Done with DCL

[sarah_carter]

We absolutely loved our Disney Dream cruise & had intended to sail on the Fantasy EC May 2016 in an inside room, but have since cancelled. We booked with Norwegian on the Escape their brand new ship on the same date as the Disney cruise, but out of Miami to nearly the same ports (no Castaway obv) in a mid ship balcony room with 2 ultimate beverage packages (read: free unlimited alcohol lol) for roughly $600 less.
We're a young couple with no children who love Disney, our honeymoon and first 2 wedding anniversaries were celebrated at DL, WDW & DL respectively. We know we'll be back when we have children, but for now we're going to try something different.

Me and my mom are on the same Norwegian cruise (may 7th) as you are. We also had Disney booked but canceled. Hope to see you on board. (I will be wearing my Disney lanyard so it wont be hard to miss me)

 

[JenniSurf]

Me and my mom are on the same Norwegian cruise (may 7th) as you are. We also had Disney booked but canceled. Hope to see you on board. (I will be wearing my Disney lanyard so it wont be hard to miss me)

haha, yes we are on the same one! My husband will spot it first I'm sure, he's so observant. I'll be the one with the tattoos and permanent margarita in my hand lol so excite!

 

[Shelley Chiarats]

Disney is a well run business. They study trends and they know the market and they have professional business who do nothing but analyze data (real data not my 'about 10%' guess) and set prices. It's what they do for a living....2,000+ hours a year they study data and set prices based on profit margins and corporate goals and 3 dozen other parameters.

I just want to say that I want this job. It sounds amazing!! I love data and the psychology of determining why folks behave the way they do according to the data.

 

[Bluesteyzz]

I wasn't impressed with my cruise, nor the food, last week aboard the Disney Wonder. AND I CERTAINLY WAS UNIMPRESSED WITH THE DEBARTATION LOSS OF MY LUGGAGE. I will be cancelling all 3 cruises I booked, tomorrow.

 

[blondietink]

I wasn't impressed with my cruise, nor the food, last week aboard the Disney Wonder. AND I CERTAINLY WAS UNIMPRESSED WITH THE DEBARTATION LOSS OF MY LUGGAGE. I will be cancelling all 3 cruises I booked, tomorrow.

Wow! That's terrible that they lost your luggage! How could that happen? We also did not like our Wonder cruise ..... too crowded, lackluster service in the dining room and room steward, too noisy, poor handicapped accessibility, blah food, etc. Glad we aren't the only ones unimpressed.

 

[Rogillio]

I wasn't impressed with my cruise, nor the food, last week aboard the Disney Wonder. AND I CERTAINLY WAS UNIMPRESSED WITH THE DEBARTATION LOSS OF MY LUGGAGE. I will be cancelling all 3 cruises I booked, tomorrow.

Sorry you had a bad experience with your luggage. We've been fortunate and have done 15 cruises and have never had an issue with luggage.

Since you were unimpressed with the cruise obviously DCL is not for you. Disney's target audience is 'families with young children'. Much of my fun on a Disney cruise came from watching my children's faces light up and laugh and smile.

As the kids got older we tried other cruise lines and went to the casinos, piano bar, clubs, beer tastings, art actions and comedians (not suitable for children).

 

[tinkerone]

just back from a 14 day b2b. here are a few things i learned.

we went to the gold and platinum repeaters gathering. we normally skip it but i wanted to ask a few questions. first person we spoke with was ray the cruise director. we have spoken with him before on other cruises so it was not hard to throw in a few questions. i asked how many were on the sailing (first of our b2b). he told me almost 3800. i then asked how many were repeaters and he told me 1818 and said it was close to 50% of the ship. when commodore tom gave his speech he mentioned how many guest there were and that on any given cruise the percentage of repeaters was between 40 and 50%.

second sailing we returned but came in late so only caught the commodores speech. this time he did not say how many cruisers were on board but did mention the % of repeat cruisers. he also repeated the comment about repeaters being in the 40 to 50% for sailings.

