Has the price of DCL chased you away?

[FigmentSpark]

Where do you fly from? We paid a little less than CAD 1300$ for 4 adults when I booked for our upcoming trip... Montreal (YUL) to Orlando (MCO). Air Canada Rouge.

We went at spring break, so that's part of the issue. I booked when the flights were first announced a year ago and all year, did not see those flights go on sale at all. I even booked a couple of days on either end for a $1000 saving (which we spent in WDW!). I checked this year's spring break and the same flights are now CAD $4000.

Oh, to answer your question... flying out of YYZ - Toronto on Rouge.

 

[tinkerone]

What's chasing me away isn't the price of the cruise, but the addition of air fare. We paid CAD$3000 for 4 of us to fly to Orlando. Even if we'd gone out of Buffalo, it wouldn't have been cheap. So that's a huge part of the price of any cruise we take, in addition to the rooms (teens and we like space, so there's that, too).

Now, if DH would drive to Orlando, we could do it for half that, but that's 2+ days in a van each way. When the kids we smaller (and we were younger), that wasn't so bad, but now one DS is 6' and the other is catching up to him. Long legs in the back of a van for 2 days make grumpy teens.

That's part of our issue as well. We used to do the drive in 2 days but as we got older the attraction just wasn't there. Its nice to get on a plane at breakfast and eat lunch in Florida.
We flew out of Toronto for years but that became an ugly mess. The airport is to big and the lines for everything take way to long. You never knew if you would go through customs in Canada or when you got off the plane in the US, and the prices kept going up. Once we discovered flying from the US was so much easier and cheaper we were hooked. I was booking flights for Dh and myself for $300 return all in total. That was the cost of just the taxes on a Canadian ticket.
Alas it couldn't last forever. This year we are paying just short of $500 each. Add to that the exchange and its a hefty price. Its still nice to drive through customs and not have to be in a 45 minute line up but I think we will be back to flying from Canada soon. I might just look at Montreal flights.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I looked at using Aeroplan points, but of course, there are no deals. You're using marketplace points which are a huge number of points. I also thought about buying one ticket via Aeroplan (and getting the Zone 2 boarding) and the rest as regular tickets. It would be a savings for sure.

 

[mevelandry]

I looked at using Aeroplan points, but of course, there are no deals. You're using marketplace points which are a huge number of points. I also thought about buying one ticket via Aeroplan (and getting the Zone 2 boarding) and the rest as regular tickets. It would be a savings for sure.

With aeroplan you have to keep looking for "less expensive" (points) flights once in a while. At some point (between two and four months before your trip), they start showing up. They usually go for about 40 000-50 000 points per person. DH and I usually use it to buy tickets just to go to Orlando (and buy cheap tickets to come back) it cost 25 000 points for each.

We find that Delta offers really cheap tickets too. Sometimes less expensive than Air Canada Rouge.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I've never thought about doing just one way flights. That's a good strategy, especially if you fly when part of the flights are blacked out.

 

[QuidditchChick07]

Honestly? It kinda chased me away before we even set foot on the boat.

I have a very limited budget. Disney in general is just too expensive for me to even consider normally, especially since I'm single with no kids of my own. The only reason we're going this time is because this is in place of our yearly reunion so it's a family trip. I love the idea of Disney, and I'm excited for this trip because I think we'll have a good time, but the cost is too high under usual circumstances. But maybe I'll be so wowed by this trip that I'll change my tune. Who knows

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

With aeroplan you have to keep looking for "less expensive" (points) flights once in a while. At some point (between two and four months before your trip), they start showing up. They usually go for about 40 000-50 000 points per person. DH and I usually use it to buy tickets just to go to Orlando (and buy cheap tickets to come back) it cost 25 000 points for each.

We find that Delta offers really cheap tickets too. Sometimes less expensive than Air Canada Rouge.

We flew Delta round trip from PHX to BCN for $750/person last June.

 

[CheriePenguin]

We need a pretty large cabin. Also need separate beds for the boys (they can't sleep when they share). They are 12 and 11 and if we try to cram into one room, it better be pretty big!

And don't get me started on trying to find connecting cabins on Royal. Their site is abysmal for that.

I won't do Carnival anymore. Done them twice and it's just not for us. NCL is a possibility.

