I feel sick- total cruise amount

[Tiger926]

It is high for only 3 days, especially considering the expense of flying and boarding animals. And, I don't understand why the cancellation fine is being tacking on as an expense to this cruise?

We are cruising DCL on the new Dream next summer to Western Carribbean for 7 days - 2 adults, 2 children (3-9 yrs), oceanview suite cat. 9, plus $125.00 Onboard credit $4800.00. With the price of the OP's cruise, we could go to Disney for at least 5-7 days!

We always go to Disney for 2 weeks each summer as we are DVC members, so we will be at Vero Beach leading up the cruise, and we drive, so much less costly than flying. We aren't sure about excursions, and we don't drink alcohol either, so our cruise shouldn't cost too much extra.

I hope the OP enjoys her cruise, Tiger

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

It is high for only 3 days, especially considering the expense of flying and boarding animals. And, I don't understand why the cancellation fine is being tacking on as an expense to this cruise?

We are cruising DCL on the new Dream next summer to Western Carribbean for 7 days - 2 adults, 2 children (3-9 yrs), oceanview suite cat. 9, plus $125.00 Onboard credit $4800.00. With the price of the OP's cruise, we could go to Disney for at least 5-7 days!

We always go to Disney for 2 weeks each summer as we are DVC members, so we will be at Vero Beach leading up the cruise, and we drive, so much less costly than flying. We aren't sure about excursions, and we don't drink alcohol either, so our cruise shouldn't cost too much extra.

I hope the OP enjoys her cruise, Tiger

I thought that too. Except for pre-paid gratuities, the other expenses would occur for any travel to FL. (airfare, park/fly, dog boarding)
It's an expense, but don't simply blame the cruise. Airfare & park/fly would be a fixed expense, whether this was a 3nt cruise, 10nt cruise, or visit to WDW.

I know all the little things add up & by the time we add in airport parking, mani/pedi, etc. it's a lot. So I don't add it up.

 

[tinkmom2]

Disney does have specials too. In 2009 we had the bounceback offer. We booked a 4 day and got a 3 day cruise for $99.00 a person plus taxes and insurance. And they offer Kids Sail Free on select routes. Otherwise like pp's said I don't think a 3 day is worth it. Usually the farther out you book, the better your rates. But that's true with other cruise lines also. I booked our upcoming trip as soon as the Dream dates came out.

I also agree on things like kenneling. Those are fees you would pay anyway for another vacation. And the cancelling of a previous vacation that shouldn't be considered at all.

What Disney sells is the experience. Their customer service and attention to detail is above par and you get hands on interaction with the characters. Comparing Disney to another cruise is like comparing apples to oranges.

 

[lisaross]

WOW - we just took a 9 night cruise on Royal and for the four of us including everything was just under 8,000 - i thought that was alot - guess not!

Last time we went on a 3 nighter is ended up being right around 6,800 but worth every penny.

 

[Tikitoi]

RCCL had a 3 night cruise for $100/pp. I won't do Disney either. For now.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

Disney Cruise was much more than the Carnival Cruise.

It is a Carnival Cruise, and I was just running the numbers for ALL of the things I had to do, to do this cruise.

If you just figure the CRUISE ONLY

Break down

Fare (3) Adults - 3 Day Bahama Carnival Cruise - Verandah/OB
taxes,fees
trip insurance
tranfsfers from FLL to Port of Miami
(3) Round trip Airline tickets DTW to FLL
Park & Fly Hotel in DTW
Pre-paid Gratuitys
300.00 for the Sail & Sign
Total : $2,624.33

 

[Iluvthemouse]

we normally go to an all inclusive resort every june for week to 10 days

this year DD wanted to try a cruise..


we did a cheap Carnival cruise.. 9 day. great itinerary..no complaints..

but after adding up the extra expenses---shore trips, gratuities, pictures, etc we could have taken 2 all inclusive trips...

 

[lisaross]

Can i ask where u usually go for the all-inclusive vacations?

