Is Disney smoking crack or what???

[Rogillio]

Well, I've cruised Princess twice, Celebrity once and Disney once. I don't think they're justified in charging twice as much, and I won't be paying their prices. Celebrity, frankly, was a bit better than Disney, and I can cruise the Baltics for 12 nights with them next June, in a suite, for $600 less than what Disney's charging for a Cat. 11.

OK, would you believe 30% more instead of twice as much?!

~Mike

 

[NancyIL]

You don't book two one-way fares for cruises that begin and end in different cities. You book your "open-jaw" flights using the "multi-city" option on an airline's web site. In the case of HAL Rotterdam - the airports are Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I won't be booking DCL for a euro cruise. I was hoping too, and then just about fell over at the prices. I refuse to spend that money on such a port intensive cruise. We would be doing as much sightseeing as possible and not needing to see Mickey on the ship. I figure we would be walking and walking and doing so much, that by the time we got back to the ship, we would be tired and not really care if we saw the golden mickeys or anything. I don't need a pirates party in Europe - I want to see Europe, not characters.
For our western cruise in January, I wanted the Disney experience. I want to go to castaway cay and I want to lay on the beach in Cozumel - but in Europe, its a different type of vacation for me - I have never been and would be off that ship as much as possible, using it only as a 'hotel room' to go back to at night.

 

[NancyIL]

Good data here! Thanks for doing the research.

So we're really talking about 20 - 30% more, not 'twice as much' as I've seen posted.

I can only compare DCL to NCL but certainly the additional 30% for Disney is worth it in my book.

~Mike

DCL's price in the example given will be hundreds of dollars higher when taxes are added to the total.

 

[NancyIL]

Good data here! Thanks for doing the research.

So we're really talking about 20 - 30% more, not 'twice as much' as I've seen posted.

I can only compare DCL to NCL but certainly the additional 30% for Disney is worth it in my book.

~Mike

The $13.8K DCL price is 43% higher than the $9.6K RCI price - not 20-30%. After taxes are added to the DCL price, it will be at least 50% higher than RCI for a comparable cruise.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Good data here! Thanks for doing the research.

So we're really talking about 20 - 30% more, not 'twice as much' as I've seen posted.

I can only compare DCL to NCL but certainly the additional 30% for Disney is worth it in my book.

~Mike

Actually I see it as twice as much...

RCL - standard inside stateroom...

7 night in Aug/09 (no 2010 up yet)
$999 base rate (not doing taxes/fuel - as that will be about the same on either line)

Disney - standard inside room...

7 night - $1819 base rate

Thats pretty much double isn't it? Just looking at the actual base rates and base it on 2 people - its double.

 

[cruisinmama06]

OK so doing the exact same comparison....

RCCL Jewel of the Seas - D1 - Balcony Cabin (equal to Cat 6 on Disney)
12 nights - Leaving July 4th

Ports of Call: Harwich, England; Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; Oslo, Norway; Harwich, England

Price Breakdown
Guest 1 Cruise Fare $3,129.00 USD
Guest 2 Cruise Fare $3,129.00 USD
Guest 3 Cruise Fare $1,299.00 USD
Fuel Supplement: $300.00 USD
Taxes/Fees $302.64 USD

Package Total $8,159.64 USD

Disney 12 night, Cat 5 or 6

Ports of Call: Dover, England, Oslo, Norway, Copenhagen, Denmark
Warnemünde, Germany (Berlin), St. Petersburg, Russia, Helsinki, Finland
Stockholm, Sweden

Guest 1 and 2 - $5,199 - $6,179 each
Guest 3 and 4 - $1,349 - $2,959 each

Minimum total for 3 - $11,747.00 without taxes,fuel charge, etc

So expect to pay almost $4,000 MORE to do the Disney ship.

 

[Rogillio]

Actually I see it as twice as much...

RCL - standard inside stateroom...

7 night in Aug/09 (no 2010 up yet)
$999 base rate (not doing taxes/fuel - as that will be about the same on either line)

Disney - standard inside room...

