Help me justify $3000 for a 3 day cruise

[Luv2Travel]

Okay, so for beginners, we've never cruised before so I don't know what to expect. But worst of all, I'm having a really hard time swallowing $3000 for 2 full days and 3 nights.

We are a family of 5 and have to book the category 4 stateroom. I understand that this price includes food, room, transportation, and entertainment. But $200 per person per day? All I can think of is how many days in a deluxe hotel at WDW that I could get for that money!

Can anyone put a new twist on this to help me see things differently? My husband would love to take a cruise for our 15th anniversary next spring, but again, for that money we could stay at long time in the *world*.

 

[JuliaE]

Hi,

Let me see if I can help.... It sounds like you might be traveling during high season or are booking a close departure date? Personally, I think Disney Cruise Line is wonderful; one of the best cruise lines at sea, and it is well worth the cost. It will be an experience that the whole family will not forget!

My clients often ask me why Disney is so more expensive than the other cruise lines that cater to families. The main reason is high demand: Disney does a great cruise for all ages and they only have the 2 ships, and thus, the demand allows the higher prices.

If you are traveling during summer vacation, over the Christmas holidays, spring break - basically any time that most children are out of school - are going to be more expensive. If you are able to travel during the fall (except for Thanksgiving) into mid-December, or January into early February, then, the lower prices are available longer.

Also, if you book early, then, the prices are better, too. Disney has a system of tiered pricing with the lowest prices going first. Most Disney cruises sail full, so the later the cruise is booked, the higher the prices. When Disney has a few cabins left, they offer Florida resident rates to sell out the remaining cabins. With Disney Cruise Line, waiting until the last minute does not bring lower prices; the opposite is actually true.

Hope that helps! Please let me know if I can offer any further assistance!

Have a magical day!

 

[lbgraves]

There are many posts about another option for you...booking 2 adjoining or connecting lower category rooms. This tends to be a big savings even though the first 2 people in each room are charged the adult fare. Hopefully this will help you out.

 

[Carlnne]

I am in the same 'boat'- I booked a 3-day for family of 4 in a SPH cat 10 and it came to $3000. Yours is a deal compared to mine.

However it is the New Years Eve sailing of the wonder so I know it will be special. I just keep thinking of all the years we saved money by staying home to celebrate NYE. It will be something my kids remember forever and worth every penny!

 

[Luv2Travel]

Thanks JuliaE for the quick response.
Unfortunately, I'm checking prices for May of 2005. I believe the middle of May I could get the cruise for around $2500, but by the end of May it was up to $3000. I still have a hard time justifying $2500 for basically a two day vacation. I would love to go on a Disney Cruise and have considered going without the kids, but I know they would love it also and it wouldn't be the same without them when doing something "Disney."
Anyway, thanks for the information.

lbgraves - I've looked into that as well, but in this case it didn't come out any cheaper - thanks for the suggestion.

Carlnne - wow! But you're right, that will be a VERY special trip. Of course, I imagine that any Disney Cruise would be memorable, so I'm sure a NYE cruise will be incredible!

 

[ragdoll]

We usually cruise in Sept. or Oct. because that is when we get the best deals. If you can adjust your schedule I would suggest checking prices for those months. Maybe you could even get a four night cruise for the same price. Even if it costs a little more I would suggest going for the four night cruise. You will wish that you did once you are on board.

 

[GenieDana]

The end of May, 2005 (sailing May 26) for a 3-day is $2620 (two connecting CAT-10s) for a Family of 5. That is $873 per day.

Check it out for yourself:

http://cruises.allseastravel.com/c/5/5738/1744211_5738.htm

You could do a 4-day (sailing May 29th, 2005) for $3460 ($865 per day)

or a 7-day (sailing May 7, 2005) for $5142 ($734 per day or think of it as $147 per person, per day)

Ragdoll is right, the same cabins in September 2005 is $3837 (as opposed to $5142 in May) [or $548 per day / $109 per person, per day).

These are the All Seasons advertised prices on their website, for CAT-10 rooms. Consider doing connecting rooms (double the bathrooms, double the area (square feet), double the TV's, etc.)

