Disney vs all other cruise lines

[PsylockeSmythe]

My question isn't about affordability. It's about why are other quality cruise lines are so much cheaper.

The Casinos on the other cruise lines are a big revenue driver for them, which is something that DCL doesn't have/offer. They can offset lower cruise fares with revenue earned from the casinos. You would be surprised at how much of a cash cow the casinos are. Even though people on other lines request that the casinos be smoke free, the other lines won't make it completely smoke free, because the few times they have tried, the casino revenue dropped like a rock.

Psy

 

[brentm77]

The Casinos on the other cruise lines are a big revenue driver for them, which is something that DCL doesn't have/offer. They can offset lower cruise fares with revenue earned from the casinos. You would be surprised at how much of a cash cow the casinos are. Even though people on other lines request that the casinos be smoke free, the other lines won't make it completely smoke free, because the few times they have tried, the casino revenue dropped like a rock.

Psy

Celebrity's casinos are smoke free. It's one of the reasons I will sail Celebrity as an alternative to DCL but not some other lines.

 

[Gdes1]

As someone else said, you either like the Disney stuff or you don't. For me personally, if it weren't for DCL, I wouldn't be a cruise person at all. I have traveled all over and I think there are better ways to see a place, barring, say, Alaska. But I LOVE DCL cruises! I am the person who cries when we are walking off. I hardly ever eat in restaurants on land beacuse I can't handle the lack of service. I take the Art of the Theme tour because I will sit there and marvel at how someone though to put Disney characters into astrological signs for the CEILING of a place hardly anyone will look up to see. (And, next time, I will attend the tour more than once since I found out the CMs give different tours.) I can't go on some ugly ship that looks like a hotel on the outside and a shopping mall on the inside. I don't need things like a water park, ice rink, mall, or even a climbing wall on a ship because all of those things are available to me on land within 30 mins of my house. If I could see each show twice a day and not miss dinner, I would. I don't even mind that kids jabber through the shows...they are THAT good.

So, for me, it's worth it. For others, it's totally not. And, if we someday do Alaska, it probably won't be DCL because it is half the price on other lines, and if we're just going to be out at ports all day, and can't enjoy the ship more, the upcharge isn't worth it.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

Celebrity's casinos are smoke free. It's one of the reasons I will sail Celebrity as an alternative to DCL but not some other lines.

Didn't know that.

I just remember seeing a news article last week talking about why the cruise lines didn't make their casinos smoke free, and they had someone from one of the cruise lines state they have tried to go smoke free, multiple times and the loss of revenue each time, is why they went back to allowing smoking in the casinos.

Psy

 

[Gdes1]

The Casinos on the other cruise lines are a big revenue driver for them, which is something that DCL doesn't have/offer. They can offset lower cruise fares with revenue earned from the casinos. You would be surprised at how much of a cash cow the casinos are. Even though people on other lines request that the casinos be smoke free, the other lines won't make it completely smoke free, because the few times they have tried, the casino revenue dropped like a rock.

Psy

Human behavior is just SO fascinating! I hope DCL doesn't cave to the casino thing.

 

[Mommb]

Before booking a 9-night Disney cruise to Italy and Greece for 2026, I looked at roughly similar itineraries on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian. I found the additional cost for a veranda cabin on Disney to be less than 15%, and that was with "sales" on the other lines. The differential may be more for the less expensive cabins, and is certainly more for the Caribbean cruises that sail more frequently. But it is not true that Disney is always twice as expensive, or even 50% more expensive, than other cruise lines.

It appears that Disney has made a conscience choice, especially on the newer ships, to focus on families with kids under 10 and not try to compete directly with lines targeted toward teens and adults. I can see the logic in this.

If the food is as good or better on other lines, the teen and adult activities are as good or better on other lines, the ports are as good or better on other lines, and the prices are much better on other lines, then people with those priorities will choose other lines. Someone who wants a drink package that allows 6 alcoholic beverages a day at no extra cost, or gourmet dining easily available every night, or climbing walls and ice skating rinks, or limiting exposure to children, is unlikely to want a Disney cruise even if the prices were comparable.

