Discounts on Pricing?

[Mr. Fantastic]

I am an experienced Disney World traveler, but have never cruised before. We are a family of 5 and are looking to cruise to the Caribbean the first week of April in 2018. I was shocked to see how expensive a Disney cruise is. The prices are more than double Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Is this normal? If so, I guess for many of you it's worth the extra cost. What makes a Disney cruise $3,00 to $5,000 better? Is there discounts you all get? I'm an annual passholder, Disney Visa and DVC member if any of those might help? Thanks for any help.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am an experienced Disney World traveler, but have never cruised before. We are a family of 5 and are looking to cruise to the Caribbean the first week of April in 2018. I was shocked to see how expensive a Disney cruise is. The prices are more than double Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Is this normal? If so, I guess for many of you it's worth the extra cost. What makes a Disney cruise $3,00 to $5,000 better? Is there discounts you all get? I'm an annual passholder, Disney Visa and DVC member if any of those might help? Thanks for any help.

Yes, DCL is more costly than other cruise lines (often for similar itineraries).

For us, the DCL value is worth it, for the most part. We find the service and cleanliness to be better on DCL than the other lines we've been on.

The only discounts that DCL does are (on those cruises they deem as not selling well) for Florida residents; military, and, sometimes, last minute restricted fares.

Using your Disney VISA for your onboard account (for cruises in 2017) will get you a variety of special offers onboard. DVC has member cruises (usually even pricier than regular due to extra perks onboard). Annual passholder gets you nothing on DCL.

 

[Quellman]

Time of the year and itinerary have a lot to do with pricing too. Summer itineraries? $$$ Alaska? S$$$ Northern Europe $$$$$$ Star Wars day at Sea $$$ And yes the dollars are Representative of the actual costs.

Disney knows they have a captive audience, people know exactly what to expect with regards to Disney quality, so for first time cruisers with kids under 13, this is an easy sell for them.

What makes it better? The mouse and all he includes. Familiar characters and the ease of which things are designed. There are kids only, adults only, and family venues for just about everything, including shows. They make it easy for everyone to have the vacation that they want to have. People also really like Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. You can walk from the ship instead of tendering as has been common for other lines. And also, there is the fact that they are once again the only cruiseline with fireworks at sea (on select itineraries).

 

[Dug720]

In terms of the first week in April 2018, given that April 1 is Easter, those rates being higher are not one bit surprising. PRIME Spring Break season, so no. No discounting going on there at all.

 

[Mr. Fantastic]

Thanks for the Replies. We won't qualify for any of those discounts except for the onboard ones. I'm used to the having to pay for peak pricing due to my wife being a teacher and kids in school. I did not know about the fireworks. It was mentioned discounts on extras. What sort of things would we have to pay extra for onboard? Character dinings, Meet and Greets, etc. I'm looking at the Fantasy which is a Western Caribbean cruise and would be $11,000 for the sailing on March 31.

 

[Mr. Fantastic]

In terms of the first week in April 2018, given that April 1 is Easter, those rates being higher are not one bit surprising. PRIME Spring Break season, so no. No discounting going on there at all.

I figured. Easter usually hits that week 50% of the time, but unfortunately that's when our Spring Break always falls.

 

[lanejudy]

It was mentioned discounts on extras. What sort of things would we have to pay extra for onboard? Character dinings, Meet and Greets, etc.

MOST of what you do onboard is included in the fare. In fact, other than the recommended gratuities, it is possible to cruise with no extra expenses. Extra costs include things like port excursions, souvenirs, adult dining, alcoholic beverages, smoothies, nursery care (for those under age 3) and spa services. There are a couple of threads with very detailed lists of extras, I'll see if I can find them. But again, it's possible to cruise without incurring those charges, it all depends on what you want to do.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[lanejudy]

Here's a thread with a couple of pretty-exhaustive lists (post#2 and #19): http://www.disboards.com/threads/whats-included.3537608/#post-56306046

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

There are two ways to look at this, neither are wrong.

Practical: Is it really worth DOUBLE another cruise? Do you get more VALUE for your extra money? No, probably not. Even if the things you get extra or free or the better service is worth something, is it worth double?

Esoteric: Magical memories are priceless. After all, Disney theme parks cost like twice as much as other theme parks (like Six Flags such), and people still go to them and are happy to do so. The Cruise line is just like that.

At the end of the day, if the price hurts your family budget too much, go on one of the other lines. They are still great and you will have a great time. But if you can afford a Disney Cruise, even once, you will enjoy it if you do it.

 

[Mr. Fantastic]

Here's a thread with a couple of pretty-exhaustive lists (post#2 and #19): http://www.disboards.com/threads/whats-included.3537608/#post-56306046

That helps, thanks.

 

[jrabbit]

a money saving tip: Try sailing on the Magic or Wonder - their prices are usually much less (well at least less) expensive than the Fantasy.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

It was mentioned discounts on extras.

The discounts because you use the Disney VISA card:
For cruises beginning Jan 1, and later, if you use your Disney VISA for your onboard account:

• 10% off "select" Disney Cruise Line Digital photo packages. That's on the 10, 15, & 20 photo package as well as a full priced (not pre-cruise purchased) all digital package.
• 10% off select merchandise on purchases of $50 or more.
• 10% off the Castaway Cay Getaway Package.
• 20% of select onboard massages or facial treatments. On non-discounted treatments. For treatments in port.

 

[SnowWhite2]

Disney Visa also gives you 6 months at 0% interest to pay off the cruise.

Another way to lower your cost is to get two lower category staterooms that connect. Getting one room for 5 people can be expensive since there are limited cabins that sleep 5. Check different options as you can never tell if one might be lower than the other.