Disney Cruise Prices

[randumb0]

We are sailing Princess Club Class Mini-suite to Alaska this summer. It was literally half the price of a veranda on DCL for the same week. (Its the closest apples to apples comparison.). It also includes Glacier Bay, which is a must for us. (It also includes drink packages and tips.)

I know we will miss the Disney shows and maybe some of the "magic." But I know there are other things we will like better about Princess.

I just couldn't justify paying another $7,000 for Disney. That amount of money would cover a LOT of excursions!

Princess mini suite for less than DCL? Sign me up that's a no brainer

 

[John VN]

Never thought it would happen but DW and I out grew the need for a Disney Fix, whether on LAND or By Sea and had it replaced with the need to cruise Concierge Level. Sadly DCL lags far behind other lines when it comes to money wisely paid for services rendered at that level and no amount of Disney Magic can make us return without a huge drop in pricing.

 

[NEGeekymama]

Oh, please. The "free" stuff isn't free. They charge absolutely absurd "gratuities" for the "free" open bar and "free" specialty dining. Other specialty dining costs extra, just like on DCL. The laundry isn't self service, so that costs more. The WiFi costs more. If you don't get the "free" open bar, then soft drinks aren't free. Many of the excursions cost more. Access to the adults-only sundeck isn't free. And that's just NCL! At least they don't charge for towels like some other lines do...

Exactly! People need to read the fine print for the Free at Sea offer.

The "free" shore excursions? Is a $50 credit per excursion for the first guest in each stateroom.

The "free" wifi? Has a limit on it.

The "free" specialty dining? Is also limited.

If you want to upgrade to more perks, you pay more.

 

[NEGeekymama]

At the end of the day this is what it boils down to. Why do other people care how you spend your money? Spend it on DCL, spend it on NCL, spend it wherever. Just because something is 'cheaper' and apparently 'better' ....well...that's in the eye of the beholder. Posts like this never sway people one way or another. Pretty sure we are all aware of how much other cruise lines cost.

And don't waste your time complaining or bashing DCL on a forum dedicated to DCL. There are plenty of other spaces on the internet to do that.

 

[NEGeekymama]

It will be a long while before we sail Disney Cruiseline again.

Then why are you spending time on a forum that's literally dedicated to DCL?

 

[Carohs]

If I can find a comparable cruise on Disney for not that much more, I'll book Disney first. I do think they have added value, especially with on board entertainment. Some people are into sitting at bars or casinos, I like crafts and Broadway shows. I can cruise without drinking, but it's also nice to have a glass with dinner. But if it's thousands of dollars less on another line? I'd rather save the money and book another cruise with the savings.

 

[NEGeekymama]

Our week long NCL cruise in July in a 2 room Haven suite was $2400 cheaper than a week long Fantasy cruise in a veranda view. If I compared to concierge it would have been several more thousands of dollars cheaper but I refuse to pay concierge on Disney. Same dates. Both Eastern Caribbean. And this included the upgraded wifi, prepaid gratuities, and beverage package gratuities and a giant room with a butler. It was 2400 cheaper total.

Now the kids club on Disney is by far and away better. And we like Casataway Cay better than Great Stirrup Cay. But honestly my 9 year old said she had just as much if not more fun on the NCL cruise due to the 5 water slides, ropes course, and being in the Haven. We are doing DCL in March because we got a good price with the Disney Plus deal, but it’s harder for me to justify the cost.

The fun thing about the internet is being able to find info on cruises that have already sailed.

In July 2022, the Fantasy had one Eastern Caribbean sailing. It left Port Canaveral on July 9, and stopped in Tortola, Sat. Thomas, and Castaway Cay.

On July 9, the Norwegian Getaway also departed Port Canaveral. It stopped in Great Stirrup Cay, Amber Cove, and San Juan.

So, while they were both Eastern Caribbean sailings, they were not the same stops.

Unfortunately, we can't price out old cruises. But we can look at 2023 sailings.

The Fantasy 7 night Eastern Caribbean sailing departing from Port Canaveral on July 29, 2023 stops in St. Maarten, San Juan, and Castaway Cay. For a family of four (two adults, two kids), a Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah is $10,407.

The Norwegian Escape 7 night Eastern Caribbean departing from Miami in July stops in Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay. There are a few dates to choose from, with the cheapest date being July 23, 2023. For a travel party of 4, the Haven 2 Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony is $14,364.88 This includes NCL's "Free at Sea" and "2nd Guest Cruises Free". Without the "free" second guest, it would be $27,027.88.