On Disney cruises, though, the kids' programming is as good or better than on other lines, the family programming is as good or better than on other lines, the family-friendly evening shows are as good or better than on other lines, and the immersive theming in the rooms and common areas is as good or better than on other lines. There is a large proportion of cabins designed for larger groups, with split bathrooms and beds for 4 or more people in most cabins. If someone wants a cruise line with characters that kids will recognize, and shows that kids can not only attend but enjoy, and dinner where there's entertainment to keep kids occupied and it's not a big deal if they get restless, then Disney is clearly a great option even if it costs more.

 

[jimmymc]

No so much with number 2. You should have seen my verandah on the Magic in September. It had lots of rust and chipping paint.

I cruise several times a year, and all cruise lines are constantly paining, cleaning, repairing, etc., and it's basically done in rotation. They can maintain ALL areas, ALL the time. Disney is no better than most.

I haven't been on many cruises, but the general consensus from reviews is that Disney ships are cleaner and better maintained than a lot of the competition. It's difficult to quantify that, but the reputation is strong.

 

[bedgraynexl]

For the most part, Disney is, above all else, an entertainment company. Part of Walt's philosophy in creating the parks was to enmesh people within the story. They apply the same philosophy to cruises due to Walt's love of travel. Just like at WDW, you're inside the Disney Bubble. Disney Cruise Line can charge a premium like they do at the parks because they put you into the story, and you will gladly pay for it. We want the escape. We want to believe in Princesses and Pirates. We want to believe in anthropomorphic mice, ducks, and dogs. We want to go to those places where we can forget about being an adult and be a kid again. Disney recognizes this and gives us the opportunity. We gladly pay the price.

Some of the other comments made are also valid. Disney does not use some other cost drivers to offset lower cruise prices. As was mentioned, Disney does not have a casino, drink package, or other upcharges. Disney charges a premium because of who they are and what they offer. It is up to each of us to determine if the price is worth it. I have been on other cruise lines and each offers something a different value proposition. Go with what makes you happy.

 

[Mango7100]

That's been answered by others, I think. People were explaining differences that make them "better" in some people's opinion. When a product is better, it can demand higher pricing.

But it's actually really simple. It's because the other lines don't have the name "Disney" on them mostly, plus the lack of Disney theming and intellectual property. That really is it. Disney can demand a premium because people associate the name with quality, nostalgia, and characters they love. DCL also does some things better, which also nudges up demand, allowing them to price their cruises higher than similar brands. Finally, I think Disney feels "safe" to some customers who otherwise wouldn't cruise, also driving up demand. But in the end, it's the name on the ship more than anything.

In my opinion, there are more affordable options that offer 85% of what DCL offers. It really comes down to whether that 15% difference is worth the extra money to you. I do think we DCL fans tend to overexaggerate some of the differences. For example, upkeep and cleanliness get mentioned a lot, but I thought Celebrity's Edge Class ships were just as clean and well-maintained. I do think DCL's lack of indoor smoking is a big plus, but you can also get that on Celebrity (though not on many other lines).

For me, I am willing to pay a reasonable DCL premium from time to time because I like the style of their ships (more classic steamliner versus a floating hotel) and small touches, like Disney music in the halls, artwork, themed restaurants, a good entertainment staff in the adult district at night, and the occasional show. I really like the entertainment on the stateroom TV's compared to other lines. It sounds dumb, but we always have some downtime in the stateroom to chill as a family and it is fun to watch Disney classics during that time, even if we are all grown now, compared to the terrible TV offerings on most other lines. Others really appreciate the characters too, but that hasn't been a selling point for us now that our kids are grown. I like the stateroom layouts and general vibe of the cabins more than other lines too. Even though I am not a Disney fanatic, I do catch the occasional "feels" for certain Disney magic when sailing too, which is fun Even the ships horn makes me emotional to hear, since it conjures so many happy family memories for me.

I will say, DCL has declined in quality in a few areas in my opinion, making the premium a little less worth it to us. The quality of service has become more hit or miss, particularly in the main dining rooms. So has the food. In my opinion, prior to the pandemic, it was mostly good and occasionally great. Post-pandemic, I would describe it as mostly passable to occasionally bad. They have also removed a host of little touches that used to make them stand out. They were all small things, but they add up to something bigger when I think about cruising DCL 15 years ago versus now.

In the end, if it's within your budget, I think it's worth a shot to see if you enjoy it or if you are content sailing other lines. It's the best way to know. I wouldn't go all-out on your first cruise—pick an itinerary that is more modestly priced to experience the ship. That will be the Caribbean or Baja cruises. But I wouldn't go too short on the length, because I personally think that doesn't give you the best experience with DCL.

