DCL reducing deposits to 10% of the cruise fare on new reservations

[DCL58]

But, I also think if you can't fill the Magic, no point to book the Fantasy 10 night for 2026 right now either!

Yep. I am not paying $20K right now for 2 verandah cabins on the 10 night on the fantasy next summer. I will wait on the guarantee rates. If DCL can’t fill the magic at regular price, doubt they will be able to fill the bigger fantasy at regular price for the same cruise.

 

[dreamer17555]

DCL dropping this right before new itineraries are supposed to come out is not a good sign for them at all. They should not need this and should’ve gobbled up the 20% that they could have from people excited to book the new itineraries.

They could’ve offered this as a promo two months down the road after the itineraries were out for a bit to help fill up ships, but the fact that they are doing it now is worrisome about how DCL is doing.

 

[peder]

DCL dropping this right before new itineraries are supposed to come out is not a good sign for them at all. They should not need this and should’ve gobbled up the 20% that they could have from people excited to book the new itineraries.

They could’ve offered this as a promo two months down the road after the itineraries were out for a bit to help fill up ships, but the fact that they are doing it now is worrisome about how DCL is doing.

On that note, are we expecting the pricing for new itineraries to start a bit cheaper?

 

[dreamer17555]

On that note, are we expecting the pricing for new itineraries to start a bit cheaper?

So this gets tricky because newer ships always have a higher price the first year of sailing so I expect some ships to lower slightly but if the prices are significantly lower DCL risks that people will just push out their currently booked sailings to later to take advantage of the price difference. So I think if they come in cheaper (and I am not sure they will) it will be very slight. I think DCL is offering the reduced deposit in lieu of altering prices much lower.

 

[brentm77]

DCL dropping this right before new itineraries are supposed to come out is not a good sign for them at all. They should not need this and should’ve gobbled up the 20% that they could have from people excited to book the new itineraries.

They could’ve offered this as a promo two months down the road after the itineraries were out for a bit to help fill up ships, but the fact that they are doing it now is worrisome about how DCL is doing.

I'm starting to wonder if, in addition to more inventory, younger generations can't afford DCL cruising like older folks used to due to salary stagnation and cost of living increases. It also seems many of us older folks are outgrowing DCL as our kids get older. I do enjoy an adults-only DCL trip, but it's not a top choice for me anymore because of the current price-to-value ratio. If that's true, they may not have as many die-hard repeat cruisers and less families to fill their places. Who knows. But I agree with others that signs point to them needing to fill more rooms.

 

[DCLMP]

This suggests an attempt to increase impulse bookings, likely to secure additional business. This is another indicator that DCL is experiencing heightened pressure to fill their ships.

Our recent booking of an $8,000 fare for three on the Treasure, after the placeholder discount, to visit long-repeated ports gave us pause. We started thinking about how that would pay for a great land trip to Europe and just couldn't justify it, so we canceled and booked Europe instead.

While DCL is a quality product, our future bookings are contingent on either more competitive pricing or a significant enhancement in food, service, and overall onboard experiences. It's not that I am not willing to spend the money DCL demands, it's that I need to feel I am getting value compared to other options. I'm just not getting that vibe for many sailings, particularly on the newer ships, and DCL hasn't left us with other 7-day options, which is usually a minimum for me.

Others may share this sentiment. This, combined with an uncertain economic outlook, fewer international visitors to the U.S., and increased capacity, presents significant challenges for DCL.

A lot of cruise lines do this. I get the reasoning. Throwing a lot of money into something that is months or year or more away is off putting for some people.
International travel to Europe is down going both directions for obvious reasons. Domestic air travel is also down.

 

[GhostHost24]

I'm starting to wonder if, in addition to more inventory, younger generations can't afford DCL cruising like older folks used to due to salary stagnation and cost of living increases. It also seems many of us older folks are outgrowing DCL as our kids get older. I do enjoy an adults-only DCL trip, but it's not a top choice for me anymore because of the current price-to-value ratio. If that's true, they may not have as many die-hard repeat cruisers and less families to fill their places. Who knows. But I agree with others that signs point to them needing to fill more rooms.

I think thats a lot of it. Im a childless adult and do love going on DCL, but its just so dang expensive.

I did a 4 night on Utopia on RCL earlier this year, and I can't remember the exact difference, but I want to say it cost us over 2 grand less than a 4 night on the wish. And that was after we purchased drink package and other things.,

 

[DCLMP]

I think thats a lot of it. Im a childless adult and do love going on DCL, but its just so dang expensive.

I did a 4 night on Utopia on RCL earlier this year, and I can't remember the exact difference, but I want to say it cost us over 2 grand less than a 4 night on the wish. And that was after we purchased drink package and other things.,

Over the last three decades I believe DCL had a lot to do with turning cruising from an retired persons vacation to a family vacation. That being said they no longer monopolize the family market. I would even say they have fallen behind.

To keep customers like me over...50 with kids in college now that have been on 33 DCL cruises. They need to lower the prices and have better itineraries. There is no incentive for me to choose DCL. None for my kids either at their age they prefer a good itinerary.

 

[WannaBeImagineer]

I agree with a lot of what's been said, it seems that this is Disney trying to get some bookings to happen. I really hope that DCL will realize it's time to slow down on the prices. While I get that newer ships get a premium we only want to sail 7 nights or more and the Treasure is so much more than the Fantasy was that we've been priced out for all the upcoming school holidays. If they want to charge a premium for a newer ship then let an older ship also have consistent 7 night cruises. B2B is not the same as a seven night.

Thanksgiving this year on the Treasure is $13,707 (2adults 2kids in verandah). Thanksgiving is always a premium, Easter Carib is always a premium, but we've never had to pay over $9k before. I hate to compare to Royal but Harmony of the Seas is only $4200 that week.

 

[WannaBeImagineer]

Over the last three decades I believe DCL had a lot to do with turning cruising from an retired persons vacation to a family vacation. That being said they no longer monopolize the family market. I would even say they have fallen behind.

To keep customers like me over...50 with kids in college now that have been on 33 DCL cruises. They need to lower the prices and have better itineraries. There is no incentive for me to choose DCL. None for my kids either at their age they prefer a good itinerary.

I think the same can be said for my family, while my kids are still young they are getting to the age that they want the bigger thrills that Royal offers and costing half as much as DCL I'm willing to forgo some of the DCL luxuries.