7 night - $1819 base rate

Thats pretty much double isn't it? Just looking at the actual base rates and base it on 2 people - its double.

OK, you win. But I read somewhere, "Special trip with your little one ~~ PRICELESS!"




We took a 7 day Hawaiin cruise this summer on NCL and while we loved the ports, the cruise was nothing to brag about. I think we've been spoiled by Disney. Talking about the difference in cruise prices is kinda like comparing hotel prices. You can say as a 'decent' hotel for $100 a night or you can stay at a 'way cool' hotel for $200 a night.

~Mike

 

[cruisinmama06]

OK, you win. But I read somewhere, "Special trip with your little one ~~ PRICELESS!"




We took a 7 day Hawaiin cruise this summer on NCL and while we loved the ports, the cruise was nothing to brag about. I think we've been spoiled by Disney. Talking about the difference in cruise prices is kinda like comparing hotel prices. You can say as a 'decent' hotel for $100 a night or you can stay at a 'way cool' hotel for $200 a night.

~Mike

Yeah but NCL sucks.

You're right, nothing to brag about.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Hey now - no fair - the tag fairy gave me that line - not my choice! lol

But I do love my tag!

 

[Joan1]

I started pricing things out and so far HAL is the same price as Disney or really close? One thing I noticed that unless you go through the WHOLE booking process you don't see the added fees on Hal. They had an extra $1700 at the end for Cruise fees & fuel charges. HAL also sails from 2 different ports so, airfare would definitely be higher with the one way fares. The HAL cruise in their lowest verandah came to $11k (approx.). It was $4414.96 per person then, $1700 if in fees add $500 more for transfers. Plus, $299 each for passengers 3 and 4.

If I price Disney at Category 6, it is $13,804. So, my question is, does the Disney price include Cruise/Tour fees? I included the fuel fee in my estimate.

Royal Carribean priced out as follows:

Price Breakdown
Guest 1 Cruise Fare $3,129.00 USD
Guest 2 Cruise Fare $3,129.00 USD
Guest 3 Cruise Fare $1,299.00 USD
Guest 4 Cruise Fare $1,299.00 USD
Fuel Supplement: $360.00 USD
Taxes/Fees $403.52 USD


Package Total $9,619.52 USD


These were all for July 2009 dates on these lines and for Baltic Cruises only.

The Disney prices do not include fuel supplement, government taxes and fees

I priced out the 12nt Baltic on HAL July 6 2009 in an ocean view (balconies are sold out already) for 4 and the total including all taxes, fuel, ground transfers, etc is $6840
You don't have to go through the booking process. Once you are in the page where you can choose your category of rooms go to the bottom of the page and click on "for details of your fare" you will get another window open with the details of your price

On DCL this same date for 2010 for a 12nt, without any taxes, fuel, transfers in an ocean view for 4 is $11,096 and that is hoping that the lowest price is applicable for the July 6th sailing, which I am sure it is not, and I get in on first tier pricing

That is a difference of $4256, which would be a bigger difference once the taxes, fuel, transfers are added in. This would definitely cover my airfare for 4

Neither of these prices included insurance

HAL also goes to both Helsinki and Estonia on the sailing I priced

 

[mousemom11]

OK so doing the exact same comparison....

RCCL Jewel of the Seas - D1 - Balcony Cabin (equal to Cat 6 on Disney)
12 nights - Leaving July 4th

Ports of Call: Harwich, England; Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; Oslo, Norway; Harwich, England

Price Breakdown
Guest 1 Cruise Fare $3,129.00 USD
Guest 2 Cruise Fare $3,129.00 USD
Guest 3 Cruise Fare $1,299.00 USD
Fuel Supplement: $300.00 USD
Taxes/Fees $302.64 USD

Package Total $8,159.64 USD

Disney 12 night, Cat 5 or 6

Ports of Call: Dover, England, Oslo, Norway, Copenhagen, Denmark
Warnemünde, Germany (Berlin), St. Petersburg, Russia, Helsinki, Finland
Stockholm, Sweden

Guest 1 and 2 - $5,199 - $6,179 each
Guest 3 and 4 - $1,349 - $2,959 each

Minimum total for 3 - $11,747.00 without taxes,fuel charge, etc

So expect to pay almost $4,000 MORE to do the Disney ship.

