Is DCL Mainstream yet?

[Sleepyluke]

I am curious your thoughts when DCL did/will become a mainstream cruise line that happens to have Mickey and Minnie. Obviously we are a group that is much more dedicated to DCL than the general population, so we may be skewed.

I know they began a s truly niche market and could charge what they wanted essentially, but for a long time, they were dare I say reasonable. Now that they have grown considerably and other cruise lines have added some family style things, has DCL become one of them, and if not, are we close and what do they have to do to set themselves apart again.

Is it number of ships, itinerary, price per night? I really don't have a good answer, but it sure feels like they are getting dangerously close to that line.

 

[OKW Lover]

I don't know what the criteria would be or the certifying agency for designating a cruise lie "mainstream". I don't consider DCL to be mainstream myself.

 

[dreamer17555]

Things that would push it that way- Losing nightly turn down service, losing rotational dining. Otherwise its a premium line IMO, not a luxury line like Seabourn but solidly in the premium tier along with Virgin

 

[FastPasser.]

Based on its tiny percentage of the cruising market, l’d have to say no.

 

[Disneyworldlocal]

I put a lot of cruise line vlogs on in the background while doing paperwork. There are so many popular ones out there that never even mention DCL in any way. One of them recently ranked all the private islands and DCL wasn’t listed at all. Another one does cruise news all the time and for the first time in all of his vlogs he mentioned the Treasure was re routing due to the Hurricane. No other news ever for DCL.
It also seems like the newer ships that Royal, MSC etc seem to garner much more attention from what I can see.

 

[DCLMP]

When has it not been mainstream?

 

[Sanchez]

Things that would push it that way- Losing nightly turn down service, losing rotational dining. Otherwise its a premium line IMO, not a luxury line like Seabourn but solidly in the premium tier along with Virgin

My opinion - premium is wishful thinking. DCL's food and wine offerings alone exclude it from being premium. Five star prices don't make something premium, especially when the offerings are three star. I would say that DCL is certainly worthy of distinction in that the Disney IP and entertainment make it desirable to a certain audience (and worth the price premium to many), but nothing they do is premium. Using your criteria, Princess and Celebrity would be considered premium.

 

[dreamer17555]

My opinion - premium is wishful thinking. DCL's food and wine offerings alone exclude it from being premium. Five star prices don't make something premium, especially when the offerings are three star. I would say that DCL is certainly worthy of distinction in that the Disney IP and entertainment make it desirable to a certain audience (and worth the price premium to many), but nothing they do is premium. Using your criteria, Princess and Celebrity would be considered premium.

They are considered premium lines- Virgin, Disney, Princess, Celebrity, Holland all fall into premium

Luxury lines- Seabourn, Regent, Silver Sea, etc
Mainstream- NCL, Carnival, MSC, Royal, etc

 

[Flcruising]

Have you seen the other cruise lines islands? And the supercharged activities, entertainment, food and amusements on the other newer ships?
Mainstream has leaped over DCL.

But Are they still mainstream? I'd say no. Disney knows their target and it isnt the mainstream population. Really it never was. If they were trying to reach the mainstream their strategy would be very different.

I suspect the Disney visionaries are discussing how to regain their edge without losing their target audience.

 

[DCLMP]

They are considered premium lines- Virgin, Disney, Princess, Celebrity, Holland all fall into premium

Luxury lines- Seabourn, Regent, Silver Sea, etc
Mainstream- NCL, Carnival, MSC, Royal, etc

Who made up these labels?

 

[DCLMP]

My opinion - premium is wishful thinking. DCL's food and wine offerings alone exclude it from being premium. Five star prices don't make something premium, especially when the offerings are three star. I would say that DCL is certainly worthy of distinction in that the Disney IP and entertainment make it desirable to a certain audience (and worth the price premium to many), but nothing they do is premium. Using your criteria, Princess and Celebrity would be considered premium.

It's like saying the deluxe resorts at WDW are premium because they cost 800 a night. They are unique due to theming, but I wouldn't call them premium. Same with DCL. I did not notice a difference in service or amenities between Disney and Royal. DCL has theming that is unique.

 

[DCLMP]

How is Princess premium? There's no difference between Royal, Princess, NCL, DCL, Celebrity, Holland etc.

 

[dreamer17555]

Who made up these labels?

The cruise industry? There can be debates about what falls in what category but pretending that the cruising industry does not use these exact labels is a bit silly.

 

[DCLMP]

The cruise industry? There can be debates about what falls in what category but pretending that the cruising industry does not use these exact labels is a bit silly.

I've never heard of or used the labels. Who decides who falls into which category?

 

[LoveDaisy]

I would consider DCL to be niche but not mainstream or luxury. The reasons I consider it niche is they have a very specific target audience.

