Hey, I'm with ya! I just know that not every traveler is always very adventurous, or maybe they get overwhelmed by travel and going with
DCL is one way they can at least guarantee that part of their trip is familiar. And I do think nervous-but-stepping-outside-their-comfort-zone customer is a core customer for DCL cruises in Europe. The economics and culture of Europe just don't make sense for DCL to be targeting Europeans, and for Americans, it's a fair question asking why you're spending time within the Disney bubble (
one of the most American things possible!) while in Europe. I think for most American DCL cruisers in Europe, the answer is that they don't really want to be immersed into Europe the entire trip.
Agreed that many hotel options are expensive, but there are lots of modern hostel-like options that offer sleeping arrangements up to 8 in a room, with private bath(s) and great community spaces, laundry, etc (something like Ibis Styles hotels), and we've also found good Best Westerns, which I wouldn't have expected. Even if these have been somewhat expensive, I have to remind myself that I'm booking in the absolute middle of the city, close to everything, and then the prices make a ton more sense.
And I'd say that most luxury options in the mountains are cheaper than an equivalent option in California or Colorado. Still expensive, but I have not yet found the stratospheric pricing levels that you can find in CA.