For a Family Balcony on NCL (which is smaller than the family balcony on Disney) the cheapest departs on July 30, 2023 and is $5,847.88. Without the sale, it would be $9,993.88. So this is where it's actually cheaper than Disney, but only by $413.12.

The absolute cheapest Haven 2 Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony on the 7 night Eastern Caribbean on NCL for a party of four departing April 23, 2023 is $10,899.88.

Now, let's look at the fees, etc.

For DCL, the fare includes $497.52 in taxes/fees/port expenses. You can add on pre-paid gratuities for $406 for a total of $903.52.

For NCL, the fare includes $1,055.88 in taxes/fees/port expenses, $610.40 in "open" bar gratuities, and $35.60 in specialty dining gratuities for a total of $1701.88. This does not include gratuities for the dining staff, or stateroom host/staff, which will be $25/person/day for the Haven and Suite level for a total of $700, putting the grand total of taxes/fees/gratuities at $2401.88.

 

[NEGeekymama]

I agree!! I just laugh at this point when people try to throw shade at other cruise lines for their up-charges. Granted, we have only sailed on NCL and DCL (multiple times on each) so I can't speak to other lines, But our bill on NCL is always a tiny fraction of what it is on DCL. On NCL everything is paid upfront and we leave with just a tiny bill. Our DCL bills have been a lot. . The whole nickel and dime narrative that DCL fans want to play vs others lines is not reality.

Uh, sure. So why are NCL's port fees 2-3x those of Disney's? NCL's gratuities are also more; $20/person/day (or $25 for Haven and Suites) vs. $14.50/person/day on Disney.

 

[Mango7100]

The fun thing about the internet is being able to find info on cruises that have already sailed.

In July 2022, the Fantasy had one Eastern Caribbean sailing. It left Port Canaveral on July 9, and stopped in Tortola, Sat. Thomas, and Castaway Cay.

On July 9, the Norwegian Getaway also departed Port Canaveral. It stopped in Great Stirrup Cay, Amber Cove, and San Juan.

So, while they were both Eastern Caribbean sailings, they were not the same stops.

Unfortunately, we can't price out old cruises. But we can look at 2023 sailings.

The Fantasy 7 night Eastern Caribbean sailing departing from Port Canaveral on July 29, 2023 stops in St. Maarten, San Juan, and Castaway Cay. For a family of four (two adults, two kids), a Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah is $10,407.

The Norwegian Escape 7 night Eastern Caribbean departing from Miami in July stops in Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay. There are a few dates to choose from, with the cheapest date being July 23, 2023. For a travel party of 4, the Haven 2 Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony is $14,364.88 This includes NCL's "Free at Sea" and "2nd Guest Cruises Free". Without the "free" second guest, it would be $27,027.88.

For a Family Balcony on NCL (which is smaller than the family balcony on Disney) the cheapest departs on July 30, 2023 and is $5,847.88. Without the sale, it would be $9,993.88. So this is where it's actually cheaper than Disney, but only by $413.12.

The absolute cheapest Haven 2 Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony on the 7 night Eastern Caribbean on NCL for a party of four departing April 23, 2023 is $10,899.88.

Now, let's look at the fees, etc.

For DCL, the fare includes $497.52 in taxes/fees/port expenses. You can add on pre-paid gratuities for $406 for a total of $903.52.

For NCL, the fare includes $1,055.88 in taxes/fees/port expenses, $610.40 in "open" bar gratuities, and $35.60 in specialty dining gratuities for a total of $1701.88. This does not include gratuities for the dining staff, or stateroom host/staff, which will be $25/person/day for the Haven and Suite level for a total of $700, putting the grand total of taxes/fees/gratuities at $2401.88.

You have a lot of time on your hands. Why do you care so much? You seem to take it personally that people may have gone on a cheaper cruise and had a good time! I’m sorry you are so offended that we got a good deal. Good gracious! We didnt have the 2 bedroom villa in Haven—we had the forward facing suite which is 2 rooms (bedroom and living room, not 2 bedrooms plus the living area). Never said we had the 2 bedroom villa, said we had a 2 room suite. And we were not a party of 4. And never said they had the same stops—said they were both Eastern Caribbean (which they are). Of course they won’t have the same stops—they have separate private islands. So your calculations were wrong but maybe you want to do it again? Would you like a copy of my credit card statement? Because I can assure you we paid well below that. Have a merry Christmas and enjoy whatever cruise you want with your loved ones!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

And don't waste your time complaining or bashing DCL on a forum dedicated to DCL. There are plenty of other spaces on the internet to do that.

