Cruise Fever Article-Average Cost of Stateroom per night Across Cruise Lines

[princesscinderella]

For us as a family of 5 for carribean cruises it’s often cheaper to sail DCL vs the other lines because we could all fit in one room and only pay the higher fares for the first two guests and the 3 kids were cheap to add on. With other lines we would be paying full fare for 4 of the 5 of us and it was typically more money. Now for the European or Alaskan sailings on DCL its was still cheaper to get two rooms for the 5 of us and we brought my in laws along too since we needed the two rooms anyway.

 

[DCLMP]

Cruise fever has an article comparing the average cost per night of staterooms across Cruise Lines.
I think we all know Disney is expensive but this is eye opening.

Per Cruise Fever:

Daily Average Cost of 2026 Cruises (Two Passengers)​

MSC Cruises	$272	$314	$353
Princess Cruises	$281	$330	$386
Carnival	$287	$338	$396
Celebrity Cruises	$351	$382	$434
Virgin Voyages	$340	$400	$468
Royal Caribbean	$352	$400	$469
Holland America	$349	$387	$512
Norwegian	$391	$467	$555
Disney	$728	$790	$905

[th]Cruise Line[/th] [th]Inside[/th] [th]O. View[/th] [th]Balcony[/th]

((It did not show right in preview when I looked but column one is inside, column two is ocean view, and column three is balcony.)



Here is the link to the article:

https://cruisefever.net/interior-to...ruise-lines-differ-in-how-much-upgrades-cost/

We all know Disney is more expensive but this is really eye opening!
I realize there can be many variables as to why Disney was the most expensive.
It does sound like the author did a lot of research into the prices, though, by analyzing prices across 365 days and over 2000 sailings.

Interesting article, though!

That seems accurate. They should do a price comparison with 4 people in the room. It would be even more eye popping. Many cruise lines allow 3rd and 4th passenger in a stateroom for free or a very small fare.

 

[DCLMP]

For us as a family of 5 for carribean cruises it’s often cheaper to sail DCL vs the other lines because we could all fit in one room and only pay the higher fares for the first two guests and the 3 kids were cheap to add on. With other lines we would be paying full fare for 4 of the 5 of us and it was typically more money. Now for the European or Alaskan sailings on DCL its was still cheaper to get two rooms for the 5 of us and we brought my in laws along too since we needed the two rooms anyway.

You never pay full fare for third and fourth passenger in one room not on any cruise line. Are you talking about needing two rooms?

 

[bunnm09]

We took a tour of Beaufort earlier this year, and I plan to go there again. Didn’t have time to visit..

https://www.nps.gov/reer/index.htm

That’s not accurate. The only thing DCL includes in its base price that its mainstream competition doesn’t, is soda and room service.

NCL’s “Free At Sea” includes soda, alcohol, a couple premium dining experiences, limited internet and more. It’s going to be significantly cheaper than DCL.

Alcohol is more expensive on Disney. Lots of people drink on Disney, for for some reason this fourm likes to pretend they don’t. On RCL, Carnival, etc. these people would spend less money on a drink package that includes… soda! And often soda is thrown in for the kids, free. Otherwise, purchasing soda at $3 each isn’t going to do much to close that gap.

Disney rotational dining is simply MDR food in a themed environment. The food in the upcharge restaurants on Carnival, Royal, etc. is a few steps above.

Alcohol definitely isn’t more on Disney. We’ve only sailed Disney and Royal but the same drinks were definitely more expensive on Royal. The drink package is so expensive you’ve got to be drinking a ton to make it make sense. If you’re someone that has less than 5-6 drinks per day they are most definitely cheaper on DCL in our experience. I’m a whiskey guy and on the wish December I actually kept commenting on how when I’d request certain whiskeys they were cheaper than what I get at restaurants at home

 

[LAS2AMS]

I’m

Alcohol definitely isn’t more on Disney. We’ve only sailed Disney and Royal but the same drinks were definitely more expensive on Royal. The drink package is so expensive you’ve got to be drinking a ton to make it make sense. If you’re someone that has less than 5-6 drinks per day they are most definitely cheaper on DCL in our experience. I’m a whiskey guy and on the wish December I actually kept commenting on how when I’d request certain whiskeys they were cheaper than what I get at restaurants at home

December menus from the Treasure put most cocktails at $14-$16. January menus from Royal put them at $10-$14. Same menus show beer, margaritas, etc. cheaper on Royal.