Can I ask what you didn't like about Carnival? We have just done a 3 night Disney cruise and are looking into RC or Carnival. I agree RC's website is such a pain! You can't see or book anything for a family of 5 online. The new Family Harbor rooms on Carnival Vista looked neat, as did their dining options. My boys are 5, 10, 13.

 

[cruiser21]

Can I ask what you didn't like about Carnival? We have just done a 3 night Disney cruise and are looking into RC or Carnival. I agree RC's website is such a pain! You can't see or book anything for a family of 5 online. The new Family Harbor rooms on Carnival Vista looked neat, as did their dining options. My boys are 5, 10, 13.

I've done two Carnival cruises on the Breeze and loved it. I assume your looking at the Vista or Horizon. Those ocean harbor view rooms look nice. I have one booked this Fall. There are some cruisers on here that have cruised on the Vista, and had positives things to say. My kids favorite ship after the Fantasy is the Breeze. I going to assume they'll like the Vista even more.

 

[mevelandry]

Can I ask what you didn't like about Carnival? We have just done a 3 night Disney cruise and are looking into RC or Carnival. I agree RC's website is such a pain! You can't see or book anything for a family of 5 online. The new Family Harbor rooms on Carnival Vista looked neat, as did their dining options. My boys are 5, 10, 13.

I created a thread for all things related to Carnival if you are interested. I made a comparison with DCL.

 

[CheriePenguin]

I created a thread for all things related to Carnival if you are interested. I made a comparison with DCL.

Thanks! I have "watched" that thread as well. I was curious why the poster here decided Carnival wasn't a fit, as her kids are not far off from my kids' ages.

 

[DLgal]

Can I ask what you didn't like about Carnival? We have just done a 3 night Disney cruise and are looking into RC or Carnival. I agree RC's website is such a pain! You can't see or book anything for a family of 5 online. The new Family Harbor rooms on Carnival Vista looked neat, as did their dining options. My boys are 5, 10, 13.

Honestly, I thought the food was horrible. And I really dislike the decor of the ships. Just too in your face gaudy. And I'm going to go ahead and say it even though it might ruffle some feathers: the passengers as a whole seemed pretty classless. There were constantly empty beer and drink cups just sitting around, on railings, in the elevators, just everywhere. And we encountered a lot of rude behavior. This cruise was a long time ago, before kids. It was on the Elation. We also did a 3 day cruise on another ship...forget which one, back in college. Both experiences were similar. I just refuse to spend any more of my money with Carnival. Plus, I just don't trust them after all the recent issues they have had with their ships.

 

[mevelandry]

Honestly, I thought the food was horrible. And I really dislike the decor of the ships. Just too in your face gaudy. And I'm going to go ahead and say it even though it might ruffle some feathers: the passengers as a whole seemed pretty classless. There were constantly empty beer and drink cups just sitting around, on railings, in the elevators, just everywhere. And we encountered a lot of rude behavior. This cruise was a long time ago, before kids. It was on the Elation. We also did a 3 day cruise on another ship...forget which one, back in college. Both experiences were similar. I just refuse to spend any more of my money with Carnival. Plus, I just don't trust them after all the recent issues they have had with their ships.

(Nevermind, I wanted to know which ship but I see this was the Elation)

I guess every ship is different... We loved the food so much on the Carnival Victory!

Recent issues?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We book because of itinerary, and it surprised us when we found the itinerary and price we wanted for a Med cruise next year on DCL! We are 2 adults.

 

[DLgal]

(Nevermind, I wanted to know which ship but I see this was the Elation)

I guess every ship is different... We loved the food so much on the Carnival Victory!

Recent issues?

Not recent. But that really doesn't matter to me. My first ever cruise was on NCL about 25 years ago and it was a great cruise. I've since cruises NCL and still liked it. Same with RCCL...Sailed them in 1999 and 2000 and had great experiences. Sailed Princess WAY back in 1995...Loved it even as a teenager. And have done 2 DCL. The only line that just completely turned me off was Carnival. As I said, it's just not for me.

 

[cgolf]

Thanks! I have "watched" that thread as well. I was curious why the poster here decided Carnival wasn't a fit, as her kids are not far off from my kids' ages.

