Is DCL Mainstream yet?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Minority opinion that it may be I've always considered DCL mainstream. It's capacity and size of ships as well as operations have always made me count them as mainstream as they follow what other mainstream lines do in terms of operations (like dining, flow of ships, etc). Despite what people may think Disney is something that is known by many people. It's not a "niche" market IMO because Disney itself is a mainstream brand beloved by certain types of people for sure but mainstream absolutely.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

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.

There's a distinct difference however in Premium and Luxury/Ultra Luxury for labels by the cruise industry at least. Both Cunard and Silversea are luxury lines. This mostly plays into passenger expectations, awards given to the cruise line and rankings.

Premium is a step down from Luxury/Ultra Luxury.

I do understand the arguments for who is naming what but there's a difference in what level a cruise line is considered and what a passenger feels their experience is. For example Oceania has adjusted this year their marketing from Premium to Luxury level which if they want to put their money where their mouth is they have to now provide a different (higher) level to passengers.

 

[DCLMP]

There's a distinct difference however in Premium and Luxury/Ultra Luxury for labels by the cruise industry at least. Both Cunard and Silversea are luxury lines. This mostly plays into passenger expectations, awards given to the cruise line and rankings.

Premium is a step down from Luxury/Ultra Luxury.

I do understand the arguments for who is naming what but there's a difference in what level a cruise line is considered and what a passenger feels their experience is. For example Oceania has adjusted this year their marketing from Premium to Luxury level which if they want to put their money where their mouth is they have to now provide a different (higher) level to passengers.

If you get off these boards and read reviews on trip advisor and cruise critic you will find a lot of reviews from people that cruise other lines decided to try DCL and didn't feel like DCL was worth the premium price. A premium price brings premium expectations.

DCL was our first cruise. When we branched out to try other lines I had low expectations probably from reading posts on these boards. I was pleasantly surprised. Our room hosts were great, servers were great, food is always hit or miss on any cruise. It really varies from cruise to cruise.

I guess I interpret premium and luxury the same. Now that I know what is considered luxury what is considered premium? I don't see any difference between the ones I've cruised on. To me it's just a matter of taste and what a person considers worth the price.

 

[Cfabar1]

I guess I interpret premium and luxury the same. Now that I know what is considered luxury what is considered premium? I don't see any difference between the ones I've cruised on. To me it's just a matter of taste and what a person considers worth the price.

Premium - Buick
Luxury - Cadillac

So the criteria for premium is food and housekeeping frequency?

It's definitely a factor. Mainstream lines such as RCCL, Carnival, and I believe NCL don't offer it - and it is a significant labor expense. Prior to COVID RCCL did at least. They have chosen to cut back on a significant part of the cruise experience.

Food is totally subjective. and I don’t find the food on Royal, DCL, NCL or Carnival to be anything premium.

I agree with RCL. Overall we have found DCL to be a clear step above RCL. Also, on DCL premium dining is meant to be something some people do a little bit, whereas on RCL it felt every time I walked around the ship I was being pressured to buy a "better" dinner...

I hardly think housekeeping frequency would propel a cruise line into premium status.
There has got to be more criteria than that.

These are marketing terms ultimately, and in the eye of the beholder.

 

[MillauFr]

Minority opinion that it may be I've always considered DCL mainstream. It's capacity and size of ships as well as operations have always made me count them as mainstream as they follow what other mainstream lines do in terms of operations (like dining, flow of ships, etc). Despite what people may think Disney is something that is known by many people. It's not a "niche" market IMO because Disney itself is a mainstream brand beloved by certain types of people for sure but mainstream absolutely.

Your opinion isn't in the minority. Disney is a mainstream cruise line. Sure the entertainment and kids clubs are better than others. The rooms, food, and ship are pretty much the same as everyone else.

 

[DCLMP]

Premium - Buick
Luxury - Cadillac

It's definitely a factor. Mainstream lines such as RCCL, Carnival, and I believe NCL don't offer it - and it is a significant labor expense. Prior to COVID RCCL did at least. They have chosen to cut back on a significant part of the cruise experience.

I agree with RCL. Overall we have found DCL to be a clear step above RCL. Also, on DCL premium dining is meant to be something some people do a little bit, whereas on RCL it felt every time I walked around the ship I was being pressured to buy a "better" dinner...

i'm not sure cars are good analogy when it comes to something like a cruise line.

I liked not having to worry about getting out of the room in the evening to have them come in. I'm a neat person I don't need my room cleaned twice a day. There are actually people that decline housekeeping at hotels.

