Interesting items from latest DCL post cruise survey

[cvjw]

Asked about interest in an adults only cruise and adding a drink package. That would be a major change.

 

[OKW Lover]

Interesting. I really can't see a Disney cruise with adults only. Or pretty much any of the other major cruise lines.

As far as the drink package goes, it certainly depends on how much you would drink and the cost of the package. It seems to me that a package on competitor RCL adds up to 4 or 5 drinks a day to break even. Would Disney price theirs similar?

 

[dreamer17555]

IMO a once a year (possibly every 2 years) off-season 7+ night adult only cruise leaving from FL would sell out on faster than the 2026 PC sailing did.

It would need to be rare enough to keep it special, long enough for the Pearl cruisers, and would likely need some sort of guest speakers onboard but if it did I have no doubt DCL could fill a Dream class ship (and the Magic class) in a heartbeat. Again it would need to be rare to keep demand up (once a year at most, every two years even better) but it would sell and sell well.

(I know some prefer to have kids on the ship and that is fine but there 100% is an audience for an adult only sailing)

 

[sponica]

I hate the idea of a drink package, it just leads to waaaaaaaay too many people taking it as a personal challenge to get their money's worth...at least that was my experience on Norwegian.

 

[LoveDaisy]

The drink package on Royal is usually 4 drinks to break even but can also be used for fresh squeezed juice, fancy coffee, bottles of water, and soda. People get their moneys worth through all the options available, I have not really seen anyone crazy drunk because of it. Honestly it’s one of the reasons I don’t sail Disney (in addition to lack of dining options)

 

[plutolovr]

Interesting. I really can't see a Disney cruise with adults only. Or pretty much any of the other major cruise lines.

As far as the drink package goes, it certainly depends on how much you would drink and the cost of the package. It seems to me that a package on competitor RCL adds up to 4 or 5 drinks a day to break even. Would Disney price theirs similar?

Virgin Voyages is doing fine with adults only. They are becoming one of the major cruise lines.

 

[DonaldDunk]

Not having a drink package is one of the reasons I prefer Disney Cruises. I know I am in the minority on that. I have seen drunken ridiculousness on both Royal and Carnival. The worst I have seen on Norwegian was a guy who literally could not find is way back to his dinner table after leaving the dining room and coming back. He was BAD but he didn’t cause any commotion like I’ve seen on other ships, so it didn’t bother me.

 

[FreeTime]

Interesting. I really can't see a Disney cruise with adults only. Or pretty much any of the other major cruise lines.

As far as the drink package goes, it certainly depends on how much you would drink and the cost of the package. It seems to me that a package on competitor RCL adds up to 4 or 5 drinks a day to break even. Would Disney price theirs similar?

Virgin already sails as adults only in every cruise. Other major cruise lines have “specialty” adult cruises each year. Certainly I would hope DCL doesn’t hold a speciality one but I would be fine with a few adults only and I think it would sell out.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I think a Disney drink package could be a great idea if it’s kept moderate and affordable. It could be called the Fab Five Drink Package, themed after Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy. The package could include five drinks per day, and it would reset daily. So, for example, on a four-night cruise, you’d have 20 drinks total, with five drinks available each day.

This setup keeps it reasonable—not too much—but still makes people feel like they’re getting a good deal. To make it more fun, you could tie each drink to one of the Fab Five characters, like redeeming your “Mickey drink” or “Goofy drink” for the day.

The key would be making it a good value compared to buying drinks individually. If the price is right, I think a lot of people would go for it. It’s a fun way to enjoy drinks on the ship without overdoing it and still feeling like you’re saving money.

 

[Pens Fan]

My first thought was that I would love an occasional adult only sailing. But then I remembered a cruise we took awhile ago. Back in 2016 we were on one of the Canadian sailings out of NYC. There were very few children on board. I'd estimate that sailing was at least 90% adult. While we had a great time, we noticed that the adult pool area was packed, as were all of the bars and the more adult shows at night. We pretty much gave up trying to get into anything later at night - everything was packed to the gills. I'm not sure if Disney's ships are set up for an all adult clientele. Just a thought.

