IS it worth 3x the money?

[wanderlust7]

Just an FYI, on the new Carnival ships (Vista, Horizon and the upcoming Panorama), they have those new Family Harbor Suites that have divider curtains and the split bathrooms... And the people staying in the Family Harbor section also have access to a private lounge (with a buffet) and different perks. And the cabins look very nice. Love the design.

I REALLY wanted to book one of the Family Harbor Suites on the Panorama. But then I found out all of them are under the galley. I'm sensitive to noise, so decided I couldn't chance it and booked a regular balcony.

We did a MSC Seaview Med cruise in June. In a Super Family Plus (not Yacht Club), which is 3 connecting balcony rooms. Shared with a friend and her family (they were in 1 cabin), and we were in the other 2 cabins (family of 4 plus we took my mom). Our total for 2 cabins was $5000. DCL would have been at least 3x the cost. Sure, there were things about DCL that I missed, but no regrets. With the money saved, we did a week in London, a week in Barcelona, and 3 nights in Girona.

We'll still sail DCL though, when the ship is the focus and the price difference isn't so great. When school is in session, the DCL premium is maybe 20%, which is acceptable to me (2x, 3x, not so much...).

 

[mevelandry]

That's good to know . Although they're not 1/3 the cost of Disney. I checked out two cruises that looked interesting to me, 8 day Eastern and a Southern Caribbean for February 2019. Southern was about $6500, Eastern was about $4200, both deck 2 (only available) Harbor Family Suites with split bath and balcony. Disney Eastern Caribbean was about $6200 for deck 6 balcony. All of these were for a family of 4.

So the Eastern on Carnival is 2000$ less than DCL? Even though it's not 3 times less, that's still huge savings!

 

[lilsonicfan]

We did a MSC Seaview Med cruise in June. In a Super Family Plus (not Yacht Club), which is 3 connecting balcony rooms. Shared with a friend and her family (they were in 1 cabin), and we were in the other 2 cabins (family of 4 plus we took my mom). Our total for 2 cabins was $5000. DCL would have been at least 3x the cost. Sure, there were things about DCL that I missed, but no regrets. With the money saved, we did a week in London, a week in Barcelona, and 3 nights in Girona.

This is the ship we've booked! Have you done a review anywhere?? Did your kids like it? I should probably not hijack this thread, lol.

 

[yargrnhoj]

To OP. I have never compared a DCL cruise to another cruise line and had it come out 3x more when I considered the size of the room, same dates, same itinerary. I would be very uncomfortable having a bunk bed over the main bed which is the set up on many other inside rooms. Also, the style of the ship is important to me. I love the look of the Disney ships. Finally, I don't ever want to have to walk through or near a casino with smokers on vacation.

We priced out both RCL and DCL for our upcoming NYE cruise. We can get two interior staterooms on RCL for $700 less than one standard interior on DCL (no split bath), so that takes care of the bunk bed problem for us. (And I agree we wouldn't try to cram four people into a single RCL stateroom based on past experience). While we are huge DCL fans (almost platinum) and only one cruise on RCL (and two on NCL), the price difference is just too much. And it isn't just holiday sailings as we saw the same when pricing our Russia cruise next summer. We chose RCL for that as well due to price difference.

But maybe we are feeling a little DCL burnout as we have done three long cruises (23 days total) on DCL in less than 18 months so the shows and dining are repetitive.

 

[darnheather]

We priced out both RCL and DCL for our upcoming NYE cruise. We can get two interior staterooms on RCL for $700 less than one standard interior on DCL (no split bath), so that takes care of the bunk bed problem for us. (And I agree we wouldn't try to cram four people into a single RCL stateroom based on past experience). While we are huge DCL fans (almost platinum) and only one cruise on RCL (and two on NCL), the price difference is just too much. And it isn't just holiday sailings as we saw the same when pricing our Russia cruise next summer. We chose RCL for that as well due to price difference.

But maybe we are feeling a little DCL burnout as we have done three long cruises (23 days total) on DCL in less than 18 months so the shows and dining are repetitive.

I can understand that. As we are just three I'd never do separate rooms even if they were ajoinging. We all have our levels of saving that is worth it to go to another line.

 

[cgolf]

We priced out both RCL and DCL for our upcoming NYE cruise. We can get two interior staterooms on RCL for $700 less than one standard interior on DCL (no split bath), so that takes care of the bunk bed problem for us. (And I agree we wouldn't try to cram four people into a single RCL stateroom based on past experience). While we are huge DCL fans (almost platinum) and only one cruise on RCL (and two on NCL), the price difference is just too much. And it isn't just holiday sailings as we saw the same when pricing our Russia cruise next summer. We chose RCL for that as well due to price difference.

But maybe we are feeling a little DCL burnout as we have done three long cruises (23 days total) on DCL in less than 18 months so the shows and dining are repetitive.

