I feel sick- total cruise amount

[mjkacmom]

We did a non disney out of NY for a week on Norwegain for 5 adults and it was less the $5500 with the out of pocket items too. That was peak season window rooms, transportation to the dock, It started at $850, Then the prepaid gratuities, tax, we ate a few pay dinners for $25 and $10, on the island a taxi to the beach and back, a fairie over. DD swam with the dolphins.

The rates drop in Sept. now that I rethought, I am planing an early Sept 12 instead of June.
I can't justify the Disney cruise when we have that many, plus they are not little anymore. They love the activities, and island.
My problem next year, is the cats. The older son stayed home this year and we are going to Disney with dgs. But, next year I have been saving and want all of us to go.

We paid around $5000 for NINE of us to sail out of NYC, 3 balcony cabins (technically off season, but Jersey week, so kids missed 2 days of school). Cabins were $850 for the first two passengers, much less for the next two passengers.

We took a 3 night cruise (after 6 nights at WDW - not paying for airfare for 3 nights!), and I learned that I never want to take another 3 night cruise - way too short.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I can't imagine ever feeling that way! 2K per night, no chance..... unless, of course that's the rate for 8 people.

LOL 6 in Cat. 5's.

 

[DaniB]

They want us to pay 100.00pp for Sail and Sign + 300.00

What is a "Sail and Sign"?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We've cruised several times, from Hawaii, to the islands... we've done Disney.

Once. Never again. It is absolutely not worth the cost. Period.

Investigate other cruise lines. There really is something out there for everyone.

Norwegian has the option to dine when and where you want (Free Style Cruisin') and to not to have to dress up (beyond not wearing shorts and tanks to dinner).

Others all have different features and aspects.

If I'm going to spend that kind of money on a cruise (the kind needed for Disney) I'll stick with Olivia.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

They are pricy--but most of your budget would apply to any vacation that required you to travel to Florida--so that doesn't "count" so to speak.

The $1470 for three people, everything included doesn't sound TOO bad.

But I always found the 3 day cruises to not be worth the per day cost($500 per day! in your example) even when they were on sale for Florida residents.

The extra day for 4 days isn't that much more.

We had to book 2 cabins when we went...so it was double the budget.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

What is a "Sail and Sign"?

Onboard spending account. You can put a credit card on file or apply cash to it or maybe even a combo of both. You cannot use any other form of payment on board. So if you plan to buy a drink, a latte, or a souvenir--you have to do it via the sail and sign account which is attached to your room key.

HTH.

 

[TandT]

Do you guys frequent Disney at least once a year?? You should really think about becoming a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Member. You can use your points towards The Disney Cruise Line. We have been members for 5 years now and LOVE IT!! We wouldn't be able to afford a Disney Cruise if it weren't for DVC. Are you still paying for it?...sure...but the set up makes it more so you can work it in your family's budget. It works great for us.

We are sailing on a 4 night cruise in the Bahamas Oct 2-6 AND staying a week in Disney at SSR on our points!! Best decision we've ever made!! PS...my husband is an accountant .....that says ALOT b/c he's pretty tight with our money

 

[ICF]

I would never cruise for 3 days....the cost for airfare makes it not worth it.

That's a crazy amount of money for 3 days!

 

[labdogs42]

That's why I have my eye out for 2013 Disney cruises out of NYC. I won't have to pay airfare and all I want for my 40th birthday is a Disney cruise!

 

[alice99]

LOL 6 in Cat. 5's.

OK, not so bad... 6 people .... ......

I think the problem with a 3 day cruise is also the boarding time (Is it 4 pm?) and the check-out time .... Do you leave the ship in the AM? .... or do you leave in the evening after dinner, midday after lunch?
I think it really cuts down on the relaxation time. On a 3 day cruise, by the time I relaxed, it would be time to start packing to leave.

I've only done 7 day cruises, because the short ones are cost-prohibitive.