Drink package price on Royal varies by cruise but keep in mind it includes alcohol, non-Starbucks premium coffee, juices, and soda - including canned. Depending on what you’re drinking and the price offered, it can pay for itself for less than four drinks on DCL.

 

[ComeToSocialize]

We have only cruised Disney. Are the kids clubs free on the other cruise line also? Are tips included in all of these prices. Just curious.

Every cruise I've been on, the kids club has been free for ages 3/4 up.

Disney is unquestionably more expensive than comparable brands. I was a bit surprised it was like 2x as this suggests, but you definitely pay a hefty premium to have Disney characters and properties in the mix. That doesn't make it a bad value, for most of us on this forum we've decided it's worth paying more.

It's similar to how the grand Floridian is similar (or more) expensive than the four seasons or Waldorf, when the four seasons is clearly more luxurious (though location and perks also play a big role in the hotel pricing).

 

[holula]

For those that haven't read the article I will include the following information.

Per the article:


This included every 2026 cruise out of a U.S. cruise port that was anywhere from 7 days long to 14 days in duration.

Suites, solo cabins, and other types of cabins are not included in this article.

Considering Disney’s only 7+ night itineraries are on the Treasure, and then one Panama Canal cruise and the Wonder doing her repo cruises back to the U.S., this explains why it’s so high in comparison to other lines. I still can’t justify booking the Treasure because the cost is just so high.

 

[AnnaS]

Every cruise I've been on, the kids club has been free for ages 3/4 up.

Disney is unquestionably more expensive than comparable brands. I was a bit surprised it was like 2x as this suggests, but you definitely pay a hefty premium to have Disney characters and properties in the mix. That doesn't make it a bad value, for most of us on this forum we've decided it's worth paying more.

It's similar to how the grand Floridian is similar (or more) expensive than the four seasons or Waldorf, when the four seasons is clearly more luxurious (though location and perks also play a big role in the hotel pricing).

Thank you.

We almost cruised the Princes to Alaska (cruise/Denali) but with COVID, it never happened.
Was curious about the clubs - never looked into it- I have grandchildren now - but if they try another line, I will probably follow . Thank you.

 

[katyringo]

Considering Disney’s only 7+ night itineraries are on the Treasure, and then one Panama Canal cruise and the Wonder doing her repo cruises back to the U.S., this explains why it’s so high in comparison to other lines. I still can’t justify booking the Treasure because the cost is just so high.

We are doing a 7 night repositioning cruise one way from Galveston to San Juan on the major with stops at both islands..we booked in Dec 2023 and paid 4200 for for 4. It's in 48 days!

The problem with comparing to other lines- at least for us- is we have no desire to sail another line. We are Disney people. Disney knows this .

 

[princesscinderella]

You never pay full fare for third and fourth passenger in one room not on any cruise line. Are you talking about needing two rooms?

Yes on all the other cruise lines a 5 person cabin is rare so we would typically need two cabins.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The problem with comparing to other lines- at least for us- is we have no desire to sail another line. We are Disney people. Disney knows this

I think that was sorta the point of the OP, that when you start comparing you tend to see the expenses related to it that for at least some they either never wanted to to think about or didn't realize. For some that may be quite the shock to them. Disney knows their captive audience.

In general from all the comments I see on the Board there are two primary reasons why people seek out other cruise lines:

1) Their family, primarily their children, aged out. That cannot and should not be taken as a personal affront. Different families have different interests and for some DCL just doesn't suit their family any more. *aged out is meant towards things like kids clubs and interests towards them, activities on board, dining options, theming of Disney, etc. We all know many adults still love these things.

2) Cost and inability to either afford it or justify spending it. That cannot and should not be taken as a personal affront. Even the biggest Disney lovers (which goes towards the Disney parks as well) can end up priced out or find their money is better spent (either by necessity or personal interest) elsewhere.

