Interesting items from latest DCL post cruise survey

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Hopefully not, but how many other lines out there don't charge for soda? I have no idea. Are there some out there?

Yes there are other lines where you are not charged for pop.

 

[cvjw]

I went to Scott's DCL blog and this week special offers on MANY many cruises. 99 percent are short
cruises with WISH and Dream leading the way. The only seven night and above are Europe and Australia.

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...-cruise-line-sailings-as-of-december-16-2024/

I looked the same time last year he posted and maybe there were 10 or 11. Im getting emails to book a
cruise a few times a month. Usually I get them a few times a year. lol

Agree 100%. There are so many guarantee rates on short cruises to the Bahamas on the Wish, Dream and Fantasy right now. Obviously there isn’t enough demand to sell out these cruises for regular price. And DCL is adding MORE ships sailing these same routes. Just seems crazy to me. So wish they would allow one of these ships to sail longer Caribbean itineraries.

 

[cvjw]

Apparently there are. It seems like the current ships are sailing nearly full.

There are so many guarantee rates on the Wish, Dream and Fantasy right now. All are doing these same short Bahamas cruises. Doesn’t seem to be enough demand to fill the ships without discounts.

We sailed the fantasy last week. We booked a VGT rate in October. That same VGT rate was still available the week before sailing. And lots of other guests booked even cheaper rates. The sailing was eventually sold out, but it took until the week before and many discounts to fill it.

 

[Pixarfans]

The question was alcoholic drink package. I’m fine if they do this with a limit on amount per day (just like you can carry on). I don’t see the charging for nonalcoholic, I think it would require all their self serve and systems to change.

 

[holula]

Agree 100%. There are so many guarantee rates on short cruises to the Bahamas on the Wish, Dream and Fantasy right now. Obviously there isn’t enough demand to sell out these cruises for regular price. And DCL is adding MORE ships sailing these same routes. Just seems crazy to me. So wish they would allow one of these ships to sail longer Caribbean itineraries.

Absolutely this. If I was DCL I’d be having the Dream run 7 nights from FL and have the Destiny do 3-5 night sailings. Have the Dream run opposite to the Treasure from PC and price it a lot better and I think it would sell better.

I think we’ll see even more of this next year as it doesn’t look like Pixar or Marvel day at sea are coming back.

 

[OKW Lover]

it doesn’t look like Pixar or Marvel day at sea are coming back.

I think all it will take is a movie release for one of those franchises to bring back that day at sea.

 

[Dug720]

I think all it will take is a movie release for one of those franchises to bring back that day at sea.

Inside Out 2 came out and was hugely successful.

 

[Dug720]

They could also do a non-alcoholic package that would cover (most) coffees, non-alc specialty beverages, and bottled water.

One thing that pretty much all the lines that have packages do that people should be aware of is require that everyone in the cabin have a package if one does to prevent sharing of the package. They do allow non-alc for people who don't drink for medical, addiction, or religious reasons, but from most reports (I travel solo so never an issue for me) they do audit the bar tabs of those cabins (it's just a record since there's no charge) a little more closely and if it's obvious that the one with the alc package is sharing, the package is suspended and they are charged for all beverages.

 

[holula]

I think all it will take is a movie release for one of those franchises to bring back that day at sea.

Inside Out 2 came out and was hugely successful.

And Marvel has two or three movies coming out in 2025 and the same in 2026. (There is MDAS in 2025 but nothing for 2026 at the moment, but the Dream only has the 4 night cruises that actually have a day at sea in 2026. Normally it’s on the 5 nights.)

 

[cvjw]

Guess we now know how DCL is going to fill up the Wish, and Dream for all those short Bahamas cruises in the next few months - they just dropped a Disney + offer. Having to discount those sailings to fill the ships.

 

[jimmymc]

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.

I agree. Disney is better off without a drink package.

 

[plutolovr]

They could also do a non-alcoholic package that would cover (most) coffees, non-alc specialty beverages, and bottled water.

One thing that pretty much all the lines that have packages do that people should be aware of is require that everyone in the cabin have a package if one does to prevent sharing of the package. They do allow non-alc for people who don't drink for medical, addiction, or religious reasons, but from most reports (I travel solo so never an issue for me) they do audit the bar tabs of those cabins (it's just a record since there's no charge) a little more closely and if it's obvious that the one with the alc package is sharing, the package is suspended and they are charged for all beverages.

They can do something like Virgin does. Virgin does not sell a drink package, they sell "Bar Tab" You can purchase how much you want and sometimes they will give you bonus Bar Tab dollars. The more you buy the more you get. You can use that credit towards alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails and specialty coffees, etc. You can also share with others. So if you are joining others for a meal, you can buy a round for everyone. It's very flexible to use. You can also then set your own budget for drinks.

 

[bakerworld]

I think there are a lot of adults without children on Disney cruises so an adult only cruise would be attainable. Maybe the adult entertainment wouldn't be so late at night.

The drink packages make me wonder what would happed to the current drink pricing. Compared to WDW, or even locally here in NEPA, the cost of the beer, mixed drinks and wine are $5 less on average. So would a drink package mean the regular pricing would be increased to offset the package cost or make the package cost seem like the 'deal'?

We've only cruised with DCL. I don't mind cruising with kids because Disney does a excellent job keeping the kids in their areas. My sisters have cruised with NCL and HAL with a less than stellar job at keeping the adult areas clear because the parents bring them into the adult areas, which I find confusing.

 

[Jillpie]

We would absolutely LOVE an all adult cruise!! But, only if the other pools would open up to us. There is no way that I would do it, if the entire cruise would filll up the tiny all adult pool. And we are all about pool time. Our kids are grown, and we love doing all resort vacations (DVC) instead of going to the parks now, so sure I'd love an all adult cruise!

 

[holula]

We would absolutely LOVE an all adult cruise!! But, only if the other pools would open up to us. There is no way that I would do it, if the entire cruise would filll up the tiny all adult pool. And we are all about pool time. Our kids are grown, and we love doing all resort vacations (DVC) instead of going to the parks now, so sure I'd love an all adult cruise!

The other pools except the splash areas are already open to adults. It’s just that on a normal cruise why would you go in them when they are kid soup.

 

[Garyjames220]

Any guesses to when Disney might decide if they add the drinks package

 

[Amunet]

I would love an adult only cruise!! If the various kids club s would be open during an adults only cruise, my gosh, I would have so much fun! Lol

 

[Lesverts]

If they did a drink package where all paid drinks were included to a set amount that would be welcome. I know on my Celebrity cruises I usually use about 40$ a day on lattes/mochas/bottled water/red bull based on list prices. So having those items rolled into a package where you can also get a beer on the pool deck or some wine at dinner and not have to worry about your bill racking up at the end would be great.

 

[beccawes7471]

I am with those against a drink package unless it was the idea of a 4 or 5 max a day. I really like not having to be surrounded by intoxicated folks when on vacation. Carnival has capped theirs at like 15 drinks a day and people complain about that all the time and I think, "who can drink that much alcohol a day and not be in the hospital?" I agree and do like Virgins drink set up. I also agree that DCL's drink prices are the cheapest around and I understand that the overall cruise price is much so I worry a drink package would raise those prices as well.

 

[RedHead0186]

Any guesses to when Disney might decide if they add the drinks package

Anything would be just that: a guess. The only people who know are DCL execs and I'm sure they're not letting the cat out of the bag, so to speak (or posting on DISboards, for that matter, lol).