 

[DaniB]

Thanks Lisa!

 

[Tinkerbellah]

I feel sick to my stomach..
I just totaled up the WHOLE amount of what it is costing me from my 3Day Bahama Cruise.
This is for 3 adults (breaking down amounts)
Guest Fare tx/fees transfers insurance Summary
1)DH 394.00 46.06 60.00RT 25.00 525.06
2)Me 394.00 46.06 60.00RT 25.00 525.06
3)DD 139.00 46.06 60.00RT 25.00 270.06


Was Fined $150.00 for canceling last year +150.00
$1,470.18
Pre-paid Gratuity 90.00
They want us to pay 100.00pp for Sail and Sign + 300.00
$1,860.00
Airfare 3 pp RT (DTW to FLL) + 687.90
$2,548.08
Gotta board the 2 Dogs
Shots $58 /
Kennel 6days 192.00 (/22-927) + 250.00
$2,798.08
Sleep&Fly
DTW Hotel with Parking + 76.25

Grand Total: $2,874.33

I have know idea why I thought this was going to be a cheap vacation, I never ran all the numbers until now.
And my DH tells me we can do this next year


tigger2ntinkerbell

Honestly, it is a lot. You can cruise Carnival very cheap & they are wonderful vacations. Sorry Disney!! As much as I love you, that price is way too high for the Bahamas. I would go to The Southern Caribbean for 8 nights, for that amount of money & see some AMAZING places. To me the destinations are more important. You get a lot more for the $ on other lines. I think Disney needs to drop those rates. I can buy a Gucci bag @ a port in St. Martin w/ the money I save not cruising DCL. I would however LOVE to try DCL. I def. see the appeal, but only if I get to SAIL ON SALE!!!

 

[Tinkerbellah]

I would rather go to WDW for a week but I hope you have fun anyway!

I agree & I have been to the Bahamas several times. It's nice but...for the money. I would feel bad not saying so...

OP I hope you can get a better rate.

 

[Tigger2ntinkerbell]

I leave next month . On my next vacation I'll just stay in my TS and go to WDW , much more fun and fireworks to boot. Lesson learned.

WDW or BUST

tigger2ntinkerbell
​

 

[Trinity524]

Is this a Disney cruise? I didn't read that it was. Sail and Sign is a Carnival term.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Is this a Disney cruise? I didn't read that it was. Sail and Sign is a Carnival term.

I saw this too. DCL never makes you pay toward your onboard account in advance.
People on the cruise boards are looking at more than your current total for just the cruise fare alone.

We only cruise when we can book super early, like 2 yrs out, otherwise you pay top $$$. You just have to know when to book.

For our Nov b2b, the 4 nt sailing is only $1800 for 4 of us in a cat 8D (extra large window cabin, 240 sqft. ) + $300 onboard credits from DCL & our TA.

Last Oct our 7 nt Western, family of 4 in cat 9C window, was $3200, + $400 in onboard credits from DCL & our TA.

Considering this covers all of our meals, non-alc drinks, etc. I think it's very reasonable for DCL. To compare to WDW, 7-day park hoppers alone would cost over $1300 for my family of 4 and still doesn't include food or accommodations.

We've tried Carnival 3x and would rather just go to work & save our vac time. jmho. To each his own though. Fewer people booking on DCL just makes it easier for us.

 

[AmandaRG]

Is this a Disney cruise? I didn't read that it was. Sail and Sign is a Carnival term.

It doesn't sound like it. Disney does fireworks at sea on all cruises out of PC, right?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I agree & I have been to the Bahamas several times. It's nice but...for the money. I would feel bad not saying so...

OP I hope you can get a better rate.

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.

 

[disneyluvnmom]

To each his own though. Fewer people booking on DCL just makes it easier for us.

 

[cjstarr]

I sure am glad that I have a VERY, VERY good travel agent.
I have never had to pay nothing like these prices for a cruise.