Is it worth the money?

[sleepingbeauty92]

Me and my family were thinking of taking a DC. But we have been thinking about two questions: Is it worth our money? and If we go should we go to the Western Caribeen or Eastern?

If u answered this question it would be a big help!

 

[DisneyGator01]

Personally I think its worth every cent, I am sure most would agree.

Disney cruises are more expensive, but its a premium for the Disney experience--Disney has the market share to charge more--simple economics. Also, the higher rates are also needed to make up for the lack of casino, and being a more "family" cruise they make less on bar-tabs/drinks etc. Still it's worth it to me.

I have sailed several other lines, and I prefer Disney over all, for several reasons.

1) It's Disney-- if you love anything Disney, you'll be in for a treat
2) The entertainment--both the evening shows and the cruise entertainment/activities can't be beat
3)Service--The service from the moment you get to port is second to none
4) NO CASINO!!!
5) Family atmosphere--just enough night life, but more class--not loud and rowdy at all. Want party-life cruise, take a Carnival cruise.
6) Staterooms are larger
7) rotation dining experience
8)Adult only facilities--a lot of cruises don't have these--adult only restaurant/spa/pool/entertainment/beaches
9)Checkin/Checkout procedures--easiest I have ever experienced
10) Castaway Cay!!!!

As far as which 7 day, I haven't done the Disney 7 day yet, but if I had to choose, I would probably go on the Western, just because I am more interested in those Ports of Call.

 

[jwann]

WORTH EVERY CENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Verandah Man]

I have to agree, going with DCL is worth every cent (for me, DVC Points) I paid.

Eastern vs. Western is a personal choice. I selected the Eastern b/c I thought I would enjoy the extra sea day, and I did. I've selected the Eastern again for next August. The Western ports of call, don't interest me, but that's me, to each his own. Which ever you choose, you will have a "MAGICal" time on DCL!!!

 

[my3kids]

Yes, it is worth it: If you can book really far in advance...like close to 2 years, the rate isn't too terribly different than other lines. But, if you are a wait until the last minute kind of traveller, it might not be. For $100 more....about the difference when booking super early, it is money well spent. If you decide you have to go in a couple of months, then compare the rates, I'm not sure it is worth it. For late march, the rate for an inside cabin for the 7 night trip has gone to $1600 per person I saw last week on one website...It was about $800-900 a year ago. Compare that to the brand new Royal Caribbean ship where you can still get a porthole for $800...then I'd pick the other ship.

I like sea days. I think the Eastern is a great first trip. The extra day at sea really gives more time to explore the ship and take part in activities. Port days can be exhausting trying to do it all. If you want to relax, the extra day at sea gives more time to nap on deck!

(if you are a party of 5 though...pick Disney. The other lines have much more limited options for larger families.)

 

[wdwdclfan]

Silly Question---
well worth it!!!!!

 

[tecdavidt]

Yes it is worth every cent. We prefer eastern but the western is fun also. I love the days at sea and on the eastern I get 3 instead of 2. My husband loves St. Thomas, (so do I) so that is another plus for the eastern. You can't bet the beautiful waters of Cozumel so that is a plus for the western and Key West, well, I love Key West. It is a toss up.

We also like the family atmosphere. No casino on the ship but that is OK with us. It is just great clean family fun. Entertainment is Disney at its best. Service fantastic.

We have cruised Celebrity, Carnival, DCL and we do have a Princess scheduled for this Dec. Disney ranks right up there with Celebrity.

Kathy

 

[takemeaway]

In my humble opinion (and I am usually always right...just ask the husband...he says, "Yes dear" quite often), Disney is the best cruise line if you are traveling with children. If I didn't have two loud but adorable children, I would not cruise Disney simply because there are so many kids.

I felt very comfortable when my youngest spilled his water at the dinner table. IT was taken care of immediately, without anyone blinking an eye! I felt very comfortable when the children were acting silly while going up the stairs or spilled their ice-cream on Deck 9. I am not sure I would feel so comfortable on another cruise ship.