One thing I really hate about DCL is that the beds don't split. An adult should not have to sleep on a sofa bed. On Royal my son loves having a real bed.

I like having the buffet and the sports bar option for dinner at night on Royal. DCL want's everyone in the dining room and sometimes I don't want to go to the dining room.

What I like the most about DCL is their smaller well maintained ships. Hopefully they don't cancel the smaller new builds they have coming. I asked my 20 year-old what ship he wanted to sail on during his college break over the Christmas Holidays and it was hands down the Magic. I feel the same.

 

[Cfabar1]

i'm not sure cars are good analogy when it comes to something like a cruise line.

I liked not having to worry about getting out of the room in the evening to have them come in. I'm a neat person I don't need my room cleaned twice a day. There are actually people that decline housekeeping at hotels.

One thing I really hate about DCL is that the beds don't split. An adult should not have to sleep on a sofa bed. On Royal my son loves having a real bed.

I like having the buffet and the sports bar option for dinner at night on Royal. DCL want's everyone in the dining room and sometimes I don't want to go to the dining room.

What I like the most about DCL is their smaller well maintained ships. Hopefully they don't cancel the smaller new builds they have coming. I asked my 20 year-old what ship he wanted to sail on during his college break over the Christmas Holidays and it was hands down the Magic. I feel the same.

To each their own. Sounds like Royal in many ways is a better line for you.

Most of what you mentioned, less frequent housekeeping, beds that split, the Windjammer buffet have absolutely no appeal to me.

But I hear you, that the features of Disney are different than the features of RCCL, and premium is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[DCLMP]

To each their own. Sounds like Royal in many ways is a better line for you.

Most of what you mentioned, less frequent housekeeping, beds that split, the Windjammer buffet have absolutely no appeal to me.

But I hear you, that the features of Disney are different than the features of RCCL, and premium is in the eye of the beholder.

I like them both. I don't think one is better than the other. They are just different. It depends on itinerary and price. We cruise a lot and I don't see any financial advantage or personal benefit to being married to one cruise line.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If you get off these boards and read reviews on trip advisor and cruise critic you will find a lot of reviews from people that cruise other lines decided to try DCL and didn't feel like DCL was worth the premium price. A premium price brings premium expectations.

DCL was our first cruise. When we branched out to try other lines I had low expectations probably from reading posts on these boards. I was pleasantly surprised. Our room hosts were great, servers were great, food is always hit or miss on any cruise. It really varies from cruise to cruise.

I guess I interpret premium and luxury the same. Now that I know what is considered luxury what is considered premium? I don't see any difference between the ones I've cruised on. To me it's just a matter of taste and what a person considers worth the price.

It certainly does have different expectations. But I think you have to separate out what Disney can get away with because it is a captive audience insomuch that you have trademark and licensing stuff that prohibits other lines from having the exact theming that Disney does. I don't want to knock DCL here it's just I think people do see "Disney" and then put them in a certain place but it's kinda like a catch-22 because no other cruise line can have Disney characters (unless they are no longer protected by trademark). If DCL was the only cruise line out there that catered to kids at all then I would for sure separate them far out. Kids may be their main focus but they are not the only line to have a kid-focus.

I think the industry often categorizes DCL as a premium line but that seems to often come down to price. Also mainstream and mass market are normally used interchangeably by everyday people but others may find that two completely different things. DCL's smallest ship is 2,700 passengers and they are quickly getting into the mega ship passenger count. At what point does someone not view a ship that can carry 6,000 passengers not a mass market line? I mean the intent is to fill the ship up. To use a "built for Disney ship" example the Wish&Treasure hold 4,000 passengers.

Defining things from the industry standard can come down to what is and isn't included, the furnishings, the crew experience, the passenger to crew ratio as well as passenger space ratio (as in how much space per passenger is available), dining is also something but would say it's more expectations from guests because while something may not be to one's liking generally speaking you expect a certain level or certain type (including presentation and quality).

Each line can create what draws people in. Seabourn for example uses "caviar on demand" as a main feature to the line (it's included; no charge) and in specific ports they do caviar in the surf (and in cold regions they do it as well but often in the pool instead) where the crew actually serve caviar in the water. Silversea also has caviar on demand (though I don't know if it's as front and center and as easily accessible anywhere on the ship like it is for Seabourn as I don't have personal experience with it). Seabourn also heavily promotes that they use Molton Brown products (lotion, body wash, shampoo, etc) for your rooms which is considered a high end brand. Just using those as examples.