 

[tvguy]

It is simply supply and demand. We splurged because we figured it may be the last big family vacation we would have with our 17 year old. Our vacation plans for the next 12 months are going to be centered around college tours. And since my 2 kids are 4 years apart, for the following 8 years, our money will be going to college tuition. And since it was the New Year's Eve cruise, it was even more expensive.
Yes, Disney is a higher priced cruise and they can fill their ships at these rates.
Now, as much as I loved DCL, I would point out there are a lot of other options that are less expensive. If money is an issue, I would say find another cruise line you can afford. Cruising on a non-DCL ship is better than not cruising.
My mom just got back from a 7 day cruise on the Celebrity Mercury. Cost her $389!!!!! It was a March 28 to April 4 trip, San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas and back.
And while on board she learned of an 11 day cruise in October on the same ship. San Francisco to points further south in Mexico. Not as good a bargain, but at $725 per person, she's booking it tomorrow.
If you can be flexible on your time frame, you can find a great cruise at a very affordable price, especially with 5 people.
I am amazed at how many folks take their kids out of school for a Disney cruise. From this board it appears both the Magic and Wonder sail full on almost every cruise. Kids have to be missing school to do that. -

 

[makaylee]

If you get two cat 10's it would only be $2358 with insurance and you could save about $100 more if you go with another insurance company like access america who insures children for free. You'll find out from these boards alot of people use insurance other than DCL's, it's cheaper and works just as good. Just make sure you get one with comparable coverage. If you get two cat 10's you also get more room, two showers instead of one and privacy with your hubby if you would like.

 

[makaylee]

Originally posted by Luv2Travel
But worst of all, I'm having a really hard time swallowing $3000 for 2 full days and 3 nights.



You almost get 3 full days because you get on the ship around noon. You get 3 shows and 3 dinners. I really recommend going for it, you'll have a great time!

 

[DCLADDICT]

WE BOOKED OUR MAY 2004 4-DAY CRUISE IN JULY 2003. THERE ARE 5 OF US GOING AND WE REALLY DO NOT SPEND MUCH TIME IN OUR STATEROOM WXCEPT TO SHOWER, CHANGE CLOTHES AND SLEEP. SO WE CANNOT SEE BOOKING ANYTHING OVER A CAT. 11 STATEROOM. WITH 5 OF US, WE HAVE BOOKED 2 CAT 11'S AND IT COST US $2500 BY WATCHING AND LOOKING AT THE THE PRICE CHANGES, AND, WE WENT THROUGH OUR TRAVEL AGENT. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO CAT. 11'S LEFT ON OUR CRUISE ( MAY 23RD WONDER 4-DAY), ON THE DCL WEBSITE, AND AS WE ARE A MONTH AND A HALF AWAY, IT SEEMS TO BE FILLING UP. IF YOU ARE PLANNING WAY AHEAD OF TIME, (FORGIVE ME IF YOU STATED WHEN YOU ARE WANTING TO GO, I DIDN'T READ ALL OF THE POST), BUT CONSIDER 2 STATEROOMS INSTEAD OF 1 AND TRY TO CHECK CONTINUALLY TO LOOK FOR PRICE CHANGES, AND THEN GO FOR IT! YOU WILL LOVE DCL. WE JUST CANNOT SEE GOING ON ANOTHER CRUISELINE, EVEN WHEN OUR TEENAGERS HAVE LEFT HOME. IT IS TRULY DISNEY QUALITY. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Luv2Travel]

Just another big thanks for all of the words of advice and encouragemet. These boards have always been helpful in my trips to Orlando, and the DCL board is no exception. I'm a total newbie to cruising, but I have a feeling I'll be in good hands if I stay on this board for info.

 

[professorandmom]

OK, lets compare (try to) apples to apples - the parks to the cruise....