Edit: Also consider some last minute guaranteed rates (you pick the cabin type, but not the specific room). My wife just took a cruise on the Fantasy that was affordable compared to our previous cruises. For her and a family member to go, with a verandah room, it was less per night than we have paid for a moderate room at WDW.

I think you are spot on and sums up the approach my family takes now with cruising. DCL charges more because of being Disney and having all the IP at its disposal. If you take that away, they are another mass market cruise line. On some cruises I am willing to pay more for the Disney stuff because I want that fix (hello Treasure), and on other cruises I am not.

I think there is a ton of confirmation bias amongst people concerning their favorite cruise line. People naturally will look for the things to justify/support their already made opinion. I also don’t agree with the cleanliness being leaps and bounds better on DCL compared to others. For example, US New and World Report looked at CDC data for cruise lines over a couple of years to make a score and rank the 5 cleanest cruise lines for 2025. DCL came in 5th with Celebrity and Holland America as the mass market lines ahead of them. Now obviously I don’t know their methodology, but it shows DCL isn’t necessarily the large front runner.

 

[brentm77]

I think you are spot on and sums up the approach my family takes now with cruising. DCL charges more because of being Disney and having all the IP at its disposal. If you take that away, they are another mass market cruise line. On some cruises I am willing to pay more for the Disney stuff because I want that fix (hello Treasure), and on other cruises I am not.

I think there is a ton of confirmation bias amongst people concerning their favorite cruise line. People naturally will look for the things to justify/support their already made opinion. I also don’t agree with the cleanliness being leaps and bounds better on DCL compared to others. For example, US New and World Report looked at CDC data for cruise lines over a couple of years to make a score and rank the 5 cleanest cruise lines for 2025. DCL came in 5th with Celebrity and Holland America as the mass market lines ahead of them. Now obviously I don’t know their methodology, but it shows DCL isn’t necessarily the large front runner.

Disney has done a brilliant job of disconnecting rational thought regarding their pricing too. They have conditioned customers to expect to pay significantly above market for similar services in the parks and now on the ships, whereas there was a time it was a much smaller premium. They have done the "frog in the boiling pot" thing, where they have "turned up the heat" slowly enough to greatly outpace inflation but not scare away too many customers. Now, many customers pay the higher prices without serious thought to the value to price ratio. There was a point a year or two ago where I realized that just because I can afford it, doesn't mean I should - we are now more thoughtful about what we want out of a particular vacation and what all of our options are.

It does sound like the overpricing in the parks is starting to be a concern for the company though, at least according to the WSJ.* When a recession hits, I think they will probably see a real hit for the parks and the ships, maybe more so than in past recessions when prices weren't so high compared to disposable income. I also expect Disney to need to be more price competitive with more ships coming online. I already think we are seeing it on some sailings, with some pretty good guaranteed rates.

*Since it;s paywalled, here is a summary of the article I linked:

Yvonne Kindell, a bank compliance officer from Bear, Delaware, finally took her family of four to Walt Disney World this November after years of contemplation. The trip left her with sticker shock due to recent price increases. Two days of park tickets cost $1,123, passes to skip lines on popular rides were $208, a meal with costumed characters like Donald and Daisy Duck was $219, and two Mickey Mouse bubble wands were $60.68. Despite her parents covering lodging and airplane tickets for her children, the total cost came to $3,000, leaving Kindell stressed about the expenses. She has no plans to return.

Disney's theme parks have long been considered expensive, but the allure of a magical family vacation kept visitors coming. However, post-pandemic demand led Disney to increase prices significantly, making vacations at its parks unaffordable for many American families. Attendance growth has slowed, and even some regular visitors are canceling their trips. One-day adult passes to Disneyland broke the $200 mark for the first time in October, now costing $206 on the most popular days, over $100 more than the lowest-cost day.

Five years ago, the skip-the-line feature FastPass was free, but now visitors must choose from three tiers of Lightning Lane passes, with the most expensive reaching $449 per person per day. Without Lightning Lane, visitors may spend an hour or more waiting in line for popular rides, consuming their vacation time.