Yes, and that will pretty much pay the airfare for 3 to London. We'll be joining you on RCCL in 2010 Michele. It looks like we'll be doing a 12-day Med on the Brilliance.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Disney can charge what they do b/c they have only 2 ships and can fill them. Maybe prices will become a bit more competitive when the new ships are out (and the novelty of the new ships wear off in a year or so fter launch).
Part of DCLs decision to return to Europe is to expand their European customer base (hence the DCL office in England). At present, a US vacation (i.e. to WDW) is cheap to the Europeans. Maybe the cruise prices are in line to what they would pay for other similar cruises. Anyone with experience in Europe care to comment? (for example, I know the rate is way different to book airfare within Europe than if I were to book the same itinerary from the US).

Surely I can't speak for all, but my first and final reaction after seeing the Northern Cruise rate? They must have been hit in the head with a big big rock and suffered major brainloss. No way jose I'm paying those rates! And no thank you, neither for a European cruise line neither. The same reaction came from all that have heard this rate from me so far.

As a matter of fact; a lot of people from my little part of the world refuse to pay the rates for cruising with HAL on the Rotterdam, departing from Rotterdam. Now, that's a lower rate, for a cruiseline with Holland in it's name (weakens enough folks, still), departing from our own Rotterdam and on the Ms Rotterdam. The ancestors of, and therefor the current, Ms Rotterdam tend to hit another soft spot overhere. Says something, if you ask me.

Sure, there will be those that will caugh it up. Happily or not so happily. But this is not the 'standard' for cruising for us either from what I've heard around me.

 

[Justthe8ofus]

I said that yesterday. Look at Carnival people. You are taking the cruise for the ports in Europe. I am far from a Carnival but they are fine for Europe. I would use them again for that.

IMO anyone that pays those prices for the Magic(when was the ship built?) is coo coo for coco puffs! Never mind airfare and tours(which will be a lot more $$ than any Carribean tours).

I used to be a HUGE DCL If I think they are nuts then they are in trouble.

Some people have tried to say that the economy is not in issue for the Europeans--WRONG! I said weeks and weeks ago that DCL will lose money on this. Look for major price drops on these cruises as it gets closer.

 

[Joan1]

OK, you win. But I read somewhere, "Special trip with your little one ~~ PRICELESS!"




We took a 7 day Hawaiin cruise this summer on NCL and while we loved the ports, the cruise was nothing to brag about. I think we've been spoiled by Disney. Talking about the difference in cruise prices is kinda like comparing hotel prices. You can say as a 'decent' hotel for $100 a night or you can stay at a 'way cool' hotel for $200 a night.

~Mike

In no way can you compare your NCL cruise on the Hawaiian itinerary with ANY other cruise line. I have sailed on almost all cruises lines and NCL's Hawaiian sailing is probably one of the worst options out there. I have sailed on NCL to other destinations and have enjoyed it

Now we sailed on the 15nt Panama Canal cruise this past summer in August and we totally loved it and wouldn't have changed anything on it. We are big Disney supporters and lovers but when it comes to this big difference in price, sorry Disney, we are looking elsewhere. Even if we end up spending the same amount as a Disney cruise would cost us for the Baltic itinerarry it would be with extra days added in before and / or after the cruise

 

[cruisinmama06]

Yes, and that will pretty much pay the airfare for 3 to London. We'll be joining you on RCCL in 2010 Michele. It looks like we'll be doing a 12-day Med on the Brilliance.

Have fun. I won't be on Brilliance though. I'll be on Oasis. I am one of those wackos that didn't mind paying for one of the first few cruises on that ship.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Oasis....yes very tempting!!
I am undecided for Feb 2010 (we live near Vancouver and plan to ESCAPE the Olympics) - Oasis or DCL! I can't decide, and my daughter can't decide.....