We are cruising the Eastern next year because like most others, those are the port of calls that interest us. With small children, there is no way we are going to drag them to see ruins in Cozumel!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

We did the Western in April 03 and are now booked on the Eastern in April 05 and Can't Wait! I shopped other cruise lines really hard, but we had such a fun time on the Magic. I didn't have to worry at all about my DS's and we all had a great time. I just really enjoyed the family atmosphere that DCL promotes.

All of the other cruise lines seem to have kids programs but they just can't be the same caliber. Nobody else has "Mickey" come visit their kids clubs!

 

[WDWLVR]

I think Disney is worth it and we don't have any children! To me no one gives you the experience that Disney does. Just all the extra little touches. Yes there are a lot of children on board, but Disney does such a good job of divding up the areas of the ship that you really don't seem to notice (except on a sea day at the Mickey or Goofy pool).

The adult only areas are wonderful. The rotational dining is very nice as well.

As for the Eastern vs. Western - we've done both and liked both. It is really up to you as to which you think you'd prefer. The Eastern is your more typical Caribbean cruise and great for a first time cruiser. The Western offers some great things although I agree that it would be better with older children or adults who can enjoy things like swimming with the stingrays or going to see the ruins.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by sleepingbeauty92
Me and my family were thinking of taking a DC. But we have been thinking about two questions: Is it worth our money? and If we go should we go to the Western Caribeen or Eastern?

If u answered this question it would be a big help!

DCL is worth every penny we scrape up to pay for the cruises. We don't have children yet, but from everyone I've spoken with, what I've seen in two cruises and all my friends here on the DIS, the children's programming is like no other.

Can't help you with the Eastern vs. Western because we've only done the Eastern -- and are really only interested in the Eastern. But know that the Eastern is slightly less expensive because it is one less port stop. One less port stop equals many things to save money: you pay for stuff off the ship as well as excursions. One less stop means less money out of pocket.

Out budget is tight at home, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

 

[cjsmith]

It is so worth every penny! We've done 3 cruises in the last year and a half, two 4 nights and the western 7 night this past June. We have another cruise booked for January, actually 2, both the Western again and the 4 night, now I have to choose. My kids have the BEST time on DCL and don't want to try anyone else. Because they have so much fun, we have fun! The western is what I choose just because I personally like the ports of call, but I will do the Eastern as well.
Actually if the Jan 3 cruse was the Eastern, that's what I would be doing!

 

[denise5374]

I agree. I researched other Cruise LInes but they didn't compare to Disney. My kids (11 and 7) had a great time on our first Wonder cruise and want to go back. The kids clubs were great, i had to drag mine out at 1 when they closed. Maybe ehwn they get older I will try another cruise line but I like the family atmosphee and excellent service on DCL. and another big plus is NO CASINO!!!

We are booked for 8/21/04. A surprise for the kiddies!!

 

[rundogrun]

Is it worth it? Depends. How much more are you willing to spend for Disney trimmings?

It's a great cruise, no doubt. But there are plenty of great cruises out there for far less money. They just don't have Mickey Mouse.

I looked at pricing for 2005 and broke out laughing. For the price of one DCL cruise, I could practically take two (comparable accomodations) on another cruiseline we've sailed (also with a great kids program). For me, it's a no-brainer...I'd MUCH rather have an extra week at sea.

Disney charges more because with two ships (only one with 7-day cruises) they can. Hey, it's a business...can't blame 'em for that.

And if the Disney "environment" makes the price worth it to you, then go. You'll have a fine time.

 

[jgalecpa]

Believe it or not I, a Disney-phile, agree wholeheartedly with RundoGrun.

Supply and demand determines price. DCL has high demand compared to it's relatively low supply (two ships).

The demand is high for "The Disnyy Experience". That includes good service, kid friendly (and can make you feel like a kid again), and wholesome entertainment..

I believe there are other lines that offer various combinations of the three items. Not to mention the Casino. Sometimes I may want various combinations of the three and the price to pay for those can vary.


If I was in the Mediterannean, I probably would not use the DCL. If was in hawaii, probably yes. Alaska, I don't know.

I do believe that for Families who are remotely into DIS, The DCL is a good value per dollar.

IMHO

Jim