we had the same serving team on both sailings. on the second sailing our server mentioned that there were lots of empty tables in the second seating because there were only 3500 cruisers. she said she had been with the fantasy since its first sailing and that this was the lowest head count they have had.

i certainly don't know what any of this means but i found it interesting. 40 to 50% is a lot of business lost if you annoy them. can you get enough first timers to replace them, again i don't know. I'm sure its a slow time of the year but if the numbers are down now will they continue to fall. i did not see the line ups at the future cruise desk that i have been seeing in the past. the last day and night used to be a zoo, lord help you if you had to walk through that area. while it was still busy there were never more than a few people waiting.

again, i don't know. it could be a bunch of hupla but if enough repeaters stop booking i would think dcl will have to look at options. only time will tell.

these are only my observations so take what you want from them and leave the rest. others may have a different take based on what they saw.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I wasn't impressed with my cruise, nor the food, last week aboard the Disney Wonder. AND I CERTAINLY WAS UNIMPRESSED WITH THE DEBARTATION LOSS OF MY LUGGAGE. I will be cancelling all 3 cruises I booked, tomorrow.

I have only put bags out for pickup the night before once. I avoid it as much as possible. Nobody will value my bags the way I do. Plus, hunting them down and fetching them in a bustling terminal is not something I'll willingly do if I don't have to.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

just back from a 14 day b2b. here are a few things i learned.

we went to the gold and platinum repeaters gathering. we normally skip it but i wanted to ask a few questions. first person we spoke with was ray the cruise director. we have spoken with him before on other cruises so it was not hard to throw in a few questions. i asked how many were on the sailing (first of our b2b). he told me almost 3800. i then asked how many were repeaters and he told me 1818 and said it was close to 50% of the ship. when commodore tom gave his speech he mentioned how many guest there were and that on any given cruise the percentage of repeaters was between 40 and 50%.

second sailing we returned but came in late so only caught the commodores speech. this time he did not say how many cruisers were on board but did mention the % of repeat cruisers. he also repeated the comment about repeaters being in the 40 to 50% for sailings.

we had the same serving team on both sailings. on the second sailing our server mentioned that there were lots of empty tables in the second seating because there were only 3500 cruisers. she said she had been with the fantasy since its first sailing and that this was the lowest head count they have had.

i certainly don't know what any of this means but i found it interesting. 40 to 50% is a lot of business lost if you annoy them. can you get enough first timers to replace them, again i don't know. I'm sure its a slow time of the year but if the numbers are down now will they continue to fall. i did not see the line ups at the future cruise desk that i have been seeing in the past. the last day and night used to be a zoo, lord help you if you had to walk through that area. while it was still busy there were never more than a few people waiting.

again, i don't know. it could be a bunch of hupla but if enough repeaters stop booking i would think dcl will have to look at options. only time will tell.

these are only my observations so take what you want from them and leave the rest. others may have a different take based on what they saw.

I can tell you that all my previous sailings I have booked placeholders onboard. I *almost* did again on my last Dream cruise but the desk had closed. I chalked it up as not meant to be. Looking back, I'm super glad it worked out that I didn't book a placeholder.

Additionally, when on the NCL Getaway the week after my Dream cruise we did purchase 2 Cruise Next certificates and have had zero regrets for having done so.

 

[perdidobay]

We also bought two cruise next certificates while on our Getaway cruise. And funny thing, the family in the cabin next to ours told us they had also been booked on the Fantasy and cancelled to book the Getaway for 6k less for a one bedroom Haven vs the one bedroom DCL concierge. They had 3 children under age 8 and enjoyed the cruise. They said the kids enjoyed the Getaway's kids clubs.