 

[OurDogCisco]

The Disney prices do not include fuel supplement, government taxes and fees

I priced out the 12nt Baltic on HAL July 6 2009 in an ocean view (balconies are sold out already) for 4 and the total including all taxes, fuel, ground transfers, etc is $6840
You don't have to go through the booking process. Once you are in the page where you can choose your category of rooms go to the bottom of the page and click on "for details of your fare" you will get another window open with the details of your price

On DCL this same date for 2010 for a 12nt, without any taxes, fuel, transfers in an ocean view for 4 is $11,096 and that is hoping that the lowest price is applicable for the July 6th sailing, which I am sure it is not, and I get in on first tier pricing

That is a difference of $4256, which would be a bigger difference once the taxes, fuel, transfers are added in. This would definitely cover my airfare for 4

Neither of these prices included insurance

HAL also goes to both Helsinki and Estonia on the sailing I priced

The breakdown of my Disney estimated included fuel fees but not taxes since I didn't know what it would be. So, I went to other sites to see what they were and it isn't consistent.

If you look carefully the taxes were different from RCCL to HAL... HAL was charging about $1200 in cruise Taxes and fees. While RCCL is only charging $300. I was curious why there is a HUGE difference.

 

[Im_A_Princess]

OK so doing the exact same comparison....

RCCL Jewel of the Seas - D1 - Balcony Cabin (equal to Cat 6 on Disney)
12 nights - Leaving July 4th

Ports of Call: Harwich, England; Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tallinn, Estonia; Oslo, Norway; Harwich, England

Price Breakdown
Guest 1 Cruise Fare $3,129.00 USD
Guest 2 Cruise Fare $3,129.00 USD
Guest 3 Cruise Fare $1,299.00 USD
Fuel Supplement: $300.00 USD
Taxes/Fees $302.64 USD

Package Total $8,159.64 USD

Disney 12 night, Cat 5 or 6

Ports of Call: Dover, England, Oslo, Norway, Copenhagen, Denmark
Warnemünde, Germany (Berlin), St. Petersburg, Russia, Helsinki, Finland
Stockholm, Sweden

Guest 1 and 2 - $5,199 - $6,179 each
Guest 3 and 4 - $1,349 - $2,959 each

Minimum total for 3 - $11,747.00 without taxes,fuel charge, etc

So expect to pay almost $4,000 MORE to do the Disney ship.

I love the Magic but... that is to much of a difference. And seeing how the rooms do not appear to have been "fixed" back up to what I feel was the par for Disney when we first started cruising them 2 years ago I would say No Way to us being on one of those cruises.
We were told so much of the room "wear and tear" was going to be fixed. It was not and will not be... not worth it to me.

 

[DiaLady]

While I agree that the price of the Baltic cruises is rediculous, I remember sitting her in 2006 reading practically identical threads when the first round of med cruises were released...yet they sailed pretty full. DCL has to have done well enough to make them want to go back and to it again. There have been many threads in the past couple years of people wondering why the Magic isn't in the Med again. I would bet that DCL has heard from them too.

That's exactly what I thought!! Were you reading my mind, Lisa?

I remember sitting here in 2006 and thinking there was no way we would pay THAT for a Med cruise (okay I was really thinking there was no way DH would pay that . . .LOL). However, we did pay for and go on the Panama Canal REPO this year and it was worth EVERY penny. I told DH when we rebooked that it was really for the med cruise in 2010. He of course said NO WAY . . .LOL.

I agree with the other sentiment that DCL would not be marketing at these prices if their ships were not filling up months in advance. Take the WB REPO. I believe it was sold out in like FOUR hours! We paid much more than first tier pricing after being on hold for 2 1/2 hours!!! Bottomline is that if you want to float in Europe with Mickey you're going to have to pay the price.

All that said, I think we may book the transatlantic BACK and go and spend some time with family in England beforehand. Still thinking about what to pitch to DH . ..

Oh, and for the title!! Doesn't DCL know we're in the middle of an economic CRISIS!!!!