booking the new ships. I know that seems like a long wait, especially if you have kids who want to go now, but I think the quality will be the same a few years down the road.

Uh, yeah -- that would be a high probable no. The very same thing was said oh so many years ago about prices going down or leveling off when the Dream and Fantasy came on line. Pricing only got worse! I am not resting any future hope for affordability on a Disney cruise based on three more ships coming. They are known now in the industry for being top dollar for very little (in the way of amenities, extras, etc.). The only thing they really have that other cruise lines don't is the free soda.

And I also agree that they are not the best cruise line on the water by any means. In the past four years, we've had better experiences on Carnival -- and that includes much better room stewards.

 

[jeepnjudy]

Back to the OP...I would agree Disney has gone crazy on their pricing especially for us since we will not pull our kids from school which leaves us the holidays. We have gone on a few of the holiday cruises in the past but no more as I refuse to pay the price of a small car just for my family to go on a Disney cruise. My DS14 who will be driving next year would prefer we buy him a car with that money!

 

[mmmears]

I do not think DCL pricing will come down. The captive audience, which I sometimes fall into, will still pay. New ships are not cheaper than old ships, and if the old ship pricing model still holds, which I suspect it largely will ... anyway.

Totally agree. They aren't spending a fortune on 3 new ships just so they can lower their prices. I expect the pricing to hold steady or, more likely, continue to climb.

For us this doesn't mean we won't sail with DCL. We just won't sail often (which is already what we've been doing since we don't travel outside of school breaks and thus the prices are very high). We will look at another cruise line? Maybe, but we really like and are comfortable sailing with DCL so maybe not. It's a great big world out there, and DCL and WDW aren't our only travel destinations.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I've followed all news. It is nearly impossible to miss one because Carnival bashing is popular.

Here are my comments:

-CDC inspections have very severe criterias (as they should). I don't know if you have read reports but it's quite interesting. My house would probably score -25.

-Pipes can break anywhere. (It happened on Disney ships as well, by the way. I've read reports right here.) I invite you to read about how fast everything was repaired and how the passengers were compensated.

-People don't "fall" from cruise ships. They either climb where they shouldn't or they commit suicide. It is extremely sad but I don't see how the cruise line is at fault there.

-I heard about "the" fight but I don't think your numbers are accurate.

-Statistically speaking, bad stuff has more chances to happen on a cruise line with 20+ ships than on a cruise line with 4 ships. Just like there is more crimes happening in a town of 2 000 000 than a town of 10 000.

-I hear about incidents on other cruise lines too but I think people pay more attention to Carnival incidents because the Triumph incident stood out.

I have noticed that other cruise lines CDC "failed inspections" never make the news.

Google "DCL incidents". I know cruisemappers has compiled some of them. As I said, bad luck happens.

P.s.: I realize we totally highjacked this thread (we should continue this discussion on the Carnival vs DCL thread) and suggest we return to OP's subject if you don't mind.

Actually, I think we're done. You are NEVER going to convince me that Carnival is a good line no matter how hard you try. And Yes, I HAVE sailed Carnival - about 5 or 6 times. So I speak from my own experience too. I have no interest in the Carnival vs DCL thread.

Ehh. Not worth the rest. I Just removed it. I am here to talk about why I love DCL, give hints to people on how to enjoy DCL and talk about other pro's (and maybe some con's) of the DCL cruise line. For example, if you want to discuss how DCL is expensive, that is a DCL conversation that we can have (even though it's a con). We can do it without promoting other lines though.

I am not here to discuss Carnival. If I wanted to talk about Carnival, I would be on one of their boards.

I honestly love DCL and like RCL and NCL. However, I don't go to their boards and talk about how I like DCL better.

 

[mevelandry]

Actually, I think we're done. You are NEVER going to convince me that Carnival is a good line no matter how hard you try. And Yes, I HAVE sailed Carnival - about 5 or 6 times. So I speak from my own experience too. I have no interest in the Carnival vs DCL thread.

Ehh. Not worth the rest. I Just removed it. I am here to talk about why I love DCL, give hints to people on how to enjoy DCL and talk about other pro's (and maybe some con's) of the DCL cruise line. For example, if you want to discuss how DCL is expensive, that is a DCL conversation that we can have (even though it's a con). We can do it without promoting other lines though.

I am not here to discuss Carnival. If I wanted to talk about Carnival, I would be on one of their boards.

I honestly love DCL and like RCL and NCL. However, I don't go to their boards and talk about how I like DCL better.

I was not REALLY interested in continuing this conversation with you...

I was just trying to --as politely as possible-- correct the fake news you were spreading... Opinions are opinions but I don't play with facts.

... and I was trying to go back to the original subject! (With a politically correct sub-text because being condescending is not my jam, believe it or not).

So... BYE!!!

Mooooving on!

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I was not really interested in continuing this conversation with you, I was just trying to --as politely as possible-- correct the fake news you were spreading and going back to the original subject...

Mooooving on!

What did I say that was Fake news?

Every thing I said was posted from a news site backed up by facts. Show me one thing I said that did not actually happen.

Just because it doesn't make your favorite line look good, doesn't make it fake.

 

[RedSox68]

I don't understand how this thread turned into a bashing of the Carnival line? I would think your anti-Carnival remarks would be better placed on the Carnival vs. DCL thread.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I don't understand how this thread turned into a bashing of the Carnival line? I would think your anti-Carnival remarks would be better placed on the Carnival vs. DCL thread.

Well, we were talking about how DCL was expensive and I mentioned that part of the reason it's so expensive is that they maintain a very good health record. Someone questioned that and tried to say that Carnival's health record is just as good as DCL's.

That would not be true (as indicated by several news reports that I linked).

I maintain: DCL is expensive. yes. That's true. Will DCL's priced go down? Not likely. Not while they believe they provide a higher quality service and various news agencies agree with them and not while their customers are willing to pay what they charge.

 

[MomOTwins]

I always find endlessly confusing on a board dedicated to DCL that so many people want to pipe up and say "other cruise lines are better and cheaper." I for one, don't want people to try to sell me on Carnival. I like DCL. It's like going to a steak restaurant and ordering a steak, only for another guest to lean over and argue with me for 15 minutes about how the steak is wayyyy overpriced and the salmon is just as good if not better and half the cost. This happens so often on this board, and I really don't get it.

 

[RedSox68]

I always find endlessly confusing on a board dedicated to DCL that so many people want to pipe up and say "other cruise lines are better and cheaper." I for one, don't want people to try to sell me on Carnival. I like DCL. It's like going to a steak restaurant and ordering a steak, only for another guest to lean over and argue with me for 15 minutes about how the steak is wayyyy overpriced and the salmon is just as good if not better and half the cost. This happens so often on this board, and I really don't get it.

People mean well with information and such -- but I think this happens most often when the thread goes off topic and posters get passionate about the point they're trying to make.

 

[mevelandry]

What did I say that was Fake news?

Every thing I said was posted from a news site backed up by facts. Show me one thing I said that did not actually happen.

Just because it doesn't make your favorite line look good, doesn't make it fake.

I said "fake news" because you twist facts and only accept what fits your narrative. You ignored every single fact or suggestion that I presented to you (like actually googling DCL and other cruise line to realize that incidents are also quite frequent on other cruise lines) that contradicted or could have nuanced your "views" and bring them closer to "reality".

FYI: I like both cruise lines equally and I plan on sailing on many different cruise lines in the future (Carnival, RCCL, NCL, etc.)