Some Disney insiders worry that the company has become reliant on price hikes and may have reached the limits of what middle-class Americans can afford. Internal discussions about whether Disney parks are losing their appeal to families with young children have become more frequent. Surveys starting in late 2023 showed a sharp decline in the number of guests planning return trips. Disney's domestic parks attendance increased by only 1% in the fiscal year ending in September, down from 6% growth the previous year. Per-person spending on tickets, food, and merchandise at domestic parks increased by 3% in each of the past two fiscal years and rose by 4% in the quarter ending in December.

The division that includes Disney's theme parks, known as Experiences, has grown in financial importance, representing 70% of Disney's overall operating income in the 2023 fiscal year, up from 41% in 2019 and 34.5% in 2018. The unit's income of $3.1 billion for the final three months of 2024 was flat year-over-year. At U.S. theme parks, attendance declined by 2%, and operating income fell by 5% year-over-year, partly due to hurricane closures at Walt Disney World.

A typical four-day visit to Walt Disney World for a two-parent family with two young children, including a stay at a value-priced Disney-owned hotel, cost $4,266 in 2024, up from $3,230 five years earlier, adjusted for inflation. Nearly 80% of the increase came from new costs for services and add-ons that were once free, such as line-skipping features, while the remaining rise came from Disney raising park pass prices faster than the U.S. inflation rate.

Disney disputed the Touring Plans numbers, stating that a four-day trip for a family of four in the fall could cost as little as $3,026 before food and transportation costs, and guests don't need Lightning Lane passes to have a great time. Hugh Johnston, Disney's chief financial officer, said the company has tried to keep prices steady for lower-priced offerings and concentrated most price increases on premium packages or high-demand dates. He emphasized the need to be "smart about pricing," especially at the lower end of the market, to encourage families to visit Disneyland or Disney World multiple times.

Tourism experts and some Disney executives warn that the company risks alienating future customers and pricing out young families. Len Testa, founder of Touring Plans, commented that "Disney has really started to eat its own seed corn."

Prices have come a long way since Walt Disney originally envisioned the parks as affordable playgrounds for families. Continual price increases have been core to Disney's parks strategy for decades, prompting internal debate. Former CEO Michael Eisner, who ran Disney for 20 years starting in 1984, more than tripled the price of Disneyland admission during his tenure to about $60, while also overseeing a massive expansion of the parks business and the construction of new hotels. Parking, which once cost $1 a day, now costs $30 or more.

Multiday trips to Walt Disney World, especially those including nights at a Disney-owned hotel, have fallen out of reach for many Americans. Disney maintains that its theme parks are within financial reach for middle-class families, offering a range of price options and year-round promotions. The company adjusts prices to manage attendance and contends with the growing cost of operating the parks due to inflation. Most respondents to guest surveys at Walt Disney World say it offers good to great value for the price paid.

For many visitors, a trip to Disney still represents a quintessential American vacation worth the cost, even as prices rise. Superfans find no substitute for riding classic roller coasters like Space Mountain or posing for family photos with beloved characters from Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars. Doug Damoth, who started taking his daughter to Walt Disney World in 1992, now takes his grandson every other year, cherishing the connection to the old world.

Disney's rivals, including Universal Studios and smaller theme park operators like Cedar Fair and SeaWorld, have also raised ticket prices to capitalize on post-pandemic demand. Some, like Dan McCarty, have opted for European trips instead, finding the cost value of Disney vacations out of order.

When Bob Iger took over as CEO in 2005, he continued Eisner's investments in theme park expansion. During the pandemic, Iger's successor, Bob Chapek, introduced an online reservation system limiting annual passholder visits, favoring guests who spent more on daily tickets and merchandise. Disney eliminated some free perks and started selling new add-ons like Genie+, generating significant revenue.

Chapek faced criticism for perceived nickel-and-diming, but fans kept coming, and the parks division set earnings records. When Iger returned in 2022, he worried about Disney's reputation for price gouging and sought ways to win back fan goodwill, such as offering discounted parking and off-peak ticket promotions. Despite these efforts, regular price hikes continued.

By 2024, Disney had serious concerns about the rising cost of visiting the parks. Surveys showed fewer guests planning return trips, and the Experiences division became Disney's primary profit engine. Disney warned investors about softening attendance and announced limited-time offers to boost demand. A broader survey indicated that experiential vacations, including Disney trips, were becoming unaffordable for many U.S. families.