I think this was us too, 12 cruises in 9 years. On our last DCL trip other than Tangled, excellent show, everything was else including the trivia questions was the same old thing. We needed a break and we had also done 3 of the ships in a 12 month span at one point. Wish we had done a grand slam in that time period, would have been something cool to brag about lol. Reading about the doubling up of the shows and some of the acts being pushed to the smaller venues where they can no longer do a good show, jugglers and low ceilings, is a bummer and I am glad we have great memories from our trips

 

[mevelandry]

I think this was us too, 12 cruises in 9 years. On our last DCL trip other than Tangled, excellent show, everything was else including the trivia questions was the same old thing. We needed a break and we had also done 3 of the ships in a 12 month span at one point. Wish we had done a grand slam in that time period, would have been something cool to brag about lol. Reading about the doubling up of the shows and some of the acts being pushed to the smaller venues where they can no longer do a good show, jugglers and low ceilings, is a bummer and I am glad we have great memories from our trips

DH and I experienced repetition as well which is why we decided to branch out initially. With only 4 ships, it's not that surprising though. Maybe it will get better when they are at 6 or 7.

 

[wanderlust7]

This is the ship we've booked! Have you done a review anywhere?? Did your kids like it? I should probably not hijack this thread, lol.

I haven't done a review of the MSC Seaview. At the risk of hijacking the thread, I'll do a short one here.

The kids loved it. DS said it was the best part of the trip. They loved the water slides and water play area. DS liked the interactive 4D theater (bit expensive at 7 euros a pop though). He was disappointed he couldn't do the zip line (not heavy enough) or the F1 simulator (not tall enough to reach the pedals - even though he was over the height listed ). The kids club was a bust, which I pretty much predicted. They didn't meet any English speaking kids there and DS hated having to do whatever activity they're doing at the time - which happened to be practicing for some sort of performance the one time he went (which he especially hates! LOL).

I went to 1 show, it was a weird mishmash of variety acts appropriately called "Bizarre". DD (age 6) liked it though. I love the shows on DCL. But it was a port intensive cruise, so it was okay.

The thing I missed the most was the storage space in the cabin! The service from our cabin steward was good, but no towel animals.

The Swarovski crystal staircase is gorgeous - DD loved that. There are some cool seating around the ship, like the big basket sunbeds out on deck and several circular partitioned off living room like areas with couch and TV in the Sports Bar (too bad we saw it towards the end of the cruise and they were all occupied at the time).

The MDR is not up to par to DCL - food wise and service was sometimes rushed. They fit 3 seatings into their 2 MDRs. Our server looked stressed on formal night when more people came. We did the Trio package for specialty dining, which was great. Plus we went to teppanyaki (not part of the package), so we only went to the MDR 3 nights. The buffet was good - there's 2 of them and open for dinner too (though selection is much less compared to lunch). Desserts and pastries/bread were delicious everywhere (including the MDR).

I see you booked Yacht Club? So some of my comments won't really apply. I probably won't consider MSC again for a Caribbean cruise, but I would consider one of their newer bells-and-whistles ship for a port intensive Europe cruise. I feel like it has enough the keep the kids happy and we don't have the time/energy to miss the other stuff.

 

[wanderlust7]

This made me think, so I looked up the MSC mediterranean cruise that I just put a deposit on vs. the DCL mediterranean cruise with the same sailing dates and similar itinerary.

Did you book your MSC cruise with a TA? I booked ours with a TA I found through www.cruisecompete.com, it was 12% off of base price.

 

[arlopop]

I just got off the Alaska, where I met a genuinely wonderful older gentleman. He and his wife have cruised often, but this was their first Disney Cruise. His son is a
major exec with Disney and had gotten a great deal (even they pay something) so the gentleman and his wife had agreed to join the the son’s family.

It was interesting because even though he thought it was exceptionally well run and he enjoyed seeing his grandchildren enjoy themselves, he couldn’t see he and his wife taking another DCL cruise themselves. He felt the extra cost was entirely justified, but he didn’t need that much personalized attention (he was a retired army colonel) and felt it was more than they could justify in terms of bang for their buck.
Nonetheless, he had nothing but praise for the experience and said he understood its appeal even at a higher price point.

 

[cruiser21]

That's good to know . Although they're not 1/3 the cost of Disney. I checked out two cruises that looked interesting to me, 8 day Eastern and a Southern Caribbean for February 2019. Southern was about $6500, Eastern was about $4200, both deck 2 (only available) Harbor Family Suites with split bath and balcony. Disney Eastern Caribbean was about $6200 for deck 6 balcony. All of these were for a family of 4.

The ship is very popular. You may need to book farther out to get a regular balcony room. The family harbor suites are pricey.

 

[mevelandry]

The ship is very popular. You may need to book farther out to get a regular balcony room. The family harbor suites are pricey.