Cunard is widely considered one of the last very traditional lines when looking at things like dress codes so I often see people directed there if they are longing for more than just a night of formal attire; we actually almost did a Cunard cruise (would have done the Grill level which is their higher level) although Cunard has been considered a premium line as opposed to a luxury line depending on the source (so even though I stated luxury line adding in this qualifying statement) so that'll just add to your confusion but generally it's seen as upscale enough. You'd see more evening gowns (and likely ties with the suits maybe tuxes) on Cunard than you would on Seabourn for example.

 

[Cfabar1]

The great thing about cruising is we all have choice...

When I was younger, a line like Cunard would have had tremendous appeal to me. At this phase of my life, it has absolutely no appeal whatsoever.

Similarly, Virgin and the type of entertainment they offer, I find extremely unappealing. They aren't the right line for me.

In a world where so many companies target the same customers and compete in the most generic way possible for our business, it is great that cruising has so many different styles - Virgin, DCL, RCCL, Princess, HAL, Cunard, Carnival, Seabourn, etc. all have their own unique flavors and approaches to cruising. In the end we are all winners!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They have chosen to cut back on a significant part of the cruise experience.

To be fair here covid hit every line. Some temporarily removed things and then brought them back but all the chatter I've seen is that all lines have had impacts in areas where "things aren't what they were like pre-covid" and that goes for various nationalities certainly not an American perception. What people get upset as having been cut or scaled back varies.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I liked not having to worry about getting out of the room in the evening to have them come in. I'm a neat person I don't need my room cleaned twice a day. There are actually people that decline housekeeping at hotels.

I've mentioned it before that I am the person the declines housekeeping at hotels quite often actually where I'd go 1-2 days in between servicing mostly because I feel like I need to spruce up for them and honestly am fine reusing my towel. My husband likes more housekeeping than me but he doesn't have to worry about his suitcase exploding (our affectionate term for me unpacking my suitcase all over) from getting in it like I do plus my toiletries in the bathroom, etc.

BUT on a cruise? that I won't decline housekeeping and for at least Seabourn it's main housekeeping during the day and turndown service at night. I do understand the feeling about getting out of your room in the evening, my experience with Seabourn is they typically wait a bit before doing the turndown service at the dress code switches at 6pm so they know people are in their rooms changing clothes, etc but in-room dining is common enough too so they are well used to passengers declining if they are staying in their rooms. In those cases they would just leave the breakfast menu tag and other communication on your mail slot (instead of on your newly made up bed) and I would imagine the chocolates or other things the room hosts would typically leave/do for the evening turn down service would be done the next night.

I think I would honestly miss having the turndown service on a line if the line previously had it but view hotels and cruises differently here. I am not wanting daily housekeeping normally at hotels but appreciate it on cruises. It helps that thus far with Seabourn I can throw things in the walk-in closet

 

[DCLMP]

I've mentioned it before that I am the person the declines housekeeping at hotels quite often actually where I'd go 1-2 days in between servicing mostly because I feel like I need to spruce up for them and honestly am fine reusing my towel. My husband likes more housekeeping than me but he doesn't have to worry about his suitcase exploding (our affectionate term for me unpacking my suitcase all over) from getting in it like I do plus my toiletries in the bathroom, etc.

BUT on a cruise? that I won't decline housekeeping and for at least Seabourn it's main housekeeping during the day and turndown service at night. I do understand the feeling about getting out of your room in the evening, my experience with Seabourn is they typically wait a bit before doing the turndown service at the dress code switches at 6pm so they know people are in their rooms changing clothes, etc but in-room dining is common enough too so they are well used to passengers declining if they are staying in their rooms. In those cases they would just leave the breakfast menu tag and other communication on your mail slot (instead of on your newly made up bed) and I would imagine the chocolates or other things the room hosts would typically leave/do for the evening turn down service would be done the next night.

I think I would honestly miss having the turndown service on a line if the line previously had it but view hotels and cruises differently here. I am not wanting daily housekeeping normally at hotels but appreciate it on cruises. It helps that thus far with Seabourn I can throw things in the walk-in closet

I don't unmake my bed during the day. Having someone turn my sheets down is such a trivial perk. It's cute and nice, but it doesn't make an impression on my cruise experience. I'm one that likes daily housekeeping in a hotel and on a cruise and I expect it, but once my bed is made, I have fresh towels and my coffee is refilled I don't need anything.