Disney disputed the survey's findings, maintaining that its parks offer good value and a range of options for different budgets. Despite rising costs, many visitors still find a Disney vacation well worth the expense.


https://www.wsj.com/business/disney-parks-price-hikes-consumers-0bf4dbd6

 

[Gdes1]

Going off of other comments...I do agree they are making it more expensive for less. I was just packing away my "travel tree" ornaments (yes, yes, I know it's February) and seeing just the quality difference in my ornaments from the parks over the years. I have one from 2006, bought at DLR, and I remember standing in the store on Main St and selecting it (it's actually porcelain, not plastic) and the sales lady taking it's box from under the counter and packing it in there with it's own shaped foam to protect it. And it's nothing unique...there were tons more like it and I doubt I paid more than $20. Contrast that with last April at DLR, picking out another breakable ornament for $40 and the clerks just staring at each other when I asked if it had a box. I negotiated some tissue paper and they wrapped it up that way. If I line up my ornaments chronologically, I can see the fade in quality vs price. Similar on cruises...used to be everyone got a free character breakfast. Now, you pay for such things and not everyone will get a chance to even do that.

Someone posted in another group that their recent debarkation survey asked them how likely they were to buy a drink package if it was offered. I know all companies, not just DCL, are sitting there trying to figure out ways to squeeze every last dime out of costs and every last dollar out of customers, but I hope DCL doesn't add drink packages that would promote drunken behavior. So back to the "frog in hot water"...they add things that make them more money (funnels suites) while taking away things that others enjoyed for free (more teen or adult spaces), but the cost never goes down for the people who had something taken. Same thing as the parks. I hope this corrects itself before it's too late.

 

[John VN]

The is what makes the DCL experience worth the price as it's whatever floats your boat is ALL THAT MATTERS so simply ENJOY

Magic - 4/21/2025 4 night Fort Lauderdale 2 Adults + 2 10yo Inside $3,685 Guaranteed 170sq/ft or Inside $4,522 Standard 184sq/ft or maybe Concierge $9,930

WISH - 4/21/2025 4 night Port Canaveral 2 Adults + 2 10yo Inside $5,628 Guaranteed 170sq/ft or Inside $7,349 169sq/ft or maybe Concierge $15,252

MSC Seashore - 4/20/2025 4 night Port Canaveral 2 Adults + 2 10yo $4,584 Yacht Club DeLuxe Suite 269sq/ft + 86sq/ft Verandah All Inclusive Concierge

RCCL Voyager of the Seas - 4/24/2025 4 night Port Canaveral 2 Adults + 2 10yo Inside $1,725 160sq/ft

RCCL Utopia of the Seas - 4/21/2024 4 night Port Canaveral 2 Adults + 2 10yo Balcony Cabin $4,365 181sq/ft + 50sq/ft Balcony

 

[Annabell]

Why is a Disney cruise so expensive ? Very simple, it is just a demand and supply thing. As long as there are people willing to pay for it then they can keep charging high prices. It is the same with the parks. Prices have sky rocketed in the past few years and yet the parks are very very crowded. From a business point of view, why offer lower prices if I can get enough customers at a high price.

Whether it is worth it to people? This is also reflected in the demand/supply. DCL can easily fill their ships even charging sky high prices so to many people it is worth it.

 

[stat]

Why is a Disney cruise so expensive ? Very simple, it is just a demand and supply thing. As long as there are people willing to pay for it then they can keep charging high prices. It is the same with the parks. Prices have sky rocketed in the past few years and yet the parks are very very crowded. From a business point of view, why offer lower prices if I can get enough customers at a high price.

Whether it is worth it to people? This is also reflected in the demand/supply. DCL can easily fill their ships even charging sky high prices so to many people it is worth it.

I tend to agree. I've been thinking about why that's not a satisfactory response to many, though, and my current theory is that people are used to the period of time before demand (and general inflation) increased and when the public was less aware. We did our first big family Disney trip in early 2020. Disney cruises were nowhere on our radar- I'm not even sure I knew they existed. The people back then "in the know" were getting incredible value in the form of high quality and low prices. But it couldn't last forever. Pent up demand post-pandemic, that Disney+ promotion in 2022, floats in the Thanksgiving Day parade... the cat's out of the bag. People now realize how amazing these cruises are and have been relatively price insensitive as they clamor for CC status and trying out all the ships, itineraries, islands, etc.