I suggested the suite because @DietCokeMommy talked about dividing curtains (I don't know if they have that in regular cabins, I never noticed)and bunk beds that are not over the adults bed(s)...and a lot of cruisers appreciate the separate bathrooms when they travel with kids.

Apparently, the cove balcony in the Family Harbor are very popular.

 

[wide awake]

We've done 8 DCL cruises, including a PC and a Med. Like some of the above posters we got tired of the shows and lack of dining options. We tried MSC last spring and loved it, and will be doing a Norway cruise with them next summer...2 two room suites, all drinks included, 1 massage each for 4 adults, and came out at about $10,500 for a June sailing. Can't beat that. We just completed a Harmony of the Seas last week, which was an amazing cruise. My autistic DS LOVED the Central Park view cabin, gave him the option to be part of things but in his own space. We will definitely be sailing HOS or other Oasis class ships again. DS still likes DCL, but with the price we will likely do only the short Pacific Coast cruises from now on...can't justify airfare for DCL.
Food and service was at least as good or better on the other lines, and RCI was fabulous in accommodating DS's autism.
So, would I pay 3x the price for DCL....never.

 

[KashasMom]

We've done 8 DCL cruises, including a PC and a Med. Like some of the above posters we got tired of the shows and lack of dining options. We tried MSC last spring and loved it, and will be doing a Norway cruise with them next summer...2 two room suites, all drinks included, 1 massage each for 4 adults, and came out at about $10,500 for a June sailing. Can't beat that. We just completed a Harmony of the Seas last week, which was an amazing cruise. My autistic DS LOVED the Central Park view cabin, gave him the option to be part of things but in his own space. We will definitely be sailing HOS or other Oasis class ships again. DS still likes DCL, but with the price we will likely do only the short Pacific Coast cruises from now on...can't justify airfare for DCL.
Food and service was at least as good or better on the other lines, and RCI was fabulous in accommodating DS's autism.
So, would I pay 3x the price for DCL....never.

So great to hear that about the Harmony! We're sailing on her in November...can't wait.

 

[cruiser21]

One thing I want to say about mentioning the opening day prices to get the best deal, is that not many people are going to do that except maybe some repeat cruisers and many of us on the boards.

Having helped people plan DCL trips at work, it was frustrating to watch them disregard our advice, because they had their own timetable to get their trip set. There are many that can't schedule that far out to, so they have to compare prices when they can book. Our RCCL trips haven't been booked opening day because they open their schedules earlier. Our Edge trip was and we are thankful, because prices have really gone up without any deals being offered.

So yeh perfect world book opening day, unfortunately many can't or don't want to schedule that far out.

It also depends on the cruise. GT rates are often the same or better. There's been a ton of discounts this year. Other then posters on this board I can't think of anyone who plans a vacation more then a few months out. It's really not the norm.

 

[Dakota731]

Thanks for the fare tracker! There seems to be very little difference between booking early or last minute. Another question - as I reading this right that a cruise for one person is almost the same price as a cruise for 2?

 

[Geomom]

Thanks for the fare tracker! There seems to be very little difference between booking early or last minute. Another question - as I reading this right that a cruise for one person is almost the same price as a cruise for 2?

Yes, 1 person costs almost the same as 2 people in a room. It is slightly less as with 1 person you are only charges port fees/taxes for 1 vs. for 2. Persons 3 and 4 (and 5) in a room generally are at least 1/2 the cost of the first 2 people. There is also a little more discount if passenger 3/4/5 are kids 12 and under.

 

[darnheather]

Yes, 1 person costs almost the same as 2 people in a room. It is slightly less as with 1 person you are only charges port fees/taxes for 1 vs. for 2. Persons 3 and 4 (and 5) in a room generally are at least 1/2 the cost of the first 2 people. There is also a little more discount if passenger 3/4/5 are kids 12 and under.

And this holds true on nearly every cruise line. NCL does have some ships with single rooms but they are still more than half of what 2 people would pay and can be hard to book.

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the fare tracker! There seems to be very little difference between booking early or last minute. Another question - as I reading this right that a cruise for one person is almost the same price as a cruise for 2?

*EDIT: just noticed darnheather replied regarding NCL before.*

Usually yes, but I know NCL offers "studio" cabins for solo cruisers and if I understood correctly, they don't ask double for those like most other cruise lines would. Can't tell how much though as I have never booked solo.

 

[Dug720]

*EDIT: just noticed darnheather replied regarding NCL before.*

Usually yes, but I know NCL offers "studio" cabins for solo cruisers and if I understood correctly, they don't ask double for those like most other cruise lines would. Can't tell how much though as I have never booked solo.

It's not double, but it's generally more than 1/2 the price of booking a regular cabin as a solo. Plus they are ALL interior and according to my TA when I asked her honestly about the size (because I know she's done preview tours of them) her words were "well, you can walk on one side of the bed...but they ARE very small".