Who is bashing? Bringing up pricing is hardly bashing. Your words not mine.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Unless attention is brought up, things go unnoticed. The point of this thread is to bring about awareness that DCL prices have gone up tremendously with little to no change in service, itineraries, food quality. You like to know when ticket prices increase, right?

 

[Pens Fan]

Uh, sure. So why are NCL's port fees 2-3x those of Disney's? NCL's gratuities are also more; $20/person/day (or $25 for Haven and Suites) vs. $14.50/person/day on Disney.

Look, you guys can cherry pick this stuff all you want to find things that cost more on xxx cruise line vs DCL. All people are saying is that many of us have cruised on other lines for far less money (overall cost - cruise fare, gratuities, onboard charges, up-charges combined) than on DCL and had a dang good time doing it. That's it. Why take it so personally that not everyone on the internet thinks DCL is the only cruise line worth going on ??

I'm signing out of this one. Merry Christmas!

 

[lklgoodman]

Uh, sure. So why are NCL's port fees 2-3x those of Disney's? NCL's gratuities are also more; $20/person/day (or $25 for Haven and Suites) vs. $14.50/person/day on Disney.

The gratuities on DCL should be more. I thought they had increased them recently, but guess not. The cms work hard for tips. We've done 8 DCL cruises and always double the tips for our stateroom host and dining staff. I know a lot of people on here also increase the gratuities for the cms. NCL just recently increased it to the $20/$25. We had already pre-paid for our cruise next summer so our's is still at the old rate. We will still give more to our cabin host and servers. An extra $300-$400 isn't that much for us, but means a lot to them.

 

[blabbermouth]

It seems like right now there are a lot of discounts for DCL. Disney + discount, misc 35% off discounts, also resident location discounts. To us, with a 5 year old, we wouldn't even consider a cruise if it wasn't Disney. If we were just an adult couple I could see us choosing a different option.

 

[NEGeekymama]

You have a lot of time on your hands. Why do you care so much? You seem to take it personally that people may have gone on a cheaper cruise and had a good time! I’m sorry you are so offended that we got a good deal. Good gracious! We didnt have the 2 bedroom villa in Haven—we had the forward facing suite which is 2 rooms (bedroom and living room, not 2 bedrooms plus the living area). Never said we had the 2 bedroom villa, said we had a 2 room suite. And we were not a party of 4. And never said they had the same stops—said they were both Eastern Caribbean (which they are). Of course they won’t have the same stops—they have separate private islands. So your calculations were wrong but maybe you want to do it again? Would you like a copy of my credit card statement? Because I can assure you we paid well below that. Have a merry Christmas and enjoy whatever cruise you want with your loved ones!

Okay then.

For July 29, 2023 on the Fantasy a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with (extended) balcony is $6,618.76 for one adult and one child. For two adults and one child it's $8.476.90.

For July 23, 2023 The Haven Forward-Facing Penthouse with Balcony is $7,886.74 for a party of two. For a party of three, it would be $9,035.81. And this is including the "2nd guest free" promo. So you can add about $7k to each for the non-sale total.

So in this case, Disney is the cheapest.

As for the rooms themselves, the Haven Forward-Facing Penthouse with Balcony does have separate living & sleeping areas, but by no means is it a massive difference vs. the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom on Disney. For NCL, the room is approx. 451sq ft with a 32sq ft balcony (though cruisedeckplans.com puts it at 387sq ft and 33sq ft). On Disney, the room is listed at 299sq ft including the balcony, however, when you look at cruisedeckplans.com the room is listed as 256sq ft, and as this particular one is a 4E balcony, it's at least twice the size of the listed 43sq ft.

Honestly? This took very little time. Never underestimate the motivation and skill of someone who recently finished Grad School.

And why did I go to the trouble of taking maybe 10 minutes to price-compare? Because, and call me crazy, I like having accurate information out there. Comparing NCL's sales of "2nd guest free" or "3rd and 4th guest free" or what have you to Disney's non-sale price is neither fair nor accurate.

 

[NEGeekymama]

Who is bashing? Bringing up pricing is hardly bashing. Your words not mine.

Yes, Mr. "It will be a long while before we sail Disney Cruiseline again!"

 

[tink1970]

The fun thing about the internet is being able to find info on cruises that have already sailed.

In July 2022, the Fantasy had one Eastern Caribbean sailing. It left Port Canaveral on July 9, and stopped in Tortola, Sat. Thomas, and Castaway Cay.

On July 9, the Norwegian Getaway also departed Port Canaveral. It stopped in Great Stirrup Cay, Amber Cove, and San Juan.