 

[tidefan]

In my opinion, there are more affordable options that offer 85% of what DCL offers. It really comes down to whether that 15% difference is worth the extra money to you. I do think we DCL fans tend to overexaggerate some of the differences. For example, upkeep and cleanliness get mentioned a lot, but I thought Celebrity's Edge Class ships were just as clean and well-maintained. I do think DCL's lack of indoor smoking is a big plus, but you can also get that on Celebrity (though not on many other lines).

For me, I am willing to pay a reasonable DCL premium from time to time because I like the style of their ships (more classic steamliner versus a floating hotel) and small touches, like Disney music in the halls, artwork, themed restaurants, a good entertainment staff in the adult district at night, and the occasional show. I really like the entertainment on the stateroom TV's compared to other lines. It sounds dumb, but we always have some downtime in the stateroom to chill as a family and it is fun to watch Disney classics during that time, even if we are all grown now, compared to the terrible TV offerings on most other lines. Others really appreciate the characters too, but that hasn't been a selling point for us now that our kids are grown. I like the stateroom layouts and general vibe of the cabins more than other lines too. Even though I am not a Disney fanatic, I do catch the occasional "feels" for certain Disney magic when sailing too, which is fun Even the ships horn makes me emotional to hear, since it conjures so many happy family memories for me.

I will say, DCL has declined in quality in a few areas in my opinion, making the premium a little less worth it to us. The quality of service has become more hit or miss, particularly in the main dining rooms. So has the food. In my opinion, prior to the pandemic, it was mostly good and occasionally great. Post-pandemic, I would describe it as mostly passable to occasionally bad. They have also removed a host of little touches that used to make them stand out. They were all small things, but they add up to something bigger when I think about cruising DCL 15 years ago versus now.

In the end, if it's within your budget, I think it's worth a shot to see if you enjoy it or if you are content sailing other lines. It's the best way to know. I wouldn't go all-out on your first cruise—pick an itinerary that is more modestly priced to experience the ship. That will be the Caribbean or Baja cruises. But I wouldn't go too short on the length, because I personally think that doesn't give you the best experience with DCL.

Edit: Also consider some last minute guaranteed rates (you pick the cabin type, but not the specific room). My wife just took a cruise on the Fantasy that was affordable compared to our previous cruises. For her and a family member to go, with a verandah room, it was less per night than we have paid for a moderate room at WDW.

This is a bit where we are at. We still really enjoy DCL, however, we don't cruise with them as much as we used to. I would say that the DCL Share of our "Cruise Portfolio" is now a lot lower than it was in the past.

There are a number of factors for that which may or may not have anything to do with DCL itself. First, our DD has now graduated college, so we've been out of the kid's club age for a hot minute now. Second, There are just a lot more quality options out there now than were there perhaps even 10 years ago. I would use the new Carnival ships (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee) as an example. Those ships are very different from our prior Carnival experience and they have really upped their game with the release of those ships. You could say the same for ships of other lines as well.

Also, as you branch out, you start to find out that those other lines aren't so bad. For us, the biggest driver of change was finding Virgin Voyages, but all lines have something to offer. We've had some of our best cruises on DCL. The 2015 Alaska DVC Member Cruise to Alaska on the Wonder, our 9-night Greek Isles on the Magic, and our Norwegian Fjords cruise on the Magic come to mind. That said, our 12-night British Isles cruise on Regal Princess that we did a couple summers ago is right up there with those, AND it was over half the price and included the drink package, gratuities, wifi, and we loved their medallion system (Edited to note: that varies by ship). Our next cruise in on Virgin, then this summer, we're headed to 2 different places, Canada and New England where we'll try HAL (excited to try a new line), and back to Greece (amazing cruise, btw, I hope it's still there by this summer...) on Virgin Voyages.

Also, when you branch out, it's interesting to see that it's not just that cruise lines are different, but rather there can be a huge variation within each line based on the ship that your are on. For instance, you would have a very different experience on the following lines taking different ships:

• Regal Princess will be a much different experience than Grand Princess
• Icon of the Seas will be a much different experience than Grandeur of the Seas
• Carnival Jubilee will be a much different experience than Carnival Elation

So, part of it is the ship, not so much the line with other lines. Really, the only lines that I find to be really consistent ship to ship are DCL and Virgin Voyages. On those lines, we really don't care which ship we're on. However, if we cruise Carnival, we pretty much only sail the 3 new ships. If we cruise Princess, we try to cruise on a Royal or Sphere class ship rather than a Grand-class ship.

