I am surprised by the price difference- RCCL

[Disneycrazymom]

We are having scheduling issues at our house for this summer's vacation. So today I thought I'd play around with totally different trips and dates. I called RCCL # on thier web site, so no real "discounts" and got a quote of $7565.75 for 2, YES 2! connecting balcony rooms (sleeping 5) for July 3. 7 days on the Mariner. I can not believe the difference!

We have money down on June 24 06 with Disney. Balcony for 4. 1 cabin with onboard booking discount and it's $7095.12. That's only about $500 for a second cabin and another person, plus I would only be booking about 90 days out. I love Disney but WOW what a difference! I will be comparing the 2 lines carefully when RCCL releases thier 06 prices.

 

[travellady]

We enjoyed our Disney cruise but my 11 year old prefers the RCCL Voyager class ships. So much for him to do. He found he was getting bored on the Wonder. And I like Disney but 3 days of Disney submersion was probably enough for me.

I compared a 7 day Disney Magic spring break cruise for next year to the Carribean Princess and found the Magic was 1500.00 more. Comparable cabin. Some will say the cabins on the Magic and Wonder are nicer because of the split bath but we have no issue with one bath. I prefer saving my money and find I can have an equally enjoyable experience on either RCCL or Princess.

I realize others feel differently for a variety of reasons so consider this my opinion.

 

[logan1_2000]

I priced out our spring break next year, the first week of april, for voyager class ships and the big princess ships, and for a comparable price to a cat. 8 I was routinely finding balcony for a lesser price,and in some cases junior suites were just a couple hundred more. Sure,DCL is a roomier oceanview than just about anyone else and the split bath is nice, but...if I keep cruising beyond my 2006 RCCL, might well try a voyager class, esp. as DS will be 10 next year and that seems to be an age where active boys might prefer RCCL's product over DCL.

 

[travellady]

For the heck of it I just priced the Disney Magic, Caribbean Princess, and Mariner of the Seas for Easter week, 2006, for my family of 3 as this is the week we are sailing the Caribbean Princess. Price breakdown is at the bottom of this thread.

I picked an equitable Oceanview for all 3. I'm amazed the price difference between the Magic and the Carribean Princess is 2346.00 and the difference between the Magic and the Mariner is 1636.00. I've sailed both the Wonder, and Voyager series (Mariner is the newest of those) and the Diamond Princess, very much like the Carribean Princess - close to the same layout.
The winner from my 11 year old's point of view is the RCCL Voyager series. He liked Princess because he met a lot of boys his age but they spent most of the time at the basketball court - not as many sporting activities available as the Voyager. He liked Disney least of the 3 as he felt too old for his age group and wasn't old enough for the teen hangout. 11 is a tough age for a Disney cruise - his big thrill was us letting him go to the theater alone one night for a movie close to midnight.

I do agree Disney has great entertainment and really caters to the kids. The dining rotation is fun but honestly I preferred Diamond Princess Anytime Dining - far more convenient for families. And, the food was better than any other cruise line we've sailed. I cannot believe the cost difference is justified - all 3 of these ships are very nice, the service is good to excellent, and there's more than enough to do on each. I can do almost 2 7 day Caribbean Princess cruises for the 1 Disney Magic cruise. I really believe Disney has gone too far with their cruise pricing. What I felt I got was certainly not worth much more than the Voyager and the even stating Disney offered more than the other 2 is debatable.

Disney Magic - 4/9/2006 Cat 8
Cost per Passenger:
Fare Taxes/Fees Total
1) 1711.20 193.18 1904.38 USD
2) 1711.20 193.18 1904.38 USD
3) 1173.00 178.18 1351.18 USD
Grand Total: 5159.94 USD

Carribean Princess - 4/8/2006 - Cat D
Cost per Passenger:
Fare Taxes/Fees Total
1) 840.00 185.21 1025.21 USD
2) 840.00 185.21 1025.21 USD
3) 581.00 185.21 766.21 USD
Grand Total: 2813.13 USD

Mariner of the Seas - 4/9/2006 - Cat H
Cost per Passenger:
Fare Taxes/Fees Total
1) 1249.00 42.15 1291.15 USD
2) 1249.00 42.15 1291.15 USD
3) 899.00 42.15 941.15 USD
Grand Total: 3523.45 USD

 

[jennat]

Also, those 8z10 foot balconies are nice on Princess!!! We paid $1425. total for both of us (Sept) and it was great!

