Is a 3 day cruise worth $3000?!!!

[tessieg]

We have never cruised before and are very interested in the Disney Cruise. But we're having trouble accepting the cost!!! We tend to be bargain travelers and there doesn't seem to be any bargain with DCL--lol! My dh doesn't have flexibility with vacation dates and we only know them 6 months or so in advance so can't do really early bookings; we also need either two inside cabins or a family stateroom as we have 3 dd's. Those two things don't allow for cheap cruising.
So, now that I think we have gotten the cheapest rates we can get--is it worth the money in the minds of those of you who have done it? $1000 a day is SO much, part of me can't believe it's worth it but then everyone seems to LOVE the Disney cruises and we are such Disney fans, I think maybe there has to be something to it!!
Sorry for all the rambling. I'd love to know, for those who had to really struggle with the price, and who went in the end, did you love it and feel justified or wish you'd done some other sort of vacation?
Thanks for your help!
Tessie

 

[adlgel]

Our first cruise was also a 3 day booked as part of a Land/Sea package. Since it was my husband's and kid's first time on a cruise ship I thought the shortest cruise was a good idea as I'd hate to be stuck on a ship for 7 days if everyone in my family hated it. But in the end, the 3 days felt sooooo short. Everyone liked it so much that we have done three 7 night cruises since then. Our 7 nights ranged in price from a little bit more than what you are paying for your 3 nights (in a Cat 10 secret porthole room) to our most recent cruise on 11/15/08 which was $4300 for 4 people in a Cat 6 - 2 of these were booked onboard so we got the 10% discount and we were flexible with our travelling dates so we could avoid the costly weeks. I say all this to ultimately say that I personally would have a tough time paying $3000 for only 3 nights on the ship. Don't get me wrong, I love cruising on DCL but just think that is a lot of money to pay for such a short vacation.

 

[Skylarr29]

Have you asked about Florida resident discounts?

 

[muscarello4]

We have 4 kiddos and were able to book two inside Cat. 12s on a 7 night this June for $4400 (no ins./no transfers/ALL taxes, fees, surcharges, inc.).

If you keep your eye out, they do have low prices on Cat. 12s here and there. The bad side is that you can't pick out your cabin locations. You get what you get.

This summer, we will take our 3rd Disney cruise. Every time we have been able to cruise for right around $100 per person per day. You are paying $200 per person per day. Kind of high. In fact, really high, but it is a truly remarkable family vacation. (If it were me, I would set aside the money and keep an eye on the prices. You can get a good deal if you are patient.)

June 13, 2009 keeps coming up and then going down on CHEAP Cat. 12 prices. Good luck with your decision.

 

[niciggy]

Our first cruise was also a 3 day booked as part of a Land/Sea package. Since it was my husband's and kid's first time on a cruise ship I thought the shortest cruise was a good idea as I'd hate to be stuck on a ship for 7 days if everyone in my family hated it. But in the end, the 3 days felt sooooo short. Everyone liked it so much that we have done three 7 night cruises since then. Our 7 nights ranged in price from a little bit more than what you are paying for your 3 nights (in a Cat 10 secret porthole room) to our most recent cruise on 11/15/08 which was $4300 for 4 people in a Cat 6 - 2 of these were booked onboard so we got the 10% discount and we were flexible with our travelling dates so we could avoid the costly weeks. I say all this to ultimately say that I personally would have a tough time paying $3000 for only 3 nights on the ship. Don't get me wrong, I love cruising on DCL but just think that is a lot of money to pay for such a short vacation.

I was caught off guard also, and I'd been having "booking guilt" since I did the planning and actually made the arrangements this time. However, my 5 year old has been really sick and we were at the doc today and they started talking about hospitalization and surgery and she fell asleep and woke up and started talking about disney (she doesn't know we are going) and I thought, geez, life is so short! This is going to put her over the moon! Luckily, we're all okay, and I know I made the right decision. It just all came together for me.

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

We have 4 kiddos and were able to book two inside Cat. 12s on a 7 night this June for $4400 (no ins./no transfers/ALL taxes, fees, surcharges, inc.).

