Disney Cruises....

[Green Tea]

What happens for them between the ages of 12 and 18 ? (It seems to be the age between kids clubs and being able to do the grown-up stuff on most cruise lines)

My teen like Royal Caribbean teen program MUCH better than Disney's.

 

[NY Disney fan]

, but it seems like EVERY OTHER cruise line is so much cheaper?? What am I missing?!!

Exactly, I can get so much more on another cruise line. That is why I can't see myself going on a Disney cruise.

 

[elmo2wdw]

Watch vacationstogo.com for great deals on Disney Cruises! I have gotten the 3 day cruise twice for only $299 a person for cat 12. Both times I was upgraded...first time to Cat 10 and second time to Cat 9.

 

[Sinderelly]

My husband and I went on our first Disney cruise last Sept. Now we are hooked! If you want a bargain on a Disney Cruise you can find it! We paid $599 each for a 7 day western. You have to be willing to go when you can get a good rate and stay in an inside cabin. We got a free upgrade and had a split bath. The cabin was really nice. I can't think of a better way to experience the Disney magic(no pun intended)

We are booked for a 7 night eastern this November for $699 each and have booked a family cruise on the Dream for October 2011.

 

[blanq]

Ok, so how much do they REALLY cost? I really want to go on one, but it seems like EVERY OTHER cruise line is so much cheaper?? What am I missing?!!

You are not missing anything. DCL is obscenely expensive IMHO (unless you are willing to cruise smack dab in the middle of hurricane season, which I have not been willing to do up to this point). My family has cruised on DCL, HAL, NCL, Carnival (and in the 1990's on the now defunct Premier's "Big Red Boat", which used to be the official line for WDW before they built their own line). My DCL cruise was a long time ago, when our DS was 6, 10 years ago to be exact. At that time, I felt the cost was reasonable for our family of three, but every quote I have obtained since that time has been significantly more expensive than a comparable cruise on other lines. I am not willing to pay what DCL wants at this point.

I enjoy the DCL experience (unique dining experiences, larger and comfortable staterooms, and that "Disney" feel) and think they have found a great niche in the cruise market. They charge more because they have a limited product (2 ships, although soon to be expanded and it will be interesting to see if the expansion will force them to lower prices to fill all their ships) and people are willing to pay more for it. People will pay what the market will bear, and the marker currently bears Disney filling their ships at very high prices.

 

[andrews_dad]

I've done Diz Cruise, Celebrity, Carnival, HAL, and a small European line. Diz was our fav because we are Diz people. Other than Carnival (which is a floating frat party with Nascar t-shirts at the formal dinner nights), the lines were all pretty equal in terms of food, service, and rooms. The entertainment is better on Diz ... but you pay dearly for that entertainment. You can get lots of cruises on HAL and Celeb for $100 pp/p day. Those rates are very hard to get on the Diz. You really have to be a Diz person to feel you get your $$ worth.

 

[MickeyMom:)]

We just went on DCL on the 7 day western. We loved it...We are a family of 5 and we booked 6 weeks out with a Florida resident rate. We booked a cat 4 Family Suite with Verandah and we only paid $3,700.00 with insurance.....We absolutely can't wait to do another one....we loved it as much as the kids did....We ate at Palo's for the Tea and Brunch and really enjoyed it and it was worth the extra money....The kids did also love the kids club and when we were stranded at Cast Away Cay an extra day cause of bad weather, believe me they didn't mind one bit....Keep your eyes open, they sometimes post good Florida Resident rates, you just have to be ready to travel soon. [/QUOTE

If you dont mind...how old were your kids? I am also very interested since we have 3 and have never crused before. I also found it to be $$. It was pennies under 3000. for the 3 day

My party consisted of 2 adults and 3 kids. My kids are ages 10, 7, 5...

 

[gillenkl]

You have to be willing to go when you can get a good rate and stay in an inside cabin.

there's the rub - because most people with kids can't just whip them out of school at a moments notice or just take off work - my DH has to select his vacation dates in October for the following year. I have no problem with the inside cabin - but would have no choice to cruise except in the summer months - so high prices......

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

there's the rub - because most people with kids can't just whip them out of school at a moments notice or just take off work - my DH has to select his vacation dates in October for the following year. I have no problem with the inside cabin - but would have no choice to cruise except in the summer months - so high prices......

I am stupid for posting this and setting off a possible huge storm of opinions, but we got a bargin price on the disney cruise we took because we did take the kids out of school. It wasn't a moment's notice - we planned the trip about 9 months in advance.

They were in 3rd and 7th grade at the time, and it was the only way to afford it. My now 10th grader is a great student in AP and Honors classes, and of course we could never do that now. However, in elem. school taking them out once for a once in a lifetime trip is okay IMHO (and I have a teaching degree too)!

OK - flame away!

BTW - we took a Royal Caribbean Cruise, and the boys enjoyed the ship more - it was the Mariner.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Also do not forget that for now---DCL only has 2 ships, high demand and no casino. That is all reflected in the price. They do get some decent deals every now and then.

It's all relative though as to what is important to you.

We did a 7 day Carnival and a 4 day Disney within the same month. While Carnival is not my or DH's cup of tea, I was very surprised at how much my kids truly enjoyed Camp Carnival. They really did get to know their counselors and make friends.

We didn't feel that way on Disney--even though my kids loved it as well. I think they liked the branding, but truth be told, we got more "oohs and aahs" out of the Camp Carnival Experience.

I don't know why that is other than perhaps there was just so many kids on DCL (regardless of time of year). I know you will get folks who will state how wonderful the counselors were and that they knew their kids. We just didn't get that same warm fuzzy. I think it is hit or miss based on numbers and the personality of the child.

If you like Disney--you will most likely like some aspects of the cruise.

Whether or not it was worth it is a decision that only you can make after you have actually done it.

I intend to go on DCL again--but I'm not one of those that was "Wowed" either. I just enjoy Disney and would like more time on the boat. I do not envision us being frequent sailors though.

From a parent standpoint--I found Flounders hands down to be the most fantastic option as I sailed with a baby. Carnival only has babystting from 10pm to 2am. However, they accept kids as young as 2 into their Camp Carnival. So there is give and take.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

My price point is Ocean View room for $500 a day or less for our family of 4. So far we have been able to do this for 3 7 day cruises. One was kids sail free We usually go the first week of November because the kids have two days off school. Price is not significantly different than other cruise lines for that time/itinerary. Disney really socks it to you in the summer, which is at least 50% more

I look at the value like this:

Dining Plan for family - $120 per day (current parks rate, but free room service for Mickey Bars )
Babysitting - $100 per day (kids spend about 4 hrs a day in the clubs)
Room - $200 per day (value in a deluxe location )
Entertainment - $100 per day ( love the shows, movies, and activities)

Definitely not cheap, but a nice relaxed vacation with plenty of private time with DW. Plus all the nice DIS people and FE exchanges.