 

[travellady]

jennat - looks like you can offer a fair comparison as well as you've sailed the Magic, Voyager, and Caribbean Princess. Am I missing something or do the Disney ships have 1500.00 - 2300.00 more experience and ship amenities to offer than the 2 top or close to the top ships from RCCL or Princess? I'm just trying to grasp it and am having trouble doing so.

Would I go on a Disney cruise again? Sure, we had a great time and found it to be fun. But, cost would have to be equal to the others.

 

[jennat]

Here it comes, I've got my umbrella up for the flaming I am going to get. (it is fire proof). I loved the Voyager...by far my very favorite ship, hands down, no question, absolutely...so much to do, so many wide open places, Johnny Rockets, ice skating, climbing wall, putt putt and on and on and on. They don't have the extended child care hours continuous or late (dont' want my kids gone all the time but don't want to watch my watch either...and let's face it, want them gone late ). They don't have castaway Cays which is the best private island I have ever been on. I don't know if the kids clubs are as fun (I have only taken the ninos on Disney) but hear good things about them.
I was not at all impressed with Princess but know they have a loyal following and am willing to believe that what our cruise experienced was the exception not the norm (hurricane jeanne and the rudest, most amazingly bad service you can imagine...no lie) The ship was nice once I got used to it. Much more single story and broken up spaces versus the cavernous spaces of VOS. The movies at sea was awesome, the big balconies rocked, it will be a while before I try Princess again but the bad taste will go away. And once again so many people love them, it is my issues.
Disney...love the rotational dining, free ice cream (back to the food), service is great, nicer staterooms (which you are never in)

So my opinion. No it is not worth the extra money unless you just can't live without the mouse.
That being said...we are on the Magic in Sept. The couple we are going with wanted to do Disney and it should be great.

Also, another disclaimer....Disney was our very first cruise..so expectations have to be aligned and it was Sept 14th 2001 ,,, three days after 9/11 so the ship was half full, which seems like a bonus but the energy tends to be missing and, obviously, it was a sad time anyway. I'll let you know after the next one!

 

[jennat]

One other note (I promise...short). We priced the VOS in Sept and it was $2100. for four of us, inside cabin. We got Magic for four of us outside for $2618. So the question changes....now it is only $500.

I still love the VOS, but it is not called the Magic for nothin'

 

[tezb]

I'm not surprised....we went on our first non Disney cruise last Summer w/ RCCL The Mariner. We are a family of 5 and the cruise w/ RCCL was approx. 2000. cheaper! We had 2 rooms and one w/ a verandah. We enjoyed the Mariner and can't justify paying that much more for DCL, esp w/ older teens now. Don't expect to cruise DCL anytime soon...but it was a great start and actually got us hooked on cruising in general...Thanks DCL!

 

[jordanyosh]

There is a large price difference that has been pretty well documented. That said, I would still opt for the DCL. For me, it has always been about those intangibles that really can't be described in words. For me, being on a Disney cruise continues the tradition started by my parents of taking us to Disneyland every year. I remember seeing pictures of my family at Disneyland with me in a stroller--my grandparents dressed up in their nicest clothes.....ahh those were the days.

Vacations are all about family. If you can create a great family vacation on the RCCL then go for it. I think with the money you save, you may be able to do some special things on the cruise that would be memorable.

Have a great time with your family

 

[fireplug]

I wont flame any one. We have done RCCL and Princess cruises and enjoyed them both. But there is a different feeling on the DCL. We enjoy CC very much and although Nassau isnt great we'll stay on the ship sometimes. I look at the service we have recieved also. We didnt have any complaints with the other lines but they didnt do those little extra things we seemed to get on DCL. One other item is the casino, DCL doesnt have them and we are not gamblers, no good at it We dont have any fun in a casino but we enjoy having the different club choices on DCL. I have known quite a few people who have saved $$$$$ by going on RCCL/Princess and spent it all and then some in the casino. Will we cruise another line again? Sure, DCL still is limited in there port choices and there are places we would like to go to that they currently dont. But we will still do Disney cruises also.