One other note, we seem to be the odd people that really don't care for Royal Caribbean. For us, the included food is a huge part of the cruise and Royal seems to be lacking in that area (to us). They have great food, but they want you to buy their "unlimited dining package" and do all specialty dining. Anyway, just wasn't for us. In fact, I know a lot of people have rave reviews of Celebrity, but the fact that they are related to Royal gives us pause. That said, I do hope to try Celebrity one day to see if it's a lot different.

All that said, we still cruise DCL from time to time. DCL is a great cruise line, but I think it really helps to be a big Disney fan. We currently plan to be on the Destiny after she sails. If you love DCL and can afford it, it really is a wonderful line. However, there are other great options out there as well. Both things can be true at the same time.

 

[brentm77]

This is a bit where we are at. We still really enjoy DCL, however, we don't cruise with them as much as we used to. I would say that the DCL Share of our "Cruise Portfolio" is now a lot lower than it was in the past.

There are a number of factors for that which may or may not have anything to do with DCL itself. First, our DD has now graduated college, so we've been out of the kid's club age for a hot minute now. Second, There are just a lot more quality options out there now than were there perhaps even 10 years ago. I would use the new Carnival ships (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee) as an example. Those ships are very different from our prior Carnival experience and they have really upped their game with the release of those ships. You could say the same for ships of other lines as well.

Also, as you branch out, you start to find out that those other lines aren't so bad. For us, the biggest driver of change was finding Virgin Voyages, but all lines have something to offer. We've had some of our best cruises on DCL. The 2015 Alaska DVC Member Cruise to Alaska on the Wonder, our 9-night Greek Isles on the Magic, and our Norwegian Fjords cruise on the Magic come to mind. That said, our 12-night British Isles cruise on Regal Princess that we did a couple summers ago is right up there with those, AND it was over half the price and included the drink package, gratuities, wifi, and we loved their medallion system (Edited to note: that varies by ship). Our next cruise in on Virgin, then this summer, we're headed to 2 different places, Canada and New England where we'll try HAL (excited to try a new line), and back to Greece (amazing cruise, btw, I hope it's still there by this summer...) on Virgin Voyages.

Also, when you branch out, it's interesting to see that it's not just that cruise lines are different, but rather there can be a huge variation within each line based on the ship that your are on. For instance, you would have a very different experience on the following lines taking different ships:

• Regal Princess will be a much different experience than Grand Princess
• Icon of the Seas will be a much different experience than Grandeur of the Seas
• Carnival Jubilee will be a much different experience than Carnival Elation

So, part of it is the ship, not so much the line with other lines. Really, the only lines that I find to be really consistent ship to ship are DCL and Virgin Voyages. On those lines, we really don't care which ship we're on. However, if we cruise Carnival, we pretty much only sail the 3 new ships. If we cruise Princess, we try to cruise on a Royal or Sphere class ship rather than a Grand-class ship.

One other note, we seem to be the odd people that really don't care for Royal Caribbean. For us, the included food is a huge part of the cruise and Royal seems to be lacking in that area (to us). They have great food, but they want you to buy their "unlimited dining package" and do all specialty dining. Anyway, just wasn't for us. In fact, I know a lot of people have rave reviews of Celebrity, but the fact that they are related to Royal gives us pause. That said, I do hope to try Celebrity one day to see if it's a lot different.

All that said, we still cruise DCL from time to time. DCL is a great cruise line, but I think it really helps to be a big Disney fan. We currently plan to be on the Destiny after she sails. If you love DCL and can afford it, it really is a wonderful line. However, there are other great options out there as well. Both things can be true at the same time.

Well said. We haven't branched out from Disney Cruise Line (DCL) and Celebrity Cruises yet. Celebrity was a really good fit for us, so it's a bit of the same problem we had leaving DCL—with vacation time being so valuable, it's easy to stick with something you know you will like. But I really want to try Virgin. Royal doesn't appeal to us due to its focus on filling the ships with family activities, often requiring an upcharge, versus using that space for all guests. I rock climb on shore, ice skate, etc., so I am not that interested in doing it on the cruise. But Celebrity is a very different vibe, even though owned by the same company. For example, they still do twice-a-day service in the room, whereas Royal does not. But it's a bit of an older crowd on their ships.