So, while they were both Eastern Caribbean sailings, they were not the same stops.

Unfortunately, we can't price out old cruises. But we can look at 2023 sailings.

The Fantasy 7 night Eastern Caribbean sailing departing from Port Canaveral on July 29, 2023 stops in St. Maarten, San Juan, and Castaway Cay. For a family of four (two adults, two kids), a Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah is $10,407.

The Norwegian Escape 7 night Eastern Caribbean departing from Miami in July stops in Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay. There are a few dates to choose from, with the cheapest date being July 23, 2023. For a travel party of 4, the Haven 2 Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony is $14,364.88 This includes NCL's "Free at Sea" and "2nd Guest Cruises Free". Without the "free" second guest, it would be $27,027.88.

For a Family Balcony on NCL (which is smaller than the family balcony on Disney) the cheapest departs on July 30, 2023 and is $5,847.88. Without the sale, it would be $9,993.88. So this is where it's actually cheaper than Disney, but only by $413.12.

The absolute cheapest Haven 2 Bedroom Family Villa with Balcony on the 7 night Eastern Caribbean on NCL for a party of four departing April 23, 2023 is $10,899.88.

Now, let's look at the fees, etc.

For DCL, the fare includes $497.52 in taxes/fees/port expenses. You can add on pre-paid gratuities for $406 for a total of $903.52.

For NCL, the fare includes $1,055.88 in taxes/fees/port expenses, $610.40 in "open" bar gratuities, and $35.60 in specialty dining gratuities for a total of $1701.88. This does not include gratuities for the dining staff, or stateroom host/staff, which will be $25/person/day for the Haven and Suite level for a total of $700, putting the grand total of taxes/fees/gratuities at $2401.88.

I've done this exercise before and posted similar results, with most ignoring my research. I realized some people will pay whatever it costs to sail on DCL, some will shop around and sometimes get a better deal with other lines and some people, regardless of the numbers, will say DCL is twice as much and not worth it. DCL is too overpriced is not a theme that's going to go away, for better or worse, accurate in some situations or not. Fortunately, in my family, I make the vacation decisions and my DH trusts me to make the best decisions with the available data...plus or minus a little magic surcharge

 

[Cheburashka]

DCL prices vary so widely based on sail date (it's not uncommon for the same cruise to cost twice as much when school is out), number of passengers, ship, stateroom category, itinerary, discount or lack of discount, and how soon after release that you booked, that it is impossible to make an authoritative price comparison from it to another line. Some people will price out a cruise and find a glaring price difference between it and another line for their particular choice of sail date, ship, stateroom(s) and sailing party ("$7,000 more!"), while others will find a cruise with a price that is in the same ballpark as the same quality of stateroom on another line, with only a reasonable "Disney difference" surcharge. Disney does cost more, yes, but how much more varies tremendously based on the factors I listed.

There's no right or wrong for the consumer, though. It's all about what works for each traveler. I'm glad not everyone wants to sail on DCL. If they did, prices would be stratospheric.

 

[NEGeekymama]

DCL prices vary so widely based on sail date (it's not uncommon for the same cruise to cost twice as much when school is out), number of passengers, ship, stateroom category, discount or lack of discount, and how soon after release that you booked, that it is impossible to make an authoritative price comparison from it to another line. Some people will price out a cruise and find a glaring price difference between it and another line for their particular choice of sail date, ship, stateroom(s) and sailing party ("$7,000 more!"), while others will find a cruise with a price that is in the same ballpark as the same quality of stateroom on another line, with only a reasonable "Disney difference" surcharge. Disney does cost more, yes, but how much more varies tremendously based on the factors I listed.

There's no right or wrong for the consumer, though. It's all about what works for each traveler. I'm glad not everyone wants to sail on DCL. If they did, prices would be stratospheric.

Exactly.

And when you look at Carnival and RCCL, their prices vary pretty drastically depending on what age/class of ship you're on.

 

[John VN]

.............................................

And why did I go to the trouble of taking maybe 10 minutes to price-compare? Because, and call me crazy, I like having accurate information out there. Comparing NCL's sales of "2nd guest free" or "3rd and 4th guest free" or what have you to Disney's non-sale price is neither fair nor accurate.

Exactly.

And when you look at Carnival and RCCL, their prices vary pretty drastically depending on what age/class of ship you're on.

I really appreciate your researching and providing the info obtained since I AM NOT computer savvy. :0).

I would be interested in reading your comparison as to how MSC would stack using their current offers --- TIA

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruis...VXoFaBR1mFA_7EAAYASAAEgIFgPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds