Is Disney starting to slack compared to other cruises?

[chaseg03]

If you look at all the other cruise ships they have just so so many different things. Here are some things.

- THRILLING water slides, Disney has the aquaduck, really? It's not as thrilling as some slides on other cruise ships.

- Other fun, like rock climbing walls, surfing, zip lines, skydiving simulator.

-Partnering with big food stars Guy Fiere. (Hope I spelled that correct)

- Just other simple things, don't get me wrong because they have many things to do but these other cruise lines are just killing Disney in activities IMO. Hope the new ships are a lot better.

 

[LSUfan4444]

It's a different target market. If you like the other types of ships better there's nothing wrong with sailing other cruise lines. BUT be prepared, for what you gain in a thrilling water slide, a rock climbing wall, zip lines, etc you may lose in kids clubs, service, MDR food, character interaction, production shows, specialty dining options (specifically Remy), kids splash areas, etc.

Evaluate each cruise for what you are looking for and go in with adequate expectations. We sailed a 7 night western caribbean on Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas out of Galveston (including the deluxe all you can drink alcoholic beverage option) for less than a 4 night on the Dream to the Bahamas will cost us last year and we had a great time. It had its pros and cons but it was still fun.

 

[ImDMous]

I guess I'm right in DCLs market, I don't go on a cruise to do any of that stuff. I never use the pools and would not enjoy "thrilling" water slides or rock climbing. I wouldn't mind if they changed up the MDR menus every now and then but there are others who look forward to specific menus for items they love.

Different cruise lines for different customers, just like any other business.

 

[Dug720]

It's a different target market. If you like the other types of ships better there's nothing wrong with sailing other cruise lines. BUT be prepared, for what you gain in a thrilling water slide, a rock climbing wall, zip lines, etc you may lose in kids clubs, service, MDR food, character interaction, production shows, specialty dining options (specifically Remy), kids splash areas, etc.

Evaluate each cruise for what you are looking for and go in with adequate expectations. We sailed a 7 night western caribbean on Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas out of Galveston (including the deluxe all you can drink alcoholic beverage option) for less than a 4 night on the Dream to the Bahamas will cost us last year and we had a great time. It had its pros and cons but it was still fun.

I guess I'm right in DCLs market, I don't go on a cruise to do any of that stuff. I never use the pools and would not enjoy "thrilling" water slides or rock climbing. I wouldn't mind if they changed up the MDR menus every now and then but there are others who look forward to specific menus for items they love.

Different cruise lines for different customers, just like any other business.

This. I am an adult who cruises solo and I do not need "thrilling water slides" or rock climbing walls or stupid things that extend up into the air and just look dumb.

I don't go on cruises to eat burgers (and TBH having eaten at Fieri's place in NYC...meh, it is a burger just like I can get anywhere but more expensive - I got a MUCH better burger at Hard Rock Cafe NYC (a friend wanted to go) for LESS than Guy's place around the corner). I have always been perfectly happy with the food (paid or included) on DCL.

If you feel like you NEED the other things to have a good vacation, go right ahead and cruise other lines. But there IS a market - that is NOT just families with little kids - that Disney is hitting.

Isn't it great we all have choices?

 

[quickcat]

I would like the extra stuff and hope they add it to their new ships, however they aren't constantly putting out new ships like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are. Royal just added another I read about, which I think makes it easier to keep adding new things that people want.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Disney ships have recently added Star Wars and Marvel days at sea. Some people love it. Other people, not so much.

I liked their Midship Detective Agency. Do other cruise lines have things like THAT? I know we did something like that years ago in a Great Wolf Lodge (the hotel chain with the indoor water parks).

 

[LSUfan4444]

stupid things that extend up into the air and just look dumb.

The purpose of alot of those "stupid" things aren't exactly aesthetics. Regardless of how they look, some of them are quite fun (which is the main objective).

 

[dragynally]

The purpose of alot of those "stupid" things aren't exactly aesthetics. Regardless of how they look, some of them are quite fun (which is the main objective).

I think Dug was saying it wouldn't be personally fun to her.

 

[fairfax]

There are two new ships coming with no doubt all kinds of cool stuff! I can't wait to see what they have in store for us.

 

[dragynally]

I will say if you are into a lot of extra activities like rock climbing and surfing on board then yes Disney has some catching up to do. However there must be a lot of people who don't love that because Disney isn't the only cruiseline I've seen without the bells and whistles.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I think Dug was saying it wouldn't be personally fun to her.