Steve

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I am the OP and I thank everyone for not flaming me!! I think that DCL was perfect for my 4 year old DD last summer. She was in Character heaven! But we are doing the parks this summer ( if hockey doesn't get in the way) and she will be 6 for the 06 cruise. She is a little figure skater and I think the rink would be a fun thing for her. I just don't know. We have the 06 booked but I will price RCCL too. For the savings we could see the characters in the parks for a few days before the cruise! It is so mice to have options!

 

[Amberle3]

I know this has been discussed before, but I'll mention it again: The primary reason for the higher price of DCL is the absence of a casino.

Yes, the casino is a major revenue source for the cruise line. And I mean major. I'm trying to find the source that I originally heard this information from, but I believe that a conservative estimate would be each slot machine taking in say $200 a day. If there are 80 slot machines on the ship then that's $16,000 per day. For a 7 day cruise that's $112,000. That's just from the slot machines, that doesn't include the table games, and I'm sure that's a very conservative estimate.

 

[Stampnrobin]

Don't you have to pay extra for all those other things on the RCCL? Ice Rink, rock wall, etc.?

 

[KKB]

Our first cruise was on Princess, just DH and I , and it was AMAZING! We did enjoy the casino (we were married in Vegas...), and will certainly miss it on Disney.
MIL is paying for the whole family to go--Xmas present for all. I think the expense is ludicrous, but it's her money! We are NOT big Disney buffs--oh, we'll take the kids to Disney World when youngest is 6 or 7, and we have our share of Disney movies and stuff, but I would not pay extra for a cruise just because it is Disney.
It will be different--we will have the kids, no casino, and that level of understanding about how much the family is expected to do together. (I found that more difficult before we had children). BUT I am cruising and not having to pay, and I must admit the extended kid club hours will be nice--we like to go out each evening to adult activities (don't take that wrong!!!!!).
And Disney will allow us that where other lines don't seem to have that luxury. Additionally, our kids are the type to totally dig something like the kid's club, and will be upset if they aren't the LAST ones to leave! That being said, I want to take the kids to the beach, and shows, etc., and I am pretty sure that MIL will dictate how much the kids go....(she is a great lady, but she has made comments already about this...things may be different when we are on board! It's not like she is going to be the one keeping her eye on them!!!!!)
I AM looking forward to the cruise--we are officially hooked. And always like to try new things!
Happy cruising!
Kristin
10/24/04 Star Princess (as a couple)
12/14/05 Disney Magic (the WHOLE family!!!!)

 

[debabe]

Don't you have to pay extra for all those other things on the RCCL? Ice Rink, rock wall, etc.?

No, all of those things are included in the price of a Voyager class ship. We did Explorer of the Seas at the suggestion of my 13 yr old son and he loved all the extras.

 

[bizeemom4]

I BRIEFLY considered doing the DCL for our Thanksgiving break. Two cabins for 4 nights was around $6,000. We booked the Voyager with RCL for 7 nights in TWO of their best balcony cabins (D1) for $5,000. We will not be spending the difference in the casinos but will spend it on spa treatments, excursions, RCL tshirts, Ben & Jerrys, etc.

I love Disney..we've done 2 WDW trips and 1 Disneyland trip since 12/02...but I just cannot justify spending more money and getting so much less.

 

[Pacha]

I know this has been discussed before, but I'll mention it again: The primary reason for the higher price of DCL is the absence of a casino.

Yes, the casino is a major revenue source for the cruise line. And I mean major. I'm trying to find the source that I originally heard this information from, but I believe that a conservative estimate would be each slot machine taking in say $200 a day. If there are 80 slot machines on the ship then that's $16,000 per day. For a 7 day cruise that's $112,000. That's just from the slot machines, that doesn't include the table games, and I'm sure that's a very conservative estimate.

This is exactly why. Has anyone here been to Vegas? You can stay in a nice hotel/casino for dirt cheap. The food is dirt cheap. It is because they make up the difference on the tables/slots.

Pacha

 

[jennat]

Interesting about the casino....I just thought it was because they could charge more....Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[vacation disney]

Just got back from the Wonder 3/6-3/10. Agree with the cost issues....Disney needs to take another look at their prices!!!!! Booked a 7 day while onboard, but will probally change to RCCL for next winter!