 

[Ofinn]

just back from a 14 day b2b. here are a few things i learned.

we went to the gold and platinum repeaters gathering. we normally skip it but i wanted to ask a few questions. first person we spoke with was ray the cruise director. we have spoken with him before on other cruises so it was not hard to throw in a few questions. i asked how many were on the sailing (first of our b2b). he told me almost 3800. i then asked how many were repeaters and he told me 1818 and said it was close to 50% of the ship. when commodore tom gave his speech he mentioned how many guest there were and that on any given cruise the percentage of repeaters was between 40 and 50%.

second sailing we returned but came in late so only caught the commodores speech. this time he did not say how many cruisers were on board but did mention the % of repeat cruisers. he also repeated the comment about repeaters being in the 40 to 50% for sailings.

we had the same serving team on both sailings. on the second sailing our server mentioned that there were lots of empty tables in the second seating because there were only 3500 cruisers. she said she had been with the fantasy since its first sailing and that this was the lowest head count they have had.

i certainly don't know what any of this means but i found it interesting. 40 to 50% is a lot of business lost if you annoy them. can you get enough first timers to replace them, again i don't know. I'm sure its a slow time of the year but if the numbers are down now will they continue to fall. i did not see the line ups at the future cruise desk that i have been seeing in the past. the last day and night used to be a zoo, lord help you if you had to walk through that area. while it was still busy there were never more than a few people waiting.

again, i don't know. it could be a bunch of hupla but if enough repeaters stop booking i would think dcl will have to look at options. only time will tell.

these are only my observations so take what you want from them and leave the rest. others may have a different take based on what they saw.

People on here claim that DCL always sells out their cruises???My experience has been similar to yours on the 6 cruises we have done in the last two years. Ships have not been full. Of course we sail in the off season. There were so many Gold and platinum cruisers on our Hawaii cruise they had to have the gathering outside on the pool deck. I don't think DCL can afford to loose their loyal following. The prices this Fall were high,and they're even higher next Fall. Their European cruise prices are ridiculous. This is why I won't book a DCL cruise in advance....disclaimer I did book the TA, but that was a cheap cruise anyway. I'm actually kind of excited to see how next year pans out for DCL. Are they going to be able sell enough rooms at these prices, or are they gong to offer discounts? Time will tell.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm seriously considering dumping my remaining DCL bookings. One of those is a concierge room so I'd be walking away from whatever the deposit is. Not just a couple hundred dollars. But, I'm having such a hard time with the price tag for what it is. Should I cut my losses rather than pour more into it? I'm on the fence big time.

 

[Ofinn]

I'm seriously considering dumping my remaining DCL bookings. One of those is a concierge room so I'd be walking away from whatever the deposit is. Not just a couple hundred dollars. But, I'm having such a hard time with the price tag for what it is. Should I cut my losses rather than pour more into it? I'm on the fence big time.

I have put a number of 3 day holds on cruises I'd really like to take, but when it comes to paying the deposit I balk. There is a cruise in Feb that my kids have been begging to do because they have some friends sailing on it. I've tried to book it, but I just can't bring myself to pay that much for a 5 day cruise. I'm hoping for a good last minute rate. I can't see myself sailing DCL in the future unless I just happen to get a good rate on a week and a cruise I'm interested in. It's just the way it has to be with these prices.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I have put a number of 3 day holds on cruises I'd really like to take, but when it comes to paying the deposit I balk. There is a cruise in Feb that my kids have been begging to do because they have some friends sailing on it. I've tried to book it, but I just can't bring myself to pay that much for a 5 day cruise. I'm hoping for a good last minute rate. I can't see myself sailing DCL in the future unless I just happen to get a good rate on a week and a cruise I'm interested in. It's just the way it has to be with these prices.

Agreed. I'd rather hold out for last minute rates. No need to hold placeholders in limbo for those.

 

[Ofinn]

Agreed. I'd rather hold out for last minute rates. No need to hold placeholders in limbo for those.

The planner on me doesnt like it, but there is something very exciting about booking a cruise and only having to wait 60 days or less to cruise. Its even sweeter when you save money by waiting.

 

[tinkerone]

The planner on me doesnt like it, but there is something very exciting about booking a cruise and only having to wait 60 days or less to cruise. Its even sweeter when you save money by waiting.

agree 100%! dh is going to retire soon so that will make it easier for us to be last minute cruisers. having to plan around his holidays (mine before i retired) is a pain so i am looking forward to this ability.