If you keep your eye out, they do have low prices on Cat. 12s here and there. The bad side is that you can't pick out your cabin locations. You get what you get.

This summer, we will take our 3rd Disney cruise. Every time we have been able to cruise for right around $100 per person per day. You are paying $200 per person per day. Kind of high. In fact, really high, but it is a truly remarkable family vacation. (If it were me, I would set aside the money and keep an eye on the prices. You can get a good deal if you are patient.)

June 13, 2009 keeps coming up and then going down on CHEAP Cat. 12 prices. Good luck with your decision.

This is where a good TA makes all the difference.

(I am not a TA, nor do I play one on TV, but I do love my TA!! )

mk

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

3 days for $3000? No I don't think that is worth it.
We are doing 2 people on a 7 day for $2100.

 

[auntlynne]

There are people out there booking the suites for 2 people and paying way more for that. It depends on how much money you have to burn or how badly you want to do something. For the rest of us, who would like to take lots of Disney cruises in our lives, finding the best deal can make it more bearable.

1. Watch for Florida resident rates (ditto above post) - they seem to come out after full payment is due for reservations. People can cancel up to 75 days before a cruise and get their full deposit back - leaving them rooms that need filling. On our last cruise, a 7-night special Western Caribbean in October, we paid $2700 for 2 people in a secret verandah (meaning slightly modified category 6 at a category 7 price) plus 3 people in a Category 11 cabin across the hall for $1800 (including insurance and taxes, fuel supplement, etc. - not transportation). For the same cruise, they offered FL residents $600 per person rates (1st 2 people in cabin - don't know what 3rd and 4th were). And I imagine these were cat 12 or 11 rooms, also. But definitely better.

2. Go for the longer cruise. It is a 3-night cruise, not 3 days. You get on the boat and sail away, eat dinner, watch a show (day 1). Next day is a visit to Nassau - you are off the boat at an excursion (which means more money, multiplied by your family size), dinner and a show (day 2). Then Castaway Cay (many people's favorite), a day at the beach, leaving before sunset, dinner and a show (day 3). The next morning you get up fairly early, leave your room (and cannot return), eat breakfast and are off the ship by 9:00 am.

We've done 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises (one each). The shorter ones seem like you just get unpacked and the next thing you know, it is the night before you leave and you are setting your bags out in the hallway. On the 7-nighter, On our third full day, we were amazed that we were only half way through. ... We are scheduled for the 14-night Transatlantic two years from now (cat 11, to save money - the price difference in categories pays for airfare and excursions); finally I might have enough time to do more onboard. I loved the 2 sea days on our 7-night cruise (with double dip at Castaway Cay), but definitely need more days to explore the ship and join in the fun (it really helped having met some people on the DIS board; it was like going to camp and having new playmates). Our next scheduled cruise, a 7-night for 2 people in June, cat 12, is $1800 w/insurance; our transatlantic (cat 11) is $2200 for twice the time. I know most people can't get kids out of school that long - just giving info for reference.

I do get seasick and need the scopalamine transdermal patch behind my ear; what a difference it makes (and non-drowsy so I can enjoy my cruise); this was one of my reasons for originally taking the 3 day (on which I took less-drowsy formula Dramamine and was sleepy for days afterward - and couldn't tolerate the mild waves).

All it takes is some faith, hope and pixie dust...

 

[pearlieq]

No. No way, no how, not a chance.

For that kind of money I'd hold out for a longer cruise. It's just totally not worth that much money.

I hope you can work something else out!

 

[petunia]

Wow, I'm also in the same "boat" We are paying 3000 for a 3night, for 6 of us (4 kids) in connecting cat 10's. I really wanted to try a Disney cruise, and due to dates/work, and because we have bounceback FD at WDW after, we could really only do a 3 day, but I thought it would be cheaper than 1000/day, not including tips/excursions/ins/transfers. So, I may regretfully cancel if a discount doesn't come up, at least I can take that money and use it for WDW, that's the only part that makes me not too sad about maybe cancelling. It's hard to guage what a good deal is or isn't when you're a first timer, so I like to hear all of your reactions, makes me think it is too much $.

 

[kcashner]

In a word, NO. You're paying too much for a 3 day cruise.

