Dreams Unlimited Travel Podcast | Disney Cruise Line Summer 2018 Itineraries | 04/03/17

[JJZMgailey]

In this episode, the panel discusses the Summer 2018 Disney Cruise Line special itineraries in the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe!

 

[AdamEfimoff]

That is more than Four Seasons Paris prices. Crazy ! You could be near the Champs Elysees for that money.

 

[mcd2745]

It was nice to hear them be objective with how insane DCL's prices have gotten. I keep thinking at some point it's going to catch up with them, but that hasn't been the case so far. Do they feel that they can always fill the ships with those "once in a lifetime" guests? One would think it's a dangerous game they are playing with "regular" or "semi-regular" guests. If the prices force those people to dip their toes in other waters, so to speak (meaning: other cruise lines), they risk losing them permanently. I think a lot of people may come to the conclusion that, while they may still feel that DCL is the superior product, it just is not worth the difference (sometimes more than double the price) over other cruise lines. For example, people may feel they are willing to pay some of a premium for DCL -say 20% - 30% or even 40% over the other lines - but not 80% - 100% as seems to often be the case.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Loved the show, and was fun but also highly informational, as always!

 

[OKW Lover]

Yes, those prices for the special cruises are pretty shocking. We're doing Alaska this summer on RCL instead of Disney, primarily because of the price difference.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Yes, those prices for the special cruises are pretty shocking. We're doing Alaska this summer on RCL instead of Disney, primarily because of the price difference.

I agree. We've got a DCL Iceland trip coming up this summer, and we're looking forward to it. However, if it weren't for the ages of my young kids, we'd likely look at other options.

If there's one positive, it makes next year's DIS Viking Italy cruise (that we're equally looking forward to) look like a bargain.

 

[DSNYDREAMER]

It was nice to hear them be objective with how insane DCL's prices have gotten. I keep thinking at some point it's going to catch up with them, but that hasn't been the case so far. Do they feel that they can always fill the ships with those "once in a lifetime" guests? One would think it's a dangerous game they are playing with "regular" or "semi-regular" guests. If the prices force those people to dip their toes in other waters, so to speak (meaning: other cruise lines), they risk losing them permanently. I think a lot of people may come to the conclusion that, while they may still feel that DCL is the superior product, it just is not worth the difference (sometimes more than double the price) over other cruise lines. For example, people may feel they are willing to pay some of a premium for DCL -say 20% - 30% or even 40% over the other lines - but not 80% - 100% as seems to often be the case.

I have many clients that have priced out of summer DCL sailings, however I still have more that continue to choose DCL for their summer cruises. For those clients, they still feel Disney is worth it to them. I find most of my clients booked on summer itineraries are repeat, loyal Disney fans. As an agent, and on the show, I have to walk the line between those clients that have been priced out and those that still see the value. I completely see both sides of that "line", I get why people still make the choice. At the same time, I don't want to make 13K for an inside stateroom sound like no big deal!!

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I don't want to make 13K for an inside stateroom sound like no big deal!!

Especially not for the way "we" travel in "our part of the plane" (or ship).

 

[Cousin Orville]

I have many clients that have priced out of summer DCL sailings, however I still have more that continue to choose DCL for their summer cruises. For those clients, they still feel Disney is worth it to them. I find most of my clients booked on summer itineraries are repeat, loyal Disney fans. As an agent, and on the show, I have to walk the line between those clients that have been priced out and those that still see the value. I completely see both sides of that "line", I get why people still make the choice. At the same time, I don't want to make 13K for an inside stateroom sound like no big deal!!

Yeah, it's difficult to rationalize a 13k inside stateroom.

However, I'm thankful Disney has offered many of their special itineraries over the years. It allowed us to go to different places we would not have felt comfortable going otherwise with our children. It's a perfect balance for our family, where we can tour around for part of the day and come back to the comfort and familiarity of all things Disney at night. There's no substitute for that.

It will be interesting to see what happens to DCL prices when the new ships come on line. Can they add another 2000+ staterooms and maintain/increase prices across the fleet? They did when the Dream/Fantasy were introduced.

Having said that, one of the most interesting DU episodes was the discussion of Celebrity. That sounded really nice. We probably won't be able to do it for a while given our young children, etc. But otherwise, I'd be intrigued to try that out.

 

[jeffbear]

Having said that, one of the most interesting DU episodes was the discussion of Celebrity. That sounded really nice. We probably won't be able to do it for a while given our young children, etc. But otherwise, I'd be intrigued to try that out.

My wife and I were intrigued by that one as well. We're not Caribbean cruise folks really, but now that our kids are grown we see cruising as a good way to do an introduction to an area without having to deal with the details. DCL isn't exactly priced for that, in most cases ... although we did enjoy the heck out of our Alaska cruise on the Wonder last year.