We will likely never cruise Carnival. From my Mom and Dad's experience, my Wife's coworkers experiences, and of course the issues with their ships over the last few years have been enough to keep them off our radar. Some of the Vista talk got me a little bit interested, but when I priced carnival out for a last minute trip, they actually were quite a bit more expensive than RCCL. So without ever stepping foot onboard one of their ships we have ruled them out, but do feel we are basing it on accurate information from people that we trust. Maybe someday, but for the near future our options are RCCL, Celebrity, or DCL.

I think for a lot of us Carnival's reputation is a turn off, and when you can get it confirmed from people that you know that have cruised the line it makes it even harder for us to try a ship like the Vista that probably doesn't deserve the reputation of the line.

 

[FLVacationGirl]

I'm out at the moment. I will book DCL again one day but I can't justify the prices right now.

Just did a quick check for cruises for Feb 2018:

Royal - Feb 11th - 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Leaving from: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Aboard: Allure of the Seas
Superior Ocean View Balcony
4 Guests
$4,690.00 CDN (plus tips, international airfare, etc)

DCL - Feb 11th - 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Leaving from: Port Canaveral, Florida
Aboard: Disney Wonder
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
4 Guests
$9068.00 CDN (plus tips, international airfare, etc)

I completely love DCL and have a pretty decent family income and can't justify paying double!!! It's hard for a die hard Disney fan when you can't justify Disney prices.

 

[cgolf]

I'm out at the moment. I will book DCL again one day but I can't justify the prices right now.

Just did a quick check for cruises for Feb 2018:

Royal - Feb 11th - 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Leaving from: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Aboard: Allure of the Seas
Superior Ocean View Balcony
4 Guests
$4,690.00 CDN (plus tips, international airfare, etc)

DCL - Feb 11th - 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Leaving from: Port Canaveral, Florida
Aboard: Disney Wonder
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
4 Guests
$9068.00 CDN (plus tips, international airfare, etc)

I completely love DCL and have a pretty decent family income and can't justify paying double!!! It's hard for a die hard Disney fan when you can't justify Disney prices.

Especially when you compare the ships, RCCL's Oasis class vs DCL's classics. Generally there is a bit of a premium on RCCL to get the Oasis class. Bet the Fantasy is real cheap during that time period.

 

[tinkerone]

I'm out at the moment. I will book DCL again one day but I can't justify the prices right now.

Just did a quick check for cruises for Feb 2018:

Royal - Feb 11th - 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Leaving from: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Aboard: Allure of the Seas
Superior Ocean View Balcony
4 Guests
$4,690.00 CDN (plus tips, international airfare, etc)

DCL - Feb 11th - 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Leaving from: Port Canaveral, Florida
Aboard: Disney Wonder
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
4 Guests
$9068.00 CDN (plus tips, international airfare, etc)

I completely love DCL and have a pretty decent family income and can't justify paying double!!! It's hard for a die hard Disney fan when you can't justify Disney prices.

Great comparison and I would love to do the same. I have the RCCL Symphony (a new Oasis class ship in 2018) booked for Nov 25, 2018 and Dec 1, 2018 (B2B) at a total cost of $5454 Cnd. I'm not sure I could book one DCL sailing for that amount never mind a B2B. I can't compare because DCL still does not have those sailings listed. That's another minus for DCL, takes them so long to come out with their sailings.

 

[lmhall2000]

I would just try another cruiseline. There are some really nice new ships sailing out of Florida. Harmony RCL, Vista CCL, Escape NCL come to mind. You probably won't even spend half what it cost to cruise on DCL. Think of all the great excursions, spa treatments, specialty dining, 5 star hotel before cruise and all the other things you can do with the money you save. You won't be disappointed if you try any of these cruiselines. They are different then Disney, but excellent in their own way.

It's causing way too much unnecessary stress! I had decided on the Adventure of the Seas (RCL) but then I read where a DCL cruiser hated it and went back..we may not get another 'vacation' for a few years with all three of our kids in college this Fall...it kills me to be disappointed...My kids are 18,19, 21...which ship would you go on? We chose Adventure b/c we could sail out of San Juan, PR and see Southern Caribbean, we've done 3 Caribbean cruises with DCL so have hit many of the ports on Eastern/Western