While the rooms size is not comparable (actually have you been in the All Stars?), the level of service (free room service, nightly turn down, in room fridge and on and on), the ship rooms are comparable to concierge, IMHO. So, peak season in the parks, I think you are looking at a very high cost per night for Poly, AKL or GF - $300 per night (plus you need a room that holds 5). The other reason to pick the high end resort is that transportation is included and this is true for the ship) so monorail resorts seem appropriate for comparison

Park hopper for 4 days (since on a 3 day cruise you have 4 physical days on the ship - plus they don't sell 3 day park hoppers) - figuring three people older than 9 years old and 2 people less than 9 years old (you didn't give us your kids age so I just guessed)

Meals at Disney (yikes), a guess at $60 per day (again, it could be much cheaper but we are trying to compare levels of meals - high end restaurants and unlimited snacks)

So the total is:
$300 x 3 nights = room = $900

$700 park hopper passes for three older than 9, $375 younger than 9

Meals $60x5x3 days = $900

Grand total: $2875

Seems like it is not a hands down "cheaper at the parks" victory

Just my opinion
Barbara

(You could go to the parks for MUCH less (the way I go)....I was trying to a rough service level comparison)

 

[Luv2Travel]

Hi Barb,
Yes, I totally agree - the parks would be much cheaper for us. That's the problem with justifying $3000. We have annual passes, so we won't need tickets. We usually stay at the Dolphin on their teacher rate ($129-$139/night), or we could even stay at the Beach Club for around $200 on an AP rate. We budget $100/day for food. So we could spend 9 or 10 days at the Beach Club for what we could spend on a cruise.

The problem is we want to try a cruise. I'm just to practical and cheap when it comes to spending money. By the way, I would never spend 9 to 10 days at the Beach Club, may 3 or 4, but would never pay that much money for that long in a room.

Anyway, I have been looking at other dates and 2 staterooms in a lower category. I can get the price down to about $2500 for category 11 rooms. Now can I make myself put $1000 down a year away from traveling?

I know, I could have worse problems to worry about.

 

[minniemouse1]

Luv2Travel
I could not justify that much for a 3 night cruise. Once you are on the ship you will wish you spent the extra for a 7 night. If it were me I would go but fo all the way for a 7 night. It is worth it.

 

[Sammy]

Originally posted by Luv2Travel
... I'm having a really hard time swallowing $3000 for 2 full days and 3 nights. .....

I'd love to help you, but I'm having a hard time justifying $5,000 for the 7-day cruise for 5 of us! I spent 11 days in WDW in September, and spent just under that same amount. But.....we really want to do the cruise! We are kind of tied to school vacation week in February d/t DD's high school schedule, so are stuck paying higher prices. Sigh.....just have to keep my eyes open for any possible discounts.

Sammy

 

[ragdoll]

Seriously, if you are flexible check on prices for a 7 day in Sept. or Oct. 2005. It really would be worth paying a bit more for the vacation of a lifetime! It may not be as much as you think since it is off season. You would also get the early booking discount.

 

[professorandmom]

Originally posted by ragdoll
Seriously, if you are flexible check on prices for a 7 day in Sept. or Oct. 2005. .

Ah, but you see, luv2travel has the "teacher rate" at the swan /dolphin - that means that there is NO flexibility for dates....in my dreams too! Our cabin was exactly half the cost from when teachers could travel (July) compared to when teachers can't (Sept).

That said, I, that is, me, personally, have never had a better vacation - there is no comparison to going to the parks...this was MY vacation, too! Because it is so different to our other trips, you can't really compare.

Good luck and simply plan well and get the best value you can!
Barbara

 

[jodifla]

So, I'm curious: Teachers can never take time off during the school year? Not even once in a lifetime?

That's really the trick to Disney overall: Traveling during the off-season, be it at the parks or on the cruise ships. It makes for a much nicer experience, and much cheaper.

DS is only 2, but I see him missing school in a few years.

 

[professorandmom]

The question of time off during the school year (for the teachers) pops up about once every few months with responses which run the range of "its OK" to "cannot be done." I think it depends on the school. For me it is an absolute no - a day, well, maybe, OK, more than one, nope.

Just don't start a thread about taking the kids out of school - responses will run the same range.........sometimes it gets ugly!
Barb