We are thinking of that in the future! thanx

we normally go to an all inclusive resort every june for week to 10 days

this year DD wanted to try a cruise..


we did a cheap Carnival cruise.. 9 day. great itinerary..no complaints..

but after adding up the extra expenses---shore trips, gratuities, pictures, etc we could have taken 2 all inclusive trips...

 

[DisneyObsession]

I am taking a Disney Cruise in November...7 Nights...with 5 girlfriends. Cruise cost was $1350, airfare $260. I have also done the 4 night land/3 day sea, as well as a 7 night on Royal Caribbean.... I found the 3 night not worth it...we barely saw anything on the ship...and I like Disney better than Royal Caribbean as the main attraction was a casino and I don't gamble.

Both ships you pay extra for alcoholic beverages, excursions, spa...etc...but I found you don't need most of it. Yes, I like a drink, but the excursions weren't worth the money and staying within the city was more fun. I have Disney dollars and Reward points from my Disney credit card to put on my room key, so the plan is to do minimal spending. For me, it's worth the money.

 

[Tiger926]

3 or 4 night cruises

In all of my research (which is a lot), and in speaking with others, the other cruise lines can't compete with DCL for 3/4 night cruises. They use older and very outdated ships and tacky entertainment. Lots of those cruises are used for bachelor parties, as they are very cheap, so you have questionable guests engaged in questionable, loud or boisterous behavior. Of course not all, but I've read countless stories over the years, and this is a recurring theme - the guests on the shorter cruises can be more riled up and boisterous for various reasons, so with kids, this may not be satisfactory.

If you do any research on here, Cruise Critic or various other boards, you will see that the 3/4 night cruises are not much of a priority for the other lines, in terms of keeping clean and refurbished ships, as their fares are so low. Perhaps the future will see some updated ships, but for now, after speaking to a TA, and with all of my research, the other lines are not concentrating on 3/4 night cruises much, except to offer low fares, pack in guests, and return back to port to do it all over again. The big focus is gambling and partying, two things I'm not interested in for my young family.

At least with DCL, you get a much better experience. We would never take our young kids on any of these other 3/4 night cruises, but we thoroughly enjoyed our 4 night on DCL. I've read continuous stories of old and moldy carpets, outdated furnishings, etc. on the other 3/4 cruises, but have never read about this for DCL, so this will be a concern for many families.

For the 7 or higher days, there are many other alternatives around to compare with DCL, especially since Carnival and RCCL have so many ships sailing or about to sail.

Each person has to decide if it's worth it, based on their personal or family needs, Tiger

 

[budbeerlady]

OP I feel your pain, it is alot for a 3 day trip. We are on the Dream for our 1st Disney cruise in October. To ease the pain we are doing a couple of days in Florida on either side. The airfare is the same regardless how long we stay, 4 days or a week. We are doing cheap meals and checking out Sea World instead of Disney with the 2 day tickets for $71 each. We also are planning an easy day at Cocoa Beach before the cruise.

 

[Tinkerbellah]

DCL is much more than just Bahamas. The 7 nt cruises go to St. Thomas, St. Martin, Cayman Islands, Cozumel. All cruises out of PC go to Castaway Cay which is their private island, a little slice of heaven. DCL has also sailed the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, Panama Canal (FL to CA), Mexican Riviera, Aruba, Martinique, St. Croix & Alaska.
Been there, done them too?

We are only doing the Bahamas itinerary this year cuz it works with my kids' days off at school this year & we've been waiting years for the new ship which for now only sails the Bahamas itinerary. We don't bother getting off the ship in Nassau; there's so much to do on the ship.

For us it's the ultimate family vacation. They cut my son's meat & crack his lobster. Unlimited room service. It's over the top. Makes WDW feel like hard work.

MY OPINION:it's NOT worth that price. The level of service I have gotten on OTHER CRUISE LINES was EXCELLENT.Disagree? This is what makes the world go round.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Honestly, the 3 day cruises are not worth it when you add up all the travel and expenses. I won't go for less than a week (at minimum a 4 day cruise and 3 at WDW) although with the prices for the Dream, I won't consider a less than 7 day cruise. The shorter cruises are just too expensive right now.