As for the drink package I really don't care. In the last 20 years or so the only other line we've been on is NCL (multiple cruises) where the drink package is "free ". I'm not sure it would be worth it for us if we had to pay full price for it, though - especially as we tend to take port intensive cruises. And while I've seen my share of over served guests on NCL, the absolute worst experience we've had was two drunk guys screaming, dropping F bombs and coming to blows in the main lobby area of the DCL Fantasy. I've seen plenty of intoxicated people on DCL a well.

Still - very interesting questions on the survey.

 

[holula]

I had that question about the adult only cruise back in September on the Wish. I agree with a pp that if DCL did it once a year and it was 7+ nights they’d have no issue filling the ship.

I’d never drink enough to have a full drinks package but if they did a 10 drink ‘coupon’ where you pay a discounted amount per drink but you pay for it all upfront I’d buy that. So each coupon = one drink.

 

[dreamer17555]

My first thought was that I would love an occasional adult only sailing. But then I remembered a cruise we took awhile ago. Back in 2016 we were on one of the Canadian sailings out of NYC. There were very few children on board. I'd estimate that sailing was at least 90% adult. While we had a great time, we noticed that the adult pool area was packed, as were all of the bars and the more adult shows at night. We pretty much gave up trying to get into anything later at night - everything was packed to the gills. I'm not sure if Disney's ships are set up for an all adult clientele. Just a thought.

If the kids are onboard at all- adults tend to forgo the funnel vision pools for the adult one- If there are no kids at all in the funnel vision pools- adults will spread out and take over that area without an issue. Changes to where things are held would need to happen- maybe hold Match Your Mate in the Walt Disney theater with bar staff still going around like they do before a show? Hold duel music trivia every night- one in D Lounge and one in The Tube\Evolution both doing the same decade (so both would offer 80's trivia at the same time) so everyone can play? Have a pin trading event in the Oceaneers and rare character meets there and adults will keep it hopping and take the pressure off other venues. Video game tournaments at Vibe and Edge would make some adult cruisers very happy. I understand the crowding issues but I feel they could be managed with some thought.

 

[cvjw]

I would be thrilled to have adult only sailings. We were on the fantasy last week and it was our worst cruise yet - out of 15 DCL sailings. So many unruly and unsupervised kids. To the point where enjoyment of the cruise was affected. A cruise with zero kids would be so great and would probably be quick to sell out.

 

[juxtapose]

I have kids so I wouldn't use it at this point, but I think an occasional adult only cruise would be fun as long as they make more adult focused events on the cruise.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I would 100% go on an adult's only DCL cruise. The amount of kids/families onboard is why DCL has never been on my radar in terms of a vacation.

 

[ichoose2believe]

I think a Disney drink package could be a great idea if it’s kept moderate and affordable. It could be called the Fab Five Drink Package, themed after Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy. The package could include five drinks per day, and it would reset daily. So, for example, on a four-night cruise, you’d have 20 drinks total, with five drinks available each day.

This setup keeps it reasonable—not too much—but still makes people feel like they’re getting a good deal. To make it more fun, you could tie each drink to one of the Fab Five characters, like redeeming your “Mickey drink” or “Goofy drink” for the day.

The key would be making it a good value compared to buying drinks individually. If the price is right, I think a lot of people would go for it. It’s a fun way to enjoy drinks on the ship without overdoing it and still feeling like you’re saving money.

I like this idea especially if I can use it to get special coffee or a smoothie as well.

 

[SL6827]

How long before you pay for soda, tea on DCL?

 

[dreamer17555]

How long before you pay for soda, tea on DCL?

That was my very first thought when they said drink package like give them a chance, and they will start charging for sodas

 

[CamColt]

We recently sailed with only 300 kids on board, approximately 1/5 of what they usually have we were told. I will say it was strange, but not in a bad way. My only problem with an adults only cruise would be it would likely be during they school year when us school employees can't sail.

 

[SL6827]

That was my very first thought when they said drink package like give them a chance, and they will start charging for sodas

Not that I like it, but see it coming.