 

[DCLMP]

To be fair here covid hit every line. Some temporarily removed things and then brought them back but all the chatter I've seen is that all lines have had impacts in areas where "things aren't what they were like pre-covid" and that goes for various nationalities certainly not an American perception. What people get upset as having been cut or scaled back varies.

Some hotels still haven't brought it back.

WDW and DCL were making cuts pre-covid which accelerated during Covid. I guess twice a day room service is their one saving grace.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't unmake my bed during the day. Having someone turn my sheets down is such a trivial perk. It's cute and nice, but it doesn't make an impression on my cruise experience. I'm one that likes daily housekeeping in a hotel and on a cruise and I expect it, but once my bed is made, I have fresh towels and my coffee is refilled I don't need anything.

For cruising because we're usually in port for the majority of the day I can't say the bed gets messy either but I have taken a nap before and then on sea days we've been in our room earlier than what we had been on port days.

For turndown service (speaking towards just my experience with Seabourn) they don't normally do much but if you've taken a shower after they've done normal day housekeeping they'll replace the towels (we've done that on sea day after being in the water and on our first cruise when it was particularly hot some ports we'd take a shower before going out for dinner) or they will rehang the robes, they'll leave the Herald and breakfast door tag on the bed (though like I mentioned if you stayed in those would be left on your mail slot) and then anything else like the tote you get, whatever the room host opts to do (chocolates, towel animals, etc). I noticed they would replace the water bottles Seabourn provides if they saw you had gone through them after the normal housekeeping and they would do general quick clean up like if you had gotten drinks from the mini bar/used your requested alcohol. So while not wholly necessary it does have something they do.

I think turndown service/light second clean up is more something that I could consider a trivial thing but I think depending on the level of line it's not a perk but an expectation to have as a service feature. I suspect with DCL it's more an association with "magic" and of course paying high premium.

Some hotels still haven't brought it back.

WDW and DCL were making cuts pre-covid which accelerated during Covid. I guess twice a day room service is their one saving grace.

That's true although I was talking about the cruising industry there are things that happened at hotels as well most in your face is daily housekeeping. Some it's just no by default for hotels and you call when you want service which doesn't mean you can't have it every day just that they won't default to doing it everyday.

 

[edith76]

Im an avid cruiser and have been cruising on DCL since it started. I felt at the beginning it leaned more toward being mainstream with some Disney characters and Disney themed shows. The current product is getting more like a theme park at sea. Because I cruise so much on a few different lines I get a lot of cruising surveys from various sources. Disney used to be included in the list of cruiselines but most of time now it is not. I have to enter it as other. This makes me think it is becoming more niche and less mainstream.

Turn down probably works for Disney because of all the kids onboard who appreciate the towel animals and chocolates. But having been on cruises with only one housekeeping visit per day I prefer that and have heard the same from other cruisers. Its just less invasive to have them in your room only once a day.

 

[mcd2745]

Turn down probably works for Disney because of all the kids onboard who appreciate the towel animals and chocolates. But having been on cruises with only one housekeeping visit per day I prefer that and have heard the same from other cruisers. Its just less invasive to have them in your room only once a day.

Like anything else, YMMV when it comes to servicing the room twice a day. However, we absolutely feel this is one of the things that makes DCL stand out above other lines. If you have a 3rd and/or 4th person in the stateroom, we've hated that other lines will not put the beds away in the morning, and set them up again in the evening. DCL is the only one who will still do that. Staterooms are tight enough - especially with 3 or 4 people - so not putting the beds away during the day makes it that much tighter to move around.

 

[jimmymc]

What do you mean by mainstream? I don't think it's a secret or niche product, but it's also not a mass market cruise line, which is the term people normally use for Carnival, Royal, or Norwegian.

 

[DCLMP]

What do you mean by mainstream? I don't think it's a secret or niche product, but it's also not a mass market cruise line, which is the term people normally use for Carnival, Royal, or Norwegian.

I don't think there is a criteria for any category mainstream, premium, luxury. I tink it comes down to however you want to define it. It's completely subjective. Disney has Disney characters, Royal has Dreamworks and Carnival has Dr Seuss. Other than that I guess it comes down to how you feel about the food and housekeeping

 

[Scalemaster34]

I think the real question is does Disney have a large enough market for the number of ships they plan to be sailing at the prices they have been asking... time will.

When we first fell in love with DCL, they had two ships that offered a true family experience. No one else did, but here we are over 20 years later and most all of them see the value of offering some level of family experience (and others see value in adults only). The gap isn't what it once was... so I get that some will find a cheaper alterative a better value for themselves.