Is Disney starting to slack compared to other cruises?

[kaseyC]

People keep getting hung up on the price.

Disney have 4 ships. They consistently fill them at listed pricing. Why should they bring down the price? They don't have to compete with the other cited lines on price. Basic business here. Not every company competes on price.

That's a bit of Disney Magic, right there They are not offering the discounts to the general public but they are discounting. In the past few years since prices have really climbed we are seeing many more CM rates, FL resident rates, Military rates and Interline rates.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

That's a bit of Disney Magic, right there They are not offering the discounts to the general public but they are discounting. In the past few years since prices have really climbed we are seeing many more CM rates, FL resident rates, Military rates and Interline rates.

Right, but in general, they are not competing on price. It is not the business model of Disney in general. They do slide the price around somewhat for certain demographics with the parks as well (UK packages are a fine example), but they aren't trying to be the low cost provider, or get people on with low prices and hope to make it up with soda packages and casino proceeds.

 

[OrcaPotter]

Disney's draw and power is its brand. They don't need a lot of innovating thrills because it's the characters and stories that sells their product. As long as loyalty to their brand is strong, they do not need to always add to their fleet with thrill rides, bells, and whistles. Look at the parks: every year prices go up and the parks stay packed. The other lines do not have the same power of characters and stories to create loyalty. Therefore, what draws their base are rides, dining, and other experiences. As many have repeated, Disney will keep doing and charging what they have been until their base is priced out. Look at their push at the upper class--hook in more of those with the means to pay their increasing premiums. The addition of Tiffany's to the Fantasy is another example of them wishing to attract more of the high-end spenders.

The brand is what keeps us loyal, not their loyalty program. Think of what you have to spend to reach platinum on Disney in order to earn the "freebies" of a meal and early access to the ship. My brother's family is on the highest tier of Carnival's loyalty program and it offers them discounts among other perks.

Our emotional connections to their brand will separate us from our money as long as we feel it is worth it. There is nothing wrong with reaching a point where it doesn't and exploring elsewhere. My RCI trip on the Oasis this summer I'm approaching with the excitement of doing a day at Universal. Still a great time with different experiences. It won't be the same, but that's OK. The only thing stopping me from sailing DCL is price; when the price is tolerable, you'll find me preferring DCL.

 

[Dug720]

Disney's draw and power is its brand. They don't need a lot of innovating thrills because it's the characters and stories that sells their product. As long as loyalty to their brand is strong, they do not need to always add to their fleet with thrill rides, bells, and whistles. Look at the parks: every year prices go up and the parks stay packed. The other lines do not have the same power of characters and stories to create loyalty. Therefore, what draws their base are rides, dining, and other experiences. As many have repeated, Disney will keep doing and charging what they have been until their base is priced out. Look at their push at the upper class--hook in more of those with the means to pay their increasing premiums. The addition of Tiffany's to the Fantasy is another example of them wishing to attract more of the high-end spenders.

The brand is what keeps us loyal, not their loyalty program. Think of what you have to spend to reach platinum on Disney in order to earn the "freebies" of a meal and early access to the ship. My brother's family is on the highest tier of Carnival's loyalty program and it offers them discounts among other perks.

Our emotional connections to their brand will separate us from our money as long as we feel it is worth it. There is nothing wrong with reaching a point where it doesn't and exploring elsewhere. My RCI trip on the Oasis this summer I'm approaching with the excitement of doing a day at Universal. Still a great time with different experiences. It won't be the same, but that's OK. The only thing stopping me from sailing DCL is price; when the price is tolerable, you'll find me preferring DCL.

So well said.

And regarding the "competing on price" thing - the others do because most of them have the same types of things on them, so there ARE a lot of megaships that have climbing walls, wave thingies, ropes courses, and "thrilling" slides that are competing for your cruise dollar.

There are 4 Disney ships competing for the cruise dollar of those who value the Disney experience over stuff you can get many other places.

 

[Plaid Princess]

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)

See, I wouldn't use any of those things on a ship. If I'm going rock climbing, surfing, zip-lining etc... I'd want to do the real version of those things, not a scaled down version, though I'd love to see them as excursions. As far as partnering with "food stars", I can't say I've ever enjoyed that type of restaurant; in my experience, they tend to be overpriced, overhyped, and not very good. I'd hate to see Disney pay a load in licensing fees that would get added to the cruise price, just for a mediocre burger "by" someone with a reality TV show.

Aesthetically they are NOT pleasing - and I'm not the only one who thinks that way.