 

[DCLMP]

Yes on all the other cruise lines a 5 person cabin is rare so we would typically need two cabins.

Hopefully you can continue to squeeze into one cabin. As our kids got into their late teens we decided we needed two.

 

[holula]

We are doing a 7 night repositioning cruise one way from Galveston to San Juan on the major with stops at both islands..we booked in Dec 2023 and paid 4200 for for 4. It's in 48 days!

The problem with comparing to other lines- at least for us- is we have no desire to sail another line. We are Disney people. Disney knows this .

But currently they are only comparing 2026, and Disney only has their 2026 itineraries out until May(ish).

I have also done much cheaper Disney 7+ night cruises than what the chart says - even my 8 night Alaska (September) was $3900 for two with a porthole, that’s $500ish per night which is much less than what is shown in the chart.

 

[mjkacmom]

NCL's package isn't actually free, though. They still charge you gratuities. I took a 10-night NCL cruise last year and the "free" drinks package was ~$460 for two people. I skipped that since I don't drink alcohol and instead used the money to get a better room. And on that topic, the balcony rooms on NCL's ship (Getaway) are smaller than Disney's and they don't have showers. The upgraded "club" balcony is more comparable to a Disney verandah room.

And a soda on NCL was $3.50 plus a 20% gratuity, which totals $4.20.

NCL doesn't let adults get the soda package for "free".

As a drinker, I was thrilled to pay $20 pp pd for unlimited soda, all drinks up to $15, and a couple of specialty dining restaurants for just the cost of the gratuity. I was on the breakaway in a balcony, there was a nice shower, no curtain. The club balconies have the bigger bathrooms with double sinks and bigger jetted showers. If someone doesn’t drink alcohol and feels they won’t get their monies worth with the FAS (keep in mind it includes virgin drinks like pina coladas), the soda package is $12.50 a day.

 

[mjkacmom]

For us as a family of 5 for carribean cruises it’s often cheaper to sail DCL vs the other lines because we could all fit in one room and only pay the higher fares for the first two guests and the 3 kids were cheap to add on. With other lines we would be paying full fare for 4 of the 5 of us and it was typically more money. Now for the European or Alaskan sailings on DCL its was still cheaper to get two rooms for the 5 of us and we brought my in laws along too since we needed the two rooms anyway.

I believe the other lines have family cabins for 5, you just need to call to book.

 

[Mango7100]

Cue the “But Disney provides free soda” crowd…

People can justify the cost in a million different ways. But at the end of the day, Disney can charge a higher fee because they are the only ones that can provide a Disney experience at sea with characters. Without Disney IP, they are no different than any mass market cruise line.

 

[princesscinderella]

Hopefully you can continue to squeeze into one cabin. As our kids got into their late teens we decided we needed two.

Mine are big now too, one adult and two teens. We still fit ok because we don’t really hang in the room at all, it’s just a place to sleep. We have brought my son’s GF and then we have needed two rooms.

 

[tvguy]

Cue the “But Disney provides free soda” crowd…

People can justify the cost in a million different ways. But at the end of the day, Disney can charge a higher fee because they are the only ones that can provide a Disney experience at sea with characters. Without Disney IP, they are no different than any mass market cruise line.

Yup. You are paying for Pixie Dust. My kids were 12 and 16 when we cruised Disney and we are glad we went. been on three other cruise lines since, soon to be four . We have been not considered a Disney cruise since. Could we consider one again in about 10 years when our Granddaughters are older? Maybe.

 

[Kwami]

Mine are big now too, one adult and two teens. We still fit ok because we don’t really hang in the room at all, it’s just a place to sleep. We have brought my son’s GF and then we have needed two rooms.

But there's only one bathroom and shower! That's the hard part of sharing.

 

[princesscinderella]

I believe the other lines have family cabins for 5, you just need to call to book.

It has only been the last few years that the newer ships on other lines have started including 5 person family cabins in their designs. Unfortunately they only have a few in comparison to Disney who has lots of them. I have also noticed the other lines have been added a solo cruiser cabins to appeal to a broader market.