Some thoughts--does that include DCL transfers and travel insurance? If so, a rental car will be cheaper than transfers and travel insurance purchased privately is generally less expensive than thru DCL. Many places have "kid free with parent purchase" policies.

Costs have come way down recently if you can take advantage of the specials available on some dates. Also, consider a longer cruise. We've never done 3 days. I thought 4 was way too short. The cost difference for the extra day is minimal.

 

[frdeb1999]

Deffinately would'nt pay that for a 3 NT. We only paid $5200 for a 7 NT, for 2 cat 9 cabins....for 5 of us. Have you tried going through a TA? If you do you can at least in most cases get a on board credit which would help alot. Also, I know you said your dates are'nt that flexible....anyway you could book so it was at least a year off? That way you could get a lower price since your not booking so close to the cruise, and have time to pay on it. We always book 2 cabins and never have had to pay that much even for a 4 NT. I'd honestly look around. Hope you have good luck what ever you decide to do!

 

[jodifla]

We have never cruised before and are very interested in the Disney Cruise. But we're having trouble accepting the cost!!! We tend to be bargain travelers and there doesn't seem to be any bargain with DCL--lol! My dh doesn't have flexibility with vacation dates and we only know them 6 months or so in advance so can't do really early bookings; we also need either two inside cabins or a family stateroom as we have 3 dd's. Those two things don't allow for cheap cruising.
So, now that I think we have gotten the cheapest rates we can get--is it worth the money in the minds of those of you who have done it? $1000 a day is SO much, part of me can't believe it's worth it but then everyone seems to LOVE the Disney cruises and we are such Disney fans, I think maybe there has to be something to it!!
Sorry for all the rambling. I'd love to know, for those who had to really struggle with the price, and who went in the end, did you love it and feel justified or wish you'd done some other sort of vacation?
Thanks for your help!
Tessie

That's a lot....as Fla. residents, you should be able to snag better deals than that! Although having 5 makes it really tough.

 

[Pinkgurlshubby]

Not a chance! No way! Go back to the DCL site and start looking at different cruises. We were on a 7 day Eastern last month in a cat 5 stateroom. 4 of us, price was 4800. We rebooked a 7 day Western but also looked at a 5 day Bahamas. That price for aother cat 5 rook was well over 6000. The saleslady just told me in plain English that those are only in the summer and they cost more. Fine enough what else do you have and she suggested the Western which worked out great.

 

[jewelmicky]

There are people out there booking the suites for 2 people and paying way more for that. It depends on how much money you have to burn or how badly you want to do something. For the rest of us, who would like to take lots of Disney cruises in our lives, finding the best deal can make it more bearable.

1. Watch for Florida resident rates (ditto above post) - they seem to come out after full payment is due for reservations. People can cancel up to 75 days before a cruise and get their full deposit back - leaving them rooms that need filling. On our last cruise, a 7-night special Western Caribbean in October, we paid $2700 for 2 people in a secret verandah (meaning slightly modified category 6 at a category 7 price) plus 3 people in a Category 11 cabin across the hall for $1800 (including insurance and taxes, fuel supplement, etc. - not transportation). For the same cruise, they offered FL residents $600 per person rates (1st 2 people in cabin - don't know what 3rd and 4th were). And I imagine these were cat 12 or 11 rooms, also. But definitely better.

2. Go for the longer cruise. It is a 3-night cruise, not 3 days. You get on the boat and sail away, eat dinner, watch a show (day 1). Next day is a visit to Nassau - you are off the boat at an excursion (which means more money, multiplied by your family size), dinner and a show (day 2). Then Castaway Cay (many people's favorite), a day at the beach, leaving before sunset, dinner and a show (day 3). The next morning you get up fairly early, leave your room (and cannot return), eat breakfast and are off the ship by 9:00 am.