Saying it wouldnt be personally fun is one thing. Calling it dumb because you don't think it's fun is another.

 

[Dug720]

Saying it wouldnt be personally fun is one thing. Calling it dumb because you don't think it's fun is another.

Aesthetically they are NOT pleasing - and I'm not the only one who thinks that way. I can't say on here what some on another forum site say when they are extending. It's not polite.

 

[Bishoparc]

I agree with what @Dug720 and @LSUfan4444 have said, it's a different market. For my wife and I, we don't have kids, Disney is the right niche for us. We wouldn't want something more "thrilling" than the Aquaduck, not our style. Could care less about a rock climb wall or a zip line. Don't want the smoke of the casinos, etc. For us (as the ad says) "The difference is Disney". I've tried numerous times to convince myself to try Royal but it just has no appeal to me. Disney can keep taking my money as much as they want it. My first cruise ever was on Disney in Sept of 2015 and I'm already Gold and will be Platinum by early next year (God willing). They have my business.

 

[dragynally]

Saying it wouldnt be personally fun is one thing. Calling it dumb because you don't think it's fun is another.

It's her opinion. It's not like she was calling anyone names. She said an object was dumb.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

I think Disney has fun surprises in store for the new ships. I cannot wait for the reveals.

 

[cruiser21]

This. I am an adult who cruises solo and I do not need "thrilling water slides" or rock climbing walls or stupid things that extend up into the air and just look dumb.

I don't go on cruises to eat burgers (and TBH having eaten at Fieri's place in NYC...meh, it is a burger just like I can get anywhere but more expensive - I got a MUCH better burger at Hard Rock Cafe NYC (a friend wanted to go) for LESS than Guy's place around the corner). I have always been perfectly happy with the food (paid or included) on DCL.

If you feel like you NEED the other things to have a good vacation, go right ahead and cruise other lines. But there IS a market - that is NOT just families with little kids - that Disney is hitting.

Isn't it great we all have choices?

Some people like what you call stupid things. Some of us like Guys burgers I personally don't think the thing that extend into the sky look dumb. I think they might be fun. Why so negative? It's great you feel so strongly about DCL, but why do you feel the need to slam other cruise lines and the people that like them. Not all of us only pay for ourselves and like other options that are more affordable for our families.
As far as Disneys market. I'm guessing it's not single young solo cruisers. It's families. Yes child free adults sail DCL, but letss be honest that's not their bread and butter.

 

[jujubiee4]

I also cruise just to cruise BUT I'm not really a disney person..my daughter
is. However i just love the ship from the moment we step on. The atmosphere
the music..the shows etc. Funny i will try to avoid the parks but love the
cruise.

They definitely don't have a lot of the other "stuff" other lines have like Royal.
We probably will try Royal in the future just so i can see if my kids like having
all those activities. However for a non disney person like me to love to pay for
disney cruises they are doing something right

 

[Dug720]

Some people like what you call stupid things. Some of us like Guys burgers I personally don't think the thing that extend into the sky look dumb. I think they might be fun. Why so negative? It's great you feel so strongly about DCL, but why do you feel the need to slam other cruise lines and the people that like them. Not all of us only pay for ourselves and like other options that are more affordable for our families.
As far as Disneys market. I'm guessing it's not single young solo cruisers. It's families. Yes child free adults sail DCL, but letss be honest that's not their bread and butter.

And a post saying Disney is slacking isn't slamming Disney??

 

[dragynally]

Some people like what you call stupid things. Some of us like Guys burgers I personally don't think the thing that extend into the sky look dumb. I think they might be fun. Why so negative? It's great you feel so strongly about DCL, but why do you feel the need to slam other cruise lines and the people that like them. Not all of us only pay for ourselves and like other options that are more affordable for our families.
As far as Disneys market. I'm guessing it's not single young solo cruisers. It's families. Yes child free adults sail DCL, but letss be honest that's not their bread and butter.

I respectfully disagree. There's a lot of us childless cruisers on Disney. They do a lot to make us feel happy and welcome.

 

[princess pooh]

I really wish DCL would provide more options for older kids and adults like surf simulators and ziplines. My six year old would probably still enjoy the characters and clubs, but my nine year old needs a more active vacation. Even I would love a climbing wall and real water slides. DCL isn't worth the money for us right now until they start adding more dumb (i.e. fun) stuff.