Disney Cruise - Repeat Cruisers

[2redtrucks]

We have been on the Disney Cruise many of times. How many of these beach towels are they going to hand out??? I Know from going on other cruise lines.. if you go on 7 cruises the 8th one is free or a free room upgrade, discounts on board. I think Disney needs to do something different along with different ports.
It is getting abit boring, but still a better bank for the buck. Why should someone that has been on the ship 7 or 8 times be treated the same as someone who has been on the ship the first time. They have to something more/better for the repeat guest.

 

[inkkognito]

Just wait until you reach 36 cruise like us...we'll surpass 40 by the end of this year.
Actually, we're worked our way through two types of bags and two types of pictures frames...now it's been the towels for a while. But you can always sell them on Ebay to finance some drinks or a spa treatment on your next cruise.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[SeaSpray]

What cruise line gives a free cruise after 7 cruises? A room upgrade is a totally different story than a free cruise. I'm going on my second cruise this summer, however all of my family and many friends have been cruising for years and years and I've never heard of this before.

 

[Annie12345]

I agree with 2redtrucks. We enjoy cruising on disney but when some of my friends have mentioned that they get huge discounts on other cruise lines simply because they have cruised before, it makes you wonder about the customer loyalty. Maybe if all of us got together and bombarded disney with emails and letters, we could make a difference...

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by Annie12345
Maybe if all of us got together and bombarded disney with emails and letters, we could make a difference...

I wouldn't hold your breath

waiting on that one.

 

[IrishCowboy]

Since Disney only has 2 ships and fewer rooms than the bigger cruise lines, they don't have to discount or give away free cruises to fill each sailing.

They have a superior product and can charge as much as the market will bear. Nearly every Disney Cruise sailing is full or near capacity. Imagine how fast each cruise would sell out if they charged similar prices as Carnival or Royal Caribbean.

 

[Mary Anne]

I too wouldn't count on it. Hey, I go to DisneyWorld 3 x a year most years and don't get a free night there either.

I also have to say, I always get my biggest bang for my buck at Disney and that is why I get them my $$$ every year and not another vacation spot.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I like to save money too.

However, I hope DCL does NOT ever begin a 'customer loyalty' program.

I think it would eventually (several years down the road) start to mirror the airlines frequent flyer programs. It's wonderful to earn free trips and upgrades, but at the same time a pain when one is not able to book their dream vacation because the flights are already full w/others who've redeemed their miles. (Ever try booking a Delta vacation to Hawaii using free miles? It's taken us two years.)

Disney is the top of the line and most everybody wants to sail w/them. I'd rather pay more, knowing that the availability is there (or most of the time anyway) and continue to receive my on-board room credit.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Oh, by the way 2redtrucks, welcome to the DISboards!

 

[crisi]

Disney does not heavily discount anything they can sell easily for full price. Their only real customer loyalty program has been DVC - pay $10,000 or more up front and then get your room for the cost of dues - and APs. And they do discount return cruisers - rebook on board and get a 10% discount and a $200 room credit!

If you gave room upgrades, where would you upgrade the people who usually stay in veranda rooms anyway? A move from inside to outside is an upgrade. A move to a porthole to a veranda is an upgrade, but I'd guess they don't have enough suites (and they ones they have book and don't sail empty) to upgrade a frequent veranda traveler.

It would be nice if the room gift changed more frequently - or was more useful to all cruisers. I like the memory box from the gift catalog - one place to put all your souvieniers - but even that isn't useful to everyone - a scrapbooker or someone who doesn't keep stuff might not want the box.

If the other cruise lines are rewarding frequent cruisers with huge discounts, and that's important to you, vote with your feet. But most of us are here because we like the Disney product.

 

[#1Mouse]

Even if they gave you a choice of different items - the towel, a frame, photo album, 1-free 8x10 photo, tote bag, drink coupons, choice of a couple of pins. I'm sure with a little thought, they could come up with some ideas. When you made your final payment you would also let them know which of the gifts you would like. Of course you would have the people who would pick one item only to want to change their mind a few times -- guess I answered my own question as to why Disney doesn't give choices!

We just went on our third Disney cruise and now have 4 identical pins and 2 towels and we were wondering Barb, what you and Tony do with all the towels and pins you have received - glad to see you are able to sell them on ebay. Now, only if you could have e-bay transfer your profits directly to DCL as your onboard credits

Gail

 

[inkkognito]

I agree Gail...we're also trying to figure out how to have our paychecks directly deposited into the Mouse's account!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[DisneyBill]

Maybe in this day & age of technology, DCL could track your 2nd repeat - 3rd repeat - and so on, and furnish a different spiff. However, I've never been one to expect something for nothing or for complete conformity among competition. IF other cruiselines give away their product, that is indicative of the value in the marketplace. Disney in general, and DCL in particular doesn't have this problem.

 

[tvguy]

Heck, we own the company, and WE don't get discounts.
They USED to give discounts to the parks, but that went away in 2003.