We've done 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises (one each). The shorter ones seem like you just get unpacked and the next thing you know, it is the night before you leave and you are setting your bags out in the hallway. On the 7-nighter, On our third full day, we were amazed that we were only half way through. ... We are scheduled for the 14-night Transatlantic two years from now (cat 11, to save money - the price difference in categories pays for airfare and excursions); finally I might have enough time to do more onboard. I loved the 2 sea days on our 7-night cruise (with double dip at Castaway Cay), but definitely need more days to explore the ship and join in the fun (it really helped having met some people on the DIS board; it was like going to camp and having new playmates). Our next scheduled cruise, a 7-night for 2 people in June, cat 12, is $1800 w/insurance; our transatlantic (cat 11) is $2200 for twice the time. I know most people can't get kids out of school that long - just giving info for reference.

I do get seasick and need the scopalamine transdermal patch behind my ear; what a difference it makes (and non-drowsy so I can enjoy my cruise); this was one of my reasons for originally taking the 3 day (on which I took less-drowsy formula Dramamine and was sleepy for days afterward - and couldn't tolerate the mild waves).

All it takes is some faith, hope and pixie dust...

Hi Lynne

I agree....3 nighter is not enough....I have done a 3 and two 4's.....mostly because I only had a week off work and couldn't bear going to FL and not seeing Cinderella Castle!
But, I vowed last time never again...if we cruise it has to be 7 night, or a week a WDW.....not both.
We are booked on EB or WB Trans in 2010.....14 nights for about what's quoted here for yer 3.

I have a 7 night Western deposit for June 13th for Cat 12 the 3 of us $2200....never cruised in anything less then a Cat 9...so a little nervous, but couldn't beat the price. I also have a buy 4/ get 3 free booked for the same week.... Almost the same price at POR. We haven't made up our minds yet. I can only get one week off in 2009 because we are definitely do the Trans. in 2010 and I have to build up some time. So, we can't do both this year. I am leaning towards WDW and alternating....cruise/WDW/cruise/WDW.etc......

In a word, NO. You're paying too much for a 3 day cruise.

Some thoughts--does that include DCL transfers and travel insurance? If so, a rental car will be cheaper than transfers and travel insurance purchased privately is generally less expensive than thru DCL. Many places have "kid free with parent purchase" policies.

Costs have come way down recently if you can take advantage of the specials available on some dates. Also, consider a longer cruise. We've never done 3 days. I thought 4 was way too short. The cost difference for the extra day is minimal.

I have noticed the costs on all the Cruise lines coming down.....my feeling is they will come down even more....we will see. It's the airfare that seems to still be hanging up there a bit.

 

[tessieg]

I appreciate all the replies. Our dates aren't flexible due to dh's vacation times--this cruise we're looking at is in April. This cruise may be something I end up doing alone with my dd's when they are a bit older(I am a sahm).
I think unless a deal comes along, I will go back to the drawing board for vacation ideas next year.
Thanks so much, Tessie

 

[GinaMo76]

I have a family of 5, and doing a 4 day cruise in a cat. 4 in 11/09 for under 3,000. Are you traveling peak or a holiday?

 

[PurplePrincess4]

Ouch! Since your dates are not flexible you have to take what you can get. But, a three night at $3000.00 seems very high. Have you tried quoting other comparables for the same time period?

 

[Cindi0511]

I appreciate all the replies. Our dates aren't flexible due to dh's vacation times--this cruise we're looking at is in April. This cruise may be something I end up doing alone with my dd's when they are a bit older(I am a sahm).
I think unless a deal comes along, I will go back to the drawing board for vacation ideas next year.
Thanks so much, Tessie

Hello, Tessie, from a fellow Floridian! I understand about the inflexibility, but I'd never pay that much for three days. I love DCL and have a cruise planned in 2010, but our travel agent got us a really good price.

You just have to be good with whatever you decide. It's your vacation.

 

[westjones]

I think it is going to be costly with the fact that you are a family of 5 and you have to go at a peak time.

We try to look at the price per person per day.

So for $3000 for 3 nights for 5 people the price per day per person is=$200.

We have a 4 night booked for March for 4 people for $3000 and the price of that per person per day is=$187.50

So a little bit lower than what you are seeing.

BUT mine does not include insurance or transfers.

To answer your question....is it too much. Yes, it is expensive. Our cruise is Too much (we used to cruise for a lot less), but my kids are in high school now and we can only travel during school breaks.

Good Luck,
DJ