You're not alone... part of what I like about the Disney ship is the classic liner design. The mega ships with all kinds of things hanging off the sides just don't do it for me--I was disappointed when they added the Aqua Duck and Dunk to the ships because it ruined the aesthetic.

 

[mevelandry]

This week, we have booked a cruise on the Carnival Vista and we are more excited about that cruise than we've ever been.

We might as well be honest with ourselves: while we had amazing experiences with DCL (and can't wait to try the new refurbished Wonder)... We feel that when it comes to cruising, we are starting to prefer other cruiselines. (I guess we can thank the Carnival Victory for that, while her look wasn't perfect, her food and entertainment met our needs).

So (as some of you said and I realized that you were absolutely right) DCL is not lacking: DCL is just doing DCL. And it's okay if this is what you want.

... Just like it's okay to want something else as well.

When we'll want Disney, we'll go to WDW because we get 100% Disney when we're there.

But when it comes to cruising, we'll go with Carnival, RCCL, Norwegian or else because what they offer is what we really want now (a variety of activities and entertainment, and a variety of good food), for a more affordable price.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

People keep getting hung up on the price.

Disney have 4 ships. They consistently fill them at listed pricing. Why should they bring down the price? They don't have to compete with the other cited lines on price. Basic business here. Not every company competes on price.

That's not entirely true.

DCL seems to be one of the few (if not only) cruise line that regularly allows upgrades at the Port. This clearly shows that DCL is NOT sailing full - otherwise, there would be no cabins to upgrade TO.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

That's not entirely true.

DCL seems to be one of the few (if not only) cruise line that regularly allows upgrades at the Port. This clearly shows that DCL is NOT sailing full - otherwise, there would be no cabins to upgrade TO.

I think they only fill the ships during peak times (Christmas, Easter, other breaks) although not always. If you are sailing off season you can often get a reduced GT rate that is lower than opening day prices. At least it has been for us. 4 times in the last 2 years. So I agree, the ships are not always full.

 

[kaseyC]

That's not entirely true.

DCL seems to be one of the few (if not only) cruise line that regularly allows upgrades at the Port. This clearly shows that DCL is NOT sailing full - otherwise, there would be no cabins to upgrade TO.

ITA! Cruises that aren't selling well are often filled using discounts not available to the general public such as CM rates, Interline rates, Military rates and FL Resident rates.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

I don't mind things as long as the ships look like SHIPS. Which I hope we can trust Disney to maintain even with the new ones - especially since they wanted the basic look of them to be reminiscent of the classic ocean liners. So many of the mega ships out there are IMHO more reminiscent of barges with partner buildings on them.

I simply do not cruise for "thrills". If I want rides, I will go to an amusement park. There ARE ships that try to be floating amusement parks - and those TO ME do not look like ships.

This is one of my favorite things about Disney Cruise Line! I've looked at pictures of other lines to see if one would appeal to me, but so many of them look like a mall plaza or an old hotel (the new Carnival ship's interior "open mall" area looks just like a hotel I stayed at in the 80's which is a hang up for me) or a Las Vegas casino (which is fine in Vegas, but not what I like on a cruise). On DCL, I always feel like I'm on a ship, even most inside areas. I'm not opposed to a rock wall or a zipline because I believe DCL could do those things without taking away from the classic ship feel or aesthetic.

 

[chaseg03]

This is one of my favorite things about Disney Cruise Line! I've looked at pictures of other lines to see if one would appeal to me, but so many of them look like a mall plaza or an old hotel (the new Carnival ship's interior "open mall" area looks just like a hotel I stayed at in the 80's which is a hang up for me) or a Las Vegas casino (which is fine in Vegas, but not what I like on a cruise). On DCL, I always feel like I'm on a ship, even most inside areas. I'm not opposed to a rock wall or a zipline because I believe DCL could do those things without taking away from the classic ship feel or aesthetic.

That's definitely true. Overall it's just a different market. Thanks to everyone who answered my question.

 

[cruiser21]

This is one of my favorite things about Disney Cruise Line! I've looked at pictures of other lines to see if one would appeal to me, but so many of them look like a mall plaza or an old hotel (the new Carnival ship's interior "open mall" area looks just like a hotel I stayed at in the 80's which is a hang up for me) or a Las Vegas casino (which is fine in Vegas, but not what I like on a cruise). On DCL, I always feel like I'm on a ship, even most inside areas. I'm not opposed to a rock wall or a zipline because I believe DCL could do those things without taking away from the classic ship feel or aesthetic.

I've never felt like I was in Vegas Casino on any ship. Your making quite an assumption based on pictures. I feel more like I'm on a ship on Carnival and NCL because everything on the ships are focused on the ocean where as on DCL everything is focused towards the inside of the ship. I know you have no idea what I'm talking about, because you are basing your opinion on a few pictures. You really have to experience the outdoor areas on the other ships to realize how limited DCL ships are when it comes to outdoor seating.

 

[cruiser21]

=

 

[SunnyDhappy]

We LOVE Disney and really wish we could sail more but have since found other cruise options at way better rates. We are Platinum on DCL.

This year we will be sailing on 3 different cruises (NCL, Princess and MSC) for just slightly more cost of one Disney 7 night in peak season (summer). A total of 24 nights at sea versus 7 night. Sure we will miss the Disney magic and pixie dust feeling but we get more days at sea.

I will still keep my eyes on a great DCL deal but with their rates skyrocketing in the last 2 years I am sure our DCL sailing days will become fewer and farther between.

 

[mevelandry]

I've looked at pictures of other lines to see if one would appeal to me, but so many of them look like a mall plaza or an old hotel (the new Carnival ship's interior "open mall" area looks just like a hotel I stayed at in the 80's which is a hang up for me) or a Las Vegas casino (which is fine in Vegas, but not what I like on a cruise).

Which ship and what part exactly? I've recently booked the Vista and watched many videos and pictures and don't know which area you are refering to.

 

[mevelandry]

I've never felt like I was in Vegas Casino on any ship. Your making quite an assumption based on pictures. I feel more like I'm on a ship on Carnival and NCL because everything on the ships are focused on the ocean where as on DCL everything is focused towards the inside of the ship. I know you have no idea what I'm talking about, because you are basing your opinion on a few pictures. You really have to experience the outdoor areas on the other ships to realize how limited DCL ships are when it comes to outdoor seating.

I noticed that the Vista had a lot of outdoor seating areas, including specialty restaurants!

Also, I have noticed parts of the DCL Dream that reminded me of shopping malls too (like the boutiques and theaters). I believe each ship, no matter the cruise line, has sections who will remind you of them.

 

[kaseyC]

Which ship and what part exactly? I've recently booked the Vista and watched many videos and pictures and don't know which area you are refering to.

@nearlyfallinstar can't be talking about the Vista. In terms of decor it probably is the most understated of the Carnival fleet. Nothing like Las Vegas at all. Lots of muted colors not the neon and flash of older Carnival ships.

I love the how the newer NCL ships have focused on more outdoor areas. Almost every restaurant and bar has outdoor as well as indoor seating. So nice to enjoy dinner or a drink while watching the sunset and hearing the ship cut through the water with out noise of the pool deck..

 

[mevelandry]

@nearlyfallinstar can't be talking about the Vista. In terms of decor it probably is the most understated of the Carnival fleet. Nothing like Las Vegas at all. Lots of muted colors not the neon and flash of older Carnival ships.

I love the how the newer NCL ships have focused on more outdoor areas. Almost every restaurant and bar has outdoor as well as indoor seating. So nice to enjoy dinner or a drink while watching the sunset and hearing the ship cut through the water with out noise of the pool deck..

I want to try NCL so bad!!! And RCCL too!!! I wanna try them all!!!

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

I've never felt like I was in Vegas Casino on any ship. Your making quite an assumption based on pictures. I feel more like I'm on a ship on Carnival and NCL because everything on the ships are focused on the ocean where as on DCL everything is focused towards the inside of the ship. I know you have no idea what I'm talking about, because you are basing your opinion on a few pictures. You really have to experience the outdoor areas on the other ships to realize how limited DCL ships are when it comes to outdoor seating.

I make assumptions about my personal preferences based on actual experiences that I have had, reviews from others who have gone and yes, pictures. I can look at a picture and know if the look of the area appeals to me specifically. And I was just stating that the atmosphere of DCL in its entirety feels like a ship should feel to me. Not that I can see the ocean from everywhere on the ship, but the decor feels like a ship...to me.

 

[cruiser21]

We LOVE Disney and really wish we could sail more but have since found other cruise options at way better rates. We are Platinum on DCL.

This year we will be sailing on 3 different cruises (NCL, Princess and MSC) for just slightly more cost of one Disney 7 night in peak season (summer). A total of 24 nights at sea versus 7 night. Sure we will miss the Disney magic and pixie dust feeling but we get more days at sea.

I will still keep my eyes on a great DCL deal but with their rates skyrocketing in the last 2 years I am sure our DCL sailing days will become fewer and farther between.

Do you have kids? I'm wondering what msc is like for teens. I have a very active teen boy. He likes the clubs, rock walls, rope courses etc.