The reasons I don’t consider them luxury would be lack of dining options, lack of concierge services, limited ports, the dinner shows, and entertainment. Everything is an experience for the masses, where when I think luxury I think smaller number of guests, high end quiet dinners, etc.

I would think it is all in what these terms mean to you.

 

[Cfabar1]

My opinion - premium is wishful thinking. DCL's food and wine offerings alone exclude it from being premium. Five star prices don't make something premium, especially when the offerings are three star. I would say that DCL is certainly worthy of distinction in that the Disney IP and entertainment make it desirable to a certain audience (and worth the price premium to many), but nothing they do is premium. Using your criteria, Princess and Celebrity would be considered premium.

Princess and Celebrity are premium lines....

IME the food on DCL runs circles around RCCL in the main dining venue and the buffet. DCL makes up the rooms twice a day, which Carnival and RCCL do not.

It's like saying the deluxe resorts at WDW are premium because they cost 800 a night.

The ones that are $800 are that much due to the location... And, to be fair, they are premium compared to many of their off site competitors when factoring in the convenience of being on the monorail. Whether it is worth paying that premium for the location is up to each individual to decide.

 

[Skippyboo]

There’s no casino, no drink package. Would a couple of adults that’s are not big Disney fans pick a Disney cruise? I highly doubt it.

 

[DCLMP]

Princess and Celebrity are premium lines....

IME the food on DCL runs circles around RCCL in the main dining venue and the buffet. DCL makes up the rooms twice a day, which Carnival and RCCL do not.

The ones that are $800 are that much due to the location... And, to be fair, they are premium compared to many of their off site competitors when factoring in the convenience of being on the monorail. Whether it is worth paying that premium for the location is up to each individual to decide.

So the criteria for premium is food and housekeeping frequency? Food is totally subjective. and I don’t find the food on Royal, DCL, NCL or Carnival to be anything premium.
I hardly think housekeeping frequency would propel a cruise line into premium status.
There has got to be more criteria than that.

 

[DCLMP]

I would consider DCL to be niche but not mainstream or luxury. The reasons I consider it niche is they have a very specific target audience.

The reasons I don’t consider them luxury would be lack of dining options, lack of concierge services, limited ports, the dinner shows, and entertainment. Everything is an experience for the masses, where when I think luxury I think smaller number of guests, high end quiet dinners, etc.

I would think it is all in what these terms mean to you.

That’s kind of what I would think. I’ve cruised Royal, Carnival NCL and DCL. I don’t feel like I’ve cruised a premium cruise line. They are all too similar. The only thing that sets Disney apart is Disney theming.
When I think premium I’m thinking Silver seas, Cunard and some of the river cruise lines. I’ve never cruised on any of those so maybe I’m wrong.

 

[insureman]

Here's what Gemini AI says about the subject.

Mainstream cruise lines, also known as "mass-market" cruise lines, are designed to appeal to the widest possible audience. They are the most popular and recognizable names in the cruise industry and are known for offering a wide variety of activities, amenities, and dining options at a relatively accessible price point.

The key characteristics of mainstream cruise lines include:

* **Large Ships:** They typically operate large to mega-ships that can accommodate thousands of passengers.
* **Variety of Activities:** Onboard entertainment and activities are abundant, often including water slides, rock climbing walls, Broadway-style shows, casinos, and numerous bars and lounges.
* **Broad Appeal:** They cater to a diverse demographic, including families, couples, and people of all ages.
* **Affordable Pricing:** While they offer a range of cabin options, from interior to suites, the base fares are generally budget-friendly. However, many amenities and services, such as specialty dining, drinks, and Wi-Fi, often come with an extra cost.

Some of the most prominent mainstream cruise lines are:

* **Carnival Cruise Line:** Known for its "Fun Ship" concept and lively, party-like atmosphere.
* **Royal Caribbean International:** Famous for its innovative and large ships with unique attractions like zip lines, surfing simulators, and robot bartenders.
* **Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL):** Known for its "Freestyle Cruising" concept, which offers flexible dining times and a more relaxed dress code.
* **MSC Cruises:** A fast-growing European-based line that operates big, glitzy ships with a diverse, international clientele.
* **Disney Cruise Line:** Specifically designed for families, with a focus on Disney-themed entertainment and character experiences.

While the lines between categories can sometimes blur, other cruise lines are generally considered a step above mainstream, falling into categories like premium or luxury. These include lines like Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line (often considered "premium"), and Oceania Cruises, Azamara, and Viking Ocean (often considered "entry-luxury"). These lines typically offer a more refined experience with fewer crowds, more inclusive amenities, and a greater emphasis on dining and service.