 

[Ofinn]

agree 100%! dh is going to retire soon so that will make it easier for us to be last minute cruisers. having to plan around his holidays (mine before i retired) is a pain so i am looking forward to this ability.

We homeschool so that gives us flexibility. My dh asked me last how many times he was going to have to ask his supervisor to change his vacation weeks next year. I told him he either continues to irritate his boss or we switch cruise lines.

 

[isabellea]

But do they need loyalty? When I think about Disney, I think about a product geared to families with young kids. Honestly, if DD still likes Disney at 12 or 13, I will be happy to support her. However, I suspect that her eagerness to hunt characters will wane sooner rather than later. I have viewed my time in the Disney bubble as finite from the beginning. I suspect corporate sees it that way too.

I think like you. We are going to WDW and trying DCL now because our kids are young (3 and 6yo) but I already see the time when we'll move to Universal and RCL because they are geared more toward teens and thrill seekers. I was even debating whether to visit Universal or WDW before our cruise in March because my oldest LOVES thrill rides. But I find my youngest too young and short still for Universal so WDW won again. But I really see a future where I will have to let go of Disney for new adventures.

 

[Ofinn]

I think like you. We are going to WDW and trying DCL now because our kids are young (3 and 6yo) but I already see the time when we'll move to Universal and RCL because they are geared more toward teens and thrill seekers. I was even debating whether to visit Universal or WDW before our cruise in March because my oldest LOVES thrill rides. But I find my youngest too young and short still for Universal so WDW won again. But I really see a future where I will have to let go of Disney for new adventures.

My kids are 11 and 13 and started preferring Universal about 2 years ago. We had some great years at WDW. We were passholders from ages 6,7 to 9,10. We have some great memories from those years, but it was time to move on. It was hard at first I missed WDW, but with the increase in prices and the new fast pass plus I got over it quickly. I know on the resort board there are people that take their family vacations at WDW every year...year after year, and they wonder why people think that's odd. I don't find it odd, to each their own, but there's just so much more out there to do and see. If I could afford to go to WDW and see the real World every year I would do it, but unfortunately WDW has become about as expensive as trip to Europe, and I would rather go to Europe. Enjoy your time at WDW while your kids are young, but don't be sad about moving on to new adventures.

 

[SuperDry]

just back from a 14 day b2b [on the Fantasy] ... i asked how many were on the sailing (first of our b2b). he told me almost 3800. ...

we had the same serving team on both sailings. on the second sailing our server mentioned that there were lots of empty tables in the second seating because there were only 3500 cruisers. she said she had been with the fantasy since its first sailing and that this was the lowest head count they have had.

There are a couple of things that can be deceiving about these numbers. First of all, any particular crew member is on board at most half the time, as they work for a multi-month contract, then are home for at least the same period of time before starting the next contract. So, even maiden-voyage crew members will have been on at most half the sailings.

Then there's the issue of passenger counts vs staterooms. The Dream and Fantasy have 1250 passenger cabins, and a passenger capacity of 4000. So, those ships can sail at capacity only if there are an average of 3.2 passengers per cabin. If you have a lot of people traveling as couples on a particular voyage (which may be the case when school is in session in most places), then the vessel can get to the point where every stateroom is booked, yet there are hundreds of people apparently missing from the dining rooms. From the MDR's perspective, all that counts is head count, so they may perceive that a particular sailing is way undersold even if every stateroom is occupied.

I can see this issue potentially becoming more of a problem as time goes on. I suspect that there are a lot of people that would never consider booking a DCL cruise unless they had young children sailing with them, thinking Disney is "only for kids." But, they may go on a sailing anyway, either as grandparents or others on an extended family trip, or as parents who eventually become empty-nesters. At least some of those people will like the experience enough to rebook without kids the next time, often staying just 2 to a room. As more and more of that passenger demographic accumulates over time, it makes it harder and harder for DCL to fill the ships to capacity. One way that could address that from a revenue standpoint would be to raise the fares for the first two passengers per stateroom, and reduce the fares for additional passengers. Families could end up paying about the same, while double-occupancy cabins would pay more.