We loved our Greek Isles cruise, too. The Canada and New England cruise sounds really cool. I need to look into that.

 

[bbn1122]

The Casinos on the other cruise lines are a big revenue driver for them, which is something that DCL doesn't have/offer. They can offset lower cruise fares with revenue earned from the casinos. You would be surprised at how much of a cash cow the casinos are. Even though people on other lines request that the casinos be smoke free, the other lines won't make it completely smoke free, because the few times they have tried, the casino revenue dropped like a rock.

Psy

I completely agree. Casinos are cash grabs....people lose way more than they win. I would say like 90/10! Take it from me, I enjoy the slot machines in Atlantic City. The money that other cruises line make from the casinos is huge. It is why the can have such lower fares.

Viking cruises lines does not have casinos and they are prices relatively high! Elegance, sophisticatin with no casinos....

I found through a Google search that two other lines that do not have casinos, American and Paul Gauguin.

I love my DCL. These days its DH and me, or a Friend or just me solo. So, I can definitely find the money for my DCL crusies.

 

[Memepoppy]

2021 was the last we cruised on Disney. At that time the price disparity wasn't quite as large as today, our grandkids were at the ages where they could get immersed in the Disney theming. Fast forward today where the price disparity is 2-3x the cost of some competitors, the grandkids are now early to mid teens, other lines make more sense for us. Other than the teens clubs, and the Aquaduck, there's nothing for them to do. We just did a side2side on the Wonder of the Seas (7 night) and Utopia of the Seas (4 nights) for considerably less than a 7 night on Disney . For the grandkids, they had 5-6 pools, 3 water slides, dry slides, 2 rock walls, zip line, ice skating. For the families, we had aqua shows, ice shows, production shows. Buffets were open early to late, food in MDR was as good as Disney, service from dining staff and room stewards as good or better than Disney. Ships were meticulously cleaned, as good as Disney. One thing in Disney's favor is unlimited soda, which is $10/day/person on Royal. Disney was great for our families when the grandkids were young enough to enjoy. If our grandkids were younger today, I don't know that we could justify today's Disney prices.

Essentially you need to look at what's important for you, and pick the cruise line that best fits. If Character greetings and Disney theming are not that important to you, then maybe the higher cost for a Disney cruise wouldn't be the right fit. If the kids are older, they may get bored on Disney. Everyone's opinions and priorities are different, so no one can really say which cruise line is best for you, only you can decide that what best fits. What is best for you today, may not be best for you later. We've cruised on Disney as a family and as a couple and enjoy all the cruises. We've cruised on Royal as a family and as a couple and the same is true. We've cruised on Holland America as a couple and wouldn't think of taking our grandkids on that line.

 

[Budzooka]

To each their own. We love being immersed into the Disney bubble. We love the friendliness and the service that DCL has to offer. We love watching the excitement on kid’s faces with character interactions. Our kids have grown out of the kids clubs but still love sailing on Disney. We pick out the activities we want to do and don’t ever get bored. And we buy discounted gift cards to offset some of the cost. It’s not a cheap vacation but it’s our happy place.

 

[DCLMP]

I think you are spot on and sums up the approach my family takes now with cruising. DCL charges more because of being Disney and having all the IP at its disposal. If you take that away, they are another mass market cruise line. On some cruises I am willing to pay more for the Disney stuff because I want that fix (hello Treasure), and on other cruises I am not.

I think there is a ton of confirmation bias amongst people concerning their favorite cruise line. People naturally will look for the things to justify/support their already made opinion. I also don’t agree with the cleanliness being leaps and bounds better on DCL compared to others. For example, US New and World Report looked at CDC data for cruise lines over a couple of years to make a score and rank the 5 cleanest cruise lines for 2025. DCL came in 5th with Celebrity and Holland America as the mass market lines ahead of them. Now obviously I don’t know their methodology, but it shows DCL isn’t necessarily the large front runner.

In my experience from sailing the other mass market lines you are completely correct. There are NCL, Carnival and Royal loyalist that would not dream of setting foot on a Disney ship and vice versa.
I think the best way to enjoy cruising is to stay open minded. Read the reviews, but base your decision on cost, itinerary or what fits your family at that point in time.
My biggest problem with DCL is the stale itineraries, but if your not very adventurous I could see why people don't try other lines.