Jill in CO

We had a decent DCL trip booked for Halloween...4 nights...2 verandah rooms...$3600. I wanted to add 3 nights in WDW prior...airfare, etc...Came to about $5500! It was worth it to me though. But then DH got promoted and can't be "unreachable" on a ship so I looked at moving it. The 2012 prices are outrageous! Holy smoley! I couldn't believe it. We could do a 4 nighter in 2 interior rooms for the same cost. Sorry, but I am not paying $3500 for 4 nights in a room with no window. So I am waiting for the 2013 dates to be released and I will jump on a Fantasy sailing right away. I have read too many negative report about the Dream to spend that kind of money on it!
This year we are just doing our usual week in WDW instead. 7 nights at the BC, with dining and tickets...$3500. Much easier to stomach!

 

[Tinkerbellah]

we normally go to an all inclusive resort every june for week to 10 days

this year DD wanted to try a cruise..


we did a cheap Carnival cruise.. 9 day. great itinerary..no complaints..

but after adding up the extra expenses---shore trips, gratuities, pictures, etc we could have taken 2 all inclusive trips...




I have to agree. This is true.

 

[purplegirl247]

The 2012 prices are outrageous! Holy smoley! I couldn't believe it. We could do a 4 nighter in 2 interior rooms for the same cost. Sorry, but I am not paying $3500 for 4 nights in a room with no window. So I am waiting for the 2013 dates to be released and I will jump on a Fantasy sailing right away. I have read too many negative report about the Dream to spend that kind of money on it!
This year we are just doing our usual week in WDW instead. 7 nights at the BC, with dining and tickets...$3500. Much easier to stomach!

We're doing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy in October 2012. I told our travel agent (dreamsunlimited.com, naturally ) that we'd like to try an inside room this time to check out those cool portholes. Surprisingly, it was MORE than a cat 9 (only like $40 more, but still). I was surprised that they consider no real windows to be a premium!

 

[dbaker375]

This is why I will not do a Disney cruise, even though I would love to! You could take a couple cruises for that price on Royal Caribbean

DITTO!!!! And in a balcony cabin too!

 

[mrsfascinating]

3 night cruise on dream 2 adults and 1 child in veradah room is 1700 with trip insurance for all three. We got an onboard credit of $175. If we would have used DVC points with the going rate of $10/point it would have cost us $2240.00. We are using the points instead to stay in a 2 bedroom with family after the cruise for an additional 6 nights. It was hard to shell out money for accomodations since we usually don't with the vacation club, but it allowed us to bring family with. ( yes we are charging them $650). I anticipating an awesome time which will make it worth the cash out.

 

[CrystalS]

Now I'm interested in totaling up our Disney Cruise + Disneyland vacation, lol.

5-night Cruise in Sept for 2 adults, 4yr old, 1yr old = $1869
Hotel (across from DL) for 5 nights = $440
5 day DL tickets = $608
Knotts Berry farm 1 day tickets and ride = $133
Flight (only need 1 way) = $680
Transportation to and from hotel = $100
Parking = $40
Gas = $30
Gratuities on board = $200

GRAND TOTAL = $4100
(5night cruise, 5 days disneyland, 1 day knotts berry farm = 11 days total)

Whew, that is a lot of money for a vacation, lol. But we've been paying it off slowly before we go, and our last vacation was 2yrs ago, so we've had some time to save up for it.

 

[lolakat]

In 2004 we did a 7 night Disnry cruise, 2 adults, 2 kids, inside cabin. 2800 plus tips. I doubt you will ever see that again. Dh and I would like to do a cruise this spring. You can be sure it will not be with Disney.

Have you looked at the Magic out of Port Canaveral in the spring? We are doing a 7 day April 2012 with 2 adults and 1 child in and Ocean View and it came to just about $2900. I bet the inside would be less. I think those particular cruises are less this year b/c everyone is doing the new ships or waiting for the Magic out of NYC.

 

[bumbershoot]

OP I don't understand why you're using a deposit in the cost of the cruise.

Also, the website said that the deposit for S&S was between $100 and $350, depending on the length of the cruise. Since this is a short one, it's going to be the lower cost I imagine...are they actually charging a deposit for each person, or just the one room account?